The New York herald., 1922-01-05
sOverjoyed at Returning Here
Says the Star Third
Baseman.
ny DANIEL

~ D<A%sAHhs
Henry Knight Groh. third baseman
par excellence-ofttimes endowed with
the monaker of Heinie--yesterday fas-
tened himself to the playing family of
the Giants for term of two years.
Groh came in from his home in Gin
cinnati in the forenoon and went to the
offices of the New York National
League club for a conference with John
McGraw and Magistrate McQuade.
treasurer of the club.
This discussion apparently was en-
tirely of an amicable nature, for it was
not very long before McGraw came out
with Henie and the Magistrate-aii
Emiles-and announced that Groh had
signed contract for the seasons of
1922 and 1923.
McGraw did not name the figure on
the contract, but ii seems safe to say
that it calls for at least $4,000 a year.
1t Is understood that Heine got 5000
with the Reds last year and that he
demanded $1,000 If the Cincinnati club
wanted him to cover the hot corner
again in 1922. There is little chance
that Heinie got anything like $4,000.
Groh, quiet and diffident and the
antithesis of Heinie of the diamond.
was overjoyed over his return TO the
New Yorks. II certainly am glad to
come back to the Giants and the great
est manager in the game" he said.
''There is only one town in which to
play ball. only one team and just one
manager. ] tell you. l ought to know.
Set for Best Season.
II started my major league career in
New York, and / want to finish IL here.
I think that / played pretty good ball
last season-hit for .331. I believe that
am going to enjoy an even better year
with the Giants. The club surely looks
unbeatable. and 1t is a double pleasure
to come back to II at time when 1t
Is the champion OF the world. and likely
to retain that title.'
Groh was in Havana playing with the
National League Stars when he heard
that he had been traded to the Giants.
''As soon as l learned that my great
ambition had been fulfilled that tour
began to look unattractive to me-" said
Heinie in referring to the Cuban propo-
sition. 1.-THE others wanted to go on
to Mexico, but I cut the thing short
and rushed back to my family in Gin
cinnati. I am going to my old home
In Rochester tonight and then 1 will
skip back to Cincinnati. If / can sell
my home out there I will move into
New York. At any rate. I will make
my summer home in this city.
HOW is III l1dt you nave lIldl perulldT
stance at the bat?" Groh was asked.
and he laughed.
The Secret Comes Out.
that's a deep secret. and suppose
Il might as well come out now as any
other time," Heinie replied. THE first
year broke into professional baseball,
in Oshkosh in 1908, found that the
pitchers were fooling me with curve
balls / hit .161 that season, and then
] said to myself: Heinie. II you are
going to stay in this game you will have
10 stop those birds from fooling you
with curves So set myself to think
ing out a scheme to remedy that fall
ing, and got the idea of that peculiar
position az the plate. The scheme
worked. for the next season saw me
hit 1856, and the next close to 300"
Groh said that he scaled at 157
rounds--his best weight--and that he
was fit and ready to play ball at once.
well, then. take care of yourself
and meet us in st. Louis on Monday,
February 81. on our way to San An
tonic" broke in McGraw
In speaking of the games In Cuba
Heinie said that the National Leaguers
had been favored with splendid weather,
and that the contests had been close
and hard fought. He had a strong
boost for Heinie Mueller. the new out
fielder Of the Cardinals. who was a
member OF the party.
THAT boy will be n great player In
smother year." said Groh. ''He is
natural hitter and takes a ball nicely.
Burlcieh Grimes had some little trouble
with his arm. but he came out of II all
right Tuero of the Cubans. a great
pitcher. gave us lot of trouble. and
o. 10 tl,a Of .
fielder and pitcher. looked pretty good, |
TOO. They had quite ball club against !
u.s.
Grch's two year contract is the fourth |
which he has signed for McGraw He /
affixed his signature TO the first in |
1911. when the Giants bought him from |
Decatur Of the Three-I League. Dick 1
Kinsella went to Decatur TO look at a |
pitcher and soon found himself watch |
Ing a little third baseman with
peculiar style both in the field and at |
bat He recommended that Groh be |
bought-and the New YorlSs did not |
have to go higher than s1,500 to land |
the yourgster who was hitting only |
.c6S with the minor leaguers and was |
not regarded as a major prospect in that |
company.
Groh finished that season with Buffalo :
and came back 10 the Giants In 1912. In |
1918 he played quite a few games at
second base for the Giants. Then came |
n critical situation for McGraw. He .
needed another experienced right handler.
and Fromine OF the Reds was the man F.
ne wanted. SO Mac" gave Groh, De-
vore and Annes for Fromme. II looked |
like n Sucker" deal. but McGraw was
overburdened with stellar infield ma
terial and had to get that pitcher.
Fromme helped win the pennant.
Now Groh. at 81. after nine years
with Cincinnati. Is back where he started
in the majors.