Evening star., 1926-04-13

Slightly rising temperatures wer
tanning major contests, but at that t
able for foot ball than base ball, w
quarter of a million customers. The
very far above the freezing point in
The world champion Pittsburgh
Pirates and the Washington club,
twice winner of the American bunt-
ing, will find plenty of competition in
yheir struggles to repeat this year.
At least two other teams in the Ma
iional League look just as good to
the dopesters as the Pirates. with an
additional two figuring among the
possibilities, while the base ball WISE
acres see at least five teams prepared
TO dispute the American League su-
premacy of Washington.
Champs Face Stiff Test.
In fact, the two pennant winners
face a stiff test right at the start,
with the Griffmen pitted against
Connie Afack's powerful Athletics
here and the Pirates set to battle
Rogers Hornsby's flashy Cardinals at
st. Louis. McGraw's Giants, another
leading combination in the National
circuit, try their luck against
Brooklyn.
The work of the Cincinnati Reds
and the Boston Braves will be watch
ed closely for pennant possibilities,
while in the American ring there are
plenty of partisans who look with
favor on the st. Louis Browns, the
New York Yankees, the Detroit
Tigers and the Chicago White SoX.
The Giants are given a slight edge
over the Pirates in Wall Street
wagering, with the Nationals and
Athletics an even choice in the junior
circuit. The betting on the Giants is
9 to 5 and on the Pirates to 1, with
the latter odds for both Philadelphia
and Washington. The other National
contenders were given the following
financial rating: Cardinals, Reds,
Braves. Robins. Phillies. Cubs. Amer
ican: Yankees, Tigers, Browns, White
SoX, Indians, Red SoX.
Vice President Officiates.
Vice President Dawes has promised
TO toss out the first ball in the con-
test here. President Coolidge will
not attend the opener because of the
recent death of his father, but he
promised to drop in occasionally dur
ing the season. He has been given
an engraved pass to American League
contests by Clark Griffith, president
pass was mailed to Mrs. Coolidge.
Incidentally. Griffith told the Presf.
dent that the Washington team would
capture its third straight flag.
The entire Senate arranged to take
time out for the game, although base
ball was not specifically mentioned
when il was agreed TO recess at
pm. The upper chamber will open
deliberations an hour earlier so that
II can knock off three hours in the
pm half of the day.
Ban Johnson, president of the
American League, who usually. is
among those present, will not attend
the opener at Chicago. He is bothered
with foot infection.
How COntenders Size Up.
In sizing up the rival contenders
on the basis of q concenSuS among
base ball writer's, these features stand
out in the makeup of the rival clans:
AMERICAN LEAGUE.
WASHINGTON-S pat on
veterans, with two additions in Joe
Bush and Johnny Tobin; Buddy Myer
primed to replace Roger Peckinpaugh
at shortStop.
ATHLETICS-All-a strength,
seasoned by experience as 1925 run
ners-up; Joe Hauser back at first base
and Walter French replacing Bing
Miller in outfield.
YANKEES-Terrifi hitting array,
including new keystone combination
in Ii Zerri and Koenig; Ruth's come
back an important team factor; vet
eran pitching strength.
BROWNS - ard-hittinG outfield,
corps of young pitching stars and
brilliant leadership by George SiSler.
WHITE SOX--Well balanced club,
with strong pitching staff and veteran
Everett Scott as rescue man at short.
YGERS-Reconstruc infield. in
cIuding new keystone combination in
Gehringer and Tavener; powerful at
tack. but uncertain pitching staff.
INDIANS-1925 lineup substan-
TALLY intact, with chief hopes based
on pitching conebacks by Chle and
Shaute.
RED SON-Experiments in nearly
every department, with capable hurl-
ers in Ehmke. Ruffing and Wingfield.
NATIONAL LEAGUE.
PIRATES--World championship
lineup intact and confident; more re-
serve strength. including Rhyme, in
fielder, and Waner. outfielder eX-
Coast League stars.
GIANTS--BolStered by addltlon OF
Tyson to outfield and Ring to hurting
corps, which McGraw regards as best
in many years; Jackson's and droh
trick" knees uncertain FACTORS OUT
good reserves available.
REDS-Ouaftet of veteran pitching
stars in Mays, Donohue, Rixey ana
Luque, with Wally Pipp plugging
first-base gap and Christensen added
to outfield.
CARDINALS eaVy artillery,
headed by Manager Rogers Hornsby
and Jim Bottomley; formidable pltch-
ing corps: team on upgrade.
BRAVES-Brillian young pitching
staff; aggressive attack, led by Man
ager Dave Bancroft. but pattlhs
punch problematical.
OOKLYN-Pitching aces IN
Vance less Barnes and Grimes; heavy
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