The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-07

Atlanta gave Radabaugh trial yester- day, and the Cedar Rapids star was showed under
 At that he might heave to and make Atlanta a valuable man. It Is not neces- sary that all of Smiths acquisitions turn out as sadly as Doyle.
 Atlanta, incidentally, is losing right along at the present time. When the Crackers return to Ponce DeLeon after their visit to Birmingham they will be below the 800 mark.
 Hixon, the South Atlantic leaguer, for whom Fisher is reputed to have paid $500, got away with his first engagement yes- terday in spite of the fact that Torrey was forced to go to his assistance in the eleventh inning.
 Mobile continues to strengthen, and 1t is barely possible that the Gulls will finish one, two. We have nothing against Fisher or Mobile, but do hope that the pennant will fly elsewhere. Should Mobile land the rag this year there wouldn't be a corporal guard at the games next sea- son-that Is, in case Mobile follows in the footprints of other pennant winners.
 Birmingham won the rag once upon the time-in the season of 1906.
 Were the fact not broadly known no one would guess it.
 However, there was large attendance at yesterdays game, considering every thing. Perhaps 1200 people saw the down. fall of the Sleepers.
 Some weeks ago The Age-Herald called attention to the danger that threatens the great American game of baseball-gam- bling.
 Then it was pointed out that the book Lar drfu dald whereon they had stuffed. their maws for so many seasons, would naturally turn to that other sport which furnishes pro- fession just as lucrative and just as en- tertaining.
 Yesterday Ban Johnson. president of the American league. issued a proclama- ton to every member of his circuit, set ting forth the danger that threatens the popularity and the life of the game, and urging them to aid in stifiing the disease germ before it grows too strong
 Ban Johnson is the only man connected, in an executive sense, with baseball who realizes the danger, and has wisdom enough to strike while the iron Is hot.
 Unless some positive action Is taken at the present time the day will come when state legislatures will interest themselves in reforming baseball and driving from that field the gamblers. When the erstwhile unconquerable Chi cago Cubs dropped a double header to Philadelphia yesterday, and Bob Spade, for Cincinnati, trimmed the New York Giants in easy fashion, the Pittsburg Pi- rates, having walloped Boston, had an opportunity to draw an easy breath. The Pirates are now 15 points to the good, and the odds are that they will re- tain the lead without perpetual quarrel for at least one week When we contemplate ourselves, there comes a feeling of disappointment and loneliness.
 However, New York is even more to be pitied than we. Have you ever wit messed such a spectacle as New York is making in the American league Every ! day some team pushes the Highlanders i further in the cellar. The Barons do win
 occasionally.
 1 Memphis and New Orleans tie up today l and the Pelicans will win. | The Birds and the men of Charlie Babb , are bound together by the close attach
 ment of kinship, and New Orleans is in
 serious trouble. However, if Nashville continues to wallop Atlanta, all will be 1 well.
 If Nashville wins the pennant the Vol unteers will be popular winners. Nearly every fan is hoping that Bern- hards crew cops the bunting. 1 It would be a sad blow to the Crackers | If they finished in the second division. l, Bill Smith would be forced to look for another job.
 l All of which reminds that the Cham ] bers boom is as dead as prohibition in
 Birmingham.