The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-18
CHAMPS STRONG |CHALLENCERS AT
 NEW YORK FIELD
President Roosevelt to Miss Postponed Game; Pirates Top Reds, 7=5
BY GEORGE KIRKsEY

and rumorS of wars were only whis- pers in the distance, European trou- bles seemed farther away than in months, for today the major league baseball season begins.
 A fellow can get cut ill the open air, test his lungs and forget all about his and the worlds problems. That's why baseball is en1ba-Iing on its second century today. And ap- proximately 250,G3J :ans. unless the weather interferes, are expected to pile into eight major league parks.
 The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cin- cinnati Reds jumped the gun yester- day at Cincinnati despite threats of flood waters from the nearby Ohio river. A crowd of 30,644 saw the Pi- rates come from behind to win, 7-5. For the first time in several years President Roosevelt won't see an opener. Wet grounds prevented the Yankees and Senators from putting on the usual preview at Washing ton, and previous engagements pre- vent the president from attending today's game.
 Cincinnati's pre-opening game was one of the features of base- balls centennial year. The first pro- fessional team in America was formed at Cincinnati in 1869.
 After winning three straight American League pennants and three world championships-a feat never before accomplished by any team-the New York Yanks appear to be headed for a repeat. Jack Doyle, Broadway betting commits sioner, quotes the Tanks the short est priced favorite in baseball his- tory at 2-5.
 StandOut
 Top game today brings together the Tanks and their most dangerous rival, the Boston Red Sox, before an expected 65,000 at Yankee Stadium. Lefty Gomez or Red Ruffing, who is nursing Sn injured foot which may deprive him of the honor of pitch ing the opener, was expected to face Jack Wilson, Red Sox.
 The National League has promise of another one of its knock down and-drag-out affairs. There's even 1 talk Of a seven-club race. That's stretching a point somewhat, but at least four or five clubs have definite pennant possibilities. Even the fans, i gamblers, managers and experts are having trouble getting together on I the favorite.
 The managers pick the New York Giants to win. The experts lean to- wards the Reds. Jack Doyle quotes the Cubs betting favorites at 2-1. There is some sentiment also for the Pirates among the fans. And even the Cardinals, who ran sixth last year, and the Brooklyn Dodgers, who were seventh, have small followings. i The hottest spot in the National to- day is likely to be Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, where the Giants will at tempt to puncture the Dodgers bub- ble. If weather permits the game is likely to set new Ebbets Field at- tendance record of nearly 10000. Harry Gumbert, the thin, silent fel- low with the high kick who has quietly slipped into the role of No. Giants pitcher. was named to oppose Luke Hamlin, the Dodgers curly-haired curve baller.
 Another big game pitted the cham pion Cubs against the Reds in Chi cago before another capacity house. Big Bill Lee, winner of 9 games last season and keyman in the Cubs pennant drive, and Paul Derringer, winnre Of 21 games and Reds ace, were named as the rival pitchers.
 In the other American League openers, Washington meets Phila- delphia at Philadelphia; Chicago plays Detroit at Detroit; and Cleye- land plays St. Louis at St. Louis.
 In the National League, St. Louis plays Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh and Philadelphia plays Boston at Boston. Cincinnati, didn't open the season like a pennant-winner. They not only lost the game, but had their shortstop incapacitated and two of their pitching beauties, Johnny Van- der Nicer and Bucky Walters, were hit hard.
 Going into the eighth the Reds led, 5-2. The Pirates scored four times and went on to win behind Cy Blanton's steady pitching. Billy Myers, Reds shortstop, was knocked unconscious by ball thrown by Bill Brubaker. He will be out for several days at least. Without him, the Reds regular second base combination is 100 per cent missing. Second Base man Lonnie Frey has an injured hand.
 i Wander Nicer, who started, was wild. and relieved by Bucky Walters III the third. Walters held the Pi- rates at bay until the eighth when the Pirates batted around against