The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-09

a fair break in baseball luck and free dom from serious injuries to players the Giants should be in the forefronts of the pennant fight from the start
 CHICAGO
 The Cubs begin the season under the di- recton of a new manager and Tn fred Mitchell Chicago has field leader sec ond to none in baseball strategy and tac- ties Several new players are also ilkely to be seen in the regular lineup and for this reason there is considerable un- certainty at this time in the relative strength of the team. The injury to Captain Larry Doyle has upset the work ing of the infield combination. Zeider or Yerkes will substitute for Doyle for awhile at least The other members of the inner defensive circle will be Wort man, shortstop; Saire, first, and Deal. third base. The outfield appears strong with Woters Williams and Mann as regulars The Cubs pitching staff is somewhat of an unknown quantity, but Manager Mitchell believes that its strength will surprise both fans and op- ponents. Several recruit twirlers have apparently won places among the veteran mound artists and if they all make good Chicago is likely. to be an important fac tor in the flag contest
 PITTSBURG
 The 1917 Pirates are more or less of an unknown quantity at this time. Only actual campaign on the baseball diamond will fix their status. The old machine | has been gradually broken up and Man ager Callahan has been fitting in new | pe rts here and there with the result that | it will require sometime to ascertain the | strength and weakness of the new combi- l nation The spring training was mo- l table by the absence of Honus Wagner and there appears to be doubt regarding the final intentions of the famous vet | eran. number of recruits tried out | proved their worth and several are likely | to be seen in the early season lineup. Much will depend upon Callahan's abil- | ity to get the new combination working | fast and smooth Late last season the reconstructed team gave evidence of
 latent strength and may develop rap i! idly with the approach of warm weather.
 ST. LOUIS
 Manager Miller Huggins has several promising youngsters. better pitchhing and more hitting power on the St. Louis | team this year, but he has hard work | ahead of him in order to have the Car | dinals finish in the first division De \ Fate is expected to solve the third base | problem, and add to the team's batting l strength, but Hugg1nS may start With | Betzel at third again, playing De Fate at short; Hornsby at first base. and either Jack Miller or Bohne on second Cruise, up for the third time. will have a chance in the outfield. Trades may be made during the season in an effort tc l give additional strength to the team, but the outlook is not promising for the club to finish outside of the second di, l'vision.
 CINCINNATI
 The spring practice of the Cincinnati club has been handicapped by both ill ness among the players and unfavorabIe weather The squad. however, has made marked advance under the direction o1 Manager Chrlsty Mathewson, and 1t if the consensus of opinion among Redlanc followers that Cincinnati is to be mucf more formidable than was the case last season. The belated signing of con tract by Outfielder Eddie Roush has greatly improved the prospects of the team. His return to the fold gives ths new manager a nucleus around which tc build, as in Chase. Groh and Roush ht has three players of star rank. Just whal