The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-09-10

in 1870
That's the opinion OF President,
Clark c. Griffith, big chief OF the
Washington Club.
Since 1t is always interesting TO
consider the side of the fellow who
pays the freight. Griffith's observa-
tons likely will carry some weight
with patrons of his team.
The Old Fox confesses that senti-
ment played some part in Jof1nson's
selection as leader. At the same
time he insists that he is too much
of business man to pick pilot
on friendship alone.
A keen student of baseball,
the Washington Prexy seldom
eFrs in his judgment of men.
And in Walters case he Is GER
tain that he has done the right
thing.
i've followed this game a long
time" he confessed recently while
talking over the matter. And the
more I see OF it the more l realize
how much there Is to learn.
THE man who steps In as man
ager and cops a pennant right off
isn't necessarily q great leader. As
matter OF fact / figure that the
fellow who learns the game inside
out and still keeps plugging away
is the one who will get somewhere
in the long run.
"A winner needs a lot of pa
thence in this grind. That and q
fighting heart. Walters got both
and that's why I'm convinced that
he will eventually make a great
leader!''
Unlike some who have seen fit
to criticize Johnsen's handling of
the washington club this year,
''Walter's made his mistakes
sure he has," he admitted. But,
after all, that's the only way we
can learn our lessons. When
johnson took over his job this
year II was altogether new TO
him. He had to get his bear
ings before he could do himself
Justice. And let me say right
here that he took his knocks
like man and without an aIibi.
''The going was pretty tough for
the big fellow earlier in the year.
But he never equawked once and
he won't. He didn't complain while
he was pitching for second divi.
sion ball club and he doesn't. now
while he's managing one"
There have been plenty of man
ayers, Griffith contends, who would
have advanced hundreds OF excuses
had they been in Walters position.
And the fact that the Big Train has
shouIdered all the responsibility him
self has reacted favorably toward
the club and its officials.
when a man takes the blame for
his errors" the Old Fox claimed, 1T
shows that he isn't afraid to buckle
down to his work. And no one can
say that Johnson has tried to blame
his clubs shortcomings on anyone
else.
HE has taken his chances and
lost with a smile, but 1t has always
been determined smile. And you
can bet your life he's made a lot of
errors this season that he won't
repeat
'tYOu can afford 10 gamble
with a chap like that. He's out
to learn his position from the
ground mp, and that's the kind
of men we need not only In base
hall, hut i'm all other caIaings."
Griffith insists that Walter has
gained a good line on his material
for 1880 and will consequently get
away to q much better start than
was the case this year.
Experience alone teaches you
how to handle different types OF
men," he explained, land until a
skipper has had fair chance TO
size up his talent he's got his
hands full.
''I feel that Johnson has learned
lot about his players that he
didn't know before. He knows
who to coax and who to drive and
also has learned how to so about IL.
Which. IL my opinion means any
thing. should make him a 50 per
| cent better manager next year,