The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-11-10
Amy-Nauy Game Looms As Super-Attraction
Griffith Coined Old Fox Toq
AS Cop Arson Pitching Ace
Could Make Baseball Talk
BY HARRY GRAYSON
NEA Sports Editor

Clark Griffith was known as The
Old Fox before he became a man.
ager and years prior to ascending
to the presidency Of the Washington
Club.
Clark Griffith earned the tag as
Cap Adrian Constantine Anson's
pitching ace during a phenomenal
run with the famous Chicago
White Stockings. Griffith wore
big, black, stubby mustache in those
days. The bushy eyebrows and hair
that are gray today also were black
Griff wasn't big Highlander.
He stood no more than 5 feet 8,
weighed IT'S pounds. Never having
an over-abundance of speed, he per-
formed his greatest feats after
losing good share of what he had.
He developed the sharpest-breaking
curve of the period. He had control,
could make the baseball talk. There
never was smarter pitcher, or all
around baseball man, for that mat
ter.
Doctoring the ball was legal in
those days, and Griffith employed
all the tricks used by Russell Ford
and Dave Danforth, foremost trick
sters, years later.
Griff scraped the ball against
his sharp spikes as he drew back
in his windup. He made the best
use Of his belt buckle, knew well
the sandpaper, licorice and other
treatments. The ball did queer
tricks.
GRIFFITH BREAKS IN AT II :.
When a fellow hunter and trap
per mistook his father for game in
the Clear Greek country, near
Montevalo, Mo, Clark Griffith be-
came an orphan at two
Clark was still a youngSter when
Mother Griffith took the famiuly
to safer territory near Normal,
Ill. Griff pitched for school and
sandlot teams at IA, made his pro-
fessional bow with Bloomington OF
the Central Interstate League at
IT.
Wild when purchased by Mil
waukee OF the Western League,
Griff developed control by throw
ing at a white handkerchief pinned
to fence.
He won 10 games for the Brew
ers in 1889, 81 while losing only z
in &c. was plucked by Charles A.
Comiskey's st. Louis Browns of the
American Association. After winning
five straight, he developed arm
trouble. He went to the Boston club
of the same circuit, but his lame
arm sent him to Tacoma Of the
Pacific Northwest League the fol-
lowing year.
Griff was back In form again
with Oakland of the Pacific Coast
League in '93, when he won 80 deci-
sions and heard Poup Anson's call.
1873 GAMES IN SIX SEASONS
Under Arson he won 1873 games
in six seasons.
Following one comparatively poor
season, he came back with "a VIC
tories and defeats as manager OF
the new Chicago White Sox, which
led the circuit in winning percent
age ard helped his old st. Louis
boss, Charley Comiskey, to the first
American League pennant
Jack Chesboro's wild pitch on
the last day of the season Of 'O4
cost Griffith. original pitching
manager OF the New York High
landers, another flag He managed
Cincinnati for a year before taking
over in Washington.
Griffith made many famous
deals, including the sale OF his SON.
in-law shortstop and manager, Joe
Cronin, to the Boston Red Sox for
$250,000 and Shortstop Lyn Larry.
His Washington clubs have won
three American League pennants
and a world championship, but the
old gentleman is much prouder OF
his pitching record.
Clark Griffith, who made his
fortune in baseball and kept it IN
baseball, pitch for score OF years.
He won 235 major league games
while losing 1873 for a percentage
of $50. Not bad.