Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-23

that Pittsburg would again land the dag
this year. President 6oien Of the Boston
team said he was glad that New York was
not having the waikover this year that 1t
had last. At that the percentage OF the
New York team OF 1905 Is but slightly
poorer than that OF the team Of last sea-
son. A year ago Chicago was in second
place and Cincinnati and Pittsburg had a
neck-and-neck race. This year Pittsburg 10
forcing the fighting and has done consider
ably better than year ago.
The Phillies have made the best improve
ment by far of any club In the National
League. and with Charley Nichols in the
box ought to make very strong bid for
a place In the first division. Last year the
Phillies were apparently anchored In last
place at this time, with Brooklyns and Bos-
tons battling for sixth place. This year
1t Is entirely different and the team is
well UP in the first division. and II any re-
versal should happen to the leaders would
be a pennant possibility. The New York
team seems to be too resourceful. however.
to lose its grip upon the first place. The
lead 1t has at this stage of the pro-
ceedirgs. with but thirty-fouf more games
to play away from home. seems sufficient
to hold to the end. The club is too strong
in pitchers and in batters and base run
ners to warrant the assumption that 1t
will be passed this season.
Chicago has team that ought to worry
the Philies a lot before the goal Is passed.
Many consider Selee's players the best bal
anced team In the National League. Doubt
less the many handicaps this club sustained
In the way of injuries earlier in the season
had a lot to do with the failure to get In
the thick of the fight, but many already
pick out the Selee team as the most dan
gerous one to be faced in the season OF
1906. 1t Is already established that new
third baseman will be secured to replace
Casey. Schultz and Maloney are about as
fine a pair of outfielders as one would want
to find in any club. Speed. speed. speed
Is what Selee is after all the time, and he
fr,1x- ha, ho in n a
in his team which will surely be money
maker 50 long he can turn out such
teams. and one must take his nat OH
to this veteran. who has made so good
since he left this city, even though his
health has not been of the best.
Joe Kelley Is laboring away with his con-
stellation and it is not such bad one, and
is net so far behind the showing of last
season. 'Kelp' has been out of the game
many games this season. and that has I'M
paired the chances Of his team whole lot
If he plays the game he stu can and lets
the umpires alone he can land his team IN
a good place. No man has given the UNI
pires more trouble than he this year. ear
after year he pegs away at this nauseatlng
game One would think he would finally
learn better. but he seems utterly incorr!sl-
Bile and has thus far been unable to bring
himself to understand that there is no con-
spiracy against him, and that the umpires
do not try to give him the small end OF
the deal.
That was a funny story that emanated
from this city to the effect that Fred Ten
ney was after Matthews, the colored short
stop, formerly of Harvard. In the hrst
place, Tenney is perfectly satisfied with the
work of his present shortstop. who is bat
ting and fielding well. and, In the next
place he never gave a thought to get Mat.
thews. and thirdly, would not take him II
he played for nothing, not on account OF