Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-14
FIRST LAP IN /!
BIG LEAGUE RACE !
STARTS 7 0 D Az

Chicago, April 13.-(By A. P.)-
The event toward which the atten-
ton of baseball fandom has been
directed for long winter-bound
months. the first lap in the race for
supreme baseball honors, with six
teen entries starting from scratch,
starts tomorrow.
Although the preseason warming
up of the National and American
League Clubs was marked by a dis
astrous list of casualties among play
ers. each club faced the start of the
1925 season with confidence and with
predictions Of better showing in all
departments of the national game.
Even last years cellar position
teams indicated in cautious state
ments that they did not expect again
to be the last in the home stretch.
Manager Dave Bancroft of the Bos-
ton Braves, tailenders in the Nation
al League of 1924, promised "a more
colorful, more interesting, and,
hope, more successful team than last
season." while the morale of the Chi
cago White SoX, the 1924 finale
markers of the American league, was
reported the highest since the 1919
world series scandal, with lots of en-
thusiasm in camp. While injuries
of the opening game, and in some
instances for long period. resource
full managers expected successfully
to plug their positions with veterans
or new talent.
Some teams, notably the 1924
world champion Washington Sena-
tors, will send into the ARRAY the
same lineup that fought their bat
ties last year, but many new faces
will appear around the circuits. Sew
eral teams have been radically re-
moulded. In particular a liberal in
fusion of new blood has been given
both Boston clubs.
Connie Mack, pilot of the PhiIa-
delphia Athletics, would make no
predictions but said he was "going
to win enough games to make the
fans forget the years in the cellar"
New talent also appears on the
Philadelphia National roster, Man
ager Fletcher being much impressed
with the work of Huber at third.
George Burns, formerly with the
New York Giants, won q permanent
c. S. Barnard, president of the
Cleveland Indians, says the team Is
stronger since 1921. Manager Speak
err, particularly, is proud of his ar
ray of left-handed pitching talent.
Ty Cobb, leader of the Detroit IT,
gers. makes no bones about saying
the Tigers will win the American
League flag. The club virtually is
the same that finished third last
year. Rip Collins is his pitching Sc
lection for the opener.
The Cincinnati Reds also have
about the same strength as last year
when they finished fourth in the Ma
tional race. Manager Jack Hend-
ricks believes he has q passable
pitching staff and good infield and
outfield. but confesses deficiency in
reserves.
Niehaus, first baseman. and
Moore, second Dagger for the Pitts
burgh Pirates, were hurt in train
ing and probably will not appear to-
morrow. The National Leaguers
have an untried infield but q de-
pendable pitching staff.
Lee Foil, manager of the Boston
Red Sox. has two men available for
each berth. He expects an upward
swing from previous low position as
a result of n 80 per cent better show
ing in training camps. The Boston
Braves will start six new regulars in
the outfield and the infield has been
much changed.