The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
ATLANTA LOOKS STRONG
 AS PENNANT CONTENDER
Gossip of Entire circuit-Moble Might Underestimate Southern Leagues
 Strength-Mique Finn's Plans.
 Bernhardt Manages Nashville.
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.

In spite of the fact that the wintry winds still whistle, and the wintry rain drizzles eoldly people are awakening to the truth that spring is en route bring ing Hak to life the great national game baseb. l.
 The sa4 !. rising. In other cities, sport ing writerA are beginning already to tell of coming triumphs, as sporting writers yearly will do, proving indisputably that Atlanta will again win the rag, that Memphis will again be a contender for the gay bunting, that New Orleans will keep the eastern teams scared to death throughout the short five months, and that Montgomery with its new manager Jimmy Ryan, is determined to accomp- 1 fish great things during the ensuing rosy summer
 While it is realized that considerable time remains before the opening day of the season. it must be stated that at the present writing, things do not look too bright for the Barons and Birmingham. Things are topsy turvy, as it were. While Manager Vaughn is busy signing men, or trying to sign them, and arranging trades and other deals, it is true that very little is positively known as yet The prospective team Is full of holes. How ever, the fans here have much confidence in Manager Vaughns ability to gather a winning aggregation, and are not kick ing
 Since the close of last season, there has been a momentous change in south ern baseball. Shreveport for years a member of the circuit, has dropped out and Mobile has succeeded to that berth
 Capt. w. T. Crawford, formerly owner of the majority of shares of Shreveport stock, owns at least one-fourth of the too, carried with it stipulation that Thomas Fisher, manager of Shreveport last season, would manage Mobile this year. In case Fisher is unable to secure his release from St. Louis, which team has drafted him, it Is probable that Bernie Mckay, former manager of Mo- bile, will be retained for the coming sea- son. In way thA would be a sad mis- take. Mobile having won with ease two successive pennants in the Cotton States, there is danger of the management under rating the strength of the Southern. This would be accentuated with Cotton States manager in power.
 Dr. Inge, president of the Mobile club, a great sportsman, has given probable Manager Fisher carte blanche with in structons to gather a winning team. So the season will begin with Mobile contestant for the pennant The in- yasion of the Southern league by Mo- bile is a blessing, and not one in dis guise, either. As baseball town, Mo- bile is vastly superior to Shreveport and even better it Is believed, than Little Rock, or Nashville.
 | The other great change that has oc- cured in recent months was the dismiss sal by the Nashville management of Johnny Dobbs, erstwhie manager and the employment of Bill Bernhard-known as Big Sarah formerly star pitcher of the Cleveland Americans According to the new managers present plans, Nash vile will arise from his hitherto lowly position in the league, and be again a contestant for the pennant. The Nash vile papers have gone mad to a certain. extent, stating that Bernhard has signed Harry Miles, distinct star now with the New York Americans, and Harry Bay, for years the fast shortstop of the Cleve- land outfit. It is true, however, that Nashville might be able to bring Pete Lister again to the south, for Lajoie has suggested the probability of Pete being too immature for big company. It is not known as yet whether Dobbs " be retained as Nashville player As an outfielder, Dobbs is valuable, and, too. he stings the ball ferocously.
 It is believed that the change of man.