Evening journal., 1910-08-19
REGAIN OLD FORM
and LEAD LEAGUE
Chicago Nationals Are Proving
Come Back Theory
PittSburG RegainS Stride
CHICAGO Is NOT
GETTING MUCH EASY

CHICAGO. Aug. ls.srhey cannot
come back Then how about the
Cubs? Five years ego Chance was
leading practically the same bunch
TO a pennant. There have been a cou-
pie OF changes in the pitching staff,
and Circus Solly" Holman has re-
placed Bunny Slagle in the outfield.
But with these exceptions the team
Is the same as II was back I'm 1906.
The same men are playing the
same positions. and most OF those
who saw them trounce the Giants
three times I'm a row agree that they
are better now than they ever we're.
A few months ago. just after the
| opening of the season, the Cubs had
their own troubles. They couldn't
seem TO get up the old speed A few
mishaps threw them off their game.
Immediately the critics jumped. as
was natural, to the conclusion that
Chance had a bunch Of good has
heens on his hands
Few clubs have gone along win
ming pennants and worlds champion
| ships without needing compete reor-
| ganization within Ave years or less
OF their first success. n was only
/ reasonable to believe that the Cubs
had had their day and that Chance
would have to dig up new and young
er material
The clubs with younger talent beat
the Cubs earlier In the season. n
surely looked as though Chance would
have to be satisfied with third place
at best. Things have changed lot
since then. The kids apparently have
blown their bolts. But the Cubs. Just
getting on their feet are playing a
game that has never been equaled In
the National League-at any rate, not
I'm a great many years.
The 'wo defeats suffered by the
Cubs at the end Of last week do not
mean that for three days they played
beyond their speed. II was only nat
ural that they should lose one game
out of four TO the Giants. They had
a relapse coming 10 them. Tho Phil
lies just happened TO catch them
right. Dooin's bunch overplayed them
selves on a day when overall was
bad
"The Pittsburg club is another ex-
ample OF the same kind" comments
an old-time "The Pirates can hardly
win out now. though there is still
time enough for them 10 overhaul
the Cubs. But they will probably b,
the runners-up. The Giants are onl,
six points behind them, but few reall,
expect TO see McGraw's charges fin
ish better off than they now are.
THE Pirates, too, were rated as has
beens. And with more apparent rea
son than the Cubs Though cham
,, pions Of the world, the Pirates 4
r last year would not stand compar
son with National League pennaI
winners ~ other years Four men
Clarke. Leach. Wagner and Gibson.
made the team what Il was.
This spring three Of the TO
showed signs OF backsliding. Clarl
Leach and Wagner all fell down hai
For a long time II looked as thou
they would be lucky 70 finish in Z
first division. so poorly we're tn
going.
But you'll notice that no club. n
even Chicago. Is taking anything We
easy Just now, when the Pirates a
around. Outside OF the four ms
mentioned the Pirates are ordinar
Yet they are getting away with IL b.
cause the four veterans are playir
their game again.
so there you have two clubs, n
very clubs that are leading the lei
que, relying solely upon old-timers
win. In the American League th
situation is different. But even theI
the leaders are depending largely o
players who have had years of eN
perience."