The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-16
The Pennant Race in National
Opens Thursday.
In st. Louis, Cincinnati, New
York and Philadelphia.
CHEERLEsS OUTLOOK.
President Young Predicts Loss
For All Save Pirates.
The American League Begins
a Week Later.

Chicago, April 16-The baseball season
which Will be formally opened in four
National league cities next Thursday Will
be the most crucial in the old league
history and will be the tenth and last Of
the present National League and Amer
lean Association of Professional Baseball
Clubs" which was organized at the his
toric Indianapolis analgamation meeting
in 1891
Whatever the outcome Of the existing
war between the National and American
leagues, there will be reorganization of the
old league next fall with a probable
change of circuit II the present plans and
schemes Of some OF the mag mates are car
ried out The prospect is at best a gloomy
Srs, Tor, following what they calleo, q
losing year last season, they have adcl-
tiona1 troubles to face in the shape Of e1-
pensive lawsuits to press or defend, higher
salarieS-in some cases almost as eXorbl-
tant as in the old brotherhood days-So
meet ana the propaollly OF q conslos i
ably decreased attendance owing TO the
division of interest in several cities ana
the general weakening Of the plAylns
strength of all the teams, with the pos
sible exception of Pittsburg-
The fact that the Pirates, on last sea-
sons form, are likely to make a runaway
race for the pennant is also bothering the
InagnateS VINO nave watched the interest
decrease each year as the strong teams
grew stronger and kept the championship
within the same charmed circle season
after season But the uncertainty which
attaches to the other teams may prove
beneficial, and BY furnishing some OF those
surprises which arouse the publtcs in
a
tronage in those cities which are consid-
cred weakest
The opening games viii be played as
follows. Chicago at St Louis, Pittsburg
at Cincinnati. Boston at New Ork, Brook
lyn at Philadelphia
The American league championship sea-
son does not open until Wednesday, April
"a.
YOUNG TAKES CHEERLEss VIEW.
Washington, d. C., April 16.-President
Young, Of the National league, recently
returned from his second Florida trip
since the beginning of the year and now
feels in good health to face the trying
duties OF the baseball war ahead For the
first time in a decade Mr.. Young however
takes rather a. cherries view OF ap-
preaching season
1T would be folly for any one to say
that prospects are bright for the national
SEme this year said he. Those who
have been through a baseball war knew
better. Financially, the conditions were
bad enough last year. With conflicting
dates, high salaries, and a certain amount
OF divided interest this season, it viii be
difficult TO avert a loss all around. With
the exception of the Pittsburg club will
De agreeably surprised If any of the
others pull out on the right side Of the
ledger, and If this should prove to be the
case with the National league, with its
ample capital, how can the new American
league hope to survivor The Chicago and
Boston National league clubs could easily
drop 100000 on the season and not feel
it: in fact. I might say, any club IN the
National league is in a position TO lose
American is in position to sink one
quarter Of that amount per club in addi-
ton to its heavy starting expenses and
hold its head above water"