Evening star., 1935-03-26

us. PETERSBUHG, fla., MARCH
~ 26.-Imagine the embattled
farmers Of Lexington wearing
the red coats of King George
the 1st Division, U. S. A., turning
on the German goose-step-a Yale
foot ball team decked out in crimson,
with Harvard arrayed in blue
That's something Of the shock you
are going to get when you suddenly
look for the first time at Babe Ruth
wearing a National League uniform
with the war trappings Of the Boston
Braves.
At least, everything seemed to be
upside down to this correspondent,
who had been peering at Babe on the
other side of the fence for 81 years.
But when I sat down with him and
saw him inhale a platter of stone
crabs, and, later on, slash a triple
to left-center that he took at a jog,
knew it was the same old Babe.
you've now had three weeks
Of this noble experiment In the
National League" / said to the
Babe, and I'd like to know
how you feel about It,"
Honest" he said, "I never was
happier in my life. I've felt that I
was facing kind Of all-around chal-
lenge-the challenge Of Al years
the challenge that comes from carry
ing 230 pounds for 81 seasons-the
challenge from q bunch Of National
League pitchers who want to prove
that I can't hit as well in this league
as I did in the American-and the
doubt that exists that can be Of
any help to our team through another
year. It's keyed me up and given
me a fresh target. I feel better than
I have felt in four years. My legs
haven't bothered me bit. Bill Nc
Kechnie is a great guy to work for,
and am going to give him and Bos-
ton everything I have"
Loves to Be Bothered.
WE STARTED down the street
w and some fan walked up with
this reqIest-"Babe, could !
bother you to autograph this ball?"
You can botheh me to autograph
anything you want" the Babe said
when you quit bothering me to sign
autographs. then I'll know I'm
through. Slip me the old apple and
q pen. And tell 'em to keep on both
ering me-"
How many games can you crowd
In this year?" I asked. "They say
won't play 75," the Babe answered
But, kid (John D. Rockefeller would
be kid to the Babe, I'll make it a
hundred sure. Maybe more. OF
course, when you pass 40 and when
you weigh 230 or more-well, several
things can happen.
And here's another thing I want
YOU to straighten out for me-" the
Babe said.
whats that?" I asked.
"Im out there on my own, this
season, as q ball player. Right now
I don't think the fans care anything
| about me being vice president oi
the club or what would do as 6
manager. That's all out, this season
It's the old Babe on the old job-a
ball player. And that's my Job fol
1885. It has been the only job
ever knew. It was the only Job thai
put me where I happen to be right
now.
"Pd rather make good as .
ball player this season than
anything / ever did.
"T'm not kidding myself. I'm no
going to be any Iris Speaker in thai
outfield. The old dogs are going tx
| do a lot of barking. But they've
barked before. And, you know-s
barking dog seldom bites"
Bearing Down.
CT SEE, Babe, that Carl Hubbell say
he is going to bear down OF
- you," I said. "Also Dizzy Deal
and Lon Warneke, and all the others.
The Babe laughed. And when tn
1abe laughs, the room rocks.
Il suppose" he said, that American
IrAaeue pitchers have been feeding M
soft onss, tos a. jean. ! know hos