Daily Kennebec journal., 1924-01-29
Lands. ,MathewsOn,
Ruth. Feature in
Baseball Popularity

New York. Jan. 2S.-CBy A. P)-
Baseball. fundamentally strong. owes
most of its present day record
breaking hold on national popularity
to a few outstanding figure. who
represent the best in the national
pastime.
This was the keynote of the first
annual dinner of the New York
chapter of the Baseball Writers As
sociation of America. held last night,
when a unique gathering of more
than 200 paid tribute to4three of the
diamonds most notable figures
Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain
Lands. Babe Ruth and Christy Ma
thewson.
This trio--representing in Landis
the present ruling power of the
game: in Ruth the modern idol of
playing greatness. and in Matty, now
magrate, the playing skill Of an
other generation and the highest
type of sportsmanship-typ to
the gathering the highest ideals of a
sport which, 1t was brought out. has
leaped the bounds of this country
and spread to many parts of the
globe.
To Ruth 1t was something Of an
anniversary, for 1t was just year
ago that the great slugger, after q
disappointing season in 1922, pledg-
ed himself to keep the straight and
narrow path for the sake of the kids
to whom he is the games symbol.
How well Ruth kept that pledge was
best shown by one OF his greatest
playing years in 1929, when he was
voted the most valuable performer
In his league.
you fellows may remember a lit
tie supper l gave year ago." said
Babe. who came down from his win
ter retreat at Sudbury, Mass, to at
tend the writer's dinner. "Things
didn't look so good for me then you
know. But we called a spade O spade
that night. turned over a new leaf.
/ think ] came back last year. II
was worth II and I'm going to do
even better this year. II IT'S human
iy possifle-Tm going after that
bome-run record again, you can bet
on that"
Tribute TO Lands and to Ruth
was voiced by State Senator James
j. Walker, whose appeal on behalf
OF the kids a year ago was answered
by the big slugger's reform. "In
nothing else l know of Is such pub
lie confidence, as there Is in baseball"
! declared Senator Walker, "and the
fundamental strength of the game
owes MUCH to Landis. It is bigger
than any individual. but Lands has
done 1t worlds of good and want
to pay tribute tonight 10 him as a
real American and also to Ruth
you all know what he means to the
game
Publicity has strengthened the
foundations of baseball as much as
anything else, Senator Walker add
ed. pointing out that II brought home
to millions the personalities of the
| figllres who dominate the game.
Commissioner Landis spoke brief
ly while others who addressed the
gathering included John A. Heydler,
National League president: Walter
Camp and +. G. Lieb Of New York.
president of the Writer'S Associa-
ton.
Guests Of the association also in
cluded Col. Jacob Rupert. owner of
the Yankees: Bob Shawkey, Joe
Dugan and Joe Bush of the Yam
KEGS: Frank Frisch. Posey Ryan,
Hugh Jennings. and Hugh McCullan
OF the Giants and Jack sChesbro. for
mer Yankee pitching star.
State College. Penn, Jan. os.-
Alan II. Heiffrich. captain OF the
Pennsylvania State track team and
intercollegiate half-mile champion,
will run In the MiIlrose games In
New York on Tuesday. It IL also
possible that Coach Nate Cartmell
Will take q. relay team to the meet