Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-12

.o.rtain. Joe Tinker has been val.
- irving to produce winning COM
s.,on from the amalgamated Cubs
chicago Federals but has found
Of his veterans lacking in the
80 he desires. Team play has SUI
"a somewhat from the fact that the
,.v.rs are not entirely accustomed to
ether while unexpected weakness.
:. q the field and poor hitting have de-
Hoped. Nevertheless, critics in Chica-
helieye the team will soon round into
formidable shape
New Manager for Pirates
p,,tsburgh is another club which
..-t. the season with a new manager
!. tha helm. Jimmy Callahan, the 1915
,.ader, expects his team to finish in the
~..t division in place Of NTH last year.
rha Pirates have number Of new
.,.yers and it will probably take the
s..t mart Of the season to weld the old
IA new material into an effective COM
snstion. Miller Higgins. manager Of
-. a.. Louis Nationals, winners Of sixth
,,ee last year. predicts good season
~ his team If his infleld will stand
N. strain. He will not send his own
name in as player. Bethel will take
tha veterans place at second base while
Peck will play his old place at third.
Cincinnati Is picked by many to make
me- best showing Of the western clubs.
Tho Reds have secured number of for
med Federals since last season. when the
team finished in seventh place, including
Hal Chase, who while one Of the New
York Americans played first base in a
manner that made him one of the stars
Of the junior league. If Chase puts his
heart and head into the play he will be
a great assistance to Manager Herzog,
who has an excellent pitching staff, good
outfield, fair infield and catching corps.
From last place a year ago to first
division berth is a prediction made by
importers Of the New York club. The
Giants undoubtedly have strengthened
since last season. but it appears unlikely
that Manager McGraw's clan can come
hack and make successful fight for the
remnant this year. The addition of Kauff
Rauss and Rariden from the Federal
ranks will help materially. The outfield
a. the best that the Giants have had In
many seasons in batting, fielding and
throwing. The infield is unbalanced and
uncertain.
In the American League there have
been fewer changes In the personnel OF
the teams. Boston, Detroit, Chicago
Washington, have few Of the Federal
League talent, although all will try GU,
young players. New York, Cleveland, St
Louis, have all strengthened their com.
bnations from various sources and the
race should prove unusually close.
The Loss Of Speaker
Just what effect the absence Of Iris
Speaker from the worlds champions will
have on the seasons play Of the Boston
Americans is problematical. The manage
ment Of the Red Sox seems to be well
satisfied that Clarence Walker will fill the
outfeld vacancy. satisfactorily. With
these two changes and the addition OF
Sam Agnew to the staff of catchers, the
playing strength of the club is as for
midable as it was a year ago, and Its
chances to repeat as a winner are seem.
ingly more than promising. Manager
Carrigan feels confident that the team
has not been weakened in any depart.
ment. and that physically his men are in
better shape than they Were. a year ago
Detroit and Chicago, which finished
second and third respectively last year
will enter the present campaign with vet
eran teams although both have severa
promising young players in reserve. Thu
only regular on the Detroit team who's
place is not considered secure is Firs
Easeman Burns. He has not hit wei
thus far this spring. The pitching stat
will probably be Coveleskie, James
%Dauss and Boland, all veterans as regu
lar performers.
The most important change in the
lineup OF the White Sox is the shift Of
George Weaver to third base. this be-
ing made possible by the ability, ir
Manager Roland's opinion, of Zet
Terry, the Los Angeles recruit, to take
Weavers place at shortstop. Byrd Linn
has filed expectations and w. ]. LapI
will battle for the honor Of understudy-
ing Catcher Schalk.
Clarke Griffith, one Of the keenest
Of managers, is satisfied that his
team, the Washington Americans, will
this year not be troubled with dissen.
sions and that the members Of his
team are prepared stroutly to support
Walter Johnson and the other members
OF his twirling staff. The new first
baseman, Joe Judge, from the Inter
national League, is expected to be.
come a valuable unit and the pitching