The sun., 1919-05-06
BROOKLYN SLIDES
INTO LEAGUE LEAD
Rests While Reds Are Routed
Toney Here Ready for
Work.
By FREDERICK G. LIEB.

Brooklyn this morning occupies the
top perch in the National League. Will
bert Robinson Is hoping that his ath-
letes, having arrived on the top, will
stay there The Dodgers IN first place
on May may not create as much ex.
element in Fatbush and surrounding
districts as they would have IN tho drab
years preceding the championship team
OF 1919, when Brooklyn never emerged
out of the second division for a stretch
Of twelve successive years.
Yet when IL is recalled that a year
ago Brooklyn lost nine consecutive
league games before II scored It's first
victory It IL interesting to note what a
difference the return of a few pitchers
has made to the Brooklyn team. This
year the Dodgers evidently got all their
defeats out Of them before they opened
the National League season, as they
lost seven straight to the Yankees.
Brooklyn climbed into the lead yes
terday by remaining Idle al a time that
an awful explosion took place in Cincin
natl. A ton OF bricks and few chin
neys fell on the Reds and the Cubs won
In tho twelfth. II was Cincihnatis sec
ond defeat Brooklyn has clear title
to the league lead with seven victories
and one defeat.
superbas Have q Kick.
Brooklyn has a real team this year.
perhaps the most formidable contender
In the East Brooklyn is winning not
only because OF good pitching, but te-
cause the Dodgers have real kick in
their batting order.
Both the Giants and Dodgers took n
rest yesterday after the big excitement
OF Sunday. To-day the two local clubs
will switch opponents The Giants will
take on tho Braves, who still are fishing
for their first victory. while the Phillies
shift over to the Flatbush field.
Robinson and John Coombs announced
yesterday that Pitchers Burleigh Grimes
and Joe Oeschger. who pitched the
great Philadelphia twenty inning tie
game last Wednesday. will have a
chance to fight II out to q decision to-
day. Neither twfrler has been in action
since darkness terminated the long con-
test in the Quaker City.
The Boston club won only ono game
from the Giants last ssanon. and sud sing
from the way the Braves are starting off
they are not likely to win many more
this season The Braves have few
fairly reliable pitchers, headed by Dick
Rudolph, but the team has no punch.
The outheld--Kelly. Powell and Rigeert
lis the clubs leading weakneea II IL
trio OF GOOD minor leaEuerr, all of
whom have failed in previous major
league trials. Big league pitching Is
too much for them.
Maranville got OF to poor start both
In batting and IN fielding, but he i'm
proved greatly In tho recent series with
Brooklyn. The Rabbit and Charley Her
COG tried to carry the team in tho Brook
lyn series. but II WAS too great . load.
Toney Arrives Here.
Fred Toney, tho big Tennessee noun
taineer, arrived in New York last night
and will report TO McGraw at the Polo
Grounds to-day. Pol Perritt. the long
Louisisnian. also In on the march and
Will get In to-day or Tomorrow. with
these twirlers ready TO pitch Giant stock
on the pennant exchange has taken a
decided Jump.
Toney VIII need little work 10 get
into condition. The pitcher was not con-
fned very closely while the State OF
Tennessee was boarding him and was
able TO warm up every day with other
guests. A week or so Of practice should
put him in condition to take his regular
turn IN the box.
Davey Robertson yesterday signed a
1919 contract with the Giants, but his
future still 10 IN doubt There are a lot
Of rumors as TO the virginian's dest!na-
ton.