The San Francisco call., 1910-10-11
PROTESTED GAMES
AFFECT PENNANT
Decision i'm Favor of Oakland
May Carry Coveted Flag
Across Bay
By JOSEPH MURPHY

The pennant race in the Pacific Coast
league. which has kept the enthusiasm
of the fans at fever heat during the
big farce. If the decision of President
Graham is rendered today and is de-
cided in favor of Oakland it will give
Oakland a chance to win the pennant
on a foul The merits of the protest
are not up for argument by the writer,
but there is one thing sure. The fans
are not strsng for victories won on
technicalities.
The many rules and laws of organ
lied baseball are foreign to the average
man. He goes to see a ball game won
on its merit. Hetling may not have
had any right to play with the Port
land club in those games which Port
land won from Oakland, but at the
same time the fans remember that Het-
ling wore a uniform in the early part
Of the season, and many of them are
inclined TO think that he is still a
Beaver
Should Oakland win the protest and
the pennant on technical grounds theirs
would be an empty honor. If Port
lands playing percentage Of games is
highest it will be recognized as the
best team.
1t is hoped on all sides that these
protested games will not figure in the
ultimate outcome of the race, for If
they do, a grand baseball race VIII
have been marred.
At the present time Oakland looks
as if 1t needs the three games it lost
to Portland to win out. The Beavers
are nearly five games in the lead, and
with but another month of playing it
does not look as if the Oaks will be
able to overcome this lead, when the
class of ball Portland is playing at the
STesent time is CONSIDERED.
However, if those protested games
are awarded in favor Of Oakland the
Oaks will have a lead Of more than
two games, and their chances of win
ming the pennant will look better than
the chances of the Beavers, as the lat
ter club will finish its games on the
road.
1t is too bad that this trouble has
occurred, for it certainly has mixed up
things, and until decision is rendered
by President Graham the fans do not
know where the clubs stand. 1t is a
/ cinch that the fans in the north will
make an awful roar If Portland loses
these games, and If they cost them the
pennant the wall will be heard down
here.
Oakland returns here this week and
/ opens up with the Seals at Recreation
park this afternoon. AS far as the
/ Seals are concerned they are out OF the
running, but they may figure in put
ting either of the leading teams out of
the running, too. If the champions
give the Oaks q drubbing this week ii
will be hard on the Athenians at this
stage Of the race.
Jack Lively seems to be the mainstay
of the Oaks and the big fellow is twirl-
ing some gilt edge ball at the present
time. II he does not get too much of
it he will come near bringing the Oaks
out on top.
WolVerton seems to be depending
upon Lively, while McCredie is relying
z great deal upon Gregg, the Beavers
sensational offside shooter. Knapp is
also pitching great ball, and with these
two beavers going right 1t is hard to
beat the northern club. Steen is also
| doing good work
Portland meets Los Angeles on the
/ northern diamond The Angels are
/ only playing a fair game, But you can
never tell what Berry's men will do
They can beat any team at times.
The Vernon and Sacramento series is
without interest. The results of these
games have no bearing on the stand
ing of the clubs.
The umpires who will work here this
week are Hildebrand and Van Haltren
while McGreevy and Irwin will do the
honors in the south. Finney and Ran
kin will be on the diamond in the
north.