The Washington herald., 1921-03-20
and Browns,
With Improved Teams,
Expected to Land in
The First Division
McBride's Success May
Hinge on Pitching.
by JACK NYE.

win the champion Indians and
the Yankees favored to light for
FIRST honors, and the Nationals and
Crowns figuring in the "dark-horse-
class around the circuit. fans can
look forward to one merry little race
in the American League this season.
II the New York or Cleveland sth-
letes fail to cop FIRST honors Il will
only go 20 prove that the grand
old dope is not any more puncture
proof than usual. These two will
carry the bulk OF the money. though
II is hardly discreet TO mention coin
while Judge lands has his ears
open over there in Chicago. They
look like the logical fsvorites. and.
despite the wonder work Of the
Tribe last year. there seems to be a
general inclination TO figure the
Hugmen as the better team.
Mats and browns RI,aIs.
Unless all signs fail Washington
ana the Browns are going TO be sat-
ished with nothing less than first
division. The st. Louis sluggers at
tained that exalted position last sea-
son for the first time since the niem-
ory Of man runneth not to the con-
trsry- Grif's boys started out like
member OF the upper circle. but
succumbed to a food Of injuries ana
failed in their purpose.
Despite the fact that Jimmy
Burke's men looked mighty good
last year they appeared to be no
better than the Nationals during
the hrst half NJ the season. In ,bat
period Grin's boys showed a lot Of
speed
This season. with Lee Fohl at the
helm. the Browns expect TO make
stronger bid and will probably do
So But the same thing applies to
the Mats. George McRrid. ouch,
to put an improved team in the nelo
The most encouraging feature az
this stage Of the game is the fact
that the pitching stsf appears 20
be rounding into form and should
be ready TO work smoothly from
the start.
Few Changes In Mats.
As far as the personnel Of the
Nationals is concerned there will be
little difference between this sea-
sons machine and the one that hn-
ished in 1920. Duffy Lewis in left
FIELD and Frank o'Rourke at short
viii be the new regulars according
TO all indications.
The success of the hurlinE do
psrtment will depend largely on the
manner in which Mcbride handle.
his material and past performances
indicate that the new manager Is
pretty keen in that department. His
training methods have seen all OF
the slsbmen round into form with
the exception Of Harry Courtney,
who still nurses bum arm.
Rarrins hard luck. the National
boxmen should be able 10 compare
favorahly with any set Of pitchers
in the league. with the possible eK-
| oeption of Cleveland Coveleskic,
Mails and Bsgby give Speaker the
backbone of another wonderful crew
Of moundm,n-
second Division Rivalry.
With the four teams named above
as probable first division occupants.
Philadelphia, Chicago. Detroit and
Poston seem doomed to night il out
for the basement rating. The Macks
and White SoN. despite the fact that
Chesson's team is a new one COM
posed largely Of minor league tall
ent. look better than the teams
Cobb and Duffy will put in the h,ld.
Cobb has declared he will be salts
| ned with sixth place and Duffy
seems doomed TO finish in the cellar.
| Yesterdays game with the Phillies
gave a good idea OF what the open
ing lineup Of the Nationals will be
| this year. There is little chance for
the combination 70 be disturbed un-
less Shanks is the finsl choice for
third.
Miller. who will undoubtedly be
carried through the season. will
have TO emulate Ruth before he
can beat Duny Lewis out Of hrs
| job. and Brottem can only aspire
TO be an understudy 10 Charity
! Goebel and FoSs. two likely young
sters. will be lucky 70 stick around
for emergency use.
Shanks whaling Rail-.
Hank Shsnks. by the way. - set
| ting a fast pace for Governor El-
lerhe. The famous utility gentle
man is hitting 4 blue Strsak in the
South. and seems to be making A
determined bid for the regular role
at the far corner. The only trouble
with Hank is that he hits like Cobb
in the spring Of the year and in
varisbly winds UP with a mark
around $50. Ellerbe. on the other
hand. is a consistently good hitter,
but not a brilliant fielder.
Such is the problem Manager Me-
Bride must solve before the season
opens.