Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-24
BY ALAN GOULD.
Associated Press Sports Editor,

n lew YORK, March 24.-The
| M National League, although
presenting the prospect of
much better balanced
pennant race this season than the
American, nevertheless appears
likely to be dominated again by
the powerful Chicago Cubs. The
house of Wrigley is as strong q
favorite to repeat its 1929 victory
as is the house of Mack in the
American League.
The Cubs won the flag last year by
q margin of 1914 games over Pittsburgh
and, instead Of standing pat, seem to
have fortified themselves for q sub
Stantial lease on the top. The Bruins,
with nothing lacking in their offensive
power, have been strengthened as much,
If not more, than any team in the league
by the acquisition of Lester Bell to
play third, the return to form of Catcher
Gabby Hartnett'S arm and the bolster
ing OF the twirling staff with several
fine recruits, such as Nelson, Moss and
Teachout.
Six Of the remaining seven National
League clubs, however, not only figure
to make 1t extremely interesting and
perhaps precarious for the Cubs, but to
put up sensational battle for the FIRST
division berths. Only the Boston Braves,
undergoing resuscitation at the expert
enced hands Of Bill McKechnie, appear
DEFINITELY slated again for the depths.
Pirates Look Strong.
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 star now
very Shaky, face a fight. to Withstand
the expected rush of two much i'm.
proved decentralization outfits of 1928.
the Brooklyn Robins and Cincinnati
Reds.
Every team in the league has under
gone some shake-upS. Four have new
pilots. All have put the accent on a
big punch and the leagues parks will
resound from start to finish with the
bombardment of long-range batting
guns.
The Cubs had some trouble fighting
on the Pirates last year and it may be
even more difncult to shake loose from
the BUGS again. Injuries and illness,
long Pirate jinx, have again beset the
club in training, but there is SUFFICIENT
all-around strength, plus the prospect
OF flne pitching. to make Pittsburgh
contender from the outset under
Jewel Ems.
Pills Lead SIuggers.
The Phillies collected most of the
smuggling honors last season. They prob
ably will do so again, with O'Doul.
Klein, Hurst, Whitney and the rest Of
Burt Shotton's clouting circus improv-
ing. Consequently If their pitching Is
at least 80 per cent better, as Shotton
believes 1t will be, there seems no way
to keep the club out Of the first divi-'
sion.
The Giants looked like world beaters
In training last year and finished
bad third IN the race. John McGraw's
pupils have been very unimpreSsive in
Texas this Spring and so, paradoxically,
they may burn up the league. Second
base, however, still is a problem and
the Giant pitchers must stage q come
back to put the club anywhere.
Dan Howley has rebuilt the Reds.
added more batting punch with Mellsel
and Heilmann in the outfleld, but needs
some pitching support for the seasoned
Red Lucas and jake May. Uncle VII
bert Robinson, freed of the worries Of
front-oftice turmoil, seems to have In
spired his flock: If Glenn Wright's
performance fulfills training camp
hopes, the Robins will be at least
troublesome. =,
Most Of the critics fail to share Gabby
Streets optimism over the chances of
the st. Louis Cardinals being pennant
factors. The club dropped from nrst
TO fourth last year and has not gained
the needed requirements in pitching
TO check the down-hill momentum.