The Washington times., 1928-04-11

MISh NJ AHguH SIlEyS db. that.
Handicapped" from the stand.
point of current prospects, which
is all any man can do and still
retain his gravity, it appears that
any one of four clubs might be
rated at the pace without writing
a letter of explanation to your
family physician. The Pirates, for
example, may be figured at this
time TO be no worse than they
were in 1927, and, if they weren't
too good then, all the rest OF the
league can say is that the official
statisticians must have been en-
tirely too fIippant.
The Giants, regardless Of
HOrnsby's absence, look the
part of q One-twO shot. The
Cardinals have too much stuff
to be rated any worse than
the best and the Cubs, lacking
balance though they may, have
enough class in various de-
partments to rate q real PEN
nant chance.
There isn't sufficient difference
in the pre-race prospects of the
first three named to award any of
them q definite advantage. The
National Leagues April form sheet,
therefore. might be written off as
follows:
1. Pittsburgh Pirates.
2. New York Giants.
). st. Louis Cardinals.
4. Chicago Cubs.
5. Cincinnati Reds.
s. Brooklyn Dodgers.
Z. Boston Braves.
s. Philadelphia Phillies.
The writer is studiously avoiding
any attempt to declare himself on
the probable order Of the finish in
October and, in consequence, is
passing no buck in coupling the
first three in the betting. The fact
Is simply that this trio seems to be
of almost equal strength at this
time, with any favor being indicated
only in the order in which they are
named above.
There is so much balance to the
league as a whole, however. that 1t
Is possible some outfit outside the
first three will break through. The
Cubs would seem to have the best
chance OF doing this but, if you
Judge them on current prospects,
Il must be admitted that any club
with uncertain infielders at second
and third bases can't be standout
at this early stage Of the proceed
ings Time only can tell whether
these positions will develop accept
ably and until then the Cubs must
be left just stride off the pace,
regardless Of their spring exhibition
record.
The same. factor rates the
Dodgers well down i'm the Sec
Ond division. They have remark.
able pitchingt and unQuestiOn.
ably more punch than the 1927
club. but the right side Of the
infieId Is distinctly juvenile.
Naturally. no one would be iusti-
fled I'm committing himself on
an entry like that until further
notice.
The Pirates, with ball player at
second base for the first time in sew
eral years. can't have lost much be-
tween seasons, even II the Waners
don't quite repeat their sensational
performances, as many have has
tened to predict. The Pirates pitch
Ing may not be quite as good. and,
then again, with Grimes available, it
might be even better. All in all, I
think I'll very graciously allow some
body else to read the Pirates alto
gether out of top ranking.
The Giants suddenly have taken
on the aspect OF a far better club
than the one that finished third in
1927. ROush seems ready for quite
year. the entire outfield situation
is in for better protection and Nc
Graw appears due to get his best
pitching since his last championship
year in 1924. The ca itching seems TO
be in better hands too, Cohen. sue
cessor to Hornsby, has answered
most of the questions about his de-
fensjve ability a second base. They