Evening journal., 1915-03-25
HONORS NEARLY EVEN
IN american LEAGUE.
No One Team Has Big
Bulge on the
Others
FOUR IN THE
PENNANT FIGHT

II LOOKS as III tncFC VIII De "a uldu
scramble for pennant honors in tho
American League this season. At least
four teams can be considered from
this preseason angle, as certain bat
tiers for the bunting, while two others
look like dark horses" And as for
those other two-well. you never can
tell. Remember the Braves.
The best part of the American
League outlook is that the teams
seem more evenly matched than for
many years. No one team has a big
bulge on the others, as the Athletics
had in other years. No one team
is hopelessly outclassed, as was the
case Of the Yankees and Maps last
year.
There is a difference between the
teams figured for the first division
Red Sox, Senators, Athletics and
White Sox-and the other four that
are figured for the second division.
But the difference isn't so great.
In other years from $50 TO $50
points separated the first and last
place teams In the American League.
but this year the difference may be
only about $50 points. a fact that
would make the race a thriller all the
way down tho stretch.
The Red Sox are being touted con-
siderably. There is no ducking the
fact that they look most powerfully
good. But that doesn't mean that
they will have an easy job of it.
The white Sox, aided and abetted
by Eddie Collins, hunch OF pitchers
that have but few peers in baseball,
a brace of good catchers, and some
likely looking outhelders, have ere
ated pennant dreams in Chicago. The
Sox, on the preseason dope, surely
look as though they are able to put
up a great and enduring battle
The Senator'S, now that they have
recovered their star high jumper,
Walter Johnson, can be figured as
having a chance for the flag The
Senators have not lost any of the old
strength since the 1914 season closed
and some Of the youngsters that Crit
fith has picked up may round into
stars.
The Athletics will be in the fight
Don't think that the absence Of Col
Inns. Bender, Plank. ct al, will acl
as a death blow. Connie Mack hal
some young pitchers who will have q
chance to work regularly this year
and those boys ought TO come
through" Lajoie Is a bit beyond his
prime and his batting eye has dimmed
slightly but the great Frenchman
ought to be able to play the sort OF
game that won't make the absence OF
Collins felt so keenly.
The four teams above look to have
the best chances for the pennant. But
it's well not to overlook the Detroit
outfit. Hughie Jennings still has his
wrecking crew-Cobb and Crawford
and he has shared a few pitchers
that promise TO deliver in nice shape
II they do, and If Coveleshe and Du-
buc have good seasons. those Jungle
Boys ought to be very much among
those present.
The Yankees are a problem. The
pitching staff will be made up about
the same as last year. Maybe "Wilt
Bill Donovan can get far better worl
out OF il than Frank Chance did las
year. II he does that will mean
better rating for the Yanks. The New
Workers have been strengthened
through several trades and purchases
since the new owners became active
that have bolstered up the infield ans
outfeld. Just what this new Yankee
team will do constitutes one OF tn
big baseball questions OF the year.
The Indians-there's another base
ball question mark. They don't lool
good on paper. The pitching stan
based on its 1914 work. is one tina
cannot inspire first division hopes
But the pitchers may get back int
their stride in 1915. and those Indian
may be the surprise Of the 1915 sea
G1r.
The Brownies right now don't lOOl
good enough 20 finish any better thar
lar down IN the second division. The.
have some good pitchers-but non
are real wonders. The infeld is good
and the outfeld is likewise. That 4
as y concerns fielding But the team
Isn't a team o. hitfers