Evening star., 1942-08-24
BY BURTON HAWKINS.

In recent years the Mats have been
creating few moments that will live
in the history Of baseball. but within
the past three seasons they at least
have witnessed two scenes that will
linger long in the memory Of those
who gazed upon those spectacles.
Three years ago the Mats were on
the premises at Yankee Stadium
when Lou Gehrig stepped to a mi
crophone at home plate on sad but
stirring occasion and said, with the
knowledge he was dying, II am the
luckiest man in the world"
Some $4,000 fans silently absorbed
Gehrig's farewell speech and as Lou
unraveled the reasons to support his
surprising statement that mass Of
humanity paid its tribute in tears.
1t was a more festive occasion
yesterday at Yankee Stadium as the
Mats, Yankees and 6g136 fans
thrilled to those magnificent mo-
ments when Walter johnson, one of
the great pitchers Of all time, was
throwing to Babe Ruth, greatest
slugger and thrill producer in the
games history.
Big Train Eases Throttle.
johnson catered to the crowds
hope that Babe would park a the
oretical home run in tho stands.
He threw an assortment of soft stuff
to Babe, who lined his third pitch
into the right field stands. With
that rhythmic stroke that blasted
the Yankees to victory after victory
in a more elegant sports era Ruth
finally belted one among the custom
ers in the third deck, foul by a
few feet but a mighty blow.
With that tremendous poke Babe
circled the bases in his pigeon -toed
fashion and, as he reached the
plate, waved his cap to the crowd in
a gesture the crowd greeted with a
roar that must have been heard at
New Haven.
1t was a spine -tingling moment
for throng of hero worshippers.
When johnson stepped from the
dugout it seemed the roof would
be lifted off the vast stadium. The
same throaty roar was hurled at
Ruth's fat, familiar figure and, II
possible, increased in intensity.
Ump Given Memorable Cheer.
There was the strange spectacle
Of an umpire being cheered Justify.
Billy Evans, top arbiter of the Ruth
Johnson era, was given an ovation
that must have made any abuse he
took while active seem insignificant.
The Yankees fans didn't forget the
Mats Benny Bengough, the bald
coach who was a star when the
Yankees rode the crest with Ruth,
Gehrig, Lazzeri, Meusel, etc. Benny
caught johnson yesterday and 1t
will live as one of his more pleasant
memories.
From the crowd the military re-
lief funds are expected to split
approximately $4,000. Baseball
stepped to the front and performed
a glorious job, but while those spec
tators were putting their money
toward a worthy cause, they were
getting more than their moneys
worth in thrills.
Washington came up with q s.
run ninth inning to capture the
opener, 7-6, before losing the Sec
ond game, 80, in five innings. The
games, though, were incidental to
the Johnson Ruth episode and four
| field events.
Griffs Best in Specials.
George Case, the Mats fleet out
fielder, captured the 60-yard dash ir
81 seconds, beating teammate
Johnny Sullivan by three yards ss
Tuck Stainback and Johnny Lindell
Of the Yankees trailed in that order
AL Evans snatched the throw-for.
accuracy contest by whipping . pet
| into the middle Of q barrel at sec.