Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-24
OTHER TEAMS
ARE IMPROVED
Phils Likely to Finish In
First Division; Mines
Are Shaken Up
BY ALAN GOULD

Associated Press Sports Editor
NEW YORK, March 24-0P)-The
National League, although present.
ing the prospect Of a much better
balanced pennant rae this season
than the American, nevertheless
appears likely TO be dominated
again by the powerful Chicago Cubs.
The House OF Wrigley Is as strong
a favorite 10 repeat its 1929 victory
as is the house OF Mack in the
American League.
The Cubs won the flag last year
by a margin Of ten and a half games
over Pittsburgh and seem TO have
fortified themselves for a sub
stantial lease on the top. The
Bruins. with nothing lacking in
their offensive power, have been
strengthened as much. II not more.
than any team in the league by
the acquisition Of Lester Bel TO
play third. the return to form OF
catcher Baby Hartnett's arm and
the bolstering of the twirling staff
with several fine recruits such as
Nelson, Moss and Teachout.
New Strength
Six Of the remaining sever Ma
tional League clubs. however, not
only figure to make 1t extremely
interesting and, perhaps, precari-
Gus. for the Cubs, but TO put a SEN
sational battle for first division
berths. Only the Boston Braves,
undergoing resuscitation az the
hands OF Bill McKechnie. appear
definitely slated again for the berths.
The Pittsburgh Pirates look like
the most formidable opposition for
the Cubs. The furious Phillies are
the real dark horse" OF the race.
The New York Giants remain
dangerous, In spite Of unrest. The
st. Louis Cardinals. their one-time
championship staff now very shaky,
face a fight 10 Withstand the cX-
pected rush Of too much improved
second division outfits Of 1929. the
Brooklyn Robins and the Cincin-
natl Reds.
Shakeups
Every team in the league has I'M
dergone some shakeups. -Four have
new pilots. All have put the accent
on a big punch and the league s
parks Will reSound from star. 20
finish with the bombardment q
lo%ng-range batting guns.
The Cubs had some trouble fight
ing off the Pirates last year and
II may be even more difficult 10
shake loose from the Bucks again.
Injuries and illness. long a Pirate
link. have again beset the club In
training. but there is sufficient all
round strength, plus the prospect
Of fine pitching, TO make Pittsburgh
A contender from the outset under
Jewel Ems.
The PhiIlies collected most OF
the smuggling honors last season.
They probably will do so again.
with O'Doul, Klein. Hurst. Whit
ney and the rest OF Burt Shotton's
clouting circus improving. Con-
seuuently II their pitching Is az
least 80 per cent better. as Shotton
believes il will be. there seems no
way 10 keep the club out Of the first
division.
Giants Look Bad
The Giants looked ike world
beaters in training last year and
finished a bad third in the race.
John McGraw's pupils have been
very unimpressive in Texas this
spring. and so. paradoxically. they
NAV burn up the league. Second
base. however. still is a problem,
and the Giant pitchers must stage
a comeback to put the club any
where.
Dan Howley has rebuilt the Reds,
added more batting punch with
Meusel and Heilman in the out
field. but needs some pitching sup
port for the seasoned Red Lucas
ana Jake May. Uncle Wilbert
Robinson. freed Of the worries Of
front-office turmoil. seems 70 have
inspired his flock. If Glenn Wright's
performance fullfilS training camp
hopes. the Robins will be at least
troublesome.
Most OF the critics fail to share
Gapby Streets optimism over the
chances OF the ST. Louis Cardinals