Imperial Valley press., 1937-03-17
Bench
Warming
By BURDETTE KINNE
Post-Press Sports Editor

Once again major and minor
| league baseball teams have begun
their spring training grindS and
ball fans throughout the nation are
picking their favorites to win the
league pennants. And are produs-
ing booklets of evidence to prove
their contentious.
In Brooklyn. the Dodger fans are
anxiously watching the progress of
their favorite team under the guild
ance of an old favorite, Burleigh
Grimes.
The Brooklyn team, which has
long been noted for its screwy
tactics on and off the ball field,
will be a hard fighting club minus
the daffy play this season, accord
ing to Manager Grimes.
Burleigh insists the Dodgers will
make the going tough for any ball
club in the league and expects his
team to finish at the top Of the
second division or at the bottom
of the first division.
In New York City the fans are
watching the 1886 pennant WIN
ners. the Giants and the Yankees,
and are certain the two teams will
again meet in the world series.
The Giants, strengthened by the
addition of Chiozza in the infield,
will be right near the top all sea-
son for they will have one of the
finest pitching staffs in many years
Gabler, Gumber, Schumacher and
Castleman should be able to come
through with enough victories TO
add to those of Hubbell, Fitzsim-
mons and Smitk for a pennant win
ming season.
The Yanks will depend on the
same club which batted them into
the world championship last year
and unless accidents cripple the
champs too much the New Workers.
will be hard TO keep out Of first
place.
Boston Bees and Boston Red
Sox will be stronger in their re-
spective leagues but are not ex-
pected to finish in first division.
The Chicago Cubs will be strong
this season but lack the pitching
strength to win the league title.
The White Sox will be in the run
ming until the latter part OF the
race when they will falter under
the strain because of reserve weak
ness.
st. Louis will place one team
near the top, the Cardinals IN the
National league, and the other club
the Browns, in seventh or eight
place in the American league.
If Dizzy Dean signs with the
Cardinals they will be virtually un-
defeatable for they win boast Q
well balanced pitching staff. Pau
Dean has returned to form and VII
fit ia with Warneke, Winford anc
a host of minor league material,
Even without Dizzy the Cards
will be a serious threat to the
pennant hopes of the Giants ano
Cubs.
The Philadelphia teams, Philiies
and Athletics, will finish near,
or at. the bottom. The AS viii be
stronger than last season but Will
lack the punch to rise out OF the
cellar.
Cincinnati will be tough In the
National league and with the adol-
ton of couple OF hurlers VIII 1inish
in the first division.
Cleveland, Indians, who have been
aiming at first place in the Amer
ican league for many seasons may
make it this season. Young BOB
Feller may be able TO come through
with enough victories TO make the
difference.
Detroit, with virtually the same
team that won the world title III
1895, will be mighty hard to beat.
Greenberg will be back in the
lineup as well as Cochrane, and
Rowe Bridges and Auker are bet
ter than ever on the mound.
The other clubs, Pittsburgh ir
the National and Washington in thu
American will be near the from
but not strong enough to be con
sidered serious pennant contenders