The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-09
NATIONAL LEAGUE BROOKLYN

| championship last season will enter the coming race fully as strong as in 1916, 1 but Manager Robinson concedes that his 1 team will face stiffer opposition than a year ago. Although a number of the vet erans threatened to be holdouts early this spring the club officials have secured 1, their signatures to contracts and the en- tire squad has been showing well in prac- tice and preliminary games during the training trip. The advent of Tavern Fabrique, who appears to have won place at shortstop, is expected to great ly strengthen and speed-up the infield Several recruits have shown signs of promise but it is doubtful if they have | the ability to earn a place in the regu- lar lineup at this time. In a general way Brooklyn appears formidable in free hit ting and to have a high class pitching staff. In other departments of the modern game however, there are several clubs which apparently. have an edge on the 1 Superbas
 1 PHILADELPHIA
 l The Philadelphia club was slow to get l into spring training With it's full strength 1 due to the Eoldout tactics of several of the veterans. Eventually however mat ters were adjusted satisfactorily and the 1 team enters the pennant race fully as | strong as a year ago, when it finished II. 1 A number of new players were tried out at the St. Petersburg training camp, but ! it is not likely that any of the regulars will be displaced, although several of the | recruits showed considerable promise | The majority. will be farmed out for ! further sea soning but will be availa ble | if Manager Moran needs their services It is likely that the Phillies will take the 1 field in about the same order as last sea- | l club, the pitching staff is probably the most impressive. Headed by Alexander, and including Rixey, Lavender, Mayer, Oeschanger, Eittery and Fortune the l hurling squad is one to hold any oppos- l ing team In check. The receiving end is also in keeping and slight increase in batting and fielding power will give l the Philadelphia representatives the right to expect place very close to the pennant struggle.
 BOSTON
 l The prospects of the Boston Braves 1 cannot be said to better on paper at least, than was the case year ago. In 1 a general way the personnel of the club is about the same and while Boston fin ished third in the 1916 struggle it is con- ceded on all sides that more teams will
 
 son. Boston appears likely to find it harder to defeat certain clubs this sum- mer than in the past. The injury to Ever's shoulder and the bereavement to Mars nville upset the team training rou- tine to some extent, and it may be several | weeks before the Braves begin to play in their best form. None of the new mem- bers of the squad has shown ability suf- ficient to displace the regulars. It ap- pears as though Manager Stalhngs will be called upon to drive the veteran machine | at top speed and in this respect he Is a | past master. If he can get the players keyed up early in the season the Braves may prove the surprise of the senior league.
 NEW YORK
 The New York Nationals appear to be a most formidable baseball machine or the eve of the pennant race and many fans and writers are conceding the 191' championship to the Giants before the season opens. While such an opinior
 takes much for granted there is no de- nying that Manager McGraws team is one of the strongest in the senior league The squad contains every element fol winning offensive and defensive work or
 the diamond. With an infield composed of Hoelge, Herzog, Fletcher and Trimmer man, lightning fast, airtight combna-
 ton seems assured. The outfield is ol
 like classe with Burns. Robertson anc
 I<auff playing regularly. The battery
 material with Schupp, Salee. Perritt. An
 derson, Tesreau and Benton experienced pitchers; McCarty, Raridan. Gibson anc
 koscher for work behind the bat leave. little to be desired. The team, as {
 whole, appears to be hard hitting, fas
 and accurate fielding combination. Witt