Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-03
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY j. ED GRILLO.

IF the performances on race tracks were
as inconsistent az those on the diamond
there would be a lot of trouble for own
ers. jockeys and trainers.
But in base ball no sort of an upset is
surprising. Take the Nationals, for in
stance. They break even with the Ath-
etics, leaders in the race. and then drop
couple of games in row to the de-
spised tailenders. When the Cleveland
team was here it did not look as if it
had d chance TO beat any one. and yet it
went TO Philadelphia and gave the Ath-
letics the hardest tussle of any of the
western teams. In base ball much de-
ponds on how things break. A weak
team with the breaks will make a cham
town letters on occasions OF course
McAleer's men are handicapped just now
by reason of having so many players in
iured. 1t is really surprising that the
team has done so well with Milan, UNI
doubtedly its best ball player, out of the
game. Ii is hardly 10 be expected that
McAleer will be able to keep the team
in sixth place now that he is On the road
and in crippled condition.
There is nothing to indicate just vet
that there is going to he any material
sion clubs result OF the present in
vasion of the west by the east Detroit
got severe setback when Boston slip
ped IL over two days in succession. This
of course. makes the Boston team look
most dangerous. but the Athletics, with
their siXtypoint lead. would have To take
An awful slump to lose first place before
they return to their own grounds.
Detroit was in position to regain lost
ground. but at this stage of the race
these administered hX
Ton were most harmful. and IL begins To
look as if Jennings team is destined u
finish down in the race.
Incidentally that New York team must
not be overlooked. The Highlanders
have been most consistent performers
this year. and while they may not he able
10 win the pennant. yet they are hanging
on with bulldog tenacity. and may be
close up at the finish.
There can be no doubt that Sam Lang
ford and his followers believe the TAI
Baby can wrest the championship title
from Jack Johnson. and this belief is
strengthened by reason of the fact that
Johnson has been sfde-stepping Lang
ford for several years.
Johnson does not relish Langford'
game He undoubtedly thought he haC
settled Langford when he made the boa 81
that il he fought Lansford il would hav.
to be for a twenty -thousa dollar sid.
bet Johnson did not expect Langford t.
ne able TO raise that much money, bu
in this he was evidently mistaken fol
l-angford can have backing for twice thai
amount.
On form it does not look like Langfor6
was in Johnson's class. but there are in
stances. especially among coiored fight
ers. where one fighter, though he may be
whirlwind, has fear of a certain riva
who really is his inferior. This may be
the case with Langford and Johnson and
accounts for Johnson's unwillingness Il
enter into any agreement to fight Lang
ford
Much OF the credit for the good showins
OF the Boston team in the present race
Is undoubtedly due to the good work Jake
Stahl has been doing this season. Stab
has developed into one of the best hit
tiers In the league and there is hardly q
day that his bat does not do effective
work for the speed Boys
II Patsy Donovan should win the