South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-10-03
Says Giants Play McGraw's
Way, While Higgins AL
lows Yanks Freedom.
BY BRANCH RICKEY. +
Manager st. Louis Cardinals.

I think I know the managerial
methods of McGraw and Higgins.
In the past three seasons the Car
dinal club has played the Giants sc
games and has won 81, perhaps the
best three-year record any conten-
der has made against the New York
club. Miller Higgins was manager
of the Cardinals in 1917, the first
year l was president Of the club.
I came TO know him intimately at
that time Prior to that. as manag-
er OF the Browns. I played against
Higgins team in the St Louis
spring and fall series for several
years
Also this year the Cardinals won
two games from the Yankees in New
Orleans.
also am pretty we'll acquainted
with both men off the field.
Both Are ResourcefuI.
Both McGraw and Higgins are re-
sourceful and impervious 10 criti-
cism, good or bad. Both are sure
Of themselves and work best under
fire. Especially may this be said
Of McGraw
It has been said that McGraw buys
his pennantS. There is no rule
against it. but I don't think that any
manager gives youngsters more
chance than McGraw. F'risch. for in
stance. never had played a profess
sional game, but was picked up as
a free agent higgins. quick and
accurate in his judgment of players.
has developed several youngsters.
but he has bought some ready-made
ones, as we'll as MCGraw.
Two Kinds of BOssing.
Higgins allows his players more
freedom Of judgment than does Nc
Graw. Hugsins is boss, but not a
boss i'm detail.
The Giants play McGraw's way
and If any new Giant player, tutored
though he may have been by Father
Chadwick himself. SHOULD run coun-
ter to McGraw's ideas he would get
a new baseball baptism che very
first day.
McGraw holds himself responsible
for the failure Of his methods. if
they fail. He tells his pitchers what
and where to pitch and his hitters
when 10 hit The batters, the base
runners. the catchers and even the
coachers are constantly looking TO
McGraw for the signal.
Don't Play lunches.
NIcGraw doubtless figures that
fewer and less costly mistakes viii
have been made in q game where
he decides everything instead of nine
men deciding everything.
Neither manager plays lunches.
They believe there is a reason for
every move and real purpose for
every play. If there ever was a
time for managerial guessing It must
have passed before my day. Ger
tainly neither McGraw nor Higgins
use any guess system.
Higgins and McGraw doubtless
will be criticized for their general
ship in the coming world series.
however. most criticisms are made
without having all the facts in hand
Strategy and Tactics.
To be sure. there is nothing mys-
FERROUS about managing a baseball
club. 1t is O game Of strategy, tao
tics. some general principles. secur-
ing good men. handling others. win
ing games and pleasing the public.
The man I'm the gr@ndstand. if he
goes about IL rightly, can learn all
there is TO know. Hugo Bezdek for
rnerlv manager at Pittsburg, &C
guired his knowledge in this man
nor. Most clubs are directed cor
rectlv as to tactics There is no
compiex or profound problem about
IT. II is simply having every player
do the right thing al the right time
all the time. 1t is easy. therefore
If you can do Il.
II YOU can get the greatest num-
her OF 5eople 70 do the nearest right
ching al the nearest best time on
rre greatest possible number Of oc-
casions. then relatively speaking you
are the best manager there is
And any such person can set a
Quick fob in tho coming world series
nv applvinc al once TO Mr.. Higgins
or Mr.. McGraw.
What distinction would you make
between Higgins ard McGraw 2 /
asked a prominent player the other
DAY.
without hesitating. he replied.
'AIcGraw Is car and Higgins sort
OF talks EN- out OF IT,"
Higgins is on the job winter and
summer. He does very effective
work in the winter but he IS the