New Britain herald., 1926-10-21
HERE'S DYING GASP
 OF OLD BASEBALL
Did Ruth Err in Trying to Steal
 in Last Game ?
(BY BILLY ENANS)

Did Bate Ruth make the proper play when he tried to steal second base and failed for the final out of the 1926 world series?
 There seems to be considerable doubt in the minds of most baseball fans on this poin.
 It will be recalled that Alexander, in the last half of the ninth, passed Ruth with two down. St. Louis at the time was leading, 32, Bob Meusel, a good hitter, who had failed to bat up to form in the series was the next hitter.
 What should Ruth do?
 Ruth in trying to steal second by picking what he believed a grooved pitch on which 10 make the attempt, played what is generally regarded in diamond circles as perfectly proper baseball.
 The fact that he failed of his ob iective means nothing as to the cor rectness Of the play.
 Proper Baseball
 For a runner to score from first on base hit it is almost absolutely necessary that such a hit be for extra bases.
 In every ball game extra base hits are the exception.
 IL really takes two base hits in succession for a runner to score from first base, if huch hits are merely singles. Making two hits in succession is the exception rather than the rule in baseball,
 Thus, with Ruth on first. two out in the last of the ninth and St. Louis leading by one run. the hope of the Yankees was to get Ruth to able to score on a single by Meusel, or most any other break.
 The theft of second base was the one avenue open to Ruth. Figuring to get the break on a certain pitch, he went down after being fortunate enough to get a big lead.
 It was apparent that only per feet throw would get Ruth. Catcher O'Farrell made such 8 toss and Babe was out on a hair-line decision ending the ball game and the Tanks hopes of the world title
 Figuring Odds
 Therefore, Ruth in essaying a steal of second base, did what is considered correct baseball under the conditions that existed.
 Had he reached second base he would have been in a position to score on most any break of the game that presented itself, base hit, an error by the infied or a muffed fly ball by any of the out felders
 Alexander had been holding the Tanks in the palm of his hand after he had relieved Haines in the seventh, so that the odds were all against Meusel getting an extra basehit.
 As matter Of fact the odds were all against his even getting a single. so that under the conditions Ruth was Of no great use on first base.
 Second base was the spot where New York wanted Ruth and Babe, who had been the big noise for the Tanks throughout the series. made q heroic but vain effort to get there.
 Ruth the Hero Babe, by the way, added much lustcr to the name and fame of Ruth during the 1926 series.
 The big fellow seems to rise to the occasion. Just about to start on long vaudeville tour, it was tc be hoped that he would go big in l the series.
 He certainly did Had 1t not been for the errors of Koenig and Meusel in the fourth inning of the | final game, his home run would l have won the game and series. At that he socked four homers something never before achieved 1T 1 the annals of the fall classic. In. ciientally he received II bases or l balls, also quite a tribute to hi. 1 batting prowess.
 i It was rather unfortunate that or three of the occasions when he hi for the circuit the bases wer, empty.
 But that's baseball for you.