The Washington times., 1921-03-28

Had Tony Marhafka, the same :
game little duch here in the Griffs'
camp now, been taken South fifteen
years ago he might now be approach
ing the close of an honorable major
league career. He might have been
developed then and taken his place
among the leading lights of the game.
But fate kept Tony MarharKa in
the background. frittering away his
time on the sandlots around his
home town in Pennsylvania. II he
fielded like a Hans Wagner, none
knew ii, that is. none who could help
him to greater things. II he de-
veloped incorrect methods at bat,
none was there to advise him diff
ferently.
HE FINALLY COMES UP.
And so the years went on for Tony
Marhafka. He made a fine reputa-
ton among the semipro baseball
teams of his home country. He
worked hard in the winter, usually
in the mines, and took the best of
care of himself so as to be ready
for baseball the moment the snow
left the ground.
Finally war was looming up for
the major leagues. 1t began to look
as If the national agreement was to
be shattered and the two big organ
izations pull apart. Clark Griffith.
president of the Washington club.
called upon all bis friends to dig up
ball players for him. He did not
mean to be caught without a ball
team. And into the net came Tony
Marhafka.
Down here in Florida by the warm
waters of the Gulf of Mexico camo
this sturdy little player, seeing
Dixie for the first time. He
fairly reveled in the fine surround
ings, the excellent hotel, the fine
meals, the pretty ball park, the
skilled trainer. And he played ball
every day to the best of his ability.
But Fate was merely grinning at
little Tony, toying with him. 1t was
already written in the books that
Tony Marhafka was never to wear
big league uniform. He had wasted
the years of his strength in Shamo-
kin, Pa.
ROY RECOGNIZED HIM.
The Washington rockies went over
10 Gainesville for a series with the
Fhilles. Roy Reeves. the veteran
baseball writer, was there repre-
senting the Philadelphia Ledger.
Spotting Tony, Reeves remarked,
How did you ever get Tony Mar
halkE He's been playing ball for
twenty years." ....,
And right there you have the
death knell for Tony's hopes. You
nor for ten, before getting your
trial in fast company. The younger
you are, the better your chances in
the major leagues. The game is
rushing ahead all the time. No
manager has time to meddle with
but the prospective star,
never for the veteran who has never
been up before.
Down here in Dixie Tony Marhaf-
ka has strained faithfully. He has
done everything by his boss, George
Mcbride. Though a shortstop, he has
played third and second to the best
of his ability.
Gee. I'm out o. luck" he told us
over in Gainesville Here am play |
ing second for the first time in my
life and see what I'm in, sand up
over my shoe tops" ,
And he grinned right back at Fate.
WE ADMIRE LITTLE TONY.
We admire little Tony Marhafka,
for there Is much to admire in him.
He is of Polish ancestry. honest, |
earnest, decent and clean. He has
been attending to his Lenten duties |
ever since coming to Tampa, doing |
1t without noise or buster. And he
has never lost his little grin.
1t is much as II Tony realized from |
the start the awful handicap Fato |
had prepared for him and intended |
giving back blow for blow to the |
very end. He is no gutter. He abs |
cone the best he could. He will leave |
the Washington squad without Bit
terness. and also without complaint |
Little Tony Marhafka, football of
Fate, that's what he is. Had he /
come up for trial say fifteen years