San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-29

Burns a Great Player.
He Gets His Release.
"Ball Hawk" for Nc
Graw.
Sadie McMahon's Find.
He May Be a Manager.
BY Damon Runyon .

~S "Aoy DC q
49, By Damon Runyon '-@'
Copyright, 1925. International Feature
Service. Incl
After fourteen years of service IN
the big league, George Burns has
been given his. unconditional release
by the Philadelphia club.
This means that he can 90 whcr-
ever he pleases III baseball. The big
hearted magnates can hold play
er as chattel, selling him as they
might sell horse, or dog. for
period of years. Then he is entitled
to his unconditional release, and is
given the privilege of disposing of his
services to suit himself.
Of course, after ten years in the
big league, the average ball player
is nearing the end of his usefulness,
any way. His value has usually
vastly decreased, so the big hearted
magnatcs lose nothing by this rule.
In other words, the big hearted mag
mates take the best years of a bal
players life, then they magnanim-
ously say to him: Now. then, We
are going to permit you to better
yourself if you can"
In the ten years in which he is
held in bondage, he may have in
Vulnerable opportunities to better
himself. but the big hearted magnate
who happens to own him ut the time
does not mention an unconditional
release. If the player is sold, it is at
profit to the big hearted magnatc.
The player rarely participates
/ am not saying it is not good
system. l merely state the fact.
have known Of cases where it has
worked a considerable injustice. and
l have also known of cases where
it proved something of benefit.
In any event. the rule has nothing
much to do with the case of George
Burns, who had lasted in big league
baseball well beyond the ten-year
limit, anyway. am inclined to
think Burns will be found managing
some minor league club. In that
field he should meet with success.
He is one of the finest characters
[ ever encountered in baseball, and
/ knew him from the time he came
in fourteen years back, n pudgy,
roly-poly youngstcr, as quiet as a
mouse. but with q great deal of base
ball ability.
That was in the days when John
!. McGraw had modified his great
team OF New York Giants for three
time pcnnant-winnins campaign in
1911-12-13.
He had an aggregation of young
sters, and there med little chance
Of newcomer breaking into the
lineup for long time to come when
Burns reported to him at the Polo
Grounds in the fall of 1911.
McGraw had decided that he
needed secondary strength. however,
and be had sent old "Sadic" McMa-
hon. once great pitcher of the Bal
timorc Orioles. out on II scouting ex-
petition through New York State.
81 want tou to find me n man who
~ ready for big league company"
McGraw instructed Mcmahon. Il
want no prospect, no promising
youngstcr.. want fellow who is
ready
II was some months after he got
these instructions that McMahon
wired McGraw, I've got your man.
He had found Burns with the
Utica club of the New York State
League. and followed him for weeks
before ha reported to McGraw. On
McMaEon's recommendation, the
Giant leader purch scd Burns. who
had started his baseball career as a
catcher, and turned outficldcr.
josh Devorc was playing left field
for the Giants when Burns was pur-
chased, and the newcomer sat on the
bench acquiring his big league c6uca-
ton. 1t was McGraw's practice in
those days 20 keen Il youngster on
the bench a long time before trying
him in the Giants lineup.
At Marlin Springs, in Texas, the
following spring, McGraw watched
Burns for couple Of weeks, and
finally he remarked one day.
I've had n world Of confidence in
McMahon's judgment, but L cannot
see yet what he saw IN this fellow.
He has shown me nothing"
Another week. however, and it was
noticed that McGraw was using
Burns in the outficld about as often
as he used Dcvore, and when the
Giants finally turned north for the
summer campaign, it was n certainty
that DevOrc's successor in left field
had arrived. Before long Burns was
permanently installed there. and for
years he patrollcd left field for Me
Graw, probably one of the best left
fielders the game has ever seen.
He was almost too efficient. He
worked without flash. so quietly that
he often passed unnoticcd when great
players were being named. To me
he was the perfect outfieldcr, so
rarely making misplay that it was
a sensation when he did misjudge a
fly or tumble grounder.
IIc was ball hawk. as they call
n sure-fire fly catcher in the out
field. He was a good hitter. very
fast on thc bases, and an intelligent
player. MorCo"or. he was n gentle
man. In point Of personal populcr-
ity with the other baseball players,
and with the umpircs, George Burns
rlvallcd Laughing Larry" Doyle.
7 always liked Burns, both as n
ball player, and FOR his. personality.
His passive disposition kept him from
attaining the fame of the fiery Cobb,
or the blazing Speaker, yet he was
not far from these great players in
ability.
Schooled under the crafty Me-