The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-05
NATIONAL LEAGUE.

The National league race is shaping itself as forecasted last winter, except as to the position of one club. Brooklyn does not belong and will not remain in last place. Chances Cubs are not playing up to their standard, but up to Monday night had won 12 of their 14 games with the western clubs. One of their defeats was by Pittsburg-a splendid contest-and the other by the Reds-a farcical exhibit ton. Hoffman has shown superb form at shortstop, but he is a natural outfielder. Tinker Is ready to work, but Manager Chance is so well satisfied with Holman's infielding that he will not in all proba- bility put his regular shortstop to work before the first eastern trip. Holman, 1t is said. will be given a regular out field berth but he Is so valuable in the utility role that this may be hls assign ment for the rest of the season. Chance has no fault to find with the individual work of his players, but he has not yet succeeded in re-establishing the team work that made them almost inyincible in 1907. The Giants were but one game behind the Cubs on Monday night. Me Graw's team has not deteriorated to the degree expected by experts. Donlin Is missed but the teams record of II vic tories and 8 defeats, one of the latter by forfeiture. does not indicate that he is indispensable to Its success. McGraw s pitching staff is stronger than it was a year ago. Mathewson and McGinnity are in good form and Wiltse, Ferguson and .Ames are apparently more consistent per formers than they were in the last race. There is nothing impressive about the l1l.I sole star in the infield and Seymour the best of the outfielders. Player for player and department for department, Chicago has the class over New York and should win by a good margin. The Giants have the call for second place over the Pirates and Phillies, but if McGraw and his players indulge in umpire batting. Brushs team may land at the bottom of the first division. The Philies are much better handled by Murray than they were by Duffy, and if Grant comes up to his managers high estimate. the Quaker City's representative should be prominent at all stages of the season. Pluck will put and keep Pittsburg in the championship class, but it will not be given this rating by the public until it has established claim to courage in tests with the Cubs and Giants. Clarke and many of his teammates are game to the core, but 1t cannot be denied that the 1906 team, as a WnOle WaS a great ulSdppolHl- ment. The Superbas' start is dishearten- ing to Donovan and the players, but they will climb to the head of the second di vision before October and may go one po sition higher. Boston, St. Louis and Gin cinnati are without first division pros poets As the western teams will be in the east from May 8 to May 23 inclusive. the clubs from this section will be at a disadvantage. and unless Chance sue cceds in getting the Cubs going close to their 1906 clip the Giants may assume the leadership and it is probable, that the Pirates will take the Phillles' dust. If, however, the Giants do not win two,thirds of their May games at the Polo Grounds with the western teams, it would not be surprising if they had a bad western trip in June, and never again figure for first place