New-York tribune., 1910-07-18
COMMENT ON SPORTS
Goddess of Luck No Longer
Smiles on Giants.
THE POWER OF UMPIRES
News and Views on Live Topics
of the Day, Both Amateur
and Professional.

and Professional.
Much has been written and said about
The luck OF the game in baseball as IN
other sports and il does seem as If the
sscjzle goddess had turned her face against
the Giants. for the better part OF ten days
NJ least The worlds champions have been
having q stormy time this season. but II
remained for them 10 strike a winning
streak when the Giants invaded Plttsburg.
not altogether due. il happens, TO good
playing Ny friend Sid Mercer, who saw
the game on Thursday does not mince his
words in saving that New York was Tobheo
of 2 victory by the incompetency Of Bren-
nan one Of the umpires. decision so
ualDabIy wrong that not one word could
be offered IN extenuation. i is true that
Marty. angered no doubt and thoroughly
disguised weakened and practically made
s present Of the game 10 the Pirates, ana
of course part OF the responsibility rests
with him and Anes, who went In al the
last minute IN an effort TO save hopeless
si-uarion. but that does not make the loss
Ct the struggle easier TO bear the UNI
1.i-e as II would seem, was 50 palpab al
fault
1-r,pIres are Only human and are bound
20 make mistakes from time TO time, but
when IN umpire follows UP one mistake Of
judgment with another il is a clear indica-
-ior that he is not qualified for position
which involves quick thought. keen Pereep-
fion and sound judgment Il Is Well enough
81 its way for the president Of the league
70 stand behind mis- men. particularly on
questions Of fact Il could hardly be other
wise Z discipline Is 10 he maintained and
the game saved from constant protests
many CT which would be OF puerile nat
sIre II the power of the men who rule tie
diamond we're not SO absolute The trouble
sy however that many umplTes, Teahzlhs
.heir power. become autocratic without De
snp consistent. and the result is that
hardship is bound 10 be worked from time
70 time Brennan has been in hot water on
several occasions this year, and objections
have been fled with the president OF the
National League TO his work. Under the cir
cl1nstances. it might De well If Mr. Lynch
would follow him about the circuit for
-in7e and Judge for himself as to his com
-,etenrz- II he IS satisfied well and good
tLIt otherwise the sooner a new appoint
rnent Is made the better it viii be Tor the
sport
The Giants have missed so many chances
this year 10 go 10 the front IN the league
race that the fans are begirfling 10 won
DER Il. some hoodoo Is lurking about One
ruEgesred 70 ms the other day that Bugs
Rszr,ond i the cause Of al the trouble,
znd II does seem as II the eTratic pitcher
could not DO anything right His mistakes
have cost z number Of games this year
ard While ne Is good pitcher when at MS
hest no tears would Re shed Il McGTaW
decides once and for all 10 exchange nm
fc- couple OF bat bass The race Is only
half over and II spite Of occasional lapses
The Giants are batting well enough ano
playing well enough 70 keep on fighting IN
the van with the chances fairly bright for
winning the National League Pennant-
After winning Two ont OF three games from
-he Chicago Cubs on their own diamond
4 WIS Disappointing and disheartenIng TO
lose four straight 10 the Pirates. but il Is
hored that better things are in store this
week. with four games in Cincinnati and
three II 81 Louis.
The Boston Red Sox a-e treading peril
cusly close upon the heels OF the Yankees,
and for the present interest viii centre
tn the fight for second place. as the Phlla-
delphia Athletics are marching q -ong IN
front IN 2 way 70 indicate that they viii
stay there for some time, perhaps 70 the
end OF the season. Connie Mack has such
Coornbs, Morgan and Krause, and such a
well balanced team. both in hitting and
fielding. rhat everything points 10 the Amer
tcsr League pennant floating over Scheme
Park in Philadelphia L Is long road
Thst has 10 turning. however. and z slump
may came when least expected that Win
surn the tide toward Boston, New York
O. Detroit which ave the teams that are
almost sure % be fighting it out to the end
CO the season with the Athletics.
The Yankees are going along III smooth
even way that bespeaks the quality and
calihre Of the men They are no whit
discouraged by their setback in Philadel-
phia, and II grit and determination count
TOY anything they are sure 10 keep the
Athletics busy 70 the end OF the chapter
e. Louis VIII be here to-day for four
games following which the Tigers will
come 10 town for what promises 10 be a
most critical series. The champions Of q
year ago lost four straight games 10 the
Athletics, which counted largely in the
lsrter's favor hut they are still 70 ne
feared, and unless the Yankees are OF the
jump every minute they viii be forced out
Of second place, II they are still in that
position when The series begins.
As was the case = year ago. James r
keene and ( 9. HiIGreTh are fighting along
neck and neck, 10 speak for the honor
q heading the list Of winning owners f0-
the season. Including the races run on
SATURDAY.. less than $1,000 separates the
r~e men, Mr.. FIildreth being on the TOP.
e-ith JetaI II ss10oG- having passed M
heeRe early n ne week. thanks largely n
Dalms1ian which wcn The Seagate Stakes
o. "wednesday. and the IToqu0is Stakes On
friday. The struggle is not 50 one-sided.
however. as has been the case IN recent
.ears and either August Belmont or 7. T.
Wilson. jr- both OF whom have strong
stables this year. Is likely 10 head the Ijst
before the Saratoga meeting is ever NJ
Belmont is now close third. with S35. 600
n round numbers. 70 his credit, while AIr-
Wilson IS fourth on the list, with about
t3I IGGe- Z. r. t'srrnan and the Newcastle
Stable are trailing along within striking
distance. with something over so5.000 and
So. Geo respectively.
James r. Keene owes his forward place