Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-11
FATE HAS SMILED
ONLEAD|NG CLUBS
Injury Specter. Has Missed
Chicago, and Earnshaw
Develops for AS.
BY GEORGE MORIARTY,
Big League Umpire.

UGUST is the month Of strain
n and hardship for major league
IA ball players. Due to the con-
slant tension of trying to out
ruess the other fellow every day
She individual player probably pictures
q secluded spot where the fishing is
GOOD or wishes for the farm and its
peaceful environments.
At this stage the player is worrying
about where his club will finish ana
whether his playing is good enough 70
AS the major league races head into
hnid-August, 1t Is obvious that tate
holds the upper hand. She deals kindly
with some and rips others asunder.
Look at the unexpected pattern she has
fashioned Two months ago the ST:
Louis Cardinals, New York Giants ana
Pittsburgh Pirates were very much IN
the pennant scramble; today 1t would
be folly to predict that the Chicago
Cubs have anything but clear nelo
ahead.
Injuries Are Absent.
Although hte Cubs have excellent
reserve strength. real batting punch
and dependable pitching. fate has been
kind in keeping their injuries to a
minimum. While Gabby HArtnettS ao-
sence has been a severe blow. Gonzales
A1d Taylor have held the backstop job
Sseether.
Failure Of Alexander. Sherdel Ant
NNines to win consistently has worked
havoc with the st. Louis Cardinals
Reversal of form in the box put a fata
crinp In the New York Giants. In
t,1ries to Burleigh Grimes and Pie Tray
nor robbed Pittsburgh OF its punch ant
spirit. To date the Cubs have hae
the breaks, but, on the other hand
they have fought every inch of the wa!
for them. The Cubs were q pennant.
minded club when the season started
and, barring serious injuries to fev
Of their vital stars, they should he a
the head Of the parade in october.
Story Much the SAME.
In the American League the stor,
is much the same. If the Yankees had
full pitching strength they would nov
be giving the Mackmen the battle o.
their lives, as they still have everything
needed in the pennant-winning bushes!
with that exception.
In one Of his first attempts to re-
A'ign his box pattern. Manager Hug
ms Of the Yankees trotted out young
frank Nekola, former Holy Cross south
paw, a few days ago. A reliable left
handler or two Is imperative in ths
pitching scheme of championship
bAsm. In his first try Nicholas pitch
ing form was impressive. II he has the
Nntllral stuff you may hear much about
this leftie in the future, as the master
southuaw, Herb Pennock, is his tutor.
Philadelphia far outclasses all Ameri-
can League competitors in the serious
business OF boxwork. Grove and Wal
berg continue to be clever southpaws.
The rest OF the staff have little dim
Guilty in winning with the powerful at
tack OF Foxx. Simmons, Cochrane, ct
al, behind them.
Fate Kind to Connie Mack.
However. fate has perhaps been kind
est to Connie Mack this year in the
development of George Earnshaw. a
etpNntic right-hand pitcher. Without
Earnshaw going at top speed 1t would
hardly have been possible for the Mack
men to be so far In front
Earnshaw's success didn't come in
hapha2ard fashion. Rather, he has all
the inclinations Of q thorough student.
No other pitcher watches the opposing
batters with more l1Awk-eye zeal and
concern. Briefly, Earnshaw, by diligent
application, has scaled the barriers to
stardom In one shsrt year. He is one
OF the new fire-ball kings.
Similarly, Guy Bush has served as
chief life saver for the Chicago Cubs.
At least two pitchers must come through
without hitch for a pennant con-
tender and Bush and Malone have
been equal to the task for the Cubs.
(Copyright, 1929. by North American News
paper Alliance