Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-28
THE BASEBALL
BEA T
Cal at Count-Down STAGE
BY BURTON HAWKINS

THERE'S THE RISK Of beating a subject until 1t
becomes numb Running that risk, here's another tome
on that misguided missile, Cal Griffith, who twice has
failed to get of the launching pad in previous tries to
shoot the Senators franchise into outer space
He isn't naming the date of the next attempt but it's
apparent It's reached the countdown stage Physicists in
Minneapolis have the formula to get him off the ground
It's solid substance called money long rumored to be
most powerful propellent.
From what be gathered via mail and conversation
there's absolutely objection Grifth getting into orbit
There the expressed hope of many in fact that he'll be
the first to reach the MOON where the lack of gravity
could keep him in his customary state of suspension
The wild careening of Griffith previous tries has
soured most observers the subject He has been Spuer
ing for long time It's been like watching the acrobat
who strives to place pole atop his partners head climb
the pole and balance there precarously thumb
Interesting perhaps If he succeeds but boredom there's
repeated failure.
jim SIMPSON, THE HANDSOME sportscaster who
around quite bit addressing Kwanis, Rotary
OptmistS and assorted other civic groups surprised by
the apathy of Washington folk over the prospect of
Grifhth departing.
rive been astonished," Jim said 'The people talk
to representative of those who continually trying
for civic betterment Not person has gotten his
feet to ask What do to keep Griffith herep AS far
as can determine there's just concern about it"
This doesn't reflect disnterest in baseball but 1t does
mirror disgust with Grths brand of baseball Two years
ago these cvic-minded people meeting to md
methods of saving GrthS livelihood volunteering their
time to promote the sale of season tickets.
There's an attitude which to say, Let Griffith
GO Well take chances what happens after that"
What would happen thereafter would be distinct gamble
but the idea seems to be that gamble would be more
exciting than certain loser.
Y y y y
THERE ARE CERTAIN avenues which may be Travelled
In Grhs latest adventure There always the chance,
which remote that he'll not risk asking his fellow
owners for permission After all, nothing has changed
since last month when he had the idea and
hat (onnr has ~
journed
Having asked the big question: Griffith could be
froned by the possibility again long shot, that he again
will be squashed by other owners. This would toss him
right back into Washington. 1t would be an utmatum
from his to to work and improve his CLUB
or stay here suffer and perhaps be forced to sell.
There's the prospect that Gabe Murphy, 40 cent
stockhoder succeed in thwarng Grh in court but
ct this point that's mere Supposition.
There's trouble promised by Ed Doherty, pres-
dent of the American Association, who says he'll demand
100000 for invasion of the Twin Cities territory Mere
mention of being forced to up with that sort OF
money could CONSERVATION in the Griffith family,
and anything approaching that being granted would
rip huge holes in their contemplated profits.
*%**
SUPPOSE GRIFFITH GETS out? WE'LL Grifith hasn't
sabotaged the cty proposed stadium although it's
that this structure still being considered fol-
lowing his shennanganS Given the stadium, there's
chance for better baseball here.
Maybe Cleveland or another American League club
shifting here is Maybe the National League
will expand to take in New York and Washington.
That's the situation facing the city when the Senators de-
part but it's predicamen the fans apparently are salts
fed to face
President Eisenhower said yesterday that he'd be out
to number of night games himself the Senators had
fighting chance of finishing in the first division and that
Washington should have better ball club
Too many fans feel that with Grif1th at the helm
that better ball club will materialize it's goodby
Washington and hello Minneapolis for the Grimths, the
weeping wont be widespread There's hope be it ever so
SLIM that progressive club eventually will land here