New Britain herald., 1928-08-09

~ the Associated Press
Nobody knows how John McGraw
is doing it, but there he is, with a
record of nineteen victories and
twenty-five defeats in the first half
OF his campaign against western
foes. The master mind of Coogan S
Bluff settled into the fastness of the
Giant dug-out two weeks ago, pre-
pared to think his way through an
eighteen-game siege by the enemy
from the west.
All Of the invading clubs were
pennant contenders in all that the
name implies. The Giants We're
equipped with one dependable pitch
er. Larry Benton, and the fighting
spirit of John McGraw, Freddy F'itz-
simmons and Joe Genewich, not to
mention the younger set of SOUTH
paws, suddenly started to give Ben
ton some help, the Giants began to
pull off last ditch McGraw rallies in
the closing innings, and-well, look
at them now.
The New York team alone OF all
the eastern defenders bettered the
.500-mark in the western invasion
which closed yesterday, and better
ed it to the tune of thirteen victor
les and only four defeats-.765 base
ball. Anything approaching that
pace in the tWenty-seyen remaining
games against the western clubs,
coupled with a normal gait against
the east would bring Mr.. McGraws
in for some very serious considera-
ton along about next September 80.
The Cardinals nevertheless must
remain favorites for the National
League flag-so long as they play
a steady game and keep their games
lost column in better shape than
that of the Giants. Cardinal pitch
ing again had an off-day at the Polo
Grounds yesterday when Willie
Sherdel and Harold Had took
lacing which Melted the home talent
a 10 to 5 victory and two out of
three on the series, one game OF
which was postponed to Sept. 81, an
otherwise open date.
The success of the Giant arms in
hand-to-hand fighting with the
leaders reduced the margin OF the
Cardinals lead to four and one-half
games, with a difference of only
two games in the games-lost column
Ball players themselves always
reckon the standing OF the clubs
solely on the number OF games lost
-presuming that any contender
will win most of its postponements,
but that game lost is. OF course,
gone beyond recall.
Ii this basis of estimating the
standing were always accurate, the |
Cardinals indeed would have some
thing about which to worry. The |
fly in John McGraw's ointment is
that he must play eight engage |
ments against the Braves in four |
days on September 10, II, II and
Is. and that is no bargain at any |
stage OF the game-even against the
Braves. McGraw after all will have
to call on some inexperienced pitch
ing hands in the double header cpl
demic.
After posing as contenders. or
semi-contenders, through two thirds
OF the season, the Robins finally
have assumed their normal position.
with every assistance from the
thoughtful Pirates. Ray kremer
surprised himself with neat game
yesterday as the Buccaneers fought
to their third one-run de-
clsion in Brooklyn in two days,
and their seventh straight in the
east. The score was I to 3.
While the Robins were settling
flrmly into sixth place just above
the Braves and the Pills, a miracle
was being piled upon miracles at
to the intense disgust
of Joseph Vincent Mccarthy and his
fellow Cubs. The Philies, believe
II or not, We're cleaning up their
fourth straight against Mr.. McCar-
thy's eX-contenders-the same Phil
lies to whom a winning streak of
one consecutive game always came
as a surprise.
The Baker boys pulled this one
but In the last of ninth, 4 to 3, The
only regrettahle feature was that
Artie Nehf stepped onto the firing
line Just in time to absorb blame for
The defeat
Inc Reds ran their string of
losses to eight straight by permitting
the Braves to win both games of a
5ouble-header at Boston Yesterday
TO 5 and IL to j. Art DELANEY
and Bob Smith turned in some of
mat spring training camp pitching.
ana the Reds We're helpless despite
i've double plays which ran their
total to 1871. George slsler
helped out with a cluster Of SIX hits
n eight times at bat.
The American League teams were
In travel. or in exhibition ,
engagements. Not content to let a /,
lay 90 by in peace, the Yankees ,
1ropped one to Albany, 8 10 ., while -,
ne Athletics were winning by II
o ) in ten innings at Binghomton.
National I,eau,e