Evening star., 1914-08-23

BOSTON. Mass. August 22.-Through-
out all the turmoil and tho cheering
aroused by the wonderful work of the
Boston Braves the past month George
Stallings alone had remained as cold as
ice. but after taking three straight games
from the New York Giants on the Polo
Grounds last week and pulling up to
within three games and a fraction OF the
lead in the National League-a lead so
short that one full series almost would
mean shift in positions -Stallings
melted. And in melting he expressed the
hope that has been growing in his breast,
even suppress 1t as he tried.
That hope is that the Braves are going
to bring Boston pennant. Stallinss
does not express himself positively: he
only says that he begins to believe now
that the team that wins the pennant will
have to do it by walking over the dead
bodies Of his Braves but his statement
is significant and expressive for he is
not given to boasting nor even hoping
much
After Stallings' boys had won the Sc
ries from the Giants he called them about
him and told them, calmly and seriously
that he believed the Giants were done
that there seemed to him TO be a great
chance to take advantage of their weak
ness and go to the front. lie put It be-
fore them that It was in their hands, ii
was for them to go out and win. But h.
warned them not to be overconfident
ard not to be downcast if the breaks
went against them.
1t was the sort of a fatherly talk that
went home. 1t has strengthened the de-
termination of the Braves. and every man
vowed himself ready to die in his tracks
If necessary to put that pennant in old
Boston
he nrl- nf ha nj 10
selves that put life into the Braves and
convinced Stallings that his team had a
chance. When the weak Cincinnati team
went to the Polo Grounds and won four
out of five games it was the signal that
Mc(iraw had only a bluff and not real
championship team, that his pitchers
were no better than second-class per
formers. he had been slow In picking up
the best of the newcomers and would
have to stand setback. And now the
Braves are onto his neck. There is only
one thing that will save the Giants;
that Is that the fearful strain on the
Braves may tell on them soon. and a
slump at this time would encourage the
New York men to renewed efforts.
There Is real danger of this. but no
matter what happens the Braves as a
team must be given credit for their
wonderful advance. and both Manager
Stallings and Capt. John Evers must
be given credit for welding together
fine defense as well as brilliantly
aggressive team. The results are due
chiefly to a high-class infield machine
and three pitchers. working smooth
ly as velvet, in Rudolph, James and
Tyler. This trio seems to be all the
reliable workmen that Stallings has,
but that is enough when the boys are
strong, young and willing.
Started Last Year.
Stallings put in two years in Buffalo
after being kicked out of New York,
and took charge of the Braves in the
spring of 1913 after they had finished
in the rut in 1912. Also they had oc-
cupied lower eight in 1911, 1910 and
1909 ..
Stallings. using his celebrated sys
TEN of trying out nineteen-year-ol
kids and forty-year-old vets, captured
fifth position last season. and just now
his team is second, and he is being
called THE miracle man.. Certainly
George has shown remarkable ability
as reconstructionist, and the title be
slowed on him is we'll deserved. Once
he was the king of umpire baiters, but
as the head of the Yankees and the
Braves he has let the referees alone
and so that previous part of his history
need not be touched on. Neither need
the reasons why he left the American
League be given.
Stallings will be forty-seyen Novem-
ber II next. He is Georgian. born
in Augusta. alYl he graduated from