Evening star., 1927-10-14
RY EDWARD j. NEIL,
Associated Press Sports Writer

3, n YEW YORK, October 14.-The
N biggest Surprise--ard likewise
VI the greatest thrill of n season
4 packed with nervetingling
- moments-came to Columbia
Lou Gehrig when the committee of
eight sports writers round the Amer
lean League circuit adjudged him the
most valuable player to his team dur
ing the season of 1927
Stripped to a mere breech Clout. the
bulging muscles of his broad physique
knotting as he stepped about as
sembling the uniform of the Lar
rupping Lous" for an exhibition game
at Asbury Park, n. j., the husky
young first basenlan of the world
champion New York Yankees. allowed
that even striking out with the bases
full and the score tied in the ninth
inning of the final world series game
hadn't stunned him as much as re-
Ceipt of the coveted player award.
Stretched out in a nearby chair in
the clubhouse dressing room. Babe
Ruth, teacher, guide and clubbing
mentor of his young teammate. took
his ease in similar attire and joshed
the youngster affectionately when
ever the opportunity offered.
No greater contrast in temperament
or physique could be found anywhere
in base ball than the two batsmeH
who waged a thrilling race for home
run honors from Spring to Fall be-
fore 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
925-pound bulk. while Lou has the
build of a four-square dutchman, wide
of shoulder and hips, with the legs of
a heavyweight wrestler.
Babe. although loving base ball
wholeheartedly. is the business head
of the combination, as BELTS his SS
years, while Lou plays for thrills and
isn't a bit anxious to hide the fact
that the national pastime is his
meat"
Thought Babe Would Win.
perhaps the greatest thrill of the
honor came from its uneXpectedness,"
said Lou. "All through the year I
thought that Babe would get it. l
never even knew that he wasn't eligi- |
bic because he won it in 1928. So
Just played along through the season, |
doing as we'll as / could, and the |
thought never once entered my mind |
that l might be judged the most valu |
It's a great feeling. though. and |
I'm sure it will give me confidence, |
make a better player of me next sea-
son. I'll be in there swinging every |
minute to prove they were right.
Maybe I won't hit more than Al homers |
in 1928, but 1 won't be far shy either"
About that time the Bambino cut
himself into the conversation.
Listen. kid" he said, you were
cinch. You'd have won it anyway,
even IL I wasn't out. Act your age
and climb into that sweatshirt."
Unperturbed. "Larruping Lou" stalk
ed over to the Babe. who hadn't 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 rest Of the peo-
pie that have worked on me put to.
gether. He showed me how to line a
ball into right field for two and three
bases this Spring after Miller Hug.
gins taught me to- loft pokey flies out
that way for cheap singles.
Calls Ruth Freak.
"The Babe is a freak" he continued.
earnestly Hes the greatest player,
the greatest hitter in the history of
the game, but he's a freak just the
same. Look at the way he swings
legs. body, arms, shoulders, even his
ears go with the bat. No one else can
do that.
He tries to teach me to swing free
and clean like he does, but I can't
even get a foul. All can do is stand
there and swing with my arms alone.
Just my arms
AS Lou stretched at full length a