The sun., 1895-04-14
READY FOR THE BIG RACE.
THE LEAGUE CHAMPIOSSHIP BAT
TIE WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY

I-ake.up OF the Twelve Teams that Will
Struggle for tho Peunant Baseball
Crnnks Pick New York. Boston, PhiIa.
deIrhia, baltimore. and Gle as Pos
sIbie Chnmpions-The Brookiyns Are
Lara Horscs"-Mav BE Come Surprises.
Next Thursday tho National Leagues cham
pionship race will begin. andfrom that day until
Oct. the baseball crank will be in his element.
lhere is an unusual amount Of interest attached
I" the opening game at the Polo grounds, for
tile reason that the New Yorks and Brooklyns
come together. So much has been written about
The preliminary training OF these teams that
the tn 'usands Of local enthusiasts are worked
up to fever heat. and it will not be at all sur
prls!ng II $4,000 persons crowd into the vast
arena TO see the battle. While tho men under
Davis and Foutz are inauEuratipg their season.
The rae will also begin with tho Philadelphias
IN Baltimore, the Clevelands in Cincinnati. tho
f'ttsbnryhs in Louisville. and the Chicagos In
d. Louis The WashnGtons play in Boston on
frday and then both teams Jump to the capital.
naturally tho question uppermost in the
minds OF the cranks Just now concerns the
strength OF the various teams. Prophets and
critics have already singled out Boston. New
iork, Philadelphia, Baltimore. and Cleveland
~ possible pennant winners, while many close
observers Ike tho chances Of Brooklyn and
chlrago. The other teams have not entered
."h'h h'hlcuousy into tho calculations made
lar. but as baseball Is q funny game it would
oeweli to look out for surprises. 1t will be re-
memoered that before the season opened last
sear' nobody picked the champion Baltimoros
" NC as high ns one. two, three. which goes to
SHOW how uncertain tho game can be.
lie successful work of the New YorIs In win
mug lhe Temple Cup last Octobsr from the
"H"hploh Baltmores has created a very gen.
~'"i impression that the local team should have
""akoVer for the pennant. But 1t should not
y, w 'ofgotten that In the coming race the New
0'As VIII be under new management, and that
""eer'ain extont tho team will be an expert
.ueh'. While Stafford gives promise of fill
"a. ."s wards Shoes satisfactorily. no one can
"" what he is really capable Of until
.n' championship fight begins. II he
uoes as well as Davis says he can.
.ne team Will be stronger than last year. as
sNa oase Is the only position in doubt at pres
s"' IN pitchers the Now Yorks have practi-
ea'ly the same corps as last year. but with added
strength. Rus!e and Meekin should begin tho
"1o 'h better shape than year ago. and with
'"'Ae OF German, both of whom are In good
~, apc, 10 helD them ont tho team ought TO win.
men hnauss. tho left t-hander, and Boswell. tho
N'''eS'ail' are available. and with proper hand
~. the box work should beat tho average.
~ can 10 truthfully said that the team 10
stronger In catchers than ever before. In Far
,'" schriycr. and Wilson, Davis has n trio OF
o",A Stops who are gluttons for hard work. AS
I.HrNer Will probably TO paired with Rusie.
itrrel will not be in danger OF overwork by
merely attending TO Meekin while Wilson can
Se'ote his timo to German or Clarke. Tho In
Ie'a, composed of Doyle, Stafford. Fuller. and
DaFis' looks strong. and the outfleld, made up
VI burSs. Van IIsltren. and Herman, 10 the same
~ last year. Tom Bsnnon and "Yale" Murphy
D''e TWO lively substitutes. and ever II there is
accident now and then the team will not suf-
Ter severely.
ihc Bostons, realizing their fatal weakness
'sst year, have endeavored TO strengthen them
seFes In the pitching department. They still
NA's their mAinstay. Kid Nichols, and it's dol