Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-13
MAJOR LEAGUE GOSSIP
By J. O. MORSE

Special Correspondence of The Star.
BOSTON, August II. 1905.
While Cievelands crippled condition had
much TO do with the terrible drop IN tho
showing of the team. there is no doubt all
the western teams would have done far
better had the pitchers held out but In the
series here Hess was the only one who dlo
half decent work. Tannehtli carried on
two of the games in the series. Cleveland
making two hits in one game and seven IN
the other. New York and Boston are now
going at pace that will enable them to
pass the Cleveland club. and that ergan-
zation will do well, indeed. to finish at the
top of the second division. which Is lower
than it finished last season. When ciup
begins to go on the downward path 1t Is a
difficult matter. indeed, to stop the toe'
and no club has such confidence as one that
Is carried along on the wings or victory
Never there such a race as this OF 1910.
What howl there was from the l-toiu-
you-so's when the Washinstons began 10
go down hill after the spendid squirt lney
made earlier in the season. GOOD plugging
helped that team amazingly and when the
western teams struck the capital city az
the beg inning of this trip they found an
amazingly strong proposition with Whicn 10
contend. and Chicago. which gave the AIN
letics such tough struggle, was easy ior
made by Washington carried that team by
st. Louis as If the latter team had peeh
standing still. and 1t Is by no means I'M
possible that they will do even better III
the race Washington is going to have
lot TO say about the championship. depend
upon 1t. for IT has seven games 10 play
with the Bostons. eight with the Athletics
and ten with the New Yorks.
o,t,- hos nd summed badly,
but Chicago has gone back amazingly, and
this too. largely on account of the pitchers
Inability to stand the gaf- There 1t Is that
Boston Is exceedingly strong-stronger than
any club in the American League today. 1t
was but recently that everybody was ask
ing what in the world Is the matter with
the Bostous, and suggestions OF an KINDS
poured in upon the owner or the clup.
There simply was nothing the matter. The
club simply had the run of hard luck that
comes to all the clubs. Periods occur when
there is no hitting and when Tor the NE
OF them the men cannot bat lltae bit. NO
pitchers in the land have been doing any
finer work than Young and Tannehll, anu
the cha noes are that they will hold their
end UP to the close of the season. Freeman
has shown his ability to play better all
round game at first than any man the team
has had for years. and to make any change
there would be nothing short of nonsensi-
cal He can bat all round John Camel,
who was mentioned in connection with the
position. Buck" may not make many hits,
bus when he does connect II generally
counts. He has done famously for the
club of late.
or the western teams in the American
League Detroit has done the best lately by
long odds. and but for the gripping of the
team the first part of the season by the in
jures to such players as Barrett and Nc
Intyre there is no doubt the club would
stand higher in the race than 1t does at
present Perhaps Cleveland could not use
Pitcher KIlian. formerly of Its own staff
who has done such fine work for Detroit.
He would come in very handy just now.
Without doubt Cleveland would not have
gene down the toboggan with such great
CELEBRITY as was the case had I-aJoie not
been laid OFF. AS one of the players said.
Il meant much to have Lajoie around. and
had he been able to be In uniform on the
present trip the club surely would not have
made the record for disaster that was
cln onicled. The club was simply headless
without its great leader and failed to play
up-to-date ball. Cleveland never had such
a chance to win first honors as 1t had this
year ana may never have again.
Il Is the general talk that the New York
Americans care playing faster and more
snappy ball than any of the American
League teams. Surely they have been pro-
crossing at q very Tdpiu phCo vi law oLe
there ls no doubt at all they are pennant
possibility. New York now has pitching
corps that Is in splendid shape and hrst
baseman in Chase who will compare with
any IN all-round ability
~.
While the American League race has been
one Of the finest ina ginable. New York has
continued 10 hold it's lead In the National
race, although Pittsburg has been doing Its
prsttiest to reduce the margin New YORK
has certainly had more than Its hands fun
TO hold It's vantage. and in the last eight
games with the Pittsburg team has
dropped six and stands very good chance
indeed to lose that series. which now stands
nine to seven In favor of the Dreyfussaras.
Pittsburg has TO win but three out Of the
next six games TO gather the series, ana,
Judging by the record of the games thus far
played, ought to succeed In accomplishing
that feat While playing great ball with
the New York club Pittsburg has not PLAYED
the steady ball OF the champions New
V1rly {rzt taken fifteen out OF