The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-02

must answer while there is time.
 What effect on players" several ask. "has the presence of wives and sweethearts in the stand or in travel ing with the teams?"
 Now, you know, if I talk too freely on that subject I'm going to get in trouble. Many times have l been in a Quandary over that angle of baseball. l have even feared to dis cuss 1t In private, let alone in the newspapers.
 On general principles, though, I'll say this. Very few ballplayers are ever as valuable to a team the first year they are married as they are be- fore or after. Wait a minute-I'll explain.
 When a young fellow gets 1t into his head to get married there is no stopping him. l think I have too much common sense to even try to stop him. He thinks of nothing el-e. He Is entering new phase of life and is taking on new responsibilities. Naturally he and his wife think their marriage the most important thing in the world. In working out their early problems they forget all about baseball. As a result the young fel- lows zest is gone. It takes a full year for him to get down to busines ss and concentrate his mind on the game.
 Helps Young Man.
 am convinced that nothing helps young man so much in baseball or in any other profession as a good wife. I think, though, that they ought to get married immediately after the worlds series. By the time the next season comes around they will be able to understand things.
 l have known young bridegrooms on the bench, to forget whether there were men on bases or not. Sometimes they are not even par ticular whether there are one or two out They are thinking about that new apartment. about that new fur niture, that fancy gas range, and so on.
 take 1t from me. young man In that state of mind doesn't win many ball games.
 It Is quite natural for the wives to want to attend the ball games and see their heroes at work. Baseball has become part of their lives It they are sensible women-which most of them are-they will encour- age and criticise their husbands so as to be of help. I have had brides come to me and ask what kind ot food they ought to prepare for their husbands.
 There are other wives who wil not attend game in which their husbands appear. They get so nerv- ous over his possible success or fail ure that they fear they will make themselves conspicuous. wish all of them thought that way.
 O c o
 Saw From Afar.
 The wife of ono of our greates, pitchers would never come to tn. Polo Grounds on the day her hus- band pitched. She followed the prog ress of the game. though, by rather unique method. Their apartment was one the Heights. From tn front window it was possible to SC, the scoreboard by the aid of a pail of field glasses. Often this wife ant the wives of other players used tt gather there in the afternoon ant have tea while the game was going on.
 This particular wife Knew wha dishes her husband liked most. On, of his favorites was corned beef ant cabbage. If the glasses showed the Giants behind she would immediatel. start preparing that dish. Upon hi arrival home the grouch of defea would disappear. She would neve mention the game until the dime was over.
 The wives and sweethearts wh really cause the player trouble ant embarrassment are the foolish ones Many ball players, as you know come into the leagues with littl knowledge of life. especially big cit.