Evening star., 1952-10-15


had been something like that figure wanted
to know how many Harris had been big
league teams This required research before somebody
twenty-five years"
Good Lord" Grf muered this time, "1as been that
long?"
THE OLD FOX obviously thinks of Bucky as any,
thing but his manager. forget intervals
when he had others . Walter Johnson . , Joe Cronin . .
Ossie Bluege Joe Kuhe During those years Bucky was
earning living elsewhere. Managing the Tigers
Sox the Philies Buffalo the Yankees Diego
But he always came back and now he has signed for
,
Griffith put little informal press luncheon. Twenty
four hours earlier the Yankees had done the thing
Casey sengel reported have signed woyear pact
100000 year. Buckys salary announced some
body had an idea
"Give him of trick contracts Grif" he said
Sign Harris for s1O0OO provided the Senators draw
million people in a season."
"Al right" Grif agreed. He safe ground. Only
have the Mats drawn than million home
This in 1946 when they finished fourth
modate million Griffith Stadium would be enlarged
and then be sold out for all II games.
HARRIS CAME TO WASHINGTON in 1919, slignt wiry
rookie second baseman He hitter
better feldes but he Pennsylvania
coal region and Gr took liking Bucky only
When Griffith startled the baseball world by naming him
And Harris in turn, startled by winning Washngtons
first only world championship. This was in 1924
The have treated them not unkndy although
they had their disappontments repeating
pennan in 1925 there long period drought both
especially Bucky Not until 194 of the Yankees
while Cronin his manager and Harris Detroit
That Buckys last year at Detroit.
Mickey Cochrane took charge The Tigers jumped
place and won two pennan under Mickey would
bitter for Harris had he not been hired by Yawkey
had just purchased the with
out-of pouring fortune into the club.
GENERALLY HOWEVER, Buckys stock was low during this
period everybody stopped to consider that what Harris
needed most at Detroit what Cochrane brought This
not managerial genius but catching ability
CATCH Mickey could
Bucky only year Boston, Although he had done
well with very little Harris couldn't play hostop any
than he could catch. And Conn
stop the time bought Washington by
Yawkey to be playing took dozen years. and
Cronn himself finished a player, eventually
pennant for Boston
Harris replaced Washington but eventually
of Osse Bluege And after unhappy experience
PhlleS Bucky drifted to the minors for the first time
manager Thus he at Buffalo when Larry MacPa then
of the Yankees hired him for front-oice job
short time later succeeded Mccarthy as manager
HE MIGHT STILL HAVE been managing the Yankees had
not MacPhai sold out His beneactor Harris fol-
lowed and Stenge the both Casey
and Buckley have signed
be difference in the salary but very little ability
Soon they will begin voting for he-year in
the American League promises be between Sengel
and Harris, although not necessarily in that
"Bucky did good job" Griffith saying.
help in two he might all the
Next year maybe give him that help"
Somebody said "Grif the Yankees may deal YOU
Gil McDougad Ralph Houk and another player for Eddie Yos
mo- Stree" Grif said mot after what McDou-
gad in the World Series got
whats that?"
"We-H I'll give 'em Yost for Mickey Mantle They say
never deal except two three basis I'll show
EN- III swap, man for man."
04.:I VA/: ~:IL