New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-02
COMMENT ON SPORTS
Visions of a Worlds Series Here
Still Sparkling.
NO DREAD OF ATHLETICS
News and Views on Live Topics
of the Day, Both Amateur
and Professional.

ana fr01eSSl0ndl.
VISIONS OF the worlds championship
series in this city have not faded although
the Giants were checked in their proud
march to a National League pennant IN
Chicago. A week ago everything pointed
to the flag being won beyond recall by this
time. but the fighting Cubs proved con-
cusively that they had not been tanned
although recent defeats at the hands OF
Pittsburgh, Brooklyn and Boston had LED
10 that conclusion. II was Disappointing
10 say the least, when "Rube' Marquard
and the mighty Mstty failed TO win their
games on Wednesday and Thursday. but
Red" Ames was equal 10 the call on
Saturday and the Cubs were doomed. 1t
was not altogether surprising that break
should come in the remarkable string OF
New York victories. The Giants had been
riding rough-shod over all opposition IN
winning thirteen out of fifteen games, ana
the strain was bound 10 tell The calibre
Of the team was shown in winning four
straight games from Boston. three straight
from the Pirates four out Of five from the
Cardinals and two out of three from GIN
cinnati IN the short space Of two weeks
with the additional handicap Of jumping
from one town 10 another and constantly
changing food and water. Physically tired
and with nerves sadly frayed as result
Of the long. bitter struggle 10 earn sub
stsntial lead I'm a sizzling race, II IS httIe
wonder that the men lacked the dash and
vim which have characterized their. recent
work when they rolled into Chicago for a
series that had been dreaded for weeks.
All this is said. not to belittle in the least
the ever-fghting Cubs. but 10 do justice
~ the Giants who have fought their way
10 the top after a struggle that has rarely.
n ever. been equalled in the history OF base
ball
There is a bare chance. Of course, that
victory so hardly earned may yet slip from
the grasp Of New York but II is a mighty
bare chance. and hardly worth considera-
ton with so few games left 10 play. The
Giants have a substantial lead, and the
chance 10 cheer will come in due time. II
seems fitting under the circumstances. to
glance ahead TO the world series, although
a full and comprehensive comparison Of
the Giants and the Athletics must be de-
layed Setting aside my sympathies. which
naIUIdHl
convinced that New York will beat Phila-
delphla. as was the case In 1895. 1t VIII
be no easy conquest unless the uncertain
ties Of the great American game crop up
in some amazing way, but in the battle TO
the death the Giants, so far as ] can see
will have q slight advantage in their re-
narkable speed on the bases and their gen
eral aggressiveness.
Connie Mack, the brainy manager Of the
Athletics. scouts the idea that the all-im-
portant series should be settled on base
running He says the pitchers will decide
the issue. and points to Bender, Coombs,
Flank. Morgan and Krause as reasons why
his team will win. Matched against these,
however will be Matty. Marquard, Ames,
NViltse and Crandall. with the bulk Of the
work no doubt, falling on the shoulders OF
Big six" as has been the case in the past
Nattv was the stumbling block 10 the
Athletics I'm 1875. Matty, single-handed, so
far as the pitchers were concerned, de-
featcd the Yankees in the intercity series
last fall and Matty. no doubt. will he good
Tor three II not four. Of the games In the
worlds series this year Under the circum-
stances. Macks string Of pitchers does not
look 50 formidable as may appear az first
glance. good as they are There is res-
son for some anxiety concerning Marauard,
as the fact has been emphasized all too
strongly that in four Of his last five games
relief pitchers have been necessary. The
slight injury 70 his arm I'm Boston may
have caused him % let up, I'm which case
he may be his old self when the real test
comes If so, the chief burden will not
fan on Matty's shoulders.
There is little 10 choose between the in
fields and the outields OF the two teams
Philadelphia has wonderful inner works,
with Barry. Baker Collins and McInnis,
but the Giants look equally strong, with
Herzog Fletcher. DOYLE and Merkle. Phila-
delphia has Strunk. Lord and Ooldring in
the outfed. but. If anything, the Giants
are better off, with DevoTe, Snodgrass and
Murray In the all-important position be-
hind the plate big Chief Meyers, for
New York. and Thomas, for Philadelphia,
will match their wits and throwing arms.
Thomas was the surprise Of the last world
series. and did marvellously well, but
Meyers IS rated as the better catcher II
the two on records. IN hitting the Ath-
letics have the call on the seasons figures,
but both clubs lead their respective leagues
in team batting, with a difference Of only
d few percentage points. The fact that
there are more 300 per cent hitters among
the Athletics than among the Giants Is
likely 20 count for little in a seven ga me
series In base running however. the
Giants are far I'm the lead. and this par
tlcular asset is the one which is likely TO
count largely. despite tho opinion Of Connie
Mack
The Brooklyn Superbas were not satisfied
with the part they nave played in blocking
the Chicago Cubs in their fight with the
Giants for first place They took hand
last week in keeping the Pirates out Of sec
ond place by winning three straight games
its feet a little sooner. II has been playing
like a first division club on this last West
ern trip. The Brooklyn fans" no doubt
will now take heart for another year.
The Yankees need a lot of bolstering and
Temodelling before the next baseball sea-
son blooms. but part Of this work is now
going on. even al some. cost. The team has
long needed a dependable player at second
base. Nothing breaks up quickly the
combination work Of an infeld as con
slant experimenting at the keystone sack
II memory serves Al least five men have
played the position for New York this year
K.fobt Eordosr Torpeon priost ard