The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-17
TANK OUTFIELD IS WEAK COG INV THE
 MACHINE, FOSTER
Ruth Is Uncertain, Bodie Too Slow, MeuseI No 0utfield-
 CT, Roth Injured
By JOHN H. FOSTER

Bopyright. 1921, by The AEe-HeraId.
 New York, April 16.-Only two games by the Yankees and there are nut terings of apprehension about the lack of strength in the outfield. Ruth is said to be uncertain. Bodie is too slow. His inability to get an extra base when he hits hard enough for d two-bagger or a three-bagger is com mented upon. Meusel is not a natural outfielder and never can be. He is a slugger There is little doubt of that.
 Of course the Yankees have been at "a disadvantage because they had counted upon Roth for the outfield, but Roth has water on the knee and that's one of the worst ailments that an athlete can get. No one wishes to shirk, but any one who has bad knee never knows when it will spill him. Ruth is not playing an outfield game, which would kindle gasoline with a spark of enthusiasm. A hit which would have netted almost any man two bases gave him but one, and the Yankees lost a chance to win. He is conscientious, enthusiastic and gives his best; but hampionships are won by taking advantage of inches and not of feet. The feet take care of them selves. Meusel seems to be a tearing youngster who is handicapped by in- ability to control his own size. That's ! the verdict of the fans who are on pins and needles because they think this is the Yankees big year. The loss of the second game to the Athletics created as much apprehension as if it were the beginning of the decisive series championship which was being played in September.
 Roth is not likely to oe able to play { for another week and perhaps more. Whether he will displace Bodie or Meusel is a question. It probably will be Meusel.
 | Washington fans and Duffy Lewis old friends in Boston must take satis- faction in hearing that some of the New York fans believe the Yankees would have been better off if they had him to play left field for them this year.
 For the first time in the history of the City of Churches the National league season in Brooklyn will start on Sunday with Boston as the attrac- tion- There will not be any unusual or spectacular display. There has been little criticism on the part of some Of the religious organizations that Brooklyn should begin it's season on sunday, although, so long as Sabbath ball is to be played, it is argued by others that it matters little whethe- It is the first game of the baseball season or one in midsummer In any event. 1t will be the first time in the east that any club has opened it's sea- son on Sunday. So far as memory serves, no club in the west has ever opened major league season on that day.
 Tommy Mccarthy. the old outf,elder of the Boston National league club. and the best outfielder to tran fly balls and make double plays in the history of the majors, has been added 10 the Brooklyn team as coach simply because the physical demands of the position of coach as well as manarer nave been too much for Uncle Robbie. Mccarthy will do a lot of batting practice stunts and probably will be sent to look over young ball nlavers when occasion demands. as he has abundant experience in that line and IS good Judge of the youngsters.
 
 There will be other teams than the Yankees in front of which the Ath letics will drop few Jacks this wear.
 Brooklyn mauled the Giants to a standstill in the spring of 1920 and obtained lead which the Giants could not regain. That's a former play by McGraw. He won championships ths same way in 1905, 1911 and 1917. This year the Giants have begun by maul- ing the Phils. Of course, the Giants may come back, but game that is won is on the right side of the ac- count, and it doesn't have to be played over. ' eA
 Alter spring had been running a nigh speed all through April and March and the moment that the major leagues season opened, they had to dig up the sign, Game postponed ac count cold weather' all along the beaches of the Great Lakes. Ty Cobb actually struck frost, but his southern ardor thawed the way to victory.
 First guess for the pennant in inc American league. Less than 100 vic tories will win it, and any team which can go over 100 victories will play for the world series gold in 1921 with A Ialr chance to defeat who ever may pc the National league champions.
 Princeton Wins
 New York, April 16.-Princeton de- feated Norwi :. to Az goals in tha