Evening journal., 1914-04-14

might,
The fields of the hit and run.
There base hits sing their sweetest
lays.
There meshes of erros are spun;
In this land we're entering from the
night,
The land Of the hit and run.
NEW YORK, April 14.-The Coro-
nation OF King Swat was the chief
business before the country today.
Although an annual ceremony, the
same old thrill was on hand when in
eight different cities the baseball
season was formally opened and the
National and American League teams
were sent away in the pennant races
In the American League the Worlds
Champion Athletics opened their first
battle of the year with Frank
Chances rejuvenated Yankees In
New York. The Cleveland Maps clash
ed with the White Sox at Chicago
the St. Louis Browns and Detroit
Tigers opened in Detroit and Clark
Griffith led his Washington team
against the Red Sox In Boston. The
National League swung into its race
with the Giants at Philadelphia, the
Chicago Cubs hurled themselves up.
on the Reds at Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
at ST. Louis, and Boston and Brook.
lyn clashing. at Ebbets Field, across
the Bridge.
The cracking Of the baseball I'D
comes after one of the widest ses.
sions of the Winter League IN his.
tory, during which a club president
was unhorsed, three new manager.
installed IN the National League. ant
J both factions Of organized baseball
shaken to their foundations by tn,
onrushing Federals, who staged theii
first game Of the season yesterday.
Although the training season wa
marked by the injury OF players OF
several teams, every manager pro
nounced himself fit and ready for tn,
fray today. Everything points to th,
same ultimate result in the pennan
races as that OF last year-a sweel
through the American League bv mi
Athletics, the winning of another Ma
tlonal League pennant by McGraw
and then the climax, in the strug
gle tor the Worlds title betweel
, these two great machines.
The great Mackian forces present th
same front as last year, with the Young
sters better seasoned and therefore NOR,
D TO be relied upon. McGraw goes into tn
Tray with practically his same fore,
but II anything, strengthened. BY tb
acquisition Of Bescher he has adde,
speed to his outfield, aud in Mathewsou
Marquard, Tesreau and Demaree he ore
sents the same first line of pitchin
power with several younrsters in r.,
serve. One Of the teams expected TO at
tract great attention during the Ma
tional League race is the Boston Brave.
After showing vast improvement las
year, Boston is further strengthens
for this season by Johnny Evers, depos
cd manager Of the Chicago Cubs. an
one OF the greatest second basemen il
the game.
II was after feverish excitement AM
the stirring Of the entire Nationa
League that the Evers case was finall,
settled. This afforded one OF the man
upheavals that kept the Winter Leagu
fire burning fierce and hot. In connec
tion with the same deal Hank O'Da'
again stepped into the managerial rank.
The firing OF isyers BY former Presiden
Murphy OF the Cubs. was followed b
the appointment Of oDay as johnny
successor. This, in turn was followe
by the ousting Of Murphy from th
league.
Mr.. Wilbert Robinson. former coac
OF the Giants, has the Brooklyn assign
ment, and Charlie Herzog will manag
the Reds.
With the Federals raiding every cam
to some extent, the Phillies start th
race with the most scars OF the winte
tight. Manager Dooin's men hung on I
the Giants with every ounce Of figh
that was in them last year, and led III
league for time. This year, howeve
the Phillies are a problem. They ha,
lost Seaton, Brennan, Knabe and Dos
Ian 10 the Federals. II they set q pac
such as was followed last year
will surprise even their most ardent 10
lowers. The Phillies are picked for III
second division, but it's a long stretc
from the showers OF April to the drear
afternoons of the dog days and q
through to the finish in October. Und,
Herzog the Cincinnati Reds are said I
DE a vastly improved collection OF has,
ball chargers. And with the Pirate
Cubs, Dodgers and Cardinals talking
Improvements the race for lesser honol
should be tightened up even though Il
Giants appear TO have the crown leanin
I in their direction.
In the American League IL win be n
Athletics against the gang. As the ol
. wiz Mack gently eases his well-oil'
machine into the tussle. Clark Grifiit
in Washington, and every other mani
ger, for that matter. will be directir
his attack on the Mackien sluggeI
Griffith looks as strong as the next on
outside Mack. this season. and shou
put up a sizzling fight. Cleveland vi
| start with a handicap due to the injur
E of Chapan and the Feds. After the
slump OF last year the Boston Red Sc
. are about due for q recovery, approach
, inc their form Of 1912 Prank Chanl
J expects 10 lift the Yankees free fro
danger Of the collar position this yes
which must mean that the st. Lou
a -