Evening star., 1938-04-19
CHAMPS CHECKED
BYROOK|E HURLER
Bagby's Bosox Win Inspires
New York's RivaIs-Senior
Loop Guns Boom.
BY GAYLE TALBOT,
Associated Press Sports Wrirer.

ny 'H lAlSDOl,
Associated Press Sports Writer,
The sun-tanned countenances OF
seven American League managers were
wreathed in new hope today as the
major league baseball campaign began
on all fronts. Only gentle rain that
sWShed up and down the Atlantic
seaboard threatened to dampen the
days festivities
The pilots of the junior circuit BEAM
ed IN their morning mirrors as they
thought OF the 8-to-4 licking the
champion New York Yankees absorbed
IN their opener against the Boston Red
SoX yesterday and hoped that the trou-
Die with Manager McCarthy's gang
was nothing trivial
They thrilled over the breakfast
bacon, too, as they noted that Jolting
Joe Dl Maggie, the Yankees missing
slu2ger. still was mad at Owner Jacob
Ruppert because he wouldn't pay him
$4,000 for the season H-m-m-m.
just as they suspected-the Yanks are
going to miss the lad.
Yanks Are Humbled.
Only five hits they got in six in
nings of Jim Bagby, jr., 2l-year-old
KID starting his first major league
game, and their priced new second
baSeman, Joe Gordon, Whitfield twice
AND the mighty Red Ruffing, who won
70 games last season, was slammed
from the box.
"ashlngton's Nationals, victorious
over the Philadelphia Athletics. u to
3, in yesterdays bob-tailed opening
program, had reason to be proud of
the swap that got them First Baseman
AeKe Bonura from Chicago in exchange
Tor Joe Kuhel. The big fellow smacked
three hits. including a mighty home
run into the left field stands with two
on base
Iodays remaining American League
openers brought up few more points
OF prime interest The matter Of the
big trade between Chicago and De-
troit, involving a couple Walkers, Gee
and Dixie; Vernon Kennedy and others
was due to be threshed out when the
Tigers and White Sox clashed. And
Mickey Cochrane had the comforting
assurance that Schoolboy Rowe was
ready to give his all for Detroit after
being laid up most of last season with
a sore arm. Rowe, voluntarily retired
since last summer, applied for re-
lnStatement yesterday.
Stage Play by Browns.
Then, while rumors that Di Magic
had signed or was about to sign his
Yankee contract We're floating around.
the st. Louis Browns stirred up a bit
more excitement by Offering to buy
him for $l50,000 They didn't get
any farther with that one than Joe
has with his holdout. but the offer may
bring out a few more customers for
todayS st. Louis opener at Cleveland |
Rival American Leaguers were forced |
to admit, of course, that the Yanks' !
opening game loss wouldn't mean |
much over the long haul, but the
punches appearance Of the cham
plons at least let them conjure up a !
closer race than for the last two !
seasons-maybe even humdinger like
the one starting in the National League |
today is certain to be-
There was every prospect that, with |
a break in the weather, upward of |
100000 would witness today's contests.
which included a patriots day double
header between the Yankees and Red
Sox at Boston.
Increased interest has been aroused
IN the National League by the amazing
deal of Saturday, which sent Pitcher
Dizzy Dean to Chicago for sl85 900
ana three players. Reckoning Dizzy's
total price tag at $3.50 900, it was the
second biggest deal in baseball annals.
In turning over that kind of money
TO the st. Louis Cardinals, Owner Phil
Wrlgley must have been completely
satlfled that Deans arm again is the
wing that made him the scourage of
the league two and three years ago.
Clubs Gain in Strength.
Except for the Cardinals and Phila-
delphla the National looks stronger
all along the line. Brooklyn, Boston
and Cincinnati all look capable of
giving the favorites a fight. A winning
team at Brooklyn, the craziest base
ball town in either league, would mean
plenty money in the Golfers of every
rival team.
Since the prospective pennant con-
tenders are at opposite ends of the
loop, there weren't any particularly
important angles to be considered in
foday's opening program, sending the
Giants off at home against Casey
Stengels Boston Bees and the Cubs )
against the Reds at Cincinnati, while
the Dodgers hooked up with the
Phillies and the Pirates with the
Cards.