Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-20
BABE AND BOBBY
JONES APPARENTLY
SECURE IN LAURELS

New York. Aug. 1s-(P-Five mon
archs of sport today confront the
closing challenges of the outdoor
season with a powerful battery of
guns which has blasted away all op-
position on four battlefields in years
gone by.
At least one of the quintet appears
sufflciently fortified to remove his
crown from the range of rivals. With
SO home-runs to his credit, Babe
Ruth's title as the slugging king of
the diamond seems secure. But
Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Bill Til
den and Jack Dempsey still have to
face the crucial tests of their right to
rule for another year.
Five f1stic kings have passed from
their thrones-Mickey Walker, well
terweight; Harry Greb, who will seek
to regain his middleweight crown
from Tiger Flowers tonight; Paul
Berlenbach, light heavyweight; Roc
ky Kansas, lightweight and Louis
Kaplan. who voluntarily relinquished
his featherweight sceptre.
Willie McFarlane, national open
champion, i'm Barnes, British open
winner in 1925, and Gene Sarazen,
former metropolitan king, have been
dethroned on the links. Rogers
Hornsby. six time National League
batting leader, has fallen back I'M
der the push. So have Stanley Cove
leskie and Dazzy Vance, respective
pitching aces of the American and
National circuits.
Queens of the court on two CONT
nents have land aside their coronets.
A new American womans champion
now progressing on the West Side
courts at Forest Hills, n. Y. for
Helen Wills has been compelled by
i'll health to default.
Suzanne Lenglen, who conquered
Helen abroad, has exchanged her I'll
tie as European champion for a con-
tract which is soon to bring her to
this country as a professional.
Next to Ruth, of the Big Five"
ones seems most likely to ward off
the thrusts of foes in the amateur
golf championship. The brilliant At
lanta golfer, who already has an
nexed the British and American open
titles. has scared to remarkab BILE
heights. Bobby appears unbeatable
and the burden of his defense was
lightened considerably yesterday by
definite announcement that Jess
Sweetser, American Winner Of the
British amateur crown, would be
prevented by i'll health from oppos-
ing Bobby's march to third straight
championship.
Walter Hagen, seeking to retain his
professional links title, has indicated
his readiness for the conflict by an
amazing string of victories which RI
val the achievements of Jones. Out
standing among them have been de-
cisive triumphs over Jones and Abe
Mitchell, and the winning of the
eastern open championship with re-
markable total of 275 for ~ holes.
Tilden's attempt to extend his
reign at the net to seven successive
years will be contested stubbornly by
three stars from France in addition
to a strong band of American con-
tenders. The racquest of Rene La
coste, Jean Borotra and Henri CO.
chet, here in quest of the Davis cup
as we'll as the National sceptre OF
Tilden. throw shadow across the
path of the tall Philadelphia. which
il this time seems more menaclnS
than the thrusts of Vincent Richards,
William NJ. Johnston and other stars
of the American court.
An army of foes has risen to harry
the heavyweight champion. Jack
Dempsey not only faces a dangerous
challenger in Gene Tunney but also
is the target of litigation. His re-
built nose has given rise to doubt
over his ability to withstand punish
ment. And, topping these hazards.
he is confronted with the task of re-
gaining championship form after an
absence Of three years from the ring
"a retirement too long, in the opln-
ion of many critics. to bring him
back to his former hitting power.