The Chicago Heights Star from Chicago Heights, Illinois • Page 96

14 Part Til-- THE STAR; 50th Anniversary Edition Rube Ehrhardt, Beecher Boy, Makes Big Show 'Continued from Pace 1) lis day held hlts. smirles, in baseball." Cubs and to four blanked I hem 2 to 0. Two das later, still in i ho a marriea to Ilio i Miss Helen Paul. The Cubs, the team which was i a i to i a from Berchor back in P.iHi were to be his frequent i i 1930. "Day" Is Usual Jinx if was the Cubs who spoiled a Dav" in early teens and later to the Chicago Heights semi-pros; after Charles "Kick" Horn brought word from the outlands about "a kid uho can throw a baseball through a brick wall." William Veeck.

Chicago Cubs president at the time of his a of Chicapo Heights area a who had him with i at a pro-pame ceremony a homo plate. And was another occa tion. While he did not, as those who had induced him to make the I hv the occasion's' 1 I to Chicago Heights a i i a off the mound, i ot Sl neither did he dismiss him from mind. First Misfortune In 1916. Ehrhardt was signed by Moline of the Three-I loop ,4,, and farmed to Duluth.

of sion. 1929. Rube was the Northern leapue. At the tail- i i i a i he "id of the season, Veeck author- a p.itne at Wnploy field in a 1 the purchase of Rube's con- hof role and was touched for an tract and ordered him to report i i a homo run which to Chicapo at once, created a mystery. Then the first of the misfor- The home run started out as tunes which wore to plague him.

a a i passed i 'struck. All packed for the journey base on a i pround and the majors, Rube was crank- ambled i territory. The Inp his car and broke his arm. a completed the circuit be- I The Cubs didn't cancel the pur- cause no one could i the ball, although Rube was out of Kvon search continued action for what remained of the merely out of i i the 'Hi season. But instead of paying a a i a "broken-armed" rookies' fare rd i to Catalina island for spring Up His Sleeve a i i Chicapo farmed him to When the parne ended, a Columbus of the American Asso- i picked his jacket nation for 1917.

off the a the ball roll- I'd out of the sleeve. In the last maior league game he pin hod a in i i a i i a i 9 to 0 I the i day of 1929 season had i a i a 1 a i i but set down Enlists in Navy It was apparently a wise decision, from the Cubs standpoint, for Rube's arm was not strong. Before tho '17 campaign had BOBBY BOVE, 1950 CAPTAIN OF THE DUBUQUE UNIVERSITY football team, is a former Bloom grid leader. the old Midwest league for the Beaten in his first two starts, he two-fold purpose of earning some won 19 straight before dtoppinp of the fairly large amounts his farewell tilt, monev the Wisconsin hemi-pro I team was shelling out for a pitch- progressed very far. young Ehr-jp, am i to pet his arm in shape a a hardt found himself back in Mo- 1 another upward, a ime, no closer to the big i a he had ever been.

I But one day. i on a on i scattered i by the Rube a K. Otto observed In the old hicapo a a i i a a a puy Find been i i on bench all a i Hods a been i a over the a i a league SIMS. Yet he was pood moiipli to in as pretty a pitched pamo as your correspond- out has had "pleasure to witness i season But the story of Rube a at some time i the tollmp, per back to beginning. Born in Beecher He a horn 20.

1S91, Heecher. He prow a i and a a in his prime, measured MX. two inches and weighed in at 1MI I a i i 1 Heecher town teams while in his Knlisting in the navy in 1918, Rube was a pitcher on an standing Great Lakes team which included George Halas, now owner-coach of the Chicapo Bears; Paddy Driscoll, pro grid great; Rod Fabor, Chicago White Sox; Freddie Thomas. Boston Red Sox; and Fred Hoffman, New York Yankees. Great Lakes won the service title that year.

Rube went back to the minors following the war and was with Peoria of the Three-I in 1920. That club sold him to Cincinnati at the close of the season. It was big chance No. 2 for the Rube, but fate still frowned on the big fellow. He developed a sore shoulder and, unable to throw, he was let go.

Keeps Trying Still determined. Khrhardt in 1922 joined the Racine club in muddy diamond, lie slipped off the rubber while imposing a curve ball. With an arm which felt as it was filled with a hundred dancing needles, a crestfallen Rube Ehrhardt left Racine. But he soon decided a if his arm had healed before, it could heal again. He started pitching with Chicago semi-pros and by the time the fall of 1923 had come, Rube believed himself ready, at 29 years of age, for another try.

Success at Last This time Rube's belief in himself paid off. Catching on i Lakeland in the Florida State league. Ehrhardt. early in August, had taken part in 29 games and Purchased by Brooklyn for 000 on a look-see basis, Rube proved himself a major leaguer i his first in Chicapo. By the end of the season, he was rated many times that purchase figure.

John C. Hoffman, who broke in as a sports writer in Chicago Heights, commented i 192-1 in the Chicapo Daily News a "Today you couldn't purchase Rube Ehrhardt for less than 000." As a matter of fact, Garry Herrmann, Cincinnati owner, put in a claim with Commissioner Kone- saw M. Landis, contending that the Reds had never actually released Ehrhardt. Landis denied the claim. Assigned to Bullpen Rube didn't make Herrmann feel any better in late August, 192-1.

when he outdueled Eppa Jeptha Rixey to hand the Reds a 3-2 reverse. Rube ran his streak pitched 22 complete contests. His to five by beating the Phillies, won-a rid-lost record was to 2, allowing nine hits; blank- Publix Great States Theatres Extends Sincere Congratulations to THE STAR on the Occasion of its 50th Anniversary We Treasure Keenly the Wonderful Relationship We Have Enjoyed the Past Quarter Century u'ith This Fine 'Newspaper and Extend Best Wishes for the Future. We Take Pride in the Role We Have Played in Providing the Finest in Entertainment Fare for the Past Quarter It 1s Our Desire to Continue to Fill Your Leisure Hours in the Most Enjoyable Manner. s.

Publix Great States Theatres LINCOLN RIO ing the Boston Braves. 5-0. on i hits; and topping the Phils again. 5-1, in another five-hitter. Ehrhardt's 1924 record was 5-3 and the Superhas finished second in the National league, behind the New York Giants.

But the hard luck which dogged his trail for ten years was back in 1925. Rube contracted a stomach ailment in the spring and. while not sidelined altogether, he was deemed not strong enough for starting roles and drew relief assignments. That was to be the pittcrn for his big league future. Checked Skid But Rube rose to become one of the best rescue artists in the business.

In '25, he worked 20S innings, winning ten and losing 1-1 for a second division club. Ehrhardt did start a game late in the season. The Brooklyns arrived in Cincinnati, riding a 12- game losing streak, so Manager Robinson called on his big right hander to halt the skid. He responded with a six-hit performance, beating the Reds. 4 to 1.

His mates carried him off the field on their shoulders, so happy were they at the victory and so popular was Rube with the other players. Lee Scott, writing in the Brooklyn Citizen on May 12. 1927. declared. "After watching Rube Ehrhardt, relief pitcher of the Brooklyn check the Cincinnati Reds yesterday, after the Reds had threatened to win the ball one wonders why the 'Marberry of the Nationa' league' isn't given a chnncc to start a game.

Good Reputation a who is a pood pitcher, has not had an opportunity to begin a game since 1925. When Rube broke in with the Dodgers throe years ago he had a pood reputation. Robbie pave him a chance to make pood and Rube won quite a few ball pames. "The following vear. Rube did not do so well.

His performances lacked color and for a i it looked as he be released. However, lie was retained and has been doing relief ever since. "Last season, i a was used strictly as a telief pitcher. He pitched about -JO games and saved a of "This season. Rube was determined to become a regular.

He showed plenty of The Brooklyn catchers spoke highly of him and declared ho would bo able to win regularly if given the chance. Entitled to Start "Thus a Rube has not yet broken out of the relief has participated in 12 games and continued to fool the batters whenever sent to the mound to save a mate in distress. He is charged i two defeats. Yesterday he earned his first i umph, which entitles him to start a game." Managers weren't a i sports wiiters to alter their plans, even in 1927, so Rube remained in the bullpen. Later a same season.

New- York' writer Garry Schumacher observed, "Though thr National leapue season has not yet reached the a a mark. Ehrhardt's name has already appeared in 21 different box scores. He's at- a out in the bullpen and seldom does a week pass a he he isn't asked to replace a a ing mate at throe times. Robins Knew His Worth "Unfortunately, his eftorts have been expended largely in a losing cause and the fame a Fred Marberry of the Washington Senators earned with performances no more effective is denied him." Tommy Holmes of the Brooklyn Eagles one wrote. "There isn't much glory and possibly no great a of cold cash in it.

but the rest of the Robins appreciate Ehrhardt's work." Tho following piece by Schumacher appeared April 21. 1928, in the New York Evening Journal. "The pitching situation being what it is in the camp of the Robins, your Uncle Wilbert Robinson is mighty fortunate to have Rube a around. Tho Rube saved yesterday's battle and he's likely to be called on to rescue several more before the regular mound a i its boaimps. Shames Prima Donnas "As a general thing, the Rube doesn'l pet much credit, either the press reports or in the records, but taken by.

and larpe, his work is i as valuable as a offered by the regular mound starters. "Over the past three or four years, ho has saved and won from .30 to 50 games a would otherwise have been lost. "Incidentally, the puts to a those donna i err, who need insf so much rest and sucFi favorable playing He's never given a chance unless its in a tough spot. The best he o.in pot is the of i If he stops the rally and saves the pamo. pitcher ho relieved pots tho credit, if he the defeat is his.

"Yesterday, he ontorod the p.i mo under tho most con- i i and for a time, a i became despite his own heroic efforts. Babe Boots One "Babe Herman failed to hold a fly ball i would have pulled the Rube out of and I'm- pire Charley Moran called a ball for pinch hitter Sweetland that everybody olso in tho park thought was a i strike. "But he i it i to strike out Cy Williams a hit a tied the score and a i over tho fence have won for the Phillies." But later in 19JS, Schuma-hor wrote a story under a head which read. "Ehrhardt. Robins' Relief Hurler.

Has Bad Arm." "The iron in tho arm of tho a i relief pitcher hns hopun to bend." tho sports i Traded to Reds On April IS. 1929. Brooklyn traded Ehrhardt to Cincinnati. Hir. strong arm was about worn out.

Rube fim.shod out the season i the Rods and by a BILL DYER, WHO LEARNED TO WRESTLE UNDER COACH C. M. Sarff at Bloom, won the 145-pound Big Ten championship in 11931 while attending the University of Chicago. The following a i 1 he annexed the Central A.A.U. crown.

Lange's Record in Bloom Track J. M. Piatt Was 'Man in Motion' For 35 Years He is the man in motion for rn a .11 a Joseph i i a and In 1 i I hasn't stopped ir.nv i i Joe 1 i a i wa-. and is a i i i i in I i a spoils. I a i i as a a i i he a a I i 1 i a I i to i a I.

as I'l i a 01 n't 1 i I a I p.MO I ut i i Hi a a i in i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i ta i i i .1 i i i i i i i a as I i a a i I i a la a i i a i an i a a i A a i I i I I i i I el r.i ei net 'eii l.i in a i i i League Fiosidont He is i the 1 i i h.is,«. a in i i i he ct i a i i in Hie i .1 podpa11 nt Chh Hei.Ji's I- i i a pew a i i in i i i i a i i he a i i i i i a i made Ui.il luh e.isjei hh aro I I i i i-nioy It.s suund i i i i i a i i i i Joe I o.mdant i i i a is i i i lie i 'Jit a as pie--i ol ii i i le.ie.ne en i i i I I lunc. i i ni ex 1st i in hv a vet i i i In-, indi a i a ol the i i hv i le.ij'ue Heads C.H.A.A. i i i a of I i i I i i A i ass.i, a i and for tho ist a i heen i i a i i i i i i i i i i i i III i i i i i an i nc'n-od a a i i He MI i ed the i i i the i i i i a le.D'iie, i In. i ni I i a i a i a i a i i a i I i i i s.

a a I i i (or lai u( ju Mu a hut 'I He iilso hr.ldcd sonii' i Harry J. now a member of school a i i Micri-s-iul i i i i of education, is the holder of the i a i on let-ord foi a ha i i n- Bloom track man. hi i i i i i i I A i 1 1 1 1 i I i i i Hit' I i .11 i Langc was clocked at :10.J for dash back in i In- 24 and while the time was equalled in 194!) by Heeve, i i i to 19 it has never bet21 bettered by a Bloom runner. The relay a was sot in 19171 at Champaipn by Sam Roberts, Scorossp 19'H i dis Dick MeCollum. llob a i a Bill Whitney who coveied tho a i in 1 1 Rccvc Is Standout Bryco Hoove takes his place as one of the best i a men of i lor.

i 19.U. i and Tom Shcoh.in, lM.t." i West Point Captain Paid OH Debt Ho was Icrred to as the in i Vear a a 1'iait made the round-, ol local I tones, i i up the a i i I i Ii i Kocpmp a in.inaj'ei i i and i tetestt d. A si lln- II it time by holding locotds in 1 1 m.mev i hi low hurdles a broad nn to 1 one of i a i i to a i 100-vard 1 I ml lr and a i Laiu-o. i i i i 1 mve.s.u I 1 In addition to tho record i u.is a a i i ers, E. R.

Nelson. Bloom a I 'K i i mdoor hiph coach cites a of others ears aj-o i persisted in i i he for i a 1 1'rod Kuans'; Bloom 1'Ul. was i i i Those include Dick McCollum a a i of i russ i to HII 1 191S, who r.m thr da.siios and a West I'omt Othet ex, Troj.ur- i i i i Ha i i i in Event 100-yard dash The list of Bloom track records is as follows Pint a N.i ma 1 1.11 I i 220-yrd dash 440-: tcl tun run Mile Low hurdles High hurdles Discus Bhotpnt Polo vault High Jump Broad jump i ti 111 r. i I I I I i i I I. I Ii i i i i i i 'h i i i 1" i I I i in i s.i i 1 1 i i I i I I I I I II.

.1 ,11 I ill I Tlnm llriflils had a i i i i a Ilu ni.HI in inoi i I -i i 1 1 i I I I i 1 i I Durand, Dante Had Long Game in '28 'Hi HO; Bob Schmitt, 1912. now a a i rolleri i a "i i had a om physician, who a a dash a Edvv in I i Bob Schwoefformann. 1911 who siiy ol Mu i i a I i --I i i a i a i i i I i I i i as a i i I i lea i i i i i a i I i 1 1 i i I i 1 I I i i i i i i i i I i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i i i i i i I llii Iii lit 1 1 i Ml 1 1 ih 1 1 i I I I I I I I I I i I I I a I luu Hir i i i IN .1 I l.i U.e I I i i ei pi i i I in the 220 and 410 van HI loit and was a relay team 1 li i and Bumpy i 19K5, i broad jumper, dash man and di.s- ,,,11,. cus thrower. i i a i i i Others named coach are i a i lor i i a I I James Sanders.

1 100 220, 'To, broad and relav George a I liloom I Dawley, a i Merle a the I i of i Im i i i i in i Parker, 1930, i Georpe Mey- a a He i a i i i 1 I I pri. I i i i i ers, 1929, and hiph and i i i is I I I I Yasoen. HUJ, 1 i Hlonm is I I i i a I .1 I i Smith full i 11 in i ll.lHi|i|iih I'lp 'i iii i I i Inlil in Wrong Guess From THE STAR of A 19. 1930: "Manager Dan How ley ol tho i i a i Reds doesn't i much of the move for a a games at i Ho doesn't hesi- a to a it i never reach the bip leagues 21 Whiffs, No Hits In a seven-inning soft a panic a 1. 1931, Thor i berg, Mt.

Carrnel pitcher, out 21 hatters and allowed no i as his team downed Glenwood, 8 toO. No-Hitter Pitching for the Bill a let Chalmers and Williams down i i in Manufacturers' league baseball game played 31. 1915. i a scon' was to Victor's Vic In i i longttr baseball pamo pi.i veil Aupust IS. 1931.

Vie Victor i a southpaw, struck out 2 AniM-o hitters. Victor eked out in. inp the Cubs lu the season's i i game, a now hopo a ho would a comeback It was not to be Reds a to send i to the minors early in tho 1930 season, but Rube figured a at 3f. i a i was no longer onouph. Ho finished out Fns career a semi pro in Chicapo Heights.

Todav he i Soi.tii Chicapo. the same hip i guy all Brooklyn once loved. He didn't do badly for a youngster who in 1'JHi walked a a from cranking his car. his ripF't did he? LATEH TO STAR AT A A AT BLOOM. Scott broke In at a centci atony about 1337.

Scott wui uu standing eager..