San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-10
BY JOHN b. FOSTER.

Copyright by The San Antonio Light.
New York, April 10-New York,
Pittsburg, Cincinnati-somewhere in
that trio, according to all the signs,
lies the National League champion of
1924. The fight in 1924 should be
much like that in 1923, certainly so
far as the lower half of the league is
concerned.
The Giants, league champions of
last season. may have had in the past
players who were more TO their man.
ayers liking in the spring. They may
have had harder batters. Certainly
they have had stronger pitching
squads. But still the club has ele-
ments of strength and force which,
with the turn of mind for constructive
baseball that characterizes John Nc
Graw, ought to bring it through once
more on the top.
IL the infield plays with the degree
of excellence of which its players seem
capable. the Giants will present the
admirable sort of defense that has
been their anchor when the gale blew
hardest In the recent past. The merits
of Groh and Kelly are known. With
them it is only a matter of whether
they can deliver, as in the past. The
speed and dash of Frisch are two fac
tors always in evidence The problem
is whether Jackson at short can take
Bancrofts place. That is the greatest
hurdle the Giants face with the ex-
ception of pitching.
Give the Boy a Chance.
Some ancient iconoclasts shake
their heads and insist that Jackson
will not come through. That is unfair
Give every young player his chance.
Jackson came out of the Southern As.
ISOLATION with some folks insisting
that he was not a good infielder and
some insisting that he was. He was
given job that precious few kids are
asked TO tackle-to take Bancroft's
place in summer with a team that
had a chance TO win a pennant He
played SO. well that he did his share
toward winning it. No ordinary play
man on whom destiny is TO lay a
heavy hand at least let's wait until
the ceremony occurs.
The remainder of the Giant team is
good enough to 20 along and win an
other pennant-if there is satisfactory
pitching. McGraw says he has a good
chance to win if he gets the pitch
ing. And he is not given TO over-op-
timistic predictions.
Pittsburg has not got very far east
yet, but enough has been heard about
the team to figure that it will be in
the first division hunt. The Pirates
are expected to bob up strong on the
infield. II they do. beware of them.
AS sure as their infield stops the holes
that have been leading out into the
safety zones beyond, the Pirates will
win five to ten games more than they
did in 1923. Figure how close that
may put them to the pennant.
Reds Strong in Pitchers.
Cincinnati is undoubtedly strong in
pitchers. Jake May seems ieady to
start at the beginning of the race. II
he can pitch some lefthand games
we'll enough to win his first four
starts he will help set the Reds out in
front. Donohue will pitch the open
ing game in Cincinnati, He won il
last year and hopes to do as well
again. Rixey. the veteran southpaw,
may start little late because he in.
jured his knee in practice, and Ben.
ton. former Giant southpaw, must get
off a little more flesh before he will
be ready for nine innings. Carl MAYS
seems to be in good trim. But he toe
is not lean enough. Sheehan must be
used with caution if he is to go well
A bad start might have a bad effect
on him.
The Cubs and st. Louis look like
the little sisters who will be between
the upper and the neither millstones
If they don't watch right smart. they
will be beaten out by Boston-th,