The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-20
ny HARRY FERGUSON
United Press sports tdii"rb
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ST. PETERSEN re-. f1a. - Tho
swift swing OF the season eheNs
away granite on the highest hills
and stains the strongest steel, -
YOU get To wondering a. the base
balls soar through the sunshine
down here about the most durable
bail player of them all. Henry
Louis Gehrig
L. this going 10 be ths season
when the iron horse IA taken OH
the rails and shuntcd 10 the scrap
heap It's too early 10 make an
accurate prediction, but the slg-
nificant thing is that Manager Joe
Mccarthy of the New York YAM
kcea has begun teaching Tommy
Heinrich. an outfieldor how TO play
first base.
The Yankees without Gehflg
Why. it's like Lunt without Fon-
tame corned beef without cab.
bage and New Years day without
a hangover. Three years ago you
would have sworn that Henry
Louis Gehrlg would so ON forever.
that he would be up there for end
less summers. stretching his arms
above his head Just before stepping
up 10 take his cut.
Hut he hit below 800 last
wear for the first time since
1879 and some of the bounce
has gone out Of those thick
legs. And Tommy Heinrich n
working out nj first base.
II 1880 ~ 10 be the season OF
hail and farewell for the iron
horse. let's pause right here ana
realize what truly great Dali
PLAYER he has been ever Ance ne
got off n New York subway from
Columbia university and reported
TO the Yankees priceless piece
of property who cost nothing more
than the nickel II took To carry
him 10 the bail park. Let's give
him credit here, for the meian-
cholv part Of Lou Gehrig's career
IL thai he always has been over
Swallowed by someone else on that
great collection OF athletes called
the Yankees.
He rose to fame along with the
one and only Bsge Ruth. Gehrg
was hitting fool - his mhlof
league average stands at .3tl ana
never since he beeRm. regular
has he failed 20 knock In more
than 100 runs n season. hut he
lacked that something called col.
or and the harsh truth of the
matter was that the fans VIVA
crowded into Yankee stadium got
bigger belt out Of seeing Ruin
strike out than they did watching
Cehrig belt one into the stands.
Gehrig never complained
about that. Ne ~eoi on his
calm, even way and let Ruth
have the Eior,. And the gold,
Too. for In th~ ,ssrs that the
Baby WA going $4,000
season. Gehrig WA working
for less than half ~ that.
But there came the day when
the great Ruth'r eye vas dimmsd
by Just the fraction 81 second
that makes the differene. between
a great hitter and a fair one. he
drfted away from the Yankees
and left Gehfig - the team
brightest star Nov. II seemed
the iron horse would roar down
the track 10 glory.
But fate seems 10 deal trouble
10 the ones u marks for dihfaVor
IN punches and on spring day N
1885 there came out Of the west.
1.-THE black haired italian who
runs llkc an antelope and hits the
ball a. though he Nefs a human
piledugef Joe DlHagglo mad ar
ryed 10 OyershAdgW Lou gehns
And down here where the
exhibition gsmes are played
the cheers are loudest ihsss
day, for DinsExio. whs nov
hits is the rlsangp position
that Gshrig held for ssaFs In
the fsubss lineup. In bsss-
hall tho road down ). fougbsr
than the road up. and that
MAJ be sby 6shnS 10 playing
tight Tipped game thr.@ days
and b. husiiing a. he never
hustled before.
And whether or not ihis Is the
end Of the road for ihs iron hOrss
hO1s for wishing him green
lights through ali the witches
and a. FEAST another year on tina
main line rub
Copyright, 1887