New Britain herald., 1928-03-23
CLOSE RACE FOR
 NATIONAL LEAGUE
Hall Of Teams Conceded Chance Of Winning penoaut This Year

% n. York, March 2S Crl--There 'Ili h" no odds oil f3yorites in the National l'aEtIe as the eight clubs start along tho trail that leads to 3 pounart 7t the end Of September
 At lea4t half of the entries arc conceded chances to make II race, and as close an observer of things baseball as John Mrtiraw has called tho contest "opon' for five bidders.
 The defending champions. the Pittsburgh Pirates, may expect stern opposition from St. Louis, Chicago, ClRcmnatl and New York on the face of the carly spring returns, subject 10 confirmation ln the autumn the other three places will te divided between Brooklyn, Bos- ion and Philadelphia,
 Many forecaStors, who have made the pilgrimage to Avon park to look over tho Cardinals. expect Bill Nc I>echnie's team to resume the fight with the bold Buccaneers where the same outfit, under Bob o'Farrell, left off last year.
 The Pirates are conceded to be in better position 10 beat back the opposition in 1928, but rooters for the other clubs insist there is moro strength in the assaulting forces The Cardinal supporters have been in particularly good voice in Florida in March.
 Tho addition of Earl Adams 10 do f PittsburSh's second passing and tho resultant switch of George Gran i tham 10 first base has plugged the , Pittsburgh weakness in the middle Of the inGeld. Burleigh Grimes crafty arm also may be expected to help the Pittsburghers and last years pitchers are back again, with | the exception Of Vic Aldridge, the l Indiana schoomastcr. who may or may not help the Giants.
 The Cards. too, have been strcngt hensd, not by the addition of new players. but in improved physi- cal condition. O'Farrcll promises to do the catching without the handi- cap of q hall<y thumb, Hafcys eyes ! have responded 10 treatment and two bad legs. divided between Thew enoW and Blades. arc believed to be whole again. Flint Rhcm will be able to pitch at the seasons open- ing. Alexander seems more than ever q living illustration of the , brook which was said to have gone l forever The passing ot Lester Bell, who Has far below his 1928 form last season, may leave the Cardinals Il third base problem.
 Skcptlcs are found who refuse to believe that he Giants. who finished third last season with Hornsby at second base, can do better with tho hard hitter doing his hitting for another club. Frank Hogan, who IS 10 take care Of the bulk of the catching, Andy Cohen as Hornsby's successor at second and Jim Welsh and Frank opoul added 10 the out field complement mark the major changes in McGra~'s team.
 The Chicago Cubs have added strongly 10 their offensive power by the acquisition Of IIaz"n Cuyler. and Tn Gabhy Iiartnett they have a catcher who will run onc~tuo in any baIIoting for the best in the league Tn. Cubs worries if any, center aboHt the inheld. Mcguire. McMil- Ian, English and Butler may hold tho clubs ultimate in the hollow of their gloves.
 Jack Hendricks. manager Of Gin CInnatj, regards his team as q dark horse with red legs. Hondrick pins his hopes as 4 contender on i'm pTovrd physical condition of long George Kelly. an appendicitis vic linn last year. and added speed in inc outHold to be contributed by fast youngsters who har" been care. fully brought along and gre now prOnonn"c1 ready. lie is standing pat on his pitchers.
 The two B's, Brooklyn and Bos- ton, may have q race all their own I,oEors IIornshy will add a punch to the Braves offensive it has no, known U1 years and the Boston en- frv should strengthen the the infeid .aul should mat" well "Ith Horns by aud Farrell, Tho Rndskin pitch. l-r- ls a doubtful equation. A catch. ing crisis eoll cd hy the return of 'hs tafl wording I3ylor from Ne" 1rD. Manager Jack Slattery ha; "'Irr rroh}ow, in his lnfel1 and o4'.,5l "lr.U may ar may not work |H'Iu--...a out
 Th. Ut0eti,u sltuatIoH is in con, tr. 2" fua' ot Boston, Manager i.0tWauu has no pitching troubles aE Ha. t' 'o ind if h" will h" ahl' f, Irs.u.la. So lineup from his new crop Ft'. .3ug-H power to giy" tho '..s. .o.r runs to work on, Tn, IuHu- .H ,ltroduoa somc new |.0- rr 'N. Il.'bush fans. tho TO- -.uI pm hopping all the whil" that .tu,, N,U -N fl nrb bats.
 .., .Wfu- tu'roduciue q n"z,
 "u.-,r .nr.u@ hard with limited rN.l.'rU H.u give some Of tho tru.. |r" V chance and hop' ..u 'l' i"-t IliI Kelley. a hiG first .0Dr.m.H. .a- shown a disposition te lr' 'n. ia'i and "i1nl>y" W hi,ne, -,.u. t, .uoN whaf if ta ail ahou' tt.g.. tUrj .a..o.
 'trm.I l.,-g' ar"umonf prom Geo. |" '. l"r. drawn "ut and ma, 100. U. .,'..-I uutl tho football ees