The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-08-05
TEAMS IN WEST BEST
Results of First InterSectiona
Series Prove Them Stronger.
ATHLETICS GREAT SHOWING.
Wonderful Transformation Effected In
Connie Mnok's Team While Away
From Home-Cheago Cubs Playing
Good BaIl-Red Sox a Surpriss.

1OOO 6hIl-he0 0OX 0uFpTfSos
The first intersectional exchange o
games In the American and Nationa
leagues has left Its impress upon tn,
public mind. Many surprises wer
chronicled in the results. The play o.
the two Philadelphia teams offers one
OF the best examples Of the falllbility
of dope" Another was that of th,
Chicago worlds champions, who made
an exceptionally superior record on the
first trip east after having demon
strated no startling form against the
clubs In their section. Considered as O
class. the eastern clubs OF the National
| league made one OF the weakest show
ings against their western rivals that
have been recorded for several years.
Boston failed miserably. winning
only single game from western
| teams. The work of this team the past
fortnight leaves no alternative to be-
| lleve that It Is the weakest comblna-
! ton in the senior organization and
| that 1t Will finish In the position It
now occupies-last place. OF the other
seven clubs 1t Is only source OF con-
lecture as to their ultimate position.
Judging from the work OF Chicago and
Pittsburg on their trip east, II seems q
safe prediction that they Will fight to
the bitter erd for championship hon
ors, with slight margin of all round
higher ability favoring the champions.
After considering the two leading
clubs In the National league as pro-
spectiye pennant winners there re-
mains not n scintllla 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 callber. have the
inherent ability for pennant winners.
are well balanced combination. but
are lacking In that finish and smooth
ness so characteristic Of Chicago and
Pittsburg. SO essential In winning
close games against strong compet-
itors, and which there is no reason In
the world they should not attain II
properly schooled.
There IS no Disgusting the fact that
the Phillies disappointed us keenly
against the western clubs. Their rec
ord of FIVE 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 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
In 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 a longer sojourn would
nlace SO remarkable was the rise of
the Athletics abroad that they dis
placed Detroit from first place for the
short period of day, falling into sec
,nd place only by reason of being idle
when the champions had the opportu-
nifty of defeating the team in last
place. thus regaining leadership. The
,nly city where they encountered
strong opposition was at Cleveland,
where 1t was least expected. and there
hey lost the only series on the trip,
heir record being ten victories and
our defeats.
The Athletics have not won the pen
lant, and no one is claiming this for
hem. but they are in such an enviable
'osition that should the Detroit cham
lions falter an instant in the pace they
AVE set the Athletics are right at
heir heels to assume leadership. 1t Is
90 early to predict that the only club
landing as an obstacle between the
Ithletics and the championship is De
roit There are two clubs in the east
bat viii play better bali than they are
howing at present. while three of the
restern clubs will later show better
rticle than they did against the Ath-
stics In the west. and against this
competition the Athletics
Ill be forced to go the limit But
lille on the subject of championship
Is said here without fear Of success
IL contradiction that should the Ath-
,tics under the skiliful and astute
Of Connie Mack finally
y the American league pennant Of
100 1t would be one OF the most won J
erful accomplishments that the his
ry of the game ever recorded.
Another surprise was the great
rowing OF the Boston Americans on
lie western trip. The great article of !
III put up by the Red Sox so surprised
e westerners that many figure Man :
,er Lakes team as pennant posi- .
lftv :