The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-08-13
Two Wild Pitches Cost
Quakers Flag-Never
Been Close Since

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 13.-The
fact that the Phillies are leading
the National league race with the
month Of August almost half gone
has caused endless arguments re-
garding Philly teams which in the
past have been considered pennant
contenders, says the Philadelphia
Ledger.
The Phillies have finished second
In the National league race three
times in their history. In 1887 they
were second to Detroit, and this was
the nearest q local team ever came
to winning the pennant. That
Philly team was unlike those OF
later years. which had . habit OF
starting on fast and finishing
poorly.
In July Of 1887 the Phillies had a
percentage Of .426 and were In sixth
place. A wonderful squirt was
started. and with Charley Ferguson
and Southpaw Dan Casey pitching
every other day for the rest of the
season. the Pills came within three
games of overhauling Detroit. On
Sept. Is OF that year the Phillies
were within game Of first place.
but Casey lost a to game to De
troit by making wild pitch. and
Ferguson lost the next day by max
Ing q wild throw in the ninth inning.
This gave the Tigers three-game
lead, which they held until the close
OF the season. The Phillies finished
with a percentage Of sos, which Is
the highest In the 33-year history of
tho club.
The Phillies OF 1911 were In first
place until July %. and this is the
latest any National league team
here has ever been In the lead. In
1913 the Phillies had a wonderful
chance to win, but that team was
ousted from nrst place on June &c.
when II lost a IL to 10 game to the
Giants. This was the series that
wrecked the Phillies' pennant
chances. and many local fans still
contend that this team would have
drifted In an easy winner had the
pitching stan been worked differ
emily In that series.
In 1911 the Phillies were admit
teddy the class Of the league. and
almost surely would have won the
pennant had II not been for two &C
cidents. John Titus broke his leg
In a game against st. Louis, In this
city, in the middle Of May, and
Manager Doom met with similar
accident In the following series
with the Cardinals, in st. Louis on
July .26. At the time Doom was
injured the Phillies were within one
game OF the Cubs. who we're lead
ing. but they went to pieces with
out q catcher or leader and finally
finished In fourth place.
| The Phillies did not occupy first
place very long In 1911. but they AZ
forded much excitement for the fans
while they were lighting with the
leaders. New York, Chicago and
the Phillies were tied for first place
on July when the afternoon games
| started. Fred Luderus lifted the
ball over into Broad-st. twice on
Crandall, and as the Cubs lost to
the Cardinals, the Phils went into
first place. Three days later the
Cubs regained the lead, which they
held until July Is, when Luderus
again hit two drives over the right
field fence, beating Babe Adams.
to 1. and again placing the pills
In the lead. This lead was held UNI
I'll July %. when Mordecai Brown
beat Earl Moore, 4 to 2. The Phils
were close to hrst place for the rest
OF the month, but lost three straight
games In Cincinnati. after Doom