Clark Griffith
Clark Griffith had a long and illustrious career in the game of baseball. He was born just four years after the conclusion of the Civil War, learned to throw a sinkerball from "Old Hoss" Radbourn in the early 1890s, won twenty games seven times for two Chicago teams in the 1890s and early 1900s, managed the first game for what would become the New York Yankees, managed and then bought an interest in the Washington Senators in the 1910s, and served as owner of that team until his death at nearly 86 years old in 1955.
As a player. he won 237 games in a career that spanned 23 years, and in 1901, at the urging of Charles Comiskey, Griffith was one of the first stars to jump from the National League to the new American League.
As a manager for the White Sox, Highlanders, Reds, and Senators, he won 1,491 games with a .522 percentage. He guided Comiskey's White Sox to the first pennant in AL history, in 1901. He is credited by some as being the inventor of the "squueze play," which he first deployed with the Highlanders and Willie Keeler, and later perfected with Washington.
As an owner, Griffith put his faith in young ballplayers, hiring 27-year old second baseman Bucky Harris to manage the Senators in 1924, and 27-year old shortstop Joe Cronin to do the same in 1933. Both times it paid off, as the Senators won the pennant in their first seasons under their new managers.
Played For
St. Louis Browns, National League (1891)
Boston Reds, American Association (1891)
Chicago Cubs (1893-1900)
Chicago White Sox (1901-1902)
New York Yankees (1903-1907)
Cincinnati Reds (1909-1910)
Washington Senators (1912-1914)
Managed
Chicago White Sox (1901-1902)
New York Yankees (1903-1908)
Cincinnati Reds (1909-1911)
Washington Senators (1912-1920)
Best Season: 1901
Griffith served as manager and star pitcher for the White Sox, leading the team to the American League's first pennant. He was 24-7, with a 2.67 ERA, hurling five shutouts. The team won 83 games.
Promotor
As owner of the Senators, Griffith was a keen promoter. Though he opposed the idea of night baseball, he resorted to using it during World War II to allow fans to see the games after along days working in war plants. He was one of the first major league owners to hire comedians to entertain crowds, including Al Schact and Max Patkin. During World War II, Griffith signed Bert Shepard, who had lost his leg in battle, believing the pitcher was an inspiration to other disabled veterans.
Description
Griffith was baseball in the District of Columbia for nearly 50 years. Though he was a private man who was very much a product of the19th century, Griffith enjoyed his status as owner of the Senators. He liked the fact that his position gave him access to the movers and shakers in Washington D.C. He often said that no man could become President of the United States unless he had his picture taken with him. He knew eight presidents very well, from Taft to Esienhower.
Where He Played
Pitcher. Griffith started 372 games and was a reliever in 81.
As a Manager
"Manager Griffith says he has a new one called the "squeeze play," which is
working wonders," reported the Washington Post on April 9, 1905. And a storyw as told over and over by several sportswriters of a play in 1904 that may have been the birth of the suicide squueze. From the Post of January 12, 1908:
"Boston was playing at Hilltop Park in 1904 and Jack Chesbro was on third,
and Keeler at bat. Chesbro broke for home on the pitch, and Keeler, not
having been tipped off of Chesbro's daring intention to steal home, chucked
his bat at the sphere and the ball fell out of reach of both the pitcher
and third baseman, Keeler getting first and Chesbro scoring. After the
game [N.Y. Manager] Griffithasked Chesbro why he had started to run home.
He replied that he thought he had seen the signal. Then Griff asked Keeler
why he hit the ball, and Willie answered, 'I didn't see what else there was
for me to do to prevent Chesbro from committing suicide.' "
Thanks to baseball historians Wayne McElreavy and Bob Schaefer.
Born
Clark Calvin Griffith was born on November 20, 1869, in Clear Creek, MO.
Died
October 27, 1955, Washington, DC
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: CHN
Major League Debut
April 11, 1891
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1891
Coming soon...
Nicknames
The Old Fox
"The Old Fox," which he earned while pitching for Chicago in the NL in the 1890s. Also, "Griff."
Related Players
Bucky Harris, Joe Cronin
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1937 |
BBWAA |
4 |
2.0% |
1938 |
BBWAA |
10 |
3.8% |
1939 |
BBWAA |
20 |
7.3% |
1942 |
BBWAA |
71 |
30.5% |
1945 |
BBWAA |
108 |
43.7% |
1946 |
BBWAA |
82 |
31.2% |
1946 |
Nominating Vote |
73 |
36.1% |
1946 |
Old Timers |
|
% |
|
Best Strength as a Player
Command. Griffith had control over his many pitches, and walked just 774 batters in more than 3,380 innings.
Largest Weakness as a Player
None
Learn More about Clark Griffith
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