The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-15
HOTTEST NATIONAL
LOOP SCRAMBLE IN
HISTORY FORECAST
New York, Chicago, st. Louis
and Pittsburgh Rated
First Division
M'GRAW'S MEN GIVEN EDGE
Jack Hendricks Cincinnati Reds
Favored to Top Second
Division
M'GRAW'S MEN GIVEN EDGE
By HERBERT w. BARKER
[ AssoCiated Press Sports Writer)

New York. April l5.-(P)-The Ma
tional League starts fight tomorrow
that won't be declared one way or an
other for six months or so. Some
critics contend that tho 1929 pennant
won't be clinched definitely much be-
fore the closing day Of the season.
Oct 6.
Most OF the experts have contented
themselves with stating that four
clubs-the New York Giants, Chicago
Cubs. st. Louis Cardinals and Pitts
burgh Pirates - are the outstanding
contenders, so closely matched that
no one of them can be selected as a
favorite. This quartet is almost
unanimously picked to take the first
four places. Differences OF opinion
creep in when an attempt Is made to
predict in what order they'll finish.
Giants. Cubs Lead
OF the four. the Giants and Cubs
have received the most pre- season
support. John McGraw, a driving
leader OF men. has well rounded
team OF Giants with good pitching
and powerful attack. Second base
may prove to be the Giants undoing
unless Andy Reese or Andy Cohen
comes through.
With Joe Mccarthy at the helm
and Rogers Hornsby, league batting
champion. at second base, the Cubs
are looking for their first pennant
since 1918 and many observers think
they arc going to get it, Much de-
pends upon whether Charlie Root.
crack right handler. can perform as
he did in 1927.
Billy Southwortl1 and DOME Bush.
managers respectively of the Cardi-
mails and Pirates, are III somewhat
similar positions. Southworth has a
new infield combination to work out
and SO has Bush.
The Cardinals plan to play Bot
tonley. Frisch, Colbert and Haney In
their infield. If this solves the prob
lem Southworth's only worry will be
over his aging pitching staff.
At Pittsburgh. Bush has Sheely
Bartell. Adams and Traynor for an
lnfield and worry. Outside Of that
the Pirates look extremely good. They
have all unquestioned batting punch
and as strong pitching staff as there
Is in the league.
These four. then, should fight 1t out
for the pennant unless the dope Is ali
wrong, at 1t sometimes is.
Reds Are Stronger
or the remaining four members,
Jack Hendricks Cincinnati Reds ap-
pear much the strongest. Although
several Of his rockies have ptayed
passably well. Hendricks plans to start
out with veteran team little changed
from last year I. the Reds can es-
cape the injury ink they may make
1t unpleasant for the big -four
Until Glenn Wright can &c. TITO
the lineup. the Brooklyn Rottas nay
find themselves hard PIT. TO keep
ahead Of the Pnillies and Boston
Braves. With Jess Petty gone. VII
bert Robinson's pitching VII, not be
as strong as usual although it will be
good
Burt Shotton has hopes that his
Phillies will show considerable I'M
proyement over their usual form de.
spite the loss Of Tommy Theyenow,
injured in an auto accident.
The Boston Braves will have one of
the oldest infields in baseball with
Sisler, Mcguire, Maranyille and Du.
gan. Whatever the Braves gain In
wisdom they seem destined to lose in
agility.