South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-25
Fans Wondering
If Bambino Will.
Hit In Big Series
Home Run Hitter Disappoint-
ment Last Year-WiIl He
Hit in 1922 is Question.
BY BILLY EVANS

n the New York Yankees are
fortunate enough 10 take part again
in the world series. what part will
Babe Ruth play?
While Ruth led The Yankees in
hitting. with an average OF 3I3. IN
the clash with the Giants his show
ing at the bat was a disappointment.
Never has a player gone into a
world series carrying such a burden
on his shoulders as Ruth in the 1921
clash between the Giants and the
Yankees. He had just finished one
OF the most sensational years ever
enjoyed by a major league player.
He had broken all Singing records
eclipsing by five his best previous
record.
Record 2O4 Hits
Nor had he confined his 1921 hit
ting to home runs. Aside from his
SO homers be cracked out ~ two
base hits and Is triples. HE record
for the season was 2o4 hits for an
average OF .S7s, giving him third
place in the American League bat
ting average. just below Heilmann
and Cobb.
The baseball experts who pre-
dfcted victory for The Yankees based
much OF their dope on Ruth's swat
ting ability. The Babe was figured
to be the big punch in the Yankee
offense.
Ruth did make one home run IN
the 1921 series. but Il was a wasted
effort. II came in the ninth inning
OF the fourth game, with no one on.
and the Yankees beaten. 4 to I.
Throughout the series, with tho
exception Of the second game, IN
which Ruth drew three bases on
balls, the pitchers on the Giants
staff worked on Ruth and made him
hit Ruth struck out eight times
during the series.
Took Real Nerve
In the Babes defense I want TO
say that nobody ever played the
game In worse physical condition. A
terribly infected arm made II i'm
POSSIBLE for him to take his natural
swing and forced him 10 remain out
OF several games. Due to his failure
TO HIT the gossips had it that he
quit under fire. In justice I must
say that such comment was decid
eddy undeserved.
Babe Ruth certainly did not quit
in the series last year II took real
nerve to play, considering the condi-
tion in which he entered the series.
In poor shape physically, unable 70
do himself Justice. he was constantly
"razzed" for his failure to hit.
Ruth deserves credit rather than
censure for his play IN the series
last year. The only criticism that
might be offered is that he stayed
in the game entirely too long after
being physically unfit.
What about the Babe Ruth OF
1922, should the Yankees again get
into the series?
II is my opinion that the Babe
Ruth Of this year is not the serious
menace at the bat that he was last
season. Any number Of reasons
could be offered for such a belief
An eight weeks layoff at the start
OF the season certainly didn't i'm
prove Ruths batting eye or stride.
In addition the Babe has suffered
from various physical ailments that
have not improved his work.
Then, there Is the state OF mind.
Ruth Is worrying this year. Last
season he was the personiflcatton Of
confidence.
Babes eye doesn't seem as keen
this year. He Is missing the style
OF pitching he once murdered. Pitch
ers who once feared him are taking
chances on his prowess.
In summing VI the chances OF the
Yankees this year. should the New
York Americans get into the series.
Ruth will not get such a big play
from the experts.
Such being the case. II would be
Just like the Babe 20 cross every
one up.