The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-09-05
End Of Big League Activities in United
"A States Until After the
War Has Been
Won.
THE FIRST CLASH TODAY
Betting at Even Money With Opinion
IF Fans Leaning Slightly
Toward Boston Red
Sox.
siBy H. c. Hamilton, United Press Stan
. ..aa. (nrresnnndenf /

lBy H. C. Hamilton, United Press stan
Correspondent
CHICAGO, Sept. 5.-Snappy middle
western September weather and a
bright sun cheered Chicago today as
preparations were made 10 sit in at
the finish of big league baseball until
after the war Cubs and Red Sox, OPP
ponents in the last worlds series the
United States will root for until the
war has been won, were satisfied with
the turn in events, the thousands OF
fans who have spent their dollars TO
give assurance that the game will get
a proper and decent burial were sat
ished and the bell was ready to ring.
That the respite gained through the
fieluge which swept Chicago yesterday
would be a good thing for the chances
Of each club there was no denying.
& 1t gave Dave Shean an extra twenty
four hours in which TO nurse his IN
jured finger, and it gave the Sox and
Cubs both an extra Cay OF rest, some
thing they needed badly.
II conditions made any difference,
1t was to add to the chances Of the
Bostonese in the minds of the fans.
Betting which has been inclined to
favor the Cubs but only slightly, has
there is absolutely no odds on the
Cubs. Bets, where any are being
made are at even money and some re-
quests are being made for odds on the
Red Sox. The fact that Dave Shean,
second Sacker for the American
leaguers may not be able to play, made
no difference with these men. Ihey
figure Shean no stronger than JACK
Coffey, who will be thrown into the
breach.
AS is customary with worlds series
managers, Ed Barrow, dictator for the
Red Sox and Fred Mitchell, the same
for the Cubs, kept their mouths CLOS
ed when discussion regarding start
er on the mound today was started.
The only hint that came from either
camp consisted of a statement tnat
left handler would start for the Cubs
which means of course, that jim
Vaughn or George Tyler is the man.
Ed Barrnw said in all seriousness
that he would start a good man
which NAV be taken to mean that Bar
row is seriously considering starting
"a pitcher.
However, the wise ones are picking
Babe Ruth for the opening assignment,
with second choice falling either to
doe Bush or Carl Mays. Some con-
tend that Mays, with his underhand
delivery would prove more battling TO
the Cubs than would Puzh and for that
reason picking him as The logical op-
ener. Harking back TO the days OF
1916, though, it was recalled that the
champion Dodgers of that year won
Just one game from the Red Sox and
that game was marked TO the discred-
it of Carl Mays. His underhand deliv.
cry prove no puzzle for the Dodgers.
And, it is argued, the Cubs certain
Nv are as good a team as the 1916
Dodgers, in spite of the fact that war
has battered them to some extent
AS a matter Of fact, dope appears TO
point lean finger at Ruth as the open
Ing pitcher, with Bush slated to try
the second encounter. Ruth is a win
ming pitcher at any time. The fact
that he is performing on alien grounds
never has meant anything in his young
life He merely pitches and wins. The
Red Sox have been a poor road club
this season and for that reason it will
take lot of pitching effectiveness to
convince the Cubs that they must not
win the first game of the series. There
fore. the logical choice would fall TO
the big left handler.
The fact that the games in Chicago
are to be played in the White Sox park
gave some fans an additional reason
for favoring the Cubs chances. With
Ruth in the game at the north side
home of the Cubs, he doubtless would
punch a few long flies over the right
field fence In Comiskey park, how
ever, the services Of a field glass are
necessary to definitely locate the right
field barrier and a range finder to
guage the heft of a blow required TO
drop a home run there. Ruth's heav-
lest hitting is Of the long, high fly va,
riety.
It practically has been settled that
Fred Thomas, now in the navy. will
uphold the honor and dignity Of the
American league at third base, thus
sending Jack Coffey 10 the bench
The park was in fine condition early
today With the sun working in the
fashion 1t started it was certain there
would be a dry fast held this after
noon A tarpaulin had been spread
over the inner works and this spot was
reasonably dry in spite of the rain.
Predictions have been made that
today's crowd would tax the seating
capacity Of Comisky park. Walter
Craighead, Cub business manager. de
clared only 1000 or 5000 seats remain
to be sold today.