The Washington times., 1938-04-09

Rupert said $25, 900 as his limit,
and he also meant what he said.
! Now $4,000 isn't tin, and it
Isn't hay. But to q man of Col
onel Ruppert's wealth it means
very little. Rupert didn't hest.
tate for a minute to pay Babe
Ruth five times $4,000 for a
years work, but Ruth was the
super-star Of baseball. Everyone
conceded his right to top salary
and preeminent position. Every
one Is not willing to concede Di.
Maggio'S right to prominence,
great though the fascist flailer
may be.
There is Lou Gehrig, for in
stance, with 1885 consecutive
games, the greatest record ever
compiled. Gehrtg steadily and
releutlessly is breaking many of
the records of the great Ruth.
He signed a contract calling for
less than DiMaggio demands.
Rupert, out Of consideration to
Gehrig, cannot yield to DiMag.
gio.
Popular Player
There is no debate here on
DiMaggio's ability. There Is no
debate as to his color and draw
ing ability. It Is safe to say that
he draws more people to Yam
kee Stadium than any other
man on the ball club. Thousands
OF Italians trooped to the home
of the Yankees carrying the
italian colors; bearing bottles Of
Chant wine. When Joe cracked
q long drive they filled the air
with their "vivas," and drank
toastS to DiMaggio then and
there.
They embarrassed the player
by insisting that he drink a
toast or two, and were hurt
when he gruffly declined. Well,
If DiMaggio does all Of these
things, why isn't he worth all
that he demands? He probably
is worth all he demands. The
writer is in full sympathy with
any player getting the last
nickel, for when he starts to
slip, the owners will give him
the air pronto.
However, in length Of service,
and general all around value to
the team, no man in baseball
compares with Larrupin' Lou
Gehrig. He goes along, never
missing a game, although he
has played with shattered fingers
and other ailments. He Is one
of the great hitters and run
producers of all time. No less
an authority than John B. Eos.
ter, editor Of Spalding's Official
Baseball Guide, places Gehrig
on the all time, all star team,
outranking the mighty Roger
Conner, who was one OF the OLD
Giants, when Buck Ewing was a
Honor Gehrig
The Yankees are planning a
party to honor Gehrig on the
occasion of his 2000th consecu-
tive game. If there are no post
movements, Gehrig will reach
that mark late in May when the
Yankees are in Cleveland. It is
quite likely that the ceremony
will be observed in New York on
DECORATION Day, which would be
most appropriate.
What gifts will be given to
Gehrig by the American League
and by the Yankees cannot even
be conjectures. But the recognl-
ton will be worthy Of the player
and his achievement. President
Will Harridge and Colonel Rup-
pert will see to that.
Down in Atlanta yesterday
the writer met Jim Broderick.
who was at Aintree when Battle
ship, son Of Man o'War, beat
Royal Daniel in the one hun
dreth running Of the Grand Ma
tional, greatest Of all steeple'
chase races.
"Battleship was long in estab-
fishing his greatness, but 1t
takes a great horse to win that
terrible grind of 80 jumps over
four and one-half miles" said
Frederick. They said that
Battleship was too little to win
such a heartbreaking race. His
trainer and his jockey were
skeptical. But when the son Of
''Big Red took that last Jump
and then flew over the turf as
his daddy had flown before him.
all doubt that some little horses
could beat some big horses van
ished.
Man o'war's other great son,
War Admiral, is not a big
horse" Broderick continued,
"but somehow or other he man
aged to beat the best that were
sent against him. Maybe size
isn't everything when the blood
OF Man o'War flows In a colts
veins.'
No, size isn't everything when
the blood Of Man o'War flows
in q horses veins. You shut
your eyes for a moment and re-
call that doughty brown meteor
Of the turf, War Admiral, max
ing a show Of a good field in
the Widener Handicap. war
Admiral is a little colt as COM
pared to some racing under
colors. But he Is a compactly
built horse, with tremendous
quarter and splendid legs.