Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-03
BY GEORGE MORIARTY.

Manager of the Detroit Base Ball Team For:
mer American League Third Baseman ana
Umpire.
Copyright 1927. in all countries Ivy North
American Newspaper Alliance.
THE New York Yankees. on the
eve of their World Series COM
bat, present a somewhat diff
ferent complexion than when
they faced the st. Louis Car.
dinals last Fall.
AT that time Miller Higgins bossed
wicked-enough run-making crew,
but am convinced that he has pulled
the levers behind more powerful
machine through the schedule of 1927.
/ believe the Yankees are the most
formidable cluster of batters that
ever stepped to the plate. AS mana
ger Of the Tigers, l have had cause
to observe them closely, and l may
add. upon several occasions. to my
sorrow.
To gain better idea Of their true
strength, choose if you will team
from the seven other American
League clubs. l think you will find
the result lacking in equality as far
as sheer batting power is concerned.
Babe Ruth has plunged through
the mightiest season of his career,
ever before. Maybe this is because he
has mellowed and settled into a
more serious mood. At least, the
same star pitchers ind 1t harder than
ever to fool him.
Gefrig and Ruth Bulwarks.
Next in Importance comes Lou
Gehrig, who pressed Ruth from the
tap of the gong till the finish In the
most arresting home-run debate that
has ever been staged. Because or his
greatness at the plate, he seems to be
the most improved first baseman in
the American League. Both Gehrlg
and Ruth should be worth going a
long way to see in the series.
Tony Lazzeri has put in fashy
season of second base play. This keen
young Italian sparkled all year IN
manner that brought stardom to La
ioie and Evers of the past, and Horns
by, Collins, Frisch, and Harris OF the
present crop. Moreover, he saved the
Yankees inner.works when he substl-
tuted so ably for Koenig over a long
period. incidentally, his success at
short gives Higgins an emergency
defense that he did not have last Fall.
This switch would send Merchant,
clever fielder, fine batsman and speed
merchant, to second base.
Joe Dugan. due to injuries, has not
PLAYED in his usual brilliant form, but
he is looked upon in the profession as
a great money" player, and can play
the game of his life when the stake is
highest. On the left of Dugan. Mark
Koenig has had an ordinary year with
the bat, but he seems to be less sus.
ceptible to errors, which heretofore
has been his fault.
Earl Coombs turned in a scintillat.
ing year both in the field and at hat.
He can travel as far as any gardener,
past or present and gather in the fly.
ing pellet. Meusel also has chalked
up a most impressive season with the
fail and the finger glove. Which
means that the Yankees outfield
leaves little to be desired when speed
and power are the essentials.
The Pitching Staff.
Higgins pitching staff. however, is
not nearly so strong as the array OF
talent that once represented his curv-
ing department. Pennock, easily his
best bet last season, had an off year
by comparison. but nevertheless Hug
gins is counting on this crafty south.
paw in the series.
Waite Hoyt tops the Yankee list
in victories during the season, and is
slated to see service early in the
series. If he is himself he should
give the enemy plenty to look at, with
his great fast ball and his tantalizing
slow one.
Moore, Shocker, Ruether, Thomas,
Pipgras. and Gard round out the
Yankees staff Of fingers. Pipgras
has a world of stuff and stands a
chance to beat any team if his con-