The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-10
WILL BE A CLOSE RACE
New York, Pittsburg and Chicago
Expect Pehnant.
Fans Generally Agree That One
Of This Trio Is cit"
low the. teams finished in 1905:


B t5.51ll- .-.-.. .........-.-- q l0S 30!
Brooklyn -...-- As 1O4 .316
Chicago. April 1O.-National league
baseball teams will formally open the
1906 season with scheduled games
on Thursday. April IL. The big rival
organization, the American league,
viii not launch it's real season until
Tuesday. April IT, though the eastern
division begins on the Saturday be-
fore, playing on that day and Monday.
Boston opens with New York and
Washington with Philadelphia on the
18th Therefore, on the 18th the old
league, if the weather be fair. will
have a reception for the fans unmo-
Tested when four lusty umpires call
the time-honored play ball.
In the past with the exception of
where stars were sold or traded to
promote harmony on a ball club there
was no possible chance for big Ma
tional league magnate to get a high
class man from another club, partic-
ularly after the howl raised after the
'Kelly-Clarkson" sale. At least that
was the claim made here in Chicago,
and it held good until Charles w.
Murphy broke all precedent by liter
ally spending stars to get stars. He
traded in the winter of 1906'06 Casey.
third base; Mccarthy, outfeld: Ma
loney, outdeld, and Briggs, pitcher
for one man-Sheckard. In money
value these men easily represented a
$1,000 deal, figuring the release Of
Casey and Mccarthy at $4,000 each
and the other two players at $4,000
each or more. It is said that John T.
Bush willingly offered $4,000 or more
for Shreckard. Thus in 1906 was
wiped off part of the Kelly Clarkson
sale. IN addition Murphy went after
Pat Moran. the Boston catcher. with
and Catcher O'Neill, and got him.
Jake Weimer, a celebrated south
paw. was sent to Cincinnati for Stein
feldt and Sebring. The latter Joined
the outlaws, however. Figuring the
release of these men conservati
1t could be said that O'Neill would
bring $4,000 in open market. probab bly,
more; Pfeffer $1,000, and Jake
Weimer. $4,000. These. prices on play
erss contracts are low The players
sold will undoubtedly strengthen the
clubs to which they went. In the
meantime the other big clubs are in
the most part depending on veterans
held over and the new material.
New York Is Certain.
Speaking of the prospects of the
Giants and the makeup of the team
for the coming season, McGraw said.
HliE L all moi Eltcn TO OOdSlllS
or making any wild predictions, I
think have the greatest baseball team
in the country, and honestly believe
when the baseball season winds up
next October the Giants Will be found
to be the topliners of the percentage
column, the same as last season.
ffOf course, understand that sew
ersl teams in the National league,
notably Chicago and Pittsburg. will
get into the game this season with
teams greatly strengthened over last
year. Chicago has added several new
players to her team which are top
notchers in the baseball line and
should add considerable strength to
the club.
1.-THE Pittsburg team has also been
strengthened greatly by the addition
of several crack players, but even with
all this, barring accidents. I look for
/ the Giants to canter home winner
of this years pennant.
Chicago looks good to me to finish
second in the race, but Pittsburg will
give her a hard fight for the honors
I look for a hard battle between Chi
cago and Pittsburg for the place.
Look Out for Pittsburg.
Pittsburg is generally looked upor
as one of the teams the Nationa
league that will be fighting for thf
pennant all season. Fans here are in
clined to regard the chances of the
/ Pirates as speculative, as some Of tbs
men that have been secured for posi-
/ tons on the regular team are new mer
! that are coming up into fast company
for the first time. and it is question
whether they viii make good or moi
! as yet.
Philadelphia Hopeful.
The Philadelphia National league
team starts off this year with wha
1 promises to be the best team It has hae
for many years and Manager Duffy
hopes to be near first place when the
curtain falls IN October. The southern
trip has unearthed three players WHIT
look to be of major league caliber and
since two of them are pitchers thu
Phillies will be strengthened in theil
weakest department. Kane and Nc
i Cluskey are the twirlers and Duff!
thinks both of them will be able K
hold up their end in fast company
Catcher Crist is another valuable add
ton and II the club secures Pitche
Richie Of the Tri-Sfate league it vii
/ have been extremely fortunate.
Cincinnati Is Modest.
No pennant has been claimed for thu
Cincinnati team this year-in fact, tht