The Washington times., 1932-08-17
STEPHENSON
.. ACHIEVING
COMEBACK
eyAnks@ By

NEW YORK, Aug. III think
It would be good idea to devote
this article to some questions
which have come to me recently
in my mail. l always feel that
the average baseball fan is in
tereSted in the queries Of another,
and that is why l occasionally
group several Of these answers
in this way. Thus I am able
to express my views on topics
dealing with various phases Of
baseball,
Question-Do you think the
Yankees of 1892 are as good a
team as the Yankees Of 1927?
It is my belief that the Yankees
Of 1882 are not as strong a team
as the 1927 Yanks. believe the
team of five years ago carried
more speed on both attack and
defense and also had a more
powerful punch. In pitching
and catching strength I would
give the edge to this years team
but for all around play I prefer
the 1927 team.
Succeeds in Comeback
Question What big league
player has staged the greatest
comeback of the year?
That is a question on which
there could be plenty of argument.
My nominee is Riggs Stephenson
of the Chicago Clubs. Last year
Stevie was in the outfield in
less than half of his teams
games, though he got into a few
as pinch hitter.
This year he has been in the
game regularly since the start of
the season. hitting better than he
did last year. and doing his most
brilliant work when the Cubs
needed help the most. In the
winter I know that he was fig
ured on as a utility outfielder,
rather than a regular. but his
great play changed that idea.
QueStion-Will Jimmie Foxx
break that home run record of go?
I don't like his chances as much
as I did two weeks ago. but he
still has time enough to do it.
Homers come in groups, and then
there are days and days when
you can't hit one. Jimmy has
fallen off his early pace, but enc
of those SpurtS such as had in
the last month of 1927 would put
him over the top.
Hits EN- Everywhere
OueStion-HaS anv nlaver in
your league hit homers in every
city of the league this year?
Yes, Jimmy Foxx has ait at
least one in each of the eight
cities. I have not hit any In Chi
cago this year and Lou Gehrig
has not hit one in Cleveland.
Smead Jolley has hit one every
where except in Cleveland. iona
than Stone. of the Tigers, has not
hit one in Washington.
Question-AgainSt what pitcher
have you hit the greatest number
Of home runs?
I do not keep a record, but I
think the answer to this oneOis
Rube Walberg, of the AS. I saw
an article during the winter
which said I had made IS homers
against Rube. and I recall two
that 1 have made this year l
don't think that there is any other
pitcher off whom I made IT.
Question-Isn't it true that you
and Gehrig got most of your
home runs at the Yankee Stad-
ium?
No, it is not. AS write these
lines I have 80 homerS and only
IL were made in New York. Lou
has 26 and only seven were made
at the Stadium! The Yankees
have played nine full seasons at
the Stadium and in five Of these
years I have hit more home runs
while travelling than I hit at
home.
Braves Biggest Surprise
Question-What team do you
regard as the biggest surprise of
the season and what team the
greatest disappointment?
would rate the Boston Braves
as the team which has been the
biggest surprise, and the st.
Louis Cardinals as the most dis
appointing. I do not think any
team in the American League
can be claSsed with either of these
along the lines of your question
QueStion-Who is the most i'm
proved hitter of the year in the
majors?
I will pass up the National
League on this question but :
would rate Jim Levey of the
Browns as the most improved hit
ter in our league. He was .209
hitter last year and he has been
batting above 800 all this year.