The Wilmington morning star., 1941-01-07
IS STRONGER
ALONG ALL LINES
Hiebe To Make Dodgers Dan
gerous, League Head Says;
Wilson To Help Cubs
By FORD G. FRICK

President OF The National League
NEW YORK, Jan. 6.IR-At this
New Year season in this country, the
outlook for every enterprise sched-
uled for the coming year is more
closely bound up with the outlook OF
the nation as a whole than ever be-
fore. We in the National league are
preparing for an active season. Our
clubs have on their rosters a remark
ably promising array Of new men.
Every indication is for a holly con-
tested. pennant race.
How this outlook will be modirled
by the events Of the weeks and
months to come, no man can ore
see. Baseball has its place in the
program of a nation preparing for
national defense, just as in a land
at peace and engaged in the indus
tries of normal civilized times. That
place will be defined as events shape
themselves. The National league will
be prepared at all times to do its part.
Last year this time, Bill McKech-
ME, manager Of the 1899 pennant-
winning Cincinnati Reds, said some.
thing to the effect that in spite Of
glowing reports from other cities, the
Reds were still champions, and at
least as strong a club as the previous
year. Here and now, that's still a
pretty good starting point for any
discussion OF pennant chances.
The Reds now are world cham
pions. A glance at their lineup, with
it's reinforcements as of this winters
transactions, tells me that the Reds
will step into this years race in
championship stride. They r the
No. / team the rest will have to
beat.
How much of this championship
spirit Jimmy Wilson will transfer to
the Chicago Cubs as the new man
ager is a consideration which should
make the Cubs one Of the most in
teresting teams in the National
league this year. Wilson's designa-
zion by the vote of sports editors
as the outstanding comeback hero
of the sports field of 1910 may be a
token of things to come in Cubland
in 1914.
A comeback by the Cubs to their
Of 1888 and 1885 would make
things very interesting along the
western front of u league, especial
ly in the light of the fine perform
of Pittsburgh and st. Louis in
the latter half of the past season.
That was a memorable winning
the Cardinals staged in Aug
ust, nine straight, tying the seasons
record set by Brooklyn in April and
not surpassed until the Reds came
along to win II straight in Septem-
Der. Pittsburgh's feat in finishing
fourth after occupying last place
from May s to June 6 foretells a fly
ing start in Al for Frank Frisch's
fiery crew.
Brooklyn's acquisition of Kirby
Higbe makes the runners.up Of 1910
even more dangerous. The Giants,
with Bill urges back in the lineup,
are certain to rebound off their dis
appointing 1910 campaign. Boston,
with its rising regiment of young
players developed by the genius and
enterprise of Bob Quinn, Casey
Stengel and their associates, had the
highest winning percentage in our
league for the month of August. This
Indicates that Boston will be a fac
tor to be reckoned with, even if not
an actual flag contender.
Philadelphia's new players from
the minors collectively are the
strongest group the Phillies have
added for many years. Improved
scoring power should make the Phil.
lies an a%ll-around better ball club
this year, too.
Many things about the coming
year are uncertain. One certainty
is that the National league is
strengthened all along the line and
a the making of a mighty fine
pennant race.
COZ 7Hn M YYy