The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1930-02-21
OLDER LOOP
BALANCED
WELL
BY DAVIS J. WALSH

NEW YORK, Feb. 21.-Bye and
bye, hard times may come knock
ing at the door but President
John A. Heydler sees only year
Of abundance and great yield
ahead for the National League
and. ostensibly, for baseball in
general. In fact, he foresees the
impending league race as the
greatest, financially, of them all
and, comparatively, as the best
the last. ten years have known.
The last ten. it might be added,
have seen few years that were
superior in this respect.
President Heydler vouchsafed
His declarations in a statement,
especially prepared for the Inter
national News Service and issued
through his headquarters today.
He left town several days ago and
Is mentioning at the moment
somewhere in the Carolinas.
As prelude, he pointed out
chat baseball, regardless Of the
variety of it's appeal, was
essentially the poor mans game
Ia its cost to the public and,
therefore, was less susceptible to
changing conditions in the bust
ness world than any other sport.
Public interest. said he IN effect,
was the barometer, by which it
judged its future not the whims-
tcalities of Wall Street.
every sign today points to,
an interest that is heightened
beyond anything 1 have
known in my long experience
with the game" the state.
ment declared.
II am especially glad to note
Ehe revived interest among east
efn colleges in the national game,
for this interest will be reflected
In the attendance not only at
college games but at professional
games, as well. I have no
hesitancy, in my case, in predict
ing our best season of all time.
Gas for the National League,
truly believe that it has attained
its best balance in playing
strength, from top to bottom, o.
the last ten years"
This, it may be said by way
OF amplification, is one of Held
ler's statements that will stand un-
challenged. The National League
may win the handles catcher'S
glove for its record in recent
world series, but there is no use
arguing with the fact that it has
assembled all Of the ingredients
OF baseball race. Whereas, the
American League, facing the fact
that the Athletics completely
stole the show last year, isn't
quite certain whether it will find
itself sponsoring a race or q
rabbit hunt.
Heydler'S league, as q matter
Of fact, has only one worry and
this has to do with the old army
game, whereby six peas are to be
litter into four pods, a simple
matter when you know how.
It is so simple that men who
tried it have been known to stay
that way for the rest of their
lives. Anyhow, the National
League situation looks the part
Of a Six-club race, the thing of
which baSeballmen dream often
but seldom see.
The Cubs, Pirates, Giants
and Cardinals would seem to
be logical first division out
fits but the PhiIIies are on
their way back at last and.
when a young ball club be-
gins to come, it sometimes
forgetS to stop. The Phillies
| are no worse than a 2-t0-3
shot to finish in the first
four.
The Reds, inspired by the
punch Of Heilmann and Heusel,
may come back with a flourish or
they may stand still with a great
rush but, potentially, they are a
zeal menace until proved other.
wise. They may turn out to be
She last of the six contenderS or
that dubious distinction may fall
10 Brooklyn. which recently dis
played its presence Of mind by
deciding that its manager and its
vice president and moving spirit
really ought to know each other
better.
The club now will show the
even strength of a united house."
was Heydler'S comment on this
phase of the situation.
The Dodgers are not without
possibilities as a contender. Un.
fortunately, the thing they will be
without is infielders, unless Finn
and Slade, the Coast pair. show
something beside a California tan.