The Meeker herald., 1909-10-23
RACE FOR MAJOR
LEAGUE REMNANTS
WILL De WARM ACCORDING TO
OPINIONS OF PREsiDENTs
PULLIAM AND JOHNSON.
NEW MANAGERS IN NATIONAL

Will Put Up Hot Fight Against
First Division Teams-Head Of
: American League Asserts Belief
That Detroit viii Not Make Run
away Race Of Contest.
Harry G. Pulliam, president Of the
National league. and Ban johnson,
president of the American league,
look Tor warm races for the champion
ship bunting in their respective or
CARNATIONS. In recent interview on
the outlook for the season. Mr.. Pull.
liam said:
I'm forecasting the championship
race Of 1909 in the National league
one has but to recall the exciting
and srueling struggle Of 1908 and note
the elements that go to make repe-
tttton of that memorable campaign
possible and very probable. Chicago,
the winner of both the National and
worlds championship. will enter the
race the same great machine 1t was
last year. and 1t Is reasonable to sup
pose It will not be handicapped by the
abnormal number Of accidents that
1t had last season. To Offset this 1t
will meet stronger adversaries.
New York has undoubtedly been
strengthened by the additions to its
team. notably In the pitching depart
ment. by the securing of Marquard,
Raymond and Durham. Pittsburg, the
club that came within one game of
the championship without a regular
first baseman. has not only filled the
vacancy there, but has strengthened
the other departments. Philadelphia
will have to be considered before the
championship honors are awarded.
This team gave evidences last year of
its class, and the additional strength
added should show results.
1.-THE clubs that finished in the sec.
ond division last year will all have
new managers-Grifith in Cincinnati.
Brooklyn and Bresnahan in St. Louis.
OF these Griffith has won his spura
in the managerial field, while the 9th.
ers have their careers before them.
All have brilliant records as players
and they will bring to their new du-
ties those qualities that showed their
class as players and marked them for
leadership. These clubs have all been
strengthened by judicious deals and
the acquisition of players from the
minor leagues. and under the direc-
tion Of the new arrangements they
should all show improvement over the
form Of 1908.
1.-The season of 1908 was memorable
for not only Its. spectacular rise and
finish. but also the great interest
shown by the public, the attendance
being the highest in the history of the
league. l look for continuation Of
this interest. as I am sure the
race will be the most open in years."
Mr.. johnson does not share the be-
lief frequently expressed during the
training season that the Detroit IT,
gers will have walkaway in the
American league. He says:
There have been some predictions
that Detroit will make runaway race
in the American league championship
contest this season. I do not share
in this belief. Detroit staggered over
the chalk line last fall and won by q
very narrow margin the year pre-
vious. The club has been strength
ened some this winter, but to no
greater extent than Cleveland and st.
Louis. The maps and browns have
materially bettered their lineup, and
hopes are kindled high among the
fans at Cleveland. and the many thou
sands who support the American
league club in the city by the big
bridge. The veteran 'Cy' Young
will prove q tower of strength to
Lajoie and his tribe. while Crfger
will bolster the catching department
of the st. Louis Browns.
at is dificult to predict how great
a loss the absence of Jones will be in
the playing strength Of the White
Sox. Comiskey was always the guild:
ing spirit, but he must have the right
to secure the highest results.
From Philadelphia comes the re-
port that Connie Mack has unbounded
faith in his band of rejuvenated
Quakers. The prediction is made
that he has a club that is pennant
Down at Washington the
has been steadily build
Ing to q major league standard, and
the team of this year is far the best
that ever represented the capital. Few.
II any, predict pennant for the Sena-
tors, but the club will surely play =
most important part in the fight.
1t is hard to analyze the worth and
strength of the New York club. Many
changes have been made, but hard
campaign can alone determine the
value of the team. Under new lead
ership much better results may be
secured. Boston has one Of the speed
lest teams in the American league.