Evening star., 1925-04-19

But the Giants should nave no great
trouble getting to the front and stay
ing there. They are in fine condi'
tion for the campaign. Their series
with us helped to put them on edge
quite as much as 1t did the Washing
ton club. All in all, l believe the So
called little world series" was not
only beneficial in getting the two clubs
in condition. but that it was worth
while in base ball way.
Series Helped Base Ball,
Thousands of fans in the South had
q chance to see the two pennant Win
ners in action. To most of them it
was a, first and perhaps last oppor-
tunity. / believe interest in the ma
tional pastine was stimulated as
result. Certainly the games were well
contested and highly interesting.
We got off to a poor start because
our pitchers were bit slow in coming
TO hand. However. this was due to a
deliberate plan. 1t would have been
harmful and very likely costly during
the season to have rushed our veteran
twirlers. When we did get going we
made up lost ground and evened the
series. But 1t was a tough job. The
Giants have q fast and fighting club
Manager McGraw showed us some
good pitching during the series.
believe he will get better brand of
tWirling than his rivals. In this event,
l can't see where any club will beat
the Giants over the stretch of a sea
sons play. His box staff looks better
than that of last year. Jack Scott,
back with the Giants again, should be
q lot of help. Kent Greenfield and
Jack Wisner, McGraw's new pitchers,
looked good during the training sea-
son. This trio, added to the veterans,
should make for a stronger pitching
staff. Nehf and Barnes appear likely
to have very good seasons. Then there
is Bentley, of course.
Frank Walker the Giants new out
fielder. looks as if he would make a
mighty useful man to have around.
He is a good fielder and showed us
that he knows how to hit. He seem
ingly dotes on eft-handed pitching
He should be valuable for this. if for
no other reason.
Walker is bright chap. He was
manager and half owner of the Rocky
Mount club and sold himself to the
Giants. The story of how smart a
business man he proved to be in the
deal is familiar to all fans. He is no
newcomer to the majors. He had
trials with the Tigers and Athletics.
Giants Standing Pat.
The Giants have few other recruits
Grover Hartley and Mickey Devlne,
catchers, are newcomers. The New
York club has adopted the same policy
as Washington. Both are made UP of
men who have been tried and not
found wanting and neither, with
pennant behind them and another in
sight, is anxious to experiment with
green material.
The Dodgers flashed a great finish
last season. They should prove dan
gerous again, but from what I saw of
them this Spring in exhibition games
and in practice, they don't seem to be
quite in the class with the Giants.
Dazzy Vance is Wilbert Robinsons
best bet in the box. He got off to
good start in the opening game with
the Phillies and should have another
big year.
The Reds were not particularly inn
pressive when l saw them III action.
But they will win many q game. The
Braves are evidently building for the
future. Under such conditions they
are not likely to get far this season.
If their youngsters come to hand they
will have a good club in the making.
Whatever the results of the pennant
races, base ball is in for another big
year. Record crowds turned out for
the opening games, showing again
that the sport really is the national
pastime.