The New York herald., 1921-04-13
By DANIEL.

Mayor John F. Hylan, who threw
a fast ball on the Haines pasture up
at Hunter. N. r., in the days before
he became a diligent fireman on the
Hall Park yesterday making meaning
full gestures and oiling up the old
wing for another herculean effort.
This afternoon he will "wildthrow''
the first bali of the American League
season at the Polo Grounds, and start
the game between the highborn Yam
KEGS and the lowly Athletics-f0r this
year 1t is the turn OF the younger
circuit and Babe Ruth to usher in the
campaign on Manhattan.
While the Mayor Is perpetrating and
,perpetuating the fine old custom seven
other dignitaries will be hurting them
selves into the limelight in other cities
Of the major leagues. This is the day
the day for which ball clubs have been
training for weeks and weeks, North
and South-the day for which both
players and devotees have been strain
ing these many months-the inaugural
of the forty-sixth season Of the Ma
tional League, and the twenty-second
Of the American League. A great
afternoon, withal.
The Yankees will have this metropolis
all to themselves to-day. for while they
are baslking in the welcome Of cheering
fhrf,ua dc af hpu1a fay fha GfapfS yilt
be In Philadelphia and the Dodgers will
pry of frozen baseball lid In the
Boston refrigerator on the bonny banks
of the Charles. The other two National
League openings will find the Cardinals
in Chicago and the Pirates In Cincin-
natl.
In the American League the world
champion Clevelands will open In St.
Louis. the Red Sox will play in Wash
ington and the reorganized White Sox
will show In Detroit.
Prospects Brightest Here.
1t is full OF tremendous possibilities
this season Of 1921-particularly for
New York, which enters the fight with
three favorites and a strong chance for
q worlds series all Its own. The YAM
KEGS, ever hopeful since they entered
At the hnish and often Just short stride
behind the winner. have reason to be-
lieve that at last they have the needed
combination OF, power. speed and har-
mony.
The Giants, with a stronger club than
that of 1920, which would have won but
for q poor start. again are conceded the
best chance In the National League, with
Brooklyn. champion of last season, not
far behind as second choice. The
Pirates, too. are strong probabilities and
the Cardinals must be counted In. also.
Cleveland, with the same outfit which
won the worlds series OF 1920. disputes
the Yankees right to the top position In
preseason ratings In their league. Many
clubs have been strengthened. many
trades have been made, many new faces
will appear among the sixteen clubs Of
the Big Show.
That keen interest which broke all
records In the majors last season is
keener yet as the clubs face the barrier
Baseball suffered a serious blow with
the indictment of the White Sox last
summer. but It has recovered from that
staggering wallop. The appointment Of
Judge Landis and his direct methods
have reassured baseball adherents and
made square deal for everybody cer-
tain.
Yanks Look Superb.
Interest In the Yankees is particu-
larly high. Col Rupert and Col.
Huston took advantage Of every pos
sible opportunity to strengthen thei:.
club during the off season and have
gathered an aggregation which without
question Is the class OF the league.
The prize OF their pitching staff is
Carl Mays. and to him Miller Huggins
has assigned the distinction of pitchiug
to-day's game. Mays will have worthy
hurling opposition. for the Athletics will
use Rommel. a youngster who has been
doing phenomenal work this spring.
Pipp will be on first again for the
Yankees. with Fewster at second, Peck
inpaugh at shortstop and Ward on
third. Schang will catch. Ruth. the
irrepressible." Bodie and Mcusei will
be In the outfield. The batting order
brfstles with power. with general ef-
fectiveness. Baker. once the star third
baseman OF the club, will be ON the
bench. ready to step In should Ward or
Fewster fall. Roth. who was expected
to dispiace Bodie. still In suffering from
water on the knee and will be out for
another fortnight
The owners OF the Yanks always have
been strong for military tone at their
openings pnd will have quite q Few
guests from the army and navy They
have invited Gen. John r. weigel and
his staff. Col II. NJ. Bankhead OF Cow
ernor's Island. Col f. w. Galbraith,
commander OF the American Legion,
and Commander II. p. Huse and Com
mander III. Stiles of the navy. Tho
gates will be opened at IL: 80 and the
game will be started at 3 40. A mill
tary band will make mad music all tho
day.
PhiiIieS Are Weakest.
Tho Giants will face the weakest OPP
position in the league In Philadelphia
but John McGraw Is going to take moth
Ing for granted. He took his players 20
Philadelphia last night in order .hag
they might have a night of sweet slum-
Besebaii Today, 1880 r. NJ Opening
Championship Season. Polo Grounds.
mf.A A.re ia N1t.ft.