The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-09-30
HUBBELL, MATES
 Il TO 5 CHOICE IN FIRST GAME
Heaviest Betting in 10 Years Now on Record;
 Yanks Won I2 in Row
By GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Stan COrrespOndent)

United Press Staff C0rrespondent)
 New York, Sept. 30-(UP)-Base- balls big tent opened today with one of the greatest attractions in world series annuals-the perfect pitcher against the deadliest hitters.
 Carl Hubbell, lean, left-handed pecan grower from Meeker, Okla, stod like Horatius at the bridge against the Yankees murderers' row which spread destruction through the American league, and wrecked complete pitching staffs with their power.
 It was the supreme climax of 1885 baseball-the Giants, tight Tipped and grim, battling behind the cool, calculating efficiency of against the swaggering Yankee Hubbell, winner of 16 straight, wrecking crew, loaded with T. N. T. from leadoff man right on down the line through the pitcher, Charlie (Red) Ruf1ng, a 210-pound coal miner from Nokomis, III.
 Only one flaw loomed in the dra- matic setting-the weather. The forecast was for overcast skies with probable rain and continued cool weather. Unmindful of the weather forecast 52,000 fans headed for the Polo Grounds, home of the Giants, to witness the epic struggle between Hubbell, armed with his baffling screwball, and the Yankees big herthas-Iron Man Lou Gehrig, who has blasted 49 home runs the past season, Joe DiMaggio, the fearless freshman with the lethal bat, Bill Dickey, leading hitter of a team of hitters, keen-eyed Tony Lazzeri and George Selkirk, despoiler of many . pitchers paradise.
 While baseball's most momentous question-can 8 pitching titan over come a team of -hitters?- moved into its zero hour of solution the maddest pre-game rush for 7orld series tickets the national astime has ever experienced was Lnder way. Bureau of internal rev. nue agents were unable to cope with no situation. Speculators were ask ag. and getting $20 for single game 5'60 ticke ts. Strips of tickets for hree games, with face value of 1880, were bringing $60.
 All reserved seats for the first six ames have been sold for several says. At g 8. m. 17,000 unreserved grandstand seats, 4,000 bleacher eats, and 5000 tickets for standees gere placed on sale at the Polo Grounds. In order to keep these lckets from falling into the hands f scalperS the purchasers were re- uired to enter the park immedi- tely.
 Betting odds continued to favor ho Tanks to win the series. The ian in the street was betting 8-5 n the power of Joe McCarthy's luggers, and getting plenty of ac- lon. Jack Doyle, Broadway betting commissioner, also quoted the Tanks favUrites, and reported the heaviest betting on the world series in ten years.
 The betting fraternity paid great tribute to Hubbell's pitching genius by making the Giants favorites to win the first game at 7-5.
 In B previous world series, the team taking the first game has won 22 times and only, 10 times has the opening day loser fought back to annex the title.
 A bleak, rainy day yesterday pre- vented the rivals from engaging in final practice. After calling of the Manager Mccarthy announced his xanks' practice at the Polo Grounds decision to start Ruflng, his No. pitcher. against Hubbell.
 Over his left shoulder, Mccarthy could see Lefty Gomez, the enig- naatic left handler, who many thought would get the assignment. Mccarthy puffed at his cigar, and Gomez sat on the rubbing table reading a letter. Over in another corner Rufnng heard McCarthy's announcement.
 "Ru6ing has pitched good ball for us all year and he deserves the chance to start" continued McCar- thy
 When asked who would pitch the second game, Mccarthy snapped: