New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
ATHLETICS AGAIN
 STRONG FAVORITES
Philadelphia Club Seems Even
 Stronger Than Before

New York, March 22 (P-The Philadelphia Athletics have prove l their case. They cannot capture the l930 pennant on their 1929 record, but on past performances alone. re- g'ardless of the prospect that they will be even better, Connie Mack's league pennant chase April 1o 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 thc revamp- cd New York Yankees and rebuilt Detroit Tigers, each packing suffi- cient punch to makf any opposing pitched groggy
 AS for the others. Cleveland an l St. Louis figure principally as threats, involved mainly in a fight for a first division berth; Chicago and Washington as dark horses" :" difficult to rate in advance; Boston, improved, but still q rank outsN2
 The Athletics finished the 1929 race is games ahead of the Yan- keeS, 24 in front Of Cleveland, 26 better than St. Louis, 35 ahead Of Washington and 36 beyond Detroit This left not the slightest room for argument. Since the boys who turned the trick for the veteran Connie Mack arc all back on the firing line, many O. them improving and all chocl,ful of confidence, there is not the slightest reason to dis count the strength of the world $ champions. Mack, with better reserves and al least one fine new pitching prospect in Leroy Mahaffey, is the only man agcr in the league to stand pat on his regular lineup.
 The hopes of the Yankees, under the leadership of Bob Shawlley. de- bends chiefly on how the pitching rockies, Ben Chapman at third and | Dusty Cooke in left, measure up 10 big league standards as regulars. | Tho former champions have the punch with Babe Ruth apparently ] in shape to earn his SS0,000 salary as the clubs pacc-scttcr.
 1 The Tigers, under Bucky Harris rely on pitching acquisitions tC make a pennant contender out of q team that has developed speed and a better dSfense to go along with it's terrific batting power.
 ! Both the Yankees and Tigers can match the As, hit for hit, but ncith. CT has yet developed q twirlina staff able to hold it's own witF Grove, Walbcrg, Earnshaw. Quinn Rommcl Shores and the other Mackian currers and smoke ballcrs
 Cleveland, St. Louis and Chicago on the other hand, have cXccptiona pitching strength. This is especially true of the Browns, who are handi capped by distinct weakness a bat. The Indians, third last yea due 10 remarkable performances b, veterans such as FonseCa and rock j ics such as Terrell and Averill, hay, some heavy hittcrs but d shaky in field. The White Sox, popped up b, Donic Bush, also have intield prob lcms but expect Smcad Jollcy {. help furnish the needed punch.
 This leaves Washington and Bos ton for final consideration. Waite Johnson's Senators. without the hit ting of Goose Goslin or it's cduiva lent, and with an uncertain inncld do not figure as serious contcndcrs The Red SoN appear improved bu no more than enough to make vigorous scrap to escape last placr
 Four new managcrs-D Donie BusI at Chicago, Heinic' Wagner at Bos ton, Bill killefcr at St. Louis an, Bob ShaWkey at New Nork-wil join the concerted attempt 10 gang the ancient Mir. Mack and his A. 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, ca upset the house of McGillicuddy. | TURKEY SHOOTING IN SIGHT