American League Baseball

For one thing, the Athletics cannot be as hapless as they were last year. This year they at least know that Kansas City wants them, and if this is not a definite plus in the factor of morale, at least it removes the definite minus that existed last year in Philadelphia. The Orioles under Paul Richards are improved. They are old, it is true, but improved, better balanced, ready to win a little more often. The Senators are the same team, a little weaker if anything, but in Charley Dressen they have a manager who gets great glee out of creating discomfiture, particularly in the form of victories wangled from better ball teams. The Red Sox and the Tigers, both heady with promise, have new managers and should cause at least as much trouble as they did last year ( Detroit took eight games from Cleveland, Boston nine from New York) and probably more.

And if a yawning Ted Williams should decide that baseball is, after all, a more preoccupying summertime sport than just going fishing, and should decide to pleasure himself with just one more good season in Fenway Park, things will be harder than ever for the trio of teams presently lording it over the weakened American League.

Against this rising tide of rebellion, which feudal lord seems best equipped, assuming that once again the top clubs fight each other to a standstill? Which team is most likely to sleep well late in August and early in September when in one 11-day period the Yankees and Indians meet three times, the Yankees and White Sox twice, the Indians and White Sox four times, while in and out and roundabout the same three teams in the same 11 days play a total of 14 other games with Kansas City, Baltimore, Washington and Boston—plus possible added games from earlier rainouts?

Who is most likely to have the fresh and able starting pitchers, the rested and ready relievers, to pick up a tired club and mop the floor with the second division?

Who but the Indians.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

THIS YEAR'S PROSPECTS:

STRONG POINTS:
One of the most impressive pitching staffs in major-league history: three superb first-line starters in Lemon (23-7 last year), Wynn (23-11), Garcia (19-8); two fine secondary starters in Houtteman (15-7) and Feller (13-3); three remarkable relief pitchers in Mossi (6-1, 1.94 earned-run-average), Narleski (3-3, 2.22 ERA), Newhouser (7-2, 2.49 ERA); best pitcher in minors last year in young Herb Score (22-5 at Indianapolis, 330 strike-outs). Powerful hitting by Avila, Doby, Rosen, Kiner and Wertz.

WEAK SPOTS:
Probably the worst-fielding infield ever to win a major-league pennant. Generally unimaginative play in field and on bases. Age of pitching staff (Feller, 36; Wynn, 35; Lemon, 34). Rosen's still tender finger.

ROOKIE HOPES:
Score, who has been described as "so good you can't believe it."