The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12
Giants Again Favorites for National League Flag,
Open in Philadelphia Situation Upset
by Raid of Federal League

Tuesday Of this week is the day OF all
days most dear to Americas sport loving
populace. 1t ushers In the baseball sea-
son OF 1914. the titanic struggles Of the
American and National leagues. Sixteen
teams. comprising the greatest players Of
the land. chafe for the umpire's call
Greater New York il favored beyond all
rival big league cities. II alone has 4
double opening. Connie Mack's wonderful
Athletic array, champion nine Of the
world, and one OF the greatest champions
of all time. will meet Frank Chances
New York Americans ut the Polo Grounds
george Stallings's' Boston Braves. the
great sensation OF the National League
rsce of 1918, will assist Wilb.rt Robin
sons Dodgers in the inauguration at
Ebbets Field. Brooklyn.
Two Magnets At Polo Grounds.
The Athletics would be sure OF a fitting
reception II they confined their activities
! to a parade across the field But another
lure will make OF the Polo Grounds Tues
day the most desirable spot In Manhattan
Frank Chance will be there for new
start with a new team. His was any
thing but triumph last year. his first
In the American League, But all the
sorry material with which he was ex-
pected to climb has been discarded. Out
side some veteran battery talent, Roy
Hartzell. utility man, alone ia LETT of
all the d.scordant horde to which Chance
fell heir on Harry Wolverton's departure.
Chance has thoroughly reconstructed the
New York Americans. He has n team OF
youngsters, not yet thoroughly tested or
welded together. but still, so far as can be
seen from early spring performances.
vastly superior to the forgotten line of
battle of one short year ago
Brooklyn this year divides New York
U ia lnnan
deared himself TO the local National
League following by years OF service as
chief aid to McGraw, IL in charge of
| Ebbets's Dodgers. Apparently he has an
piled successfully those principles which
proved so beneficial with his erstwhile
chief.
The Giants. champions OF the National
League. VIII open on the hostile field at
Philadelphia. The home fans must re-
sign themselves TO a belated welcome for
them. Contrary to precedent, McGraw
failed TO return this year before tn.
opening OF the season. He will make his
/ inaugural bow in Brooklyn on April 49,
FederaIs Upset Old Order.
A new element has crept into tho ma.
tional pastim. since year ago and one
that is bound TO afYoct the competitions
| or the two great rival leagues This
4 In the Federal League, which aspires ia
| recognition rs an equal OF the National
and American. Apparently the Federal
! League promoters have not weakened
the collective strength of the two ma Tors
materially AZ yet For the most par,
what players were attracted from In,
charmed circle of elite society were either
veterans well on the wane or else in.
experienced men not certain in their pros
poets under the older organizations wing
But several major league clubs have beer
more unfortunate than their fellows anc
what blows have fallen have fallen In
such way az To do the victims the great
est possible harm.
No club has suffered more in this re-
spect than tho Philadelphia Nationals
The desertion of Otto Knabe and MIX,
Doolan to the Baltimore Independent,
broke the tnheld backbone OF a team
which had the fairest chance to halt Nc
Graws sprint to a fourth straight pen
nant, This same club has lost--for tn,
time at loast--its greatest pitcher Ton
Seaton. The Federal hand disturbed tn,
fine pitching star OF Pittsburg, alwayi
a dangerous factor In a National Lea9u,
J fight, Nor did II skip the customary frs
division tenants of the American League
Washington, Boston. Cleveland and De
troit.
! Federal League inroads. however faiie,
to AFFECT to any appreciable extent thu
strength or last years champions, Not
man deserted Connie Mack. But few
substitutes forsook the McGraw standa rd
No doubt the players of these champion
teams were influenced in loyalty by tn
thought OF worlds series reward
Athletics Have u strangle Hold.
Anything may happen In baseball. Tina
5 IL why spring predictions usually come I
such nm early fall But II ever tear
looked certain OF repeated success that
the American League champion led b
Connie Mack. The Athletics boast tina
= wonderful strength which carried theI
] through all rivals. including the Giants,
year ago. The team IL young. AT II
zenith OF its power. and should open III