The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-10-02
SPORTS
JOHN McCRAW LOOKS
MORE LIKE BROKER
THAN BALL MACNATE

NEW NORk, oct s,-Ny adding
another pcnnant to the string that
has fluttercd from the flag pole
at the Polo Grounds, John Joseph
McGraw becomes more securely rs.
conced in his title OF Napoleon OF
baseball"
Short, stocky, dappcr rudy faced
and gray headed, McGraw looks
more like successful broker thah
professional athlete, He appears
as what the clothing adds classify
as smart" and II ever some twists
shears him ot success aud reason he
can get u job posing for an oil
painting OF cigarette smoker or
the latest In collars.
His career Is remarkable hu' no,
surprising II was u sane. steady
march to the heights OF his pro.
icsston, intercepted now and ,hcn
by some flight of temperament or
W ''"P''' '"' ~ mas All u'tn IN
one direction, He Is | nthc logical
place for such a logical man to
occupy.
McGraw was horn IN 1879 and 50
Is just about turning the 80 mark
lis Began playing baseball as most
American boys do as soon as hc
could toddle after one. His pro-
fesSional debut was made when ne
discarded short trousers. hut
whether he did one OF those two
things TO effect the other Is "A
question which his biographcrs must
debate.
The present manager OF the cham.
plon Giants has been IN the game
professionally for ~ years. starting
with the Oleon team Of the New
York State league In 1890 when
his reputation az consistent hitter
and reliable fielder spread from his
native heath of TruSton. y. Y.
Throughout his playing days he
was one OF the marvels OF the dia-
mond but his gray matter has made
him fixture.
Only one year did McGraw remain
in oloon signing a sheet for $50
month. Next he went to Cedar
Rapids whore his stipend was more
remunerative and his work more
brilliant. His shortstopplny was so
remarkable that big league scou,
came TO look him over. saw him
and was captivated.
The youthful "Mugsy" went to
Baltimore. then the talI-endars in
a l2-club circuit. II was In Aug
ust, 1891. that McGraw broke into
fast company. little more than n
year after his entry In the profess
sional ranks. His first season he
warmed the bench. but in 1892
Ned Hanlon. the Orioles new man
ager. tried out John Joseph at
second base and then shiftde him to
third where he gained reputation.
Third base was his position.
McGraw has always been recog-
nlzed as the peer OF any who pre-
ceded or followed him at the hot
corner" his particular forte being
the fielding OF bunts. He was a
year-ln n-and-year-out 800 hitter and
fast on the paths. His individual
playing was one OF the factors in
the success OF the old Orioles.
With Wilbert Robinson, formerly
Of the Giants. and now manager OF
the Brooklyn team. McGraw was
sold TO the St. Louis club In 1900
for $4,000. Both players were
lll-pleased and when the American
league reared It's head in 1900 the
Giants present mentor aligned him
self with Ban II. Johnson.
He went back TO Baltimore and
organized team that was one Of
the most popular In the history OF
the game. hut In 1902 McGraw and
Johnson came to the parting OF the
ways and In mid-season the Balti-
more team was so dlsOrganiZed
that "Mugsy" took off his spiked
shoes and announced that they were
on the shelf for ever. ]