Evening star., 1934-10-26
JOE CRON|N Sold;
TO BOSS RED SOX
$250,000 Reported Paid
for Griffs' Manager-SuC.
cessor in Doubt.
Continued From First Page.)

CONTINUED From First Page)
club: Walter johnson (now managing
the Indians), Harris, and Griffith him
self most frequently mentioned.
In New York the name Of Babe
Ruth was injected into the surmises.
Says Cronin Consented.
The sale, which came as a surprise
in base ball circles, was not made
without the full consent of Cronin,
Griffith said. Denying he had been
approached by Yawkey during the
regular base ball season, Griffith said
that Yawkey first discussed the pos
sibilities of obtaining Cronin at the
recent world series at Detroit.
Grifith laughed of such sale,
however, until Yawkey telephoned him
from Boston week ago and asked
Grifith to meet him in New York to
talk over a new offer Griffith made
the trip to New York last Wednesday
and returned to Washington last night,
when he wired Cronin IN San Fran
cisco, outlining the offer and suggest
ing that Joe communicate with Col
Cronin Is Satisfied.
Within half and hour Cronin
phoned Griffith from his California
home. where he is honeymooning with
his bride, the former Mildred Robert
son, niece and adopted daughter OF
Mrs. Grifith According to Grifhth
the young manager said he was salts
fed with terms and willing to be shift
ed to Boston.
1T was not the tremendous cash
sum which prompted the deal" Grit
fifth said today as he announced the
deal
The deal that sends Cronin to Bos-
ton as manager Of the Red Sox was
practically of his own choice. All
negotiations pending the deal were
conducted with his full knowledge and
cooperation.
When Mr.. Yawkey first made me
the cash offer for Cronin at the recent
world series I fatty refused to con-
slider selling him at any price and
only reconsidered for the reason that
Mr.. Yawkey came up with an as
founding offer of five-year contract
for Cronin as well as capable
shortstop for us in Lyn Larry
Felt Deal Obligatory.
This offer was so much in excess
Of what I ever could hope to pay
him that I considered it my duty to
give him the opportunity to accept.
Cronin had put in seven years OF
good work for the Washington base
ball club l am happy to give him
the chance that all ball players
dream of.
"Cronin has been a great ball
layer for us and a great manager.
He is one of the finest boys ever
knew and I am wishing him all the
success in the world"
Cronin. born in San Francisco in
1906, was purchased by the Ma
tionals in 1928 from Kansas City of
the American Association, to which
he was Internationally released by
the Pittsburgh Pirates after trials IN
1925 and 1927. The awkward young
ster was not hailed as coming star,
but was secuted and bought by Joe
Engel chiefly because Shortstop Bobby
Reeves was in need of a rest.
Playing 65 games for the Senators
in 1928 Cronin batted only .243, but
he won the regular shortstopping job
the next year and hit for .282. Not
until 1880, however did Cronin get
into a stride that caused critics all
over the country TO hail him as the
greatest shortfielder in the history OF
the American League and compare
him with the immortal Hans Wagner.
In that year he betted .346 and was
voted the most valuable player in the
American League at the end Of the
season.
Fell Under 500.
In 1881. 1882 and 1888 he batted
.306, 318 and .309, respectively, for a
lifetime major league mark Of .306,
but he dropped below 800 this season,
which was curtailed for him when he
broke his wrist on Labor day in
collision at first base with Pitcher
Yves Ferrell of the Red Sox.
Cronin succeeded Walter johnson
as manager Of the Nationals in 1888
and made good with bang, plotting
a third-place club to the pennant. In
turning this trick he duplicated the
feat Of the man he replaces in Boston
Harris. In Bucky's first year as
manager of the Senators, back in
1924, he won not only the American
League championship but also the
world series from the Giants.
Cronin's title winning team was
beaten in the world series. however,
by the Giants and this year, riddled
by string of injuries unprecedented
In the history of base ball, dropped