Evening star., 1920-01-06
BETWEEN $125,0D0
AND S15O,00O PAID
! FOR BOSTON STAR
Frazee Gives Reasons for
SaIe-JohnSon Not Con-
suited, Rupert Says.

NEW YORK, January 6.-George
Herman CBabc) Ruth. who establish
ed d major league record for home
runs last season with twenty-nine
to his credit, yesterday was purchased
10y the New York Yankees from the
Boston Red SoX for a price in excess
of S100. 600.
Needless to say, this is the highest
price ever paid for a base ball player
in the history of the sport
When the Yankees bought Carl
MAYS last summer for cash conSId-
Grafton and two players ii was esti-
mated that the pitcher. who has been
the subject of so much litigation since.
cost The New York club more than
$4,000
Big. Mnrauard Deal Recalled
Followers OF the national pastime
recalled that it was not so many
wears ago the base bah world was
staggered a the news that the New
York Giants had purchased Rube Mar
guard for $11,c00. Since then the sale
OF diamond stars has mounted even
faster than the high cost of living.
Until the sale of Ruth yesterday the
record price was SJ0.000 and two play
ers. paid by Cleveland for Iris Speak
er. and $780, 900 by the Chicago Amer
leans for Eddie Collins.
The most popular indoor sport in
New York today was guessing how
much the Yankees paid for Ruth, the
home-run monarch. The nearest ap-
proach to anything of an official ma
ture was the smiling admission OF
Col. Jacob Rupert. the Yankees
president. that he understood an offer
of $4,000 for Ruth was refused last
summer by Harry Frazee of the Bos-
ton club. Sporting writer's estimate
the price paid from $125.ooo to
$150.0U0.
Col. RupPert's Comment.
q ,1 M
pert said:
This is our answer 70 those who
would like to drive us out of base ball.
We entered into negotiations for the
famous player in pursuance OF den
mite policy to give the clubs loyal fol-
lowing in New York an aggressive.
strong, we'll balanced team. which viii
he in all respects worthy of the
leagues greatest city and one which
New York fans can be proud of.
Col. Rupert also said that the sale
of Ruth did not indicate that Erazee
had any intentions of selling the club
and retiring from base ball On the
contrary. he plans to use the money
70 strengthen his club further. When
Questioned as to what Ban Johnson
would think of the deal. Col Rupert
said:
Not Afraid of johnson.
I'VE are no longer afraid of john
son or care what he thinks. Ruth Will
he with the Yankees when the season
opens. That fact is settled.
We have taken over Euths con-
tract from Boston, which has two
more seasons to run. a $4,000 a
year. but, in all probability. we will
make a new contract which VIII
satisfy the player in every particular
"As a matter of fact. Miller Hug
gins, mana ger of our team. is now IN
Los Angeles. Cal, with authority to
sign Ruth 10 a contract just as soon
as he hears from us that the deal
is completed. We have now ADVISED
him by wire.
Deal Pending for Weeks.
I'VE had hoped TO complete the
deal two or three weeks ago, which
was one reason why Col. Huston re-
turned from Dover Hall just before
Christmas and why Huggins made an
cary start for California.
In our opinion Ruth Will lend
strength to the Yankees where most
needed He is a fine outfielder as
well as remarkable hitter. and. OF
course, can be used as a pitcher II
necessary. Huggins will have the
final decision. but he is almost sure
to use Ruth in right field. SO as to
make full use of his batting power
in as many games as possible.
Yanks Want Pennant.
TT has been the ambition of Col
Huston and myself for a number of
wears 10 DrinS an American Lea Z ue
penna:it to this city We are willing
to spend any reasonable amount OF
money to satisfy this ambition and TO
give TIE loyal fans winning team
Incidentally. Col. kuppert said that
Huegins would see Duffy Lewis ana
Meusel while in California and ar
ran2e satisfactory terms for their
new contracts There has been some
talk of Lewis retiring but the
Yanh hees have hopes of holding MN
for another year or two.
Joined Red Sox i'm 1915.
Ruth. who was brought out by Jack
Dunn of the Baltimore Internationals.
il twenty-sX years old. He joined
the Red SoX in 1915 as a pitcher. and
was used as u pinch hitter because OF
his ability TO send out long hits. Last
season he was transferred TO out
field duty, where he batted .322. as
well as establishing new major
league home-run record. He made
twelve three-kase hits, thirty-fou~
rwo-base hits. aid received 1O1 bases
ON balls from pichers. who preferred
TO pass him. Ruth pitched i'll seven
f-en games. and yielded an average of
..97 runs. As an outfielder he erred
only twice in 2JS chances.
Frazce Explains Sale.
BOSTON, January G.-President Fra
zee OF the Red SoX. in admitting that
lie had sold Babe Ruth to the New
York Americans. said he thought it
was an injustice" to keep him with
the Red Soy, who Were fast becom
ing one-man team"
Ruth, who is the world champion
Iome-run hitter. recently returned his
three year contract, which called for
:. payment of $4,000 q year, without
$ signature, demanding much
larger salary. F'raZee said that he
would use the money obtained from
The New York club for the purchase
of other players and would try to
develop the Red sox into winning
team.
The price was something enormous
hut ! do not care to name the fig
nres,' said FraZee. 1T was an amount
the club could not afford to refuse in
View of all the circumstances with
out taking too much of a gamble"
Hub Fans Suspend Judgment.
Ruth was very popular in Boston
and for sentimental reasons the fans
may on first consideration be inclined
10 regard his transfer with disfayor,
hut Withholding judgment until they
Jave thoroughly sized up the affairs
the chances are that they will agree
with Frazee and others that the sale
of Ruth Will be for the welfare of
the Boston club.
II Babe should hold up for a couple
hi years the Yankees undoubtedly will
Est their money back and much more
but If he should be injured he would
prove costly investment for them
1lis weak knee makes him susceptible
10 injury.
No Conformation From Ruth.
Los ANGELES. Calf, January g.
Tabe Ruth today was the property OF
HE New York Americans, according
," an announcement by Miller Hug