The Washington times., 1928-05-26
BY Babe Ruth

PHILADELPHIA, May 20
The Western clubs have come
East. We've had a chance to
look them over, measure them
and feel their wallop. Now
I'm more convinced than ever
Of the thing / predicted early
Ia the season.
That is that the American LEAGUE
race this year Is apt to be two
club affair. with the Western clubs
playing little part In the final re-
suit.
or the four Western clubs there 9
only one that shows any signs OF
strength at all. That's Cleveland.
i don't know how long the Indians
win stay up there around the TOP.
They've got two things IN their
favor. They have great pitching
and they're on their toes and tight
ing every minute Anytime they
start Shaute, Hudlin Or Uhle, OPP
nosing clubs are due for real
battle, and these three young rlen
can make some mighty uncomfort-
able moments for any club tEat
happens to be fighting for the lead.
hut the Cleveland infieId
isn't Of championship caiiber.
,lpeY SeweiI ii the only man on
flle whole iiafieId who has real
rhampiOnsllip class. and one
man isn't enough to put an IN
field over. expect the Indians
20 be troublesome all season
long but don't look for them
ko be within striking distance Of
Che pennant after July Per-
haps I'm wrong. We been
wrong before. But that's the
way the thing looks right now.
AZ for the others. Well there
isn't i single Western club that
hasn't d decided weakness. The
Tigers, Boosting d lot Of batting
punch, have an in-and-out pitching
staff. They make plenty Of runs
themselves, but they can't keep
the other fellow from making more.
And that's harmful.
The White Eox haven't the punch
At the time they played IN New
York at least, they lacked tire. |
Played as though they weren't go
ing anywhere. Once Ted Lyons
gets back in the game and their
be q different story. But until
then the White Sox look like q
weak outfit without b single chance
of getting anywhere this season.
The Browns lack consistency.
They're an inexperienced outfit for
the most part thrown together in a
hurry and not yet polished in their
play together. They have some hit
ting strength. and they have a
couple o. good pitchers.
sam Gray's comeback has
been great thing Tor them
and may spell the difference
between fifth place and the rel
lar. But they're Inconsistent.
And the most damage they can
do this year win be winning
few games now and then from
clubs that are really IN the
fight.
when the season opened / ex-
pected the washington Senators
70 show some real strength. But
washington has been hurt by II.
juries and sickness and the result
has been a slump that probably will
put them out OF the running. I'll
say this for the Senators. Thew
haven't yet shown their real
strength. But unless they do show
ii soon they will be so far back that
they'll be hopeIessly out OF it.
Which leaves two teams to fight
1T out. The Athletics and the
Yankees. Connie Mack has a great
club this season. lie has strength.
ened lot the place whore he
was weakest last year. That's first
base. Joe Hauser's return has been
q wonderful help. Joe never played
better ball in his life than he has
played thus far this season. and his
bat means the difference between
defeat and victory in lot Of games
III the Yankees are to be chal.
Ienged this year, the Athletics will
have to do it. Perhaps, as the sea-
son goes on they will be able to
do 1t. Right now I'm inclined TO
have my doubts.
fCopyright 1928. by the christy
Walsh Syndicate)