The sun., 1916-09-17
RACES OF 1908.
COUNTERPART
OF 1915 DASHES
Major League remnants
Again May De Decided Oh
Final Day of Season.
REVIEW OF STRUGGLES
THAT MADE HISTORY
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The remarkable pennant chases in the
National and American Leagues this fall
have a striking resemblance to the famous
campaign Of 1908. the closest races In all
baseball history. II II doubtful II base
ball will ever see two races like those Of
1908 again. at least not for another gem
Grafton. In each league the p%ennant was
decided on the last day Of the season.
and right up 10 the wire three clubs were
IN the running. Then II In rather un-
likely that any body of baseball fans will
ever 20 TIM ou;h the excitement that
went with the amous playon OF the
"Aierkle game on the Polo Grounds on
October \. 1908.
However. while no one expects TO see
all the scenes Of 1905 reenacted in the
last days Of the present schedules. the
1915 events promise TO be the closest
things We have had since hat memorable
year In baTeball annals.
While three of the American League
contendcrs Of 1905 are In the fight for
this seasons flag. all OF the important
actors in the spirited finish Of the 1905
National League race-Chicago. New
York and Pittsburg-are now In the ru,.
and have only a passive interest In the
present big doings. In their place three
OF the soft marks Of l9OS-Brooklyn n.
Boston and Ph!ladelphia-are now the
contenders. We might remark. however.
for Jonn McGraw's benefit. that the
Thillies were not 4 soft mark with Harry
Covelcskie In the box.
West Hogged Hoasrs.
Tn the American League the con-
tenders Of 1908 were Detroit, Cleveland.
Chicago and 81. Louis. though just about
this tine eight years ago. rs to-day. the
R:owns started TO lag behind and at the
finish they were In fourth place. six and
n half games behind the champion De-
troi,s. Nevertheless. the Browns put
Cleveland out Of the race on the day pre-
ceding the end OF the season. This sea-
son Detroit and Chicago again are con-
tenders. hut Boston Is the third team
with championship ambitions. instead OF
Cleveland. The Indians had had lota or
carly ambition this season. but none in
recent weeks.
The only managc who took a part In
the 1905 finishes who Is "A leading con.
tender this fall Is Hughie Jennings. the
popular chief Of the Tigers. With Bill
Donovan pitching for him. the TIGERS
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the last day OF the 1905 season. Per-
haps history will repeat this season. and
Uncle Hugh!e will win again. though il
he had another Bill Donovan his chances
would look much brighter.
Fielder Jones. who managed the White
Sox In 1908. Is now In charge Of the
Browns. At one time this year II looked
as though the st. Louis Americans would
come from nowhere and win the pen-
-nAnf hVf altar fhots % .
drive they couldn't keep up the p.,ce and
fell by the wayside. However. jones
still can make a lot OF trouble. The
Browns play one series with Boston and
close the season with Detroit at nome.
II the race then Is as close as IL is now.
perhaps Jones can get revenge for 1908.
McAleer Has Gait Game.
Nap I.ajoie manaeed Cleveland IA
1908. and was beaten for the pennan;
by four points. He is now utility in
fielder on the Athletics. while Jim Nc.
Aleer. who ma the Browns in 1905,
has retired from baseball after making
. mess Of his job as president Of the
Red Sox in 1912 and 1913.
- Bill Carrigan, who is MANAGING the
Red Sox entry in The great 1916 Amer
lean League race. was Il second string
catcher with the Boston team In 1905.
while Clarence Henry Rowland. the
present manager Of the crack White Son
team. was jus, branching out as a man
aver In the deep sticks. while his regu!n'
occupation was a bartender.
Only John McGraw Of the Giants re-
mains Of the old fsmous pennant trust
Of McGraw. Chance and Clarke. Nc
Graw again has built UP a great club
and may work a lot of havoc during thu
remainder Of the season. He took a lo
Of pep out OF the Phillies by recent,
beating them four straight. and |h'
Giants stu nave Ave games TO play wit
Boston and four with Brooklyn.
Chance and Clarke Missins.
Frank Chance. MANAGER OF the 1906
Cub champions, who beat McGraw in tn
plsyof game, IL now managing the To-
Angeles team Of the Pacific Coas
League, after "A years retirement. Fro.
Clarke. manager OF the PittSburg team
which tied the Giants for second II
1908. voluntarily surrendered the 70 Il
OF the Pirates last year and so far hHr
shown no desire to get back in tn
game.
OF the thre. 1916 nsh,.nl
tooth and nail for the pennant. Pa
Moran OF Philadelphia was the only on
directly interested in the close 100
race. Pat was then second catcher o.
he Cabs, 80 he was vitality intereste,
In that 1913 plnyoff game. Wilbert Rob
inson, the chubby manage OF Brooklyn
undoubtedly sympathized with McGra,
when he lost. However. Wilhert at tina
time was more interested in the Bait
more Eastern League team. for whic
team he still did active service a
catcher.
George Staillng,. manager OF the Pos
ton Braves. also was more interested |
the race Of the old Eastern League |
1908 than in either of the major lea gu
races. He was then managing tn
Newark team and was distanced In
tight hnish By Providence and Bait
more. though George was only two ar
onc-half games behind the champlo
Grays,
At this time IL should be interestin
to review the finishes Of the two 4reu
races Of 1908, The contenders In eac
league finished as follows: