Evening star., 1935-04-15
FANCY STRUGGLE
SEEN IN AMERICAN
Five or Six Clubs Scent
Laurel, With Cleveland
as Popular Choice.
BY PAUL NICHOLSON.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

Associated Press Sports Writer.
)HICAGO, April 15.-The Amer
lean League has lost its Bar.
mum, but tomorrow it opens
base ball show that promises
to surpass them all for excitement
and thrills.
Babe Ruth, the great Snowman who
for years packed 'em in, has joined
the rival National League show. but
the actors and maestros he left behind
figure they will more than make up
for his departure with a production
that will hold an intense interest from
curtain to curtain.
1t used to be simple to pick out the
principal contenders for the American
League pennant, but in the race start
ing tomorrow any one of at least five
or six clubs has a chance to crash
the throne room and then battle to
regain the leagues prestige by vic
tory in the world series. Cleveland. a
team that finished third last year,
stands out as the general choice over
Detroit and New York. with Boston s
Red Sox, Connie Mack's young,
hustling Philadelphia Athletics, and
Washington given a chance.
And Here's the Dope.
IIERE is the set-up with the 'ifs''
i i and trimmings, club by club:
DETROIT-The Tigers, pennant
winners last year by seven games
over the now Ruthless Yankees, look
far more formidable today than at
the start of last season when Man
ager Mickey Cochrane didn't know
whether some of his players. later
stars, would deliver. Not much of a
change has been made except for the
acquisition of two new southpaws,
Clyde Halter from Louisville and Joe
Sullivan from Hollywood. A finely
balanced club, but can Schoolboy Rowe
continue his effectiveness and will the
Tigers get off to good start for a
change?
NEW YORK-In all fairness to the
Babe, most Of the Yankees feel they
have been strengthened considerably
by his departure, certainly defensively.
The team spirit is higher Manager
Joe Mccarthy has developed two good
looking young pitchers in John Broaca
and John Murphy, while Johnny AL
len, big loss last year, may be as
good as ever on the mound. Pat Ma
lone. a great pitcher in the National
League, also has been picked up, and
Mccarthy is one manager who can
make him pitch and be a good boy.
Tribe May Need Catcher.
CLEVELAND-The Indians look all
~ over the team to beat, although
the catching position, last year s
weak spot, may blight their hopes.
They will miss Bill Knickerbocker,
but Manager Walter johnson has
made some fine additions, notably in
Louis Berger. fielding genius. Pitch
ing is about the same, but Ralph
Winegarner appears ready to take his
regular turn on the hill. If he is,
watch out for the Injuns.
BOSTON-Con Lefty Grove come
back? That's the big if. Joe Cronin,
acquired in the big Winter deal with
Washington, will give the Red Sox a
great leadership and more punch,
but even he may be a big question
mark. He recently sprained the same
wrist he broke last year and may be
out of some important games.
PHILADELPHIA-Will Jimmy Foxx
be more valuable behind the plate than
at first? Also will Connie Mack's
young pitchers, who won two-thirds
Of their games in the last six weeks
Of last season, continue their rapid
improvement? Connie thinks they
will. If they do, and the AS get
some hitting, they'll make them all
hustle.
Harris May Bring Luck.
VXIASHINGTON-The Senators, SO
" riddled with injuries and sick
ness last season, that they
didn't play their first string once,
may be tough. Bucky Harris is back
as manager and may bring luck with
him. Alvin Powell, product of
Washington's sandlots, might take
Fred Schulte's place in the outfield.
st. LOUIS-Not much change here
except for a little more punch and
probably good starting pitcher in
Fay Thomas of Los Angeles.
CHICAGO-If Spring exhibitions
mean anything, Jimmy Dykes has a
vastly improved club with a better
runch and some young pitchers, Les
Tietje, John Whitehead and Vernon
Kennedy, who appear to be what the
doctor ordered for a team that has
been very sick since the world series
scandal of 1919.