Evening star., 1955-10-28
II He BASEB ALL
B FAT
By BURToN HAWKINS

4
fBsrton HaaOkins The stars baseball writer sOho y
Ddcctiontng at Sea Island, Ca informed of Clark
Gd0lths death early today and Wr0te the fOt0ctng
colunh HaWkns, closely associated NTH Mr.. Griffith
Ior many gears termed him athe most admirable
man hdUe eDer knoaDnsJ
IT'S THE ACCUMULATION of little things you remember
about big like Clark Gritiththe kindly mans zest
for fe the contagious enthusiasm which he sustained
through nearly ss years until the flame ered perished
last night As
GriR had it to the end. It was blessing TO the
community IN general and bis family IN particular that be
retained his mental sharpness all the way Countless ch
drsn vim Be- happier to having experienced considerste
gentle pat on the head He loved Kids and worked IN
children toded over 70 him as ~ had lollipops
bulging from every pocket.
Regardless Of the seeming tiviaty the moment Grin
could generate some spark o excitement ou M He could
s did extract great fun from afternoon pnoche sessions
at the ban park, immensely enjoying the play IND the
accompanying barbs Of his cxonies g*sS
Grin was the most magnificent Of men in his consdera
ton or women He had the Unborn quality Of being abe TO
make them beam with appropriate and interested remark
about the different hado the attracveness of new dress
qr perhaps bit m jewery that enhanced weworn rock
The siest Of them frightened In his presence under his
warm, vibrant personality.
$3.50
HE WAS GALLANT He was concerned about the man
standing the fringe Of card game frequently rustng
Grin always rst to oner his chair to lady Courtesy
WAS much part Of the mans makeup as his bushy
eyebrows.
Grin was magnet children, knight to the ladies.
But Grin also mans He understood their weakA
and occasionally patched torn life with encourage
ment Ii some form.
sometimes ii was counsel sometimes money. he re-
peated rescued Of his players who developed an urge
III needy families In the vicinity Of the ball park and supplied
the coal To keep them warm the food to sustain them
0RIFFs MExHAusTIBLE knowledge Of swarm Of
varied subjects made him fascinating figure. He was at
ease with Presidents from Taft to Eisenhower He could
ak the language assistant grounds keeper rakng
bumpy minor league ned The got pleasure from his
companion Of the instant Pullman porter cowboy priest
exconvc business tycoon or bat boy Grin loved them
AL and made each feel he the most important person
on earth
His sincerity stenmed from an experience youngster
Last spring when The Star pubshed series Of articles on
what Lent Means to Me-" Gri6 asked what Biblical
passage appealed most to him.
Love thy neghbor' was Grifs prompt answer. he
forgot the Missouri nsighbors who had banded together
10 the Ghs after young clarks father had been
killed N . hunting accident
ari struggled uphi his entire nfe He had the reputa-
tion 0f being cantankerous pitcher closested club
Lacking the speed Of other top pitchers Grill made
1t on crafiness Lacking the wealth Of many club
he forced to watch expenditures closely It
matter OF survival
AS CLUB OWNER, the odds against Grin were
He was ptted against the millions Of the Yawkeys
Toppngs Pernis Wrgleys Busches Carpenters Brggses
and others He never weaed OF trying TO beat their wealth
with his wits.
Expanding farm systems and the wholesale signing Of
youngsters at fabulous Developments Grin couldn't
hope to the Senators to the second division
IN recent years still, Grs club beginning to get
faint trcke Of talent from comparatively skeletonized
minor league setup, and Grin Just optimistic
two three Of his 1855 rockies he might have been
q promising prospect In 1890
The mans energy astonishing He would check in at
the ball park ut $50 and wouldn't depart during the
until after the final out OF game This meant he
frequently didn't set home until midnight He the citys
most rabid fan and an incurable cheerleader.
There differences Of opinion regarding Grs bus-
policies There varying opinions concerning
Grin, the man Those who knew him regarded him only
with affection.
Baseball has lost beacon. The world has lost noble
man.