The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-05-28
SLUMPS
WILL NOT LAST
Chicago Critic Still Likes the Chances
OF the Former Pennant Winners
Although They Are Showing
Poorly.

the major league season game, the
teams are gradually settling into their
strides and giving their various bands
of followers hints as to what may be
expected of them when the campaigns
reach their height in August and Sep
TENDER.
And what wise prophet he would be
who could foretel THE winners. Indeed.
there is more delicious uncertainty
about the chances of picking a winner
than last season, when it was thought
the extreme limit had been reached in
close baseball struggles.
Just at present the National league
race looks like better battle. with |
several teams demanding an even
chance for the honors. The fine start
that the Tigers got in the American
league race added to the fact that all
the world loves a champion, causes
many to think even now that Detroit
is going to run away with another flag
in hollow style.
But, of course, the Tigers, grand team
though they are, still are long way
from being out of the woods Their
slump will come some time during the
season, or perhaps several times, and it
will be extraordinary if they are to hold
the lead all the way.
Tigers VIII Hit Snag.
Jennings team, being both fast and
young-tWo mighty important factors
! in the spring-naturany got the jump
' on the others, and so far has refused
to relinquish it's lead That the Tigers
] are vastly improved team over their
last seasons form there can be no
; doubt. They are better in every way.
But the way is long and full of pitfalls,
\ and many hurdle will be slipped in
p front of the Tigers before they are
y through.
O The National league strife is highly
interesting and hard to guess, because
of the important changes in so many
E of the teams. The champion Cubs,
p three-time pennant winners, twice
worlds champs, founded in 1876, and
all that kind of thing, are not as good
as they were last year, when they won
: out only by the skin of their teeth, and
n because McGraw forgot to hang red
# lantern on second base. But the team
: that gave the Cubs their hardest fight
e the Giants-are not as strong as they
: were last year either
V The Pirates and the Phllies have i'm
s proved, so that gives the old league
Il race a taste of spice. Pittsburg has
started out splendidly, and if Abstein
continues to first sack up to his early
standard Fred" Clarke's team will
Il have a lot to say about which team will
n represent the National league in the
s next worlds series.
s The poor start made by the New
York Giants brought loud outlaws in
some quarters and woe to others. A
: combination of circumstances hindered
the Giants at the start. McGraw was
under the weather for many days, his
pitchers-notably his stake horse, Ma
thewson-were slow in rounding to;
Doyle, one of his best hitters, was laid
up and there was no Mike" Donlin
to belt in the runs. But "Muggsy" has
an abundance Of good material from
is no use counting the Giants out. They
are pretty sure to come strong within
a few weeks, and it is a safe bet
that Donlin will be back in the fold
by July 1.
DonIin Soon Back in Game.
Mike" is not going to cross the briny
this summer. His recent statement
from Seattle that he would play if the
fans demanded it is just as positive a
declaration that he will play as if he
had said: II will be in uniform July ].
without Killing the Cubs will not be
as strong as they were a year ago, and
with that handicap against them their
advantage over the other Ntional
league contenders is just about multi |
fed.
1t is quite possible that McGraw Will |
have another star in his net before
long Jimmy" Callahan, the former !
manager of the White Sox, is likely to |
break back into big league baseball and
McGraw is after him. Callahan until
very recently had been an outlaw
since he failed to report to the Sox in !
1906 His semi-pro activities here gave
the national commission so much trou-
BILE that it was easier to reinstatc him
than be fighting him all the time 80
r>or,;slo1v raIeaSed Callahan from his |