Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
BIC H|TTERS MAKE
WORLD CHAMPIONS
Higgins, Though, Must Take
Risks With InfieId and
HurIers This Year.
BY BRIAN BELL,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

ut. PETERSBURG, Fla, March g.
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are
enjoying their usual robust health
~ and the New York Yankees are
ready to start another quest for
base ball supremacy.
It matters little in the camp of the
world champions that an untried third
baseman will protect a corner of the in
field, the throwing of the pivot man at
second may lack snap and precision, and
two pitchers are trying to regain their
misplaced cunning. Ruth and Gehrig
are in good health and spirits. The
Yankees believe that when longer hits
are made Babe and Lou will make them.
The athletes of Miller Higgins find
their position as stellar figures mixed
blessing. Every mans hand in base
ball is against them but as champions
the burden of proof in eviction proceed
ings is on the opposition.
Mark Koenig, who has been a short
stop during most of his base ball life,
for the time being at least has sue
ceeded Joe Dugan at third base, with
shortstop falling to Lyn Larry, sensa-
tional Pacific Coast gueard. Larry
promises to join the small class of play
ers able to live up to advance notices
and big price tags. In his introduction
10 MdIldBeE I1uSSlIio llc lids Q1SpidyCu
fewer weaknesses than most youngsters
breaking into fast company.
Lazzeri Nursing Arm
In the limited scope permitted by
Hug" Tony Lazzeri, who suffered from
lame arm last season, has thrown well
enough, although no occasion has ap-
peared calling for him to bear down"
on his repaired arm. Leo Durocher. q
great fielder in any league, and Gene
Robertson, better as a hitter than a
fielder, stand subject to call without
notice. Lou Gehrig has a first base
assistant in the person OF the veteran
George Burns.
The Yankees, always we'll fortified in
the outfield, have now an even greater
surplus of talent, which may prove en-
barrassing when the time comes to clear
the decks to a working basis. Ruth,
Combs and Meusel, of course, will get
first call and burst and Paschal, able
reserves, have been joined by Sam Byrd
and Slias Funk, good enough to qualify
as understudies. Outen, the North Caro-
lima State collegian, can hit, but the
Yanks will not be able to take ad-
vantage of his ability at this time.
The catching staff also presents a
contest with Arndt Jorgens, an Okla
homa City recruit, fighting energetically
for a place. Bengough, Dickey and
Grabowski are wearers of service stripes.
Herb Pennock and Wiley Moore,
pitching casualties of 1923, look all
right and feel all right. but the extent
to which their ailing arms have been
rejuvenated can be told only under fire.
Hoyt, Pipgras in Trim.
Waite Hoyt and George Pipgras will
take up just where they left off last
year, and Tom Zachary, a bulwark in
the closing days of the campaign, seems
to grow younger with the passing of the
years. Ed Wells, a left-hander with an
abundance of ammunition, who has been
a major Lacquer before, has an excellent
chance to be one again after a tour OF
duty in the Southern Association.
Henry Johnson, Fred Heimach and
Myles Thomas are back again, as is AL
Shealy, who started with the Yanks and
finished with st. Paul. Fay Thomas,
the former Giant, Is bidding for
place. If they start playing foot ball
the Californian cannot be kept out. OF
the younger candidates Roy Sherid,
Albrights bid for major league repre-
sentation, seems to have slight adj
vantage. He prepped at Montreal with
conspicuous success.
Babe Ruth continues to pack the Gus
toners in, with or without tickets of
admission. The practice of the Yankees
is followed twice daily by great crowds.
with a definite suspicion that ma
jority come to see the big fellow with
the little legs hit the ball. Before Ruth
deserted the golf course for the base
ball field the attendance was rated no
better than fair. 1t jumped overnight.
To the base ball railbirds the Yanks
are only ball club, but Babe Ruth is
a hero