The Washington herald., 1921-02-07
HOPES TOPITCH25
VICTORIES AND GET
HOMERS IN 1921.
Huggins Expected to Let
Babe" Take Turn
On Hill.
BY JACK NYE.

Having socked his way to undyinE
fame by making home run heroes
Of the past look like passable bunt-
ers, George Herbert Ruth ought
to be satisfied for a while.
Glory enough for any one man
has come his way but he sighs-for
more worlds TO conquer.
In order to convince Mr.. Huggins
that he can earn his salary, Babe
has declared his ambition 10 star IN
a double role during the 1921 cam
psign.
Nothing less than seventy-nve
home runs will satisfy his sIuEEinE
appetite.
In addition he wants TO take his
regular turn in the box and turn IN
twenty-five victories
Outside OF these little things. Babe
is willing to let the rest Of the
Yankees horn into the limeliEht
whenever there's an opening.
Babe Can stiH Pitch.
Ruth's ambition TO return 10 the
box is being taken seriously by
-NN" VI AAdhAE tEIEhL ana
there is said TO be a good chance
that he will work in his share OF
games. All Of which would relieve
Mr. Higgins OF the trouble Of look
ing around for another southpS W
to pair up with Harry Harper, the
original wild man.
Ruth surprised the natives at the
Polo Grounds last season by pitch
ing part Of a double-header against
the Nationals. He worked for ha1r
speed and curves that mao, hm
famous with the Red SoN were stnI
there. When he began TO tire be
left the box voluntarily and the NE-
tionals were so thankful that tney
fell upon his successor like a ton
Of brick.
While rusticatinE at Dover Hall.
Ga. recently Babe Confded shis
plans to some Of the scribes: -
I'VE should have cake walked OF
TO a pennant last year" said Ruth
at that time. and we're bound to
land the bacon in 1921. At the tail
end Of the season felt like offering
my services for box duty. but had
a home-run record on my mind and
the btge all AFaA D EllbNAAl ~ IN -
meut.
This spring I'm going to Hot
Springs with the battery men. and
I'm going to get the old soupbone
in shape for pitching Ny arm
never felt better than IL does now
and I'm sure I'll BE- able 10 pitch as
well as ever ! did in my life. And
when I'm not pitching I'll be in the
I al - 80
/ can do the most good. And I'll
not be overlooking any bets TO bet
ter my home-rUn record, either"
Carries Extra weight New.
One of the sluEEer's chief trou-
/ hIes this spring will be riddinE HIM
/ self Of the surplus flesh that has
| been AIDED during the winter
months. Despite his play IN
Cuba. his attempts To make a
name as a basket hall player. and
. his hunting trip in the South. the
home run king is carrying too much
| heft to suit his own fancy.
| Today, according 20 those who
/ have been hunting with him. the
/ fat ClinEs to his midsection in rolls
/ He tips the beam at go or more and
. fAbftAS TO GETTY pAl -NN bNAuA1 :
/ when he gets down 70 weight.
/ Hot Springs is expected 10 helm
/ Babe a lot in this respect. but hoT'
have 10 put in many a weary hour
/ there to regain his sylph-like figure
May Mean Rag for TsnEs-
n Ruth carries out his plan ~
returning 70 tho mound. tho YsnE s
are going to be a mighty tough
| proposition next season. Alresdv
| HuEEins has strengthened his team
| considerably by wise trades His
hurlinC stan should show better
stuff. And to top it all. with Baho
| shooting them over in HIS former
world series style. other penns nj
contenders arc going 70 have their
worries.
Hitting has made Babe famous.
| hut the fact remains that he is one
of the greatest southpaws the game
| has ever seen. His lifetime record
as a pitcher shows an exceptionally
high percentage Of victories
Babe evidently has a strong do
| sire to perform in another world Sc
| ries. this time not confined to a
! hurlinE role alone II he can stand
tho pace Of double work his chances
to park" the ball before a big So
| ries crowd next fall look decidedly