Evening star., 1925-02-04

1t also is a rough game, as played
by professionals. This was the reason
Griffith had refused to allow me to
play the two previous Winters. He
thought I might injure an arm or leg.
He learned l was playing in Glen
Falls, and telephoned me. 1 was
ordered to quit Immediately and re-
port in Washington.
The Washington club president
gave me a fatherly talk when I ar
rived. He pointed out that while
hadn't broken my contract. i had
done thing of which he disapproved.
You're trained down too fine right
now :" he said. You need a rest be-
fore starting Spring training. I want
you to go to Tampa right away.
knew 7 had done wrong when /
heard his side of the case. I admitted
my fault He told me to forget 1t.
always have found his advice good In
base ball and everything else. Within
a few days I was on my way to
Tampa.
Donie Bush Was ReleaAed.
Griffith had released DOME Bush as
manager, and had not appointed his
successor when I left for the South.
He didn't discuss the question of a
new club leader with me then. The
big newspapers reaching Tampa were
sull of speculation as to who would
-et the job. Eddie Collins was slated
by some. The efforts of the Wash
ngton club to land the great second
'aseman were told in detail. Then
he story came along that Kid Glea-
ON would take over the refns. This
vas followed by the report that Jack
Barry, who had been such an inn
portant cog in Connie Macks $780,
600 infield," would be Washingto is
next manager.
My name didn't figure in the spec
ulation. II didn't expect it would.
With the opening of the Spring train
ing season almost at hand and no
manager named, I thought Griffith
himself would likely take the helm
once more. Personally, I hoped he
would. I knew If .any one could get
the best out of ball club, he could.
He had retired as manager at the end
of the 1920 season, after "a years in
uniform, to become president of the
Washington Club. He had bought a
half interest In the club, stalking the
savings of a lifetime on his conf
dence in the future of the national
pastime.
'COngratulatfons."
1t is the men Of his type who have
put DaSe Dall WneTe II Is To-Day. Inc
Griffths of the game have faith in the
integrity of the sport, confidence In
the honesty of players and the vision
of base ball going on to even bigger
things. They can be depended upon
to keep the sport on a high plane.
They have given their best to base
ball. No reward can be too great.
/ was expecting to hear that Grif-
fifth had decided to become manager
when l received a telegram from
Washington. 1t contained the one
word, Congratulations" The sender
was George Marshall of Washington,
known as the country's greatest
sporting fan. There were newspaper
reports at the time that the Yankees
were bidding for my services.
thought Marshall had an inside tip
that the deal had gone through.
/ was wondering when I would get
orders to report to the Yankees wher
special delivery letter arrived. The
envelope had the Washington ciui
stamp on it. Here, 1 was sure. was
the news of the transfer.
1 had to blink my eyes as i reac
the message in Griffith's own hand
writing. My hand shook. / had tt
sit down. l knew then how a mar
feels when he gets word an unknown