The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-14
UP GOES BASEBALL CURTAIN,
MAJOR LEAGUES DEGIN PEN
NANT RACES TOeDiI.
Automobile Parade and an Emblem Raislng
for McGraW'S National League Cham'
piOns--AmeTicRn Begin the Fray
In OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES for To-day.

for McGraW'G National League Chani'
piont--Americans Begin the Fray
in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for To-day.
The thirtIcth championship season Of the
National League and the nth champion
chip season Of the American League, the
two major ORGANIZATIONS OF professional
baseball will begin to-day. Practically
daily from now on until oct. the eight
teams Of each league will contest on the
diamond. and al the end Of the season the
respective pennant winners will meet In
series OF games for the worlds championship.
The schedule for to-day call for the following
games
National LAEus-Bosion in New York PhllA-
dolphin In Brooklyn Chicago in 81 Louis Pits
burg In Cincinnati
American LeAgue-New York In Washington:
Boston IN Philadelphia 81, Louis In chicago Dc
truit In Cleveland
Big as last season was in point Of popular
interest, this season promises not only TO
equal but TO exceed IL. The pulse OF the
baseball public can be felt by observing the
interest in spring games and training, and
that pulse Is beating quickly. Numerous
strong and well organized minor leagues all
over the country swell the interest in the
national game and help to make for its man
AEement a far reaching enterprise. and, in
addition, existing conditions In the major
leagues make the outlook for this year un-
usually bright.
one OF these conditions Is that In one league.
the National, New York will be represented
by q team that won the championship last
year and that in the American League New
York also will be represented by strong,
fast and first class team. and which finished
second last year, after coming within an ace
Of winning the pennant. There H. therefore,
a reasonable probability that at least one OF
the New York teams VIII win a pennant this
year. ALSO. there IL a chance that both New
York teams will finish inst.
The possibility Of the two local teams COM
Ing together for the worlds championship
next fall adds spice 20 the situation locally,
but the fact that the winners in each league
are 10 come together for premier honors
adds relish 20 the two races irrespective OF
locality. But as New York Is the leading
city, and interest and enthusiasm here are
rejected more by the metropolis being con-
spiouous in diamond prosperity. financial
and artistic, than any other city could create.
the prospect is peculiarly suspicious for
banner year.
There is no indication that the struggle
in the American League will be any less close
than last year. when the best race in the history
of the game was fought out None OF the
eight clubs has been weakened. and most
Of them have been strengthened. Alert mana
gers have not overlooked any opportunity
20 brace up comparatively weak points here
and there, for the desire for victory is ever
keen and no manager can AFFORD 10 stand
pat The game is always improving In the
National League, too have been deals and
trades with a view to getting the strongest
possible combinations Easily as John
McGraw won the pennant last year, he has
been too good a general not to be prepared
for a harder fght this year and has his team
In shape TO make a harder fight than last
year. In the National as well as In the Ameri-
can League heroic efforts 10 strengthen have
been made by the weaker vessels. and this
adds uncertainty 70 the races.
All over the circuit arran gements have
been made 10 open the season with proper
ceremony, hurTah and ginger. The teams
have been gradually worked up to the point
Of fitness. the cranks have been looking for
ward eagerly TO to-day for weeks and hg-
uratively. smacking their lips, and club OFF,
Gals hayeS been arranging 70 welcome the
expected crowds with programmes of music
and marching and grounds in holiday garb
Here in New \ orE the New York Nationals
Will be greeted as becomes champions Of the
Ses 70 SINS SHS mae n' ex TSsTs
will be a pennant raising at the Polo Grounds
to-day. a novelty which IN ltselt would be a
on hand for continued raisinEs Of pennants
won by McGraw's splendid team. As to the
raising OF the penuaut there will be a de-
parture IL will not float from 3 pole in the
tield. bu from the grand stand.
There will be an automobile parade before
the game, leaving Central Park about so
O'Clock in the afternoon, going down Fifth
avenue TO Washington square. thence back
up the avenue. through the Park and then 20
the Polo Grounds. Decorations. marching
and music will be other ingredi ents In this
delectab bic baseball dish and the, game will
begin at o clock with Emslie and tombstone
umpiring. Fair weather is hoped for 70 COM
pete the success Of the festive function
over at Washington Park the Brooklyn
Club officials have arranged an attractive
programme for their opening. The game
there will begin at $3.50 O'Clock, and one OF the
Plumbers on the programme Is popular songs
by selected artists The peunant will be
rGised-in the dim future However. the
Brooklyns have been rejuvenated and may win
a pennant sooner than expected Bausewine
will umpire to-day's game In Brooklyn
A big crowd Of American League enthu-
eiasts-and their number II increasing steadily
will 90 down to Washington and give the
New lorks their moral and vocal support
to-day. Grifhths team IL one OF the most
formidable aRgreEatons in the country,
showed last year that IL could make a hard
and prolonged fight. and Is better prepared
this year than last 10 battle for a champion
ship. week from to-day II will have it's
home opening
Up goes the baseball curtain