The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-13

Irving to dodge the issue each year at this time doesn
do a sports writer any good, because despite New Year
resolutions, and vows taken the previous Septmeber' eacr
April finds the scribes blndly reaching into the graD-oae
of chance, and predicting the major league outcomes'
After weeks of study, we are just as confused as
the dav We got pinched for speeding with no cops
around. Anyone wagering anything on these preolc-
tons more valuable than a used STICK OF Duooie gum
or a square eight ball, is light-headed enough TO en1er
politics with a sure chance of making a name 0 h'n'
self. 49,
Taking the American league today, and then the older
loop tomorrow if we can escape the usual nightmares tnat
follow all quesswork, it seems certain the Boston Red ooX
will repeat their 1916 performance. Last season your re-
porter named the Sox and the Cards, and then plcKeo zoe
Cronin's bunch in the world series. Just getting over the
shock of the latter piece of soothsaylng, we We oecloeo "
give Cronin another chance.
The Red Sox will win lit reads here) because last
wear they finally gained the confidence they've lacked
for many years, and they won't get the filters when
thew are leading the league in July. You can't discount
the batting power of Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Rudy
York, Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and FRANKIE
Hayes. Hayes is a newcomer behind the plate ana
for years he boosted his average every time ne got
near the Boston short left field wall. In a Huo uni
form, he should have a great year.
And how can you overlook the hurting strength Cronln
has with Tex Hughson, Dave Ferriss, Mickey HARRIS Joe
The picking gets tougher for the runner up slot
in the American league, but TINS corner nhes Sosh ~"
the strength of the hurting staff Of Hal Newhouser'
Dizzy Trout, Virgil Trucks, and Stubby overmlre.
The Bengars success will depend on the bats OF DICK
Wakefield, Pat Mulin, and Roy Cuhenolne however,
and the team is admittedly a question mark. :,
The Yankees can have show position, our crystan Dan
shows, but they will have a fight on their hanos TO even
get that high. Under Bucky Harriss, the Bronx Bomoefs
NAV come to life, but third spot is as high as theyA get
since Detroit and Boston knocked the myth OF YANKEE
invincibiity into a cooked hat during the war. II Joe VI
Magic isn't right, the Yanks may fall to the second dlvls-
ion for the first time in decades.
The sleeper this year is Chicago, and we put tne
White Sox in a close fight for the first division with
CIeyeland's Indians. The Chisox can be the surprise
outfit in the league, with everything depending on
Murrell Jones, Don Holloway, and Jack Wallaesa CLICK
ing for veteran Ted Lyons.
Here comes Lou Boudreau, his Indians and his circus,
heading the second half of the league. We place Cleveland
ahead of Washington only because OF Bob feher on the
mound every fourth day, and the big bat OF Ken keltner.
There's nothing else in Cleveland except a group OF come
dams and aging Joe Gordon at second. It's a toss-up winch
will prove the more valuable.
Washington could have stolen e%veryones thunder
this year, except that the Fox, Clark Griffith, behed
his nickname and traded Dutch Leonard and Roger
Wolff, two of the finest knuckle-ball artists in the loop.
Without this pair, the Mats are no threat, and Mickey
Vernon has to share the batting lineup with nine other
guys, so the power is missing also.
Picking the seventh club is just as hard as naming the
first team, and a great battle should unravel to see
whether the Athletics or the Browns are the poorer team.
st. Louis should end up in seventh, because the AS and
Connie Mack, are so used to cellar life they'd feel out of
place anywhere else.
That's all there is. 1t was a hard job. Sometime
you should try tipping with your fingers crossed.