The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-19
ichmd Harrisburg Red Lead Packers Federal
INTEREST FEATURES.
MAJOR LEAGUE RACES.
At Present Time There Are But Eight and Half Games Be
tween Clubs In First and Last Place-Phillies and
Dodgers Proving To Be Sensations of the Year. e.

is doing much to instill a new inter-
est in the game, after seasons
start which was anything but auspic-
ious. At the present time there are
but eight and half games between
the first and last clubs. Chicago ana
Cincinnati and every game Is making
the outcome more predetermined Eacn
day sees a surprising shake-up in the
standing of the clubs and ii has been
difficult for any one of them to hola
one position any length OF time There
are only lis points between the nrst
and last clubs.
The Boston Braves are in next to last
place, while they were last a year
ago. With the season half over pase-
ball fans are now speculating as 70
whether Boston or any OF the other
clubs will rush through the league 10
the top as the Braves did SO sensa-
tionally last year.
Many basel ball club owners are In
clined to believe that the twenty-one
player limit is responsible Cor the
close races this year, as II equanzes
the clubs as they have never peen
eouaiized before. Then maintain tnat
IL gives the weaker clubs an advantage
they never had before in limiting tns
playing strength of the more pros
porous clubs.
A year ago Boston was in the last
place and was just beginning TO start
that wonderful squirt. II was on July
30 of last year that the Braves finally
shook the dust of last place from their
feet and started to go forward with
leans and bounds. At the present time
Cincinnati Is eight and one-half games
behind the Phlllies in first place. Last
year at the corresponding date. the
Boston were ten games behind the
leaders The first Ave clubs are now
so closely crowding each other with the
season already half gone that base
ball sharps are Inclined to predict that
the pennant will not be won until the
anal squirt for the wire
The PhilIies and the Dodgers are
furnishing the sensational results at
the present time. and both OF them
may be looked upon as pennant posi-
bilities. The Brooklyn pitching stan
has held up so wonderfully well that
many believe it will be able to con-
tinue. The Giants have played such In
and out ball that II they do not set
tie down to some sort of steady pace
within a short time their chances viii
be slim to finish up among the hrst
clubs. The Giants, after yesterdays
showing, seem to have arrived. Just
now II is anybody's race. Any one OF
the clubs. with any sort OF sus-
tanned winning streak. would go to the
top quickly st Louis is also furnish
ing a big surprise. and Miller Higgins
club appears tc be able to remain
up with the leaders for some time 10
come.
An early season, with the interest In
the game al a low ebo because OF what
appeared to be an ever production OF
baseball. with bad weather and an UNI
usual amount OF double -headers, has,
at the halfway mark. become one OF
the most exciting years in the history
OF the league.
A year ago the Giants were in the
lead. with Chicago second. 81. Louis
third and Philadelphia fourth. The
Phillies this year lead. with the Chtca-
go. Brooklyn, and St Louis teams close
behind them. New York this season
IL In sixth place, lower position than
1t has been in the race at this stage
of the season in many year, On the
other hand, the Brokiyns and the Phil
lies are higher than they have been in
other seasons at this period of the
pennant chase.
In the American League the situa-
ton this year is also much different
than it was a year ago. Instead OF the
Athletics being I'm their familiar birth
at the top, they are now down next to
last and the White Sox are leading
the parade in the Bar Johnson circuit.
The Boston Red soS are proving a
stronger contender each day for the
premier honors. ard are favc,sd by
many to beat out the White Sox ana
Detroit Hor the panant.
1t is believed that with slightly
stronger pitching stan Detroit would
have little trouble ir winfng. The
Red Sox pitchers. However, seem 10
have greater possibilities than either
tine White Sox or Tigers. that is when
they reach top form. The pit :h'nS
staf at Boston has not yet shown
the results of which il Is capable.
year ago the Yankees were down
in seventh place. while today they
are up in fourth position and showing
much better playing form under Bill
Donovan than they did under Frank
Chance last year. Cleveland holds its
familiar position In the cellar. wash
ington, AT this time last year. was In
second place. but 1t has not shown
the form this year which Is likely 70
carry II that high in the race during
the remainder of the present season.
In both leagues. however. the team
which wins lie going to be carried
through close. hard fight right up
to the end OF the season. There will
be no runaway race for any club when
the season Is drawing toward the en1.
Because OF the high position In the
race of the clubs, which have been far
behind in other seasons. they are play
Ing a much higher standard OF ball
and are making II hot all the way for
the pacemakers. This condition. IL Is
believed. will continue right through
to the end. No club. especially in the
National League. believes that II 10
out of the pennant race.