Evening star., 1926-06-09

Shocker hasn't anything like the
stuff that he used to have nor can he
pitch so often. He frequently re-
quires help to win his games, but he
has a wise head and will win a lot of
games. Young Thomas still has his
wild streaks. but he has the maklngs
of a fine pitcher and Jones has looked
better in recent games.
The Yankees already are in a posi-
ton where they do not need to win
much more than half of their remain
Ing games to win the pennant. When
they started their Western trip in
Cleveland last Saturday the Yankees
had won 81 out of 46 games. Winning
half of their remaining I0S games
would give them IS victories. That
once was enough to give Detroit
pennant Washington needed only
four more than that to beat the
Yankees in 1925.
AS the American League sizes, up
now, there is little likelihood Of any
club below the Yankees winning 100
games. If the Yankees win 95 it is
, almost certain they will he champions.
Red Sox Tough for As.
Connie Mack's plucky Philadelphia
club checked the great Yankee win
ming streak and hurled back the New
four. But they lost all they gained
in New York by dividing four game
series with the Red SoX tail-enders
in Boston. Inability to take a proper
toll. from Boston has held down the
Athletics, as they have split 10 games
with Lee Fohls F'ollies of 1926. The
Yankees, on the other hand, have
feasted regularly on the Bean Boys,
winning IL out of 13.
Washington has, advanced in hit
ting, but Harris veteran pitchers have
not stood up Even Johnson has been
losing The deal with the Browns
for Joe Bush was a mistake, as Bush
has been of little use to the team from
the Capital. The Nationals will re-
main dangerous. but their chances for
a third pennant grow simmer with
each passing week.
The White SoX with three first
class pitchers in Lyons. Blankenshlp
and Thurston, are playing the best
ball in their section. The team also
is hitting, and is only outhit by the
Yankees in the American League.
The hitting strength which Collins has
injected into his lineup is quite sur
prslnS.
Tigers Keep on Plugging.
Detroit keeps plugging. away just
little above the 500 mark. In the
early Spring dope l called it a fifty
fifty club, and that still is my opin-
ion Of the Tigers. They will not get
very far from the 800 mark all sea-
son.
The Cleveland bubble also has
collapsed, as 1 had predicted. The
team was playing above its head, and
was bound to come down. There was
a touch of pathos when the great
Speaker benched himself because of
weak hitting. The Browns have done
better since getting back at st. Louis,
but they have much ground to re-
gain.
In the National League, Pittsburgh
gradually is closing in on the Reds.
The 1926 campaign of the Pirates
continues to be a carbon copy of
Mckechnie's battle plan of year
ago. The Pirates have had their
share of bad brakes this Spring, but
the team kept its head. and never
weakened in its team morale. Theirs
was the attitude of a running cham
pion in a, long race. They did not
permit themselves to becomee per-
turbed because a few clubs were
ahead of them They knew they
could let out when the right time
came. s-ey3
Reds Finding Road Tougher.
Cincinnati is finding the going
much tougher now, and the Reds will
find the Eastern clubs worthier foe
men than when they recently played
them on Redland field. On that
happy occasion. Cincinnati won 13 out
of Is from its Eastern visitors. Since
then New York has been going much
~, 40 G
come forward with a rush.
The Giants have made a good gain
in the last week. and the club again
is showing something of it's; former
dash They now are at the Polo
Grounds for almost five complete
weeks. Injuries to Barnes and, Nc
Ouillan Handicapped the pitching
staff, and forced F'itzsimmons' Green
field Ring and Scott to work double
during a string of double-headers
around Memorial day.
Little Farrel, substituting for Jack
son, now is hitting much better, while
Florence. the new catcher, has added
batting power to the club, though he
is a clumsy fellow on the bases.
Ever since last Winter a. three
cornered deal between New York.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh has been
bubbling under the surface. Now l
believe Boston also is included. IT 1t
pops. it must be put over before June
Is. If it goes over, 1t may change
he complexion of the entire race.
Jany players are involved. Y ~
Cubs Still Showing Punch.
The Cubs have been coming down,
nut they still are swinging from their
shoe-tops and scoring lot of runs.
with tho pxCeption Of the YankS.
they are the only big league club
which is hitting in the 800 class.
Mccarthy has done wonders with his
young and rather inexperienced pitch
ing staff, but as the pace grows hot
ter. 1t will be difficult for Chicago to
remain ahead of New York and st.
Louis.
The Cardinals. as whole, are hit
Il