The Washington herald., 1917-10-05
TEAMS AWAIT GONG
FOR TITLE Series
Sox Fans Believe Cicotte. Benz and
Russell VIII Deliver the Goods.

Chicago. Oct L-Han. Hail, the
gangs all here. With the arrival of
the Giants this afternoon the stage IL
now set for the annual baseball
cIassic-a series that promises to be
the closest and most exciting since
world championships have been
fought out on the diamond. Even the
most rabid White sox rooter tonight
Is admitting it's no more than an even
thing. The betting, even among the
expert dopesters. reflects to an
astonishing degree the quality Of the
two teams.
The sox firmly believe that pitching
will decide the contests. McGraw on
the train speeding West from Phil
adelphia this morning indicated the
same belief. The Sox firmly believe
that Cicotte win deliver two and prob
ably three games for them. They are
not so sure of the rest Of their first
string pitchers They hope Benz and
Russell win come through with wins.
There Is also a feeling among them
that Faber viii turn at least one
successful trick. But they are frankly
afraid that none of these three men
are up to or anywhere near top form.
On the other hand the Giants feel
certain that Schupp, Sallee and Per-
ritt viii deliver the bacon. ALI three
men are reported tonight to be as
near perfect form as careful nursing
during the past few weeks can make
them Even IL only two prove in
vincible-and the feeling in the ranks
OF the Giants Is that Schupp and
salee are these two-they believe that
they can win the necessary four
victories.
But on both sides II Is merely q
feeling of belief and hope.
Each team frankly respects the
playing powers OF the other. Each
team realizes that its opponent Is
strong In certain points of play where
the other Is weak. Both teams have a
wholesome regard for the prowess of
the opposing pitching..e
Moreover. this brings to light an
other Characteristic that has not al
ways been present In worlds series
contests. There Is not a single trace
Of bitterness or Of unsportsmanlike
expression towards the other. Pro-
fessionalsm in baseball in this critical
contest Is of as high and praiseworthy
a type as was ever shown in any i'm
portant and bitterly fought college
struggle John ]. McGraw with all
his pugnacity and pitilessness for op-
ponents, could not be more restrained
and respectful Of his coming opponents
than if he were the coach of a school
girls baseball club. On neither side
has there been a Word of criticism.
Of disregard or of jocularity about
the proficiency Of the other team
Which is all q welcome departure
from some Of the bully-ragging and
arrogant bon mots that have passed
between contestants In preceding
worlds series.
The teams on paper at least figure
30 closely that the bettors are chary,
Not only is betting practically at evens
but there Is a remarkable dearth OF
IL. It would be hard to ind q good
dollar wager in this whole town.
Many hundreds are at stake. but even
the most rabid White Sox fan is
loath to offer more than even money
And Of course, you can't expect the
infrequent New Yorkers here to bach
his choice at any better figure in this
hot bed OF Sox enthusiasm.
or course there will not be room
enough to accommodate the crowd tha
wants to see the games here-or hall
he crowd 1t is officially stated thai
while the Comiskey grounds will moi
take care of more than 1900 people
there have been bona fide applications
for FIVE times that many seats. Re
quests by wire and mail for reserva-
tons have had to be returned by the
bag full
Hence the speculators are prosper
ing. Prices have today mounted tc
almost prohibitive figures. Grand
stand seats selling regularly at :;
have boosted to SIS. Box seats for the
series are up to SO. And what's more
they are actually selling at these
amazing prices
Another mooted question was defin-
itely settled today. here will be nc
objections to Eddie Cicotte's shine
ball Manager McGraw indicated this
evening that he would make no pro-
test to the much discussed delivery.
The spit ball is legal. So why OBJ
ject to the shine ball?" is the pith
Of the decision