Judge, 1915-05-08 · page 17 of 24
Judge — May 8, 1915 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: a sports anecdote and advertising. **The Baseball Story** ("Yarns of the Ballplayers") features Sam Crawford of the Detroit Tigers recounting an incident against pitcher Eddie Plank of the Philadelphia Athletics. The joke turns on umpire bias: Plank repeatedly tries to catch Ty Cobb off base without success, then attempts a trick play that appears to work—until the umpire calls a balk, awarding Cobb second base anyway. Plank sarcastically complains the opposition receives unfair handicapping, and the umpire retorts that *Plank* is such a great pitcher he needs handicapping. The humor lies in the umpire's reversal and Plank's grudging acceptance. **The Advertisement** for Schlitz beer makes health claims now considered fraudulent: that beer aids digestion and promotes "gastric juices," claiming it's "all healthfulness." The brown bottle supposedly protects purity. Both elements reflect early 1900s sensibilities—celebrating athletic stars and making dubious medicinal claims for alcohol.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sec". yarns of the Ballplayers By ED A. GOEWEY Sam Crawford Detroit Americans © Ou AM CRAWFORD, the mighty outfielder, who, with Ty Cobb, shares the honor of being the Tigers’ leading batsmen, is a good story-teller. Here is one of his yarns, which puts part of the laugh on his own team. The incident took place during a game between the Detroit outfit and the Athletics, when Plank was twirling for the latter. Cobb was on first, and several times Plank compelled the celebrated Georgia run-getter to hustle back to the bag, to pre- vent getting caught off by his snap throw to that bag. A number of the plays were very close, and Plank honestly believed that be had twice nailed Cobb with both feet off the base. However, the umpire ruled dif- ferently, and Ty held his position. Finally the pitcher tried a new move, which caught the Tiger star napping by a wide margin, and realizing that he couldn't get back, he dashed away for second like a streak. He was ‘‘retired by a mile,’’ and started toward the bench, while the fans let outaroar of applause. Suddenly he real- ized that the umpire was trying to get the attention of Plank and the other Athletic players, and when they listened to him, he announced that the pitcher had made a balk and that Cobb was entitled to second. Plank was furious, and walking up to the indicator-holder, roared, ‘‘I guess it’s im- possible to catch a star napping! You fel- lows seem to think that the opposition needs a lot of handicapping, so that he'll be sure to get around the bases."* “No, he doesn’t need that; but you're sach a star pitcher that you always should be handicapped, ’" sarcastically rejoined the umpire. Eddie returned to the mound with a face like a thunder cloud, and tightened up so beautifully that he not only defeated the Tigers, but they were able to get but two ratch hits during the remainder of the Contest. As Plank passed the umpire on bis way from the field, he remarked, ‘* Your jodgment was right, after all. I should be tandicapped."* But the indicator-holder no comeback this time. Drink Schlitz Brown Bottles in with your dinner, and you dine well. People who digest their food, enjoy it, get the most out of it, healthy people. A bottle of Schlitz puts the stomach in just the right condition To Properly Digest Food Starts the gastric juices—promotes the happy, cheerful, optimistic spirit that makes one forget he has a stomach. Schlitz is all healthfulness. The Brown Bottle protects its purity from the brewery to your glass. See that crown is branded “Schlitz” Order a case today HOTEL IMPERIAL ROBERT STAFFORD . BROADWAY, 3lst TO 32nd STREET, NEW YORK. At Herald Square, the radial center of transportation to all parts of the city. One block from tion a few minutes from Grand Central Terminal. Subway, Surface and ‘¢ direct to the hotel, which is in the midst of the fashionable theater and shop- A HOTEL HOME $1.50 A DAY AND UP. Special Luncheon $ .75. Dinner de Luxe $1.50, Ww for Booklet and Free Pocket Map of City. a WILLARD D. ROCKEFELLER, FRANK H. WIGGINS, By ASSISTANT MAN, comicbooks.com