New-York tribune., 1921-03-05
Veteran Takes Command
of His Team Two Hours
After Arrival at Camp
By Charles A. Taylor


SAN ANTONIO, Tex, March 4.-The
Great Commander has arrived and all
Is hustle and vim in the Giants train
ing camp. John J. McGraw approached
the hotel register at the unwitching
hour of this morning, and after
dashing off his signature instructed
the amazed clerk to have him called
promptly at 9.
His two-hour nap completed, the
manager hurried to the ball park and
grabbed bat. Phil Douglas was toss
ing them up to the hitsmiths and John
J. led off with a single over second.
On the next attempt he drove low
liner to left field, just inside the foul
line. After setting this standard Mana
ger McGraw relieved Hughie Jennings
Of his burden of responsibility and
assumed full charge of the practice,
which was snappy, despite the soggy
field.
The first infield TO be called into
action by McGraw consisted of George
Kelly at first base, Monroe ut second,
Gross at short and Frisch at third.
Henline did the catching. After If
teen minute workout a shift was made.
Grimes went to second, Burkett to
short and Kane to third.
Easy Time for Battery Men
In the meantime Jennings was busy
with the host of outfielders, at the
same time keeping watchful eye on
the battery candidates. The latter were
dismissed early, following a canter
around the outer edge Of the field.
Practically the same program was con-
tinued in the afternoon, but as the sur
face was drier the practice was more
extended and much faster.
Imm mediately after luncheon McGraw
met the newspaper men and answered
the many and varied questions hurled
at him. He expressed considerable sur
prise at the failure Of Joseph "Goldie"
Rapp to report, and said that, So far as
he knew, Rapp's absence was not due to
any differences with the New York
club. 1t was his opinion that the in
fielder was trying to secure part of his
purchase price from his former owner,
the St. Paul club. McGraw said ne
would get in touch with Rapp at his
home in Cincinnati by wire.
When told of the report from Hot
Springs that Dave Bancroft was seri-
ously i'll, McGraw said he did not un-
derstand that to be the case. On the
contrary, he believed that his star
shortstop would be here by Monday
Fred Toney also is due early next
week. Earl Smith, the catcher, will &C.
company Bancroft to San Antonio, ac-
cording to McGraw, while Mike Con-
zales is expected tomorrow.
May Not Play Tigers
Regarding the proposed series here
with the Detroit Tigers, the New York
manager said it has not been definitely
arranged. When told that Ty Cobb.
new manager of the Detroit club, had
said his team would not meet the Giants
if Bill Brennan were to umpire. Nc
ter of the series up to him personally
he would treat Tyrus courteously.
However, the New York manager re-
fused to state whether he favored such
series.
The first home run Of the season fell
to the lot of Long George Kelly in the
morning batting practice. The lankv
first sacker lifted the ball over the left
field fence.
Howard Burkett son Of the re-
nowned Jesse, gave good account Of
himself at short. He got his throws
to first off nicely and fielded we'll.
The lineup for to-morrow's game
was announced by McGraw tonight as
follows: Monroe or Grimes, second
base; King or Walker, left field;
Young or Spencer, right field; Frisch,
third base; Kelly, first base; Brown.
center field; Gross, shortstop; Snyder
and Henline, catchers; Ryan, Kelly
and Carton, pitchers
McGraw was accompanied on his ar
rival from Havana by Mrs. McGraw
and George Burns and Mrs. Burns.