Evening star., 1936-07-21
FIVE CLUBS KILL
OFF EACH OTHER
Awakening of Chisox Adds
Pep to Unusual Scrap
for Runner-up Spot.
by FRANCIS J. POWERS


~ seasons, but, unfortunately
for the magnates, all of the compe-
tition is for second place. 1t Is un-
usual, at this stage of a pennant CAM
paign, to find six teams playing 800
per cent or better base ball and to
have Ave clubs grouped within a
range Of several games, but that is the
situation which exists in Will Har-
ridges league today.
Such a situation does no harm 10
the Yankees nine-game grip on hrst
place, for while the others are cutting
and slashing at one another, New
York is holding firmly to its lead. The
Closeness of the battle for second
place is proving tremendous asset to
Joe McCarthy's maulers, who have a
neat seasons advantage over all rivals
except the Chicago White Sox.
White Sox Rise Is Help.
ID ECENT awakening OF the Whlte
~ Sox has added considerable fire
10 the battle for second place. few
weeks ago, Chicago seemed rather
definitely entrenched in the second
division, but, with Ray Radclift and
Luke Appling hitting the ball savagely
and the pitching generally improved.
the Sox put on a dash that won 10
out of l8 games and brought them
within easy distance of the runner-up
berth.
The climb of the Sox, despite nu-
nerous injuries and illnesses, is fine
tribute to the managerial abilities OF
Jimmy Dykes Chicago has played
the Yankees even-seven all-for the
season and only for the 10 out OF IA
deficit with Boston, it would be well
advanced into the upper four OF the
league. Outfielder Dixie Walker Is
expected back in the ranks within
few weeks and Monte Stratton soon
NAV be able to take turn on the
mound, so the Sox likely are to be In
the fight right down to the wire.
Tribe Coming Into Its Own.
MO SOONER was Steve ONeill
signed to manage Cleveland for
1887 than the Indians went on a
rampage of nine straight victories
chat carried them past Detroit and
Boston into second place. That IS
sufficient to prove O'Neill's popularity
with his players, and the Tribe, al
though belatedly to be sure, is show
ing the power attributed to 1t before
the season opened.
The percentage table tells some in
eresting stories of the American
League championship. New York can
thank Cleveland for a good share OF
fits lead. since the Indians kindly have
dropped IL out of Is games to the
yankees. Boston has played cousin
% the Tribe by dropping nine to the
Ohioans. The Tigers have made hay
at the expense of the Athletics with ~
victories in l3 starts but have found
the eighth place Browns very tough
hombres and lost six of il to the
o. Louis doormats.
Browns and AS Griffs' Pie.
CHICAGO has been supported by
~ the Senators, Athletics and
Browns. The Sox have taken 10 out
of IA from Washington, nine out OF
13 from Philadelphia and seven out
of eight from st. Louis. success
against those clubs and an even
break with the Yankees is responsible
Tor Chicago's improved estate. Wash
angton has picked upon Philadelphia
and st. Louis all season, taking 10
of IL from the Athletics and IL out
of 13 from the Browns, although an
even split with Boston and a one
game margin over the Tigers has not
numbered the Senators in any way.
Philadelphia Is well down to every
club except st. Louis and Detroit Is
the only team the Browns can beat.
The American League race shifts IN
to the West this week, and If the
Yankee lead Is to be reduced, the
work must be started on the current
invasion. Cleveland, Detroit and Chi
cago all are playing better ball than
when the Yankees last were In the
West and the New York team may
and the travelling very rough for the
next two weeks. If the Yankees re-
turn home with their present lead
intact, the American League race will
he rather well finished.