The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-02
DETROIT WILL
BE DARK HORSE
THIS SEASON
Billy Evans Thinks Tigers,
Strengthened BY New Men.
Will BE Troublesome
RY BILLY EVANS.

San Antonio, Texas, April g.
fNEAj Detroit for many reasons,
should prove the most interesting
club in the American League this
summer.
At this writing, feel safe in pre-
dieting that the Tigers will prove to
be the dark horse of the junior
derby.
The inferiority complex removed
il will be up to the players to prove
the oft-repcated assertion that the
Tigers were capable of playing bet
ter baseball.
"You just can't keep this ball club
out of the first division That IL
the consensus Of the Detroit players
from rookie to star.
No Pennant Boasts
Strangely enough, you hear no
pcnnant boasts in the Tiger camp
but over and over again you hear
repeated the belief that Detroit be-
longs in the first division.
Give us any kind OF pitching ard
we will be III there fighting from the
drop of the flag, always somewhere
within mailing Instance of first
place"
in other words. the Tigers believe
they have IA chance. Il Is 4 long az.
cepted truth in baseball that club
capable of sticking in the first di-
vision must always he reckoned as 4
contender,
Why? Knowing the club il prac-
tically the same aggregation that
finished sixth last year. it is only
natural to be inquisitive.
Spirit Changed
A ccidedly different spirit is tn,
outstanding feature of the Tigers
play, the dominant reason why the
team should rank much higher il
the race than last season.
There seems to be an abnormal de.
sire on the part of the athletes tt
live UP to the opinion of the experts
who for years have been rating tn,
same Detroit club a pcnnant con
tender, only to have the players An.
nually fail them.
George Moriarty is the second
reason why the Tigers should show
much Improvement. Perhaps II
would be more correct to rate him
No /, since his coming has been di.
rectly responsible for the change IL
spirit.
New Manager Liked
To even the casual spectator, il
for their new manager. To the many
experts who have been touring these
training camps for years. the change
in the mental attitude of the player.
is all the more apparent.
Second Raseman Marty McManus
completes the trio of reasons why The
Tigers are Hoing to be plenty trou
blesomc to the other seven clubs.
No ball club can hope to perfect :;
we'll oiled infield with constant
shifts at the Keystone position, sec
ond base. For years that has bee,
flaw in the Tiger defense.
Double Plays Expected
Marty McManus at second is go
ing to make Shortstop Jackie Tave
ner a much improved ball player ant
he wasn't far removed from stal
last season. MeManus and Tavenel
will figure in many a double pla.
this summer. Double plays in ];
pinch win ball games.
The Detroit outfield for severa
years has been one of the best in th'
majors. The acquisition of McManu:
has made Manager Moriarty equal,
satisfied with his infield.
Greater reserve strength will ais,
be factor. Catcher Shea of TIL,
NoaSt League, VINO cost owner NaVif
fat sum close to fifty grand =
makes the Tigers catching staff thu
best allround combination in tn,
ma ors.
The Infield
In the infield Bernie de Niveiros
star of the Texas League last year
is a fine understudy for Tavener
Charley Gehringer, one of the bes
infield prospects in the majors, car
play second or third, while john,
Neun is a worthy aid to La Blue a
first.
The pitching is certain to- be bet
ter. All of which makes it Seem a
if the players knew their stuff, whel
they keep repeating:
"You just can't keep this ball clul
out of the first division"