Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-04


Cleveland's determined pursuit APP
parently has stirred the Yanks TO
fresh efforts. The Higgins clan ac-
celebrated it's pace when they saw the
Indians coming. For about a month
or so the pitchers put decided crlmp
into the Yankees batting averages.
The loss of Meusel was felt for several
weeks At first, Paschal, a $50 hitter
last year, proved a poor substitute
Then almost overnight Ben started
to hit and his blunderbuss has been
exploding hits ever since.
Big Bob now is ready to return for
outfield service, but the team is going
so well that Higgins will break in his
convalescent outfield star gradually
and take no chances of Meusel play.
ing on his mended leg before it is
necessary.
Indians Are Big Surprise.
Cleveland. in my opinion, is the
biggest upset of the American League.
To many the showing of the HankS
also Is a startling upset, but readers
of my dope know that ] favored the
New York team from the very start.
But I will confess that ] was way Oft
on Cleveland However / do not know
writer who picked them for the first
division.
Man for man, 1t is the same club
which finished sixth last year. the only
new addition being Pitcher Emil Lev
sen, and he. indeed. was quite an adj
dition. The comeback of Uhle has
been the big factor in the Cleveland
revival Uhle almost pitched his arm
off in 1923 trying to pitch the Indians
,,Io win if1rr
and losing Is. His arm suffered from
the strain. and he brought in only 3
victories in 1924 and 13 last year.
Last Spring he got the old snap
hack in il. and as this is written he
has won 16 and lost S. LevSen, the
pitching recruit from Drake CniVer-
sity, has proved the biggest find Of
the wear. He can show II victories
against 6 defeats Shaute also has re-
gained his skill of 1924.
MacISmen Are Fading Fast.
Mack's Philadelphia club still is
rocking from that losing streak OF
seven straight and the Athletics are
fast fading out of the picture. The
Mackmen have been push-overs for
the Indians all season. They may
have a hard battle for third place.
The Yanks disposed of the White SoN
themselves when they bowled over
Collins team in five straight games
lust before they went West. That
series killed Eddie's pennant hopes for
1926.
After a good road trip. Detroit went
home and was plastered by the lowly
Red Sox in three out of four games.
1t is that kind of inconsistency which
is holding back the Tigers. However.
If Cobb can wind up the season in the
first division he may term the sea
son a success.
Griffith and Harris continue their
experimenting in Washington, and
where the Senators used TO pick up
all the old vets on waivers now they
are letting them go.
Reds Are Slowly Slipping.
A blanket still can cover the first
division clubs in the National League
especially Pittsburgh. Cincinnati and
st. Louis. The Reds, however, are
slowly slipping. and the strain of
leading almost continually for three
months was bound to tell. Ford, the
former Brave and DOdger. should
brace the Red infield and also add ar
other fair hitter to Hendricks lineup.
Emmer, the shortstop let so to Mime
apolis. was terrible dud at bat.
st. Louis keeps up its fine play, de-
spite the temporary absence of Rogers
Hornsby, the clouting Cardinal boss.
No club in either league is hustling
harder than the Cardinals. and if they
do not bring st. Louis its first Ma
tional League pennant it will be
through no lack of spirit.