The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-09-01
The NATIONAL LEAo 1s
Close Percentages Of League Make
Results more Doubtful

This is the first time In years that
the pennant races in the National
league has been race instead OF a
procession, and the magnates are
making money in proportion says the
Worcester Evening Gazette.
There are four pennant possibili-
ties in this league: New York, Pitts
burg, Philadelphia and Chicago, who
took the honors in 1906, and '07. OF
these four New York and Pittsburg
appear to have the best chance and
everything points to warm battle
between the Giants and Pirates. Nc
Graw has gathered a veteran team
which, outside of the pitching staff
looks wonderfully strong.
The New York figures however,
are an uncertain quantity, Willtsle and
Matthewson being about the only two
regulars upon whom the Giants
scrappy little leader can depend. That
old inside stuff, without which no
team has ever yet COPIED a flag, and
for which McGraw's men are Justly
famous when coupled with their
fighting spirit, makes the Giants look
good for first place.
Aided by the great all-round work
lof Hans Wagner, Pittsburg, under
the leadership of Clarke, is putting
Iup great battle, and has held the
Giants more than even all the way
An accident to Wagner could OF
course put the Pirates out OF the
running, but the sturdy Hans has
always been lucky and there is no
reason to anticipate any accident to
him. The Pirates twirlers are all
lgoing nicely, which means a lot in a
race as close as this one.
The Champion Chicago Cubs have
been up against it all year, practical
! Ily every star on their team having
been out of the game because of in
ljuries. Coupled with these accidents
is the rumor that there are internal
! dissentions of serious nature
! which have helped to hold the Cubs
| back. Chances men got away nicely
and up to mid-season, when the meT
. began to get injured they looked goot
, to make another runaway race o.
the flag. At present they are in thirt
, place and only a few points behinC
lnt II lOOhbf nOWCNCiy "a
|, though they had shot their bolt anC
would have to fight hard to save
! third place from Philadelphia.
The latter team got away badly al
, the start and for a time were a big
/ disappointment. Just now they are
, playing the best ball In the league and
avored by long home series at the
, finish of the race may yet have
a word to say about the pennant.
Cincinnati got away well and for a
ime was we'll up with the leaders
trhey could not stand the pace, how
yer, and have dropped back to the
lead of the second division and are
, fighting hard to finish the season al
, he 500 mark.
, Boston, with a team Of veterans
many of whom have played on the
, lchampion New York and Pittsbure
teams, have played in and out ball Al
, injury to Bowerman and the weakness
of the Doves pitchers have proved
, too big a handicap to be overcome
The team has picked up couple
, iof young twirlers who look good ant
, may be ! contender next season.
: Brooklyn has been big disappoint
a ment. Injuries to players and the
q failure OF the team to hit the ball
have landed them hopelessly in the
second division. St. Louis, with al
excellent twirling staff, has become
} the league Joke and is firmly anchor
ed in the last place, 1t Is said that
, the Cardinals will change hands al
: the close of the present season.