The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-11
SPORTING news.
The National League Season to
Pass All Records.
This Is the Judgment of Presi-
dent Harry C. Pulliam.
is ENJOYING A BOOM.
Ban johnson Discusses Pros
poets of the American.
Says Cleveland VIII Be a Factor
in the Race.

New York, April lin my judg-
ment 1905 will make the banner year,
not only in the National league but in
professional baseball in general, says
Harry c. PuIliam. president of the Ma
tional league. By banner year" I
mean that the patrons of baseball will
witness the highest type Of skill yet
shown in the playing of the game, and
judging frcm the interest shown by
the press and public in the prehml-
nary work of the various teams. the
efforts of the so-called magnates in
providing the national sport VIII De
rewarded by a patronage never yet
received in the history of the game
On April II the National league viii
enter upon the thirtieth year of its ex-
istence. In all the years of It's career
don't believe It ever entered upon a
campaign that promised more in every
sense as does the approaching season.
cation in 1904 reach ed the high-water
mark both il attendance and receipts
and / confidently look to see both eX-
ceeded by decided gains.
I base my predictions on several
grounds The National league, in
common with all baseball interests, IS
enjoying the boom incident to the ben
efits of organized baseball which so
happily rescued the game from the
chaos and confusion and even feud in
which it was a few years ago. The
public, freed from the chickering's or
the warning elements In baseball, has
riveted it's attention on the game itself,
and the result has been shown in the
increased attendance from the Atlantic
to the Pacific.
Then, again, clean sport has sue
ceeded rowdy ball. and skill is given
its true reward and is not subordinate
to trickery and unfairneSs. A higher
/ type of play has been the result and
! the game not maPred by disagreeable
/ incidents has a greater charm for its
! patrons, the great American public.
Lastly, and more particularly affect
! ing the National league, I believe the
/ coming season will be most successful
/ for the reason that 1t promises a most
/ interesting champ ionship race. Thou
sands of dollars and much time has
/ been spent by the clubs that finished
I behind our champions of 1904, the
/ New York giants, and believe the eff
forts of Messrs. Selee, Clarke, Duffy,
Kelley, Tenney, Han1on and Nichols
will bear fruit IN a championship race
that will be worthy the support of our
patrons.
AMERICAN LEAGUE RACE.
The advent Of the American League
championship race IS looked forward to
4 with keen interest by the patrons of
/ baseball the country over, says Presi-
| dent Ban Johnson The remarka Bile
| finish of last year gives every assurance
! of another grand contest for pennant
| honOrs. The teams are all well equip
ped, and the weeks devoted to prelim-
mary training in southern states should
bring the eight clubs to the chalk line
on edge and well fortified for the sea-
sons struggle.
Boston carried off the trophy last
year, but to New York we must con-
cede the honor of making a most glor-
ious race. The 'thighlanders' drew more
than their share of i'll luck. The alb
sence of Elberfeld and Conroy on ac-
1 count of injuries forced the employment
of players Of doubtful value at inheld
positions.
In midseason that clever and capable
manager, Connie Mack. confided to his
friends that the Athletics had a, ''dou-
ble-riveted" cinch on the pennant The
Gripping of Davis and Hoffman was q
severe blow to the Philadelphia Ameri-
cans. and was largely responsible for
the low position the club occupied at
the finish.
The great natural strength of the
Cleveland club was made ineffective be-
cause of a lack of harmony between the
manager and certain players in the
team. Under the guidance of the peer
less Lajoie believe the Clevelands will
be powerful factor in the race this
season.
It is a generally accepted belief that
had Fielder Jones been in charge of the
white stockings from the start the team
would have made even a better showing
in the race last year. He certainly
made great progress in the period he
had the management. The white sox
are bubbling over with confidence, and
their expectations are soaring high this
spring. There have been some changes
in the FIVE leading clubs of last year
but do not believe they have been ma
terially strengthened.
general reorganization has taken
? place in the clubs at Detroit. St. Louis
and Washington. Time alone will tel
to what extent these teams have beer
improved.
Much interest will center in the work
of the st. Louis browns the coming sea
son. Manager AcAleer has grated in
, to the team an entirely new outfield
Stone Van Zant and Frisk all showed
marked ability as minor league players
> If the st. Louis browns are not lack
+ ing in aggressiVeness they will surely
make matters decidedly interesting il
/ the American League this season.
There have been many changes in th'
Washington club. There is a new man
ager. Garland Stahl is a player Of grea
Z ability. What he may lack IN exper
S fence will be offset by his enthusiasm
i. and other sterling qualities The ma.
T tionals' have a fine lot of pitchers anC
n the changes that have been made in tn
catching department, at second bas
= and in the outfield are sure to make tn
team a formidable opponent for tn
''top-notchers" in the American League
Atlanta Secures Jackson
= Cleveland. O., April 11.-Pitcher Charle
Jackson. who has been signed tor l9l
from the Texas league by the CleVelan
S American league team, has peen Sold [
t many other seasoned pitchers IS the rea
e SON given by the management OF the clu