The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-02

CIlS 1dCL InaI IL Is Idll-cuu dSSL
the management three years ago,
laid the foundation for a strong C.
Mitchell is one of the smartest
managers in the business and with
any kind of material has always
been able to get results. His pres
ent bunch of athletes are hopeless,
except in a few instances. He ad-
mits it himself, placing no blame
on the players, for he declares
that they are doing the best they
can.
In an interview with Bill Peet,
a personal friend, in Pittsburgh,
Mitchell unburdened himself right
from the shoulder, and did not
fnince his words. When asked
about a rumor that he was to be
supplanted by McInnis, he smiled
and replied:
"They won't have to fire me
next season, for I shall resign un-
less the club owners spend some
money for players. 1 mean real
money. You can't buy q good
major league prospect these days
for SIS 900 and that's about all I've
been handed during the past two
years."
LAS the Braves stand today they
are right where they belong. South
worth is my only 6outfielder, Beckel
fair third baseman and McInnis
too slow to be effective with the
present lineup. I have two real
catchers and a couple Of young
ME -. I'll.
mara who will eventually come
through. That's my ball club and
1t cannot compete with the other
first division teams of the Ma
tional League.
Il would, Of course, like to stay
in Boston as manager, but only on
the condition that the owners of
the club give me little help. My
players are hustling and doing the
best they can, but the team as it
stands right now is not a major
league aggregation.
Take my old pitchers, Fillingim,
Oeschger and Miller. They have
won only q few games between
them this season. I'm afraid 'Rab-
bit Powell is about through, but
be Is doing the best he can. Felix
and Nixon lack experience. Bob
Smith, the shortstop, is fearfully
weak with the stick but is a good
fielder.
81 am in a tough spot to do
much talking. / hate to pass the
buck and seldom aIibi. I will not
say any more about the owners OF
the club; they are probably trying
to help me. but have been unsuc.
cesSful. Times have changed. Good
ball players, even from the minor
leagues, cost big money. Drafted
players will not help us much.
I feel that I have done about as
well as any manager could with the
material 1 have at my command.
That's one reason why / am not a
nervous wreck. F"
Mitchell declared he received no
notification to the effect that the
owners were contemplating canning
him in favor of McInnis. Stuffy is
q wise head and refuses to talk on
the subject.
Mitchells career as a manager has
been replete with setbacks after an
suspicious start. He served as
coach under Miracle Man" George
Stallings with the Boston Braves, and
his skill in handling pitchers did
much TO give the Braves the pen
nant and subsequently the worlds
series in 1914.
He gained such q reputation as
handler Of players that he was ap-
pointed president and manager #
the chicago Cubs in 1917, but he
iound the dual role too much of i
burden and resigned the executive
job, combining his energies to the
playing of the game.
Mitchell won the pennant in 1918
but the Cubs lost out in the world
series to the Boston Red Sox.
Mitch held his job in the Windy
City for four years. being dismiss ID
IN favor of Johnny Evers at the close
of the 1920 season ''
Mitchell was not out of ;oh
long, for he signed to pilot fho
Braves the following season SIM.
plementing Ed Barrow, who re-.
signed to become business manaper
OF the New York Yankees. Re.
cause of the mediocre talent on
hand and the tightwad methods If
the management, Mitchell has had
tough time trying to give Boston
a winner.
McInnis, who is likely to s,cceed
Mitchell, II the latter is let ont
began his career in fast comma M.
with the Philadelphia Athletics in
1909 as a shortstop. Connie Macl,
converted him into a first base
man and he was one of the stars
OF the Athletics million dollar in.
Held for several years.
After the Braves took four
straight from the Athletics in the
world series of 1914, Mack dis.
mantled his celebrated infield. but
Mclnnis managed to hold on until
1917 when he was handed over IN
the Boston Red Sox as a gift.
Stuffy remained with the Sox
until the winter Of 1921, when he
was traded to the Cleveland In.
dams for Outfielder Elmer Smith
now with the New York Yankees
and Joe Harris. Stuffy lasted one
season with the Indians.
This winter waivers were asked