Evening star., 1953-03-30

flock of ball for Brooklyn but when did catch
hm?"
Memphis" replied Ruel "Ths before Dazzy and
I came up. This was when Dazzy really was fast"
***
VANCE WAS A BIG winner for the Dodgers for years,
posting 1876 record in 1924 229 mark in 1925 and 2210
effort in 1929 His speed legendary Some people said
nobody threw baseball as fast as Vance.
Ruels version is different. There never pitcher
who threw fast Walter Johnson he saying Vance
Fener well, name the names No matter who you
name nobody threw like Walter.
II caught Vance at Memphis, as said Sure he
fast His ball did things It alive than Johnsons.
But sheer speed, Walter topped them all. 1t had to
be that way because Johnson wasn't what you'd call smart
pitcher Everybody knew what he going to throw The
batters knew well did, and Walters catcher
ROGER PECKINPAUGH according to Ruel could have
made out of batting against johnson. Rog would
take the first pitches" Muddy saying because he
knew they'd be fast balls He couldn't hit em In fact he
couldn't en. But after Walter had two strikes
hitter he'd insist throwing what he called his
Everybody laid back for that pitch The only difference
between Johnson fast ball and his that the
came up slower although still sung like rifle bullet But
1t didn't overwhem the htters, like the fast ball"
Muddy went on talking. I'D plead with Johnson. I'd
say Walter why keep throwing that socaed curve? Just
throw that fast ball and we'll go home early.
"a real sweet guy, johnson, but he stubborn. He
liked the idea of throwing curve The ball only broke an
inch but that Walters and he loved to throw
it. don't know how many records he'd have hung up he'd
stuck to the fast ball.
"He might have games than Cy Young. He
might skeout record that to stand for
eternity But he kept insisting throwing this silly curve
****
- IN RUELS BOOK of the real good
$50 good Muddy recalls "ha when he threw his fast ball
the hitters walked away muttered This guy faster
than anybody
81 know differently caught caught Johnson
and few others Johnson tops speed Funny thing
weighed 145 pounds but Walters speed rarely
rocked Nine times out of TO- johnson threw light ball.
"The 10th time" Muddy ruefuly admitted, walters
pitches would heavy It like catching 6-pound shot
coming at miles hour Those the days when
earned my money"
real styist, RueI He didn't have much Of so
he the of getting rid of the ball in hurry Not
many bases were stolen him. It show too when
Muddy after foul pop Only occasions did he
his mask like other catchers It wasn't exhibit
tionis" saying IT light mask, light that
need three four could see through 1t and,
consequently there wasn't much point in yankng it on
MUDDY, OF COURSE, involved in that famous mask
incident in the 1924 World Series between the and New
York Giants Hess all during the SERIES Ruel what
appeared to be harmless to Hank Gowdy of the
in the 18th inning of the final game.
Gowdy whipped off his mask, which fell the ground
Then lowering under the ball. Hank trpped the
and lost the ball.
Granted this reprieve, Ruel proceeded to double
Earl McNeely bounced single of pebble the third
base line Muddy scored with the winning run.
But Gowdys mishap had nothing to do with RuelS habit
of catching fouls while wearing his mask Td done it
years." he grinned, "but I'll say this falling
his mask great inducement for to change
STYLES"