Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-07-25
Chief Fear Ruth
 Has is That He
 Will Kill Pitcher

Frank Y. U Nelll says CndC one great, overshadowing fear clouds the athletic career of Babe" Ruth, the monarch of home run hitters, the Col ossus of baseball, says the Post Dis patch. It is not the fear of the ultimate, the day which must come when Babe" will bid adieu to the cheers of the multitude and the scenes of his triumphs and depart un- heralded over the long, long trail to bolivian. No selfish thoughts have room to live in "Babe's' mind. But he does not fear for the pitchers, his natural enemies. He is afraid that some time in some game he may drive a ball back at the hurler and do him permanent if not fatal injury. Be- leve it or not, there are times when Babe" will not swing ball when he senses with a ballplayer's intui- tion that a pitcher may not be able to dodge if a ball were crashed right at him.
 When the Yankees were in Detroit recently in the second game of their series with Tigers, Babe crashed a line drive through the center of the diamond and almost knocked Howard Ehmke's head off. Ruth was fright ened stiff, according to his own state ment, when he saw that ball whiz- zing back on a line. He yelled a hoarse warning at Ehmke, and the Tiger moundsman just managed to get his head out of the way as the hurtling shere, projected by all the dynamic power in Ruth's giant frame bounced off his gloved haund, thrown up in instinctive motion Eddie Col lins almost suffered fractured hand stopping one of Bambino's ground CTS, and other infielders have declin- \ ed the issue with some of his power |ful smashes.
 One Enough to Stop.
 It may be said that in the Chicago [game Collins stopped one of Ruth's Icrashers, but discreetly waved adieu ] to the several others that the big boy [sent through the infield. "Pep" Young second baseman of the Tigers made a fine play on one of Babes" drives but was almost felled in making it. EThe next time that Ruth stepped up |and cracked one, Young allowed the ball to pass unmolested. "Pep' evil dently figured that it was easier to |glve Ruth a hit than to be injured Frying to stop him. Spiker Johnston, flrst sacker of the Indians, plays short right field for Ruth every lime he comes to the bat, no matter now many men are on, bases. Spiker may be careless in swinging his stick around, but he is watchful of him. Self.
 What are you most afraid of in paseball?'' Babe" was asked few iays ago.
 What Slugger Breads.
 I'm afraid that some day I'll kill ome pitcher," said Ruth. "It is one hlng that I've always dreaded. My cart stood still in that game in De 'oit when l almost got Ehmke with nat drive through the box. I thought or certainty that the ball would Plt him before he got his hands up o protect himself. A couple of pit hefs have asked me not to hit the ail pack at them, and I always try ot to: Why should try to hurt any ai! players? We are all out there lying to make a living, and no man ortn while would deliberately try
 inJure another" 1
 Why is the hitting so much better ms year?" Ruth was asked.
 mats easy," he said. "The new 1ies nave made these pitchers turn auafe, and their offerings have been
 ou'eu. l know some pitchers who
 eo the old emery and the sinner ia all the rest, and they were bear
 's' Now they have got to get by
 thelr natural ability and they pnt rate so high. I can think of one
 sehef who was wonder last year.
 took the old sail ball away
 om nm, and now he hasn't enough
 eee ny in good class A league.
 il goes. They say that the ball
 ilVeiier. think that is the old
 nA' The pitchers do not pitch as " used to and the batters have al
 tier chance"