Five-Cent Series

In the long and complex annals of big-league baseball, most famed recovery was that made by the Boston Braves in 1914.

In last place on July 4 that year, they were in first place when the season ended, went on to win four straight games in the World Series. For the past month contemporary baseball addicts have been in a state of sustained agitation over a recovery which in many ways compares favorably with the performance by the Braves of 1914.

On July 15, the New York Giants were fifth in National League standing. Last week they were first, three and a half games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals. To make the jump had taken them less than eight weeks, in which they won 15 consecutive games, and a total of 44 games out of 59. Since reaching first place, three weeks ago, their pace has slackened perceptibly but not enough to prevent them from continuing to draw away from the Cardinals and last year's pennant winner, the Chicago Cubs. With 14 games left to play last week, the Giants needed to win only 11 to take the National League pennant even though St. Louis accomplishes the next to impossible feat of winning all its remaining 13.

Most amazing feature of the Giants' climb this season has been the fact that it exactly reverses their procedure in 1934 and 1935, when they had long early-season leads, slumped in September. What started the climb was possibly a system instituted by Manager Bill Terry whereby a batter got a $2 prize if he delivered a hit when one was needed, a $2 fine if he failed.

Other factors have been the increased efficiency of the club's fielding, the hitting of Outfielder Melvin Ott, the constant brilliance of Pitcher Carl Hubbell. Universally rated the best lefthander currently functioning, often rated the best in baseball history, Hubbell, a long, drawling Oklahoman, has been as valuable to the Giants this year as famed Christy Mathewson was to Giant teams before the War. Last week he won his 23rd victory of the season, his 13th in a row.

Not since 1923 has there been a "five-cent Series"--i.e., a World Series in which all games are played within subway distance of New York City baseball addicts.

Another, the fourth in baseball history, became imminent last week when the New York Yankees, since July regarded as certain to win the pennant in the American League, became mathematically sure of doing so. Said Manager Joseph Vincent McCarthy after the crucial game, 11-to-3, in Cleveland: "You boys have given me one of the happiest moments of my life. . . . Now let's go out and take four straight in the World Series. . .

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