Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-25
Judgments
TTOW long will Stranger Lewis
II last with Joe Stecher when they


last with Joe stecher when the,
49, meet in Gene Meladys ring a
the Douglas County Fair grounds
July n This is the all-absorbing topic
of conversation among devotees Of
the wrestling game in Omaha these
days. There is quite a diversity OF
opinion, too. Those inclined to risk
their wealth on their judgement have
MT put in much of an appearance OF
yet, but the preliminary speculation is
rife and it wouldn't surprise if con-
siderable sums are ventured on the
approaching match. There are, OF
course, those staunch Stecher boost
ers who insist Joe will make as short
work of Lewis as he has the rest OF
them, and they account for the two
hour draw at Evansville by accusing
Lewis of stalling tactics and foot
racing. Others believe Lewis will give
Joe run. But, for all this difference
of opinion, there isn't a dissenting
vote when it is suggested Joe will be
the victor. Everybody awards Joe the
ultimate victory. Apparently there is
not Lewis man extant. This is some
what of remarkable situation. Gen.
orally, even the most successful cham
pion is disputed by somebody. But,
this time nary a person who will even
grant Lewis chance to win a fall, is
to be found. This is not only true Of
the fans, but the experts and critics
as well, except that the latter are
more generally convinced Lewis will
be quickly and easily vanquished. It's
a great tribute for Joe, this unanimity
of opinion. 1t proves the public has
confidence in his ability and his in
tegrity. And once more Nebraska
has come into her own.
Big league clubs in the east are
having little trouble with the gam
bling element again. This is getting to
be an annual difficulty. Ever and anon
the gamblers have tried to force their
way into base ball, but they have
never uncovered successful method
of beating the game because of the
uncertainty of the sport. The worst
team in the world ofttimes wallops
the best The gamblers dope sheet
will not pan out on such happenings.
There is little fear, however, that
gambling will ever be closely intimate
with the game itself. Back in the '70s,
a quartet of stars sold out to the
gamblers and were caught in the act
Not since then has there even been
a suspicion that players have sold
themselves to the layers of odds. It's
too difficult for player to sell out in
the first place, and it is too difficult
for him to make good his sell if he
does. This, with the fact that the
dope sheet will not run true in base
ball, makes gambling on the national
pastime precarious for the bookie and
there isn't much cause for worry now
that the law has taken hand in the
base ball pool lotteries.
Mr.. Tyrus Raymond Cobb, base
ball player extraordinary, will have to
step out pretty shortly, or will dis
cover himself trailing one or two Of
the stellar lights of the American
league this year instead of leading.
Cobb is quite way behind in batting
and base stealing and he will have to
hustle at rapid clip if he intends to
catch up. Iris Speaker has batting
lead over Cobb that is almost enor-
NOUS and Tristan is still clouting EN-
far and wide. Several players lead
him at base stealing. Cobb generally
is a little late to start, but this year
he is far behind his 1915 records.
Granting that Tyrus is still some ball
player and he may not be slowing
up as yet, another week or so and it
will be even money that he doesn't
lead the league at either hitting or
base stealing.
Early in the spring Clarke Griffith
said "the Cleveland Indians are like
a spring flower and are bound to
fade" It is now considerably past
spring and Mr.. Grifith's pretty little
simiIe isn't working out very well.
Foxy Grit has always been given to
the making of predictions, and he has
never been a whirlwind success with
his representations. Cleveland is
still stepping at a lively pace and
gives every indication Of continuing to
do so. Cleveland may not win the
pennant, but if Mr.. Griffith expects
to win it, he'll have Cleveland to beat.
Eastern tennis sharks are rejoicing
over reports from the far west that
Maurice Mclaughlin, the celebrated
comet, will not flash across the east
ern tennis horizon this year. The east
erners are already awarding the hon.
ors to R. Norris Williams. The east,
however, seems to be overlooking
William Johnston, Griffin, Fottrell,
Dawson and one or two others who
may hike their way and if they do Mr..
Williams is going to have a little
competition, at least.
Colby Jack Coombs, relegated to
the scrap heap half dozen times or
more, seems to be pulling one foot
out Of the grave quite frequently this
wear and his hurting is a big aid to
the hustling Dodgers. It's an old
proverb that says, they never come
back" and it used to be pretty well
accented as the general rule, but the
old skick-back" on predictions of the
end seems to be working regularly OF
late.