Evening star., 1928-04-09
BY JOHN b. KELLER,

~ ENNANTS for the Yankees and
- the Pirates, hot three team
battle for second place in the
i American League and good
scrap involving all except the
Phillies in the National League. That's
what may reasonably be expected tc
happen in 1929 big base ball show
opening this week.
Despite the repeated smacks on the
jaw they have been taking in Spring
exhibition engagements. the Yanks still
loom as the best bet in the junior ma iOT
circuit. And as the Waners still arc
the Waners while the other members OF
the Pittsburgh cast have shown no signs
of weakening, the Pirates continue to
appear the class of the senior loop
They should win because they have the
best balanced team in the league.
Here are our selections for positions
at the finish in each circuit:
American League.
New York 5-ChicagO
2-Detrolt 6-Cleveland
3-Philadelphia 7-B0st0n
4-Wasbington 8-St. Louis
National League.
1-Pittshurgh 5-Boston
2-St Louis 6-Cincinnati
3-Chicago 7-Brooklyn
New York S-Philadelphia
Griffs' Reserves Are Young.
Picking Washington to finish fourth
in the American League race certainly
is not to our liking, but considering the
matter from all angles 1t appears un-
reasonable to rate the comparatively
young and inexperienced club Stanley
Harris will lead into the flag chase any
higher. With their regulars in action
the Nationals should be formidable. but
with one exception their reserve is
young, very young. and this youthful
ness Is quite apt to tell against them
in the long campaign that viii carry on
to October.
However, the Harris clan ought to be
very much In the argument for second
laurels in the league. The Tigers, with
a revised outfield and generally stronger
inner Gordon, appear better fortified
for the race than they we're last year,
while the Athletics, even though they
may not be so speedy. should have
plenty of punch. and more often than
not punch will keep club well up In
the race.
The Tigers, too, will have punch.
They have had it for many seasons.
This year. though. they loom somewhat
faster than the AS. and with any kind
OF break In pitching ought to outshine
the PhiladelphianS, with their mound
stan of class backed by a lot of ath-
letes slow on the hoof. The Nationals
have plenty OF speed. probably more
than any other club in the circuit. but
right now 1t seems their offenSe viii
not be so powerful. Defensively. too,
they do not promise to shine. In fact,
the Washington club must pin its hope
for success on its pitching department.
There ii seems better than any others
in the league, with the possible excep-
tions of New York and Philadelphia.
Neither the White Sox nor the In
dams look any better than they were
last season. and 1t Is not likely they
will climb out of the second division.
The Red Sox apparently have braced
somewhat and should get along better
than the new aggregation of Browns
Dan Howley has thrown together.
AS We see 1t the American League
again will be a poorly balanced organ
iKation, with four teams possessing all
the class and four others serving as
stepping stones for the good ones.
How different the National League
should be. Although the Pirates are
rated the best in the bunch. six other
outfits are strong enough TO carry the
fight to the Pittsburgh crew all the
way. Having seen five OF the six clubs
In action this Spring. We are convinced
they win help make the senior loop
fight merry one this year.
heels OF the Pirates In fact, many are