Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1948-08-20

he said. MACk
So the Braves can be charged
with the worst luck of the season
in losing Eddie Stanky for prac-
tically the rest of the season. For
despite what Branch Hickey and
Leo Durocher thought about it,
Stanky has been the most valuable,
the most useful second baseman in
the National league.
His absence from Brooklyn
has accounted in large part for
most of the Dodgers doldrums
earlier in the race. It has ac-
counted for a loss of 100000
in attendance, due to so many
games lost that Stanky's pres
ence could have won.
When the Stanky blow fell,
Billy Southworth had just organ
lied his cast into the most for
midable team in the league 1t had
good catching and certainly one Of
the soundest pitching staffs in
Johnny Sain, Warren SPAIN. Bill
Voiselle and Vernon Bickford.
Braves Had Hitters
The Braves had a good hitting
outfield on hand. But above all in
Stanky and Alvin Dark, the
Braves had the strongest second
base combination in the circuit.
And it might be added that Stanky
was largely responsible for young
Dark's fine play and his marked
improvement.
On the day Stanky was hurt,
both he and Dark were hitting
800. Both were among the first
five among the leagues best
hitters. As a defensive combi-
nation they had no superior
pair to face. Just how Stanky's
substitute will work out has
yet to be shown over a long
stretch.
This could easily be the wreck
ing bad luck that Mack was talk
ing about. The Braves may win
the pennant without Stanky. With
the pepper box around they were
the best team in their league, the
team one had to pick as the prob
able pennant winner. You know
what would happen to the Card
inals if they lost Stan Musial or
where the Indians would be with
out Lou Boudreau.
athletics Haze Pitchers
The fact that a majority of the
experts, prophets, and soothsayers
still are waiting for the Athletics
to crack hasn't annoyed Mack too
greatly. Still he hasn't liked it too
much. The records show that he
has the soundest and most con-
sistent pitching staff in the league.
"And the facts show" Mack
tells you, "that we have just
about as good ball club as the
Yankees, Indians or Red SOX in
other departments. 1t isn't as
fast as it might be but it can
hit and field and l certainly
know Of no other eilb that has
more spirit. No club that has
been up around the front for
three playing months can be
considered any morning glory.
If Phil Marchildon were in his
1947 shape, we'd have a nice
lead already set aside with bet
ter prospects on ahead"
Whatever happens, 1913 can be
set down as one of Mack's bigger
years. The veteran won his first
American league pennant 46 years
ago in 1902. He won again in 1905,
1910, 1911, 1918, 1914, 1929, 1890
and 1881. So it has been matter
of II years since the tall, thin old
timer has won a flag and he feels
that he could make good use of his
10th pennant before retiring from
the busy scene.
He had no idea this spring that
he could do as we'll as he has to
date. I feel pretty sure that back
in early April, Mack gladly would
have settled for a spot at the bot
tom of the first division.
FavOrites Fade Out
At that time about all you could
hear were the Yankees and the
Red Sox. The Tigers and the In
dams drew the next rounds of ap-
plause. What everyone overlooked
was the value of six or seven good,
consistent pitchers in season
where good pitching was extreme
ly scarce. When such ball players
as Eddie Joost and Hank Majeskie
began acting like stare. the Ath-
letics began showing dust to both
Yankees and Red Sox.
They gave prstty fair proof
of their intentions by opening
the season in Boston and wal
looping the astonished Red Sox
three times running. Shortly
after this they moved up with
the Cleveland Indians and be-
gan feeding Athletic dust to the
rest Of the league.