Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-13
hot COMPETITION FOR CHAMPS
OF LAST YEAR AS LEACUERS START
TODAY ON SIX MONTHS BATTLE
(By The Associated Press)

Armed for battles such as they
seldom have had before, basebalrs
major league hosts gathered tonight
on the ramparts. ready to enter the
opening trays tomorrow and fight It
out on the base-lines all summer.
Close to quarter of a million In
terested bystanders are expected to
see these warning forces of the 10
National and American League clubs
come to grips in arenas which like
ly will witness an unusually spectac-
ular contest for individual honors In
the midst of close and exciting
struggles for team supremacy.
The eve of the 1926 campaigns
finds the war correspondents agreed
that it will be a fight to the finish
on both fronts but they differ wide
ly when 1t comes to predicting the
battalions that will hold the flags of
victory aloft after the smoke of bat
tie clears.
However strongly til worlds
champion Pittsburgh Pirates and
the Washington Senators, American
League title holders. may have been
entrenched last fall. observers now
see a decided menace to the posi-
forces.
So far as the National League is
concerned, these critics believe that
1t will take all of Pittsburgh's con-
f1dence, resourcefulness and attack
ing power to stand off the challenge
of the New York Giants, led by
that seasoned campaigner, John Nc
Graw. or the sensational drive of
the st. Louis Cardinal shock troops,
inspired by their mighty chieftain,
Rogers Hornsby. These three are
picked to fight it out for major hon
ors but the Cincinnati Reds and
Boston Braves both figure as front
line factors with outside chances of
upsetting the dope"
!. In the American League sector.
tne senators, seeking their third
straight pennant, face even greater
odds with no less than Ave ciubs
conceded to have prospects of car
.rying off the main prize, Connie
Mack's Athletics loom as the most
formidable contenders to most OH
servers but Yankee hopes, dismal a
month ago. have rebounded under
the impetus of an astonishing bat
ing spree, while partisans of the
Whlte SoX. st. Louis Browns and
detroit Tigers figure these entries
+ also In the thick of the fight.
The Champions in both leagues
VIII be put to severe tests from the
start for the Pirates. handica pped
somewhat by training i.-Juries. in
Vaoe the stronghold Of the Cardinals
at st. Louis for the opening day,
"niIe washington defends the at.
lack OF the Athletics at the national
In sizing up the rival contenders
on the basis of a consensus an,ons
baseball writer's these featnres
stand out In the makeup of the rivs
clans: -N'a
American League
ashington-Standing pat on vet :
Grams, with two additions in Joe
Bush and Johnny Tobin: BUDDY
Myer primed too replaced Roger
Peckinpaugh at shortstop.
Athletics-All around streng+b
seasoned by experience as 1925 run
ners-up; Joe Hauser back at frs,
base and Walter French replacine
Ling Miller in outfield.
fankees-Terrific hitting array
including new keystone co,nbina :
ton IN Lazzeri and Koenig; Ruth's
COMEBACK an important team factor:
veteran pitching strength.
Browns-Hard hitting outf1eld
crops OF young pitching stars and
brilliant leadership by George Sisler
Whlte Sox - Well balanced club
with strong pitching stan and Vet
eran Everett Scott as rescue man al
shortstop i' O.
IIgers-Reconstructed infield in
S!udlng new keystone combination.
%enrlhser and Tavener: powerful at :
TACK but uncertain pitching staff.
lndlans-1925 line substantially in
TACK with chief hopes based on pitch
ing conebacks by Uhle and Shauta
Red Sox-Experiments in nearly
every department with capable hurI-
sfs IN Ehmke, Ruling and Wingfeld.
National League
:. Pirates - Worlds championship
lineup intact and confident; more re-
serve strength. including RHYME in
nelder, and Waner, outfelder. ex-
coast league stars.
Glants-Bolstered by addition of
Tyson to outfield and Ring to huri-
ing corps which McGraw regards as
oest In many years; Jackson's and
Groh.s trick" knees uncertain fac
tors but good reserves available.
Heds-Quartet Of veteran pitching
stars in Mays, Donahue, Rixev and
DIugg1ng
first base gap and Christensen al ;
ded to outfield.
Cardinals-Heavy artillery, head
cd by Manager Rogers Hornsby and
Jim Bottomley; formidable pitching
corps; team on upgrade.
braves-Brilliant young pitching
staHi aggressive attack led by Nam
aser Dave Bancroft, but batting
. punch problematical.
Notwithstanding aces in Vance
Jess Barnes and Barnes: heavy
siusgers led by Fourier and Wheat
put handicapped by lack of speed
and infield weaknesses.
Cubs-Last place outfit of 1925
shaken up by new manager, Joe Nc
Carthy. with veteran Alexander. the
ace OF pitching staff.
Phillies-Pitching uncertain hit
powerful In attack with infieIj
strengthened by Bentley at first and
Improvement of Huber at third.
-. SPORT TAQT OTnC