New York Highlanders and the Washington Senators
by Vance Garnett
Before becoming manager of the Washington Senators ball club, Clark Griffith piloted the New York Highlanders- predecessor of the New York Yankees- from 1903 to 1908.
Then in 1909 Griffith became manager-player for the Cincinatti Reds. Griffith had long before distinguished himself as the ace pitcher with Cap Anson's Chicago Colts. From 1894 to 1899 he won more than 20 games per season.
That, in fact is where he acquired the nickname of "The Old Fox", because of his wiley ways on the mound.
But it was as skipper of the Washington Ball Club that he became a household word, for he took a losing ball club that consistently finished the season in the lower berth and led them to a second place position in his first two years.
After that, Washington would often end up in the upper register. And Washington would, in fact, win a world series championship under a manager that he, Griffith, now owner of the ballclub, appointed. That was in 1924 under Stanley "Bucky" Harris.
Always "The Old Fox", Griffith once called a player to his office and told him that he was being traded.
"Who for?", the player demanded.
"Nobody", Griffith snapped, "and it's an even trade."
copyright Vance Garnett 2004