Evening journal., 1920-04-14
BY HENRY L. FARRELI.

NDW YORK. April ia.-Fourteen fond
hopes trot out today to get busted"
Fouriesn battle SCARED hands reach
out for plum that only two will gel
their fingers around.
Fourteen managers transplant today
from the sunny training gardens OF the
south into the sod OF their northern
ball parks. baseball plant doomed to
die before the frost hits II.
Baseball OF 1920 In on It's way todsy
over the old i5s game course 10 0c
tober 3.
Fer Its debut menu. the National
League has the champion Reds and
the Cubs at Cincinnati; the Braves and
the Giants at New York; the Pirates
snd the Csrss al 81. Louis; and the
PILLS and the Robins at Brooklyn.
The inaugural ceremonies In the
American League will be In charge OF
the Tigers and White Sox at Chicago
the Browns and the Indians at Cleye-
land: the Yankees and the Athletics at
Philadelphia, and the senator's and the
Red Sox at Boston.
Just like the curcus press agents. the
oracles OF the diamond are predicting
q sesson-'blgger'n better'n ever
Baseball has had one OF the most
successful years in history in 1919 and
the records should be broken this sea-
son." John A. Ieydler. president OF the
National League. said tod1y. THE
teams are all evenly matched and II
seems to be anyone's race"
Everything points no a banner sea-
son In baseball" said Charles w. Muir
ply. former owner OF the Chicago
Cubs, and an ardent fan. Il look for
a great renewal Of interest in the na-
tlonal sport and think many will find
u welcome relief In these days OF In
dustrial and commercial chaos follow
ing the world war"
The pessimists claim tbs boost In
the gale" will cut down the tempo OF
ihe turnstiles' song, but Il is not
With the exception OF the 5sbe Ruth
deal. very few changes have been made
m the personnel OF the major league
clubs. They all so 10 the wire with
practically the same makeup that
finished last season. They are all
evenly matched.
The club bosses and managers. OF
course. ere all confident OF winning. as
Is indicated by these before the
battle" statements:
August Hermann, president OF the
Champion Cincinnati Reds-"Managerr
Moran. as IS characteristic Of him,
isn't making any promises or predic-
fions. But I am optimistic We have
the same Lean that won the champion
SHIP last year"
Charles ComIskey, owner OF the
White Sox: Barring accidents I eK-
peot 10 see the White Sox at the tor
ell the way through the season. We
have a stronger pitching stan than
last year and the team Is Just as
strong in other departments"
Manager John McGraw, OF the
Giants: "With one OF the best pitch
ing stats In the league and a strong
club, the prospects Of the Giants were
never better. We VIII finish at The
top. | believe
Manager HuggIns OF the Yankees
The Yankees are the strongest team
IN the league. With good luck we
should win"
Frank J. Navin. president OF the
Tigers: Detroit has 10 be reckoned
with this season. The Yankees and
the Indians are the only ones TO both
er us. ] think we'll win"
Iris Speaker, manager or the IN
dians: Everyone is picking Cleveland
TO win the pennant. If we don't Il
probably will be a big disappornt-
ment. We have a strong club. a bet
ter balanced pitching stan than last
year. and you know what a race we
made then"
William Veeck, president OF the
Cubs: There's nothing 70 It but the
Cubs. They have the best team in
years and they are going 70 win the
pennani. It's going to be the biggest
season In baseball history"
Barney Dreyfus, president OF The
Pirates: Manager Gibson isn't making
any rash statements. Neither am /
We have strong club and we'll DE
up close TO the top"
Manager Robinson, OF the Dodgers
Brooklyn Is strong where the club
was weak last year. Our pitchers are
IN excellent condition and we have q
lot OF reserve power. Wen be in the
nrst division"
Branch Hickey, president and man
ager OF the Cards: Don't count the
Cardinals out OF II too soon. The Reds
proved that anything is possible
Watch US grow."
Manager Cravath. o, the PhIllies
Count on the pills TO make a good
race. WeIl be there with the rest Of
them when the gong rings"
Manager Stsllings, of the Braves
Everything depends on the Boston
Pitchers. II they live I'D to hopes
wen land in the first four"
Manager Burke. Of the st. Louis
Browns: I'VE have ball club tina,
will keep the boys busy TO keep ahead
of US. We are not much on claimins
psnnsnts. but~~e win try and let the
rest Of the clubs know we are in the
league."N
Manager Msck. OF the Athletics
our club Is composed Of young play-
ers entirely. think well OF them and
feel sure we'll make a good race"
Harry Frazee, president OF the Red