The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-09-16
HARD To PICK WINNER
National League Race Now an
Interesting Affair.
PITTSBURG LOOKS STRONG.

Frates rave Good In and Out FieldeFs,
With Many First Class Substitutes.
New Works Playing Pennant Win"
ming RaIl-Cubs' Hard Road.
The race for honors In the national
league continues undated and seems
likely to last throughout the campaign.
Gust how the teams will stand at the
hnish 1t would be difficult to find
man with hardihood enough to pre-
dict, but the opinion Is general that
The fight will narrow down to q three
sornered affair, with the Chicago. New
Cork and Pittsburg teams as the CON
lenders. Both Cincinnati and Phia-
delphia still have a chance, and Bos-
ION, too, Is not out Of 1t, but there are
few fans outside Of the home ones
who think the Reds have chance for
khe pennant, many claiming that their
Early good showing was but flash in
the pan.
The Phillies were picked as contend
ers some time ago, but that was when
they were batting well. Since then
khey have fallen off woefully in their
hitting, and, while they may be still
considered as a two-three- four posi-
bility. they are not likely to win the
banner
The Chicagos, New Works and Pitts
burgs are best equipped for n gruellng
tight, and it seems certain that they
gwill all figure in the going right up to
the finish. Which team will win out
sannot be safely predicted at this
time. The Pittsburgs sometimes look
Hike the best bet, and at other times
t appears as if the Chicagos would
win out. Yet. again, the New Yorks
look strong enough to forge to the
Front and claim the banner. The pen.
nant will likely go to the aggregation
EThich shows the best staying quail
lies.
The Chicagos do not have their full
strength at present, owing to numer-
Gus injuries and accidents, but that is
nothing more than was to be expected
and the bowls Of hard luck In the
Windy City recently have elected few
expressions of sympathy from outside
cans. Things have been breaking
anighty lucky for Chances team for
three long years, and it Is nothing
more than what might be expected
shat the tide would finally turn.
The P1ttsburgs and the New Yorks
have been through the mill. They know
what 1t Is to fight against odds, with
their ranks shot to pieces. Therefore
1t is just likely that they are better
prepared for the battle than the Chi
Cages. They have both been tempered
by misfortune. Take team that has
been riding on the high wave Of pros
perlty as long as the Chicagos and
they are likely to lose heart when the
hard times come more quickly than
their rivals who have become accus-
toned to adversely and misfortune
Casting all prejudlces and partisan
feeling aside, the Pirates seem better
prepared for the battle than either the
Cubs or the Giants. Neither Chicago
nor New York can boast Of a better ar
ray Of iniield and outfield talent than
the Pirates. The Pittsburg team has
several combinations that it can use In
the infield without weakening either
the offensive or defensive power of the
team, whereas the loss of one regular
from either of the other teams is Sc
yerely felt. The Pirates have Alan
StOrke and Jim Naue for first base
storko can play any inlied position.
Then there is Starr for short or third
II he is needed. Kane can play the
outfield If he Is called upon. Dan
s. 'neller Is also available for the outer
~a'.r and Leach can be shifted there
and stor,, placed at third If neces-
sar., Tn,'; pitching stats as
whole, the Pittsbure =. n,t,'or nv
r. nav ~ ''te o'"ss~. Jingle
individual of the prowess of 3f4h~>
efo"n or hathewson. Behind the biz !
has been doing just as gottz
1orK as either Killing or BresuaLan. !!
and Phelps and O'(,oator look as fooa
- moran and Marshall or the Clan d. ,
o'"n 10
Perhaps the teams are "a n,oo.,~
oatched that the result will danons
pon the exhibition of spirit the taam
'oEk and gameness of the various con
'hders. Manager Clarke of the Pitts |
azes hss eTer sought to tnculcate into