New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-02
National League Battle
May Last Until Thurs
day Afternoon.
FUR WILL FLUTTER
WILDLY IN 2 CITIES
Brooklyn or Philadelphia?
Which Will Crack First?
Aye, There's the Rub!
BY W. J. MACBETH.


Boston Red Sox will represent the
American League in the worlds series,
ard very good representation it will
make, no doubt. The National League
race continues almost as indefinite as
at the beginning of the season. There
is big possibility that the ultimate
contender may not be decided until the
very eve Of the commencement Of the
annual autumn classic.
In one thing fandom may rest Sc
cure, however: The very best club of
the Tener circuit is bound to meet the
class of the Johnson ring. If ever
sheer merit decides title, that same
will hold true this year in the National
League. Friendships and hatred will be
cast aside in personal pride and ambi-
tion. The ultimate victor need look
only unto itself for help. The issue
will be fought out coldly. without SEN
timent and without bias. to the very
last inning.
The beginning of the final series of
the year finds the Brooklyn Dodgers
and the champion Phillies in practi-
cal tie for the lead. There is little to
choose between the respective chances
of these two clubs. which have kept
the greatest public attention from the
start Of the campaign. The Boston
Braves, one of the very gamest clubs
Of the circuit. have still msthemati-
cal chance TO beat out the Dodgers and
the Quakers. The hope is a small one,
vet il exists, nevertheless.
Boston Will Fight.
Boston intends to fight every game
with the Phillies to the bitter end.
There are six of these battles TO be de-
cided within four days. Brooklyn has
four games across the same span of
time with McGraw's Giants. Provided
brooklyn can break even with a club
that has just taken twenty-siX of its
lsst twenty-seven games-a club that
won twenty-six times in row-the
National League champions will have
TO stop the Braves in four of the SIX
games that remain between them.
OF the two tasks, ordinarily, that
which confronts the Dodgers might be
considered the moro onerous. Stall
ings's team has been sadly riddled
through sickness and injury. IL has
stuck in the fight through nevre alone.
The club showed visible signs of the
strain throughout its recent stand at
the Polo grounds. 1t seemed pitched
out And the pitching staff was Stall
ings's main claim to merit. Boston Is
a club that pitching aside) does not
begin to compare TO the league cham
pions when Moran can put his full
strength ia the field.
Bancroft Is Hurt.
But there is a great doubt that Moran
will be able to send his very best
against a club that is always danger
Gus against the best. Bancroft, one OF
the main cogs Of Pat Morans inner
works, is supposed 20 have sprung
charley horse or pulled g tendon in
Saturdays second game at Brooklyn.
II this sterling performer cannot play
against the Braves the whole cast IS
likely 10 suffer as result. Bancroft
is TO the Phillies as much as is Marsn-
willie to the Braves. When the Rabbit
was out a while back Boston fioundered
around, absolutely at sea against sec
ond division opposition.
A Philadelphia lineup minus Ban
croft should be quite as hard put by
the Braves as the Dodgers will be By
the Giants. Schedule favors Brooklyn
slightly. II is now ahead half d game.
If the rest Of the season should be
,ained out Brooklyn would win. Brook
Ign has no double headers. Phila-
delpha has at least two in four days.
Rain to-day would frame three in as
many days. One familiar with base
ball appreciates how much more diff
cult il is 10 win two contests one after
noon than the same number spread over
two days.
As Newton Dopes II.
There ia one other consideration TO
be remembered. Sir Isaac Newton pro-
pounded that undeniable theory that
for every action there is a contrary
equal reaction. Now, If this holds true
in baseball. the Giants of the current
week are not likely 10 be anywhere
near the Giants Of the month past.
Through their record run Of twenty
fx straight the Giants were unbeat-
able. when the blow fell, along toward
the middle Of the second game at the
Polo Grounds Saturday afternoon, 1t
was apparent 10 every observer that
something snapped in this highly-keyed
aggregation. For the first time Nc
Grsw's club gave evidence Of "rattles."
When Boston broke New York's win
ming streak u furnished the best pos
able boost for Brooklyn. The only
hope Of the Dodgers lies in the posi-
llity Of a reaction 70 New York's
Came. unless. indeed, the loss OF Ban
Coft sadly demoralized the champions.
Expects Hard Fight.
Wilbert Robinson. the leader Of the
Dodgers, expects his hardest fight of
the year within the next four days. But
he hopes for no worse than an even
hplit with McGraw. lie does not believe
that Philadelphia can do better than
break even with the Braves.
"McGrsw and Stallings are both
going 20 fight Ike fends the rest Of the
way" said Robinson last night. There
s. marked personal rivalry between
tie two. and third position is the stake
Both OF these managers are mighty
hard losers. Each is anxious TO beat