The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-31
SPORTING NEWS.
Much Gossip Floating About Of
the Big Leagues.
Fans Specializing on Outcome
of Seasons Work.
AMERICAN RACE CLOSE.
Cleveland Team Picked to Win
Over Philadelphia.
Cincinnati Reds win Give the
Pirates a Close Race.
AMERICAN RACE CLOSE

Chicago, Jan. 31.-Speeulation as to
the outcome of the pennant race in both
the American and National league is a
current topic Of discussion among the
fans who c0ngregate about baseball
headquarters these days. Already sew
eral bets have been recorded on the
probable finish of the race and the posi-
tions that the different teams will oc-
cupy
Most of the betting is on the Amer
lean league race. for it is pretty gen
erallv conceded that in the National
! league the Pirates VIII again carry
away the flag, unless there are accidents
to the players during the season. Drey-
fuss team is not as strong as it was
last year, having lost the services OF
Tannehill and Chesbro in the pitching
department, but at that the Pittsburg-
ers seem to the fans to be the strong
est proposition in the league. 1t is an
ticipated, however, that the Cincinnati
Reds will give the Pirates a close race.
while the Giants viii be in a position
to make a fight for some of the honors
during the summer. The Cubs are a
much stronger combination than last
year. and Manager Selee will be able to
count on position close TO the top OF the
column this year. as he has strength
ened all of his weak places.
4 The race in the American league
promises some excitement. Philadelphia
4 is not picked to win again this year and
/ one bet was recorded Yesterday that
+ Connie Mack's bunch would not finish
4 as good as third. The Cleveland team IS
i the favorite, although it is pretty gen
/ orally conceded to be an even thing be-
tween the Blues and Boston, with St.
Louis coming in for a share Of the back
ing also. Griff's New York team is fig
ured up in the race by many and Is
picked to win by several OF the best
/ posted fans. The manager Of the new
( American league team is one of the
hackers of his own boys to carry off
4 the pennant ana is strong in his belief.
GOnISkey'S White Stockings are voted
stronger than last season, but not much
money is being nlaced on it to win this
year. One of the places in the south
/ side team that is considered as inn
proved is third base. providing Lee Tan
neh1ll comes anywhere near living up to
/ his reputation. White, in the pitcher S
/ box, will help make W for the loss OF
| Griffith and in the outfield Cozy DoIan
will do the work that Mertes performed
last year.
Grifith consented to talk a little re-
garding his new team this morning
We will win the Dennant in New
YORK next summer without any ques-
ton" said he Il VIII have the best
outfield in the business, with Keeler
Fultz and Lefty Davis. Then McFar-
Adi1d -vE ezra man Is DeILeT TnaO the
ordinary run of Cut6elders. My infield
is very strong combination with Gan
eel on first, Williams second. Long short
and Conroy at third. My pitching staa
! contains eight men and they are the
best in the business. Chesbr0 Tame
! hill. Wiltse. Howell and myself are ex-
Derienced men and then I have Adkins
4 Wolfe and Owens. who are good enough
for any one. This young BeviHe is the
best backstop in the game today, and
Jack QCOnnOr will be there right alone
through the summer. There are no weak
spots to that team and it looks to me as
if I had the Dennant already won
There are other teams in the Ieagu.
that are good of course. Cleveland does
not look strong enough to me to beat Us
ont
The proposed trip of the Cubs to tbs
Pacific coast for training trip is CON
sidered a wise move and one that vii
be paying one. Frank Chance whs
lives near Los Angeles, is much pleased
over the prospects Of getting the Cubs
out to his home.
They viii draw big crowds out
there" said he. land it will be an easy
matter to make the trip pay for itself