The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-18
REC0RDOF SPORTING EVENTS
The Present Probabilities as to the
Winning of the Baseball Pennant.
The Chances of the Detroit and Chicago Clubs
Results of the Games Played Yesterday
Racing Over the St. Louis Track.

Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.
| CHICAGO, June 16.-There has been little, il
any, change in the positions of the League clubs
in their race for the pennant. Detroit is still
| playing that marvelously steady game that in
character reminds me of John L. Sullivan him
self. grim, determined and POWERFUL unmindful
of the sings and either of the press or OF
rival organizations. This aggregation of the
little city by the lake is knocking out victories
| at rate of speed that has made the White
Stockings look a tri1e anxious; has caused the
New Workers to glow and sweat with apprehen-
sion; has caused the Philadelphia ponies to look
on with resigned smile, and has sent terror to
the hearts of the remaining clubs in the race.
There is no question but that the Detroit aggre-
cation is great one, and if it does not win the
pennant this year. it will give the club that does
win IL one of the greatest races upon record in
the history of the League Detroit has, since the
season began, surprised everybody. Even the
| most enthusiastic friends of the club had not
predicted any such brilliant showing as the club
has made thus far Twenty-six games out of
thirty Why this is even better than the
great record of the White Stockings last season,
their record up to June l5 showing but twenty
four games won out of thirty-two played. The
success of the Wolverines is not being scowled
upon by Chicago. On the contrary, / think our
lads are glad to see an exhibition of such grand
strength, for when they meet, it will be a meet
ing of Greek against Greek. We go down
to Detroit next Saturday, to give the Big Four
and their supporters battle of three games on
their own grounds, and it is needless to say that
the result of those games will be looked for with
fha Eonn fnf rnfnn hnnn 6n iatr okn
from my estimate of the strength of the respect
tive teams, a walkaway for either On the
other hand, predict a battle that may result in
one even two defeats for our boys, but there
will be nothing significant in this.
The White Stockings have through more than
one season, proved themselves stayers, up to the
very last game. We know, barring disaster or a
wholesale disabling of our men. that they will
stay this year On the other hand, how about
Detroit? 1t is their first season together, and
while they have been playing grand ball thus
far it seems to be the opinion of many whom
have heretofore looked upon as authority upon
such questions, that the team cannot stand the
pace through the season. If my opinion in the
matter goes for anything however-and | am
acquainted with nearly every player in the
League, as well as with their abilities-I should
say that, barring the disabling OF Baldwin and
Bennett the team will last, and play just as
great ball during the last week of the season
they are playing now Frankly, though, l do
lean almost hear some ardent admirer of the
Detroiters ask Because j think Chicago will
play better ball than either it or Detroit is now
playing before the season is much further ad.
vanced. Our old team to-day is. with one or
two exceptions, playing in its old time form, and
the young blood in our ranks is fairly bubbling
over with ambition and capability. Every one
of the new men taken into the White Stockings
Ia exceeding the expectations that had been
formed of them, and in every game they play
they seem to be improving. That they will i'm
prove more with greater opportunities for prac
tice is only reasonable. We know that Flynn,
Moolic, Sunday and Ryan are all brilliant and
capable young players. and we want to see them
play ball. What better work could a captain ask
Of any pitcher than Flynn did down at Washing
ton during the last trip of the club abroad. MIC
Cormick let down in the third inning and Flynn
was called from the field to the pitchers box.
Result--a home run, six strike outs, three as
sists of men out at first, and the holding of the
National batsman down to but two runs. 1t
may be that with true realization of Flynn's
abilities Arson is holding him and Moolic in re-
serve for the finish. But even so, where is the
need of it2 All of our new men have demon
strated their ability to play good enough ball to
win games, and what more do we want? Well,
as the clubs stand at the commencement of this
week it still looks to me like race between De-
troit, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.
Glance over the following table and draw your
ions