Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-15
.sO T0P--HEhvY CONTESTS
SCHEDULED FOR OPENER
1hicazo White Sox and New York
Giants Arc Considered F'a-
voritcs In Betting.
,UDs HAVE FEW OLD STARS
showing Made Against Western
Teams During Training Season
Would Indicate the Team Is Not
as Strong as Names Signify.
ny ALLAN MARKLIaY.

NEW YORK. April A-From the
ay things line up on tho eve OF the
pcning OF the major league pcnnant
aces tomorrow, 1t would seem that
here will be no top-hcavy contest In
ithcr league.
The Chicago White Sox and the New
| ork Giants. last years winners, are
mo favoritcs in betting circles. al
hough their most optimistic supporters
not predict a walk away. Keen COM
clifton is forecast in the American
caSuc. with at least four teams as
osaible winners. The loss Of :, single
cod player from any one OF these
cams after the season gets under way
5iiSht easily mean defeat.
The wholesale roundup OF old time
tars by Charles WecShman. owner of
he Cubs, made them loom up at the
tart OF the training season as dan
erous competitors in President Tcner's
ircu!t However, the case with which
neg have been beaten by Western
cams. would indicate that they arc not
ctually as strong as the printed list
names would signify. The possible
oss OF Grover Cleveland Alerander be-
ore the season Is over Is also threaten
nE.
The world's champion White So1
! ave also made a poor showing in the
iFe-scason games, being beaten by Diff
ercnt brush league teams. with Cap
ain Eddie Collins reported Ill and not
bio 10 start the season. It may take
hem some time TO get into their for
ner stride. The team is. however.
Practically Intact and should. accord.
ne TO all tho dope" be as strong az
asst year.
EARLY PREDICTIONS PUTS
RED SOX IN THE LEAD
The early prediction that the Boston
,ed Sox would again lead the field
oes not seem 10 DC borne out by their
ccent exploits. During the Red Sox-
dodgers Southern series lack OF team
york was revealed. which was rcspon-
!b!c moro than any other factor FOR
ne success OF Jack Barrys old team.
The enlistment Of Barry Lewis
iaincr and other stars OF the old Red
OK team was hard blow TO Boston.
resident Frazcc has tried 10 fl! their
'laccs by tho purchase OF Bush, Schang
trunk and Mc!nn!s from Connie Mack.
'ut In doing so lie let Gardner 20, and
as been cncountcring difficulty IN
hap!nE UP dependable innc!d. Nc
mis- seems only 10 be an experiment
I third. and Manager Barrow has been
having trouble with the Keystone
ack. 1t now seems probable that he
|vtli lose Johnny Evcrs, the famous
Trojan who has been working at this
POSITION.
Tho $cw York Giants are prac,!calIy
5 strong this year as last. Robert
on and Captain iIc-zos have been lost
iHcc tic end Of last season. but their
'iaccs arc being tillcd By Larry DOYLE
md Ross Young.
In case lIcrzcG carries out his threat
pr Tcporting TO Manager McGraw.
'oy!c and Pitcher Barnes viii have TO
&c sent back 10 the Boston Braves.
which viii materially weaken the team.
icrzoE has not been in training this
eason.
,EIR0I1 AND CLEVELAND
FORMIDABLE CONTENDERs
The other two most formidable con
cndcr5 i'm the American League are
Detroit and Cleveland Bo,h teams arc
blowing up strong 10 start tho season.
md VIII probably forge into the first
iivision. II not the lead in tho FIRST
tcw weeks II - rather doubtful
whether tho Indians will be able "a
maintain the pace, as they have lost
}cvcral valuable men in the draft. Do
rot has undoubtedly the strongest Of
tcnsivc In either league, but the Tigers
pitching staff is weak.
The Yankees, Browns. Senators and
Athletics appear now TO be scheduled
for the second division in the American
league
The Reds and Cardinals will be close
,ontcndays for the honors in tho Ma
tional League, although neither has
shown exceptional strength in the pre-
season games. Tho Dodgers Braves.
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