Evening star., 1919-09-01
eRAVATH IS STRONG
ON HITTING HOMERS
PhiIIies' Player Is Real Rival
: of Ruth in Getting Four
Base Drives.
GRIFFS WIN HOME GAME
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.


base ball home of George Herman
Ruth. consider the record of Charles
Cravath, manager of the Phillies and
leading batsman of the National
League over almost the entire
stretch of this campaign.
While it generally is conxidered
that Ruth hits the ball with more
force than any player in the history
of the sport. his right to the title of
seriously disputed, even if he sue
ceeds in bettering Buck Freeman's
mark of twenty-five circuit smashes.
as he seems destined to this season.
Old-timers in the game. as Connie
Mack and Clark Griffith, agree that
such famous sluggers as Anson.
Erouthers. Freeman, Delehanty and
Crawford could not hold a candle to
the Boston bearcat.
Ruth can hit them harder with
one hand than they could hit them
Grifith AYERS the game never pro-
duced any one who could even ap-
proach the battering-ram and the
pile-driving force he gets into his
swings, citing the short fences that
prevailed when Freeman established
his mark two decades ago.
That Ruth excels by great mar
gin in the question of power and
distance is we'll established. but when
il comes to awarding the title of
"home-run king" without any ifs OF
butts. there are many who will con-
tend that Ruth must keep going ION
high" for several years to come to
usurp the honors now held by Cravath.
variously and better known as "Cac-
tuS," "Gavvy" and 'Old Wooden
Shoes"
o. Up to the start Of the 1915 campaign
Ruth averaged only nine home runs in
three years for the Red Sox. Three in
1918 and two in 1917. Last year he
ticked off eleven. so for the five years
his average is not quite nine to a sea-
son. Cravath in ten seasons, up to
the end of last year. poled 152 home
runs and this Sc ason has made eleven.
Some of the circuit clouts made in the
total above given were compiled
while he was performing with the
sociation. so for the purpose of illus
trating the task confronting Ruth in
overhauling the veteran, only his rec
ord as a National Lacquer will be
considered. Since joining the Phillies.
the club he now bosses. in 1912. Cra-
vath has manufactured lis clouts for
the circuit His low mark for any one
year is eight, made last season, and
his high record, twenty-four. was
compiled in 1915. the year Pat Moran.
the super-miracle man. who is giving
Cincinnati its first pennant, led the
Rhiliies to the top of the heap. From
1913 to 1917. inclusive. Cravath got
eighty-five home runs, or an average
OF seventeen a season.
Gavvy's admirers will be willing to
he betters this mark over a f1ve-year
stretch Ruth's supporters will as
sert that many of Cravath's drives
can be attributed to the short right
field fence in Philadelphia. This point
Is well taken The fences Freeman
10 chnrf nf
the distance prevailing in most mod
ern plants, but Freeman's record
stands in the books and so does Cra-
vaih'S.
Ruth already wears the crown as
the hardest hitter the game ever saw.
but he will have to better Cravath's
mark over a stretch of years to earn
the right to the undisputed title of
home-run king.
Manager Griffith has let it be known
that his pitchers will not follow the
practice, so prevalent this season. Of
walking Ruth at every opportunity
as the safest means OF combating MS
biudgeon ability. Only in the event of
2 close score in the later innings.
where a long clout might mean de-
feat, will his hurlers be ordered TO
purposely pass him. so big Babe will
not be hampered in his quest for
new record on that score
Ruth will face what. for him, is
about the toughest pitcher in the cir
cult in one of the two games listed
for today. however. in Harry Har-
per. The southpaw always has had
the Indian sign on Ruth, and 1t holds
good this season, although the Jersey
ite is experiencing one of the poorest
campaigns in his career. If Griff de-
cides to use Johnson in the other
game. Ruth probably will be sent in
against him. A RuthJohnson duel
would draw big here. If Walter
doesn't toll this afternoon. Gill may
get his chance.
In getting the decision over the Sox
second straight game. having beaten
the Browns last Sunday in st. Louis,
50. This youthful southpaw prom
ises TO prove of much value to the
Nationals next season. In addition to
his pitching prowess. he gives signs
OF developing into a splendid hitter.
Yesterday was the first time Wash
ington fans have had a chance to
sec Harris and Ellerbe, the two in
felders who broke in so well with
the Griffmen few days ago. They
were welcomed with a lot Of hand
ClaIping each time one of them ap
pea red at bat. Both men showed we'll
under disadvantageous circumstances
They were exceedingly nervous. but
despite that played well i'll the feld-
Neither was a BILE to get the ball safe
in the seven times they were charged
with being at bat. A great deal OF
comment was passed in the stands
as 10 which of the two players seemed
most promising. Opinion was pretty
we'll divided but everybody seemed
intent on asserting that both should
stick and improve Griff's team.
Zachary and Jones. on the slab at
the beginning Of the game. were wild
The Washington left-ha nder walked
four men and the Bostonian gave
passes was deliberately presented to
Sam Rice. Both pitchers were lucky
that they were not scored on more
than they were. but some sharp field
ing pulled them out of holes.
Zachary was taken out in the first
raif OF the eighth to allow Walter
Johnson to pull the game out of the
IRE. The southpaw caused Schang to
go out on easy fly to center, but
McInnis singled TO left and Shannon
doubled in the same direction. That
caused Acting Manager Mcbride to
wave for Walter. who retired the side
without any scoring.
When the last half of the eighth
opened the score stood at two all. but
j. was then that the blow of came.
Shanks led of with drive to Jones.
which the latter knocked down. but
could not seem TO pick up to throw
10 first. Jones fumbled long enough
10 let Shanks reach the bag. Harris
IL Il down neat sacrifice to McInnis
and Picinich scored Shanks with a
hit TO right field. and went to second
on Hooper's throw to the plate. John
Son walked, then Judge slammed the
ball over Hoopers head for double
on which Picinich scored Leonard