Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-27
NOT A WALkOvER FOR BOSTON.
A Few Facts Which indicate Trouble Ahead
for the Champions.

New YoRR, March Phase ball weather
has up to the present time been a scarce ar
ticle, but there is no doubt that sunshine
and flowers will be strongly in evidence be-
fore the opening championship battle at the
Polo grounds on April 2t. The exhibition
games between now and then will be com
PEELED TO take any sort of weather that hap
pens along.
A few Of the league teams are now in the
sunny South, taking advantage of the warm
zephyrs as an all 10 the loosenlng of mus
cles and cords, hut the majority of the
teams will get into condition on their own
grounds. This will give the teams tina,
went South an advantage on the start, but n
slight start for St. Louis, Baltimore and
Pittsburg will not materially affect the
race.
None of the teams will be changed in a
radical manner with the exception of New
York, and the local team will be strength
| ened 80 per cent. over last seasons form.
BY securing Mullane, and with Morgan
Murphy in harness all the season Cincinnati
will be greatly strengthened.
Comlskeys men made things very inter
rsting in the first season of the struggle of
l,92, and.had not Murphy been disabled al
a critical time, the Reds would have made
it much more interesting for the leaders
Brooklyn will be stronger in fielding abil-
lty with Richardson at second instead of
Ward, but will lose in generalship. The
men across the bridge can be depende d
upon TO made things hum. -e-->ss
Unless [ ncie Anson brings to light some
phenomena of whom the public are at
present in ignorance, it is difficult to see
how the Chicago team is to reflect much
credit upon the Worlds Fair city. There
is reason to believe that if Pop Anson
makes another poor finish the Chicago pub
lie will look upon him with chilling cold
ness.
While Cleveland has lost tirst-class
player in Davis, still the Forest City club is
fortunate in possessing excellent material
with which to ill the vacancy. There can
be no question that if Buck Ewing is able
to throw we'll, his value will Offset the loss
of DAVIS. The Clevelanis will rs was the
ease last season be in the battle from start
to finish.
Philadelphia is practically unchanged as to
strength. The Quakers lose good first
baseman in Connor and gain good catcher
or first baseman in Boyle, with the pros
poets of fine pitcher in Sharrott should
his arm turn out all right
Pttstield is apt to make a strong showing
and if the team manages 10 play steadIly
and harmonIously it will be dangerous at
all times.
That Louisville, Baltimore, Washington
and St Louis have been strengthened over
last seasons form is questioned Watkins
may have infused some new life into the
Browns, but that can only b. proven by
work on the field.
1t has been asserted that Boston would
have a walkoycr for the pennant of lssH
but it is difficult to reconcile that claim
with the facts in the case. Last season
Boston won the frs; series by small mar
gin over Brooklyn, and was beaten in the
second series lay Cleveland. The fact that
the Bostons showed their superiority over
Cleveland in IA short series for the worlds
championship does not prove that Sclee's
men caH carry of the hunors this season IN
a continuous championship struggle Of ~
games. The Boston team will he practi-
ca'ly the same "a last season. Lowe,
better man than Quinn. will play second
base. They will rely on Stivetts and
Nichols, two whirleind pitshers, to 10
the box work AMI Bennett and Camel will
10 the catching, with Lake as substitute
Kelly will not be with them.
1t is claimed that kelly's work was
mainly responsible for the victory over
Cleveland, and if that is the case Boston
has been weakened 20 that cxent Al
things considered, the Bostons are forli1a
bic and very dangerous opponent at all
stages Of the game.
Boston will, however, encounter serions
obstacles, the largest of which will be the
New York team. This team, which was a
lively one last season, has been strength
ened whore it was weak, aud is now in form
to hunt the ilag from May 70 Septe mber
With first base in good hands and second
base covered by au excellent fielder ami ex
pert field general while to the outticld is
added one of the greatest all-around
players, New York patrons can reasonably
look for victorious season. With kusie
Crane and King in good shape the box is
lmpregnable.
Last season the Bostons won / ! out of II
games from New York, but no fair minded
enthusiastic will admit that Boston will re
peat in 1898 her record of a year ago. 1t
is Just possible that the setback which il is
con tiden'iy hoped New York will give Bos-
ton will have the effect of oyerturning the
bright anicipati0ns Of the latter. The di,-
mond battle between Gotham AMI the Hub
promises 10 he lively one.