Imperial Valley press., 1942-04-13
100000 CROWD
TO SEE OPENERS
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY


Against a baekdrop of nation
girding itself for total war on far
flung battelfields, baseball starts
It's 103rd season tomorrow 1t has
survived other wars and plans TO
see this ole through to a finish.
too.
Even with the nation in the midst
of the greatest war effort in hist
ory. the public sill has a so4t spot
in its heart for the national past
time Some 100000 will turn out to
see the two major leagues get away
on their five and half month cam
paignS, unless weather interferes.
and there are indications that the
turnStiies will click merrily all sea-
son.
But the war Will bring many
changes in baseball Next October
baseball will still be played but
some of us may not recognize it.
7G MEN IN SERVICE
The two major leagues have con-
tributed 76 men-the American 48
forces and man" more will 60.
Who and when are matters thatll
play a tremendous part in deciding
the pennant races.
At the request OF President Roose-
yelt the majors have expanded
their night baseball program so that
the greatest number of fans can
attend games The National League
will play "a night games and the
American League Ia total of l6l,
more than twice as many as last
season. Twilight games probably
will be played in industrial cities
like Detroit, Cleveland and Pitts
burgh.
The world champion New York
Yankees seek their thirteenth pen
nant opening in Washington before
a distinguished gathering which will
include President Roosevelt, if he
can spare the time
With five pennants in six years
to their credit, the Yankees are one
OF the shortest priced betting ia
vorites in history at 25. Only once
before was any club quoted that
short and it was the Yanks in 1899
after they had won three straight
flags.
LINEUP UNSETTLED
Despite the YankS' short price
Joe Mccarthy isn't sitting on top
of the world. He has only half an
-+a ,+c
first and third base unsettled. Ed
Levy was bought from Kansas City
yesterday to play first but he is
still on trial. - does not look or
act like a Yankee ball player Ger
ry Priddy has been playing third
base but there is question whe-
ther he'll hit. If Red Rolfe regains
his health he will return to third
and Priddy may be shifted to first,
Otherwise. the Yanks look all set.
The National League promises
another thrilling og-eat-dog races
among the champion Dodgers (re-
member those beautiful Buns com
ing down the stretch last summer9,
the Cardinals and the Reds. The
Cardinals have been established
slight betting favorite at 1910, a
shade under the Dodgers at 7-5
The Reds are 81 but must be rated
& contender because of their tre-
Hlendous pitching array.
Brooklyn will battel the Giants
IN the National Leagues big game
OF the day at the Polo Grounds be-
fore an expected $4,000. The two
Dodgers cripples, first baseman Billy
Camilli and second baseman Billy
Herman, who have been nursing
back ailments, will be in the open
ing day lineup as will Arky Vaughan
bought from Pittsburgh. Vaughan,
who'll pla@ third. adds considerable
to the Dodger batting
order
HAVE SPEED
The Cards will base their bid on
speed youth and pitching. They |
nave the leagues fastest club, its
youngest and bow only to the Reds |
ir pitching strength.
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