The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-06-01
Greg. U. S. Pat. on
RY lack CUDDY

United Press tSan Correspondent
New York, June !. tUP)--ft was
taken for granted before The season
opened that this would be year Of
surprises IN the major leagues. Now
the American League has furnished
and unexpectedly big jolt by Gle.
veloping It's tightest pennant race
since 1929.
War calls the different ball, un.
looked for injuries and various rea-
sons have levelled Off competition
to q certain extent, but the sur
priSlngly-strong pressure from be-
low In the American League has
created n virtual precedent-shat-
tering situation whereby the st.
Louis Browns, IN last place, are only
6la games away from the FIRST
place New York Yankees.
Surprise
Teams that were barely given
chance to win respectable num-
Der OF games, particularly the
Washington Senators and Philadel-
phia Athletics, have frightened up
the Junior loop campaign to
marked degree and give no evidence
Of slackening their inspired play.
The Senators have won 10, lost
10 and hold down second place,
only l IL games away from the
Yankees while the Athletics, with
10 victories and II defeats, are IN
third, only half game back. The
AS have won eight Of their last II
games and have the most talked
Of newcomer IN Rookie Jesse Flores,
McXico's donation 10 the majors,
He has won seven games IN row
TO top both leagues after dropping
his first start on April 81 to the
Boston Red SoX by single run.
Washington has been equally ne
refreshing, winning five Of It's last
eight starts, despite the fact that
the team hasn't been hitting a Hex.
Pitching has keynotcd the Senators
surge, Alex Carrasquel. Vcne.
Melan, sparkling tho rise with SiS
trjumphs against only one defeat,
One-run decisions have specked
the American League calendar
more often than IN any season stree
Flugglng became the rule rather
than the exception and extra
inning battles have become - reg.
tIlar occurrence. total Of u con-
tests having gone oV the regulation
nine-inninR route.
Not So Hot
Biggest disappointment have
been the ST. Louis Browns and the
Boston Red SoX. Figured to be
definite trouble-makers. the Browns
have won only II while losing 10,
but stu are only 10 games away
from the top. n margin small
enough TO overcome with o little
spirit. The Red SoX, rIddled by the
draft, which took away most Of
their batting power, were expected
to get pitching at least. But the
hurting has not held IN for Man
ager Joe Cronln and bis club has
lot 10 while winning H.
PERHAPS the biggest single factor
In the tjoht race Is the perform
ance OF the Yankees. We left that
until last because somebody IL al
ways singing out the Yankees as
the main reason for this or the big
| abb for that. Nevertheless, the fact
b'Ihb we IoTOIlS DOHlDeTS are any
thing but lethal and that their in
| field no Longer has the fresse that
made II the best double play
machine in the majors has hleped
tiohten I'D the race.
Pitching, however, has been Their
chief headache. AS an indication OF
Manager Joe McCarthy's mound
difficulties look at Johnny Murphy's
record. he New York relief ace
has already appeared in II relief
roles
At this STAGE. the Yankees are
etill or ton. Put the man who can
pick the team that will be there
at the end Of September is better
prophet than we are-which ISM
saying much at that