Babe Ruth quotation from Babe Ruth's Own Book of Baseball

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e rated as stars. Jimmy Sheckard of the old Cubs is one. And Jimmy deserves to be rated among the really great outfielders of the game. Miller Huggins was small, and a great lead-off man—though Huggins was just about as good batting in second place or the “sacrifice” position. Donie Bush, former shortstop of the Detroit Tigers and now manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, led off for the Tigers through many a long season and many a tough campaign. And Willie Keeler, the one man whom all critics agree was the daddy of scientific hitters, was a lead-off man through a life time of baseball seasons. There’s one important, thing to remember in selecting a lead-off man. Don’t waste a real slugger on the job—for the lead-off man gets little opportunity to drive in runs, as compared to other posts in the batting order. The reason for that is simple enough. The tail end of the batting order brings up the catcher and pitcher, and these two, by actual record, get to first base less than any other two hitters on the club. Take the case of Earl Combs for instance. In 1927 Earl got well over 200 hits during the season; more than any other man on the club. Yet he rated fifth or sixth in the matter of runs driven in. It wasn’t because he was a bad hitter with men on bases, either. Just the opposite he’s one of the best boys in a pinch you’ll find anywhere. But usually when he comes up there is nobody on. His busine