Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-05-07
NO UPSETS IN DIAMOND DOPE
Pennant Flights in Big Leagues
Running True to Form, with
but Couple of Exceptions.
CUBS ONLY DISTINCT SURPRISE
~ FRANK q. NTENKIc.


not furnished any startling upsets in the
preseason dope
True, there have been two or three
minor surprises. but, in the main, the
teams have run true to tho form expected
OF them when the reviews were made,
In the American league tho Red sox
are living up TO advance notices BY
clinging near the top. Even the loss OF
Speaker hasn't diminished their power.
That's largely because Olaf HAbrikson
has hoped into the gpp and filled II
admirably The swede Aas been betting
thu horsehlde la Speaker and in the
outfield his work. although not up to
Speakers standard has been excep-
tional.
The Yankees were figured 10 be IN the
fight-And they are. II II hadn't been
for Walter Johnson handing them three
heatings IN three trials, tho rejuvenated
New York outfit would be far higher In
the percentage column than they arc
right now. They have found but little
trouble IN beating up other twirlers,
The Tigers we're conceded as certain
battiers for the bunting--'1f tho pitching
staff shows strength" But II hasn't.
plonshlp for the Detroitcrs last year has
cropped out again this season. Tho
Tigers have marvellous offensive power.
They have some great fieldcrs. but they
lack pitchers who can stem the assault
OF the enemy,
white sox show Little.
The white sox 30 far have disappointed
their rootera They haven't shown much.
The chicagoans have power in every de-
partment 50 far II has boon mlsdlrected.
Probably they'll round into form within
another week or two, II they don't, the
fault Il Clarence Rowand's. He has the
material. II properly handled. that White
Eox team ought to stcam-roll practically
everything that stands IN It's way. But
once again We ask-"Is Rowland the
man for the job7"
Tho st. Louis Browns have done fairly
we'll. but not nearly as well ms was ez-
pected Of them. However. the first few
weeks have demonstrated that Fielder
Jones has some great pitchers and a.
brilliant fielding team, Just as soon M
his boys start 10 hammer tho ball they
win become dangerous factors IN the
race.
Cleveland has been something Of n
surprise In the preliminary dope Speaker
wasn't figured as cog IN tho machine
The Indians were consigned 70 seventh
place ct the best. Tho coming OF Speaker,
however. has put spirit into the team
II ia playing base ball beyond itself II
may continue But az the best tho In
dams cannot finish better than sixth
unless some new miracle ~ performed.
The Senators and Athletics arc running
true to form also. The frequent use Of
Walter johnson has enabled the Wnsii~
ington outfit TO keep out OF the cellar
The Speed King" can be depended upon
10 continue that stunt throughout the
season. but the best that can happen to
Griffth'a men Is fifth place. Sixth place
seems likeIieat
AZ to the AthIetica; Roquiescat In pacol
Giants shy Fight.
Shifting TO the National League we will
ohoose the Giants as tho first topic Of
conversation. Armed with a bunch Of
hltters. with fine fielding team. and a
good-looklng pitching staff, they floun-
der near the bottom. What's tho reason
Even McCiraw doesn't know. Lack Of
fighting spirit seems 70 BIO tho only as
signablo cause. on course, the Giants
have bumped into some tough luck go
far but even that cannot nlibl their poor
showing up 10 date.
Tho Philiiea have shown up snrpria-
ingiy we'll against tho eastern teams.
They fattened their percentage at the ex-
penso of the lowly Giants. When they
begin mixing things freely with the
western clubs a different story may be
told. But this one thing cannot be taken
away from the champions on 1915, and
that w. that they are playing n brand Of
base ball today that IL az good as that
which won them the pcnnant a year ago
The Cubs have surprised. In the pre-
season outlook they were ranked IN Tho
dark horse class Then caine their
training camp battles with the Phiiliea
and their ingIorious defeats. Right then
and there they were shorn Of the dark
horse" title. They became naEe in the
estimation al the fans. But the Philllf
beatlngs seemed 70 have a good efefci
on tho Cubs. IL showed Josephua Tinker
tho weakness IN HIS first lineup. HI
made shlfts-and tho Cubs are doing very
very we'll
cIuhhern Fall Down.
The Dodgers haven't hit their strldl
yet They have played in-and-out has
ball Their pitchers have worked well
but their clubhera haven't supporte,
Thorn. Until they A.. the Rrooklynitni
must be content with q place somewhat
removed from the top notch,
Cincinnati sized un IN our pre- season
opinion a. a dangerous outfit No hap
penings Aimee then have caused Va I,
shift opinion ilorzng Is pilotlnE mighty
good ball team. and Z, viii canse lrauhii
for the pennaut hattlers risht thFonkl
The year. unleEa miefoFlpne yisila them
The braves afe accomplishing the en-
rected. "A team fortified As IA sthlllnss'
A hard one - beat. n ln the class o
the TtnsF circuit on paper. ahd afts
three weeka af fighting u fQtaains III
fayofite foF ths hnnshN einues
The Cardinals hsFe disFiaYsd a bette
brand 81 tasa han than Vas predicted
tat they have Travelled hsiand their naF
mni spssd Another maash snt d
chances are thef Mn 10 far Fsuiar0
frum fisat aieasleA helsht
Az "a tha rsfAleas Mnli What Rasa q
ihs Athletics Naea faf lhem