Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-22
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

Associated freSS Sports GolJor. a.
n YEW YORK, March 22-The
M Philadelphia Athletics have
proved their case. They
cannot capture the 1890
pennant on their 1929 record, but
on past performances alone, re-
CARELESS of the prospect that they
will be even better, Connie Mack's
young men will start the American
League pennant chase April Is as
overwhelming favoriteS.
So far as training camp dope and
chatter may point the way, the chief
obstacles to a second straight victory
by the AS are the revamped New York
Yankees and rebuilt Detroit Tigers,
each packing sufflcient punch to make
any opposing pitcher groggy.
AS for the others, Cleveland and st.
Louis figure principally as threats, in
volving mainly in a fight for first d.
vision berth; Chicago and Washington
as dark horses" difncult to rate in
advance; Boston, improved, but still
rank outsider.
No Argument in 1899.
The Athletics finished the 1929 race
10 games ahead of the Yankees, "a in
front of Cleveland, IS better than st.
Louis, IS ahead of Washington and SO
beyond Detroit. This left not the
slightest room for argument. Since
the boys who turned the trick for the
veteran Connie Mack are all back on
the firing line. many of them improving
and all chockful of confidence, there is
not the slightest reason to discount the
strength of the worlds champions.
Mack, with better reserves and at
least one fine new pitching prospect in
LIE Roy Mahaffey, is the only manager
in the league to stand pat on his regu-
lar lineup:
The hopes of the. Yankees, under
the new leadership of Bob Shawkey, de-
pend chiefly on how the pitching stan
develops and whether two rockies, Ben
Chapman at third and Dusty Cooke In
left, measure up to big league standards
as regulars. The former champions
parently In shape to earn his $4,000
salary as the clubs pace-setter.
The Tigers, under Bucky Harris, rely
on pitching acquisitions to make q
pennant contender out of a team that
has developed speed and better de-
Tense to go along with its terrific bat
ting power.
Both the Yankees and Tigers can
match the AS, hit for hit, but neither
has yet developed a twirling stan able
to hold its own with Grove, Walberg,
Earnshaw, Quinn. Rommel, Shores and
the other Mackian curvers and smoke
ballers.
Cleveland, st. Loua and Chicago, on
the other hand, have exceptional pitch
ing strength. This 10 especially true Of
the Browns, who are handicapped by Q
distinct weakness at bat The Indians,
third last year due 70 remarkable per-
formances by veterans such as FonSeca
and rockies such as Terrell and Averill.
have some heavy hitters, but a shaky
infleld. The White Sox, popped up by
DOME Bush, also have infleld problems,
but expect Smead Jolley to help furnish
the needed punch.
Mats Not Rated High.
This leaves Washington and Boston
for final consideration. Walter john
sons Senator's, without the hitting of
Goose GoSlin or its equivalent, and with
an uncertain infleld do not figure az
serious contenders. The Red Sox APP
pear improved, but no more than enough
to make vigorous scrap to escape last
place.
Chicago, Heinie Wagner at Boston, Bill
Killefer at st. Louis and Bob Shawkey
at New York-will join the concerted
attempt to gang" the ancient Mr..
Mack and his AS. About the best they
can hope for. however, is that it won't
be so lop-sided as the pennant race of
1929. Only the breaks" it appears, can
upset the house OF McGillicuddy.