The Top 100 Cubs Of All Time - #49 Clark Griffith

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2007 2:31 PM CST in Top 100 Cubs

Profile by BCB reader MadHatterBlues

It would be true to say that Clark Griffith never played for the Cubs, as back in the 1890's the ballclub was known first as the Colts and then the Orphans. These kinds of things happen when you're looking at a player born 4 years after the end of the Civil War.

A short (5'6) square man, Griffith did not strike an intimidating presence while pitching. He relied on his ability to change speeds, and was renowned for his outstanding control of all his pitches. (His strikeout rate was 2.54 per nine innings) The Old Fox earned his nickname by utilizing a six-pitch arsenal, including the screwball (which he claimed to have invented), a silencing quick-pitch delivery, and the ruse of hiding the ball in the plane of his body before delivering. Griffith scuffed, scratched, cut, and spit upon nearly every pitch without hesitation. Of course, all these techniques were legal back then.

Griffith was one of the first players to jump to the American League, and later turned his attention to managing. As one of the very few players to eventually become an owner, Griffith led the way in outlawing doctored pitches in the 1920s. As a man who had practiced the art of the spitball, he clearly realised its dangers, and was happy to see all doctoring put to an end. Griffith and his family were team owners in the major leagues until 1982, when the Minnesota Twins -- successors to Griffith's original Washington Senators -- were sold to Carl Pohlad.

It has been alleged that one of Griffith's stranger qualities was his unwillingness to throw shutouts. He believed there was a curse that existed on shutouts and would beg his teammates to ease off to allow the opponents a run in a game. This seems to have some basis in fact, as Griffith, despite his dominance, had not thrown a shutout until 1897. Despite this fear, the Old Fox managed to compile an incredible streak of 6 consecutive seasons with 20+ victories.

Griffith was also a man of no small amount of wit:

"Fans like home runs and we have assembled a pitching staff to please our fans."

Sound like something we'd still enjoy today?
However, it took him a while to come around to changes in the game:

"There is no chance night baseball ever will become popular in the major leagues."

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1946, both for his years as a pitcher and his work as a manager/owner in the American League. He remains 7th in all time wins for a Cubs pitcher, 3rd in complete games and 10th in innings pitched. His 2188 innings leaves him around 100 innings ahead of Greg Maddux, and in truth the two seem to have a lot in common. Neither would dominate with speed, but each was known for out thinking the batters and being a step ahead of the game. Although separated by close to a hundred years, the Old-Fox and the Professor would surely approve of each other's approach to the game.

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Comments

I love these things..

But am I the only that has a real hard time getting into the players from before 1940? No disrespect to your feature Al, because they are incredibly well done, I just find myself not relating with some of this.

Quade!

by mikew on Jan 1, 2007 5:18 PM CST reply actions

I find them interesting

but I just don't trust pre-1900 stats. Let's just say I remain
cynical that Mr. Griffith would have Maddux's success against
modern power hitters.

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Jan 1, 2007 5:46 PM CST reply actions

Mr. Griffith...

...laughs at your sentiments.

Ho ho ho, he laughs.

He is patiently awaiting Greg Maddux in paradise, where he will proceed to kick his ass in a friendly game of pinochle.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 1, 2007 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

NEVER play cards with Maddux

You think he is a good pitcher ? Try him at cards. Man
the guy was taking poor rookie catcher Russell Martin's money
at poker about 24 hours after landing in LA

As for Mr. Griffith, I would not look for him upstairs IF
I believed in such things. Assuming the apple does not fall
far from the tree his grandson ( I assume grandson) who
moved the Senators from DC to Minneapolis was one
racist SOB.

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Jan 1, 2007 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

do you not remember this old church song?

Jesus loves the little racists
All the racists of the world
Red and yellow black and white
He tells them they alone are right
Jesus loves the little racists of the world

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 1, 2007 6:58 PM CST up reply actions

Um Al, Clark WAS the racist

Might have been worth noting in the bio that he was the
most obstinant of owners in intigrating ( not that the Cubs
had a terrific track record but not this bad) I googled him
kind of quick and found a book written about how his
racism was a key factor in the woeful play of the Senetors
http://www.onlyagame.org/shows/2003/05/20030503_7.asp
( there are plenty of other hits on the book and Griffith's
infamous racism as well.

What I was remembering was in fact his nephew who
famously explained that the reason he moved the team
from Washinton to Minneapolis was because MPLS it was white
and blacks didn't support baseball. Apparently the apple
did not fall far from the tree

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Jan 1, 2007 6:36 PM CST reply actions

Just wait...

until we get to Cap Anson, who has to be in the top 10 all-time Cubs, and was one of the biggest racist to play the game.

by NashvilleBlue on Jan 1, 2007 9:21 PM CST up reply actions

Yep

And that is the day that I'm choosing to post my diary about the Negro Leagues Museum. Can't wait. That will be my own personal tribute to Cap. Jerk.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Jan 1, 2007 9:52 PM CST up reply actions

Not To Defend These Guys.....

...but you do realize that most of the players from the era in question would be considered racist by today's standards. They weren't bad people so much as products of their environment. There were some genuine bad ones, like Cobb, but most simply didn't know better.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Jan 1, 2007 10:58 PM CST up reply actions

ah...the classic defense that starts out as...

...well...not to defend these guys...

You sir, are playing a dangerous game.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 1, 2007 11:21 PM CST up reply actions

Oh really?

Classic as in what? Don't tell me I'm defending racism. What I was doing was pointing out the social mores, or lack of them, for the times. It doesn't excuse their ignorance, but let's not automatically brand people without some exposition on the subject.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Jan 2, 2007 8:48 AM CST up reply actions

racism

Anson was a genuine racist, and would have been so in any era. He cannot be excused.

However, I think I understand what BeerCub is saying about other players from that era. The mores of that time were different than ours. People then thought nothing of denying women the right to vote, for instance, which today seems outrageous.

Anyone who tries to brand BeerCub a racist for pointing out what he pointed out is a bit thin-skinned, IMHO.

by danimal15 on Jan 2, 2007 8:52 AM CST up reply actions

Racism

I think BeerCub's point is well-taken. The fact is that although Griffith and Anson were certainly racist, it's also true that racism was pretty common in American society back in that day and certainly wasn't looked down upon to the extent it deservedly is now.

There were some who were obviously more strident about it than others, but to be prejudiced in that era was quite common -- whether it be against the blacks, the Irish, the Chinese, the Italians, the Jews, the Catholics, or any others. It was probably more unusual not to be prejudiced.

This isn't to defend Griffith or Anson; it just gives some context.

by deJesus Freak on Jan 4, 2007 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

Oh for pete's sake...

...I was being tongue in cheek. Nearly everything that comes out of this keyboard of mine is tongue in cheek.

Of course you're not playing a dangerous game. There are no dangerous games to be played concerning one Clark Griffith.

I could effing care less about Clark Griffith to begin with. He's dead and gone.

Seriously people, all of you. You are wound up too tight for life.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 2, 2007 12:21 PM CST up reply actions

ah...the typical response...

that anyone who dares to try and discuss racial issues is a racist. Sorry your post comes off a little high and mighty.

by rlpete on Jan 2, 2007 9:02 AM CST up reply actions

I am high and mighty...

...I am in my high chair, and I have my heavy stick with which I will conk heads.

You sir, are playing a dangerous game.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 2, 2007 12:22 PM CST up reply actions

NY resolution #7

Stop threatening other posters.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Jan 2, 2007 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

NY #1 for Julie...

...stop giving progs resolutions.

I can't keep up.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 2, 2007 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Well if it was tongue in cheek I do apologize

The way I read it, it didn't seem that way.

by rlpete on Jan 2, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

if I ever write something that appears...

...serious, and it's not about the Cubs, trust me, I'm not. Especially when it's about things I should probably be taking seriously.

That aside, looking at what I wrote last night now that it's the next day I agree, it didn't appear all that clear.

Laughing fiendishly as you type doesn't necessarily mean the fiendishly laugh comes across in the words.

So, my apology.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Jan 2, 2007 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

Product of theiir environment?

Sorry but this is simplistic catch all theory. By the same token Nazi's and Al Quaa are products of their environment. I don't assume every white person , let alone every baseball player was a racist prior to the Civil Rights movement. One should judge people individually on their actions. Anson and Griffith were racists who actively kept blacks from playing in the MLB. They don't get a pass as products of their environment. I don't see a need to start a long debate on the history of racism in America, in baseball etc. Let's just recognize these guys for what they were and for me anyway it does detract from their achievements on the field as they both played a significant role in a policy that was not only dead wrong but limited the level of competition and quality in baseball for many decades.

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Jan 2, 2007 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

I Suggest You Read My Post Again

I have expressly said nothing excuses the ignorance. However, people are most definitely products of their environment. If Anson or Griffith were hard wired to be racist, then nothing about their environment would change that. My point however, is that there wasn't much in the environment and social system of the time to challenge it.

It is NOT my intention to start some huge debate over this. I was merely pointing out that the era in question was not exactly a tolerant one to begin with. ANYONE who thinks I'm defending racism, or who wants to paint me as such for pointing out what should be obvious, can shove that label up their own ass.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Jan 2, 2007 11:39 AM CST up reply actions

Cap Anson, however, was in a league of his own

when it comes to racism. He and his very public statements on African Americans are prominently featured at the Negro Leagues Museum, and he actively lobbied to keep African Americans out of the sport.

As great a player as he was, he's not own I'm especially proud of having played for my team.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Jan 2, 2007 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

Well put

I don't think we can say Anson was simply a product of his environment. He was one nasty fellow.

by danimal15 on Jan 2, 2007 12:22 PM CST up reply actions

The Anson profile...

... I assigned to my friend Mike, who draws all the great cartoons you see here. He's finished it, and I will tell you that he has not glossed this over. He did a tremendous job; you'll all read this, of course, later on.

by Al Yellon on Jan 2, 2007 12:22 PM CST up reply actions

He's not "one"

Jeez, get it together, Jules.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Jan 2, 2007 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

5'6

As someone who's 5'7, it's nice to read about someone shorter than me who made it big in the majors (besides Doug Dascenzo). I've also always been a fan of Freddy Patek, the 5'4 infielder for those great KC teams of the 70's.

by danimal15 on Jan 1, 2007 8:58 PM CST reply actions

FRED PATEK

5'4 and I loved him.

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Jan 2, 2007 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

But I think we can all agree that

Calvin Griffith, the nephew Clark raised, saw the error of his adoptive father's ways. Except for, you know, this - When asked why Calvin moved the Senators from Washington DC to Minnesota he replied, "...when I found out you only had 15,000 blacks here. Black people don't go to ball games, but they'll fill up a rasslin' ring and put up such a chant, it'll scare you to death."

Great family.

by TR on Jan 2, 2007 11:29 AM CST reply actions