The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-30

their positions in great style. Spooner
likewise is a strong batter as well as the
equal Of any first sackman in the league.
Martin has made good. and Oyler In spite
of errors, Is a wonderful little shortstop.
Mcintyre is playing the third sack better
every day. In spite of his bulky build. he
covers a lot of ground, and can give a. lot
OF smaller men cards and spades on hand
ling hunts. In addition he is al most timely
hitter. and has probably driven In more
runs In the last two weeks than any other
man on the team. When the team first
made its appearance at Nicollet Park the
Scotchman's removal was demanded from
several quarters; now any proposition to
release him would probably incite the fans
to lynch every member Of the manage
ment. In short there is not a man on the
team whom The baseball public does not
want retained. Jimmy Hart, who has
proven invaluable as aautility man, Isl In
The season has advanced far enough so
that a fairly accurate sizeup of the vari-
GUS teams around the circuit can be made
TWosof the teams now In the first divis-
ion, indianapolis and st. Paul. are likely
to be there at the finish. st. Paul is
strong in all departments OF the game
The outfield is as good as any. It will
hardly hit as we'll the local gardeners.
but the Saints average faster on the
bases. The inf1eld also is wonderfully
good, and the pitching staff Is strong
The whole team is fast on the sacks.
Indianapolis is hardly as strong in
pitchers as either st. Paul. Minneapolis,
or Columbus. The team Is fast in the
field. however, and has team work devel-
oped to a high point. It plays heavier
ball than almost any bunch IN the league
On present form Minneapolis should
finish in. the first division. Some Of
the fans have been hardy enough to bet
that Yeager's men will be there by July l..
Assuming that KatolIs arm Is In shape in
another month; the millers are certain to
be there or whereabouts at the finish.
Milwaukee has strong team but an
pears to be playing above its normal gait
Ihere Is at least one man In the bunch
who IS likely to blow up before the middle
Of the season. Columbus is a compare
lively weak hitting team. but has a strong
staff Of pitchers, and plays fast, heady
game: It is probable that the senators
VIII fight it out with: the brewers for
fourth. Kansas City will hardly stand the
gaff. Louisville is q mere shadow Of last
years bunch Toledo Is much faster than
she was year ago, but hardly fast enough
yet = I
In the American It is pretty hard to
make q. prediction. Cleveland ought to
spite Of It's present poor showing, will
finish strong when the men get acquainted
with each other. It is at present a team
OF stars instead OF a star team, its play
ers gathered from all points Of the COM
pass. keeler came from Brooklyn, Fultz
from the Athletics, Williams from Balti-
more: Long from Boston. o'connor, Davis
and Conroy from P1ttsburg. Camel from
Louisville. and the pitchers from half a.
dozen different teams. Lack OF team
work and injuries to several players have
Kept the team down. but 1t is safe to finish
Well toward the front. ST. Louis also will
be there when Donal1ue and Howell, sup
posedly the star pitchers get into their
last years form. Philadelphia has a.
harder proposition to buck than last wear
and will barely make the first: division If
at ALL Boston and Washington are in the
same class. Cleveland, New York and
st. Louis look the best just now. The
Whitesox vii! hardly keep up the pace
ard Detroit also looks light.
In the National New York has yet to
show itself a strong road team and the in
field Is hardly Of the caliber to win pen
lants. The wonderful pitching staff and
the strong outfielG r1ay pull: the team thru
II 1t KEEPS its nerve. If it weakens In a.
eruel1ng contest, as in the past, goodhy.
Still it looks good FOR the first division,
Cincinnati also should be in at the finish.
On paper the team is one Of the best
Fittsb';rg has not teen playing the game
that was expected. Ever with Tannehill
and CHESHIRE gene. the team is strong in
pitchers, and the great ilfeld and out
field are still there. The old fighting spirit
seems largelysa minus quantity this year,
but still the team should be one, two
three. Chicago Is stronger than a year
ago. but Brooklyn is more than likely to
beat out The cubs. This is banking on
Flanlon rather than on the team St.
Louis, Boston and Philadelphia appear
o'itclassed.