Evening star., 1942-07-22
Williams Joins Doerr
And Gordon in Hot
Chase for Title
Bigger Bot Help to Joe;
Straight Shot Seen os
Hardest on Links
By GRANTLAND RICE,

Special Correspondent OF Inc Star'
When Boston's Red Sox chopped
the New York Yankees lead from
II games to ga it appeared as II
the American League had hot race
coming up. But at that point, with
Joe Mccarthy back on the job,
the Yanks resumed their earlier
pace as the Red Sox fell back,
leaving any challenger only forlorn
hope.
This sudden change in the pen
nant situation swung attention
back to the batting race, featuring
Joe Gordon, Ted Williams and
Bobby Doerr.
Williams has cut in between them
but the two second basemen will
be out there swinging in private
duel of their own.
Hitting to All Fields.
ct told you back in March Cor
don said, that could hit at least
$40 if somebody would only re-
move the third baseman and the
left fielder. One of this pair al
ways SeGlIleQ w UG III VIC 1ooo
when ] caught one right.
That's the reason l finally de-
eided to use a heavier bat. l was
swinging the lighter back too fast
for anything but a left-field drive.
This season I've been using a bat
about 3 ounces heavier. This has
given me the chance to plunk a
few into center field and OCCASION
ally into right field,
cit has been this added bat
weight that has put, so far, about
60 points on my normal average.
Up to 1912, Gordon's tour-year
average has been .275. His top
mark was .284 in 1899.
Has Given Him Confidence.
DO you think the heavier bat
will keep you up above the $40
mark" I asked.
ct hope so," he said. "Al I
can say is that the change has
given me much more confidence
than I ever knew before at the
plate.
:. st used to see that third base
man and that left fielder on the
other team in my dreams. And
both were Nightmares. This season
they haven't bothered me so much
I've been known largely as de-
fensive player and, naturally, I'd
give a lot to be switched over into
the offensive class. I still get a
big thrill on the defensive side, but
I'm getting bigger thrill at the
plate"
Doerr, a normal ,290 hitter, has
moved up almost as far. But
neither can afford any drifting
back with Williams hanging around
Straight Ball Colts Best.
WHAT is the hardest shot in
eolf? If you ask Joe Kirkwood
who can play almost every known
variety, the world wanderer viii
give you this answer
"A straight ball"
Kirkwood is right. Too many fine
golfers have too many shots in the
bag.
Hogan. for example, works on
simple formula Knowing that III
more than likely will get som
variety of hook to his tee shots
Ben merely allows for the hook
His iron shots usually are straight
But you rarely see him trying t
call upon any varied assortment
The Texan depends upon contro
Of a limited supply, which account
for the somewhat astonishing rec
ord he has made in the last tW
years.
; This system gives Hogan muc
better chance to keep his concentra
ton working, since 1t takes
shorter line.
Perfect Hit Is Needed.
Years ago / recall Harry Vardo
facing a dog-leg. Some one aske
him If he intended TO hook on
over the guarding trees, or whethe
he would fade one around tn
obstruction. A panied look cam
upon Vardon's face.
whats the matter with
straight ball?" he asked.
But, as Joe Kirkwood tells yo'
q straight ball is the hardest OF a
shots
IT'S easy" Joe says, ito call
slice or a high hook, high slit
or a low hook, pull or a fad
But I never felt quite sure when
called for a straight ball. That
one shot where everything has
be perfect"
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