The Washington times., 1925-09-03

Until Saturday the contr1te Out'
tan of Swat will not be allowed TO
wear the Yankee spangles even in
practise. This is not the usual
practise in the case OF suspended
players, but it is Higgins practice
in this one. He is determined that
the forgiving and forgetting this
time is to be a slow and painful
process. Babe is not to have 1t
over. like a pulled tooth IL Higgins
has his way, and he is having his
way in this matter, make no mis-
take on that score.
Higgins believes he is right and
he is going ahead and Rupert and
Barrow are standing behind him as
solidly as the old guard stood be-
hind Napoleon.
Barrow is more incensed over
Ruth's OBJECTIONS on the playing
field than is Higgins. The busi-
ness manager OF the Yanks was
q successful manager before he
swung over to the financial side
Of the game, and he is a stern
baseball leader and tactician.
With Barrow Ruth's own adnis-
sion that he twice disobeyed his
managers orders on the playing
100000
writer's and close students of the
game seem to be unanimously OF
the same opinion.
They can understand Ruth's mis-
behavior, alleged or otherwise. but
they cannot understand his W1lfuliy
disobeying an order on the field.
For. Babe is not only a great bail
player, he is a smart player as
we'll.
He may be shy on knowledge OF
the world and its ways. He is.
But he knows his trade. He knows,
too, that the manager expects and
takes the blame for plays that fail
to work out It was not the least
of Ruth's mistakes, by any means.
when he wilfully crossed Higgins
and took matters in his own hands
in those two games at Chicago.
George Herman admitted as
much, even before he broke. down
and reached the stage where he
was willing to admit or promise
anything to win back his job.
"I never did that before. and
I'll never do it again." Ruth de-
clared. ut is not baseball. and
no matter what the fans say
about me. they can't say ! didn't
know how. and haven't played
the game TO the very limit of my
ability. There isn't a Ilayer on
the team but what will tell you
that / am always in there trying.
no matter whether we are ten
runs ahead or ten behind. was
sorry about ignoring those sig
mails right after the game. But
don't think / was dOinc 1t TO get
even with Higgins or to show
him that / was above taking his
orders.
II thought at the time that
was doing the best thing for the
Yanks and I am for my team
first. last and always"
The strictly baseball side Of
Ruth's troubles may not be inter.
esting TO all those who have fol
lowed the ups and downs Of the
Babe since he was fined IS 900 and
laid off in St. Louis last Saturday.
but probably no other one thing
that Ruth did. so helped to get him
in wrong with the powers that be
in the Yankee Club.
A manager will go a long way
with a temperamental player, but
he will not stand to have his
orders ignored on the field of
action. That comes pretty close to |
being the unforgivable sin of the |
diamond.
So. with Higgins adamant and |
putting. on the ritz with his re.
pentant star, Babe is not out Of
the woods yet. But, as somebody |
once said of him, Ruth crushed
to earth will rise again." He will. |
It is even possible to prophecy the |
time, say along about 3 o'clock on |
Saturday afternoon.