The Washington times., 1936-01-14

Aids Team
As Coach
Nv FRANK BUCK O'NEHL

American League fans with his
merry antics again this season,
his twenty-fifth year with the
washington Griffmen. Uncle Nick
called at the ball park yesterday
and announced that he was not
a holdout. Griffith sent for the
papers and Uncle Nick signed
without even looking at the
terms.
Just above the signature is the
note: with thanks"
Since time almost out Of men,
DRY Uncle Nick had added that
little word to Griff. It's friendly
little gesture by an old and
valued retainer that means much
to Clark Griffith.
There are some folks who see
this rugged old Falstaff on the
coaching lines, or Glowing
around home plate delighting
crowds with his def handling of
the ball, who will tell you that
old Nick is on a pension.
"Why do they need him?" some
will ask.
Valuable to Team
Treat such hard boiled critics
with kindness. The question,
rarely asked, its true, symbolizeS
their lack of understanding. Nick
is as much a part of Washington
baseball as the base lines. He is
of greater value to the team than
some of the boys who strut about
in all the arrogance of youth.
Eyer ought ter mold on to tn
ball longer" Nick will tell some
youngster. LET it go below your
shoulder. If you throw it high,
it's just a base hit"
Or maybe some young out.
fielder has trouble getting the
break on a ball. Nick will set him
right on some little point that
improves his game. He bats
grounders to the infielders every
day and can tell you Just who and
who will not make good infielderS.
Beyond all of that, he's a loyal
old hand to the Boss"
Bitterest Golf Rivals
The only feud that old Nick
ever carried on with Griffith has
lasted for more than 20 years.
They are irreconcilcble foes on the
golf courses. From spring to fall
this battle RACES. Griff says that
Altrock can shoot u against
Hagen, but against me he takes
80, and that's too many"
Spring training trips offer no
finer afternoons than q round Of
golf with Nick, Griff and Billy
Smith. There's more banter and
fun out there than in any other
game you can name.
What game gave Nick his great
est thrill?
Well, you might think It was on
that afternoon in 1905 when the
old southpaw beat Mordecai Brown
in a pitching duel to start the
White Sox on their way to the
worlds championship. Or you
might think it was during that
record run of 10 consecutive vic,
tories which still stands as the
American League record.
His Greatest Thrill
But you would be wrong. The
thing that gave Nick his greatest
kick. but wait minute; heres
Nick:
II was playing with the old
HillSideS out there in Cincin-
matt. We were kids and we
lived on the side Of one of those
big hills. So we took the name
of the team right out Of the
neighbOrhOOd.
'Well we're going to play a
game one Sunday and my
mother decided that she didn't
want me to ruin any more
clothes, especially any more Sun
day clothes. So she made me
baseball suit Of Canton flannel,
and off / went to play ball.
felt pretty Swagger walking
along in that suit. 1t was pink
and white flannel and looked
like q blanket, but that didn't
matter to me. I was the only one
with q suit.
''WelI everything went all
right until the game started.
began to sweat and the suit
stuck to me. 1 slid into second
base and there was q ripping
sound. I called for q barrel and
went home. 1t took just one slide
to ruin that suit, but, boys,
was proud while it lasted"
And now what will the Griffs DO
this season since Altrock Is signed?
Wall fellerS it's this yuaY. III they