Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-17
BY ]. ED GRILLo.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
PHILADELPHIA, October l1.-Grit is
going TO decide the present worlds cham
pionship. The team which displays the
most confidence and nerve will come
pretty near TO landing the bunting. On
form the two teams are fairly equally
matched. Mack's pitchers are of caliber
that warrants the predictions that they
will be troublesome. What his young
sters.. if such they can be termed, lack
in experience they are supposed to make
up In superior hitting proclivities, so that
when you size the two teams up from
purely mathematical dope it looks as if
il was going to be a hard struggle In
which, perhaps, luck will cast the decid-
ing vote.
But don't overlook the part grit and
nerve will play in these games. The
question is, Have the Athletics the real
stuff in their makeup? Will they go into
the games against the Cubs confident of
having at least an even break or will they
feel that they are outclassed even before
a ball is pitched. 1t is this that those who
are anxious to see the American League
champions win a worlds series fear. The
Cubs have been tried and not found
wanting in this respect. There never was
more confident or nervy ball team In
the history of the game. Time and again
Chances men have proved themselves TO
be OF the right sort. but it remains for
the Athletics to establish themselves in
this respect.
according To those who saw the final
game between the Athletics and the ALI
Stars. Aiack's team for the first time In
weeks showed it's old dash in that con-
test and ii Is believed that they have re-
gained their form and viii play hfgh-claSS
bail in the series. Others claim that 1t
was mere fash in the pan. and that the
Athletics have not played up to their best
standard since few days after they had
the pennant cinched.
II is easy matter to get team back
II It's stride once it gets into rut, and
IL is not revealing a secret to say that
Comb Mack realizes more than any one
else that his team has been in a rut for
month DIT least. He Is doing everything
he can 10 get them back in their swing,
and his one hope is to win this first game
this afternoon.
There is an awful lot of importance at
tached to todays game The general i'm
preston seems to be that the winners OF
the initial game will win the series. and
If there is one game that the Athletics
feel they destined to win 1t is the
game today. With Bender on the slab
the Mackmen display more confidence
than in any other Of their pitchers, for
down with a single hit last fall. and they
believe that he will be Just as effective In
the game today.
There is no doubt that a victory for the
Athletic. today would have stimulating
effect on the team. Once they are con-
WINGED that the Cubs are not invincible
they are apt 10 show squirt which will
carry them through the series.
The only danger lies in the fact that the
Athletics in their anxiety To give Bender
their best support may ball things up,
and the Cubs are not going TO overlook a
chance TO annoy some of the youngsters
on the Mack team in the hope Of getting
them in the air.
While the general impression seems to
he that the Cubs will win the series. there
are no few National League men who fear
that the Cub pitchers will be unable to
go the route.
''Three-fingered' Brown is the one
twirler in whom some confidence is ex-
pressed. and even he is given credit only
for being able To use his bead more than
his arm, which no longer Is as strong as
IT. was a few years ago.
These Cubs nave been In many not
campaign and the strain has told on
many of them. 1t is not the team IL was
and yet ii may be strong enough TO win
Overall and Reulbach now the only
twirlers aside from Brown who are ex-
pected 10 work in the series, are uncer-
tain quantities Ccle will not be worked
against the Athletics unless it is to I'm
ish q game, so that if any one of the trio
picked to do the pitching should fail
the Cubs will be in a bad way.
On the other hand, Mack il well sup
piled with pitchers. At least, it seems so
cd - be rinches to go through with their
games They may lose. but il VIII be by
a. evelash Then, too, there are Plank
and kyause. two left-handers. who must
rlot b. overlooked and whom Mack seems
~ haze pointed for this series.
Tire result CT the series may upset all
calculations. but the indications are that
they vii be much closer than We're the
series with Detroit.
Washington is well represented here.
There are at least twelve or fifteen hum
dred residents of the National Capital at
tending the games here, and among that
number are men from every walk OF life.
Frank Chance, peerless leader Of the
Cubs. went into the series today the most
confident man in base ball, il appearance
ard ech amount 10 anvthing He
does not look for the Athletics to be as
Troublesome as were the Tigers. In fact,
If IL would he possible TO get him 10 tell
what re THINKS he would probably say
that the Athletics were not good a ball
team as Hugh Jennings Tigers.
I'VE Will win the series. said he this
morning of that | am certain. | be-
lieve that We have the better team and
the best team naturally would win. OF
course, in base bali there are frequently
upsets but ! ain confident that when il is
all over We will be the winners" Chance
did not say this for effect; lac meant every
word Of IL
Patrons of the American League have
seen nothing but clean and gentlemanly