The times., 1898-04-11
OPENING Of THE SEASON
The League Championship Race
Begins Next Friday.
WASHINGTON 4 OZARK HORSE"
Any other Team--The CIeye1ands
and PittSburSs Well Seasoned -
RGston and Baltimore Furnish
in Had Shape.

On next Friday afternoon the National
League championship race will begin.
The twelve teams that are scheduled to
make The fight for the much coveted pen
nant have been trying to train for the
past month. but owing to the late ap-
pearance of warm weather very few of
them have succeeded in oiling up.
The Cincinnatis probably are in bet
ter trim than any o,her team because of
Buck Ewing foresight in taking his men
to Texas. That the Cincnnatis have been
strengthened since last year there can be
no doubt. especially when it is considered
that the pitching department has been
augmented by Hawley and Hill. both of
whom are looked upon as winners. Me-
Bride. Elmer Smith and Mcfarland who
are expected to make up the outfield. are
much heavier batsmen than Burke, Hoy
and Miller. Beckley, McPhee, Corcoran
and Irwin make one of the fastest in
fields in the league and provide batting
strength as well.
The Clevelands and Pittsburgs who have
been training at and around Hot Springs,
are said to be almost as well seasoned as
the Cincinnatis. The Clevelands, if Cuppy
regains the use of his pitching arm, may
be dangerous factors.
The Pittsburgs, it is thought will not
cut much of figure, although Manager
Watkins has plenty of material on hand
The condition of the Bostons and Bal
timores, who led the race last year, is
matter for conjecture. The fact that
Jennings, Kelley and Keeler are still
holding out for salary may injure the
chances of the Baltimores at the outset,
but later. when the team gets under way,
there viii be trouble for opponents The
addition of De Montreviile. McJames and
Mccain to the eX-champions will further
prove the wisdom of Manager Hanlon
when ii comes to making deals
The Bostons have been strengthened in
pitchers. but will need Nichols no doubt.
before the end of next month. The cham
pions have been able to work without
any serious let-up.
The New Yorks and Brooklyns are both
behind hand in the matter of being fit.
Joyce's men are slow in fielding, weak
with the stick. and their star pitchers,
Rusie and Meekin. must wait for hot
weather before they can let out Doheny
and Seymour. however. are ready to be-
gin the campaign in earnest. and by their
effectiveness the New Yorks may be able
to keep from slumping altogether at the
start. The team as a whole is a fornid-
able combination
The Brooklyns have been strengthened
in every department, but cannot be ex-
pected to strike its real gait until the
warm weather gets here.
The Chicago team is generally expected
to afford a surprise The team looks
strong on paper. and wherever the play
ers were seen last year experts wonder
ed why they stood so low In the race.
In batting the Chicagos will lead many
teams slated to do heavy work.
Washington. too Is figured upon to play
a dark horse role, probably because
Doyle, Reitz and Amole. OF last years
Baltimore team, are members Of the
team.
Louisville has been strengthened. but
the tendency to carry and try too many
players is not calculated to work benefits.
St Louis is much stronger than many
persons believe, and with Tim Hurst at
the helm may get a better place than
some clubs that claim TO have pennant
winners.
There is some good material in the
Philadelphias, but the undercurrent of
feeling against Stallings still exists. All
in all, therefore, it looks as though Bos-
ton, Baltimore, Cincinnati. New York,
Cleveland, Washington and Chicago have
better chances for places in the first d.
vision than the others