The New York herald., 1922-12-26
STONEHAM OFFERS
BERTH TO MANAGER
Leader Balks, but Is Expected
to Accept Office Before
Season Opens.
NO CHANGE OF STOCK
Present Chief Executive Anx-
ious Only to Avoid Duties
of Position.
BY DANIEL.

JOnn j. Mc6TdW, fidiidBci anu NicS-
president of the New York National
League club, is about to advance into
the presidency. 1t developed yester-
day that Charles A. Stoneham, who
now is president and owns most OF the
stock, had offered the chief executive
position to McGraw as a New, Year
gift, and that while the manager had
refused the promotion and it's addi-
tional duties for the time being there
is more than a strong probability that
he will accept the offer before the sea-
son of 1923 rolls around.
In so far as is known Stoneham's
offer entails no proposition involving
the sale of any of his stock. He de-
clares that he has no intention of dis
posing of his holdings in the club.
But he has found that the presidency
of the Giants has taken up far more
of his time than he had bargained for.
The job and it's demands have been
growing fast. The presidency of the
club also forced Stoneham to sell the
race track at Havana and curtail his
activities as an owner of thorough
breds. This restriction is irksomc to
him.
McGraw yesterday admitted that
Stoneham had made the offer to him
and added that he did not feel that he
was in a position to become president
at this particular time. "Mr. Stoneham
has made a most flatterinC proposition
to me. but l cannot see my way clear
to take over the additional work in
volved," said the leader of the Giants.
ST find that my double position as a
manager and vice-president keeps me
busy enough 1t is proposition which
must be thought over for some time"
would Remain Manager.
Suppose you accept the presidency?
VIII that mean your retirement from the
bench into the grand stand and new
manager for the Giants?" McGraw was
asked. a.
mo, it would not" he replied, with
a chuckle. II am not through by any
means and I am not ready to hand the
reins to some one else. / think that l
am still good enough to manage the
Giants for while. l have record
can set that little higher
Stoneham's desire to retire from the
major executive. position in the New
York club comes close in the wake of
the recent report--xwhich he denied
that he was considering an offer for his
stock. II was declared some weeks ago
that Harry Hampstead, who sold the
control of the team to Stoneham, had
offered to buy 1t back.
p,,1 10 xtgtx TO J,nt do
who is treasurer OF the club. bought it
in 1918 and took McGraw into the
syndicate, making him part owner and
vice president. The team, which had
been prosperous for many years follow
ing its acquisition by John Il. Brush.
became increasingly successful In every
way and reached the zenith of It's
prestige with the second triumph over
the Yankees in the world series last
October.
Highest Paid Man I'm Game.
McGraw's climb with the Giants has
been steady and at times sensational.
He came here in 1901, when Andrew
Freedman was the owner, and made a
winner out of what had been hopeless
crew. Last year McCiraw was signed
for five years as manager at an annual
return of $4,000, making him the high
est paid man in baseball. His accept
ance of the presidency would mean a
bigger return stfll.
VT is known that McGraw's ambition
is not merely to be president but TO be
the owner as well. 1t is taken for
granted that IL Stoneham sells out the
stock will be purchased by the manager,
perhaps with the help of some friends.
Stoneham cannot sell his holdings unless
he gets waiver from McGraw and
McQuade.
Stoneham likes baseball. but his first
love Is horse racing. He likes the quick
thrill of the race and the excitement of
the track-the satisfaction of owning a
winner. He owns Dry Moon and Flan-
mel Shift. among others. He would like
to increase his stable and campaign
more extensively, but 1t is known that
Judge Lands frowns on close associa-
tion of baseball and racing.