The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-08-05
HARD TO PICK WINNER L.
National League Race Now an
Interesting Affair.
PlTTsBuRG LOOKS STRONG.

+
Firsses Have Good In and Out FieIders,
With Many F:rss Class Substitutes.
! New Works Playing Pennant Win
,sinn Ball-cubs' Hard Road.
The race for honors In the national
hague continues unabated and seems
Hkely to last throughout the campaign.
3nst now the teams will stand at the
finish it would be difficult to find
man with hardihood enough to pre-
atct, but the opinion Is general that
ghe fight will narrow down to three
aornered affair, with the Chicago, New
York and Pittsburg teams as the con-
tenders. Both Cincinnati and Phila-
aeiphia still have chance, and Bos-
bon. too. Is not out of it. but there are
Rew fans outside of the home ones
who think the Reds have chance for
The pennant, many claiming that their
haray good showing was but fash in
the pan.
The Phillies were picked as contend
ers some time ago, but that was when
khey were batting well. Since then
ahey have fallen off woefully In their
hitting. and, while they may be still
considered as two-three-four posi-
nility, they are not likely to win the
banner.
The Chicagos, New Yorks and Pitts
burgs are best equipped for grueling
aght, and it seems certain that they
will all figure In the going right up to
abe finish. Which team will win out
cannot be safely predicted at this
time. The Pittsburgs sometimes look
Mke the best bet, AND at other times
IT appears as if the Chicagos would
win out Yet, again, the New Yorks
hook strong enough to forge to the
'front.' and claim the banner. The pen
nant will likely go to the aggregation
which shows the best staying quail
saes.
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
aWIndy City recently have elected few
expressions of sympathy from outside
cans. Things have been breaking
mighty lucky for Chances team for
three long years, and it Is nothing
more than what might be expected
eAat the tide would finally turn.
The Pittsburgs and the New Yorks
have been through the mill. They know
what IL is to fight against odds, with
aheir ranks shot to pieces. Therefore
N Ia 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
Deen riding on the high wave of pros
perity as long as the Chicagos and
Ehey are likely to lose. heart when the
hard times come more quickly thar
Sheir rivals who have become accus
aomed to adversely and misfortune.
Casting all prejudices and partisan
feeling aside, the Pirates seem bette
prepared for the battle than either tht
Cubs or the Giants. Neither Chicago
nor New York can boast Of better ar
ray of infield and oUtf1ed talent thar
.ahe Pirates. The Pittsburg team ha
several combina tons that it can use IL
the infield without weakening eithe
the offensive or defensive power Of thu
team, whereas the loss of one regula
from either Of the other teams is Sc
:verely felt. The Pirates have Ala1
Storke and Jim Kane for first base
aBtorke can play any infield position
Then there Is Starr for short or thir,
x he is needed. Kane can play tn
&utfieid If he Is called upon. Dal
Moeller is also available for the QUITE
garden, and Leach can be shifted Their
and Storke placed at third If necea
sary. Taking the pitching staf7s as
whole. the Pittsburg team need no
take Off its hat to the others, althoug
It may not be able to boast of a singl
Individual of the prowess of eithe
Brown or Mathewson. Behind the ba
Gibson has been doing just as goo
work as either Killing or Bresnahar
and Phelps and O'Connor look as goo
substitutes.
Perhaps the teams are so closet
matched that the result will DEEPEN
upon the exhibition of spirit the tear
work and gameness Of the various cor
tenders. Manager Clarke of the Pitt
Durgs has ever sought to inculcate int
Ais men that indomitahle will powe
which characterizes his own work an
which refuses to give up or acknow
edge defeat SO long as the battle Is OF
Clarke, Chance and McGraw are a
lighters. and the race FOR the 1908 Del
aaat III the fall should be good one
No Release For Tom Jones Now.
Manager McAleer of the ST. LOU