The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-10-03
GOMEZ THROUGH;
PEARSON M A Y
PITCH OPENER
Ruffing to Have Final
Workout Today; Reds
Ready
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY
United Press Staff Correspondent

tOulGeO EreSS SLdA OOETCSpUAAuOhC
New York, Oct. 3-(UP)-The
mystery surrounding the mighty right
arm of Red Ruffing, Yankee ace, was
to be lifted today when the four
time American league champions
staged their final drill before engag-
ing the Cincinnati Reds in the OPEN
ing game of the world series to-
morrow.
Ruffing, who hashn't pitched since
the Browns knocked him out OF the
box on September II, was scheduled
to unlimber his arm for the inspec-
ton of Manager Joe Mccarthy. What
Ruffing shows Mccarthy will deter
mine the Yankee pitcher for the
opening skirmish.
While Mccarthy is assuming a
pose Of worry and anxiety about his
pitchers, Manager Bill McKechnie
of the Reds has his moundsmen all
lined up to face the power that is
the New York Yanks. It'll be tall
Pauly Derringer in the opener Bucky
Walters in the second game Thurs
day and Gene Thompson in the
third game at Cincinnati Saturday.
Not Right
There is some justification for Nc
Carthy being upset about Ruffng.
The cold and rainy weather OF the
past few days hasn't helped Rulings
arm which has been bothering him
since mid-September.
UD,,R6Nr fa1Je ~, n !, IN tl,rOyry
a few more before making up his
mind about his arm" said Mccarthy.
IF he decides he's ready, then he'll
pitch the opener"
If Ruffing isn't ready, then the
Yankee band wagon is going to lose
a lot of supporters. With Lefty
Gomez apparently out of the series
with pulled muscle in his side the
loss of Ruffing would make the Reds
cause skyrocket. Without Ruffing
and Gomez, Mccarthy would be up
against it for pitchers, His opening
game choice, If Rulings arm isn't
ready, would be between Monte Pear
son and Oral Hildebrand.
Pearson has pitched only one good
game in five weeks and has gone the
route only eight times this season.
It's true he has pitched and won
a world series game each of the past
three years but his many aches and
pains, real or imaginary, always
make him a gamble every time he
starts.
Behind Pearson, Mccarthy has
Hildebrand and Bump Hadley and
neither Of them is any Derringer or
Walters. Without Ruffing in form,
the Yanks are not any 81 shots
hardly better than 8-5.
The break in the schedule which
gives the clubs day for travel be-
tween the two cities is perfect for
the Reds. Derringer and Walters
can pitch the first two games in New
York, and come back and hurl the
fourth and fifth games in Cincinnati
and get their three days rest. In adj
dition, Gene Thompson, the % year
old rookie who has proved his mettle
under fire, will be able to make his
start in the third game before a
friendly nome Town auQlence.
Reds Ready
Both clubs, held idle by rain yes
terday,. work out at Yankee stadium
today, weather permitting. Manager
McKechnie has the Reds in their
best condition since July II, when
wal Goodman was hurt in the all
star game. Second Baseman Lonnie
Frey's injured heel and Shortstop
Billy Myers bruised instep are both
healed. With the exception of Ruff
fling, all the Yanks are in condition.
The Reds have a far different
mental attitude than the Cubs of
last year. Bill McKechnie's quiet,
experienced way of handling his
players apparently has built up their
confidence to high pitch. Nc
Kechnie gave two of his stars, WAL
tiers and Myers. permission to stop
off at their homes on the way east.
He did that all season and he saw
no reason why he should change any
rules for the world series.
Jack Doyle, Broadway betting
commissioner, continued to quote
to against the Yanks and IL to 5
against the Reds. Man to man bets
make the Yanks 1875 favorites. If
Ruffing is unable to pitch the OPEN
er the price on the Yanks is likely
to shorten.