The Washington times., 1916-04-11
ODDS CHANGE WHEN
SPEAKER IS SOLD
TO CLEVELANDERS
Though Favorites, Red Sox Not
Expected to Have Much Of a
!, Margin on Others.
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Tomorrow the bell rings. sixteen
major league ball teams will start
upon. their grind that ends only in
October. Both Boston teams are con-
sidered slight favorites to win the
pennants in their respective leagues.
The sale OF iris Speaker to the
Cleveland Indians has changed the
odds from to against the victory of
the Red Sox to to /. Those who
like the White Sox. Tigers. or YANKEES
are taking heart. their chances look
ing better to them.
The Braves are figured as most like
ly to win the National League ban
ner because. in addition to a general
ly, strong team, they have George
Stallings and Johnny Evers. These
two men swing the balance in their
favor over all others in the circuit.
Walter Johnson VS.. Ray Fisher or
Ray Caldwell Is expected to he the
card at the Polo grounds tomorrow
when the 1916 Griffmen open the sea-
son with Bill Donovans Yankees.
With the exception of Jameson in
right field and Judge at first base. the
Griffs will look quite natural to those
fans who have watched the team for
the past four years. but the Yankees
will have many new faces.
After much experimenting, Manager
Griffith has gone back to the 1912
lineup. barring right field and first
base. His expected sluggers have SO
far failed to slug and the best men he
has at his command are the same who
performed here in 1919.
Frank Baker. Frank Gilhooley. Joe
Gedeon, and Lee Magee are new men
, in the Yankee lineup. Each is ex-
- htta LINN
to the offensive power of the team,
New York Is willing to bet a nickel or
two that the Yanks will ba in The
frat division at the end of the season.
crowding out the Grffmen.
The Grlffmcn are due in New York
around $3.50 tonight. going at once to
the Ansonla which viii be their head
big town. The boss wants his ath-
letes to have good nights sleep be-
fore tackling the Yanks, and for this
reason lands In New York before time
TO turn In.
Aside from Johnson Harry Harper
doc Ayers, George Dumont and Sam
Rice look to be ready for their best
performances and Manager Griffith win
before leaving Gotham for Boston.
Bert Gallia does not seem TO be quite
on edge. but should be by the time the
team returns home next week.
Though. the team representing the
Capital this year has failed thus far to
resemble a hitting outfit, Manager
Griffith is confident that 1t will yet
come to the front In this respect and
Tisappolnt tho Knockers and grou ches.
He thinks that the warmer weather due
here next week will bring out all the
latent hitting ability OF Rondeau, Nor
San Barber, Judge and Foster.
Joe Judge should benefit from the
week from fbp ('anital I,lF
Fandil's successor is away Off his stride
at the bat and the verbal assistance
he Is getting from the fans is not help |
ing him in the right direction. On for
eign fields he may find his batting eye
and return i'm the condition he was
when he reported here last septcmber.
Manager Griffith Believes Ray Morgan |
Viii hit around .260 when he gets going |
ItiGht now Morgan Is far below that
Rundeau, a late starter. was released
IN 1915 before he showed his ability /,
This season hC will be retained until he !
gets started. whenever that will be
Roster is fast setting into his stride |
and should 10 in lrst-rlass shape with |
the bat Inside of week.
BARRIER hitting Is improving and he |
should be ready &c. hop INTO the line.
UP whenever ordered.
That Walter Johnson Is NJ fer the !
Tray WAS shown BY his work AGAINST |
INC rhlllics Yesterday. y" held the |
was p BIZ unsteady and extremely Wild |
IN his thrcw;nc Gallo couldn't seem |
10 worry, the Natior1l l"aguers much |
Snd sd was Wild as well. ThatG VIII, the !
Harper let the rrst run Tor tho foe
10 across vLcn he hit the cushion try
ing to catch stock Oh second. The ball