Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-10-25
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ;, FRANCE, s,.un
Lost Of the Pros

ELSEWHERE IN THIS and other newspapers is
counted the fight for life by Clark Calvin Griffith last Of
the old pros among baseball clubowners Few details
overlooked The entire astonishing story is covered.
There recorded in black and white how he helped
form the American League, how he fought for baseball
to the very doors of the White House, how he won 235
games to earn niche in the Cooperstown Hall Of Fame
he picked not but two boy pilots and made both
of them winners in their first seasons.
This them is an attempt picture Clark Grifth from
privileged position which is that Of personal friend
He supposed to be leathertough close-to-the-vest
operator He actually the most you'd ever
know Ask some of his old bali players some day
He popularity supposed to be fnty corner-cutting
old codger He Is actually the greatest rooter the Lone
Ranger and law and order had, senttmenalst OF
the first order.
Most of ALL he is all baseball fan.
THERE MAY BE more enthusiastic fan somewhere
in the world than Clark Grth but he couldn't be named
here II life depended It, Grif lives for baseball and
his operation not svete and pleasing as 1t
In Milwaukee New York some of the other pusher
palaces that is understandable, too If know Grh.
The game the thing with the Old Fox. Toward foot
ball and basketball and track he tolerant but baseball
the game He knows tia probably nobody else and
good thing too because in the last couple of decades
G had to pit his cunning and wles against the fortunes
Of beer barons, ubermen contractors automobile mag
mates in the constant rat race for ball players
There was one evenng-and this is merely instance
when the skies dripping his bali park and prac-
tcaly nobody in the stands and his Senators and
the rival club wondering If they to be active
PLAY the game" Grff ordered.
front-onice official with practical head for business
demonstrated.
Call it OF and make it part of double-header to-
morrow" he suggested. There's nobody here"
81 want to see ball game" Grn retorted PLAY ball.
I say"
ONCE OR TWICE in his life Crit tried to get interested
in another sport golf chiefly in the 1920s the Senators
trained at Tampa, Fla and Grit longer field man
ager but Tor i've years the president Of the Washington
Club, sold the idea Of golf recreation.
Regiousy he practiced and played but anyone could
tell it wasn't his cup Of tea While he poked and thrust at
the little ball. battling with the tenacity he showed
understood pitcher Gn didn't really enjoy the experience
TITS good game guess he conceded once to a
newspaperman like hit the ball off the tee. What
burns up that when get the lawn the golf ball
doesn't fall into the hole the way it should"
To this day green the lawn" to the old gentleman
Pathways and rough are something else, but only the
greens are lawns"
ONE OF THE GRIFFITH anecdotes, possibly true had
to do with westbrook Pegler when the re-eater
sportswriter and took after Grn day in print This
again, happened in the 20s, the Old Fox deeply
resented the criticism.
He called tightwad, he recalled, and he was
prepared to hate Mr. Pegler when and he ever met him.
And then this pleasant morning in Tampa. Gr savorng
his cigar on the porch of the old Tampa Bay Hotel now
the University of Tampa, sped motorist in trouble
The man couldn't get his started, which was not
uncommon in those days And with fine disdain for the
white suits which fashionable then Grill dove under
the hood and the chassis until the damage was repaired
"In forget it," Grif often has said Here I am
in ruined suit and this fellow who owns the says:
az don't know how to thank you, but If can help
you anytime my Westbrook Pegler Then he drove
of and about that time gave up go seriously and also
fixing up for people"
TO REPEAT, GRIFF is fan. A fan and a battler and
in his day. great pitcher He knew all of the Presidents
from Taft to Ike, and the stories relate he very
special guy far the White House Is concerned
But Grif is than the guy who helped form the
American League and perpeuate baseball during World
Wars and H. He is who thinks there Is nothing like
baseball
Come to think Of It, he's probably right and today in
Georgetown Hospital the old gentleman giving 1t the big
PITCH as he always has He's surely going into extra innings