The Washington times., 1935-11-14
GriH Seen
AsMqvinS s
Successor
Bv KIRK MILLER
Times Sports Editor

Without trying to fill the
office of the late vice presi-
dent of the American League,
Frank J. Navin, whose death
occurred suddenly yesterday,
before the final rites are said
for him, I venture to say the
name of Clark Calvin Griffith
will receive serious considera-
tion at the December meeting
of the league in New York, as
a worthy successor to MIR.
Navin for the second office in the
circuit.
You see the old guard is
thinning out, and baseball brains
are beginning to be something OF
a scarcity on the market. You
can't pick up a really smart base
ball administrative mind at a
moments notice, and for that
reason, in view of Griff's admit.
ted baseball Sagacity, I should
not be surprised to see him
voted into office-whether ne
cares to take on the additional
responsibility or not.
A FOunt Of AdviceS
I know that the younger heads
In the American League, men
like Tom Yawkey, Red SoX
owner: Louis Comiskey, who fell
heir to the White Sox upon tho
demise of his father, Charles
A. Comiskey, often called the Old
Roman, and their like, look very
largely to Griff for sound guild
ance of the leagues affairs.
This is also true Of the presl'
dent of the league, Bill Harridge,
who studied baseball under the
late league president, Ban John
son. AS secretary Of the league,
Harridge consultS with Gritf on
baseball affairs more frequently
than any of you imagine; for
Harridge, like many others close
TO the game, knows that Griffith
has been a pillar Of the Amert'
can League edifice since its
origin back in the beginning OF
the century.
Well, Johnson's passing was FOL.
lowed shortly by the passing OF
another of the old-line students
of baseball organization, Ernest
Barnard, of Cleveland, who sue
ceeded johnson.
Faith In Harridge
It was then that Harridge was
inducted into office, largely be-
cause of the fact he had been
at the right hand Of the Ameri,
can League baseball throne for
so long, and because Of the con-
fidence the club owners as a
whole, imposed in him.
The choice for the office now
vacant is almost sure to fall to
the lot Of a man whose expert
ence at least equals that Of Mr..
Navin. The league, for the past
half dozen years since many OF
its founders have been lost to
it, has tried to keep something
like an equal balance Of young
and old blood in its higher coun-
cils.
Tom shibe, Philadelphia; Jacob
Rupert, New York, and Alva
Bradley, Cleveland, hardly meet
the qualifications because Of
other business interests. But
Griffith, like was the case with
Navin, has but one interest--base-
ball.
Organized New League
Ban johnson, Charley Comis-
key and Phil Ball, all deceased,
with Griffith, practically organ
lied the American League back
in 1900 and Griff's influence was
strong in determining all OF the
league and inter-league agree
ments, contracts and fixed modes
Of operations.
After Grfif broke into profes-
sional baseball with Blooming
ton, ILL.,, in 1887 he pitched for
the Milwaukee club. Later he
Joined the st. Louis (American
Associationl club to become a
teammate of the man who was
to head the White Sox in the
American League which was then
yet to be formed-Charley Co.
miSkey.
Griff's baseball fortunes were
thence varied, and he travelled to
and from several clubs. He was
traded to the Boston (American
Association club and released
to Tacoma, w ashin g 20 n, and
from there he went to Missoula,
Montana; only to next turn up
for Oakland. California.
From the Coast e'went East to
pitch for the Chicago Nationals,
<~a.J D. % ~ -