The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-29
NEED CLOSE RACES
TO INTEREST FANS
Bakers Order q Big Blow to
Baseball-Slump Of Cubs
Pitchers Aids Giants.
by FREDERICK q. LIEB.

With the suspense taken off OF base
ball for the time being a certain amount
OF interest lie returning to the major
league races but this interest Is coming
back only In degrees. When Secretary
OF War Baker ruled baseball non-essen-
tial in the Ainsmith case he gave II
Jolt from which only the closest kind of
race In each league can extricate 1t.
With the races terminated on September
and 'makeshift combinations playing
the thrill which comes in a tight race
in late September when two or three
clubs are closely punched will be miss
ing this year
The team which has the lead now OF
course is ALI the better fortified for a
shorter race. The Boston Red Sox, for
instance, now have lead which with
any kind OF luck is indispensable. The
National League race, however. remains
tight and interesting. Chicago has a
three game lead at present. but the
Cubs are very wabbly and are giving
all indications Of a blowout. The Cub
pitchers are faltering and that IS elping
the Giants.
The National League really owes II
to the Brooklyn Dodgers that there is
a race on at this time. Few had an
Idea that the Cubs would be stopped
until they played Brooklyn recently. AZ
ter losing nine successive games in Pitts
burg. Cincinnati and st. Louis the
Dodgers defeated the Cubs four straight.
As the Giants were beating ST Louis
daily at the same time II brought the
two clubs together again.
The Giant pitching Is perking' up.
Causey, who for time looked Is though
he wouldn't do, has won his last Ave
games. while Steele. the former Pirate
and Cardinal, has done splendid work
for the team. Toney Is expected here
to-day, when the club resumes its series
with, Pittsbuw.
Dodgers In and Outers.
The departure Of Holke should not
hurt the Giants much. as the young first
easeman had not been playing his game.
In the West McGraw was on the point
of benchinx him. Holke has three small
children and worried a great deal over
the baseball situa ton.
Brooklyn is perhaps the most In and
out team in baseball to. day. While the
Dodgers lost plenty OF valuable men
plenty OF good material was left be-
hind. The team has had two losing
streaks Of nine each. which arc respon-
sible for its lowly position. outside of
these two periods Of depression the
LOCKERS nave plaSeQ me Dall
Since they stopped their last losing
streak of nre the Robins have won
eight out OF ten games. including seven
from the Cubs and Pirates, the clubs
that are first and third in the race.
Iittsburg looked good when the club
was here last Saturday BY the time
the war veterans return to the Pirates
Bezdek saould have a very smart look
ing ball club. The Pittburg team is
about the only club that has been
strengthened by the war.
Yanks Almost Out Of Race.
The Yankees are dropping entirely
out OF the American League race. July
"a the favorite moment for the Yankees
10 begin their big retreat. Two years
ago the Yanks had a five game lead
near the end OF July when the big col
lapse came. Last year the retreat
started after the club lost twice on
the Fourth NJ July.
The Red SoN are maintaing n steady
clip. The club that plays 500 per cent
ball should have no trouble TO win the
American League race, as none OF the
other clubs have the power necessary
to rise to this percentage.
Washington is coming UP RAPIDLY
The team has a splendid chance Of beat.
ing Cleveland for second place Thu
best the Yankees can hope for is fourth
place.