Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-26

unless given permission to run il
as he sees fit. OF course. no one who
knows Ducky ever gave a serious thought
10 mis- protests, any more than to stamp
them as the rankest sort Of sophistry. but
at the same time II the president Of the
lesgu were to give countenance to the hue
and cry raised against Pueblo the matter
would force itself onto the serious consid-
grafton Of all concerned. So long as the
chief executive maintains the firm attitude
ne has taken on this and similar situations
so long will the league continue to be
Itrong and powerful enough to defy all such
lncendiary utterances as those emitted by
Holmes. President O'NefI has struck a
responsive chord in his epsnciation that
Holmes cannot break up the Western
league and that the sooner the league is
rid Of such characters the better and the
president may be sure Of the most hearty
cooperation and support by other cities in
any move on his part to back up such a
courageous utterance, should such a thing
ever become necessary. President O'Neiu
needs only to stand by the course he so
firmly avowed in his letter during the
week to The Bee to receive the most
cordial support Of evety decent man in the
Western league. The Western league is
today admittedly the peer of any other
Class A league, but it could not long re-
main so II the Ducky Holmes methods were
SLOWED to prevail and dominate.
Up to Saturday there was a striking
similarity in the National and American
league races. Pittsburg. leaders Of the
National, had won fifty-two and lost
thirty-five and Detroit in the American
had won fifty-three and lost thirty
four games. giving it a little the
higher percentage. New York and Chicago
were closer by a slight margin to Pittsburg
than were st. Louis and Chicago to Detroit.
but the space between Philadelphia in the
National and Chicago were slightly wider
than that between Cleveland and the third
team, Chicago, in the American. The first
Team In the last division Of the National
IS ahead OF the corresponding American
team and from on down there is little Diff
ference in the corresponding standing.
History will be searched in vain to show
Two better and more interesting races than
these two and you make 1t three by adding
the Western league.
On the value of a batting team too
much stress cannot be laid. but Il is EASY
10 go stray in pursuit of the argument
that a batting team will win above all
other elements of strength. Denver is a
shining example of this. Denver outbats
all teams in the league away yonder. In
aivldually and collectively 1t has the
slussers' but Denver has a constant fight
on it's hands to remain In first division and
has not once this season proven a danger
Gus contender for the pennant. Denver
might easily trade some of its powerful
hitters for stronger pitchers. It is hard
to beat the team that has the most effec-
tive pitchers. Undoubtedly the Chicago,
Cubs would never have won the two pen
nant II did in 1906 and 1907 had its pitch
ing department been weaker and its
batting stronger.
For the first time since the National
league ranks were wrecked by the base
ball war fans of that circuit are ENJOYING
the experience of a real pennant race.
The remarkable run of sickness and
affliction of the Cubs has so weakened
them that they have dropped down to
ordinary contenders, going as low as third
place and this makes the race most in
teresting Ergo, II makes the gate re-
ceipts more interesting. But the Worlds
Champions show signs of recovery from
their wounds and their friends believe that
when they come back to normal condition
$3.50 ON 6hNiiAN 1blAl dhSeEIS lt2CIT
they will not be long in regaininS lost
ground and will cinch the third successive
pennant. Blu they must fight to do II.
-
Cincinnati has dropped from the first
division after making such a sensational
dash to the front, getting within a few
points once of the Cubs when they were
, leading. This is no surprise. although
Clnci VIII be conceded much strength. 1t
has not, however. what appears to be A
pennant contender.
Wal Sanders has made himself one of
the most effective pitchers OF the league.
He never pitched better ball than he is
doing this season. He has remarkable
control and that coupled with his cool.
steady headwork and excellent fielding
make him one Of winning slabmen OF the
league and a tower Of strength to the
Champions.
Detroit II II is not going to win that
penant, is certainly making some other
American league teams feel uncomfortab,
on the subject. The Tigers have struck
a gait which seems desperately difficult
for other teams to match.
After all the Cubs have had SCARCELY
any worse luck in their pitchers than the
sox. The Cub have Brown and the sox
walsh and they are the only pitchers who
nave been in real winning form.
AFTER those seven rounds with Mr..
Aaufmann at Los Angeles wonder n
Battling Johnson won't change his title
to 'Battled" johnson.
II Gotch really stays with his announced
Intention to retire you may be nearirr
soon that one Russian Lion is raging FOR
a return match.
Ptttsburg drew the ticket that won
Spike Shannon, McGraw's $4,000 beauty
Muggsy called for waivers and Spike viii
be a Pirate.
The Giants and Pirates are giving New
York a taste Of real life.
MA0.