Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-14

An epidemic of baseball fever,
which started a short time ago when
the teams departed for the South, has
broken out all over the u. S. A.. and
is raging fiercely today, particularly
in eight large American cities. The
municipalities most affected are those
lucky enough to have drawn opening
games in the National and American
League schedules. The only cure for
the malady so prevalent today lie
baseball and plenty of il.
Newark fans. lucky enough to be
within reach of the Polo Grounds and
Ebbets Field will form q good por-
ton of tie crowds at the two Greater
New York openings.
The New York American League
club had the honor OF opening it's
season at the Polo Grounds with Con-
ME Mack's worlds champions from
Philadelphia. AT Brooklyn were
George Stallings's Boston Braves
ready to do battle with Robinson's
Brooklyn outfit. Governor John X
Tener, of the National League, was
the guest of honor at the Brooklyn
entertainment.
The desertion of several players.
who left big league teams to cast
their lot with the new Federal
League, has weakened some of the
major league clubs, and for this rea-
son 1t has been more difficult for the
experts to rate the teams. A major
ity of the newspaper men of big
league towns advance the opinion
that the Athletics will repeat In the
American, and that the fight in the
National League will rest between
New York and Pittsburgh
"A team in the National League
which many fans think will come
through this season is the Boston
Nationals, which spurted so splendid
ly under George Stallings's guidance
last year. Then, too, the Brooklyn
squad with a new leader may develop
into a real baseball machine and
show some eamwork--something
which the Superbas have lacked In
the past.
Robinson is one of the three Ma
tlonal League managers who will
make theirtbo today. Charley Her.
zog, ex-Giant, Is to lead the Cincin-
natl Reds this season, a haplesa task
in the past. In Chicago Hank O'Day
has been resurrected from the umpire
staff and placed In charge of the
Cubs.
The American League has no new
the Boston Red Sox, and Branch
Hickey, of the st. Louis Browns, are
practically newcomers. Both took
charge of their respective teams after
the season of 1913 was we'll worn.
Out In Detroit the fans are more
| enthusiastic than usual Ty Cobb's
assertion that the Tigers are aes.-a4.-
ready to step into the first division
carries some weight with the Micti-
ILL., So. T..
ningsites have always shown d strong
aggressive lineup, but their defense
has been none too good, particularly
in the pitching line.
Another opinion advanced Is that
the Chicago White Sox will show
better than Washington at the finish.
The Sox have a great pitching staff,
while the Senators have not befa~
strengthened to all appearances 4
Cleveland team, through the ravaG
of the Feds, has been weakened. otH
erwise the Maps would be picked to
give the Athletics their stiffest tussle.
The Boston Red Sox, who blame
their slump last year to too much
spring training and managerial
changes, may make some trouble for
the other fellows in the American
League.
The National League situation 10
pretty much the same as In other
years. The Phillies, who would sure.
ly have been strong pennant contend
ers, have been weakened by Federal
League assertions. Doom will have
to do some pitching to give tht
Giants a run for their money.
The Cincinnati Reds are showing
more pepper than usual under Buck
Herzog's leadership. They are ex-
pected to make "a flashy start, but 1t
is doubtful If they have the stamina
to keep up In the race.
While the major leagues are cele-
brating their opening games today
the American Association teams win
get into action also. At the same
time the Southern Association will
launch forth, its fourteenth season
down in Dixie. Aside from that. the
Federal League has another opening
today. Brooklyn appearing at Pitts
burgh.