The Milwaukee Leader

CLEVELAND FANS PAY TRIBUTE TO BURNS

BY GERALD D. M'CLEAN.

Staff Correspondent

The United Press

CLEVELAND—Baseball fans flocked to Dunn Field the other day to watch the Indians battle the New York Yankees for at least two good reasons.

The fact that Babe Ruth was there did not slow up the clicking turnstiles any. The Babe is a great drawing card on any baseball lot and Cleveland is no exception.

But dyed-in-the-wool Indian fans will tell you the main attraction was Burns' Day—an occasion in honor of the Tribe's field captain and brilliant first baseman.

Fans Like Burns.

Baseball seems to be having one "Day" after another this season. Recently at Dunn Field there was "Speaker Day," when the former Indian manager came to town with the Washington Senators. In Detroit a couple of weeks ago, it was "Cobb day," when the Tiger fans honored the season's first appearance at Navin Field of the Georgia peach. Ty Cobb is sporting the white elephant of the Athletics this season but that didn't prevent the Detroiters from giving him an automobile and a few other things.

George Burns was honored by the Tribe's followers for something more than sentimental reasons. It will be recalled that the stalwart first baseman was judged the most valuable man to his team in the American league last season. Also, he clouted 64 two-base hits, another record for the league in 1926.

Backbone of Team.

Burns can justly be called the backbone of the team. Never has any major league team boasted a harder worker, more consistent player or earnest contributor to a club's welfare. Be the going rough or smooth, and it's generally rough for the Indians, "Smiling George" is out there doing his bit. Aside from his loyalty, Burns is always an asset to the team as his fielding and batting records will testify.

Defeat never embittered Burns. In fact, knocks to the club always seem to give him greater impetus. Only his close friends and team-mates are aware of many of the personal sacrifices Burns has made for the team and baseball in general.

Another Record Likely.

A committee was appointed to make "Burns Day" a formal and civic celebration. Beside the diploma emblematic of the most valuable player to his team, Burns was given some material reward for his sterling performance of 1926.

From present indications, Burns is well on his way to establishing some of his past records again this season. Although he is slightly behind his two-base hitting record of the corresponding date in 1926, he ranks high with the sluggers of the rest of the league with two-ply clouts.