The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-20
Big League Clubs Begin to
Show What They Can Do.
Critics Agree Giants and White
Sex Look Dangerous.

News York, March 20.-With the
axes beginning to swing in training
camps thruout the country, fans are
today able to get a tiny glimpse at
what may be expected when the Ma
tiona1 and American leagues plunge
into their annual flag chases.
There is little change from the pre-
season dope that emanated from the
stove league. The National league mas
it's strong teams, the American mas us
A matter of careful conditioning, 1ree-
dom from injuries when season starts
and the natural things that go to make
up baseball season will settle the
issue, as always.
In the American league, Boston,
Chicago, Detroit and New York stand
out as the best balanced teams. Many
experts are favOring Chicago to WIN
a pennant this year. They bank on
the comebacks of the Comiskey hurl-
ing corps, at one time as good as they
grew. Jim Scott is said to be show
ing better than he has for several
years and Reb Russell. it is persistent
ly declared, is having success IN nus
efforts to iron the kinks out of his
left flipper.
1t has been positively stated there
will be no experimenting with Chicago s
south side team this year. Veterans,
tried and true. will be found filling
all the holes wherever possible. There
are Two ilOleS, sSoOu SiAco
ones on that club-one at first base
and one at short stop.
Gandil Best Bet.
Chick Gandil may fool the multi
tude and prove himself to be just the
man the White Sox have been looking
for Any way. it is certain that
neither Jack Ness nor Fourier is cap
able of doing a major league days
work. Ness will not be among
those present when the season opens.
There are several recruit first sackers
among the Sox who may be able to do
something.
The presence of either Terry or Ris-
berg at shortstop looks rather bad for
the Sox, when the trouble is taken
to gaze back over the sterling efforts
of Buck Weaver. Weaver will be at
third base.
Detroit will start the season in the
same fix as formerly lack of an
adequate hurting staff. New ones must
be developed or the old ones must i'm
prove if the rest of the league con-
tinues at the old gait.
Boston's chances lie in Jack Barry
and his ability to keep the old ma
chine from rusting. He will get the
same start as was given Bill Carrigan
a year ago.
New York, a young team, full of
pep. punch and speed, may prove the
dark horse of the race. Bill Donovan
has assembled fine outlay of men
for the Yankees and is bound to cut
a big figure in the fighting. IT
Connie Mack Hopeful.
Connie Mack is sending out optimis-
tic signals from his Florida training
camp and it may be that the former
demon worlds series winner will get
a running start for more fame and
glory. He has some excellent material
from which to build.
The National league seems to be all
New York, with a remarkable infield
defense and a smuggling outfield to back
it up.
McGraw's hurlers are not the best
in the league, but his hitters will
spoil many a dinner for the other
pitchers.
The Braves appear to be the most
dangerous opponents of the Giants
with the Phillies and Dodgers running
in the order named