The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-04-10
YAHKS WILL
BE AT TOP IF
THEY WANT TO
On the Spirit Of the Club Will
Depend Its Showing.
Says Billy Evans
BY BILLY EVANS

81. IelefSDufk, fla, ApTiI ".
Since the Yankees started spring
training they have been the subject
Of much ridicule from many of the
experts touring the southern camps.
Already the club has been con-
signed to berth in the second di-
vision. 1t seems Boston is the only
club not given an outside chance to
beat the Yankees.
That means Il lot Of the wise men
Of baseball believe the Yanks will
finish seventh.
On this point beg to differ. 1t is
possible the Yankees may finish in
the second division, the club may
drop as low as seventh, but il 1t does
it will not be due to lack of playing
ability.
l am of the opinion th( the Yam
KEGS are going to be just as good a
club as they want to be.
In other words the spirit of the
club is going to determine where it
finishes far more than the playing
ability.
The Yankees comprise a first divi-
sion bali club if they want to be.
If they fail to take their baseball
seriously. then berth in the second
division looms ahead, because the
American League clubs appear nigh
ty evenly balanced.
Spirit Of Club Criticized
In most cases it is the spirit of the
club, it's attitude toward baseball,
that is being criticized by the experts.
A good many of them seem to be of
the opinion that its simply going to
be joy-ride for the star athletes OF
Mr.. Miller Higgins.
The consensus of the experts is
largely based on the manner OF
training used by the Yankees. This
is perhaps rather unfair, since the
New York Americans are in many
respects a rather unusual ball club.
There are on the team many veter-
ans of years of experience. These
players have all reached ii position
of prominence in the baseball world.
They know best their physical llmi-
tations and possibilities.
Manager Miller Higgins has won
three pennants for New York in the
last five years. That is "A pretty
good showing. II means that Hug
gins has been decided success as
IA manager. all opinions to the con-
trary.
Higgins, an old player himself,
knows that spring training is a Sc
we're task to most veterans. Most of
them detest the rigors of the southern
work. John McGraw believes in driv
ing rather than cajoling. Miller
Higgins has the opposite viewpoint:
he let's the player judge for himself
what is best.
Temperamcnt Differs
As a result Of the difference in
temperament between the Yankee
manager and the leader of the Giants,
there is decided contrast in the
spring training methods of the two
clubs. The Yankee style appears
rather slip-shod in comparison with
the Giants.
Perhaps that explains why many
of the experts are of the opinion that
the Yankee club isn't going anywhere
this season.
When l chattcd with Miller Hug
gins it was apparent that he wasn't
pleased with the comment about the
Yankees and their spring training.
II am perfectly satisfied with my
ball club and the way it is being
conditioned. Since / am the manager
and must suffer If the club fails,
should be the most worried. Instead
OF being pessimist, ! am an opti-
mist .
"Thc Yankees arc going to finish a
lot higher than seventh place. II
Ruth has big year at the bat am
sure we will surprise = lot Of the
folks who consider my club a joke.
Infield Made Over
The Yankees still have punch AT
the bat. The pitching, while in some
cases little aged, should be faI
above the average. The Yanks have
always been tight defensive club
up until last year. Joe Dugan's in.
jury, Aaron Wards slump and
Everett Scott's passing from thu
Yankee lineup tended to destroy the
efficiency Of the Yankee inficld. II
has been made over.
II like Mark Koenig at short. I an
sure he will fill the bill. Wouldnt
surprise me IL he developed into !,
star. The operation to Joe Dugan'l
injured knee appears to have restor
ed it to normal. Lou Gehrig at first
bssA u great hitter.
Tony Laxxeri impressed me mos
fayorably, dnpits the fact that h
seemed 8 b(t out Of position 4. sec
ond. He takes : great cut at TIL
balI and, II BE does his home-ru,