The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-19
z FIND that sentiment anon


r FIND that sentiment among
Il baseball men is on Walter John
sons side Which is to say they'd
rather see him come home in front
than Mr.. McGillicuddy.
This is not surprising. There are still a
lot Of fellows in the game who played with
and against Johnson. whereas Mr.. Nc
Gillicuddy belongs to another generation
And besides Mr.. McGiIlicuddy has won his
share Of remnants. Johnson has yet to
win his hrst.
What's making the Washington team
click? Johnson for one. He has developed
surprising ability as team director and
leader. AS player he was amiable. yield
Ing. easy going. He is still amiable. ]
even have heard him referred to as low
able. But when Johnson has to crack
the whip. he cracks it and the slaves
tremble.
Nobody ever thought johnson would be
success as manager. Hes too soft"
they said. "and you can't be soft with
ball players" Johnson's first job as a
manager was with Newark in the Inter-
national. and he was a distinct failure,
1t wasn't that the players didn't like him.
They liked him so well that they stayed
Up all night in the local swilleries singing
FOR he's a polly good fellow and make
mine the same this time
This was accepted as the tip of. II
Johnson couldn't handle minor league
team. how could he expect to run big
league team? Logical enough but there
was another element that wasn't con-
sidered Johnson never wanted to 80 to
Newark. 1t hurt him to have to leave the
big leagues. where he had spent his whole
baseball life.
Very likely Clark Griffith. owner OF the
Washingtons. knew this. and knowing it.
he was able properly to evaluate Johnson S
records with Newark so when the time
came to make a shift in managers he
wasn't hesitant about bringing Johnson
back and giving him the Job.
AT the time johnson was
IN shipped to Newark I renem-
Der I criticised Griffith for what
seemed to be brutal lack of appre-
citation, for Johnson more than any
one other agency had made base
ball in Washington and the Grit
fifth fortune along with it.
But in the light OF later Developments
was able to see that Griffith had john
son in mind ell the time as his ultimate
manager. 1t may be that the two had an
understanding. At any rate the Newark
assignment was probably nothing more
than a warm up for the old pitcher. an
apprenticeship which was to ready him
up. as the boys say. for heavier and more
important responsibilities 1t seems to
have been an intelligent move.
Right now the Wasahingtons are play
ing the best ball in either league. They
have won fifteen out OF sixteen. with a
current unhroken string of twelve straight.
The only game they have dropped in three
weeks was 10 shutout to the Tigers with
the Veteran George Uhle outpitchinE the
equally ancient Sam Jones.
Johnson has been getting stout pitch
ing. and effective hitting Blended in
proper proportions this usually constitutes
a winning formula. johnson brought Young
Carl Fischer in from Newark with him,
and he has proved to be a powerful as
set. incidentally. this is the young man
the Giants could have had. II they had
cared to pay the price.
Could Mr.. John MeGraw use him now?
Gould Mahatma Gandhi use a facial2