Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-13
EXPERT PREDICTS GIANTS
WILL WIN 1921 PENNANT
EARLY Indications Point Out That
New York Has Premier
Tcnm in Icnguc

NEW YORK. April 12.-Bascbull
M wa, Is not an exact science
will be. but ii figures and paper
strength as gaugcd by past perform
ances ana present promises mean any
thing. John McGraw's Giants should
brinG ANOTHER National League PEN
nant to New York this season.
NO team In the older league can
compare at this stage OF the season
with the all-round and outstanding
ability OF the Giants. Both on the
oncnse and defense. they looked to
be the real class OF the circuit Of
course. brcakdowns In the present
line up are possibility. but McGraw
is SO we'll supplied with strong sec
ond-string players 1t would take the
loss of moro than ono star to weaken
his aggregation materially.
Dodgers Have Hest Tosscrs.
tti,siac Of Brooklyn. the Giants
have the best pitching staff the whole
circuit round Some OF their Ole
hurlcrs are bit uncertain. and my
not carry on" through the entire
season: yet there is combination OF
boxmcn that Includes barnes, Nchf
Toncy. Douglas. Benton. Salcc, Shea
and Ryan. the latter two husky and
promising newcomers, which shows
great strength. 1t should carry
through.
McGraw's infic!d viii be wonder
it is now called the s25O.000 in
field" If IL holds to the training
season promise. the addition OF
Code" Rapp. at third, has enabled
corners and add speed to the gait.
Here il has been lacking In recent
campaigns. Bancroft. ut short. a real
star: Frisch. shifted from third to
second. gives promise of rivniiNE hiR
great performances ut tho far cor
nor; Kelly. at first, is getting better
steadily as a fielder. while his hit
ting is up TO it's usual hiGh grade.
Giants Have Star Catchrrs.
Burns in left field -dnd Young in
right arc two gems. Benny kauff's
enforced absence from center field
hole. but this may be quite emcctual
~ nllcd by Ed Brown. Lee King.
Spencer or Walker The Giants have
crack catching crew in SNYDER,
1t is an outfit with terrific punch
plenty of speed, Il strong defensive.
and. moreover. Il youthful array aS
to stand the grind better. This youth
fitness will be seasoned by Just
enough veteran sagacity. while the
diamond strategy OF McGraw. Jcn-
n!ngS and Burkctt IS formidable.
Pirates Have Goud Team.
Pittsburgh has the best team tho
Smoky City has had In more than
decade. Rabbit Maranvliic. at short.
adds skin. power and dash 20 its de-
fcnse. where II has been sadly lack
Ing since Hans Wagner quit the
game. Moreover, the Pirates greatly
improved In morale last season under
Manager Gibson. They have n
strong outncld. strong inhcld. "a
crack catching department. with
Schmidt the star. and a staff full OF
promise. This STAFF, under tho care
full guidance Of the experienced Glib
son, may do wonders. Babe Adams.
Cooper. Carlson, Ponder and Hamil-
ton have great possibilities. and. II
they come through and hold the
pace. the. Giants Will have big
fight on their hands to get the PEN
nant. The Pirates should finish sec
oud, anyway.
brooklyn does not look like n re-
reeater and Will be lucky TO get
Outside the pitching stan and a
fairly strong outfcld, the team docs
not look good. and 1t Is doubtful IL
the miracle work of last season.
when Il mediocre outfit came through.
mainly on pitching and will-to-
win spirit Will again he accom-
pliShca. The on'" strcn"thcning-if
that 1t can he called-of the winter
season was the acquisition OF Dutch
Rcuthcr, and IL IL doubtful II the
crrat.c southpaw will stay in line.
81. I."nis Has Heavy IIiuers.
The Cardinals. with wonderful hit
ting power and n rather strong de-
fcnsive team. but doubtful as to
pitching. should finish in tho first
| division, because of their offensive
strength. II pitching comes through
| rather well. they may GUST Brooklyn
| for third place.
The Cincinnati Reds seems to be
! IN for season in the second divi-
sion, though they may rise to old
| time heights now and then. The
| team has been broken up by Pat
Moran, the manager. because of in
| ,crnal strife. and will require some
| time for welding, while several stars
! are still "holdoutS."
| Cubs Are n Question.
| The Chicago Cubs are n question,
but ii Is unlikely that an old team
| with only Alexander and Vaughan as
| sure 20 deliver consistent winning
| pitching. can accomplish great things,
| but Il looks a.: though he will need
| better working material.
| The Boston Braves. under Fred