The Washington times., 1921-09-04

Last week In Detroit I told my busi-
ness plans to Capt, Eddie Rickenback-
er, Americas war ace, and he has
promised me an option onya certain
territory. Rick is a great fellow, and
] understand has developed remark
able motor car, but In spite OF every
tnducement he refused TO give me q
look last week.
VIII Take Chance On Editor.
The editor will probably threaten
to fire me for mentioning this. News
paper writer's are not supposed to re-
Ter to any particular merchandise.
Therefore. will not give the name
OF his car But IL anything may say
about Rick himself win IN any way
repay him for what he did across the
pond, III take my chance with the
editor.
A business Of my own Is no new
idea Not that want to quit base
baI completely. but want to be pre-
pared for when the time comes.
have often enyied the fellow who could
start early for that old rainy day"
Home Run Baker made me do some
thinking at St. Louis on our last trip.
was kidding him as he limped into
the hotel dining room the day he
strained his leg.
When joshed him about "old age"
he replied. Yes. Babe, / am few
years older than you, but own Q big
farm In Maryland fun of horses, cows
and chickens. Dosyou own anything
outside of a million dollar motor carr"
We were both in a joshing mood. but
Il made me stop and think. Perhaps
a few cows and horses might be a
whole lot better than some Of the
things a ballplayer spends his money
: for. E
Sullivan Looks Ahead.
They say Billy Sullivan. former
White Sox catcher, Is one Of the
wealthiest apple growers In Oregon.
And he bought his first orchard out
OF baseball savings. have no am
bitions Of turning preacher, but Billy
Sunday Is q fine example Of what a
man can do when his diamond days
are over. And In public life few men
have reached such heights as John
X Tener, once famous ballplayer
and later governor of Pennsylvania.
But even with such examples be-
fore you, I'll admit It's hard to realize
that a fellow can't go on knocking
home runs all the rest Of his life.
Frequently have repeated my
chief ambition as q baseball player.
want to hang up home run record
InAt Will never De buTpd5s6uL u Whnt
TO lead the league in batting. want
to drive in the most runs and also
score the most runs Of any individual
player.
Fears Hitting Infielder.
Commenting on these, Senator In
Washington asked me II on the other
hand there was anything feared. I
told him yes, ] am in eternal dread
Of some day killing an infielder with
q vicious line drive.
A week ago Johnnie Walker. first
baseman for the Athletics. was hit
on the head by ball from the bat
Of White Sox player. In this case
the ball struck him after hitting the
ground and yet II put him in the hos
pital for a week. My drives are sure
Iy as powerful II not more deadly than
any other hitter In the league.
Many a time / have felt that q
certain ball would have turned intosa
fatal line drive and have purpose1y
poled Il to one side or the other. Pitch
srs especially are targets and stand
ing only sixty feet from the plate
would have little chance on one Of
my home run drives IL same went low
and straight instead Of high and
curved.
do not think a major league play
er has ever been killed In this way.
but II In the only thought In baseball
that makes me shudder.