The Washington times., 1906-04-01

from the start In order to he In the
thick of the worlds series at the end OF
the playing year
Hope for New England.
The indications are that Boston will
play better ball this year than last.
throughout the season of 1895 it was
apparent that Collins was not obtaining
the same results from his players that
he did in 1904. It is now in evidence
that there was a reason for il. The
difference Of managing owner. who
could not lose games with equanimity.
told upon the players. who resented
criticism from other than the manager.
and who played with an apathy which
was very marked after the dash and
briiliancy of their style in other years
This season Collins is to have absolute
charge Of the club and better games
may be looked for in that section.
The changes which have been made in
Chicagos by Comiskey render that or
ganization an uncertain quantity. This.
too. is another club which may safely
be counted upon for fine team wrok. Al
though Comiskey is not on the field TO
lead the men whom he engages TO play
for him. there is in evidence throughout
all their games the craft and skill which
marked so characteristically the work
Of the old st. Louis Browns when Co
miskey was their leader and they were
in their prime With their capable pitch
ers TO assist them. the Chicagos should
be in the fight from the start.
Cleveland Has Chance.
Without doubt Cleveland will make the
most determined effort to win the cham
p:onship this year that the players have
ever made since they represented that
city in tn American League. They did
so well last season until the accident
to Lajoie threw the team out Of its
stride that they viii take heart this
year when he is once more in the game
with them and fight every inch of the
ground against their adversaries If La
joie is successful i'm imbuing his play
ers with the quick wit TO play the fine
points of the game up 10 the limit,
Cleveland will be a dangerous factor
against all the opposition which may be
brought in the American League.
The dangerous club in the organiza-
ton appears to be Detroit. Should that
rather peculiarly constituted team. with
its strong pitching staff and its one or
two hard hitters, fair fielders. and some
what apt base runners, strike the same
gait at the beginning of the year that
IL held toward the close Of the season
of 1905. it may upset more peEnant as
pirations than any nine in the league
even If it fails at the last moment to
land the flag for its own diamond. The
Detroits seem plainly enough to be the
dark horses" of the circuit.
Erif1th,o Had T,cIx
New York is a very uncertain guam
tity. The combination of some sterling
old players. with some new material.
which Appeared to be the best that could
be selected from tie minor leagues after
their 1905 season was over. may work
with such perfection that Griffith will
forge well to the front. where he will
become an adversary TO be feared. On
the other hand. if the team is slow in
getting into its stride II the team work
and the winning atmosphere surround
the players too late in the season. the
best that the New York manager can
hope TO do is TO place his organization
at such an altitude that it viii be able
TO strike hard for the flag in 1907.
st. Louis is wholly probiematical.
Viewed in it's best light. the team can
hardly be placed as pennant factor
this year. and il seems to be the impress
sion that McAleer will devote all his
energies toward laying foundation in
1906 that will make his task TO develop
winner In 1907 much easier. His players
are more of the younger generation than
those of any manager in the league.
and as they have not had the benefit
'of years work in company. it would