The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-04-04
By HARRY CRIMSON Sports Editor, NEA Service

By HARRY CRIMSON
 Sports Editor, NEA Service
 St. Petersburg, Fla, April D. The fellow whose rejoicing is the loudess over Babe Ruth landing a job in the National League is Babes old boss, Joe Mccarthy.
 Busy putting his Yankee cohorts through their paces in this palm bordered city, Marse Joe makes no attempt to conceal his happiness at Ruth's landing with the Braves and his reason for exuding joy is more or less selfish. He's the only loss of the Yankees now and with Ruth in the lineup. there were two bosses.
 Mccarthy, closing a three-year contract in his fifth campaign at the head of the New York club, believes that healthy psycholog- ical effect is asserting itself on his team with the departure of Ruth.
 The Babe never made for per- feet harmony. He did not learn to take orders under three man. agers Miller Huggins, Bob Shawkey, and McCarthy-in 15 years with the Tanks, and his contempt of discipline caused many others on the team to fol- low suit.
 Until this spring, such re- nowned stars as Gehrig, Gomez, Combs, and Dickey were hidden in the shadow of the great Ruth. The Bam always was the fellow the sports scribes singled out for Interviews, and the rest of the boys merely swung into step be- hind any opinions he delivered. Quit When He Wanted
 Ruth, in his last couple of years with the Tanks. played when he pleased. At first, when his legs went back on him, he signaled Mccarthy when he felt it was time ot retire, but finally he didn't even bother to do that; he simply walked off the field.
 The Bam created a lot of dis sension in the ranks, and made II few enemies. One of the fel- lows he couldn't exactly call his pal was Ben Chapman.
 The Birmingham Flyer was one of the few who refused to let Ruth ride him and the pair had numerous wordy battles. They did not speak in 1892.
 You quickly notice the change in the Yankees this spring. There is no getting away from the fact that the outfit has quickened its ell tG ing the excess weight, which Is what the once great Babe was as player the last two seasons.
 The Gothamites aren't going to miss George Herman in action so n uch as in bucks office appeal. Mccarthy just about has decided to lace Babes boots on the rather expensive dogs of George Alex ander Selkirk, the youngv fellow who came up from Newark in August of last year and hit the ball for a mark of .313 in 46 American League games.
 OutfieId Well Protected
 For a time, Mccarthy had young Jessie Hill, who hit .344 for Newark last season. under consid- eration for the right field job, but Selkirk seems to have the edge on performance In training camp here.
 The rest of the outfielding will be very well taken care of with Earl Combs probably back in cen- ter after skull fracture last year, and Ben Chapman in left. Dixie Walker might break into center if his ailing whip has returned to shape--and he says 1t has-and Myril Hoag and Hill will be avail- able for utility duty.
 The latter statement Is contin- gent on whether Red Rolfe, the peppery shortstop who played part of last year. makes good his boast to take over that third base job from Jack Saltzgaver. Marse Joe had planned to convert Hoag from an outfielder to third sacker, but Rolfe was insistent that he get trial, and has been impressive since he was given a chance to display his stuff.
 If Rolfe clicks at third, there will be plenty of power in the in- field-Gehrig at first, LazZeri at second, and Crosetti at short. Don Heffner will be available for util- ity duty.
 Pitching Is Strong
 The pitching staff has been ranked at the top of the heap along with that of the Cleveland Indians.
 Headed by Lefty Gomez, the goffy Castilian, the corps is big threat all the way down. It is almost perfectly balanced. with five right handlers and four south- paws.
 Heading the right-hanIers Is Red Ruffing. and following him are the three Johnnies, Murphy, Allen. and Broaca, and Walter