New York Giants: An Informal History of a Great Baseball Club (Writing Baseball) by Mr. Frank Graham Jr. and Mr. Ray Robinson (Apr 1, 2002)
New York Giants: An Informal History of a Great Baseball Club (Writing Baseball) by Mr. Frank Graham Jr. and Mr. Ray Robinson (Apr 1, 2002)
It has been said that, in Dick Kinsella, McGraw had a one-man scouting staff and it is true that Dick was the only one who was engaged on a professional basis. But through the country there were friends of the manager who, when they saw a promising young ball player, immediately thought of him in terms of his possible usefulness to the Giants. Now, on the way north this spring, McGraw heard for the first time, from two of his friends, of two young men who would have a great influence on the course of the Giants in years to come. It happened in Memphis where, in those days, the Giants were accustomed to stopping for at least a week end and sometimes for four or five days. First to call on him in his room at the New Peabody was Norman Elberfeld, the "Tobacco Kid" of the early vintage Yankees and, at the time, manager of the Little Rock club of the Southern Association. He had a young fellow in his club, he said, that he was sure McGraw would like. A kid named Travis Jackson. "He didn't hit much last year," the Kid said, "but he'll hit better as he goes along. And he can hound the ball around shortstop and you never saw a better arm. Have him watched. If you like him, you can have him at the end of the season."
It has been said that, in Dick Kinsella, McGraw had a one-man scouting staff and it is true that Dick was the only one who was engaged on a professional basis. But through the country there were friends of the manager who, when they saw a promising young ball player, immediately thought of him in terms of his possible usefulness to the Giants. Now, on the way north this spring, McGraw heard for the first time, from two of his friends, of two young men who would have a great influence on the course of the Giants in years to come. It happened in Memphis where, in those days, the Giants were accustomed to stopping for at least a week end and sometimes for four or five days. First to call on him in his room at the New Peabody was Norman Elberfeld, the "Tobacco Kid" of the early vintage Yankees and, at the time, manager of the Little Rock club of the Southern Association. He had a young fellow in his club, he said, that he was sure McGraw would like. A kid named Travis Jackson. "He didn't hit much last year," the Kid said, "but he'll hit better as he goes along. And he can hound the ball around shortstop and you never saw a better arm. Have him watched. If you like him, you can have him at the end of the season."
