PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST 23, 1913 LETICS OR NAPS? The Race Tightened Up to Such an Extent, as Between the Athletic and Cleveland Teams, That the Final Issue Has Become Somewhat Doubtful For the First Time This Season

CLEVELAND, Ohio, August 20. Editor of the terror of all ambitious base thieves, could "Sporting Life." Those Naps insist that »ot throw 223 feet would you believe it? Bet they are in the pennant fight to stick and your clothes that he cannot, but be careful I©eel confident of beating out the Athletics in and stipulate that the throw must be straight the brush down the home stretch. With Jack up into the air. Last Friday night Speaker Barry out of the running for the Mackmen volunteered the remark that he could stand in. the Naps figure that the defensive strength the middle of Fourth street and throw a base of the league leaders has been greatly di ball on the top of the Pierce Building, a dis minished while the offensive strength of the tance of 223 feet. A bet was closed with Joe Macks has cilso been lessened. True, Barry Wood and after several trials Speaker gave isn©t a .300 batter or anything near it, but up and paid. when it comes to producing hits in a pinch he compares with the best. There is no discount ing Barry©s wonderful defensive work. He CALDWELL©S DEBT stands without a peer as a shortstop and best of all has the brains to go with his mechanical The New York Says He Owes ability. If he is lost to the Athletics for an other month you can depend on it that the Jim Vaughn Nothing* league leaders will slip some. But Special to "Sporting Life." THE NAP TWIRLERS , Ills., - August 17. If Jim will have to brush up in their work if Birm Vaughn, the former New York pitcher, is go ingham©s boys are to overhaul the Mack ing to wait for Ray Caldwell, the©New York tribe. The twirlers, with the exception of Club hurler, to pay an alleged $16 debt, the Blanding and Mitchell, have been sorely off former has a long wait ahead. Some time ago form of late and even these two have pitched Vaughn complained to the National Commis classy ball only now and then. Both have sion that his old mate owed him the above had a tendency to be overly generous in the amount. Last Wednesday the National Com matter of passes, with the result that they mission served notice on Caldwell that if he have been in hot water, time and again. The did not cough up in five days he would be hope of the Naps for the pennant rests in ex barred from base ball until he settled. Cald actly two things a continuance of Barry©s well made a dash for B. B. Johnson©s office as absence from the Athletic line-up, and a quick soon as the New Yorks arrived in town and return to form of both when Ban learned that Caldwell©s claim is that he does not owe the coin he promised to VEAN GREGG AND CY FALKENBERG. have the National Commission reopen the At the start of the season Gregg and Falky case. Meanwhile Caldwell will play ball and formed-the bulwarks of the Naps© pitching de Vaughn will wait for the coin. partment, but for a month past they have been off their stride. Gregg gave indications of a return to form against the Nationals COMISKEY©S DECLARATION last Sunday. He had all kinds of stuff, but a couple of bad plays put him in a bad way. No Factional Troubles in the Camp of The Naps were never figured even as a first division team at the start of the season and Jimmy Callahan©s White Sox, their most ardent supporters could not see Special to "Sporting Life." them foi; anything better than fourth, so**they CHICAGO, Ills., August 20. President are entitled to a lot of consideration for Comiskey gave vigorous denial to stories pub sticking fast to the second rung of the ladder lished in Boston to the effect that the White throughout the year. That the fans at home Sox are torn by political dissensions and that have appreciated the there is a clique after the scalp of WORK OF THE NAPS Callithan. Comiskey says his conscience is is evidenced by the great crowds that have clear on the Borton-Zeider-Chase deal; that he turned out to greet them. The fan flock here endorsed it and endeavored to put it through has been faithful to Birmingham©s boys in© on his own hook. Concerning the alleged war adversity as well as in success. They have on Callahan, he said he would promptly take not been fair weather fans, but instead have a hand in such a battle it© it materializes. turned out time and again when the Naps "The only thing the matter with the Sox," were in a rut and cheered them on until they he said, "and this sums it all up, they are "got back in their stride. The great work of the not hitting. So far as I know, ;there is no Naps has had a wonderfully oily effect on the other trouble in the team. Callahan is work turnstiles. If the Naps continue to give the ing hard and I intend to back him up. Calla fans a run for their money from now until han has done, and is doing, everything pos the close of the season all local attendance sible to give the South Side a winning ball records will go by the boards and over one- team. To say that he is about to be dis half million people will have been recorded missed as manager is absurd." as "being on the job" at Somers Park dur ing the-1913 campaign. As an THE WORLD TOUR EVIDENCE OF THE. SUPPORT which the fans are giving the Naps It need but 1)R stated that although the home folks were Director General Bunnell Confers With trailing the Athletics by seven and one-half Comiskey, of Chicago. games when the Mackmen came to town Con CHICAGO, Ills., August 20. Dick Bunnell, nie Mack was paid for over 60,000 admis director general of the White Sox-Giants tour sions in the four games. And that©s going of the© world, reached Chicago yesterday after some, being about 20,000 more than the Naps stopping in New York on his return from a were paid for when they went to Philadelphia trip over Europe blazing the trail for the ath six and one-half games behind for a four- letes. He spent some time conferring with game series. Manager Birmingham will de EDDIE MURPHY, OUTFIELDER, ATHLETIC A. L. CLUB President Comiskey. Mr. Bunnell is planning pend on the draft and purchase route for to get in touch with Secretary of the Navy BUILDING UP THE. NAPS Daniels to ascertain more details of the gov more so than recalling Naps sent to minor ernment©s plan to send a fleet of 25 vessels league clubs on optional agreements. The on a visit to the Mediterranean early nexfc only two Naps to be recalled are Dave Gregg years, who has won 24 of 26 games this sea TRIS SPEAKER LOST year. If the itinerary of the White Sox and with Waterbury, Conn., and Roy Walker, with son. His average against semi» Giants can be made to match the stay of the New Orleans, La., both right-handed . pro. teams has been 20 for the 26 games. Special to "Sporting Life." United States tars at any of the Mediter The Naps are well fortified on southpaws for He has never fallen below 16 and has gone as ranean ports it is expected much dignity can. next season with Willie Mitchell, Vean Gregg, high as 27 in a, 12-inning game. In his last ST. LOUIS, Mo., August 18. If you were be added to the visit of the athletes, to say- Nick Cullop, Left James and Harley Dillinger. four games DiUinger struck oat .22,: 19, 27 (in told that Tris Speaker, star outfielder o£ the nothing of the kale that could be extracted ffhe latter is" a Harrisonville, 0., youth of 18 12 innings) aid 19 (la 7 innings). ED RANG. Boston Bed Sox, and who owns a whip that is from the able seamen.