Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-10
PITCHER MCDONALD
MAY HELP CHAMPS
Tigers and Chisox Declared
Improved-Yankees Are
About Same.
BY JOHN b. FOSTER.

n YEW YORK, April 10.-By a
N readjustment of players,
1 the 1881 pennant race of
the American League has
become more uncertain and less
one-sided than it appeared to be
some weeks ago.
Only mild Wonderment was
expressed early in the year as to
whether the world champion
Philadelphia Athletics could be
beaten this season by the Wash
lngton Senators or New York
Yankees.
But it is apparent now, less than a
week before the seasons opening games,
that there will be more power massed
against them than there was last year
CT the year before.
Probably the best move the Athletics
have made Is the acquisition of Nc
Donald, young pitcher from Portland,
Greg, who has everything physically
| that young man should have to make
a manager happy. The AS will need
him.
Bolton May Help.
The Washington club has profited by
obtaining Bolton, an awkward and as
yet unpublished catcher but one who
will mean everything to the club if he
finally turns out to be high grade; a
competent substitute outfielder and
utility inf1elder. This team is better
prepared to beat the AS than it was in
1880. because the owner has used as
much skill in trying to put together a
perfected machine as has any man in
base ball. Whether Washington wins
the pennant or not, the critic who likes
well balanced team must become
rapturous over this one
The Yankees have not been strength
ened appreciably. Their infield, their
outtield and their batteries are about
the same. Probably the best player
they have obtained Is Hoag of Cali
tornia, but they need more improvement
than that. The very best thing their
owner did was to obtain Joe Mccarthy
to manage the club.
Cleveland is stalking a great deal on
readJusted outfield, though it was
not specially weak in its outfield in 1880.
II the team had old Tuck Turner at
shortstop it might win the pennant.
With Turner and Vosmik 1t would
never stagger.
Detroit Stronger.
Inc Detroit team is a better ball
club by far this year than it was last
The outfield has improved, and how it
was needed! This year the outfit will
not lose one-tenth of the games neces-
sary to win a pennant simply because
its outflelders fall over their own feet
and make stupid plays. The whole
team Is in better condition than 1t has
been for long time.
Chicago will have a better infield
and better outfield, with as good
pitchers as there are in the American
League. And its catchers will be bet
ter, too. In fact, the team is better
in every way. Lou Blue at first base
will make the infield as good as anv
other. The team has shown marked
ability to fight back. and If it can get
started without being doused with dis
couragement it will be different club
than in 1880.
st. Louis has better shortstop and
second base combination than New
York, better than Boston and almost as
good as Washington in fielding. 1t
compares favorably with PHILADELPHIA
and is perhaps better than Chicago or
Cleveland. If this combination works
properly when the pitchers are going
b5tter than ordinary the Browns will
win many ball game The Browns
have been referred to as minor leaguers.
II they are, they certainly have COM
pany in the majors.