Evening star., 1927-03-23

belt lrxtle attention is given to
~ the Chicago Cubs training In
far-away Catalina Island. A
lot 70 persons apparently think that
the Giants will breeze in. Others see
the Reds, Cardinals and Pirates par
ticulary strong. Apparently there
isn't much room in that group for the
Cubs.
Then, both Dave Bancroft OF the
Braves and Uncle Wilbert Robinson
of Brooklyn express a strong desire
to horn into the first division. Who
are they to push out of the way? One
of the teams must Of necessity be
Chicago.
It is my opinion that New York Is
being greatly overrated in the National
League and Chicago underrated. The
Cubs finished last in 1925, but Joe
Mccarthy wrought such an improve
ment in the club that 1t finished
good fourth last season. In fact. 1t
was in the race, until middle Septem-
Der, the four Western National League
clubs being closly punched as they
clattered down the home stretch.
If Joe Mccarthy could put a tall
ender into the first division in one
years time, what will little addition
al improvement do for his team? III
Detroit is the black hores of the Ameri-
can League then the Chicago Cubs
are the dark steed of the National.
Best Young Pitching STAFF
Mccarthy, in my opinion, has the
best young pitching staff in the two
najirs. He commands young club,
and has a lot of pitchers who are ready
TO go. The Cubs had quite a capable
sextet in 1925 in Charley Root, Ser
geant Blake. Guy Bush, Tony Kauf-
tnann and Bob Osborne, right-handers
and Percy Jones, southpaw. Root, es-
pecially, had a great year, but his
cub had difficulty in scoring behind
him, and he just barely beat an even
break, winning Is games and losing II.
The two outstanding pitchers among
their new men are Jack Brillheart,
left-hander and formerly with Wash
ington, and Luther Roy, a graduate of
New Orleans and formerly with Cleve-
land. AS Charley Root was St. Louis
Brown discard when the Cubs picked
him up a year ago, Mccarthy is hope
full Of meeting with as great success
with these other eX-American
Leaguers. Both Brillheart and Roy
had considerable success in the South
ern Association, the former winning
II games and losing 9, and the latter
winning &c and losing II.
Outside of pitching, the Cubs are
not so strong as some of their rivals,
but they have the youth and enthu-
siasm Of a new club. Elwood English.
the kid shortstop, is highly touted by
all base ball men who saw him at work
sn the American Association. He has
the largest pair of hands in baseball
and his talons reach out for balls
much on the order of Hans Wagner
when the Carnegie Dutchman was
base balls foremost shortstop. Harry
Wilke, $50 hitter in the Sally
League, is trying to win third base
InkA sr. 81.
the weakest regular on the team, but
q fair BAH player.
Stephenson Can Hit.
Riggs Stephenson, who joined the
club in Midsummer of last season,
should put more kick into the outfield.
lie isn't too strong on fielding, but
always could hit. Lew Wilson, who
smacked out % homers last season
and did a lot damaging hitting also,
win be back in center. and Cliff
Heathcote should be the third outfleld
regular. However, Earl Webb, who
hit .334 for Louisville in 1926, is an
other strong candidate for an outfield
COB.
The Cubs have considerable strength
behind the bat. Until Bob O'Farrell
came through with phenomenal year
in 1926, Gabby Harnett generally was
conceded to be the class of National
League catchers. Mike Gonzales is
getting along in years. but he still is
dependable man behind the plate and
his arm has lost none of its snap.
II those young pitchers show the
expectant improvement, / look for
this team to be in the pennant race all
the way. There is great deal more
strength to that club than many per.
sons seem willing to concede
The Giants are .mopping up in their
training N n,sfo h1,N
bank too heavily on this March show
ing. A year ago the Braves won
their hrst games from big league op-
ponents and had Boston all steamed
hp by the time they got North. But
They couldn't keep it up after they
got North. This Spring both Judge
F'uchs, owner of the Bostons. and
Dave Bancroft feel thoroughly recon.
clled to their training camp defeats.
i hey Feel the past success in the South
acted as jinx after they tackled the
championship schedule.
Hendricks Respects Yanks.
Jack Hendricks, manager of the
Cincinnati Reds, believes that the
next world series win be between his
own club and the Yankees. Hen.
bricks has a wholesome regard for
,he batting strength Of the American
League champions and was one OF the
Do@S oau Aheh WHO cOuiu see the
club last year.
The Reds again are difficult club
70 ngure. a year ago they were
beaten for the pennant by two games
ana led the National League in hit
ting, and lot Of persons in base bali
Eull are wondering how this was all
brought about. The pitching strength
or the Reds generally was recognized,
but few could understand where all
the kick in their batting order came
from.
1t is the present intention Of Hen
bricks 20 bench Wally Pipp, the
former Yankee, who drove in 80 more
suns than any other man on the club
last season. Pipp's holdout proved
Eostly. George Kelly. slated for an
Outfield berth, was put on first. while
J1pp was trying TO get satisfactory
terms. George played first in the
early practice games, and II now IS
Hendricks intention to keep him
there and use Pipp as a pinch pitcher
and reserve first baseman. Hughie
tritZ, the fielding marvel at second
base, still was holding out when this
was written. Should CrtZ stay out.
Kelly VIII play second and Pipp first
But sooner or later all Of the hold
outs Succumb. III have more to say
bbout the Cincinnati club later.
Three Clubs OutranIs Tribe.
Jack McCallister, new manager OF
she Indians, seems a little surprised
at the attitude of the dopesters. He
claims he has the best pitching STAFF
in his league and a club which finished
only "A few games out of the lead
last season, yet few are giving the
Indians a tumble. While l recognize
The strength Of the Indian nitcharS