San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-14
Fans Pulses Beat Quicker
as Smoke of Another
Campaign Rises.
FIVE CLUBS FAVORED
Yanks and Tigers in Amer.
ican-Giants, Pirates,
Reds in National.
BY the Associated Press.

q
New York, April 14.-Baseball fan
dom's pulse beat little quicker today
as the smoke of another diamond cam
paign became more pronounced. With
most of the other major league squads
already on their home grounds, all
three metropolitan clubs were sched-
uled today for their first home ap-
pearances of the season in exhibition
games, the Yankees playing Brooklyn
at Ebbets Field, while the Giants en-
gagged the White Sox at the Polo
Grounds.
According to camp followers, both
championship New York clubs are in
excellent condition and loaded with
confidence on the eve of their bid
for three pennants in a row in each
circuit,, but there is a growing feel
ing among critics generally that their
bath toward the top this season is
beset with more formidable obstacles
than at any time in the past two
Years.
Taking into account the inevitable
uncertainty Of the game, a majority
of experts view the coming American
League race as neck and neck strug-
gle between the Yankees and Ty
Cobb's Detroit Tigers. In the Ma
tional League, they predict three
cornefed affair with the Giants, Pitts
burg and Cincinnati as the princi-
pals.
Leave Out st. Louisans.
An outside chance is conceded the
Chicago Cubs in the National League,
while the Chicago white Sox, more
potent than at any time since the de-
parture of the 1919 worlds series
scandal principals, and the Philadel-
phia Athletics, reviving in Connie
Mack's breast memories of his fam
bus team of decade ago, loom as
factors in the American League strug-
gle. Curiously enough. both st. Louis
eevse, which gave the metropolitan
leans their keenest opposition most
bf last season, do not figure TO land
pear the top. The Cardinals are be-
ng rebuilt around the great Rogers
Hornsby, while the Browns, badly
handicapped by the indefinite loss OF
George Sisler, would hardly rate as
strong as 1922 even with their peer
ess. first-sacker in the lineup from
he start.
On paper, the Giants appear most
likely of the New York entries to re-
peat. The twirling staff is the most
vulnerable point, even with the 'ad-
iition Of Jack Bentley. expensive
Baltimore southpaw. but Jimmy
)'Ccnnell. another higb-priced recruit,
'as the makings of star outfielder,
md the 1S-karat infield, plus Nc
travis indomitable leadership. will
over a multitude of shortcomings.
Psychology VS.. Yanks.
Pittsburg's seasoned veterans will
oncede little IL anything. to the
iiants on all-round strength. and, in
EDITION, the Pirates have more con-
istent pitching staff. Cincinnati may
EEL the absence of the veteran Jake
Daubert for awhile because of illness,
ut the Reds have batting outfit,
ired with Pat Moran's aggressiveness
esides a corps of boxmen SECOND to
one IN the league. and further aug
fented by the addition of Rube Ben
on.
Psychology will figure largely in
be showing of the temperamental
ankee outfit. Potentially strong in
very department, the club is some
hat of an uncertain quantity with
abe Ruth already showing the strain
{ over-anxiety in his attempt to re-
ain lost slugging laurels. But with
* pitching aces, Higgins is well
prtified in a department that has
rcyed decisive on more than one oc.
asion.
Against the Yankee twirling array,
" Cobb will match the powerful at.
h<pt the heaviest hitting club in
pc 1eakue, seasoned outfit with
etter than average pitching, led by
ne OF the most dynamic figures the
anne has ever known.
The progress of the Boston Braves
nder the presidency of Christy
,athewson and the showing Of the
hiIlies, under their new manager,
rthur Fletcher, will be interesting,
rook!yn is in the throes of recon
ruction.
washington. piloted by DOME
ush. may be troublesome. Iris
peaker is rebuilding the Cleveland
idians with several promising young
ars, and Frank Chance is yet in
e early stages of revitalizing the
oston Red Sox.