Evening star., 1923-01-16
The Bench" School of
Training-M c G. ~
Shifted to Second Base.
First Meeting With
Hugh Jennings-HO,U
They Traded Expert
ence for an Education.

IIE ball player through his
eagerness TO jump right into

TIE ball player through his
eagerness to jump right into
the limelight at the start and
through his bitter disappointments
over setbacks rarely considers the
trials and difficulties of the man
ager. Of course, he is young and
impatient. while the manager is
usually careful and cautious. The
manager must be responsible for the
team as whole and for results. The
players concern is for his own ad-
vancement.
In 1922, when | found myself on the
bench as the result of the twelve club
consolidation, ! felt as If the bottom
had dropped out Of the world. At the
same time l felt confident OF my own
ability to make good eventually. For
one time l had no inclination to jung
to some other team. l bided my time
as best | could an kept practicing all
the while. | also watched the other
players closely. / tried 10 initiate
their good points and to avoid their
ing for me. though l didn't realiZu it.
BURNS Learned on Bench.
Always l have regarded bench treat
ment as such good training that |
have kept good ball players there for
several months and paid their sala-
ries so that they could absorb a lot
of base ball observation. An example
of this was George Burns. He had
our style of game so pat from weeks
OF observation on the bench that when
lie went in as regular he was almost
a finished ball player. He never weIIt
back to the bench to stay.
The Orioles at the time I joined
them were not doing so well. We
were losing game after game and the
TO pay expenses. George Van Haltren
was the manager and Harry Won der
Horst the owner.
Mr.. Won der Horst decided to change
managers and finally succeeded in Sc
curing Ed Hanlon, then with Pitts
burgh
Hanlon Great Organizer.
Ed Hanlon had wonderful faculty
of organization. a trait that he had
never had a chance to fully develop
until he came to Baltimore. Ills
policy always was one of construc-
tion. I find it "A general impression
thai Hanlon was more particularly
noted for his ability TO develop inside
base ball. 1t is true that he dotted on
the two | would say he was a greater
organizer and builder than a field
general. Everybody realized his
ability as a field general. but a few
ever gave him credit for his really
masterful work in building up team.
Within a. few days after his arrival
Hanlon began making shifts. He took
me from the bench and put me at
second base. l was overjoyed and
naturally thought him the best man
ager l ever had seen.
In my new position 1 played my first
game against Cap Ansons Chicago
club. The Cap remembered me from
Cedar Rapids. / was more than anX-
ious to make good that day, and did
/ had a perfect fielding average and
Impression on Anson. He had for
given me for my freshness and cocki-
ness-rather liked it, I think.
Anyway, after that game he offered
to trade Jimmy Ryan for me. Ryan
was an outfelder on the Chicago
team. Hanlon refused, much to my
delight. That was an important mo-
ment in life. If / had gone to Chi
cago / would have missed those happy
days on the Orioles-might have
missed my chance to progress.
But Hanlon was wise manager in
ways that / did not appreciate. He
thought me a little inexperienced for
second base and made a deal by
which he got Cub" Stricken, a sec
ond baseman of reputation and ex-
perience. was benched again.
Han1on offered to farm me out to the
Mobile. Ala, club, but / protested so
violently against going that he con-