Evening star., 1937-04-18
Presidents Pitch Tomorrow Will Open Major Campaigns,
But Giants Cipen Slim Chance in Championship Defense

game and still supply the big punch;
pitching comeback by Lefty Gomez
relied upon. Strong In every depart
ment.
T1ger|Plenty power. with Hank
Greenberg and Mickey Cochrane back
in form; pitching comeback by Eden
Auker has offset Spring worry over
condition of Tommy Bridges, consis-
tent 20-game winner for three years.
Indians-Chances revolve around
pitching arms Of Bob Feller and Mel
Harder, present and former aces. II
both come through with big seasons
and Johnny Allen repeats 20-game
showing OF 1886. team will be tough
to stop. Shake-up in regular lineup,
with Julius Sellers and Lyn Larry re-
placing Joe Vosnik and Bill Knicker-
booker has helped club morale. Heavy
backstopping burden still rests on
Frankie Pytlak.
Mats Get Sixth Rating.
RD eOX-Can't be worse than last
year and probably due to rise
few notches, despite reliance on such
aged soupbones as Lefty Grove and
Yves Ferrell for pitching. Comeback
by Manager Joe Cronin At old short
stop post and development of rookie
second base star, Bobby Doerr, improve
outlook.
White sox-Surprbe club of 1896
can't be overlooked. Has plenty pep
and power, but pitching somewhat on
doubtful side. Manager Dykes starts
twentieth big league season at third
base, with understudy handy.
Nationals - Good defensive outfit,
with added punch supplied by al
Simmons in outfeld, but still doubtful
in pitching department. May be real
dark horse Of race.
Browns and Athletics-Neither a
pushover, but sufficiently shy Of pitch
ing resources to eliminate them from
anything but trouble-maktng roles.
AS have speedy outfit and one flrst-
rate finger in Veteran Hairy Kelley.
Browns pack punch, especially with
Manager Rogers Hornsby taking an
other active whirl.
National League Outlook.
CARDINAIs-Rely principally on
pitching big three" with Warn
exc joining Dean boys, and youthful
infield replacements 1T second and
third base Lack of experience be-
hind plate, but rookie sensation,
Mickey Owen, may furnish fireworks.
Outer trio Of Martin, Moore and Med
wick Is clubs defensive bulwark.
Giants Stronger than last year,
despite retirement Of Manager Terry;
Schumacher's ~ well ~ Castleman's
return to pitching form gives better
balance to strong staff, headed by
Hubbell; more punch, with Chiozza
on third, Leiber back regularly in
center field; but questionable whether
Mccarthy will plug big hole at first.
Bartell, sparkplug Of team, in lead-off
spot.
Cubs-better balanced, with Rim
Collins stationed at first, but question
able whether added all-around punch
and better inner defense will offset
loss Of Warneke in box. Staff featur-
ing French, Lee, Parmelee and Davis
should be strong enough to pull club
through however, if rivals slip.
Bucs Have Speed, Class.
pIRATES-plenty Of speed and class
but still trying to find pitchinp
combination that will click on eli
cyclinders at same time. Addition O,
Ed Brandt to staff including Cy
Blanton, Bill Swift, Jim Weaver, Red
Lucas, Guy Bush and Waite Hoyt
Offers real range Of possibilities.
Reds-nghting spirit high and clut
undoubtedly on upgrade, but still lacks
suncient power and pitching to be
real pennant contender. Will surprise
II Fingers like Grisson and Wander
Nicer come through and have enough
stun to annoy pace makers.
Bees, Dodgers and Phillies-all three
trying to make ends meet with limited
resources and none going anywhere
In particular. Bees, ably handled by
Bill McKechnie, look best Of trio. Bur
leigh Grimes has rebuilt Dodgers, but
teams only standout still Il Van
Mungo, hrehA1l finger.