Evening star., 1924-04-19

Babe Ruth. whose spectacular slug
slng has made him the greatest draw
ing card the game ever produced. nat
urally is the most powerful magnet
for the fans. who hope to see him
launch his 1924 campaign for home
run honorS, something he failed to do
IN Boston, where the Hugmen opened
the season.
Parking base ball outside the local
lot is going to prove a far more ardu-
Gus assignment than before the i'm
provements since last season were
made, and it was difficult enough
these barriers can testify. Raising
the fence in right field at the foul
line TO conform in height to the
Scoreboard structure presents an un-
broken front, rising 80 feet from the
ground and 3lS feet from the home
plate at its nearest point, while the
left-center field seats are some so feet
farther out, and the front of the new
stand itself is feet high.
Ruth's Longest Hit Made Here.
Ruth demonstrated a couple of years
ago that a park spacious enough to
prevent him from clearing the limits
has not yet been built when he drove
one of Walter Johnson's fast balls far
over the top OF the fence to the left
Of the scoreboard in right center.
This probably was the mightiest wal
lop he ever achieved, with due re-
Spect for the veracity of the scribes
who have chronicled his prodigious
paStes at Mobile, Tampa and other
places. But that was an exceptional
clout and the chances are he never
will connect for another approaching
II in height and distance.
There are several athletes in the
American League, including two or
three of the Nationals, who are capa-
bile of waiting sphere over the
right-feld signs, and one at least
Harry Heilmann of the Tigers, who
packs power enough to smite pitch
ed ball high up in the left-held seats;
but making homers outside the park
in this town now is considerable of
ii chore, and the prediction here is
ventured that there won't be half a
dozen attained this season.
Yank Pitchers Backward.
Although they dropped two of their
three tussles with the Mackmen, that
scheduled for yesterday having been
the current series on even terms in
the percentage column with the
Yanks, who met q similar fate at the
hands of the Red Sox. After getting
a well pitched game in the opener
from Bob Shawkey. who, however,
got the verdict over Howard Ehmke
only because the latters support
crumbled, the Yankees faltered in the
games Jones and Hoyt started, field
ing poorly and hitting weakly. Bush
also failed to shine in a relief role.
If Higgins doesn't send Shawkey
back for the first game here, he un-
doubtedly will depend on Southpaw
Herb Pennock. the only member of
New York's "tive-star" staff as yet
untried-
1t is possible that to Joe Martina.
the New Orleans war horse, will go
the distinction of opposing the cham
uions in their initial appearance here
Walter Johnson also could be used, as
he has had the customary three days
rest and original plans called for
Barney being used to open each ser
les, but we have a hunch that George
Mogridge will get the call, with john
son being given an extra tWenty-four
hours for recuperation.
Mogridge, an ex-Yank himself,
usually has given strong exhibitions
against his former mates and is anx-
ious' to redeem himself for his poor
showing of last Wednesday, when he
was chased to cover by the Mack
men in one round. 1t was while op-
posing the Yankees in the second Sc
ries of the season last year in New
York that Mogridge had his thumb
fractured by a drive from the bat of
Joe Dugan. which proved the first OF
series of ailments that handicapped
paw has not forgotten that crack and
will have his fingers crossed when he
ascends the peak against the Hug
men.
Pitcher Ray Joyce. New Haven
graduate, who was sent to Minneap-
oils and returned because the trans
fer was illegal in that a player from
n drafting league cannot be turned
over to a non-draft circuit, has re-
Joined the Nationals and will be care
fully inspected before he is farmed
again. Pilot Kelley of the Millers
believes Joyce can make the grade in
the majors without further season.
ing.
COLLEGE BASE BALL