The Washington times., 1921-10-17

Judge LaHubb pcToonaiiy tninkb Oh
books, and he is accustomed to admir-
The players themselves were resp
threatens TO, seriously interfere wit
what, to the 1ayman, appears. TO b
The rule wa~ passed TO prevent in
dependent promoters from signing a
few members OF n championship, fill
ing in with mediocre players and ad-
vertising the combination as a world
series contender. "t ii
Under a familiar team name these
maleeshift aggregations were exhibited
solely for the purpose OF getting
some easy money after the world
championship was decided. The
players did not take these exhibition
games seriously and the absence of
team play or hitting. due to the "fili.
ing in" with amateurs or semi-pros.
often subjected them to defeat.
Thus did the Giants" of other
years. the Cubs" the Red Sox"
cheaper these great names for the
sake of few dollars.
This abominable practice was
banned by the rule which, now works
a hardship on Ruth. The National
Commission decided that the rich re-
turns from a world series should suf-
flee members of championship teams.
There have been few infractions of
on their team name for advertising
purposes were permitted to participate
In games where the result could in no
way affect the reputation or stand
ing of a major league club.
--r Merely Home Run Show.
The Ruth case presents a new angle.
II will doubtless be smoothed out and
the rule amended to permit individual
exhibitions by players of unusual
ability, but in the meanwhile II
threatens serious complications, not
the least Of which Is a decree that may
force Ruth into independent baseball
and rob the Yanks club of its great
est asset.
Ruth does not propose to exploit the
title OF Yankees" He doesn't pre-
| tend that his team Is of major league
strength. 1t was organized merely to
permit him to show the yokelry how
he makes home runs. And he can
surely do that against bush league
pitching. Babe is giving those out-of-
town fans legitimate show. He has
habit. too, of making good on his
press notices.
I Under. the circumstances 1t would
seem that an exception could be made
in Ruth's case.
Losses Faced by Ruth.
Ruth had entered into a contract in
! good faith. He faces not only a heavy
personal loss IL he cancels the tour,
but lays himself open to an action for
damages by the promoter who has al.
ready gone to considerable expense to
| book and advertise the attraction.
The time to have settled this thing
was before the world series Surely
1t was known to the Yankee club of.
ficials that Ruth was negotiating for
| q post st-season tour. The arrangements
| were made before the Yankees won
| their championship. 1t would have
| been possible for Ruth to have pro-
vfded an "out" for himself in case his
team got into the big series.
|" However. the thing is done, and seri-
| GUS consequences may follow. Ruth
has been most punctual and honorable
in fulfilling his contractural obliga-
lions both in and out of baseball.
| The New York Club could afford to
pay Babe what he thinks his profits
on the tour would be to get him out of
| this predicament and relieve Judge
Lands Of the necessity OF performing
q disagreeable duty. Ruth, however,
Is concerned over the losses that would
follow a cancellation. He Is respon-
sible for expenses incurred by the per.
sons who booked the games and for at
| icdSt tWO OtHcT Idnkee players pass
ing up other inducements to appear
with him.
| Babes Side Of II.
| The average player can offer moth
| ing but himself as a unit In a team
Of hish-class baseball performers. His
name attracts patronage, of course.
but one more or less average celebrity
does not make or mar an exhibition
game.
Ruth Is one-man show.
He can surround himself with eight
semi.pros and yet he will draw the
crowds. Other world series psrtici-
pants are going into vaudeville or
oashing their fleeting regulations in
various other ways that are ac-
counted legitimate. yet Ruth is barred
from showing the act that has made
him famous.
He isn't advertising himself as
Yankee--merely as a home run hit
ter. The success or failure of "Ruth's
All Stars" can in no way reflect on
the American League champions.
Surely he Is entitled TO better
| break.
| Ruth's Financial Sacrifice.
| Ruth is the first baseball player to
| sacrifice his income by playing In q
world series.
! He could have made from 81 500 to
| 81, 900 a game under guarantees that