The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-04
RUTH SAYS He
IS NOT ENv|OUS
George Kelly May Knock Homers
Galore, But Watch Ne, Is
Bambino's Spirit.
By BABE RUTH.

Since George Kelly, the big slug
ger of the New York Giants has
begun to write his name in bold
characters on baseball's page OF
fame, fans have asked me if am
at all envious of this new hero, or II
/ fear for my crown at his hands.
With real emphasis / answer mo"
to both questions.
Kelly is welcome to hit all the
home runs he possibly can and if
/ am not able to beat him at his
own game, then the fault is mine
and not his. No athlete has any
real right to be jealous Of another.
certainly enjoyed my wonderful
success of the last two years and
look forward to even better year
in 1921. Once more / repeat what
! have said on several occasions.
All / want is for the pitchers to
keep that ball over the plate. III
do the rest.
With reference to Kelly and his
sudden squirt OF homo run fame. I
may say that there is nothing sur
prising in his feat. He Is a big
fellow with good shoulders and
strong arms. When he gets a hold
of the ball. it figures to go pretty far.
far.
HOPES TO HIT 400.
Last year he did not rank so
high in the batting averages, but
that means nothing. In 1915 I hit
only .272 for Boston, but have
never been below the 800 mark
since then. I was many points to
the good on the charmed notch last
summer and with good luck this
year I hope for a 400 year. Sisler
had one last year. now 1t Is my
turn. .
1t would be remarkable IL Kelly
went along hitting home runs
throughout the season. and I broke
my record OF last year. IL we would
meet In the world series on the
Polo Grounds. 1 guess that wouldn't
have the bugs steamed UP. Can't
you imagine the fans pouring into
New York for the occasion. We
might even follow the example of
the old clubs that toured the coun-
try playing the world series. I like
that idea, the financial possibilities
appeal to me.
IT'S EVER THUS.
The way Of baseball has ever been
the same. New heroes are crowned
over night and old idols are crum-
pied in the dust. The fans cheer
the new heroes. Take my own ex-
perience since I started busting
home runs. When I come up to the
bat the crowd starts bowling and
booing and cheering all at once. II
the pitcher refuses to pitch to me,
they boot him II I miss a swing
or strike out, they guy the life out
of me, but IL / crash one, all hands
cheer. That Is life throughout. The
public wants winner regardless
OF anything else.
But 1 have my own fans who are
loyal. They are the small boys
around the circuit No ball player
who is wise will ever lose the af-
fections OF the small boy for they
pay the freight in years to come.
There Is many kid who stands
outside the gate now to shake hands
with me or to show me his glove or
a new pet bat, who may be a home
run king in ten years more. I'm
for them all, and I'm never too
busy to stop and talk with them
They storm my motor car when II
is around the parks and I'm only
sorry that there is not room for the
whole tribe
Sometimes wish was driving
a cannon.
BABE HONEST.
A ball player. IL he looks at IT in
the right light, will have to go 1t
straight in the game. / can't mag
inc any worse ordeal to endure than
to have some kid say to me some day:
Say that II isn't true, Babe. say that
1t isn't true"
Well, you can tell the world right |
now that they'll never say it. Base
ball is my game.
IL gave me a wonderful livfn~ n |