Evening star., 1932-10-09
CLUB WOULD SHINE
KEEPING HIS PACE
Youngest Leader Has Simple
Recipe for Success of
Any Ball Team.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

- tionals must under their
y new manager, Joe Cronin, or
hell have to know why.
That's all the youngest pilot in
major league base ball will ask OF
his club next year.
That's all a manager can do"
the leader, not yet 26 years old,
contends. Big leaguers know
what it's all about. And the man
ager can't play for them. His big
job is to keep them on their toes
all the way"
All of which seems a right sensible
way to consider his new job. The
youthful Cronin not only is a good ball
player but also a ShreWd one, who
knows his game inside and out. He
realizes the value Of giving everything
one has to his play. He is that type of
player and Joe has been around the big
time long enough TO understand that
only a club whose every player Is up
and at the opposition continually gets
anywhere worth while.
Its not much to ask Of ball play
er," Joe remarked after his appoint
ment as successor to Walter johnson
had been announced yesterday by Clark
Griffith, president of The Washington
base ball club Its his job to give
his best at all times. If he doesn't. he
can only blame himself and must suffer
the consequences.
All I'll ask of the fellows is that
they carry on every bit of the way.
I'll not tolerate any loafng. There's
no room for a loafer on big league
ball club, or, for that matter, on any
ball club" the young field general
snapped.
If the others keep on the job as Joe
always has, there should be plenty of
get-up-and-go to the 1888 edition Of
the Nationals.
CRONIN isn't likely to be any stern
~ disciplinarian, SO far as the con-
duct of his players off the field is
concerned. There1l be no checking in
of players at night during training and
when the Nationals are on the road.
But they must be right"
"A ball player certainly knows he
must guard his physical condition at
all times. He can't play around all
night and give any decent account of
himself on the field the next afternoon
Many have learned that" Cronin point
ed out. THE FOUNDERS are rare. espe-
CHILLY III TIC DIS ltdS utS, anu lIltS SOOl
weed themselves out.
'Of course, a ball player. like a man
in any other business, must have some
recreation. That's o. K. with me. But
it'll be up to the Washington players
to keep themselves fit for duty. When
they don't dc so, they won't be able
to hide it.
"The Washington club has a lot Of
fine fellows. They understand perfectly
what is required of them and that they
must keep themselves in order for work.
They are easy to get along with, too. 7
anticipate no trouble so far as discipline
and conduct are concerned" declared
Joe.
Joe shouldn't have any. He always
has been quite popular with his team
mates. He's a genial soul and the Ma
tionals like his fire and spunk on the
field. too. In the main, Cronin is
modest boy. but not in a ball game
Then he is full of spunk and fight. mix
ing in every situation that arises and
in every discussion started,
These are the characteristics that
have made him the spark plug Of the
Nationals the past three seasons and the
ones that should stand him In good
stead in his new post.
THIS youngest appointee ever to the
i management OF a big league bail
club has no fears that the respon-
sibilities of his new job will bring about
any breakdown in his play afleld.
When I was mentioned as likely
manager of the Washington club, I
know some said making me leader prob
ably would spoil me as ball player"
Joe said feelingly. Don't put any
stock in that A fellow can handle a
ball club and still play his game. There
have been plenty of playing managers
to prove that. I really feel that play
ing manager is the better type. He's
closer to the game and his players than
bench manager possibly can be. !
have no fear for my game
About the only thing worrying Cronin
at present is that he must miss being
at home in San Francisco on his birth
day He'll be 26 years old next We'd
nesday. having been born in the year
of the big earthquake in the West Coast
city.
II surely would like to be with the
folks on my birthday" he said wistfully
but am to remain here a day or two
longer to talk over club affairs with
Mr.. Griffith" The Washington presi-
dent always has been Mr.. Griffith to
Joe and he doesn't feel his elevation tc
the managership should bring any
change in address. But it won't be
long before I see those San Francisco
hills again"
Those hills help keep Cronin in con-
dition between seasons. He roams the
rugged country around his native city
every Winter and frequently turns lum-
berjack to strengthen muscles and ward
off overpoundage.
That's to be my routine again this
Winter, too," declared Joe. then, BEAM
ing, ''I'll be right when I'm seeing you
again in the Spring.