The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-04-09
MAJORS READY
TOOPEN SEASON.
Majority Of Sixteen Clubs Are
in Good Trim for 1920
Campaign.
DODGERS LOOK SPLENDID
(sy JACK vEIock.)

New York. April 81. N. S)-A
majority Of the sixteen major league
clubs will be on their toes and in
good condition to open the baseball
season next Wednesday:
Reports from baseball experts
who have trailed the big leaguers for
more than a month indicate that the
players In general are ready to start
and with spring training practically
finished 1t is possible today to size
up the rival pennant chasers as they
wait for the bell.
Injuries suffered recently by sew
eral stars may prove quite handl-
cap to their respective clubs for a
time. The world champion Reds, for
Instance, will start minus the serv-
Ices of Jake Daubert, who will be out
OF the lineup for several weeks with
an injured hand.
Walter Barbara, shortstop or the
Pittsburgh Pirates, was struck on
the law by q pitched ball Wednes-
day ana lost several teeth In addi-
ton to receiving q fracture that will
keep him out of a uniform for some
time. Aaron Ward, of the Yanks, is
out with an injured knee received in
sliding, and 1t is expected he has
developed water on the knee. This
injury 10 a severe handicap to the
Tanks, who recently lost Wilson
Fewster's services.
Frank Synder of the Giants, and
Check Ward. of the Dodgers. are on
the hospital list with slight injuries. ana
the ability of several other players
who received early season injuries is
uncertain: Whether or not Charley
Herxog - capable OF playing second
base efficiently for the Cubs. following
his operation, is a question. Aside from
the effects injuries to players may have,
the various clubs may be sized up as
How They Stack Up.
Yankees: Fair condition; pitchers
not in best form; plenty OF individual
ability among players. but a lack OF
Giants: Good condition; ability OF
young infielders a question:; pitchers
and outf1elders ready: team as whole
white Sox: Good condition; plenty
OF Individual ability among veterans.
but q lack of cohesion In team work
and some dissension.
Cubs: Fairly good condition despite
hampercd by injuries to Hollocher and
Reds: Reported to be In poor con-
dition: team work below standard;
pitchers unsteady: hampcred by loss OF
Browns: Fine condition; pitching
fair: players high spirited and team
looks like a dark horse
Cardinals: Top form physically. ex-
cept several pitchers Who need more
conditioning.
pirates: In fair shape; team work
not perfected: loss OF Catcher Schmidt
and shortstop Barbara a big handicap.
Indians: Fine condition; favored gen.
orally as pennant winners; pitching and
fielding in good form.
Dodgers: Fine condition; shifts ip
the isiield that placed Olson on second.
Johnson at third and Ward at short
working fine. Pitchers in form:
Braves: Poor condition. owing TO
raw training weather; pitching I'M
Red sox: Fair condition, morale of
players at low ebb; absence OF agrees
Sive spirit noticeable.
Athletics: Rebuilt with youngsters
and full OF new life: In good condition.
PhillIes: Probably stronger than last
year and in fine condition.
Washington: In good shape and ad-
mittedly stronger than I'm 1919: batting
and fielding In good early season FORM
Tigers: Poor condition on account
of the bad weather; need strong pitch
ing: fielding and batting should be up
to standard.