Evening star., 1938-10-01
WIN STILL NEEDED
TO GRAB PENNANT
Chicagos Look Weary as
They Blow 6-to-1 Lead
to Let Cards Tie.
BY GAYLE TALBOT.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1.-Gabby Hart
nett sat elumly on the bench here to-
day, two fingers Of his big right hand
shrouded in tape and gauze. as his
weary Chicago Cubs were to battle the
st. Louis Cardinals in their vital dou-
ble-header the offspring of yesterdays
TT tie game.
When his players needed his steady
ing influence and potent bat most
Hartnett found himself benched. unable
to lend them more than moral en-
couragement. He didn't even know
whether he would be ready to catch in
the World Series next week if his Cubs
should nose out the Pittsburgh Pirates
for the National League pennant.
One finger already was injured be-
lore yesterdays game. The other went
| out OF commission when a foul tip
caught it squarely, jamming the first
two joints and ripping the nail nearly
of. Gabby was blue about it, and .
far different man from the Jolly. red
/ faced travelling salesman he was before
he took over the management of the
Cubs two months ago
ITS tough life" he mourned.
| First Augie Galan goes out with bad
knee then 1 get cracked up. But I
still think we'll get EN- today"
Cubs Blow Healthy Lead.
| Leading the Pirates by game and
/ half. the Cubs needed to win two
| OF their remaining three games today
| and tomorrow to clinch the nag. pro-
viding the Pirates captured their two
from the Cincinnati Reds. They could
win one game and still lose the cham
/ pionship to Pittsburgh by slim per.
| centaee point.
| Yesterdays tie was heart-breaker
| for the Cubs, VINO had won their last
10 straight. They blew what had
looked a safe 81 lead in the early in
nings. They came near losing it when
! the Cards loaded the bases with only
one out in the last of the ninth.
The way the Cards fought and
scratched. incidentally. one would
| think they still had shot at the flag.
They used four pitchers and a wagon
/ load Of pinch-hitters in their success
ful effort to head off the Cubs There
is a baseball rule. unwritten. but strict
ly adhered TO. that an eliminated team
like the Cardinals must not use rockies
or do any experimenting whatsoever
when it plays club that still is con-
tending for the pennant.
Chicago Worn to Frazxle.
After having won 20 of their last "a
starts. the Cubs give the impression
that they have about come to the end
OF their tether Even if they do staseer
in today or tomorrow, they cannot
possibly be at their best when they
face the Yankees in the opening world
series game next Wednesday.
Only the fact that his pitching staff
is worn to frazzle would have forced
Hartnett to nominate Charley Root
and Vance Page for today's two vital
games. Bill Lee and Clay Bryant, the
stars of the staff. have been worked
10 the breaking point. Dizzy Dean
must have at least a weeks rest be-
tween his efforts. There isn't ANYBODY
else to speak Of
Hartnett isn't the only one showing
the strain. All of the Cubs. Including
the coaches. act like fit subjects for a
convalescent ward. They are so jittery
that pop flies throw them into con-
fusion, usually falling safe for singles
and 1t is doubtful they could survive a
bunting attack at all.
II the National League continues to
insist upon these hair-raisng finishes
1t should demand at least a weeks rest
before Its champions 60 into the world
series.