The Lamar register., 1920-07-28


shared Steadman's secret that he was
officially the weakling's keeper stead
man stuck to Barney lnrkin closer
than II brother.
Damon and Piscatorms" SmIe hRu
dubbed the pair. And, kept fairly web
In leash Barney LarLin was big
factor In the winning OF many "a hall
game.
Before the season was embalmed In
the Omcial Baseball Guide Iris Ford
exhibited the first signs OF age. Long
lean. and immobile. never batting an
eye In the most trying situations. he
had been wont TO follow the game
from the dugout. fiction there was
that he signaled with his score card;
hut otherwise he was as impassive as
the copper head on penny-until the
homestretch of this nerve-breaking
season. Then. as the scribes put II.
he began 10 act Ike an ordinary. flesh
and-blood human being He moved
uneasily upon the bench. sometimes
signaled brazenly TO player. and was
occa sionally known 70 give vent TO
disappointment or disgust by actually
slspping his knee In. public. He was
not the same Iris Ford-not by an
obstreperous nervous system.
But who, save block Of ilgnum-
vitae. wouldn't have allowed his deep
concern to be occasionally SEEM From
the middle OF August. when the West
ern clubs made their last journey
east, the Giant-killers were scheduled.
week after week. 10 'blow'-that Is,
TO drop back In the race. This disas-
ter threatened many times. Once the
team WIS two full games behind the
Red Sox. then leaders: but lowls
Washington surprised the president
the vice president. senators and con
gressmen by beating the Speed Boys
four straight, and thus taking second
place. Collaterally, the senators helped
the Giant killers back into first posi-
ton.
Came the very last week Of the sea
son with more excitement than the ma
lions fans had ever experienced. The
pennsnts In both the major leagues
were In doubt The Giants. expected
TO repeat and again participate 10
the world series. were TO engage In
cut-thrOat struggle with the Phillies.
II New York broke even. the cham
pionship banner would again noat
from the Giants stadium. But II the
Phillies won three out OF four, then
Father Penn would carry on the nag.
This series opened on Tuesday.
In the American the Giant-killers
had to keep ahead to win. A game and
half separated Iris FOrd's charges
from the Chicago White Sox. Here.
however. there was no rival clash. The
two clubs had met for the last time
and honors were even. Washington
must beat the Giant-killers and chi.
cago must win from Detroit In ordeT
TO bring one end of the world series
into Lakeville These two deciding"
combats began a day later.
The fans diary had these entries:
Tuesday night-Phillies and New
York tied in the National.
Wednesday night-Giant-kil still
a game and half ahead In the Amer
tcan; New YORK leading in the Ma
tional
Thursday before dinner-Teams
tied again in the National: but u half
game between Giant-killers and White
So1 In the American.
Friday nIght-Phillies win the pen
usnti
On the same day the Giant killers
with Barney Lsrkin on the rubber. de
fested the Senators while the White
SOx were whitewashlng the Tigers. No
change In their respective standing
two leading American league teams
but half game apart.
Immediately after the third game
Iris Ford took Barney Lsrkln Into
bis private ONCE s1d talked TO him a.
q father to his Wild son he rallied
every ounce Of nanllness, of senu
ment, of lighting blood there was ip
,hs eccentric left-hander. He told him
he must face Washington again the
next day-and bring home tie bacon
The pennant was al stake!
You will be hero II you win,
urged Ford pointed out by everybody
as the man who pitched the Giant-kill-
ers 10 another championship But IL
you lose. why-yOu1l Oe nobody.
Meanwhile, James Winton shute
was giving orders TO Ernest Steadma9