Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-02
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The Picture Player

AFTER TEE GIANTS had made short work Of the SEN
Atos In The World Series Of 1885, Manager Joe Cronin felt
Pitcher Alvin Crowder and Outelder Goose Gosn,
grumbng authority With okay from the late Clark
Gri1lth, he traded both to Detroit.
The heart attack that claimed the life Of Johnny Stone
Wednesday In his native Tennessee recalls that phase Of 1884
because involved Stone, who turned out too
tactable for his financial good Because Gosn kicked
the traces the not Jonathan Thomas Stone picked
up the golden eggs.
It was the first of series miSfortunes Stone He
not of the great players merely of the better
He picture player He could hit throw and
held with languid grace like left-handed Bob Meuse
Only he not lucky
Before cronin would give up oosn he demanded COM
parable ouelder in his place The Goose had batted 29
33 for pennant winner Stone $50 for the
Tigers osn had been better hitter but he five years
older and dissatisfied When Detroit offered Stone the deal
was swung.
STONY HAD FINISHED his fourth season regular
with the Tigers hitting anywhere from that low Of 28o to
.327 but he had played for nrsdivson club The
big trade looked like his chance He was moving from bad
ball club to the American League champion But
good break for Stone, only for Goslin
the winter the Tigers bought Mickey cochrane from
Connie Mack 100000 and made the great catcher their
change here and there and presto Detroit won
the next two pennants plus World Series Cos
lin, of course, claimed his share Of Series cuts
Rocky Stone there Series in 1884 other
year He everything Cron had hoped for dependable
baman who outh Gosn that and every dur
ing the remainder Of their He quiet and efficient
lucky club.
The Senator's of "a set when they fell from first
place to next to last There than 40 injuries that
year. beginning with Luke sewe broken finger in training
camp. One by one. the key men Buddy Myer Cecil
Travis . Jack Russell. Walter Stewart Henie Manush
Joe Kuhel Stone himself finally Manager Cronin
became injured There at least four broken bones in
GLIDING Kuhers ankle and Cronins wrist.
AT THE END OF THAT disastrous campaign Cronin had
been sold to the Red Sox and Griffith patiently began
with Stone Of his few remaining solid performers
Johnny gave him two 35 back to back and largely
due to whopping 341 by Stone in 49, Washington
finished fourth only time in Rockys he collected
even small piece Of Series money
He good again in 1897 batting $780, but he got
started in 49, One day Orlando where the Senators
training Bucky Harris said to reporters:
u can't figure Stony. He's swinging like he always has,
nice smooth. But the ball isn't going anywhere"
And Johnny later said
at beats I'm seeing the ball all right but when meet
It nothing happens"
THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT after the regular
started Stone cleanup hitter of the club below $50
Hes more ESQ hitter than DMaggo" fumed Grit
nth. "Iu have the doctor look him over"
The doc discovered tuberculosis When Stone sent
to Saranac Lake after lung punctured 1t the
end Of his He but with his speed there
was reason to expect five or six more seasons.
Years after dropping out Of sight, Johnny turned in
New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl He looked big and healthy
somewhat heavier than in his playing days He grin
as he said to friend from Washington:
Never felt better In my life. Only thing could get
OF the farm New Years Day and that's to home
Tennessee against Maryland. got a riding It,"
John lost that time, too.