New Britain herald., 1928-07-05
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
 An ancient superstition persists, as almost every one knows. that the teams in the lead on the Fourth of July also will be on top in late Sep tember or early October at the close of the ma jor league pennant cam paign,
 If this were 100 per cent true, the Yankees and the Cardinals could save much trouble for all concerned by starting the world series imme- diately, But it seems that the Fourth of July theory arouses only skepti- cism in some quarters-chiefly in the National League.
 John J. McGraw, for one, recalls that the Giants were running away with a fourth straight pennant on July 1, 1914, with the humble Braves in the cellar as usual. It so happened that the young men of the clan McGraw enjoyed the en- suing world series from ringside seats as the not -so- humble Braves sailed into the mighty Athletics for 1Our straight N1ctorleS.
 The manager of the Giants always did hold that turn about was fair play. He announced publicly no longer ago than last evening that he was perfectly in accord with any move designed to limit the Cardinals to a purely literary interest in the next world series. as he himself was limited fourteen autumns ago.
 St. Louis partisans are taking the rush of the clan McGraw with some equanimity-whic is saying lot for St. Louis partisan really worthy of the name. Although the Giants now have lost one game fewer than the Cardinals--and in the recokon- irgs of ball players are in the Head" by that marign-the fact re- mains that. playing eastern trailers, the New York team has been unable to overhaul its western rival, which met admittedly tougher foes in the sunset section.
 The Giants closed out their intra- sectional campaign at the Polo Grounds yesterday by dividing double header with Brooklyn-the most noteworthy achievement of the New York team in its recent eastern campaign. Dazzy Vance snapped a Giant streak at eight straight by rolling the home entry s to 3, in the opener, but Larry Benton came back in the second clash to hang up his fourteenth victory and his seventeeth complete game in seven- teen stars. The score was to 9
 Benton's game was halted by wind and dust and darkness as storm swept down on the Polo Grounds while the Giants were at bat in the fifth, but it is hard to see how the Robins would have had any more chance in nine innings than in five.
 The even break cost the Giants no ground as the Cardinals and the Cubs divided two wild games which developed merely into a background for the home run struggle between Hack Wilson and Sunny Jim Bot tomley. Each slugger gathered two, leaving Wilson in the lead of the league. Is 10 17. The Cards won by Il to and the Cubs by 16 to 9.
 Hope flamed anew in Cincinnati as the Reds plunged the Pirates further into the depths by taking morning and afternoon decisions at Forbes Field. 6 to and II 10 3. The Braves dropped another to the phurious Phils. 10 10 6, but rain providentially stepped in, and pre- vented further carnage.
 In the American League campaign to see whether the Yankees can win 117 games (and so beat the record Of the 1906 Cubs). the Senators held the champions to an even break. which is one Of those moral victor les. any way you look al it. The Senators. furthermore, held the Hugmen even in the series of four which has not been done by every team the Yankees have met,
 The Athletics caught the Red Sox In the midst of a very bad day and turned back the Boston entry. , to 4 and II 10 2. It almost escaped notice that the Mackmcn so shaved a full game from the lead of the champions.
 Detroit and Cleveland divided their holiday bill. as did the BroSn and the White Sox. The Chicago celebration was noticeable chiefly for the debut of Ed Walsh, Jr, late of Notre Dame. Young Eds first stride in the shoes of his famous father vas an unsuccessful one, but he showed he has the pitching goods. The Browns punched hits on him for five runs in the fourth, and he was retired 10 wait a better day.
 Ray Schalk celebrated vo,,nr Nalsh's debut by catching him in person. Schalk just previously had handed in his resignation as man. ag"r of the White SoN, and Russell Blackburne had hnon named man agfr pro-tem.
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