New Britain herald., 1915-07-17
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 I Ry GrU7ksD7d Rice

Taking another slant at this hectic National league race, the time seems to be about ripe again for another serious discussion. Not that any such discussion will get anywhere III par ticular, but this is, of course, minor defect to any established oeDate.
 The Epic Race.
 The National league has drawn put two flag races in recent seasons that even approached this present scramble in closAnAss or general interest.
 The first was in 1908, when New York. Chicago and Pittsburg raced neck and neck to the wire. But there were only three clubs in that scalp lifting pisode.
 Tha second was in 1911, when New York Philadelphia, Chicago, Pitts .urgh Ana St. Louis were pounding nlons well punched until mid-August. Rut even then there were only five clubs involved. Today the entire league is still in the hunt Philadel- rbis Chicago Brooklyn, St. Louis and Pittsburg are moving along under handkerchief, jammed togetner Wltn sardinic compActness. Ana oack or these three New York, Cincinnati anu Boston are by no means hopelessly out of it. though foundering bit at odd spells.
 The Present Favorite.
 There is no particular use in launch ing any prophecy as to which cluo VIII finally win, for there isn't bloke upon the universe who knows. or who has any sane tip to offer on the subject. Before there have always been one or two clubs worthy of strong consider ation-clubs that usually jumped for ward after July and bowled over all opposition.
 But there are no such clubs now in sight in this race--no one club that can be picked out as a, first class ma chine, both upon offense and defense. All have decided flaws here or there and not one is up to the standard of the star, machines Of the past. This, of course, accounts for the present ccmpactness of the race, for medi- ocrity huddles together in much larger groups than genius does, whatever the enterprise or project.
 The One Dope Foundation.
 There is but one bit of foundation upon which to erect any dope-an6 it is this: A ball club, regardless oi it's past showing, is generally judged upon its power as it reaches July B, that date a ball clubs status should be fairly we'll settled. And since the first of July Brooklyn has been playing the best ball in the league, with Philadel- phia next. On average form these two clubs should have the best of it. The only thing that complicates the dope here is that both Brooklyn and Phila- delphia belong to the species which in the past over many campaigns have insisted upon detonating with a crash at critical points of the race But there is undoubtedly a far better spirit in these two clubs this season than iether has ever known for . dozen years. There is more team spirit-Ereater mbition-fned all around morale.
 Broolxlyn's Chance.
 Brooklyn is in a fine position to win her first pennant in fifteen years if Robby can only keep his club on the jump. If he can keep the fire of am- o1t1on flaming he has the stuff to pound along consistently, and reach the top. '~1'@ .-.
 Robby hasn't any wonderful club but he has as good material as any rival, with a better chance to get fairly good pitching. Prune-tinted pitching 1yo IL single factor this year. It has slough ed the Braves, crimped the Giants, jolted the Reds and harassed the Cubs.
 But with Fucker, Coombs. Pfeffer, Douglas, Dell, Aitchison and Apple ton the Dodger mandrin has a good lot to select from-a' lot that should yield at least four consistent opera tors at any given time. It is only in the last three weeks that Brooklyn has been batting and fielding up to form. Just normal stick work and normal fielding with this pitching should be about enought to win-pro- vided the club is willing to fight and hustle all the way. Given this last ingredient and the Dodgers shouit. be the best in the league. If there is any slump, it will be more than likely to result from a let-down ir, flag am bition.
 After Dodgers.
 The Phillies, next to the Dodgers. have been playing the best ball since July first. After a f1ourishing start, Pat Morans outfit began to wane in May and early June, but Alexander and Mayer held them up and pre- < vented a break
 Since late June they have gotten together again, while Al Demaree has rushed to the rescue of the two pitchers named. Steamer Al has