Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-14
.5-CLUB FIGHT SEEN
IN OLDER CIRCUIT
Cubs, Robins, Giants, Pirates
Also Figured to Be in Run.
ming for Flag.
BY HERBERT w. BARKER,
Associated Press Sports Writer,

NEW YORK. April light clubs,
all hoping for the best. faced the bar
rier for the opening of the National
League season today and some 100000
base ball-hungry fans prepared to give
them hearty welcome.
Expert opinion already has forecast
a five-club struggle In the National
League pennant race, with the st. Louis
Cardinals favored to beat out the Chi
cago Cubs. Brooklyn Robins, New York
Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates for their
second championship in as many years.
Neglected in this forecast, the three
other clubs, Boston Braves, the PhillieS
and Cincinnati Reds, all hoped to bet
ter their positions of q year ago and
give the experts something to think
about.
The first days schedule sent the
Cardinals against the Reds at Cincin-
natl, the Cubs against the Pirates at
Chicago. the Robins against the Braves
at Boston and the Giants against the
Phillies at Philadelphia.
A maximum aggregate attendance Of
10000 was predicted for these four
games, with some 10000 expected ut
Chicago, 80, 900 at Cincinnati, "a, 600 ut
Boston and 1900 in Philadelphia.
Gabby Street, who piloted the tCardi-
mails into first place last year, Is bank
ing on virtually the same lineup to
repeat. Chick Haley, . persistent hold
out, Is absent from the outfield. but
that's about the only change in the
champions lineup. Pitching support
Is hoped for from Dizzy Dean and Paul
Derringer, recruits.
The Cubs have looked much stronger
than year ago with additional pitch
ing strength, Manager Rogers Hornsby
again in shape and hopeful Of playing
15h games at second base, and much
stronger reserves.
The Robins, with the addition Of
Fresco Thompson at second base and
Lefty O'Doul in the outfleld, apparently
are the most improved club in the
league. Their batting punch well may
be the strongest in the circuit.
Granted that he gets improved hurl-
ing and that Johnny Vergez acceptably
fills the bill at third base, John Nc
Graw was confident that his New York
Giants would be factor from the start
OF the season. The Pirates, with few
important changes, come up to the
starting line in better physical condi-
ton than they have for years. Injuries
and illness ruined their chances q year
ago, but Jewel Ems hopes for better luck
this time.
Bill MeKechnie has quietly built up
the Braves until they threaten to be-
come extremely Troublesome to the more
highly touted fayoritess With Red
Worthington and Wesley Schulmerich to
bolster the outfleld and Frank Wilson
at third base, McKechnie's prospects are
much brighter than they were Q year
ago.
The PhilIies once more lack pitching
strength, and the teams undoubted
punch at the plate hardly can hope to
Offset this weakness in the box. Gin
cinnati. with q rebuilt team that found
beset by q last-Minute ink. Mickey
Heath, young first baseman, has been
stricken with tcnsilitis. and Outnelder
Gill Heathcote has pulled q tendon.
Joe Strip was to be shifted 10 first
base, with Dresser playing third. and
Roettger was to NIL in for Heathcote.
A quick glance now over the situation
indicates q bitter battle all the way,
with victory going to the team with the
strongest reserves.