The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-08
The End
Babe Ruth'S 1885 Job to
Be Manager or Nothing,
He Announces.
BY JOE WILLIAMS

I ankeeS Tor next season or
the Babes career with the
New York club has come to
an end. You may accept that
from Ruth himself.
81 will not sit on the bench
as a Saturday and Sunday
player or pinch hitter with
the Yankees or any other
club next season." said Ruth
to me as we walked up and
down the platform in the st.
Louis railroad station at
dusk yesterday.
Ihad stepped out to gather
my impressions about the
game in which the Tigers
had got the upper hand in the
world series with the Cardinals. l
was all set for a piece about fran
young pitcher by the name oil
Thomas Bridges. from Gordonsville'
Tenn. and his triumph over a
loouacious hOmbre who goes by the
barooue moniker of Dizzy Dean.
But Ruth's surprising message
to Colonel Rupert, to the fans OF
New York-to the sport followers
of America-struck me as a lar
more vital story than anything or
ANYBODY having to do with world
series game. There will be lots oil
world series games, but never an
other George Herman Ruth.
IF 1 am to remain in baseball
i in 1885, it will be as man.
ager." the Babe continued. yes
that means I will not sign another
PLAYERS contract with the Yankees.
I have reached the point at which
I must be manager or nothing.
I can not get a Job as a manager
and it must be in the major
leagues-Claire and 1 may spend
next summer travelling in Europe.
1t was a strange spot and
strange time for the announcement.
I had met Ruth by accident. He
had spied me from car window
and had come down to join me IN
my constitutional while he waited
for our special to start Tor De-
troit. / had asked no leading ques-
tions. He had volunteered the in
formation, and he delivered 1t
with conviction and determination
and sincerity. Apparently, Ruth
and Mrs. Ruth just had made their
decision.
NHCARTHYS contract has an
WI other year to run. Those in
the know say the Colonel does not
fire his managers. They added
that at no time has Rupert con-
sidered making Ruth the leader OF
the Yankees. 1t looks like vale to
the grand old warrior. 1t was start
ling news and a sad message got
from Ruth in the dusk OF warm
ish evening in St. Louis.
There certainly was no question
but that he could remain with the
Yankees as n pinch hitter. Appre-
ciating his value as a box office at
traction, Colonel Rupert probably
would pay him $4,000 just to hit
fungoes before the game and go up
to the plate in the pinches.
THAT would be a soft job for you
and easy money I mentioned L
Ruth. why pass 1t up?'
r
"THAT would be cheap way to
i end my days in baseball" he
replied. I was fortunate enough
to have a fine career. 1 don't in
tend to do anything at this late
date to cheaper it. wouldn't sign
with the Yankees or any other ball
club as a pinch hitter for $4,000.
I think more of my reputation as
a ball player than I do Of money.
Luckily 1 can afford to take this
position because I am reasonably
well of"
You can be assured Ruth is not
talking lust to hear the pleasant
nuances of his voice when he say
he never will sign with any club
as a part time performer in the
ranks
Imagine Babe Ruth, once the
great home run king, sitting on a
bench waiting for some manager
to look around and say, "Al right.
Ruth. go up there and see If you
can get a foul tip"
IT Is definitely and formally set
i tied. then. that Ruth will not be
in baseball next year unless he is
managing a big league ball club.
What. then. does he plan to DO? 1
don't know.
I'm going TO Japan with the ALL
stars. and if there are no develop
ments Of interest during that time
may stay abroad for the sum-
mer," he said. I've never been
over there, you know. and they tell
me there are lots of things for a
fellow to see"
Listening to Ruth 1t was plain
that the last thing he wants
to do IS to quit baseball. 1t was
plain. too. that he was definitely
resolved TO quit the game for good
unless he becomes a manager. I
commented that that ought 10 be
easy enough for the greatest ball
player OF all time. Why. lot OF
ten-cent ball players had gotten
Jobs as big league managers.
7 don't think il will be so easy,
Ruth said. To begin with. I won't
take a 100 away from another fell
low. mean, a fellow that is al
ready under contract. This I'M
ouestionably was a reference to Joe
Mccarthy OF the Yankees. whose
contract still has another year to
rum Secondly. my opportunities
are limited. The American League
isn't going 10 let me go TO the Ma
tional. That would be poor bust
ness. I can understand the atti-
ttsGa httt certainly an, r,ot IN