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Show SAYS GDTCH SHOULD RETIRE WITH HONOR By FRANK G. MENKE. By Tribune Special Sport Service. NEW YORK, April 20. It would seem that the wisest course for Frank Gotch to pursue is to remain in retirement aa far as a wreatllhg match with Joe Steelier is concerned. Gotch ts 88 years old, or more faj h- ( yond his wrestling prime, and "rusty ' because of yearn of mat idleness. Stecher is 22, in the full bloom of his young manhood, man-hood, and practically at the c.re:)t of hla meteoric career. Tt is doubtful if Gotch, in the days of hLs greatest prowess, was as wonderful a wrestler as Stecher is today. By remaining In retirement, Gotch retains re-tains during all the rept of his days th glory that belongs to an undefeated champion; to an athlete who met ajid beat the strongest foes pitted against him before age came on. By coining out and trying conclusions, he probably will do a Jim Jeffries. No one justly would accuse Gotch of displaying a white feather by refusing-to refusing-to meet Stecher now. His aJlbi Is good. He's beyond his prime and out of wrestling wres-tling condition. Yes, Gotch would gain or no j by grappling with Stecher. But Gotch "v Isn't money mad ; $25,000 doesn't mean much to him now. Ho's worth upward of $250,000. Wha t is Si."., 000 to him com- ' pared with the probable loss of his priceless price-less treasure the championship? If the Gotch of today were the Gotch of five or eight years ago, then a mat bout with Stecher would be worth going go-ing a. thousand miles to Eee. It would i be tho grapple of the century. But, alas! Gotch is IIS and Stecher Is 22. Stecher is corning and Gotch went long ao. Whafs the answer? |