The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-09-24
CARDINALS GIVEN
EDGE OVER YANKS
Cards About As Good As
Last Year; New York
Misses DiMaggio

NEW YUM, SepC. l5.-fN4ie
histoy books will say the same
two teams, the New York Yankees
and st. Louis Cardinals, met two
years in a row in the World Series
of 1912 and 1913. But actually the
clubs in this years classic are
considerably different from ] t
year.
Excluding the batteries, the
Yanks will have only one infielder
and one outfielder from the array
that represented New York in 1912
while the Cardinals will use but
two infielders and one outfielder.
Consequently, any discussion OF
the comparative merits OF the Ma
tional and American League rivals
eventually SINNERS down to the
question of which club has done
better at replacing the key men
lost to the war.
In the opinion of this observer
the question can only be answered
in favor of the Cardinals on the
basis of performance during the
regular season.
The Redbirds have lost, among
others. Pitcher Johnny Beazley,
Second Baseman Jimmy Brown,
and Outfielders Terry Moore and
Enos Country Slaughter. B u t
they have filled these vacancies
so well that at times this years
team has appeared better tn n
last years. 1t may finish the sea-
son with the biggest pennant mar
gin in modern National League
history.
On the other hand the Yankees.
rated by past standards, are not
a good ball club and there is even
some question whether they are
the best of bad lot in the Ameri-
can League right now. There is
some sentiment that Washington,
since adding Buck Newsom, John
Niggeling and Harlond Cliff, is
stronger outfit than the Yankees.
In any case it is fact that New
York has not yet clinched the pen
nant. although the end Of the sea-
son is Just week and half off.
The Yankees have lost Pitcher
Red Ruffing, Infielders Buddy Has
sett, Phil Rizzuto and Red Role
and Outfielder Joe DiMaggio and
have done well at taking up the
slack left by all but DiMaggio and
RiZuto.
That's like saying a good sub
stitute has been bound for ham
and eggs except for the ham. Dl-
Maggie is one of the great out
fielders of all time, yet to fill his
shoes the Yanks do not even have
a good journey1nan ball play er
worthy Of starting every day. In
the series Manager Joe Mccarthy
may have to alternate three diff
ferent men in centerfield.
The deficit at shortstop is just
as glaring. Frank Crosetti was a
star himself in other years, but he
has tied and grown dim. His hit
ting and his fielding have sagged
together and he in no way re-
sembles Rizzuto, who batted 1881
in last years series.
The Yankees have two qualities
that make them formidable in the
series-expert pitching and spas
modic power. They have hurlers
capable of smothering the opposi-
ton and they have hitters like
Charley Keller and Nick Etten ca
pable of blowing up ball game
at any point.
But the Yankees are not con-
sistent and the belief that they are
invincible in the World S r i e s
simply because they have won so
many was exposed as myth last
year.
They could win and they may
win, but over the season the Car
dinals have shown a better ball
club. Up to now they are still the
World Champions and they will re-
main so until the Yankees beat
them. They won't beat themselves
as some National League clubs
have done.
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