President Pulliam of the National league reached Chicago yesterday on one of his annual official trips around the circuit to keep in touch with the situation. He was all smiles and looked care free, an unusual thing for him, because, hitherto, the league’s executive has tried to carry the troubles of all eight clubs on his own shoulders.
Mr. Pulliam explained his sunny appearance by the announcement that the old league was enjoying one of the most prosperous years in his memory, and that everything was running smoothly, east and west. He was much pleased with the enthusiasm Chicago is showing over the great team it has, but took exception to the overconfidence of its supporters in the belief that the pennant battle was over.
“Although I am delighted with the great showing made by the Chicago team,” he said, “and, without belittling the efforts of Messrs. Murphy and Chance, or the generous approval of those efforts by the Chicago public, I want to say that the impression here that the race for the championship is over is incorrect. The race is only half over, and will not end until Oct. 7.
“Both the New York and Pittsburg clubs have royal chances to land the pennant. New York, by the arrangement of the schedule this year, will play at home from September until the end of the season, with the exception of three games in Brooklyn, practically at home, and three games in Boston. The Pittsburg club has demonstrated it is the best road team in the league, and, with a fair showing in the way of injuries, will have much to say about where the pennant for 1906 will fly.”
Mr. Pulliam proved his ability as a prophet before the game by remarking that, after what he had seen of the Brooklyn club’s work recently, he would not be surprised to see Donovan’s men win two out of the four games here. Then they went out and took the first one.
