The Washington times., 1921-10-05

There have been few men Identified
with baseball who have possessed as
great a knowledge Of the game, or
who have been his peers az tacticians.
Furthermore, he has the ability to i'm.
bue his players with his fighting
spirit, and this has been q potent fac
tor in the successes that have attend
ed his banner. Added TO these quail
ties, McGraw is Il great judge OF the
ability of ball players. He can detect
! latent ability and knows how best It
can be brought to the fore.
| 1t Is probable that McGraw has de-
veloped more young ball players, who
seemed at first TO boast only ordinary
ability, into the ranks of the stars,
than any other schoolmaster whose
classroom has been the diamond. In
short. McGraw has been one of the
high lights OF baseball ever since he
first became a member OF that famous
nursery OF stars, the old Baltimore ORR
oles of the COS. II was under Ed Han
Ion that Mac learned baseball, and he
has been adding to his knowledge ever
since.
Only One Poor Year.
McGraw has piloted the Giants to
seven National League pennants since
! he first took charge of the club in
July, 1902. They finished last that
year, but since then have finished out
side the first division but once, in 1915,
when his machine fell completely to
pieces and wound up in the cellar.
This will be the sixth worlds series In
which McGraw has led his club, and,
as a member Of the Orioles. he played
in the Temple cup series of 1894. 1895,
1896 and 1897. OF the five worlds Sc
ries to which the Giants have been
parties. McGraw has been successful
but once, but in other respects no
manager in the history OF modern
baseball has achieved so much as he
has in the way Of winning champion
ships.
McGraw is IS years old, having
been born In Truxton, n Y, on April
Z. 1873. lie made his debut as a pro-
fessional with the Olean, y. Y, team
in 1890. when he was II. Thus has the
Little Napoleon been identified with
the sport for thirty-one years. From
the first McGraw was recognized as
consistent and hard hitter and
skilltul fielder. His first contract cal
led for the munificent sum OF $50
month. The following year nc. WIS
signed by the Cedar Rapids Club and
II was while he was playing with the
Iowa team that he attracted the at
tention of big league scouts. In
August. 1891. he was signed by the
Baltimore Club OF the National
League, then last in a twelye-club
circuit.
Ned Hanlon succeeded Billy Barney
as manager Of the Orioles in May of
the following year and he Immediately
recognized McGraw's worth. Where
John had been a bench warmer he be-
came an active player in spite of his
small stature. Hanlon first tried him
on second baso where she showed
speed and skill. but later he was shift
cd TO third. where he shone with even
greater brilliance, and there he STUCK.
A $50 Hitter.
From the time until he withdrew
from active service as a player he was
conceded a place among the best third
basemen in the game. His ability to
handle hunts was almost uncanny. al.
ways a capable batter, under Hanlon's
instruction he became one OF the great.
est in baseball. For years his average
never fell below $50. He was OK
tremely fast on the bases. and his all
around playing was one Of the big
factors in Baltimore's string of pen
nants. While with the Orioles he was
surrounded by other stars. such as
Hughey Jennings and Wilbert Robin.