Evening star., 1936-09-21

- ball team must have its hero.
/ On the New York Yankees
- there are several eligible for
the nomination. You might pick Lou
Gehrig or Joe Di Maggie, the sensa-
tional rookie outfielder, or even Don
Antonio Lazzeri. But I'll take Pat
Malone-"Old Blubber" they call him
down on the field.
"Old Blubber" will celebrate his
34th birthday anniversary come Fri
day, and has been pitching profess
sionally since 1921, which makes him
an old guy In a business that gives
preference to youth. "Old Blubber"
was cast of by the Cubs after seven
seasons of excellent service, and the
Cardinals, which took him of Chica-
go's pay roll, couldn't find place for
him among the Gas Housers.
1t looked for a time, in the Spring
Of 1885. as though "Old Blubber"
might be heading down the minor
league trail but Joe Mccarthy snatched
him for the Yankees. When McCar-
thy managed the Cubs. "Old Blubber"
was one of his ace pitchers and Joe
gambled there still was some rubber
left in the Malone arm.
Justifies McCarthy's Faith.
"OLD BLUBBER" did not perform
any great deeds for the Yankees
last season, but Mccarthy kept him
around. Joe's faith in the man was
justified, for this year "Old Blubber"
has paid of huge accumulated div
idend to Col. Jake Rupert. McCar-
thy and the Yankee boys. Through
out the season Malone has been the
first aid to pitching staff that was
cratic, to say the least. He pitched
only four complete games, but worked
in 80, and it was a rare day when
you did not. sight old Blubber' down
IN the bull pen awaiting the call to
warm up.
In his relief role, Malone won IL
games for the Yankees and saved -
others; only four times was he charged
with defeat. That figures 80 games
"Old Blubber" put on the right side
for New York, and that appears suf-
hcient to name him the No. hero
OF the Yankee troupe. New York
might have won the pennant without
"Old Blubber," but it would not have
won so easily or so early.
The Cubs could have used "Old
Blubber" to advantage this Summer
and so could the Cards. Had either
club kept him around. the Giants
probably would not be anchored in
first place and Manhattan would not
be making ready for a scent world
series. Joe Mccarthy knew his Malone.
Pitching Deals Help.
MCCARTHY was very successful in
E the pitcher deals he made last
Winter. Bump" Hadley, obtained
from Washington in trade. has won
II and lost only for the new Amer
lean League champions, and Monte
Pearson. obtained from Cleveland,
has tackled up II victories against
defeats. Those two, along with "Old
Blubber" Malone, made the Yankee
pitching staff when "Goofy' Gomez
failed to show his anticipated and
regular form.
The Yankees won with one Of the
spottiest pitching stats on record.
Red" Rufing was the only one of
seven hurlers to go the route in more
than half of his games. The Yam
KEGS table of complete games reads:
Rufing, % of 80; Hadley, 7 Of 81:
Pearson, IA of %; Murphy, Of 90;
Broaca. II of 81; Malone. 4 of 81, and
Gomez. 9 of 81.
The Yankee hitting was the thing
that won the championship, and in
game after game an avalanche of
runs compensated for ordinary and
erratic pitching. I'll take "Old Blub-
ber" Malone as the outstanding New
York pitcher. for he seldom was called
until the going became rough or
game was in balance, and seldom did
he fail the manager who saved him
from the minors. old Blubber" still
is quite a fellow with that base ball.