El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-08-28
Philadelphia Americans and
Chicago Cubs Appear to
Have Lead Just Now
By W. S. Farnsworth.)

New York. n. Y, Aug 2S.-Gather
mn your sporting sheet, you fans, anu
pause long enough to look over tne
standing of the clubs in the two ma
jor leagues Then when the season
comes to a close compare the final rat
ings with those of today, and you WILL
in all probability, find that, with one
or two exceptions, the positions re-
main intact.
This is generally the stage of the
baseball campaign when winner can
almost be picked without knocking
wood" There have been years Wnere
the ultimate victor was In apeyance
until the final day of the season But
you will invariably find that with the
beginning of September, the race mas
reached such a stage that good line
can be obtained on the teams possess
ing the best chances.
Final Week to Decide the Issue.
The marathon in the two major or
ganizations this season promises TO De
as thrilling as those of the past Few
years, when the winners had TO play
the concluding game of the schedule
in order to be assured OF the RIBBON.
Judging by the inconsistent work ana
the fall and rise of the leading teams
in the American and National leagues
this season, it is almost certain to mar
row down to races down the stretch,
In which the games of the final week
will decide the issues. The vanguard
teams that have been graced with easy
schedules toward the seasons close
will naturally stand the best chance
of coping.
But it is the uncertainty OF things
that has made baseball the game that
it is-the national pastirne. The teams
that are looked upon as weak may rise
in their wrath during the final games
and may send calculations skyrocket-
ing The Giants will attest to the
latter statement, for it has been their
bitter experience to be beaten out OF
pennant when their chances
seemed glorious. We refer to the
time when Harry Coveleski, the ter
rible Pole backed by eight other In
considerate Philadelphia players
knocked the McGrawite out of the
pennant So it would be well for the
leaders to consider the teams of low
er rating and to fear them as much
as they would the stronger members.
The Probable Winners.
From the present outlook, the
Philadelphia Americans and the Chi
cago Cubs appear to have the best
chance in their respective circuits. OF
course, there are other teams that
look as if they might share in the
SlOTy anu IoUluHSIdtlOA dNCl QAlA5
from the worlds series. but when it
comes to a showdown, L do not think
it wise to select these two aggrega-
lions to carry off the 1aurels.
The Cubs and Athletics have the
advantage of playing a majority Of
the remaining games on home soil.
There is an untold advantage for
teams of their strength in finishing
up the schedule at home. With the
confidence born of success, these two
teams will rip into the opposition re-
1entlessly, and they should have little
trouble in winning more games than
they lose from now until the seasons
close But there is always the unex-
pected to be reckoned with. There
may be a general upheaval in the
standings ere long, but that is hard
ly likely.
Others Are Close Contenders.
There are many who will dispute
the assertion that the Cubs and Ath-
letics are to be the favored parties.
They will contend that the Giants and
Pirates must be considered in the Ma
tional league hunt, while the Detroit
Tigers must not be overlooked in the
American league chase. Yes, the
Giants and Pirates and Tigers, have
been given due consideration, and |
cannot, for the life of me figure how
1t is possible for any of these to
wedge their way into the worlds ser
les celebration.
In the first place we'll consider the
Giants. McGraw's squad has been an
Inconsistent lot. That much cannot be
denied. They have played some of
their worst exhibitions when opposed
TO the RustIers and have shown cham
picnship form when arrayed against
the Cubs and Pirates. Again Math-
on sons slight failing this season
has done much to ret4rd the progress
Ct the Giants. Otey CrarCall, who
was looked upon as regular at the
outset of TIE season has ot en- rele-
gated to his old job of relief pitcher.
Red" Ames, who is followed ever
lastingly by the jinx, has lost many
heart breaking games because old
Hard Luck has been sticking to him
like an adhesive tack. The Giants