Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-08-22

public in GClCTal tEUt nothing can stop them in their claim for the championship again ClrN, land 's lead is so small and the handicap which the spider" will have to face in their long eastern trip will he so heavy that thcil respects of rrInaini.c at the top are far from good or even fair. s~'ill strange things happen in baseball, and nothing iS sure When the Baltinn .r,'> Nis itrd Cleveland m July TrhcauS men beat them four times in SUCCcSSiUn. There will be four games between the two clubs in September at Ballimurc, and those four game, will probably x, tile the contest as between Cleveland and Baltimore.
 Another rrmurkahlr outcome of this week of surprises W;ls the collapse of tho New York team on Aug. ?. They returned from their western trip with the best rec ord of all the eastern teams having won twu-thirtl- of their games They followed this up with five successive victories just before their stampede Then came thrco defeats in Baltimore and three in Phila- dClDhia. Tho latter must be classCu as genuine surprises The great Rusie was battCd for six runs in tho first inning of the first game in that city and retired in favor of Clarke, who checked the Quakcrs' rush until his club fought its way up hill into the lead. when he, too, Was punished for enough ln";c runs to win a game. Next day RusiC went in again and apparently had tho game safe by q score of to ? un- til tho seventh inning, when tho Phillics fell upon him for seven runs ny hard hit ting. They say history never repeats itself, but il came near doing it ill this instance. Last May this same team won q gamC from the New Works in the last inning ny hit ting Rusir for seven rHuS.
 In the last gailr at NHltim"r" MH~kin held tho champions down to five hits. When he took his turn nt Philadelphia those SluggcrS drove him out of the box in four innings, during which they found him for II runs Then the eyes of New York patrcrS were opened to the fact that neither of Now Iork's great pitchers is in the form this year which he showed last season. RusiC has not taken tho physical care of himself which is almost necessity for pitcher who wants to last for a mum bor of years in his profession. Mcckin's trouble is purely of the nerves and mus clcs. His injured arm has not been right since last spring. Perhaps with he rest ht will get during the long winter it will turn out all right and strong next year It is to be hoped it will, for Mcekin is . star player in whom the profession may well feel pride.
 believe it is not generally understood that MCckin was a small part of the New York clubs consideration when tho now | celebrated battery was purchased from the Washingtons. Tho Now York management was set upon securing Farrcll'S release Ward wanted Farrell, and big price wat | offered for his release. The sum was a bit short of that which President Wagner | asked. Finally the latter said: "1ll tel you what I'll do; add S1, GOO to tho amount | and II throw in Mcclin." The New Yorl | club hrSitatcd, and went to AnSon for ad ] vice, "Takc him quick, " was the old war l rior's advice, and the check for $7,500 which paid for tho release of tho battery l was handed over.
 As soon as the transaction was closet Anson went to Treasurer Talcott of tho | New York club and said, II suppose about SC, 500 of that money is intended fol Farrclls relcase.' Mir. Talcott assented ''Wcll," said Anson, "I like Farrell. He is a great catcher, and I'd like to have him myself. but let me whisper something tC you; that other fellow, Mcekin, is tht moro valuable man of the two. If you on ly paid S1,OOO for his release you've go1 the cheapest ball player in the Union"
 Talcott laughed at Anson's enthusiasm | but when the season of 1894 ended the Chi carus chiefs -rrds stood out iIBletters O gold. No battery did better work that sea son tl,.n Farrell and Mcckin. Farrell ha: | lu,, Il just as serviceablc this year, but 1t i duI!lI lul whether his work would hav' been missed aS much by the club and th' public as Mrrbin's has. Since McMahol has recovered the use of his arm there i
 uo r,,aSon to hold any considerable fear
 n.y,,..iA3 final full recovery.
 O. P. CATLoR.