The Washington herald., 1913-02-16

New York. Feb. 15-The most serious
obstacle in the path OF John ]. McGraw
to third consecutive pennant appears
Fred Clarke and his husky Buccaneers
The Giant manager and the sporting
world at large-wtth the possible exCep-
ton of some few fanatic fans, players.
grand-stand managers OF magnates who
habitate in the Windy City-have ex-
pressed such an opinion repeatedly. In
the words of McGraw: Clarke is the
only man / fear. The Cubs will be con-
tenders. but Pittsburg is the club we
have to beat"
McGraw has his heart set upon winning
the 1918 bunting. for then he will have
achieved a run of uninterrupted sue
cesses, the equal of his two great COM
petitors. Both Clarke and Frank Chance
have nailed three straight flags. Clarke
began his record run in 1901 and ended
in 1885, the season Jimmy Collins cele-
brated Boston Americans annexed the
worlds series from the Corsairs through
the most sensational finish which was
ever shown. Boston won five victories
1T was the best five out OF nine that
season., after being in the hole three te
one. Frank Chance and his Cubs hung
up three straight pennants in two worlds
series in 1895, 1897, and 1905. McGraw
hopes to. achieve equal pennant honors
this year for he has two straight and
easy successes behind him and a team
which appears the class Of the field.
Back in 1904. McGraw started a run
that threatened Clarke's record. Pen
nants in 1904 and 1906 were supplemented
by a worlds series from the Athletics
the latter season. New York started out
In 1906 top heavy favorites In the Ma
tional League. But that season the
mighty Chance, in his first managerial
trial with the famous Cubs. reeIed off
116 victories, the greatest showing In
professional baseball since 1t had become
a national institution. Luck played into
Chances hands at the expense of Nc
Graw, who finished as low as fourth for
the only time of his wonderful career.
Mathewson suffered an attack OF diph-
iberia; Bresnahan was seriously injured
by pitched ball: Mike Donlin's leg
provoking injuries and illnesses developed
to thwart the ambitions of McGraw.
Has Good Team.
So the GIANT Ieaaer stands to-day
where he left of In 1906, Only he is i'm
much better position to weather the COM
bined attack of his adversaries. Then
his champion array was comprised of a
of fast failing veterans; now
hNs iAuS thS scuuSSst anu Spttditst tOl-
lection OF athletes known to the game
Then he had to buck both Chance and
Now only the wonderful COM
of the Corsairs remains Chance
has gone over to the New York strong
hold of the American League. leaving
TO Johnny Evers, his successor In Chi
eagp, a team that is but the shadow OF
The one time Cub invincibles.
Let us investigate then, the worthy
foemen of McGraw. Pred Clarke, the
Kansas ranchman. He has completed
his thirteenth year at the helm OF ,he
Pirate craft and in the past campaign
showedS far more consistent form than
even the Polo grounes champions. In
thirteen years Clarke amassed four PEN
iants. for second places and a tie for
another, ,thfee thirds. and one fourth
Clarke took charge Of Pittsburg m 1909 |
md finished second. The next year he |
'ore loose and ripped the organisation |
M to pieces. returning three straight !
Winners. McGraws star then began the |
ascendant. and the grcat general Of |
snloke Town was forced into back seat
IL