Evening star., 1928-01-23
HOT SCRAP LOOMS
IN SENIOR CIRCUIT
Four Clubs Ready to Stage
Another Free-for-An
Flag Scramble.
fy the Associated Press.

ny the Associated Press
n YEw YORK. January ga
MI Winter season that saw some ot
VI the games mos prominent stars
L bought. sold or traded, appar.
entity has set the stage for an.
other free -for-au scramble for National
League pennant honors next Summer.
The sensational player shifts of the
otf-season have left four clues. and
possibly six. 10 be reckoned with IL,
any discussion of championship poten-
tialities.
Heading the list are the Pittsburgh,
Pirates, defending titleholderS DOME
Bush, seeking his second pennant in
as many years at the helm of the Cor
sair crew, probably will find chief op-
position coming from the ST. Louis
Chicago and New York clubs. Cincin-
natl, on the strength of a fine 1927 fin
ish. and Boston with Hornsby. also are
considered IN the running by observers.
Brooklyn and Philadelphia, on the basis
OF thcar records last year and their pres
ent "pSoer power" seem slated for sec
oud-divlSlon berths. although both are
strengthened.
A month ago the New York Giants
were conceded as good chance to win
the flag as any of their rivals bu:
the Hornsby trade has upset these CAL
culations. The deal which sent Nc
Graw's field leader TO Boston in eX-
change for Hogan and Welsh strength
ened the Giants behind the bat and in
in the outfield. bat left gaping hole
at second base. with Andy Cohen, an
untried minor leaguer, as the only STOP
gap In sight.
Pirates Help lnfield.
The Pirates completed ONLY one trade
Of importance. but that one brought
"Sparky' Adams. crack second base
man of the Chicago Cubs. to Pittsburgh
TO solve Bush's infleld worries. The
loss Of Kiki Cuyler leaves Bush with
the same outfield that won the pen
nant last year. Pete Scott. who came
with Adams in the Cuyler deal, now
can take Kiki'S place ION the wood" il
he fails to land a regular assignment
Barely nosed out in the fight for the
nag last Summer. the st. Louis Cardi-
mails. led by their new manager, Bill
McKechnie, have high hopes OF beat
ing the held TO the wire in 1928. Car
dinal fans feel that Bob O'Farrell. un-
return to form behind the bat and that
the infield. with Thevenow back, again
VIII compare favorably with any in the
circuit. 7 he pitching staff needs to
do no better than il did last year.
when It outshone all rivals
The Cub, sensations for a time last
year. appear TO have added strength in
one spot only to take il from another.
With the addition of Cuyler. Joe Nc
Carthys dy-chasers should compile
many base hits. but the loss of Adams
has weakened a none too strong in
neld Mccarthy is banking on Freddy
Mcguire. Toledo star. to I'LL the hole
Reds Hope to Start Well.
Jack Hendricks stands pat on his
Cincinnati lineup. which closed the
season In 1927 with a fine brand of
base ball. II the club gets of on the
right foot. Hendricks feels that he viii
be N the thick of the fight all year.
The fans up Boston way are hoping
for another miracle team" under She
Braves new manager. Jack Slattery
with Hornsby TO supply the spark In the
offensive and steady the infield at the
same time. the Braves figure to be the
dark horse" of the pennant struggle
Strength needs 70 be added. however.
In the outheld and in the receiving de-
partments.
Brooklyn has gathered some minor
league stars and Dave Bancroft. form
er Braves manager, TO back up the
supeS1atiye work of wilbert Robinson's S
mound stat, but the Robins probably
VIII have a tough row TO hoe TO finish
higher than sixth
Burt Shotton. who starts the first
year Of two-year contract as man.
a2eY Of the Philadelphia Nationals, ap-
payenfiy is foredoomed TO the second
division and perhaps the cellar posi-
ton Numerous recruits will make the
trip 10 the Phils' training quarters,
but It remains 70 be seen whether they
can enable the club 10 climb out OF
the depths.