Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-07
PENNANT TIDES IN MAJOR
LEAGUES HAVE CHANGED
IN THE LAST TWO SEASONS
Phillies, Dodgers and Braves Favorites for
1916 Winners, While Giants, Cubs
and Pirates Look Weak
By GRANTLAND RICE

DENNANT tides in the National and
American leagues are not flowing In
the same direction. The big split in ira
diton has come in the National. whereas
it has only started in the American, and
that in only one source.
Flag Makers
From 1901 to 1914-a matter Of 13
playing seasons-there were only three
flag towns in the National League.
They were Pittsburgh. New York and
Chicago. They won all 10 pennants with
five for New York, four for Chicago and
four for Pittsburgh. The Braves smashed
the Flag Ring in 1914, when they came
from the barren lands and captured the
pennant.
The Phillles continued the upset last
year, and to make 1t more pronounced the
only three regular flag contenders were
Philadelphia, Boston and Brooklyn-all
jokes in the old epoch from 1901 to 1914.
The Giants finished last. Cubs and Pirates
both floundered far out of reach. The
old order was gone.
Even More So
To make it more complete, this upheaval
from the old-fashioned days, the three
leading n. l., favorites for 1916 are Braves,
Phillies and Dodgers.
One club from this trio is almost sure TO
win, with only the Giants having a none
too robust chance of smashing through.
Pirates and Cubs, by the insiders, are
already counted out. Boston, Philadelphia
and Brooklyn. for the time being, have
picked up where New York, Pittsburgh
and Chicago left off.
And while they may establish no thir-
teen-year reign, such as McGraw, Clarke
and Chance did with their machines, they
have put away two flag years since 1913
and are again doped to do most of the
fighting for the year ahead.
Not Yet Here
The American League has had almost
the same proposition to face. Philadel-
phla. Boston and Detroit have ruled tho
American League as New York, Chicago
and Pittsburgh ruled the National.
From 1902 to 1915-a matter of IA
campaigns-Philadelphi Boston and De-
trolt have won 13 pennants The White
Sox broke up the combination in 1906. but
with this lone exception the Big Three
have ruled the gonfalonic highway.
In the last "A years Philadelphia has
achieved G pennants, Boston 4 and De-
trot ).
The Difference
But. unlike the National League. there
has come no big upset to bring other clubs
to the top.
The MaclKmen dropped down to the bot
tomless pit last fall, but the two clubs
that fought out the jubilee were Boston
and Detroit. And the two clubs picked
for 1915 are the same two. with only Chi.
cago conceded a good chance TO crack
the combination.
Chicago has a chance, but II Boston's
pitchers fail to drag the Red Sox across
the odds are that Detroit's rugged attaciS
will land first money and so keep one OF
the Big Three in command of the league.
The Three-TOwn Rule
Jus: why 1t is that three cities In each
league should rule AFFAIRS for so many
years is beyond the limits of any present
comment. But the facts are that 1t has
taken the American League longer 10
break up its Flag Trust than 1t has taken
the National.
The three n. l.. rulers caved In to-
gether In 1913, but In reality Pirates and
Cubs faded out after 1911, when they
made their last stand and were driven
back by the Giants.
How much longer Boston. Detroit or
Philadelphia is to rule the younger league
is matter of doubt. But the end isn't
so very far away, whatsoever 1915 pro-
duces The White Sox now have the stun
10 get going The Yankees are bubbling
up swiftly out OF the old rut. and the