The Washington herald., 1908-04-13

TON HERALD, MONDAY, al
run the whole bunch can hit With a lit-
tie pitching assistance the Griffith crowd
is going to be dangerous.
In National League.
In gIancing over the National League
field before the eight starters are called
to the post. the general conditions are
| indicative Of the standing when the finish
line is reached next October, being almost
the same as they were a year ago.
| There have been the usual number of
| changes in the various teams and more
than the usual number In PittsbuTg. New
| York, and Boston. but Chicago again
/ shapes up as the most promising can
/ didate for pennant honors. although the
/ Cubs may find the shedding harder than
| it was year ago. The champions will
present practically the same old team,
and If the pitchers perform up to their
usual standard, no other club IN the run
ming will look quite as good.
That is. of course. il Manager Chance
| is able to play throughout the season.
The Cub leader has had considerable
trouble with one of his feet, and not long
ago the fear was expressed that he would
be unable to appear at his old post this
| season. The absence Of Chance would
seriously impair the chances of the world
heaters. but with their leader in line dur
ing the race there appears TO be no good
reason why they should not repeat.
Two pennants generally mean the finish
of championship combination but in
the history Of the National League Chi
cago, Boston. Baltimore. and Pittsburg
have each won three flags in row, and
II Chance is able 10 play in his old style
there is q good chance that the Windy
City viii next fall enjoy its second triple
triumph.
Giants as Contenders.
OF the other league teams New York
just now looms up as Chicago's most
dangerous rival In Gotham everything
will depend upon the pitchers and the
plugging up of the hole at second base.
provided, of course, that DonlIn has lost
none of his ability during his absence
from fast company. At second base Doyle
did not look strong last fall, but it isl
claimed that his showing IN the South
this spring has been entirely satisfactory,
and that McGraw expects him to Ill the
bin as the keystone of the infield-
In any event the Giants have Strang
for the position in pinch, and with
every other position on the team well
cared for and a batting strength sur
passed by no club in the leagie. New
York bids fair 10 be In the hgnt all the
way If Mathegson can approach his old
pitching form and the lesser lights Of the
slab STAFF show a fair degree OF effec-
tiyeness.
Last fan the Pinsburg team impressed !
many baseball followers as being certain
TO give any club in the National League
a hard night for the pennant this year.
The Pirates were good enough 10 finish |
second in 1907, and With the added strength |
promised by the development % Cam |
nitz, Maddox. Storke. and Moeller. and |
marked improvement In the work Of ABB |
baticchio there was every indication that |
the club would be up there or thereabouts /
this season But the retirement Of Wag- |
ner. the inability Of Storke TO report be- /
fore the middle of June. and several other /
unfavorable developments have changed /
all this.
Pirates Chances Gone.
The loss of Wagner alone necessitates |
the burial OF aH pennant hopes and 1
weakens the team in every department I
10 such an extent that only an unlocked /
for slump by Philadelphia or New York /
would seem 10 give the Buccaneers a /
chance to finish better than fourth
This opinion. however, is based on the /
present makeup Of the Pittsburg team,
and later developments may alter the /
conditions 1t is safe betting that the /
Of the crew at the finish will /
rry~-1 h.. Al
from the general belief that Wagner viii /
return In an emergency there is a strong 1
likelihood of several other changes being
made during the course Of the season if /
the new men do not come UP 70 require
ments
on the strength Of their showing last
season, the Phillles are likely 20 prove a /
troublesome factor for the best Of them
al all stages of the race First base was
the only position that threatened to be
weak, but the start made by Bransfeld
in the South gives promise Of a general
Improvement in his work this year and
with the pitchers doing their duty the
Quakers are going 20 be hard to beat at
any time.
You never can tell in baseball. and try
ing TO dope out the positions of the vari-
Gus pennant Cnasers SIX months before
the finish is hazardous business. but on
spring form and past performances the
four teams already named look ike sure
winners of the frst-divislon berths.
It will require weird system Of figur-
ing TO pry Boston Brooklyn. Cincinnati.
or st. Louis out Of the second division.
In spite Of the fact that Boston has been
strengthened there are at least four teams
IN the league that look better
Brooklyn made a strong showing last
fall after a discouraging start. but two Of
the regular players are doubtful auanti-
ties this spring, owing to injuries sus-
tanned in 1907, and the pitching staff is
crippled by the illness Of Scanlon and the
desertion Of Stricklett
Cincinnati doesn't look great deal bet
ter than Il did year ago. and figures mol
better than a rival Of Boston and Brook
lyn for top h0nOTs in the second division.
If McCloskey can work miracle or
two st. Louis may get out OF last place.
but this isn't a miracle age.
MACKEY ON THE JOB.
Veteran Wrestler Arranges Another