The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-29
RACE IN THE Big SHOWS
SEEM ALMOST FINISHED

OF the year and its record OF IL
straight victories viii 20 down In
baseball history along with other
notable events and will occupy more
prominence because OF all teams
Washington was the n least expect
ed to make such a record.
Athletics Miss Crippies.
There is no ~gainsaying the fact that
these are %troublous times for the Ath-
letics n the team is weaker now for
a hard struggle than at any other
period since II first won the worlds
championship. The unfortunate in
jury to Murphy has been severely felt
and now with Barry on the hospital
list the future looks anything but
bright. considering the hard campaign
ahead. Manager Mack has had to
shift his outfeld, but he misses the
guiding hand of his captain in the
field, and while Derrick will make a
fairly capable substitute he lacks the
snap n dash m to say baseball
brains Of Barry. Then the Uneven
work. OF his pitchers Is another cause
OF worriment to the champions
leader. Plank seems to be the only
reliable pitcher in the squad, for no
n who saw Bender pitch Wednes.
day can believe that the Chief is yet
at his best. Even Coombs of late has
been going poorly, while the others
are at best but experiments. for Nor
a Is too erratic to be considered,
his principal weakness being entire
lac OF control. Naturally, when the
pitchers go badly IL has a disquieting
eject on h rest of the team and
the fielding lacks confidence. Still,
the champions have managed to main
tain a place in the first division. and
II they can successfully weather the
series with New York, Washington
and Boston. the chances are that by
the time the western teams arrive
their cripples will be back and their
pitchers may be showing improved
form. The one chance the Athletics
have to gain on the leaders will he
IN the New York and Washington
games and by the time they meet
Boston should be within striking dis
lance OF the Red Sox.
No Stopping the Giants
Except possibly Pittsburgh. Their.
does not seem TO be any team I'm the
National league capable OF stopping
the mad rush OF the Gians. who are
not only adding TO their bis lead al
most daily. but showing batting form
totally at variance with the ordinary
ability OF the players when Judged by
past performances. Naturally success
egets success. and IL New York
Keeps up its present stride II will
break the league record for total
games won-116 by Chicago in 1906.
Marquard looks as though he would
set a new mark for consecutive VIC
tories. and the Giants themselves are
batting a streak. hitting all pitchers
with equal freedom. They now have
a lead Of 219 points over their near
est competitor. Chicago, which r.
having a great contest with Pittsburg
for runner-up. with Cincinnati still
In the hunt. II looks as though the
brunt OF the work Of breaking the
Giants rapid climb would devolve up
on the Western clubs. as there does
not seem TO be any one of the Eastern
contingent capable OF stopping their
rapid flight. The Giants are robbing
1.-THE race of much OF its interest. as
while there are several hot fights for
position among the other clubs. base
ball fans" like 20 see the lead see
saw a bit. even though their favorites
may moi be among the ~contenders.
No improvement in Phillies.
II Is but the federation Of an old
story 20 point out the reason for the
Phillies' lack % success. and though
they have managed TO hold rn TO their
place at the top Of the second col
umn. II has hardly been because the
have In any manner improved Of late.
but simply because the clubs below
have been pretty near In the same
condition. The series with Brooklyn
brought the latter nearer the Philies.
n Their position promises 20 be fur
ther jeopardized by the series with