The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1934-02-26

ing which time his Giants won
ished second four times. During
twice fought their way to the
championship of the world.
Developed Great Players
In the development of great
players, equally as much as in
the honors his teams won, was
McGraw's genius for the game
shown. Christy Mathewson, Fer
die Schupp, George Wiltse. Heinie
Groh,. George Kelly, Fred Snod-
grass, Ross Young, Frank Frisch,
Fred Merlsle, Bill Terry, George
Burns; Milt stock, Larry Doyle,
Hank Gowdy, Mel OFT, Freddie
Lindstrom, Travis Jackson and
Carl Hubbell-these are but a few
of the lustrous performers to
flower under the care of Nc.
Graw's iron, but expert, hand.
His teams were unmistakable
for, like their leader, they were
teams of fire and dash. And they
wore teams that placed strategy
and the will to win above sheer
POW VhS1A1W was q AA6hSSA
clean through, from the day when
as a kid he Joined the beliigerent
old Baltimore Orioles in 1901, I'M
til he retired from baseball in
June of 1882. During his 40-odd
years with baseball, McGraw had
fought players, fans, managers.
umpires, league heads and, in la
ter years. with the officials Of his
own club.
Knew Baseball
McGraw's teams were success
full because he knew baseball in
side and out, and always directed
every maneuver Of his players
from the bench. He told his
pitchers what to pitch on every
ball, his fielders where to stand,
and his hitters what to hit. So
closely did he direct the plays
from the dugout that the sports
writer's long ago came to refer TO
him as Little Napoleon" and
1.-THE Master Mind.
McGraw knew ball-players and
he knew what they could do for
him. Every good player, however,
couldn't work for him. He was SO
exacting that he demanded q spe-
cial type of player, one who could
be nodded to the McGraw pat
tern. He brooked no disobedi-
ence. Once in a crucial game, he
ordered player to bunt. Instead
the player swung from the spikes
and slammed out O. home run.
what the hell did you do that
for?" roared McGraw as the man
walked proudly back to the dug
out. IT told you to bunt.'i
yeah, but won the old ball
game for you, didn't IT" answered
the player.
His Discipline
That's just the trouble with
this ball team" McGraw replied.
There's too much thinking going
on. You're fined a hundred"
McGraw was a stern discipline
arian. Players had to be in bed
by 1880 and a private detective
reported those who broke the
rule. They had to be down for
breakfast at $3.50 sharp. Every
players meal slip was personally
inspected by McGraw to see that
the lean ones were eating suffi-
GENTLY, and the fat ones not too
much. A player who married dur
ing the playing season was given
O biistering reprimand.
Hard as he was, there was no
man in baseball so thoughtful OF
the down-and-out players of an
other age. He was continually
placing the veterans as managers
and coaches, and his yearly chari-
ties have been estimated as high
as $4,000. He never forgot q
face. Not many years ago gray
haired man stopped him outside
the Pittsfieid ball park.
II guess you don't know me-"
the old fellow said. II only saw
you once for a few seconds"
"Yes, I do" replied McGraw;
"you're the man who threw quilt
over my head and made mo. drop
a pop foul here in 1885," Nc
Graw was right.
Great Snowman
McGraw had few equals as q
Snowman. Even In those years
when his club was not In the pen.
nant race, II still drew heavily a.
the gate because OF tho color OF
the players and their manager. IN
tho old days, when fans were
more bitter, Mcuraw made II q
point when arriving In a city, %
place his mon In an open carriage
and drive them. slowly. down the
main street. And HIS men had ~.
structiona 20 jeer and taunt o.
equal terms with tho hostile
crowd. Ito had tho club insure
him for u fortune. Ito took q
team on q trip around the world
Britain grew angry when he &C.
nlarod American soldiers we're bet
Tor fighters than thA TOmmleg be.
eauHn they played baseball. JIG
was forever on the search sOr
Jewish STAG. knOwlns that kan