South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-28
Major LeagNerS
We're Fooled By
lie WiS Ability
Former Member of Greatest
0utfield in Games History
Still Going Strong.
BY BILLY EVANS.

The wise cracker WAC pulled the
one about them never coming back
has booted another one.
Duffy Lewis, once a star in the
American League, is a living exam
pie OF the theory that occasionally
they do come back.
Lewis put on his comeback spec
ialty with a vengeance. His sensa-
tional performance in the Coast
League must be rated with Ruths
SO home runs as one Of the big
thrills Of the 1921 campaign.
Every follower of baseball knows
all about the career of Duffy Lewis,
so I am going TO dwell on it very
briefly. He made his big league de-
hut with the Boston Red Sox. He
was a member of one of the great
est Outhelds in the history Of the
game-Lewis, Speaker and Hooper.
After many years Of great success
at Boston ne was traded to the New
York Yankees. For a number Of
years he starred at New York The
Yankee management, believing he
was about at the end of his career,
sent Lewis 10 Washington with
George Mogridge in a deal that
brought Bobby Roth to New York
Last spring Lewis got away with
poor start at Washington. He was
unable TO strike his stride at the bat
The Washington club formed a SINH
lar opinion to that held by New
York. that Lewis was through. Lewis
having serv-7 his ten years in the
American League was given his un-
conditional release. no other major
league club thinking It was worth
while TO take a chance.
Had \ Great Season.
I was umpiring in Washington the
day Lewis departed for the coast TO
Join the Salt Lake club. The fact
that all the major league clubs
thought Lewis was through, didn't
ruffie his genial disposition I'm the
least. Wearing his pleasant smile
which helped to make him such a
big favorite wherever he played
Lewis shook hands with me, and as
he did so he remarked:
What do YOU think. Bill? Is Old
Duff through Ny honest opinion
was that he still had some good ball
left in his system, and there was no
mere sentiment or hattery in my
speech. when ] replied:
Il look for the big league clubs 10
be making bids for you next spring. 4"
It so happened that the major
league clubs didn't wait that long
At the recent meeting In New York.
Ill
glad TO have signed Up Lewis. Duhy
IS now managing the salt Lake club.
and President Lane simply laughed
at every proposition made for his
services
Now for what Lewis did to be
rated as one of the sensations OF
1921. Stepping off the train he went
right to the ball park and got into
the game The player the big league
clubs decided couldn't hit. started
doing that very thing right of the
reel. lie proceeded 10 hit consecu-
lively in % games, getting IS hits.
16 OF them home runs.
In over 100 games played. he
ratted for a mark OF .4O5. the first
time any player has accomplished
the feat OF hitting better than .4oO in
the Coast League he was feared as
much in that organization as Babe
Ruth was in the American.
When I asked him how he did II,
he very modestly replied:
The pitchers are all cousins Of
mine. the altitude is high, the fences
short and the ball lively. That's my
system. In addition was lucky"