The Washington herald., 1909-04-14
GAMES TODAY.
Brooklyn at New York.
Philadelphia at Boston
Pittsburg at Cincinnati

Can the Chicago Cubs come on
again?
This is the paramount question In the
National League, whose thirty-ninth sea-
son opens this afternoon. II Is paramount
for the reason that II the Cubs 10 xin
It Will be their fourth successive pennant.
and the eqaaling Of a record that has
stood since 1ST5, when the old Boston
club. under Harry Wright. won its fourth
straight championship
Five times since then a team has man
aged TO crowd three pennants in row.
Should Frank Chance break the seeming
limit and breast the tape ahead Of the
others this year. he viii be given credit
complished IN baseball. for the national
game now. compared with the time when
Boston made its record, is a different
proposition. and one that demands far
more cunning and executive ability.
Chicago had such a terrific struggle 10
nose out the New York Giants last year.
being saved through the now historical
blunder Of substitute First Baseman Fred
Merkle. who failed 10 win a game against
the Cubs by forgetting 20 touch second
base after a hit had scored what should
have been the winning run. that thou
sands Of fans are brave cEough 10 hope
that this year Chances great machine
viii slip a cog and come a crOpper.
Chance a standpatter.
As a staadpatter, Manager captain
Chance is the equal Of Speaker Cannon.
and II he had his way. the Cubs would
start the race with the same lineup as
that which brought final victory 20 them
last year. Two faces. however. viii be
missing. and they are two Of the bright
est phizzes in the baseball I.0uvre-JOhuny
Evers and Johnny King. Evers has been
given permission 70 continue with his
Troy shoe store until June !. and King
has passed Up a reported salary oi'Sl0.000
10 attend 10 his Kansas City pool room.
Unless representations receive a black
eye. the same four teams that have lately
got into the habit Of occupying the upper
berth in the National League will again
hold this division. The only team that
the d0pesters cOncede 10 have a chance
10 crowd out either Chicago. New York,
Pittsburg. or Philadelphia IS Cincinnati
Early season reports show that Manager
Clarke Griffith. the new Red Leg pilot,
has got together a lively bunch OF young
siers. and az the same time has enough
seasoned material on hand TO lend ballast
10 his craft
McGraw may have found some wonders
in his new consignment but the scrappi-
ness OF Bresuahanf and Donlin and the
mauling that the latter was wont 70 give
tho ball are likely 10 be badly missed az
the Polo Grounds this year. Schlei, the
first string catcher. is a good man. ard
o Hara, Devere. Herzog, and Murray in
sure good CuJheld. but the fans would
feel better II they could again have tie
opportunity OF coyyly shouting "Oh. you.
Nike" The New Yo-k manager has al
ready sent out advance notices that
smoked glasses viii have 10 be used this
year in watching the work OF his ST.. 600
wonder. Pitcher "Rube' Narcuard. who
with the eccentric Mr.. Bug Raymond.
admiral Schlei and Outfelder Murray.
VIII make the habitues Of the Polo
Grounds forget that DOnlin and Bresna-
han ever trod this terrestrial ball. So Nc
Graw says