The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-12


started on it's jubilant way this week,
when the National and American
Leagues Will open the season on
Wednesday. The National League
pennant race opens with new in
terest, because this season the clubs
will have a different champion to
keep their eyes on in the Boston
Braves. The slogan for several sea
sons has been "Wa.ch the Giants but
now 1t is Watch the Braves"
1t isn't going to be the easiest thing
in the world for the Braves re-
peat their success this year. according
to the baseball sharps. because now
that their real worth Is known, it will
be the object Of all the clubs to play
their strongest against the champions,
That's one of the drawbacks against
being a pennant winner. everybody Is
against you.
The season will open at the Polo
Grounds Wednesday with a game be-
tween the Giants and Brooklyn. 1t is
new experience for Manager Nc
Graw to start the season as just an
ordinary. member of the ranks. His
clubs are usually leaders. The Giants
this year have one ambition. and that
is to win back the honors that Bos-
ton took from them in such spec.acu-
lar fashion last season. From present
indications, II looks as il the Braves
were just as good and even better
than they were last season II Sher-
wood Magee comes upto the standard
expected of him. he will be big help
in bringing another pennant to Bos-
ton Much also depends on Johnny
Evers Evers, after the worlds series,
had a severe illness. which may or
ma 0f hn a aHa hJ u
during the coming season, However.
1t is well-known fact that Evers'
work with the Bostons last season was
the principal factor in the clubs sue
cess. With Evers ard Magee right, "
Boston has glorious chance for re-
peatsnE.
In strengthening the New York
Club Manager McGraw has got an
other star pitcher in Poi Perritt
and an experienced. capable third
bsseman in Hans Lobert. With this
addede strength. McGraw also expects
20 see the batting Larry Doyle and
Chief Meyers assume its former
strength. Last season. when both Of
these players fell off in their batting
the Giants chances faded gradually
but surely. Jeff Tesreau should be
at the top of his pitching form dur
ing the coming year. and McGraw
also puts much trust in the ability
OF Rube Marqusrd 10 show again
after his poor season last year. The
INJURY 90 George Burns will be a
handicap to the team at the start
but the injured ankle should be as
good as ever before the season is very
far along
BROOKLYN showed marked Improve
ment III the South this season and n
q Ia sEn
wlll not be because il has NOT been
brought 10 the top form of condition
by Manager Robinson. on Mara the
clubs eusational shortstop. has prac-
tically recovered from the injury 10
his leg. and in the short field he IL
sure 70 prove one Of the valua Die
members OF the club. The pitching
staff OF the Dodgers II stronger than
last season, and with the batting
strength that the club possesses
Brooklyn should finish higher up in
the race than at any time during the
past few seasons.
A club which is sure 70 be an i'm
portant factor in the National League
race this wear Is the Chicago Cubs,
with its ne wmanager. Roger Bres-
nahan. This Is not Bresnahan's f1rst
managerial experience. He was at
the helm in St Louis few seasons
a so and proved his right TO be called
a capable manager. Under him. the
Cubs have taken wonderful brace
this spring and the experts predict
that the Cubs will show something
like their former greatness when the
race gets under way.
Anohtre new manager N the Ma
tional League is Pat Moran of the
Phillies. Radical changes have taken
place on the Phiilies- Harmony has
been restored and Moran has inau-
gurated a different system of play
ing The Phillies. under his guild
ance have started in on an era OF
smart ball playing and the result will
be watched with interest. The short
field will have a player in Young
expected. Around Alexander. pedhaps
tional League Moran has built up a
strong pitching star.
Pittsnurs. ST Louis. ana Cincsn-
natl have all made changes which
will be more or less experimental.
Much younger playing talent has been
brought to the front. all of which
will tend TO make the season more
uncertain and interesting.
The American League will also in
troduce two new managers in Bill
Donovan Of the Yankees and Ciar-
ence Rowland Of the White Sox. Tn
der the new conditions OF a different
ownership the Yankees are expected
to take a new lease on life. For the
first years. Don ovan'e experience will
be more i'm the preliminary games the
Yankee team has shown a more ami
bitious spirit and willingness to ac-