The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-04-03
Looks Like Braves
Us. Xanks--Again


If any team is going to swipe the American
League pennant from those Suave New York Yankees
this year, it will be Detroit. And the only reason De-
troit is singled out is that the Tigers appear to be
stronger than six AL teams which will finish from
third to eighth.
Meanwhile, one of two teams may sneak away
with the National League pennant which has been
Tapping in the wind in Milwaukee during the past
two years. The two likely contenders are San Fran
cisco and Pittsburgh. San Francisco seems to have
the edge among these two teams.
However, chances are that when the 1852 World
Series rolls around, il will be the Yankees battling
the Braves for the third consecutive year.
In tapping Detroit as the team that may break
the fouryear Yankee monopoly on the junior circuits
crown, the reader may notice that this writer was care
full to say that the Tigers appear stronger than SIX
AL teams. The strongest team still is New York.
If the Yankees don't win their 10th crown in the
last III tries, it will be a surprise to almost everyone,
despite what they say about the chances of Detroit
and even the White Sox. Picking another team besides
the Yankees is almost like trying to pump life into
a dead elephant which the American League seems
to be because of the dominance of New York.
The Yankees have the best pitching staff in the
AL with such established stars as Bob Turley, Whitley
Ford, Don Larsen, Duke Mas, Art Ditmar, Tom Stur-
divant, Johnny Kucks, Bobby Shantz, Ryne Duren,
etc.
Yankee Manager Casey stengei is set as far as
infield, ouffield and eafchers are concerned. His one
problem is that he has only eight positions to fill and
has so much good material TO use.
1t was pointed out in this column last year that
the American League is a sick one because playing
out the schedule seems to be a mere fOrmality: The
Yankees win all the time. AS a result, fan interest is
at low ebb.
Thus, there has been a great deal of talk during
the spring training sessions that the "Bombers" might
not win this year. Other teams have been talked up"
1t has been said many times that the Tigers are
a vastly improved team this year; the White Sox look
stronger; the Cleveland Indians have undergone an
overhauling and will be tougher, etc.
Yet, all these teams seem TO be standing in the
shadow of a giant-New York; team in a class all
by itself.
Getting back to the National League where they
still have competition, the Milwaukee Braves are not
considered to be such heavy favorites as the Yankees.
There are several reasons for this, one of the
main ones is that the Braves are in pretty serious
trouble as far as second base is concerned since "Old
Reliable" Red Schoendist won't be there this year be-
cause of his bout with tuberculosis.
II has been repeated many times that it was this
freckled-face veteran who stabilized the Braves into
champions. His timely hitting and bushel-basket field
ing were a great help for Milwaukee. There are a
couple of candidates for his vacated spot but the
Braves just won't be the same without the redhead.
The Braves also have other problems Ed Mathews
and Johnny Logan failed TO hit as they were expected
last year and If they don't improve, the pennani may
not be waving over Milwaukee County stadium next
September.
On the credit side, the Braves have a powerful
pitching staff, plus fine requirements and a ~stable-full
of fine youngsters.
Another reason why the Braves aren't a "sure-
fire" championship club is that the National League
has pretty stiff competition and several teams are
expected to make the race a hotter one than in past
seasons.
AS said earlier in this column, two prime candi-
dates for 1859 honors are the San Francisco Giants and
Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Giants last year finished third when a batch
OF youngsters came through in fine fashion. These
youngsters have the benefit of experience and should
improve this season. In addition, the Giants we're
strengthened with the acquisition of hurlers Jack San
ford from the Phils and Sam Jones from the Cardinals.
This gives the Giants a fronf-ins staff of Jones,
Sanford, Johnny AnfoneIli, Mike Mccormick, Stu
Miller and possibly Curt Barclay. This pitching staff
Is probably The second strongest behind the Braves)
in ihe NJ.
Pittsburgh is rated a contender due to the Pr
ates' second place finish last season and the expected
Improvement of its young ball players. The Pirates
have a fine mound staff composed of Bob Friend, Ron
Kline, Vern Law and Harvey Haddix. Also, the Pirates
appear 'set' in the field.
Whereas the American League is shaping up to
another "ho-hum" season, the National League pro-
misses plenty of excitement. Yet, it still looks like the
Yanks against the Braves in the series.-LvF
Angelo ss..,....s. q. -, .,,, H.. E. Bavmann & Sons
llonaId n Watt Plumbing Co.