The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-08-05

II any one had suggested around the
fourth day of July that Boston seiect
Braves would ever be pennant FACTORS
the suggester would have been aoJuoSeo
crazy enough to adorn European
throne where only maniacs are eiislole.
Around the Fourth the Braves were not
only damned down deeply into the Gel
lar but they were fifteen 1ull games
back OF the Giants.
This certainly was nothing for a
Brave rooter to cheer about. Yet, II
the Braves and Giants travel through
August and September as they did
through July, Boston would not only
finish first, but would finish first by
margin of eight or ten games, or over
seventy points.
Considerable Pruning.
This has been a weird. uncanny CAM
paign. as We have remarked before. But
the Brave episode leads the field OF I'M
Canniness. Through the month OF July
the Braves and Giants participated in
twenty-four games against the rest OF
the circuit. OF this twenty-four the
Braves won nineteen and lost five; the
Giants won twelve and lost twelve. So.
within thirty days, the Braves pruned
away seven games from their handlclp
and are now but eight games from the
"ltnln q month Inty Gut u plASiil-
ing margin half In two, and there are
still two months and a week LEFT In
which TO go after the remaining gap.
Not Quite a Joke.
The prospect Of the Braves overtak-
ing the Giants might be held as joke.
but you won't discover any OF the
Giants throwing any fit of merrimcnt
over the humor contained therein.
MI <.E- tyt-1 ,nr1fh a IN
been moving at only a shade better than
800 clip. For five weeks the Braves
have been busting the highway at TO
pace. And so far they have shown no
signs of faltering or slipping back.
Defensive Strength.
The Braves have established this Won
derful showing through two factors.
First. through a spirit of hustling and
indornitable courage that was never
subdued even when the club was n
bIichted last with a record at one time
below $50; second, through the finest
defensive strength shown IN baseball
this year.
There isn't n man on the club batting
200 but from Rudolph. James and Tyler
they have got wonderful pitching, ana
this pitching has been backed up by
brilliant. steady fielding-the best In
either league.
The Main Barrier.
Win or lose. the Brave uprising has
been one of the most brilliant and ceur-
ageous ever known in balloon. For a
cIub To recover after Boston's start and
sIin back into the race is well beyond
the ordinary. But there Is still one Dig
barrier in the way. This phenomenal
ascent must have Slapped quite
bit of It's reserve strength. Eight games
back Is no position in which 10 ease UP
Or suffer any slump. By the frst OF
September the Stallings machine VIII
probably be well worn down from the
long uphill sprint that began back In
June. But, for all that, 1t still has
chance of establishing the miracle.
Giants, Cubs. and Cardinals have
shown flashes of pennant form. but the
Yrayes are the only people In their
league who have been able to shoot
fast clip for over month.
The Pursuers Left.
After a notable furry in the Ameri-
can League. in which no less than six
clubs figured the Mackuaen now have
but two pursuers left. The Red Sox are
still clinging tightly TO the pace and
the Senators are making desperate
fight to stay within graphing distance.
But the only way any club has Of over
houling the leaders is for Joe Wood
and Vean Gregg to reach top form. II