The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-31

cIly mas its "rooters," and all are equally
colhdent OF the ultimate victory OF their
1avorite teams. but the league race is
yet TO be run, and all predictions are
necessarily hazardous. for no one can tell
iii they have played together what
team can do, and most of the teams
have been somewhat remodeled
The New York Giants viii start the
season with most favorable prospects.
Baseball enthusiasts as a rule. are very
optimistic, but there seems to be good
tan "rO0terS' TO believe their team VIII
land near the top of the hcap-f not on
the very apex Of the pyramid-this season.
Last year wound up in blaze of glory,
Tor although the Giants finished second 10
the Baltimore orioles, they were virtually
the champions. In the special series OF
games for Temple Cup, played directly
f.fter the close OF the regular League sea-
son, they won four straight victories from
the Baltimorcans.
This spring there have been a number
Of important changes in the team, its
PLAYERS and its managers. In the first
place. Andrew Freedman, n New York
real estate dealer has bought out con-
trolling interest in the club and now di-
lects it's movements. "EIdic' TalCC II and
others of the old board OF directors had
got tired sinking money In baseball, and
were glad TO sell out their interests IN the
management OF the Giants. Freedman
has started I'm with unbounded cnthusi-
asm. He has secured number OF new
players. and has retained almost all Of
last years strong team.
The chief loss to the club Will be in
famous old "Johnny" Ward. the captain,
manager and crack second baseman OF
last years team. Ward is now past
master In the art of baseball and has
grown almost too old for the game. lie
has started Ia 10 study law, ana has
given up baseball for good. His old
place al second base will bc hard 20 I'LL
Stafford and little Yale Murphy are
both being tried In that position, and one
or the other will probably I'll the place
acceptably, though not in Wards way
Davis viii captain the Giants TINS 81 IL
mer in their long campaign. ana VIII act
as manager as we'll lie PLAYS third base,
and Is one Of the most reliable men on
the team. With such .quartctte OF
pitchers as Eusic. Meckin, Clark and Ger
10 fan back on. New York will be strong
in that department, which is half the
game In itself.
changes In the makeup Of the Bride
grooms. Dave Foutz, last years captain
and manager, viii give up playing THIS
season and devote an his energies 70
managing the team. His Cyesight bother
cd him before the end Of last season, and
he had 10 stop playing ban for time.
Ccnter-helder Griffin Will oct as captain
OF tho team I'm his place. The Brooklyn
team has also been strengthened IN the
all-impOrtant pitchers box ny the eh-
change Of Catcher ktnslow Tor Pltcnec
Gumbert, of last years lhttsburg team.
Louisville too. and he will take hinslow'S
place behind the bat
At Washington there aus a lot cf new
men who are being tried for positions on
the Senator's team, and an enort g being
fnade 10 rCjuYenate the club by tho m
fusion OF new blood.
In Louisville the same pan is belns
tried, and the entire team from manager
down TO center fielder is composed OF new
mon. all Of whom are ambitious, ana thus
need less squirting on than DO the Nete-
rams OF the game PIeuCf VIII pIobaoiy
captain the Louisville. His reinstate-
lnent was one OF the disputed points az
the recent meeting Of the National
League. Af.or long and bitter ,argu-
ment he was finally taken OFT the black
list. but only upon condition that he pay
a fine OF $500, for his connection with
the rival league scheme and that he play
with no other team than Louisville this
~ ason,
buck" Ewing. the famous ex-captain
OF the New York Giants, has been signed
10 captain the Cincinnati team, ana VIII
cover first base for them this season.
Ewing played with the Cleveland team
last year, until h.s arm gave out again.
when he gave up for the season. This
year his arm seems TO be In good shape
and BUCK" is back on the Held again
seems glad 10 get back with the people
he knew 80 web before he came east 10
play with the Giants. comisky. last
years captain OF the Cincinnati team.
and who also captained the famous ST.
Louis Browns during their eventful
career in the American Association viii
play with and captain one Of the teams
OF the Western League this season. Gin
cinnati has secured lot of young play
srs from the Western League who are
I cling tried for places this spring
In ST. Louis the hase-nall cronks are
howllng with Joy over the acquisition OF
Centrc-fielder Tom Brown. who has been
sec ured from the Louisville team. He was
once ranked as the fastest base runner In
the league, and is still thought to be