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Show FEELS BLUE WHEN HE THINKS BACK Pittsburg, Aug. 1. Manager Mc-Graw, Mc-Graw, who is generally willing to permit othoi'6 to do the talking about baseball, wns in a mood recently to talk., probahly o:auae he had been celebrating his tenth anniversary as manager of the Giants What ho said was a surprise to the listenorj. Tho players and some fans were sitting on the veranda at the Hotel Schenley overlooking Forbes field, which lies at the edge af Schenley park. "Do you sec that ball park?" said McGraw. "I am going on record as saying it Is the finest in tho country. Well. I could havo had the same field had I desired or had T been able to accept the offer. "It was back In 1889 when Captain Kerr, then owner of the old Pitts burg club, gaye me an opportunity to get In on, the ground floor.' He of-ferred of-ferred to sell me the Pittsburg baseball base-ball franchise, players, otc, for the 6um of ?35,000. Of course, you would not believe it, when players like O'Toolo and Kelly ocrst almost aa much now as the franchise in the National leaguo would have cost mo at that time. "I was manager of the Baltimore team and a player then, and under contract with the club, and I did not know what to do. I could n t get away from the Baltimoro club and I did not think I could raise that much money. You know I as not much more than a kid then and $35,000 waa an awful lot of money to ralso, at least I thought it was. "I asked the captain to give me a little time to think it over. I went back hme and soon had a few friends In conuiUtlon on the matter, and I was surprised to learn that I could raise ten timos the amount. I did a lot of hustling nnd tried to got m release from the club, so I could take up the purchase of tho Pirates with the old owner. Nothing doing on tho getaway thing. I then tried to buy my release but they gave me the laugh. T could not got away, so had to give it up. When I look at that field aqd think that I might have beon the ownor, I often feel blue " |
