Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-26
SPORTING COMMENT.
By J. ED GRILLo.

| John McGraw picks the Cubs to beat
yet this signifies nothing. for McGraw
is not better qualified to Judge the
| relative merits OF the two teams than
are other base ball men. The fact that
his Giants played the Athletics in the
| worlds series five years ago does not
| give the Giants leader an advanta &c.
in all probability will meet the Cubs in
October. and 1t Is safe to saw that the
Cubs are not what they used to be.
The team which Connie Mack put
thing but q high-class organization.
The wonder is, in fact. that 1t won a
pennant in the American League even
at that time. when 1t was not as strong
an organization as 1t Is at the present
time.
Think Of Lave and Monte Cross being
on that infield. with Murphy and Davis,
and compare that quartet with Baker,
Barry Collins and Davis. Oldring, MUIR
ply and Lord are an Improvement over
the outfield which opposed the Giants
five years ago. Oldring is a much bet
ter ball player than any outfielder Mack
could boast of five years ago.
Then, too, IL Macks pitchers are right
The Cubs may win the series, but the
genial Mr.. McGraw does not give the best
line Of dope on why they should.
The very fact that in all worlds series
the representatives Of the National
League are always installed favorites
would indicate that in public opinion the
parent body Is considered the premier
base ball league. This condition has ex-
listed for several years, but there is
chance for a change this fan. and all
because the pitchers OF the American
League seem to be more effective than
the erstwhile twiriing stars OF the Ma
tional League.
Mathewson. for instance, while still
wonderful pitcher. has lost much Of his
natural ability and now relies principal
ly upon strategy to win his games.
Minor Brown. the Cubs star, is not there
ago. Camnitz of the Pirates has not
been a consistent performer and Babe"
Adams OF worlds series fame has been
a dismal disappointment.
On the other hand take the American
League twirlers. There Is johnson, for
instance. He has developed into one OF
the gamest, greatest pitchers. Ed Walsh
has come back and Coombs has pushed
Bender hard for first honors on the
Mack team. Ford of New York is prov
ing himself a great pitcher.
These worlds series games are more
test of pitchers than anything else. 1t Is
the team which puts the strongest man
on the rubber that wins the series, OF
looks to have twirlers who compare most
favorably with those Frank Chance will
be able to put on the slab.
There will be no disposition made Of the
seasoned players on the local team until
the youngsters who are coming show that
they are as good or better. Jim McAleer
has got to be shown. He Is not going TO
make changes for the mere sake of MAX
ing them. He knows that there Is room
for Improvement on his team, but he
wants to be sure that every change he
makes will be with this end in view.
So there is no likelihood Of the veterans
on the local team being let out yet for
while. or course, II the youngsters who
will join the local forces in the spring
make good they will get the positions on
the team, but until the fact Is established
that they are Of major league caliber the
jobs Of nearly all Of McAleer's present
players are safe.
When the national commission put the
ban on Tex Richards scheme to make q
tour with a lot Of star ball players II
gained the support of every true lover
OF the game. Whenever base ball falls
into the hands of pugilistic promoters II
will be on the down grade. Men OF the
Richard type should not be identified
with base ball In any capacity, and Chair
man Hermann, In putting his foot on
Richards proposed venture, did the game