Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-12
S0UTHPAWS ON TOP
Appear Responsible for Close
Race in National League.
Killing MAKES PREDICTION
Says They Will Settle Championship
in Old League This
Year.

NEW YORK, July 12-Left handed
pitchers are playing an important part in
the present keen struggle for the leader
ship of the National League. They will
do much toward settling the champion
ship before the schedule runs out. Octo-
Der II. This is a prediction made by
Johnny King of Boston.
Up to date they have caused sudden
changes in the standing Of the first five
clubs. Marquard brought the Giants to
the top by beating the Chicago Cubs Sat
urday, and he and Wiltse are greatly re-
sponsible for McGraw's club being where
1t is. SalIee of st. Louis has done more
for the Cardinals than any hurler on
Bresnahan's staff while Lefty" Leifield
has been called into action when defeat
meant dropping notch lower in the race
and held Pittsburg above water.
Bill Burns has helped Philadelphia con-
sdera bly,. but not as much as he could II
he would exert himself little more.
Rucker has set the league record this
season for the largest number OF victories
and is one twirler who has kept Brooklyn
from occupying last place. Boston has
two left handlers and they are doing first
class work. considering the team they are
with. They are Mattern and McTigue
King predicts that McTigue will be the
leading southpaw in the National League
has as much speed and stun as Rube
Waddell ever had.
Chicago has mo port slider on the team
1t is fact to be lamented. So thinks
King, who recently was daily adorned
with a Cub uniform. From what left
handlers have been doing against New
York. Cincinnati. Philadelphia and st.
Louis. it seems as If Kings dope Is
correct All four Of these clubs are at
sea when facing a finger who pegs from
the port side. Therefore. II Manager
Chance had one to sandwich In with his
right handlers 1t is safe. to venture the
remark that New York. St. Louis or Gin
cinnati would seldom obtain an even
break in a series.
Cubs Need Left-Hander.
This is not gossip collected haphazard.
but was taken from remarks made by
King. who has made study of the other
clubs since departing from the ranks of
the Chicago Cubs.
''If Chance possessed left-hander like
Marquard. Leifield or this young fellow
McTisue we have. I do not think there
would be any doubt about Chicagos TAX
ing the championship, said King recent
ly. Il figure the Cubs are going to win
anyway. but 1 would feel more certain If
Chance had a left-hander 1t Is too
bad Pfiester deteriorated. Both Mattern
and McTigue were amazingly effective
against the Giants. and il we had played
little better base ball we would have
beaten them with those two fellows on
the mound
''McGraw has only three left-handed hit
tiers, Devore, Doyle and Bridwell, but
that doesn't make any difference, because
the right-handers cannot hit them. They
never did This was demonstrated when
Pfester was able to whip them regularly
few years ago, and then McGraw pos
sessed harder hitting team than he has
at present. That is why l say If Chance
could get hold of strong southpaw his
pitching staff would be the best in the
league. One is all he needs to sandwich
in occasionally or to use in each series,
SO as to change the sight of the batters
facing a Highlander continually.
/ 1T is my opinion that left-handers are
going to work wonders in the race If
DOOM can get Bill Burns working In
order with Alexander and Moore the
Philles will be a tougher bunch than
they are right now. Marquard and Wiltse
going so good is what is keeping the
Giants on top. Mathewson is unable to
stand the work he used to. and Ames Is
an in and outer, while Trucke is unre-
would the Cardinals be il Bresnahan did
not have Sallee. and where would Brook
Ign be II Rucker was not there, and the
same with Leif1eld Of Pittsburg? You
would not see any Of those teams SO high
in the percentage columns. That is why
contend Chance ought to have at least
one left-hand pitcher to use against New
York, Cincinnati and st. Louis, because
he is going to learn these are the teams
he will have to beat to win the cham
pionship.