New-York tribune., 1908-09-28
COMMENT ON SPORTS
END OF BASEBALL FIGHT.
Outlook for Closing Battles-The
Football Season at Hand.

Baseball history will be made this week in the
nnsl dash for the National and American League
pennants between three teams in each league. One
week ago the Giants appeared 20 have the National
League Championship safely but disaster COM
hined with a little hard luck overlook them The
loss Of five games Of eight with another which
was safely won declared tie technicality
has placed them in position that is dangerous IN
the extreme Just point ahead OF Chicago anu
eight points in front OF Pittsburg- This means the
continuance Of long. bitter struggle TO the very
end Of the race-a that has been frausht with
MANY sensational struggles brilliantly played
games ard unusual and stirring situations Ihe
Pirates while eight points away are not out o. the
fgh, as in some respects they have the easiest
task this week with FIVE games against St Louis
ne lov-lv tai enders three Of which home
grounds. On Sunday they must face the Cubs az
Chicago in uhzt Will be the last game Of the sea-
son for both teams and this struggle, in which
Willis and Brown VIII probably face each other,
much depends Granting that Pttsburg wins five
raues from St Louis and Chicago takes four from
Cincinnati. the game between the Cubs and Pirates
on Sunday win decide the fight for second place.
and possibly possession Of the pennant il Philadel-
phia should prove stumbling block to the Giants
As II stands now New York has eleven games 20
Play eight with Philadelphia this week. Of which
four are away from home and three with Boston
next Chicago has five games 20 play. four with
Cincinnati and with Pittsburg- Pfttsburg has
six games play five with St Louis and one with
Chicago. II Chicago wins all FIVE games. the
Giants win nine out Of the eleven they have
70 play 10 earn the pennant by Two points II the
Pirates win ther remaining six games the Giants
must still win nine out Of eleven TO earn q clear
title. although by winning eight and losing three
they would be tied with Pittsburg with standing
OF ninetv-eight games won and ffty-fve lost. for
percentage Of $40 Philadelphia is a dangerous
foe for New York but the Giants be counted
On 70 make brave fight and hope runs high II
would be grievous Disappointment TO lose the pen
nent when the cheering had begun
Much has been written and said about the
less distressing and altogether unfortunate end
ing 10 the royal battle between the Giants and the
Chicago Cubs at the Polo Grounds Wednesday
with the lead in the pennant race hanging in the
balance IL not the coveted piece ot burting itself
Much VII still be written and said as the contro-
~ersy growing out Of the reports Of the two
u-upi-es 10 President Pulliam and his ruling tnat
the game tie al 10 l. is likely 70 be carried
On the end ot the season IL not later To my
lasting regret I ~es watching the horses race az
Crsvesend when Matty. BridweN. Donlil. ~ al.
winning brilliantly played game and Merkle
was neutralizng their best efforts. or so Il is
claimed, and putting the pennant in jeopardy by
sn altogether wttiess and careless piece Of work,
considering importance OF the contest and the
Sharpness Of the Cubs. Granted, however that
Merkle in the exuberance OF his Joy, or from ig-
-orance Of the rules. from long custom on oc-
casions ~ the kind cut for the clubhouse when
he saw the game was Won instead Of racing down
70 second base. and consequently was foTced ouI-
the victory stin belonged 10 New York in nv oPin-
Son fer the simple reason that O'Day, one Of the
,,-1pres did not make his decision the diamond,
SC far as anybody could learn and order the field
cleared and the game continued after Enslie, the
other umpire had failed 10 the play Harry c,
Puliara president Of the National League. IN a
laudable desire. perhaps. 10 uphold his unpires.
mace z ruling that is quite likely 10 be reversed
either BY himself when the merits Of the case are
considered under the protests from New York, or
hv the national board II appeal is taken from
Nj Pullian's decision. Chicago was clearly and
fsirlv beaten on the merits OF the game and mace
few friends by trying 70 avert defeat on a pure
1echnicalty. That game means much 20 New YORK
and is cutie likely have Z distinct bearing on
the championship Il would be 4 crying shame.
under he ci-c-rs:a arces 70 rob the Giants of well
deserved victory If not the rennart- through tech
ricsl claim and the failure Of the urpires 20
their full duty at the tine and act accordingly
40 matter what the result q the splendid fight
tire Giants are making may BE- there are three or
four PLAYERS on The team who Will never be for
eot-en for the part they have played this year
Neither Roger Bres1ahan nor Fred Tenney can g
in the pitchers box and win Undying glory ike
Nethevson by saving a game apparently lost but
their always steady always brainy and often brill
iant work has done much - put the Giants where
they are No otfer catcher. wiki the possible e1-
ception King Of Chicago. has had 70 catch even
hal< many games BTesIGhan this year. ana
through the trying games Of the last TWO weeks he
he's PLAYED his position with consurnste skill and
judgment Fred renney has been playing for
week OF more purely O. his His fee-
n such condition that every step means agony. and
YET. with splendid pluck and nerve. he has con-
tinued 10 cover first base. His absence in the
Chicago game last Wednesday. when he had 10
withdraw, gave Merkle the chance 70 make his dis
sstrous bunder IN the last inning, and he has
PLAYED il five games since then. giving way Sat
urdsy for part Of The first game only when it
safely won, thanks chiefly his own fine batting.
Even then he came back play the second game,
and his home r1n practically that The long
hit eli the notable because Tenney's great
virtue batter is his ability 20 Judge pitchers
delivery and get base balls else safe hit
By skilfu placing Of the hail Willie Keeler has
% often done. Like KeeIer. Tenney knows how 10
'hit them where they amt Among the stars OF
the team some OF whom perhaps. shine more
brightly than Bresnahan and Tennev. have
truly earned place in the hearts Of the fans.
Captain Donlin, the mighty hitter and Mathewson.
the brilliant and wonderful pitcher. also de-
serving special mention among lot Of players
al OF whom have WORKED long and hard and faith
fully 70 bring the Championship 10 this city.
In all probability the closest race in the history
OF the American League will be decided week
from to-day. From every point ot view il is
equally hot and exciting the one being fought
IN the older major orga anization. but II at
less interest in this city because the Yam
kees not factors in IL. This morning there
are only twenty-three points difference between
the first and fourth teams. but this stage Of
the struggle point IS a mighty big handi-
cap Unless one OF the first three teams takes
& big slump Il seems now as II St Louis could be
counted cut Of il Detroit. Cleveland and Chicago
are the real contenders, with their chances of
capturfng the pennant almost equal Cleveland
leads Detroit by two points. while the Tigers
only one point ahead Of the White Sox- Detroit
holds its present position largely because OF the
fine work Of Ed Summers. who pitched and won