The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-19
RUFF|NC ROUTED
 BY RED S0x IN
 SEASON OPENER.
Yanks Lose 8=4; As Beat= en 1928; Wrlgley Paid
 $l85,OOO for Dean
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Staff COrrespondent)

Echoes of base hits, holdout blcKer- ings and Dean dollars" were heard round the baseball globe today as grand opening with all 16 clubs in action. An estimated 228,000 per- sons were expected to attend to- days games.
 Hits whistled around the ears of the world champion Yankees as the Red Sox thumped them, 8-4, in rain-marred game before 10000 at Boston yesterday. Losing opening day games and winning worlds championships are old customs with the Tanks and they may be slight ly superstitious about it by now. They lost the opener in 1936 but won the worlds title, and last year the same thing happened.
 In yesterdays other "beat the gun" game Washington shellacked the Athletics, 1928, in a battle of 32 hits before 29,000, including President Roosevelt who threw out the first ball.
 While these two games were in progress, there ensued cross-con- tinental verbal exchange between Joe DiMaggio, most enduring hold cut in baseball annals, and Colonel Jake Ruppert, multi-millionaire Yankee owner. Reports were cir culated that DiMaggio was ready to capitulate and accepts Colonel Rup- pert's proffered $25,000. Aroused from his bed, DiMaggio said, No, my price is still $40,00O and the res- taurant business is good" In Man haitian Col. Ruppert said, He &C., cepts the $25,000 or he doesn't play with the Tanks. And for every day he's away he will be docked one days salary ($162.35)."
 From St. Louis came the report that the Browns had offered Out fielder Beau Bell and $150,O00 for the 23-year old Italian center fielder. To this General Manager Ed Barrow said, We have no thought of trading DiMaggio. There's nothing to it."
 P. K. Wrigley, Cubs owner, re- vealed that he had paid the Car dinals $185,000 In cash in addition to three players for Dizzy Dean. This announcement virtually silences all talk of Dean having a dead arm"-or else makes Wrig- ley the biggest fall guy" in base ball.
 With $185,OOO in the kitty it seems certain that the Cardinals will now buy another pitcher. Already they have been turned down on a feeler for Van Mungo, Brooklyn's big fire-balier. Now they may turn to the Phillies in an attempt to get Bucky Walters or Claude Passeau.
 Although Bill Terry, Giants stoical boss, openly poo-poohs the possibility of the Dean deal "mak- ing" the Cubs the team to beat in the National league, it is known that privately he's sad about the transaction. Do not be surprised to see Terry go into the market for another pitcher, possibly bidding with the Cards for Phils' ace.
 Thus the Dean development stimulates the entire first division to add strength. It also empha- sizes the National league, maligned during the winter in the magazines as new minor league" does not intend to take the challenge lying on its back. Looking ahead to October the Cubs, seemingly cer- tain winner with Dean in old-time form, would offer serious menace to American league superiority.
 But this is April and today all the clubs get away in the long 154- game grind, which promises to produce as many thrills and upsets as any pennant race in long while.
 The defeat of the Yanks was yesterdays big surprise. The Red Sox belted Charlie Ruffing out of the box in a sixth inning uprising which netted runs. Leading the Red SoX attack were Roger Cramer, with a double and two singles, and Foxx, Cronin and Doerr with a brace of hits each. Jim Bagby, Jr., 21-year old son of the old-time Cleveland pitcher, was credited with the triumph in his major league debut although he was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth after holding the Tanks to hits in 6 innings.
 zeke Bonura, champ spaghetti eater of the majors, led Washing tons 16-hit attack which downed the As. The ex-White Sox hit homer and two singles in his debut with the Senators. Cecil Travis hit four singles and Buddy Lewis hit homer with two on. Wes Fererll went the route although rapped for l6 hits by the As, with rockies, Gene Kasson, getting hits, and Dario Lodigiani, getting hits, to lead Philadelphia's offense.