The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1909-06-18
leans 3MEsIB BEST
Results Of FIRST Intersectional
Series Prove Them Stronger.
ATHLETICS GREAT SHOWING.


4 0ooo o~-nSo SoA oefp'S
The first interseetional exchange Of
games In the American and National
leagues has left its Impress upon the
public mind. Many surprises were
ehronicled in the results. The play Of
the two Philadelphia teams offers one
OF the best examples OF the fallibility
Of dope" Another was that OF the
Chicago worlds champions, who made
an exceptionally superior record on the
6rst trip east after having demon
strated no startling form against the
clubs IN their section. Considered as a
class, the eastern clubs Of the National
league made one OF the weakest show
Ings against their western Esvals that
have been recorded for several years.
Boston failed miserably. winning
only a single game from western
teams. The work Of this team the past
fortnight leaves no alternative to be-
lieve that II is the. weakest combina-
ton in the senior organization and
that it will finish In the position 1t
now occupies-last place. OF the other
seven clubs II IL only a source OF con-
| lecture as to their ultimate position.
Judging from the work of Chicago and
Pittsburg on their trip east. it seems a
safe prediction that they will fight to
/ the bitter end for championship hon
ors, with a slight margin OF all round
higher ability favoring the champions.
After considering the two leading
clubs In the National league as pro-
spective pennant winners there re-
mains not a scintilla Of doubt that the
Phillies should be classed next in line
This statement can be augmented In
strength by asserting that the Quakers
are OF championship caliber, have the
inherent ability for pennant winners,
are a well balanced combination, but
ness so characteristic OF Chicago and
Pittsburg, so essential I'm winning
close games against strong compel
itors, and which there is no reason in
the world they should not attain If
properly schooIed,
There Is no Disgusting the fact that
the Phillies disappointed US keenly
against the western clubs. Their rec
ord Of Eve victories versus seven de-
feats is far from equaling the expec-
tations that their early season form
promised
Let us glance at the Philadelphia
Americans. who are at present riding
on a high wave Of popularity, pro-
duced by a strong current Of success.
When they left Philadelphia for their
| first swing around the western circuit
the popular opinion, based on their
performances up to the time Of their
departure, was that they were inferior
to any team IN the east save Washing
ton and that all Of the western teams
would make easy prey Of them. That
"a prophet Is not without honor save
I'm his Own country was typified IN
| their record while abroad In every
city they journeyed they were twice
welcomed when they came because
they were considered "easy picking"
for the home team; when they went
away because q longer sojourn would
have relegated the home team to last
place. So remarkable was the rise OF
| the Athletics abroad that they dis
placed Detroit from first place for the
short period OF a day. falling into sec
when the champions had the opportu-
nifty OF defeating the team In last
| place. thus regaining leadership. The
only city where they encountered
strong opposition was at Cleveland.
where twas least expected, and there
they lost the only series on the trip.
their record being ten victories and
four defeats.
The Athletics have not won the pen
nant and no one is claiming this for
them. but they are in such an enviable
| position that should the Detroit cham
pions falter an instant In the pace they
have set the Athletics are right at
their heels to assume leadership. II is
| too early to predict that the only club
standing as an obstacle between the
| Athletics and the championship Is De-
| troit. There are two clubs In the east
that will play better ball than they are
showing at present. while three OF the
western clubs will later show a better
article than they did against the Ath-
Ietics in the west. and against this
strengthened competition the Athletics
will be forced to 60 the limit. But
while on the subject Of championship
It Is said here without fear Of success
full contradiction that should the Ath-
letIcs under the skillful and astute
management Of Connie Mack finally
fly the American league pennant Of
1909 It wonld be one OF the most won
derful accomplishments that the his
tory OF the game ever recorded.
Another surprise was the great
showing OF the Boston Americans on
the western trip. The great article Of
ball put up BY the Red SOx 30 surprised