The Detroit times., 1910-02-10
philadelphia Is
BACKING HER
BALL CLUB
Big Pool Being UnlOaded on Detroit
Gamblers That the Athletics
Beat the Tigers To 1910
Pennant.
Chief Bender, Connie Mack's Indian,
Wishes Rules Would Let Him
Have Some of II.
BY PAUL HALE eRUsKE.

With the snow still on the ground
aud the opening OF the training season
still weeks ahead. the old rivalry
which has so long existed between the
Detroit Tigers and the PhlladelphlS
Athletics, has broken out with dc
gree OF intensity which can only pe
considered rational on the eve OF the
crucial series OF the year
The Times has authentic lntorma'
tion TO the effect that hacker OF the
Philadelphia club is now IN Detroit
with a sum OF money ranging away
I'm into the thousands. which be Is
placing I'm the various handbooks
throughout the city. at the best a'ail'
able odds, the wager, OF course. being
that the Athletics defeat the Tigers III
the 1910 seasons play, club against
club.
Tie Philadelphia has invariably
asked and received odds on the propo
sition.
one wager Of $1,000 TO $500 was
made In local handbook, the pro-
prietor of which is known as con
sistent Tiger hacker.
Another wager OF 5000 TO $40 was
made by a local sporting goods dealer.
News OF other bets places the ODDS
about at this ratio
Indian Bender in Town.
While the identity OF the Philadel-
mia gambler who is engineering the
placing OF the wagers is not definitely
known, Il Is obvious that the campaign
which is going on, is planned by some
central scheme and is under the con-
troll OF one man.
The presence in Detroit OF Charles
Albert Bender, of the Athletics, the
talented Indian pitcher. has added 10
the interest In the situation. Bender
has been here for several DAYS and
saws he is here to visit Mrs. Bender
relatives. and incidentally to take
few whirls out Of the rabbits. lie de-
MES in toto. II is understood. that ne
has any connection with the Philadel-
mia pool that is being wagered In the
various handbOoks and elsewhere.
Particularly did he wish il understood
that he knew nothing or any money
which he or any others OF the players
OF the Athletics might be said 10 De
wagering. II is obvious that Bender
does not mean to have his name con-
nected with any baseball gambling,
IN which respect he is undoubtedly
wise. as the rules against gambling
hy pAyers will be enforced more rig
orously than ever I'm the American
league.
Bender takes the ground. however.
that the Athletics should be an ex-
cellent wager against the Tigers. He
wouldn't mind having a chunk OF that
+ 10 to Z stun himself. II the rules didn't
prevent.
Athletics Not "Doped" Here.
That the pennant fight is to be be
tween Detroit and the Athletics in
1910-as It was IN 1907 and l909-is
the belief in PHILADELPHIA. In Detroit
IL Is figured generally that the Ath-
letics won't win as many ball games
In the coming season as they did IN
the one that is past. The explosion
OF Krause. the aging OF Plank, the fact
that Baker and Collins will be having
bridegroom years. and the weakness
of the Philadelphia catchers are
locally esteemed handicaps that NAV
make Il difficult for the men Of Mack
TO get their heads above fifth place
II is figured that. II the Tigers could
reorganize their club in midseasOn OF
1909. win a pennant wnen apparently
routed and then rake in by all odds
the cream OF the minor leagues in
every department OF the game. they
should be a much improved club in
1910 end should find the pennant vic.
tory by all means their easiest up to
date