The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-18
A FORECAST OF THE SEASON
Prospects of an Interesting and Equally
Matched Contest in the League.
Glasscock, Who Is Seriously Sick, Will Not
Be in the Opening Games-The Buff
falos to Play Here To-Day.

The league championship season viii open
day after tomorrow, ard it promises in many
ways co be the most successful in the history of
the organization. The clubs never started in
with such firm financial backing as all of them
have this year. The interest in the game is
also, Of course, more general-it increases every
year-and the prospects of club owners getting
some return for their investment is therefore in
most instances very good. AS q rule, however,
baseball as an investment has been very IN
favorable More money has been lost on the
game than has been made by those who have
put their money in il. But the increased inter
est makes this danger less each year, and the
value of club an advertising medium is also
being recognized by theifsmaller cities having
teams, so that the clubs frequently GET great
deal of support on that account
The championship race will doubtless excel
any OF previous years in point of attractiveness.
The leading clubs have not been strengthened,
while the weaker ones have been improved. al
most without exception. Detroit, PHILADELPHIA,
New York and Chicago have essentially the
same players as last year. but she latter is not
nearly SO strong 1t was at the close of last
season. although strong as il was at the out
set last year. On the 9th err hand, Boston, In
dianapalis and Pittsburg have been decidedly
strengrhened-just how much is matter of
conjecture only. There is no doubt that Clark
son, all things considered is the greatest pitcher
in the country, and yet his advent to the Bos-
tons does not. according to general sentiment.
put that club even among the first rank of PEN
nant contestants Dunlap and Sunday
have, of course, strengthened the Pitts
burg Club. 1t is folly to say they have
not. The Indianapolis club is also greatly helped
by the addition of 8 number OF new men. but
how much it will benefit by the chsngss, so far
place in the race is concerned cannot be esti-
mated, because of the changes in the teams
which stood near il at the end of last season.
Had neither Boston nor Pittsburg, for example,
improved their teams. there might have been q
good chance for the local club to have
passed them this year in the race. But
the question is simply which OF the
That is a question which remains to be
determined In the meantime the Washington
club seems to be relegated by general consent to
last place. However much better the position
the home club may occupy through the season
about 20 open, patrons may rest assured that no
club in the country will afford its supporters
better exhibitions of ball-playine. point of
consolation to those who steadily gave the team
their support last year was that, notwithstand-
ing the club lost good portion of the time. it
was still furnishing some great exhibitions OF
the game.
In order to get the opinion of some of the
older members of the team Journal reporter
yesterday asked them to place the League clubs
for the coming season. Denny put New York
first. Philadelphia second, Detroit third Chicago
fourth. Indianapolis fifth, Boston sixth. Pitts
burg seventh Washington eighth. Seery named
Detroit for first. New York second, Chicago
third, Philadelphia fourth, Indianapolis fifth.
Boston sixth. Pittsburg seventh, Washington
eighth. Boyle said Detroit would be first.
Philadelphia second, New York third. Bos-
ton fourth, Chicago fifth, Indianapolis sixth,
Pittsbure seventh, Washington eighth. George
Myers named Detroit for first, although he de-
c;ared he had never given the subject any con-
sideration, with Chicago second, Philadelpha
third, Boston fourth, New York fifth. IndianaD-
oils sixth. Pittsbnrg seventh. Washington
eighth. Esterbrook named Detroit first, Chica-
go second. Indianapolis third. PhiladephiA
fourth. New York fifth, Boston sixth, PittsburE
seventh. Washington eighth. SfsIsve's prophecy
was: Philadelphia first, New York second, De-
troit third, Boston fourth, Indianapolis fifth.
Chicago sixth. Pittsburg seventh, Washington
eighth.