El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-03

a FTER having seen all eight clubs
- in the American league per-
= form, i believe l am able 70
give a good line on their respective
abilities Although the Detroit Tigers
have gained a big lead. they viii not
canter home with the pennant. by a
long shot. They may win. and are
strong favorites just now, but it won't
be runaway race, by any means.
The lead they have gained over their
seven rivals has about put them in
position where they will have only to
break even in the remaining battles
But they have been lucky-extremely
lucky. This break from Dame Fortune
cannot last all the time
Hughey Jennings has a wonderful
bunch of clouters. Their attack is the
strongest OF any team in either of the
big leagues. While they do not play
the inside pail that characterizes the
work of the New York or Chicago
clubs, they have to date seldom fallen
down with the old-fashioned attack
or hit and run from first base, or any
old sack. for that matter.
Simply Go In and Slug.
Even in close games. the Tigers do
not attempt to sacrifice the runner
from l1rSI 10 SeCOlOs VI lIOHI SSOOhd
to third, in hopes that long sacrifice
fly will count just as much as hit.
They simply go in and slug. Now, this
method of offence is immense as long
as a team is hitting and luck favors
their hoists, but just wait until they
start hitting the ball right into oppo-
nent's hands. Then Jennings will be
forced to change his style.
Cobb and Crawford are keeping the
team up in the race, although Dele
hanty has been hitting with regularity
of late and especially in the pinches.
Take Cobb and Crawford out OF the
lineup and the Tigers wouldn't be In
the first division. 1t is a two-man
club as far as the offence goes. At
the same time Oscar Stanage should
come in for a little of the calcium. He,
too, has been very much on the job
with his stick at the opportune time.
And it is Stanage and his battery
partner, George Mullin, that comprise
the defence of the team. Stanage has
a wonderful whip and is catching
grand ball Let him suffer an injury
that would keep him out OF the game
for a month and Detroit would take a
mighty tumble
Veteran Mullin is still the class of
the Detroit twirlers. Summers and
Willett have been saved for the hot
weather, and Jennings is especially
fortunate in having had a bunch of
uhtried youngsters, make good in the
early season. At that, the new box
men don't look any too fast. and they
are not likely to keep up their winning
streak while the Tigers are on the
road.
Detroit was favored by playing a
month right off the reel on their home
grounds. If they can stand the gaff
on the road as well. then they will
walk home. But 1 doubt if they do.
The Second Best.
Which team will be the one to give
the Tigers fight? Well 1 believe that
Philadelphia, New York and possibly
Chicago will give them a rub before
the gates close next October. Inas-
much as the Athletics are the worlds
champions they must be considered
the contender right now.
Connie Mack's players are hitting
the ball numerically. They outhit
the Tigers 10 to and yet lost their
game in Detroit a fortnight ago. That
shows that either the Tigers were
awfully lucky or else the Athletics
must have ben exceedingly dumb on
the paths
Mack's pitchers have not displayed
the form expected of them. That tells
the story of why they are not up with
the Tigers. Coombs, Bender and Plank
were expected to do all kinds of things
to the opposing batsmen, but they