Evening star., 1931-04-05

believe the Mackmen can stop us.
we will be constituted practically
Just as we were last season, when we
had a better balanced aggregation than
the Abilities. except that We now pos,
sess the reserve strength we lacked
then.
THE AS finished eight games ahead
Of us in 1889, but that margin would
have been wiped out If we had taken
lust four more games from them ana
at least that many were decided IN
their favor by the breaks. As 1t was we
beat them so far as games between
the two clubs were concerned, but none
of the other teams had much success
In opposing them.
"This wear we ought to get more help
In that respect and it's very unlikely we
will make such a poor showing in the
west as we did then on two OF our
three trims against clubs which We
knocked of consistently in Washing
ton.
'The Athletics have to place too
much dependence on a few men 10
Withstand the effects Ct injuries all
clubs are subject to. Their big punch is
furnished by three players-Simmons'
Fox and Cochrane-and their first
class pitching is confined to just two
Grove and Earnshaw. Between them
this. pair accounted for exactly so VIC
tories. not figuring others they were
instrumental In winning through relief
. work, and 1t is extremely unlikely they
can 20 through another campaign at
such terrific pace.
Manager Mack has been trying to
nnd some help for them among the
ulayers he has had in training, but so
Tar as I can learn hasn't had much
success. A couple are reported TO show
much premise from their work In the
exhibition games. but thsy can hardly
acquire the poise essential to winning
consistently in championship games In
20 short a time.
Mack Needs All Stars.
"The loss Of just one player would
ruin the prospects Of the Athletics:
without Grove they would be sunk ana
that's a rather precari0us situation 1or
them to be in. They would be almost
as hard hit II deprived Of the services
of Simmons, too, or Foxx, for they are
the fellows who bat in the runs for
the AS. We haven't any such outstano-
ing stars, but being better rounded,
could afford to get along without any
one or two of our best men than the
Athletics.
II expect to see the Yankees do well
under Manager Mccarthy and they
ought to be q tough team because OF
their great hitting ability, but It Is
/. doubtful whether they have the pitch
ing to stay up near the top Of the
race and there is some question In my
mind whether they will be able to beat
out Cleveland, which has lot OIL
punch as well as pretty good hurlers. .
Detroit looks to me to be the best
of the clubs I expect to see finish IN
the second division, with Chicago next
and then ST Louis. Boston has nne
bunch Of pitchers. but hardly mucn
else and is so lacking In the way of
attack that it is difficult to figure how
1t can get out of last place.
Robins to Beat Cards.
"I don't know SO much about the
National League, as / never get a
. chance to see any Of their games, but
] look for Brooklyn to win the pen
nant. The Robins made great bid last
wear. leading the circuit most OF the
: way, and they have been strengthened
to the point where believe they VIII
break through this year.
"St Louis unquestionably is the clun
Brooklyn will have to beat, while ]
think New York will finish ahead of the
Cubs. who seem to be Handicapped oy
sloyness in the infieid. The Pirates
look to be by far the best of the re-
mainder and Boston ought to finish
ahead of the Phillies. who should
climb out of last place at the expense
of Cincinnati.
THE world series, well you can quote
me as saying that If the Nationals and
Robins enter it we will bsat them and
johnson smilingly added. that goes
for any other club that may oppose us
next Fall"