Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27
BY ROGERS HORNSBY.

VI Ii was bSSr OF JOY ana Sof-
4 row. I W. carried to the
heights and then showed off. It
was one extreme and then the other.
1 had the thrill of winning a pennant
and world championship. and the
humiliation of being cast aside.
The story never has been told. can
give only my side of it.
After accepting the management of
the Cardinals. May 81, 1925, and pur-
chasing bunch of the stock, felt that
was set for life in ST. Louis and went
to work with that idea in mind.
knew I couldn't get anywhere that year
with the team had, but I saw great
possibilities for the future II I could
acquire little help.
Before the rs season was over knew
my men pretty well. knew what they
could do. We had a couple of real
pitchers in Sherdel and Haines. We
got great catcher in O'Farrell. There
were two strengthening young out
fielders IN Hafey and Douthit. Jim
Bottomley had just come to the front
as great first baseman. Lester Bell
showed fine promise at third, and then
we brought up Young Tommy Thevenow
for shortstop and I saw In him q boy
with real stuff.
I could see we needed pitching help
above all things. and I was depending
upon two youngsters, Rhem and Rein
hart, to supply it. needed an expert
enced and smart outfielder, and / was
able to get one in trade that brought
Billy Southworth.
Building Up the Club.
In all these plans for building, up I
received wonderful support and CO.
operation from Sam Broaden, president
OF the club. He seemed willing to do
anything wished. We we're constantly
together, working for the good of the
ciuo, and 1t was an ideal condition. I
was thrilled with the work and the job
But 1t looked like a tough race, that
race of 1926. There was Pittsburgh
with strong club, and there were the
Giants. To make it still tougher along
came the Chicago Cubs with their new
manager. Joe Mccarthy. We didn't fig
ure them in the early Spring, but they
started OF by burning up the league
The Cincinnati Reds, too, were in there
| strong
1t was one of those races that would
be won by the team with the greatest
nerve and staying power, providing 1t
got the proper breaks
| We managed to stay in the fight,
though 1t was tough going the first half
OF the season. The Cubs continued to
set the pace. was having a terrible
time with my pitchers. The young fell
lows were wild. We were beaten in q
lot of games by bases on balls. And
then. one day before the season was
half over. Mr.. Broaden came to me.
The Cubs have asked waivers on
| Alexander" he said. -s -
could hardly believe him.
Il want him." I answered. Get
Alec for me and he'll just about win
| the pennant for us"
Hes been suspended for breaking
the training rules" Broaden explained.
I understand he's not in good condi.
| tion."
Alexander Joins Team.
"He doesn't need to be In condition
to pitch better than lot of fellows we
nave" was my answer. talked with
Bill kllllfer, who was coaching for me.
He was Alecs old pal and battery mate.
you get Alec" he advised. II know
MIN Ike a book. He's peeved over
something out there. and he'll come and
pitch his head off for you"
The result was that we got Alec. I
said nothing to him about training
rules. I let him live his own life. I
trusted he would be fit to pitch his
.UAA, anu AiS Was. II WAS q great RELIEF
70 have some one on that rubber who
had control. / think Alec won a dozen
games or more for me that last half Of
the season.
We had to finish with an Eastern
trip. We weren't in front, but we were
close Before going East we went to
chicago for a double-header. We won
both games. That was the turning
point, right there. We went on East
and burned 'em up.
Before We left st. Louis, Mr.. Broaden
was fine to me. He encouraged me In
every way. Finally came the great day
when We clinched the pennant In New
YORK. Hundreds of kilograms of con-
gratulatlonS came to me from all over
the country, but there wasn't a one
from Broaden. I couldn't understand
II. l was worried over it.
We stayed in New York to open the
world series with the Yankees. And
then came word of my mothers death
at her home in Texas. Her diving wish
ana request were that I stay with INV
team. So did. But the JOY of win
ming the pennant and getting into the
world series had faded away.
'Copyright, 1929. North American News
-, paper Alliance.)
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