Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-15

ana PittSburg. Unless calamity should
befall these two clubs, there is hardly
chance for them losing the lead in their re-
spective leagues. The arrangements of the
clubs feel that they win have the right to
contend for the post-season honors, and
they are now talking a little business look
Ing to such a series Of games-probably
best six out of eleven games.
From this viewpoint the base ball situa-
ton is handicapped in deciding upon the
merits of the two teams, for only the Bos-
tons visit Detroit, while the work of the
other Is a matter of hearsay and what one
may decide upon after a careful perusal or
the figures Of a game. which very often do
not mean much. Pittsburg people will
make their team the favorite, while in Bos-
ton they lean the other way. Home pride
VIII figure very strongly in the selection OF
the probable better team, but 1t would be
well to concede the Boston fans the right
to better Judgment, for they have followed
both clubs in games in their city, while
Pittsburgs followers have not seen the
Bostons on the field. An analysis Of the
two teams may help some to pick the win
ner. but even that would be difficult.
Taking up the pitching corps he would be
q poor judge who did not concede to Bos-
ton the better of the argument Young,
Dtnsen and Hughes are pitching magniff-
cent ball, and are cherry-ripe now They
have been in excellent condition all season.
and they wear well. All are thoroughly
seasoned men, who are not liable to blow
up under the excitement of championship
games such as these. Pittsburg has had
poor luck with boxmen all season. and,
barring Lever, none of the smoky city
twirierS has stood the wear and would not
measure up with the Boston trio.
The Pittsburg catchers should not be men,
toned In the same breath with the Boston
boys. 1t is probable that Lew Criger would
catch the entire SERIES and there Is not
his equal behind the plate. unless he be
Johnny Killing or Malachi Kittridge.
In first basemen there is little choice be-
tween Bransfield and LaChance. The lat
ter leads the other in fielding, but is a few
points shy of Bransfield's batting record
not much. however, and LaChance Is
timely sticker this season, which makes
him valuable in pinches.
Hoke Ferris at second for Boston, is
playing as great ball as any man In the
position. Those who have seen him on the
local lot this season could hardly imagine
how any one could play the game better. He
does not hit in Ritchey's class. but the
P1ttsburg team does not bat against such
giants of the game do the Bostons. The
great pitchers in the National League could
be numbered on the fingers, and one hand
might be short digit or two Not so in
short field we find the best two men in the
game Hans Wagner probably Is the great
est player of any league, and Lajoie has
not been overlooked. He is an earnest.
hard worker all the time. The preference
here would be given to Wagner, but the
next best shortstop in the world would op-
pose him. Parent is a wonder.
Jimmy Collins is reputed to be the pre-
mier third baseman in the country, but
many think Bradley of Cleveland outshines
him. However. Bradley is not figuring in
this championship series. and he must be
left out. Leach is a wonderful little fell
low the third sack, but he must yield
the palm to Collins.
Taking up the outfields. Fred Clarke
would oppose Pat Dougherty. Clarke would
be given the preference for all-around work.
while both are at high marks in batting.
Clarke Is a general in the game and a fin
tshed player, while Dougherty Is yet but a
most promising player. He is so greatly
improved this season that he would give
Clarke a chase for first honors.
1t would be difficult to separate the two
center fielders, Beaumont and Chick Stahl.
Both are very fast men. good throwers. fast
on the bases and heady players. Beaumont
leads Stahl in batting. but again 1t is stated
that Stahl faces greater pitchers than does
Beaumont. In the other field would be Sc
bring and Buck Freeman. There are better
felders than either of these, but also much
worse. Sebring started of strong with
Pittsburg but he seems to have taken a
step or two backward. Freeman is a good
fielder and hard hitter. He is well season.
ed and would drive home many a run with
that terrific stroke of his.
That completes a glance at the individual
members of the two clubs. Boston looks
somewhat better than Pittsburg. 1t will be
asserted that Pittsburg is so much superior
" tilelT associates IN the NatlOnal League
that they appear as mountains to molehills
shaped up with the other seven clubs That
Is true. There Is not the same class of
players in the National League as Is to be
found among the men who compose the
American. excepting Pittsburg and Chicago.
Eliminating a half dozen pitchers in the
older league, the others do not compare
with Ban Johnson's twirlers. The Pittsburg
Club stands alone in the National. 1t has
no one worthy to fight except the Chicaeos.
and the Windy City aggregation usually
wallops the Pirates. A choice between these
two teams would be hard to pick