Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-11
SPEAKER MENACE NOW PLACES
TY COBB IN PERIL OF LOSING
OUT IN LEAGUE BATTING RACE
Texan Has Big Lead and Georgian Must Show
Wonderful Form to Top Batters for
Tenth Consecutive Time
BY GRANTLAND RICE

WYE COME once more to the case oi
VIZ VS.. iris or iris VS.. ry, as you may
care to put II.
For August is waning and the pungen'
odor of burning leaves is only drift ol
two ahead when the full count will be in
and when, for the first time in 10 years
, down with the pack.
Ten Years Ago
Cobb had his soul set on leading the
league 10 years in succession when the 1916
campaign opened.
He began his first great drive In 1907
with mark of $50. and never has been
headed since at the finish.
He has had his share of close calls, for
In 1910 he beat Lajoie by only single
point and in 1911 he had to beat a mark OF
.40S to finish first
But close calls are soon forgotten, and for
nine years Cobb not only has led his league
but his margin above the next regular has
been, on an average, at least 20 points.
In the last four years, for example, Cobb
has averaged % points season beyond
Jackson and Collins, who have been In sec
ond place.
The New Danger
The two White Sox sluggers have given
Tyrus Raymond the greatest battle, Joe
Jackson ran second to the Georgian in 1911,
1912 and 1918. When Joe had exhausted
most of his ammunition, Eddie Collins took
up the charge, running second in 1914 and
1915.
But now comes a new danger, and the
greatest danger of them all. For August Is
moving along, and the wide gap between
Iris Speaker and Ty Cobb remains un-
changed,
In 1910 Speaker was 40 points back of
Cobb. In 1911 he was over so points away.
In 1912 Iris finished % points to the rear.
In 1913 he was "a points behind. In 1914
Iris Jagged 80 points and in 1915 the mar
gin was 4S points.
So in six years Ty has averaged AZ points
a season beyond the Texan-the range being
from so points in 1911 to 27 points in 1912.
But No Longer
But iris no longer is tagging He started
beyond Ty the first week of the campaign
and he never has dropped back since. At
the end of four weeks he was 40 points out
beyond the eminent Georgian. Week by
week the fanatical bystahdcr has waited to
see Cobb close in the gap or for Iris to slip
and drift down hill.
But weeks have passed along into months
and there Is still no change.
At the end OF II weeks play Speaker is
still over 40 points beyond Cobb. And
there are now only seven weeks left.
A number of things can happen in seven
weeks. But unless Speaker clips badly Cobb
is up against the toughest proposition of his
career. For II Speaker insists on sticking
around $50, as he has done nearly all year,
Cobb to beat him out must bat at least .42O
for the rest OF the season-must average
around two hits a game for about 90
games.
Against Joe Jackson in 1911 or 1912 Cobb
caught up 80 points and added a good
many more from late August 10 the finish
That rally was almost superhuman. 1t
may be that II can rise TO such abnormal
heights again. No other man would have
chance. But Ty is tremendous fighter
against rugged competition, and you can
gamble that he will be working his soul
out even though in vain, to the end of the
scrap. AND right now the odds against
him are at least to l.
Speaker Must Slump
For Cobb 70 round out his 1O-year lead
ership Speaker must come upon a slump
OF at least fair proportion.
Late in August last season and through
early September Cobb slipped badly. He
moved on through "a times at bat without