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Show Sports Here and There by Al Ablett Here goes for the National league: lea-gue: The Boston Braves are the champions, and of course you string along with the champs. The Braves, under Billie South-worth, South-worth, won last year with two key men out at a crucial time. Both with broken legs. Stan Heath, a temperamental ball player, but under Southworth, a star, Eddie Stanky, the best sec-end sec-end baseman in the league, was out for most of the season. With these two men back in shape and "Pistol" Pete Riser secured from Brooklyn, Billie will be a tough man to beat. You can put forty games in the win column from John Sain, and Warren - Spaun. With that kind of a start I like them to repeat. Brooklyn should make it a close race right down to the wire. The club is young and full of fire. With Cox living up to expectations at third base, there infield will be set. Hodges, a converted con-verted catcher who turned out to be a find at first base. Robertson, Robert-son, one of the established stars, on second and Pee Wee Reese, a great short stop. Shotten has no worrys on his inter defense. The outfield is a problem with about eight men fighting for starting berths. Shotten's job will be to pick the right ones. Carl Furillo is the best bet at the moment. Hermanskie, Brown, McCormick and Snider are all trying. The pitching will be all right providing provid-ing Rex Barney and Ralph Branca Bran-ca find control. Jack Banta is my choice among the new new comers. com-ers. Campanalla and Edwards are both good catchers that hit like demons. Pittsburg is the club to watch. Mayers has put his club together carefully and he will get a lot out of the old timers. If Bob Chesnes has a 20-game year, the Smoky city boys may take it all. The Cardinals are beginning to show the wear and tear of age. But a team that has Musial, Slaughter and Briecheen, is bound to win a lot of games. If the youngsters come through, the Cards could change the picture. The Giants are my team, all the Lip has to do is find a couple of pitchers and he will give them all a run. The Cubs, Phillies, and Ctnn., still are building. Here it is, but don't say I told you. AL -- |