The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-06-14
BITTER FIGHT
IN AMERICAN
JohnSon's League Never Fails
to Put Up Exciting Race
for Pennant.

Boston, June 1S.-The chance for a
runaway race in either of the big
leagues this season is very slight, now
that the Chicago Cubs have been
stopped.
The American league was fortunate
i'm not having a One-sided race for the
seven years of its existence, while up
TO the present the National league has
been up against a one-sided affair
ever since the expansion of its rivals.
Pittsburg had it all her own way for
three years. Then came the New
York Giants, with two years of smooth
running. followed by the Cubs for two
walkovers. The Pirates never recov-
cred from Jimmie Collins Boston
Americans Then the Giants were
daZed by the superb all-round win
ming form of the Chicago Cubs, and
now the Murphy boys are at sea as TO
who will cut their wings.
President George Dewey has picked
out Billy MurTay's Philadelphia boys
as the ones who will take the measure
of Frank Chance, having little faith in
either New York or Pittsburg to turn
the trick.
It would be almost too much to ex-
pect of the Phillies. with their ordina-
ry string of box men. With not too
much at stake, the Quakers may per-
form nicely, but the strain of a fight
ing campaign to a finish would be a
bit more than the Philadelphia boys
could keep up.
1t wouldn't take much, however. to
put the Phillies in the running TO stay,
but their chances for landing the
money this season are not good al
though it would be no surprise to see
MuTray's boys take. the lead in the
race during the next three weeks as
the Cubs are not working as smoothly
at this stage of the game as they are
capable of, and very likely to a little
later on. For they have shown game
ness, and have no superior when it
comes to playing away from home.
Detroit Makes Good Showing.
The remarkable showing made by
the Detroit boys on their last eastern
trip emphasizes the point that they
will be factors and today should be
the favOrites for the pennant. Any club
which can go from the last place to a
game behind the leaders while of on
a three weeks trip must be cOnsid-
cred a game bunch, as well as know
ing how TO play ball. Yes, the Tigers
must be watched closely.
The great surprises up TO date have
been at Cincinnati, Philadelphia, ST.
Louis and Washington. No one dOped
Cincinnati as good for the first di-
vision. and even now one must be
slow in predicting a place for the Red
birds as high as fourth. Still Uncle
John Camel has surprised the boys,
and with all kinds of encoura cement
from fans and owner may even do bet
ter. 1t looks from this distance as it
the pitching department would be the
stumbling block, as is likely to be the
case with the Phillies.
Cincinnati has more well-Wishers
than any of the National league clubs.
while the HighIanders have first choice
I'm the American league: Cincinnati,
on account of Garry Hermann, and
New York on account of Frank Far
rell. and the fact that New York is a
favorite stamping ground for good
sports.
The St. Louis club looked weak
while in this city, but no doubt they
were off their feed, as the played
great ball after leaving here. It's d
rugged. old-fashioned bunch, man
aged by a good fellow, who is well
posted and has the deep respect of all
ball players. This club will make a
lot of trouble for all.
Joe Cantillon has a much stronger
team in Washington than generally
given credit for. The Senators are well
fortified in every position and put up
superb all-round ball on their last trip
here. But for the fact that the ma
larial conditions a Washington usual
" affect the players it would be safe
bet that this team would land in the
first division. Climatic conditions have
much to Go with championships.