The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-14
COVETED HONOR
NOT EXPECTED
BY YANK STAR
Husky First Baseman Says
Even Famous Strikeout
Wasn't So Stunning
RUTH COMPLIMENTS HIM
Swat King Says Louis Achieve
ment Was 'Cinch'-Gives
Him Much Credit
BY EDWARD ]. NEIL
Associated Press Shorts Write,

AoSOSA0ScU Ico0 0pOTlS VTlCef
New York, Oct. 14.-F-The
biggest surprise - and likewise the
greatest thrill Of season packed
with nerve tingling moments-came
to Columbia Lou Gehfig when the
committee of eight sports writer's
round the American League circuit
adjudged him the most valuable
player to his team during the sea-
so of 1927.
Stripped to mere breech cloth,
the bullying muscles OF his broad
physique knotting as he stepped
about assembling he uniform Of the
"Larruping Lou" for an exhibition
game at Asbury Park, N. j., the
husky young first baseman Of the
world champion New York Yankees
allowed that even striking out with
bases full and the score tied in the
ninth inning Of the final world Sc
ries game hadn't stunned him as
much as receipt of the coveted
player award.
Stretched out u. !. nearby chair
in the club house dressing room,
Babe Ruth, teacher, guide and club
bling mentor Of his young teammate,
took his ease in similar attire and
joshed the youngster affectionately
whenever the opening offered.
Temperaments Contrasting
No greater contrast in tempera-
ment or physique could be found
anywhere in baseball than the two
batsmen who waged q thrilling
race for home run honors from
spring to fall before the veteran
finally fell into his record-breaking
stride and left youth far behind.
The Babe is huge through the
shoulders, pudgy Of waist, with the
legs of a welterweight bearing his
225-pound bulk, Will LOU has the
bid Of a four-square Du-chman,
wide Of shoulder and hip, with the
legs of heavyweight wrestler.
Babe, although loving baseball
Fundamentally, is the business head
of the combination as BELTS his 33
years. while Lou plays for thrills
and isn't bit anxious to hide the
fact that the national pastime is
"his meat"
perhaps the greatest thrill of
the honor came from it's unexpect-
edness," said Lou. "All through
the year though that Babe would
get it. ! never even knew that he
wasn't eligible because he won it in
1923. So / just played along
through the season, dol -lg as we'll as
| could, and the thought never once
entered by mind that / might be
judged the most valuable player in
the Ar erican league.
ITS a great feeling, though, and
I'm sure it will give me confidence,
and make a better player of me next
season. I'll be in there swinging
every minut~ to prove thew were
right. Maybe l won't hit more than
AZ home runs in 1928, but won't
be ia. shy either"
About that time, the Bambino cut
himself into the conversation.
listen, kid" h said "you were
cinch. You'd have won it anyway
even if ! wasn't out. Act your age
and climb into that sweatshirt."
Unperturbed, "Larruping Lou"
stalked over to the B be who had
not moved from his easy position,
and said almost accusingly:
"You know, that big hitting freak
there taught me more about batting
this season than all the st Of the
people that have worked on me put
together. He showed me how to
line ball into right fiel>,, for two
and three bases this spring after
Miller Higgins taught me to loft
poky flies out that way for cheap
singles.
Babe Is 4 Freak
"The Babe is q freak" he contin-
ued earnestly. "He's the greatest
player, the great hitter in the
history Of the game, blu. he's q freak
just the same. Look at tie way he
swings - legs, body, arms, Shout