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

Associated Press Sports Editor
NEW YORK, March 24-P-The
National League, although present.
ing the prospect Of a 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
a favorite to 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. If not more,
than any team in the league by
the acquisition Of Lester Bell 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 seven Ma
tional League clubs. however. not
only figure to make IL 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 at the
hands OF Bill McKechnie. appear
definitely slated again for the berths.
The Pittsburgh Pirates look like
the most formidable opposition 70:
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-tine
championship staff now very shaky,
face a fight 10 Withstand the OK
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 IN
dergone some shakeups. Four have
new pilots. All have put the accent
on a big punch and the league
parks Will resound from start "a
finish with the bo~mbarimsnt q;
l~ong-range batting guns.
The CUBS had some trouble fight
ing off the Pirates last year and
IL may Be even more difficult 70
shake loose from the Bucks again.
Injuries and illness. long a Pirate
link. have asain beset the club IL
training. but there is sufficient all
round strength, plus the prospect
Of fine pitching. 20 make Pittsburgh
a contender from the outset unotr
Jewel Ems.
The Phillies collected most Of
the slugging honors last season.
They probably will do 50 again,
with OrDoul. Klein, Hurst. Whit
new and the TEST of Burt Shotton's
clouting circus improving. Con-
sequently If their pitching IS at
least 80 per cent better. as Shotton
believes Ii will be. there seems no
way TO keep the club out Of the first
division.
Giants Look Bad
The Giants looked like 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.
ana the Giant pitchers must stage
a comeback to put the club any
where.
Dan Hovley has rebuilt the Reds
added more batting punch with
Neusel and Heilman In the out
field. but needs some pitching sup
Dort for the seasoned Red Lucas
ana jake May. Uncle Wilbert
Robinson, freed OF the worries OF
front-office turmoil. seems 20 have
inspired his flock, II Glenn Wrtghts
performance fullfils training camp
hopes. the Robins will be at least
troublesome.
Most or the critics fail to share
Gabby Streets optimism over the
chances of the ST. Louis Cardinals
HnrAn-z