The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-18

The first clashes between East and
West in the major leagues have failed
TO change the dope to any extent. The
fact that in the Ma .ional the average
strength of the West Is q tribe higher
than that Of the East. and that two Of
the eastern clubs are much Stronger
than the other two Is beyond doubt.
In the American League the unexpect-
ed return to pitching form Of Red Faoer
has been upsettlng, because Red seems
to Offset the superiority Of the other
teams whenever he pitches-so that the
White Sox are almost an even bet
against any American League team
when he is on the slab. =,
The surprising revival Of Detroit and
the equally surprising show Of strength
Of Washington are rather upsetttng
features, but otherwise the race Is run
ming fairly true to form.
New York. which has been wallowing
a bit should pick up from now on and
return to its full strength when 1t gets
back on the home grounds. There are
indications that the loose cogs have
have been frightened and that the team
will run more smoothly.
Cleveland has not yet shown signs OF
slowing its pace. but must before long.
to 60 as fast as II has been.
AL that foes mp must come down
which, however, doSsA't interest
either the Phils or white Sox much
Just at present Brooklyn and Pitts
burg are in far the best tactical posi-
ton in the National League. Not only
are they up at the top-but their pitch
ing STATS are in pretty good shape, and
ought TO get better and the managers
nave succeeded in the most difficult
task Of all. which Is to win early season
games without straining the pitchers.
Both teaNs have large pitching corps.
That the managers have been conserv::
ing pitching strength against the days
when it will be more needed and taking
no chances Of pumping out one Of their
stars is shown by the fact these two
teams have changed pitchers more than
any other two teams in the majors.
As a result the pitching corps Of the
two teams are now in fine shape; Glib
SON has managed to save his veterans,
Hamilton and Adams. and give them
plenty Of time to round into form. and
the Pirates become more and more dan
Ferrous as the season progresses. Nc
Graw with the favorites in the race,
is frittering away games in trying to
get a pitching staff into shape to take
regular turns in the box and the devel-
opment Of Ryan was a godsend to him.
In this era Of poor pitching and heavy
swinging a strong pitching staff covers
a multitude Of sins.
Reputation 10 I great thing; bet.
no one conc dss . ls21 marathon 70
the bird who ran to Athens In sew
oral =. G.
T%o Of the clubs in which interest
centers already have shoVn goods in the
East. at least enough for ono to judge
something Of their form.
1t is evident from what the Reds
flashed that Moran's team Is in bad
way and not liable to improve much for
the next fortnight at least. When Roush
gets into proper shape for play and the
outficld braces, the team Will not be SO
bad-but as fan as being championship
prospect IT Is done-ruined by holdoutS.
1t still carries quite a kick. Fonseca.
however will not do as a major league
ball player. and DuncaTi Is at last res
yealinG the fact that he does not belong
in n high class team. We said that
when he first crashed Into the world
series With the White Sox.
In the opening game in Brooklyn,
Duncan had four chances to throw men
out at the plate-and never came close
10 getting even one. Two were moder-
ately short flies. one with slow man
on third. Each time he got into perfect
condition to catch the ball and make the
throw and each time he threw high. slow
and wide. Twice he stopped ground
balls and threw toward the plate, both
slow wide throws that gave no one d
chance TO make Il play to any base
By the way. Bernie Seis made clever
play on one Of those. going from first
TO third by sheer speed and beating the
ball in spite OF the fact thNt 1t was well
broken down and handled on the infield.
George Burns would have thrown out
three Of the four that Duncan failed to
stop. Any fast return to the infield
would have kept Neis> from going to
third
Paskert pulled two careless plays in
that sane game Once, when he was
saved at first by an error, he turned the
wrong way after Passing first, and start