The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-03-23
FIVE BIDDERS
ARE CONCEDED
TITLE CHANCE
Champion Pirates May Expect
Opposition From Cubs, Reds,
Giants and Cards
TWO BIS ARE QUANDARIES
Phillies Can Hope For Best,
But Many Youngsters Make
Outlook Dubious
BY BRIAN BELL

BY BRIAN BELL
(Associated Press Sports Writer)
New York, March 23.-tR-There
will be no odds-on favorite in the
National League as the eight clubs
start along the trail leading to a
pcnnant at the end of September.
At least half of the entries are
conceded chances to make it a
race and as close an observer Of
things baseball as John McGraw has
called the contest "open" for five
bidders.
The defending champions, the
Pittsburgh Pirates, may expect
stern opposition from st. Louis, Chi
cago, Cincinnati and New York. On
the face Of the early spring returns,
the other three places will be divid-
ed between Brooklyn, Boston and
Philadelphia.
Many forecasters, who have made
the pilgrimage to Avon park to
look over the Cardinals, expect Bill
Mckechnie'S team to resume the
fight with the bold buccaneers
where the same outfit, under Bob
O'Farrell, left off last year.
C0nccde Private Power
The Pirates are conceded to be in
better position to beat back the OPP
position in 1928 but rooters for the
other clubs insist there is more
strength in the assaulting forces.
The addition of Earl Adams to do
Pittsburgh's second basing and the
resultant switch Of George Grant
ham to first base has plugged the
Pittsburgh weakness in the middle
Of the infield. Burleigh Grimes
crafty arm may also be expected to
help the Pittsburghers and last
years pitchers are back again, with
the exception Of Vic Aldridge, the
Indiana schoolmaster, who may or
may not help the Giants.
The Cards, too, have been
strengthened, not by the addition of
new players, but in improved physi-
cal condition of the stock on the
shelves. O'Farrell promises to do
the catching without the handicap
of balky thumb, Hafey's eyes
have responded to treatment and
two bad legs, divided between
Thevenow and Blades, are believed
to be whole again. Flint Rhem will
be able to pitch at the season
opening. Alexander seems more
than ever a living illustration of
the brook which was said to have
gone on forever. The passing of
Lester Bell, may leave the Cardi-
nails third base problem.
View Giants Skeptically
Skeptics are found who refuse to
believe that the Giants who finished
third last season with Hornsby at
second base can do better with the
hard hitter doing his hitting for an
other club. Frank Hogan to take
care Of the bulk of .the catching,
Andy Cohen as Hornsby's successor
at second and Jim Welsh and Frank
O'Doul added to the outfield COM
plement mark the major changes in
McGraw's team.
The Chicago Cubs have added
strongly to their offensive power
by the acquisition of Hazen Cuyler,
who will not be called on to hit sec-
ond in the batting order, and in
Gabby Hartnett they have q catcher
who will run one-two in any ballot
ing for the best in the league. The
Cubs worries, # any. center about
the infield. Mcguire, Mcmillan,
English and Cutler may hold the
clubs ultimate fate in the hollow
Of their gloves.
Jack Hendricks, manager of Gin
cinnati, regards his team as a dark
horse with red legs. Hendricks pins
his hopes as q contender on improved
physical condition Of long George
Kelly, an appendicitis victim last
year, and added speed in the out
field to be contributed by fast
youngsters who have been carefully
brought along and are now pro.
nounced ready, he is standing pat on
his pitchers.
The two BIS, Brooklyn and Bos.
ton, may have q race all their own
Rogers Hornsby will add a punch
to the Braves offensive it has NOT
known in years and the Boston en-.
try should strengthen the infield
and should mate well with Hornsby
and Farrell. The Redskin pitching
is a doubt equation. A catching
crisis was solved by the return Of
the hard working Taylor from New
York. Manager Jack Slattery has
other problems in his infield and
outfield which may or may not work
themselves out.
The Brooklyn situation is in con-
trast to that Of Boston. to find il
he power to give the pitchers some
runs to work on. The Robins will
introduce some new faces to- the
flatbush fans. the rotund pilot hop.
ing all the while that they will say
it with bats.
The Phillies, introducing q new
manager working hard with limited
material, will give some Of the
young fellows . chance and hope
for the best. Bill Kelley, q big first
baseman, has shown disposition to
hit the ball and "Pinky" Whitney
seems to know what it is all about
around third base.
National League argument prom
ises to be long drawn out and may
not BE- settled until the football sea.
son is Just around the corner.