Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 167, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1913 — HOW M’GRAW GOT HIS START [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOW M’GRAW GOT HIS START

Chris von der Ahe, Then President of St. Louis Browns, Didn’t Went Lilliputian Player. Few New York fans know the important part that the late Chris von der Ahe played in the career of John J. McGraw. Chris, Who then was “der poss president" of the St. Louis Browns, had a chance to line up McGraw as a member of his team about the time the Browns won their last pennant in the late ’Bos. His failure to do so has been counted as one of the biggest mistakes of the old timer’s life. Bill Gleason, brother of Kid Gleason, now assistant manager of the White Sox, recommended McGraw to Chris while "Little Mac," as he then was called, was playing shortstop for the Cedar Rapids, la., team. Chris had sent Gleason out to scout for the Browns. Bill rounded up McGraw and suggested that Van der Ahe give him a trial. McGraw looked like a mid-, get. ' . - “Vhere did you get dot Lilliputian?" Inquired Von der Ahe of Gleason. “He’s all th4re as a ball player, even if he is no bigger than a minute,” replied Gleason. “Take him across the street and learn him how to ride horses," ordered Chris. “I don’t want any sawed off, hammered down player on my team.” Gleason led McGraw outside, introduced him to. Billy Barnie, manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Barnie signed McGraw on Gleason’s recom-

mendation. Thus was McOraw’s start Iq big league ball. After a brilliant career as player, he came to the Giants and was an almost Instant suocess.

Manager John McGraw.