The Washington times., 1934-03-29
LIKES YANKS
To FINISH
SECOND

outburst today some idea, mostly
mine, Of relative values in the
American League as the time
draws near for the finish OF
spring training, and the start Of
the pennant race itself.
In the interests Of candor, I'm
impelled to add I'm only another
ear and eye specialist, meaning
that I Just 60 around looking and
listening and, as far as I'm con-
cerned, the future is something
that comes after the present.
Not Five Months
It is understood, therefore, that
the following ratings are an at
tempt to state the situation as
represented, say, by the last five
days, not the next five months:
1. Washington Senators.
2. New York Yankees.
3. Detroit Tigers.
Boston Red Sox
Philadelphia Athletics
6 Cleveland Indians
Z st Louis Browns
3 Chicago White SOx
In spite of a huge turnover
Of personnel between seasons, the
American League doesn't seem
quite ready to unSeat its cham
pion of 1888, the Senators, al
though the latter look none too
strong. It's merely a case Of the
rest Of the league looking in
herently weak. The Senators, for
instance, are the only club rated
in the first division that can
guarantee results in the infield.
The rest Of them are just in
there hoping.
Have Sound Hurting
The Tigers, with sound pitching
and better than fair hitting,
might go higher If they knew
more about the left side Of their
infield. But they don't, and, for
some time, won't and for that
reason I'm giving the doddering
Yanks a break. They're going to
try repeating the miracle Of 1926.
when they cashed with a juvenile
second-base combination. Any
how, they're ready to start with
Heffner and Rolfe, and, while I
don't think it can be done, their
uncertainty is no worse in this re-
spect. and. by many points, their
punch is better.
The Boston Red Sox will have
better pitching, topped by Lefty
Grove, than either Of this pair,
but the Sox Unfolding, If any
thing, figures to be worse, and
they just haven't got that old
thump at the plate, either. They'll
do all right if they make the first
division.
Incidentally, while I've ex-
empted the Senators from infield
troubles, I'm conscious Of the pos
sibility that Kuhel and Cronin
may not come off the last world
series any too well, particularly
the latter. The Senators pitch
ing figures to trail off little, too,
but, as I say, it's pretty much Of
a humpty-dumpty league this
time, with the so-called strong club
weaker and the weak clubs not
enough stronger; so known or i'm
piled stability ought to stand up.
The Athletics, having traded
Grove, Cochrane, Bishop, Wal
berg and Earnshaw, are sound in
seven positions and positively
vulnerable otherwise. They have
almost no known pitching and
their catching figures to be about
the worst in the league. If as
many as two Of their young
pitchers develop overnight, they'll
be right in the race. If they
don't, the club just won't be able
to win. One more angle here
is Mr.. Cornelius Mack. / think
he realizes now it's just a little
too late to start all over again.
Indians Rated Below
The Indians are rated below
last years finish, but they don't
seem to fit in any other place.
They've had infield troubles for
years; they still have them and
their pitching, with Ferrell no
longer able to carry the pace, is
Spotty. Besides, since candor
and mind-speaking in general
seems to be going forward on a
pretty lavish scale today, they
don't figure to get very inspired
management from Walter john
son.
It's with some such idea in
mind I've juggled the Browns and
White Sox about. HornSby seems
to be going somewhere with the
former, and I should judge It is
one flight up. He's improved his
pitching and seems to have picked
up Q live one in Allen Strange at
shortstop. Whereas, I can't see
where the White Sox have greatly
benefited themselves wit h out
touching on the indelicate matter
Of management.
BELLOISE IN RING