The Detroit times., 1909-02-22

AlluOuku the ITtlNlN AfeN''
now won the American league pennant
for two successive years and are about
TO start training for their third sea
son under the management or Hue,'
Ambrose jennings. with an admitted
ly much improved lineup, they are nov
being generally picked as the 1909 pen
nant winners by the wise men who are
supposed TO be qualified 10 predict the
possibilities in sport.
THE CLEVELAND CLUB Will.
START 1909 THE FAYORlTE WITH
MOST CRITICS OF THE RACE. Sc,
lections that are coming 20 hght All
over the American league circuit seen
to agree along this line, particularly
since the deal was pulled on al Chi'
cago. In which the Maps secured the
venerable Cy Young from Boston. Ill
exchange for a couple OF singers VINO
had neither OF them demonstrated As
OF much account.
Hugh Fullerton, the Chicago expert
who makes the annual pickings for the
Examiner. Is one OF the latest to so
on record with a prediction.
Fullerton, In common with others,
picks Cleveland TO finish hrst. though
he does concede Detroit the best
chance OF being the runnerup. the
other clubs he places as follows
Boston, st. Louis, Chicago. Washing
ton, Philadelphia Athletics, New YORK.
II has always been q difficult matter
for the average American league critic
20 "see" the Tigers.
hai Arg fhaV
came from behind in most astonish-
ing style. after having been freely
picked that spring TO finish anywhere
from sixth TO third. place in the first
division being the nearest TO the top
which was claimed even by the Dc
troit writer's
When they took the field for their
second campaign under Jennings they
received considerable attention but
were forced to occupy secondary po
sition In the concensus prediction or
the writer's at large. who were usually
OF the opinion that the Chicago club
would cop the bunting.
And now II is Cleveland.
Oh! Very well!
But, II every sporting writer In the
country would rise up and declare that
the Tigers, according TO his judgmen,,
hadn't a chance to beat out the Maps
or any Of the other first division clubs
of last year, there would be no STAN
pede In Tigertown. for the fans are
unanimously OF the opinion that they
will set new American league rec
ord this year by winning their third
pennant straight.
The players, too, while recognizing
that In all probability Cleveland has
been materially strengthened, are not
Of the opinion that the Maps are quite
good enough to deliver the goods.
Admitting the fact that there 10
plenty Of opportunity for argument II
wouldn't be . real baseball race were
Il settled ahead OF time In manner
anywhere near conclusive-the Detroit
fan figures that, " Cleveland 10 the
club which Detroit must beat to win,
the nag 10 a. good as Hopping on Ben
nett parks pole right now.
There Is something about the tribe
OF Larry which has always made IL
fall little short OF first class. Ever
since the management secured La
joie and Flick, away back In wartime,
Cleveland has had the most danger
Gus lineup of any of the American
league teams. Often 1t has led the
league race for weeks at a time and,
on three or four occasions II has pill
ed up q margin In mid-season which
seemed 70 make the result OF the com
petition certainty with Cleveland
the leagues representative In the
world series.
BUT THE MAPS HAVE ALWAYS
FALLEN DOWN.
The worst sort OF a baseball disap-
pointment Is team that, on paper
exhibition by all odds the greatest
strength. fails miserably to come
through winner. and this is the AK
IN which the Cleveland public has
found Itself each season.
Hard luck has often been alleged
as the Cleveland excuse. But this is
not available as satisfying explana-
tion,. In fact, II is doubtful II the
clubl managed by the ex.king OF base
ball has really been up against any
more misfortune than the average
American league organization. The
hsps have been, perhaps, a bit more