Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-03
The Passing of "Bucky."

To many Westinghouse the news
Yesterday that "Bucky" Harris had been
relieved Of the managcrship of the
washington team by President Clark
Griffith came as surprise. but to those
who have closely followed the fortunes
of the Nationals for the past year the
handwriting was on the wall. The fact
that his three-year contract calling for
large annual salary expired at the
end of this season, a contract written
in the halcycn days of Washington base
ball supremacy, and that Harris own
injuries and those OF his teammates
prevented the club from going any
where in particular until the past six
weeks of the campaign made 1t evident
that "Bucky's" future with the local
outfit was hanging by a slender thread.
Base ball, long ago. entered the realm
of big business, and there Is little. II
any, sentiment in business. Consequent
". the passing of Harris may be re-
gardcd as in the light of change of
executives in any organization. AS
"Buckv" himself so aptly said on emery
ing from the conference which decided
his status, President Griffith is the
boss and that's his decision" Griffith
is most certainly the boss and if he
believes that a change of managers
will be beneficial to the club, it is his
inalienable right to bring about the
change.
1t is not likely, though, that either
Griffith or the fans will soon forget
the thrill that succeeded thrill in 1924
and 1925 when "Bucky," a manager at
twenty-eight. led his teammates through
to victory. The world series of 1924
is firmly etched on the minds of all
Washingtonians who witnessed those
exciting games. "Bucky" was the hero
of heroes then, and deservedly SO. o.
dinarily a weak batter, he came through
time and time again with an opportune
hit and played star game around Sec
ond base. He bore his honors modestly
and by his actions on and off the field
won the respect and admiration of all
of Washington.
The deposed Washington manager
will probably have little difficulty in
securing another berth. He still ranks
with the best second basemen in the
game and when free from injuries he
will hit we'll enough to be classed as
a star. Besides these factors, he has
that intangible quality of base ball
brains" something that is much sought
after and which draws adequate COM
pensation.
Washington fans regret "Bucky's"
passing. Nine years with the team,
five of them as manager, this clean
living young athlete has come to be
almost a part of the game Of bass ball
in this city. The gameness and fight
ing qualities which enabled him to win
world series and two pennants and
to finish in the first division during his
entire period Of managership have
caused many Washingtonians to ques-
ton Griffith's judgment in letting him
go, but again let it be pointed out that
base ball is business and there Is little
sentiment in business.
The best wishes of fandom will go
with Harris when he leaves this city.
His record here has been an enviable
one and the sight of the scrappy little
second sacker cavorting in another uni
form next year will cause his legion
Of admirers to wish that the exigencies
of the situation, in the eyes of Clark
Griffith. had not made it necessary to
send him away. Good-by, "Bucky,'
and good luck!