Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-20

apparent determination to make up for
lost time-all of this will bring as many
people to the ball yards to see him
this year as did last.
Babe Elated
According to those who have the
Bambino's confidence he has been
elated over the fast pace the Yanks
have set without him in the lineup
and now that he knows that he is a
trifle more valuable as a magnet to
the box-office. than as a counter in
the total scoring he will attempt more
than ever to be more of q first-class
baseball player and a more diligent pur-
veyor of satisfaction to fandom in gen.
eral.
Ruth's appearance in the lineup
Saturday will mark his first appear
ance in a league game this year, IS
days after the opening day of the sea
son and with one-fourth of the season
gone. necessitates Ruth slamming out
n home run at least every other day
and three on n day to surpass his
record of last year.
The Babe was banished last fall by
Commissioner Lands together with
Bob Meusel, another Yank whose
achievement Of getting "a home runs
last year is seldom thought of, for play
ing an exhibition game with the Buff
falO international league team after
the world series had ended, in violation
of the rule that prohibits world series
players from indulging in such exhi-
billions.
Was Personal Issue
Not only did Ruth and Meusel violate
the rule but thew did it after Commits
sioner Lands had personally talked
with Ruth and told him what would
happen in case the rule was violated
After that conversation Ruth express
ed his determination to flout the COM
missioner, and Lands, meeting the
most severe test of his baseball career
foreshadowed what his decision would
be by saying:
1T will be a personal issue between
Ruth and me to determine which man
is bigger in baseball" With the 3S
days suspension over it looks to base
ball fandom as if Lands is convinced
that Lands is the bigger and that Ruth
also is SO convinced.
AS soon as he had flouted Lands.
Ruth was sorry, but he had gone and
done it," Full of remorse and fore
holdings, Ruth hoped back to New
York, swore repentance and took a
rest. Soon the Lands decision came
along and Babe became quiet-quiet
until Colonel Huston, part owner of the
Yankees. found him at Hot Springs
and got the Babe to sign a five-year
calling for between $4,000
and 100000 a year flat salary
Gr~andstanding With Harding
Babe went to the training camp with
the club and played in the exhibition
games enroute home and at home, but
when the club opened in Washington
Ruth sat in the grandstand like Presi-
lent Harding. Since then he has prac-
off and on. read the papers.
travelled a bit, played golf, undergone
a minor operation. and become glum
%downcast, anticipatory and happy.
He dons his uniform again Satur-
lay. better balanced as Commits
sioner Lands, who is now his very
good friend, would say.
Ruth. unquestionably the greatest
of all time. has batted out 75
runs in the last six years. He
scored four in 1915. three in 1916, two
n 1917, II in 1918, % in 1919-break-
ng the then worlds record. "a in 1920.
md 80 last year-a total Of 1913. His
ZONE run hitting has become so prolific
hat it was suggested last season that
le be handicapped by being allowed
,nly two strikes or to bat only with
me hand.
Few expect that he will come near
'qualling last years mark, let alone
n new record. considering
hat one-fourth of his playing time for
he year is gone. although on May 20
asst year, Ruth had collected only II
ircuit smashes, approximately one
fifth of his total in one-fourth of his
His attempt, however, will sup
ly interest for the tagging period of
og days.