South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-15
WILLIAMS HOPES
TOLEAD CIRCUIT
HITTERS OF 1922
Says He Will Beat Ruth if He
Gets 40 Home Runs-Ex-
poets No New Record.
BY KFN WILLIAMS.

Ny one ambition is 10 lead the
] home-run hitters OF the American
League for the season Of 1922.
I am positive 1 viii accomplish
that feat. I am already out in front
with a comfortable margin.
Last year with Bob Meusel
shared second honors 20 Ruth in the
matter OF home runs. This season /
hope 20 show the way TO all the
I American sluggers.
When the season opened I made
Iup my mind 70 go after these honors.
With Ruth and Meusel under sus-
pension I felt that I was offered a
great opportunity 10 break into the
home-run spotlight.
Succeeded Very Well.
Thus far / have succeeded very
we'll in my efforts 10 show the way.
Getting three home runs in one game.
something no other American League
batsman has ever been able 10 do.
gave me a great start l am now on
the way. hitting on all six.
Ruth's suspension is a very unfor-
tunate thing for Ruth and mighty
lucky for me. If Ruth was in the
game there is a chance that he
would be out in front. and the 10
home runs that have already made
wouldn't be getting any consider
alton.
Ruth a Superman.
Ruth is a remarkable batter. He
is a superman if eyer there was one.
IL seems almost helish for anyone
TO aspire TO equal his fests of slug
ging yet that is my ambition. In
making three home runs in one
game ! have already done something
that the great Ruth has not yet &C
Icomplished.
IN order 10 hit home runs a bats
man must get the breaks. Team
play is the big thing in baseball No
individual should sacrifice team play
for a personal record.
In making my present home-run
record I have always played for my
team rather than for myself. Con.
ditions of the game have always jus
timed my taNfg healthy swing
which is the on way you can make
"a home run
Hopes Not Too High,
since j nave broken INTO the nome
run spotlight a great many people
have asked me- what chance | be-
Iieve I have 10 beat Babe Ruth's
record Of 50 home runs.
Frankly, 7 am not aiming to top
Ruth's record. OF course, l would
be delighted TO turn the trick. but
honestly. I am not shooting quite
that high.
Ruth is getting a very late start.
IN all probability. after getting back
into the game. it will be couple OF
weeks before he hits his stride
\ Big Handicap.
That means that Ruth will be
spotting me a start of about seven
weeks Great as Ruth is. I don't be-
lieve he can overcome the handicap
which the suspension by Judge Lam
dis has imposed.
II is my opinion that any player
who can make 40 home runs in the
American League this year Will lead
the organization in that department
OF play. am positive that Will be
too great s number for Ruth 70 ovet
come.
7 want 70 rank second 10 Ruth if
I am unable 10 top his mark. I feel
that 40 home runs will give me
such an honor Ruth and Meusel are
the two outstanding sluggers in the
American League. They are really
the only batters have 10 fear. And
with the big handicap imposed by
Judge lands they don't loom up
dangerously.
Goal 40 Home Runs.
I don't believe any batsman IN
the history of modern baseball viii
equal the deeds Of Ruth. Batters of
his type happen about every 100
years.
Ny goal IS TO lead the American
League in home runs in 1922.
In accomplishing that feat I hope
to make at least 40 home runs, which
will rank me next TO Ruth In the
annals of the swat.