New Britain herald., 1929-04-17
TWO GAMES ARE PLAYED
 IN EACH MAJOR LEAGUE
Rain and Cold Weather Gives Opening Day Chilly Atmosphere 0,ooO Fans Pack Wrigley Stadium to Watch Cubs in Action-Pirates Win by Shade Cardinals, Indians and Browns Also on Large End of Scores-Other Teams Try to Start Today.
Ry tha Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
 Eight raIn-drenched teams In the eastern half Of the major leagues prepared for delayed and moist opening today as western conteHders presented q batile-array for the sec ond skirmlsh on that portion Of the baseball front. Teams of the sea- board were still beset by cold and the threat Of rain. but all attempted 10 go through the inaugural trille scheduled for yesterday and prevent cd by the storm,
 The Pirates. the Cardinals, the h. dians and the Browns turned back their opposition in the four opening battles yesterday, with the gayest picture unveiled in Chicago, Some 1N.OOO fans stormed the Wrigley citadel for first peek at the most highly regarded Cubs since the days of the immortal Frank Leroy Chance, the one-time peerless lead CT, and about 50.0Q1 Of these gained admission to see the Pirates win by a shade, to 5.
 ] lie LOIGtS Ul JbSt k4l iNN'4 | NA4y nevertheless demonstrated natural batting power which all but blasted the game from the clutch of Bur leigh Grimes in the last two innings, wherein five Of the ten Chicago hits were punched. The difference be- tween victory and defeat for the Cubs was Rogers Hornsby's failure in two pinches and the generosity of Grimes toward the champion in other trying moments. In his Cub debut the Rajah collected three passes and two force-outs.
 Elwood Erglishs tumble Of Adams grounder in the first gave the Buccaneers two unearned runs and another was honestly batted home at the expense of Charlie Root, From that point onward the Pirates held the game in hand, but the late rallies Of the Cubs brought the assembled citlzenry into full cry and all but upset Grimes. The rec ord turnout in Chicago was all the more remarkable in view ot the clear but chilly weather.
 Facing only slightly warmer con- ditions at Cincinnati, Grover Cleve- land Alexander started his 19th National league campaign by turning back the Reds with five small hits to win by to 2. Red Lucas also held the champions to five blows but some Of these were punched Tn the opening round for two runs and Chick HSfey hit for all the bases with one aboard in the sixth Hatey drove in four of the five St. Louis runs.
 The Indians rallied through the late innings to win from the Tigers by 5 to 4 in Il rounds as 15,o00 Cleveland fans watched the battle. Earl Averil became one of the very few major leaguers to make his bow with home run by driving one of Earl Whitehil's shoots over the right field fence in the opening ln- ming. Charlie Gehringer cleared the same barrier two innings later.
 Whitehill went the route for De troit, but Cleveland called on both Joe shaute and Willis Hudiin. Lind drove home the winning run in the eleventh.
 Only 7.500 St. Louis clients braved the elements for the opening of the Browns. who defeated the White Sox by 3 to 1, thanks to Sammy Gray's fine work in the box. AL phonse Thomas took the beating on behalf Of the White Sox.
 Prospects in the east today were that only the hardest and most experienced marchers would be able to withstand the rigors of the cus- tomary trudge to the various flag poles and back. President Hoover stood ready to toss out the first ball for the Senators and the am- bilious Athletics at Washington, and Mayor Jimmy Walker was prepared to perform the same task at the Yankee stadium, where the cham pions Of the world awaited the Bos- ton Red Sox.
 John McGraw was eager 10 get at the PhiIlies at Baker Bowl, and the Braves and the Robins were willing to gamble against the pierc- ing cold Of Boston mist, driven inland from the scG.
 Club owners hoped for festive throngs at the delayed openings, bu there always was something abou" opening day that would not keep. After the scheduled start is pushed back a day, the tensity and the snap never remains. For all of hat. baseballs new est anG mos prom inent benedict, George Herman Ruth, will furnish good entertain ment at Jacob RupIert's enclosure, whether he hits his first home . n Or strikes out