The Washington times., 1928-02-01
RUTH LONE
REMAINING
BRILLIANT
By Louis A. Dougher

BY Louis A. Dougher
Babe Ruth, because Of recent
changes brought about by old
Father Time, will open the 1925
campaign the one really great base
ball hero of the American League.
Creaking age has overtaken those
heroes OF yesterday. Yes, and Ruth
is not so young. 1t is in the cards
for new crop Of heroes within a
few seasons.
Before Ruth came into his own
Ty Cobb, Walter johnson and Irls
Speaker were on top of the world.
with Larry Lajoie reaching the END
Of his great performances. Larry
was the first to slip. Then came
Coombs and Bender and Plank, that
phenomenal pitching trio.
Here and there other stars o.
lesser magnitude faded meath the
rivalry of the really wonderful
some slowly, others not so slowly
But always went on that marvellous
trio. Ty and Walter and iris. Now,
over a single winter, out go those
three and Ruth remains alone in
his glory. Such is the history Of
the diamond.
For ten years George SisIer
twinkIed in st. Louis. He is
now one of two veteran first
sackers on the Washington
roster, no longer the man who
astOnished the fans with
batting average of .42O in 1877.
Soon he viii be but q memory
oNan NN0aA
the OIdsters, unappreciated by
the young 'uns.
''Big Ed" Walsh is in obscurity
as a White Sox scout. Once ne
was the South Sides own pet, q
hero to fans everywhere.
Eddie Collins triumphed with the
Mackmen and the White Sox only
to find himself utility infielder
with the AS on the very field
where some of his greatest playing
was seen.
Gabby Street was known far and
wide as the man who caught a
ball tossed from the top OF the
Washington Monument" the lad
who handled the furious speed or
the superb Walter Johnson. This
year he is managing the Knoxville
gotten by the thousands crushing
through major league turnstiles.
Not so long ago Zeb Milan
gaIIOped ahead of Cobb on the
bases. A net Of Washington
fans. he ranked with johnson
and Street in the trio of stars
boasted by the Capital. After
five years i'm the bushes he is
coming back as coach this
year. the fine wrinkles around
his eyes and the thinning hair
telling the tale Of his baseball
demise.
''Home Run" Baker, nemesis or
Matty and Rube Marquard, placidly
conducts his Maryland farm, getting
his baseball thrills from the news.
papers. The days of his glory have
gone never TO return.
Stanley CoveIeskie, Cleveiand's
pitching hero of the world series OF
1920, SO popular that hotel gave
him free rent for two seasons, is
going to Florida at his own expense
to see if he can make the grade
with the Yankees. He knows the
scales are against him, but his
great heart refuses to be beaten.
He must be shown.
Bullet Joe" Bush, youthful hero
Of a world series, comes back to the
Mackmen an old man at 35. seeking
to hang on at least one more sea-
son.
George Uhle, whom Cleveland
folks acclaimed the worlds best. is
on the ragged edge, just one of tie
Indians veterans going South try
ing for a job.
Such is the stark truth Of
baseball herOism. They burst
upon us suddenly, shine on
glOriOusly, twinkle q blt-and
are gone!
No player in the American
League today begins to approach
Babe Ruth as a hero. His smuggling
mate. Lou Gehrig, lacks the color
of his master. Lazzeri has the
color. but not the hefty wagon
tongue.
Goose Goslin is wasl1inston's
most coIorful athlete, but he is far
back in the running when men
toned in the line of real heroes.
Yet. he is Washington's best.
Joe Sewell is a suffering candle
compared with the blazing arc light
that was Larry Lajoie.
Bob Grove will never equal
Bender or Coombs or Plank as a
hero. Nevertheless. he is today
Shibe Parks best offering for
honors.
Little Johnny Mostil was on hia
way in Chicago until he blew UP
last spring. Now he is starting
again and may never get away from
the mark. But he can never be a
big Ed Walsh to the South Side
fans of Chicago.
The passing of Cobb and John.
son and Speaker brings 10 an
end a great galaxy of stars. 1t
is now apparent that a new as
sOrtment is i'm the making. but
none can tell who will emerge
on top.
Ruth, the mighty Barnbino o
Bust. the Sultan Of Swat, believes
OF man and boy, strides along a
the head OF a procession of sucl
youngsters as Lou Gehr.g. Ton
Lazzeri. Bob Grove. Al Simmons
Goose Goslin. Mickey Cnchran'
Harry Heilmann, Joe SeweN, LUX
SewelI. Jack Rothrock. Hal Wits
Lizzie Lisenbee. Bump HadIey, Wi
lis Hudlin, Owen Carroll Cicer
Gibson. Ted Lyons, Al Thomas
Willie Kamm, and RUDE Walberl
lNEM QOIHrc