Evening star., 1938-04-17
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.


NEW YORK, April 16.-The $30,-
100000 major league baseball industry,
fortified by one of the biggest build
ups in its long and colorful history,
launches 1888 pennant operations next
week with hopes high for prosperous,
If not an actual boom year. and MOTH
ing more serious on its hands in the
form Of labor problems than the re-
fusal OF the Yankees Joe Di Maggie
to play for $25,000.
The Chicago Cubs sprang the big
gest preseason sensation in years by
swinging a deal for Dizzy Dean with
the St. Louis Cardinals today, and
thereby skyrocketing their chances of
overthrowing the champion New York
Giants in the National League. Be-
sides three players. the Cubs probably
parted with substantial chunk of
cash for the famous pitcher, once
priced at 100000, but he will be
worth it to Owner P. K. Wrigley if it
means the pennant.
Having learned most of the lessons
OF other business depression years,
baseball club owners not only plan
to give the sports-following public a
more entertaining show and greater
ball park comforts. at no increase in
the box-offlce scale, but they are
optimistic enough to believe the sea-
sons getaway gestures will provide at
tonic.
Baseball Now Century Old.
Whatever its stimulating effects gen.
orally may be, there seems no doubt
Americas national game inspires
widespread reaction at this time of the
year. on the Broadways and Main
streets alike. This is baseball's Tooth
official year Of existence, dating from
the laying out of the first diamond
at Cooperstown. N Y. by Gen. Abner
Doubleday in 1889. Its unouestioned
hold upon young and aged appears
no less pronounced. notwithstanding
changing times and ideas about sport
Thus it is that countrywide in
terest will focus upon the Introductory
proceedings. The big leagues get off
to staggered start, with two games
billed for Monday as a prelude to the
grand getaway on all fronts Tuesday.
II the weather's favorable, upwards of
100000 fans will witness the opening
games.
President Roosevelt in his role of
the Nations No. fan, will toss out the
first ball Monday at Washington,
where 75-year-old Connie Mack. the
games managerial patriarch, sends
his Athletics into action against the
Nationals.
The world champion Yankees.
minus Di Maggie. but odds-on favorites
nonetheless to repeat in the American
League race. will launch their drive
for a third straight pennant in Boston.
against the Red Sox They will play
double e-header there on Tuesday,
Patriots Day.
Other American League openers
Tuesday send the st. Louis Browns
against the rejuvenated Indians at
Cleveland. and the Detroit Tigers.
rated the leading threat to the Yankees
against the injury-hit White Sox at
Chicago.
Senior Loop Well Balanced
National League clubs, fresh from
training campaign in which they
were spurred on by criticism to achieve
practice conquests over American
League rivals, are slated for the fol-
lowing Tuesday schedule: Boston at
New York. Brooklyn at Philadelphia.
Chicago at Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh
at St. Louis.
The National Leaguers, apart from
any effects of the literary lash, seem
fortified to furnish a closer and far
more exciting championship race than
the American Leaguers. They present.
in the first place, better balanced
collection of clubs, only one of which,
any serious part in the pennant debate.
Secondly one of the National Leagues
most enthusiastic strongholds. Brook
lyn, has been sharply reorganized. The
Dodgers, If they show any signs of
going places. will produce box Office as
we'll as artistic benefits.
The Giants, two-time champions
and two-time victims of the formi-
dable Yankees, occupied the favorite's
role until the sudden developments
that sent Dean to the Cubs On the
word Of Broadway Jack Doyle, the
betting man, that puts Chicago on at
least an even footing with the Giants
But, said Doyle, it also raises the
question, How good is Dean. If the
Cardinals finally were willing to sell
him?"
Giants Stronger Than in 81.
Obviously the Cubs who have folded
two years in row, figured they needed
somebody like Dean to finish on top.
This situation contrasts with events of
q year ago when the Cardinals were
supposed to have gained command by
obtaining Lon Warneke, former Cub
ace. The Cubs pack more punch than
the Giants and now, with Dean, have
more stuff to match the pitching
prowess of the Giants. New York looks
stronger than year ago, however,
with balance and experience working
to its advantage.
The Deanless St. Louis Cardinals,
. puzzling prospect even to their
intimates. and the Pittsburgh Pirates
should be in position to capitalize any
reversal Of form by either the Giants
or Cubs. In short. there are the max
1ngs Of a four-club race. with Boston,
Cincinnati and Brooklyn sufficiently
improved or equipped to be bother
some factors.
The Yankees think they can win
without Di Maggie. It's possible, con-
sidering the clubs talent and power
as whole, but baseball's best minds
do not expect they will have to try it.
It remains only to be seen what the
compromise is, If any. between the
Yankee offer of $25,000 and the out
fielders demand for $4,000, which is
$1,000 more than Iron Man Lou Gehrig
will be paid. A two-year contract at
say $4,000, may be the answer Mean
time Myril Hoag will start in center
f3eld for the cho m pions u,boen roo-