New Britain herald., 1925-08-27
PIRATES NEARLY
 SURE OF PENNANT
Only Baseball Miracle Can Dis.
 lodge Pittsburgh From Lead
By The Associated Press.

tho Pittsburgh Pirates have come to the conclusion that if opportunity doesn't answer their knocks, ;he only thing 10 do is bust in the door. Remnants, they probably have req soncd this year after succession Of roNrrses, are, not won by standing on ceremony.
 By adopting this process of logic, the Buccaneers just now seem 10 have a double-locked hold on the top in the National league. They have lead of such substantial pro- portions that it will take something of d baseball miracle to dislodge them in the month or so of cam paigning that remains.
 But this lead isn't the main thing prompting the conviction that the golden jubilee pennant of the Ma tional league will fly over Forbes field. Bigger leads than the Pirates now enjoy have been wiped away in the past. It's the manner in which the club has gained and held it that strengthens the confidence in Pitts burgh's ultimate triumph.
 In For Five Years
 Pittsburgh has been a front-rank contender now for five years in row. Since 1921 the Pirates have been a popular preseason choice. But the club, in spite of fine ma terial and apparently every asset that goes toward winning pennants, has failed 10 come through. It has had a distressing habit of cracking at vital stages of the last four cam paigns. Whether it has been lack of fighting spirit or aggressivenoss, as some critics claims, it remains fact that Pittsburgh has "blown" more good pennant opportunities than any other similarly equipped outfit.
 In 1921, for instance, the Pirates forfeited seyen-game lead late in the season. breaking into full retreat as they faced the Giants in the cru cial test and dropped five games in a row. Again in 1922. after a sen sational spurt upward, the club slipped and lost even its hold on second place 10 the Reds in the final drive. Managers were shifted that season, with Bill Mckechnic replacing George Gibson, but this did not seem 10 change the teams ill luck.
 The season of 1923 was much the same story while last year. lighting once more for the lead, the Pirates WiIted when they came to grips with Brooklyn and New York in the final stages of a sensational three-cor- norcd race. Three defeats in four games at the Polo Grounds settled the issue.
 Different Story Now
 But today it is a different story. The club is out in front now with an advantage gained chiefly at the expense Of it's arch-rival, New York. This time the Buccaneers met the big test with colors flying by wal loping the Giants in four out of five games.
 The Pirates will have that Sep tcmbcr jinX 10 overCome-for it IS the last month of campaigning that has witnessed their downfall previ- ously-but apparently there is little chance of this happening again. The confident and winning spirit that the team has lacked before is carrying it along on the crest now. It's fine natural ability is being capitalized at last.
 A number of explanations may be offered for this transformation. Manager Bill Mckcchnie sums it up in tho tcrsc statement that he has "thc best club in the league" He probably is right. But there is no doubt that two other factors have had their influence. One was the big trade with the Cubs last winter that sent the veterans MaranVille, Grimm and Cooper 10 Chicago and enabled younger talent to fill their rlaccs. Tho other is tho return of Fred Clarke, pilot of the last Pitts hursh champions in 1909, 10 role Of adviser 10 McKechnie.
 Of Much Assistance
 Clarke. a fine stratogist and lead rr while not taking away any of MrKcchnic's authority, unpucstion- ahly has been of much assistance, With Bahe Adams, veteran mounds man. he is the only survivor of the club Of the 1909 titleholdors.
 As a matter of fact Adams also Is ono of inc only five surviving regulars Of thc 1921 outfit, Pitcher Morrison and Outfoldcr Rarnhart. Ricoc and Carey are inc others. The club has been almost entirely re- luHl in its nNc-y"ar struggle to hrcal, through 10 the top.
 As i; is made up now tho Pirates form one Of tho most powerful com hinations of modern baseball. II is unri, ,aIJrd in speed by any club in either major league. II has bril- liant pitching corps and formidable array Of hitters. It has abundant youth .too. to fine the qualities which should keep the club 10 the front for some time 10 come if tho winning spirit takes firm enough hold.