Evening star., 1925-07-12

now. Throughout both leagues exper
1t Is very difficult for a new ball
club. no matter what may be it's nat
ural physical ability. to win pennant
over a six-month stretch. The Ath
letics have made a marvellous record.
but the lack OF experience is holding
them back. They are crossing the
desert for the first time. Travellers
who have crossed the sands one time
can always do ii better on the second
attempt. They understand and appre-
ciate the difficulties. Besides, they are
not in q hurry.
All this season old.time base ball
men have predicted that the Senators
would overhaul the Athletics by July
and they hit 1t pretty nearly on the
head.
Experience to Aid Giants.
In the National League the Pirates,
with their heavy hitting and speed on
the bases. have made il a tough fight
for the Giants as well as the Robins
A glance at the records will explain
very quickly the squirt of the Pirates.
From the start I have regarded them
the toughest club to beat. For a month
they have been hitting some 40 points
ahead of the Giants, and, mind you
when in their stride, the Giants are
one of the hardest hitting ball clubs in
cidents. 1 believe, than any other one
club, and when that is considered New
York has done very well. indeed. Now
that we are at home and the injured
men are returning to duty the Giants
/ am sure, will settle down and play
their real game. The experience will
tell just as 1t has told with Washing
ton. From now on II will be hot
race in both leagues.
Gfapinv HarriS and CIorE 1,
must have figured heavily on more ex-
perience when they strengthened up
the Senators FOR this years fight They
surprised everybody by collecting sew
eral veterans. 1t certainly has been a
successful move so far.
The National League Is almost sure
to have its most exciting race of years
this Summer. We don't hear anybody
talking about a runaway race any
more. That the public has caught the
spirit of 1t is shown by the steadily
increasing attendance. On the road
we had wonderful crowds and all over
the league I hear similar reports.
Tigers Slowly Gaining.
The Brooklyn club again is a de-
cisive factor I'm the race. My early
predictions on this are proof that / am
not surprised. From the very start l
expected the fight to be between New
York, Pittsburgh and Brooklyn. In
the American League / expected a
close fight between Washington, New
York and Detroit. The early failure
of the Tigers and the Yanks was a
big surprise of the season Still, De-
troit is gradually showing it's strength
and the Yanks are slowly but surely
improving. In their case the expe-
rienced heads also are telling
/ am glad to see that Babe Ruth is
slowlyfcoming around. His individual
work has a strong psychological effect
on the whole team. More that that.
though, his ability to score and to
drive In runs has been a big factor
This year 1t was missed.
The Brooklyn club is being helped
every day by Dazzy Vance and Bur
leigh Grimes, who are rounding into
their old-time form. Both of these
pitchers were a little slow in getting
into form at the start of the season.
Their recent good work has put
fighting spirit into the whole club.
One of the most interesting clubs
In the National League right now is
the ST. Louis Cardinals Their prog
ress under Rogers Hornsby has been
really remarkable. The pitchers have
gained an individual confidence that
has brought out their best work and
the whole club is rallying behind
them.
Some have said that the Cardinals
| would be the dark horse of the race
That would not have surprised me
early in the season, but their squirt
has been delayed a little too long, /
am afraid, to make them an actual
contender for the pennant. They have
an excellent chance of getting in the
| first division.
Braves Are Tough Foemen.