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Show r ' J liiJ v7 ' p t 3 n y OX, 30I0E1S. psiier sraS5.Y'o1"a' .7 O n 'Monday1 United Press International NEW YORK (UPIJ A new era of major league baseball officially begins this week when the National and American Leagues start their. 1961 pennant race with all the frills and hoopla of a circus parade. The American League, which stole a jump on the National by expanding to 10 teams this year, breaks from the barrier one day ahead of its ancient rival with V-.:"-'- :S K )' By FRED DOWN , ' ; . . ' "i A , s By LEO II. PETERSEN UPI Sports Editor The AUGUSTA, Ga. (UPI) manager of a rival club claims he would win the American League pennant by 20 games with the New York Yankees' outfield; infield, catching, four of their i WV, - '-- - - j'.yy"'.,, starting pitchers and then "the "Presidential traditional r; i. r fX ' Opener" in Washington, D.C. President Kennedy will be on hand to see the Chicago White Sox launch the season against the Washington Senators, one of d teams. the league's Set Tuesday Openers The 16 other teams all swing into action on Tuesday with Chicago at Cincinnati, St. Louis at Milwaukee, Philadelphia at Los Angeles (night) and Pittsburgh at San Francisco in the National and Kansas City at Boston, Minnesota at New York, Los Angeles at Baltimore and Cleveland at Detroit in the American. . Baseball brass, led by Commissioner Ford Frick, predict that the combination of expansion to new A. L. sites and two balanced races will produce a new record season attendance, perhaps as high as The experts agree, although they are predicting that the New York Yankees' wiH Prove every bit as tough under Ralph Houk as they were for 12 years under and may romp to Casey Stengel an easy ' American League pen nant victory. Professional' odds makers have made the Yankees odds-o- n choices and the Yankees were the overwhelming f aVorite in polling by the United Press International's board of 57 baseball six worst pitchers in the league," This writer believes that is going too far but he is picking the Yankees to win the pennant again. Picking the Yankees sel dom misses - only twice in the and it s a lot last four years easier than ducking golf balls around the Masters course.. In the other league, the' pick Los Angeles is the talent-ric- h j Dodgers. Here's how the 1961 finish is viewed after six weeks of watching the clubs training in Florida and receiving reports on the teams training in the Far West: n y9 neWly-create- last-minu- te American National New York Chicago Los Angeles Milwaukee , Baltimore - Pittsburgh Cleveland St. Louis San Francisco Cincinnati Chicago Detroit Boston Minnesota Kansas City Washington Philadelphia ' 11 experts. ' The World Champion ( By JOE CRONIN American League President Written for United ' Press International BOSTON (UPI) This 60th anniversary American League season is certain to be played with a historic backdrop it begins with colorful and traditional ceremonies at Griffith Stadium, 'Washington, next Monday. It was back in the season of 1901 when the American League achieved major league status, and for the first time it will operate as a circuit in 1961. We are confident these expansion moves have been made in continued major league fashion, and that interest and excitement are' going to be greater and more intense, as well, as more widespread, .this year than ever be' fore. g Encouragement has been in expert opinions-offereobservers who have qualified by seen the new clubs, the Washington Senators and Los Angeles Angels, ' in action during the spring training period.- The intense enthusiasm in the new ter ritory of Minnesota has gained , Pitts- j' even-befo- re , , who. could dominate, the league 10-tea- in ' . Besides Houk, other managers who either are totally new or are operating at new stands are Alvin Dark of the Giants, Bob Scheffing of the Tigers, Joe Gordon of the Athletics, Bill Rigney of the (Los Angeles) Angels and Mickey Vernon of the Senators. Then there's the Cubs novel experiment of having no manager at all. They'll W'managed" in relays by eight coaches with Vedie Himsl handling the job the first two weeks. The Baltimore Orioles and ' White Sox are rated the strongest threats to the ,Yankees in the American League. Paul Richards' hustling Oriole team was only one percentage out of first place last September. It is still short of power but probably has the strongest pitching staff in either league. The White Sox are neatly balanced offensively and defen' sively 'but their pitching staff may be just a. bit too old. May Be Contender None of the other American League teams is given a serious chance to win the . pennant although some experts expect the Twins (the 1960 Senators) to be a contender. The effect on the opposite end of the league could be very detrimental to the .league because a fourth strong club undoubtedly would create a league in which there would be three teams possibly Kansas City in addition to the new Senators and, the Angels. , The expanded A.L. is embarkscheding on the firstule in major league history and the additional eight games are expected to show in the records in a variety of ways. Few expect any of baseball's hallowed records, such as Babe Ruth's 60 homers in one season, to be surpassed as a result of it, however. , forth-Comin- - - es'sary for the modernization ' of the baseball structure, will be without: future problems. However, we are how certain all problems ahead can be surmounted as were those of recent .'! months. Achieve Progress Indeed, much as been accomplished and tremendous progress achieved in the brief span of time between last October and the" approaching opening day, which will find 10 teams ready for action and competition, thanks to the coT operation and hard work of dedicated baseball men, the owners and officials of the American League clubs, both the old and the new. I have had the good fortune of seeing and studying in person the "new" Washington Senators, and the six other teams - training in Florida, in recent weeks. Reports from the Arizona and California camps of the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels have been a matter of 'daily menu. It would be easy to predict, that a pennant race is in pros . -- ; : : . 10-tea- m pect, but perhaps not; realistic. unanimous recognition. However, one of the first" eviis intended no fruits of expansion has been claim dent By this ' neca tremendous stride toward that the expansion program, . - 162-ga- . Now Fish Licenses become Effective On April 16 Mantle Perry Selected For Top Honors In 1961 Season By FRED DOWN United Press International NEW YORK (UPI) Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees and Jim Perry of the Cleveland Indians were selected today , as the American . League's batting and pitching champions of 1961 by the United Press International's board 6f baseball experts. Mantle, who led the AL with a .353 average in 1956, was picked by 28 of the 57 writers and broadcasters making up the UPI board while Perry, whose 18 victories tied him for the league lead last season, won but in a close vote over Chuck Estrada of the Baltimore Orioles. Perry finished with 21 votes to 18 for Estrada. . The 1961 UPI board is com prised of three writers or broad-- . casters representing each of the 18 big league teams plus UPI sports editor Leo H. Petersen and UPI baseball writers Milton Rich man and Norman Miller." AH 57 experts viewed big league teams in action this spring. The ' experts apparently believe that Mantle will thrive in the new role of "quiet leader" created for ; . Sixty per cent of the world's pa-pis consumed by the United A 1 ACG INSURANCE him by manager Ralph Houk. Mantle hit only .275 last season and was no better than .285 in - 1959. The slugger enjoyed his greatest season in 1956 when he- - won the triple crown with a - . -- FR Devotees National of League baseball flocked to the parks in record numbers last year, helping e the NL set an season attendance record of 10,684,963 paid all-tim- admissions. Saw All Clubs Prospects for an interesting and exciting race are .every bit as good as we eagerly await the start of the 1961 season. I saw all eight of our clubs in action during the spring training season, and never have I seen more enthusiasm and genuine optimism than was evidenced by our clubs this spring. The champion Pirates are con- fident they can repeat and have Sox", lost by the retirement of Ted Wil liams. There doesn't appear to be much hope for the Athletics and ( . ! '' . Ro-Lar- ry , - i (..,.,. . r 4. . .. q, i . ' k -- ' : ' i- & A : S 1 4- - 4 i "I r , . mm 18-1- . "MIMIC m Ml NOW AT v. nrnr HUNTING-FISHIN- ... t P . .MEE r-r- -i INNES Scdson-Skfppc- r, of ail time switch-hitt- er This is the suit that plays ball 12 months of the year. A new Jund of gabardine you wear spring, a summer, fall, winter. It's a modern-weigh- t, blend of worsted with Kodel polyester. Pacific creates the fabric exclusively for J&F and ourselves . . . and we're showing the classic gabardine solids, the new iridescents, the new colors. Season-Skippmakes the suit you r . well, bought last year look like j jr like last year. er Sport Coals from - - - - - $30 . Charge It Slax fron IN PROVO . 316 and 372 17. 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Angels and Sena a Perry, right tors, promise to blend in battle hander from WilHamston, N.C., with the more established clubs. 0 record and a They start with a talented nu compiled an 3.62 earned run average for the cleus of proven stars and youth fourth - place Indians last ' season. ful prospects under skilled base He was the only member of the ball leadership, which assures ex- Cleveland staff to win 10 games citement and entertainment for Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers, their fans and the potential of who slipped to .278 last season, continual improvement in their was runnerup to Mantle in the fortunes on a day to day basis as voting for, the AL batting cham this newest chapter in baseball pion with 14 points. history unfolds. .353 . ,.-1- nr. - . 372 7. EXCLUSIVE REPAIRED ... Univ. 3 clubs Minnesota Jensen. back to supply the power N. L. Race ed MARINE CENTER PROVO'S ONLY AH LANDERS So. I JERRY'S O PROVEN CRAFTSMANSHIP QUALITY LO.F. GLASS . Specialized Work 3 pre-seaso- ; RUSS'S er . ; the are, picked to finish below the the two new clubs, the Senators- "and Angels. The battle between the three of them for last place could be as close as the fight fori ' . the flag.. diswas Alston Walter Manager appointed last season when his Dodgers finished fourth after, winning the pennant and World Series in 1959. So he Is not predicting a pennant this year, although he admits that if his players, especially the youngsters, live up to their potential, the Dodgers could take it all. They are loaded in every de- -, partment except catching. And if John Roseboro doesn't come back to his 1959 form and he can't handle the job along with Norm Sherry and Gil Hodges, the Dodgers can call on one of their brilliant Alston rookies, Doug Camilli. doesn't think that will be neces' sary. ' .' It is agreed the Dodgers have a right to. that confidence. They the hardest throwing pitchers in won the pennant, and the World the league with Don DrySdale, Koufax, Stan Williams, Series like champions last year, Sandy Sherry among others. always rising , to the occasion to "But they are a wild bunch of win the "big game." ' kids,".;- complains - Alston. Any ' Nevertheless, the Pirates have other manager in the league their work cut out in defending would like to have i.hat staff, their title in a tough, well-ba- l though, along with such up and anced league. 'And they know it! coming stars as Frank Howard, ' The Braves, Cardinals and Dodg Willie and Tommy Davis, Maury . ers are just as confident they can Wills, Ron Perranoski and others. win and, , although not a great Dodgers Over Braves deal of "pennant talk" was heard So the Dodgers are picked to around - the Ciant, camp, it's no edge-ou- t the Braves, who in solvsecret that the Giants feel they ing their infield problem, may-havcan go all the way.", A number hurt their pitching. Chuck of neutral observers share that Dressen desperately needs a 1 opinion. No. bullpen man and will try That's why I said earlier that to get one by trading off some of anyone of five clubs "appear to his surplus infield material. So take over have a reasonable chance to win you Yankees , the pennant." and Dodgers. . SPECIFY! LAKE CITY (UPI)- - The Utah Fish and Game Department reminded outdoorsmen today , that 1961. fishing licenses become ef' fective April 16. The department said the new licenses must be visibly displayed by all anglers afield. n -- . UlT RADIATORS i v power-packe- s States. of our By WARREN C. GILES President, National League Written for UPI CINCINNATI (UPI) The 1961 season very likely will be the last one in which our achieving a balance throughout league will operate with eight the league for the. future that has clubs at least for some years to not always been true in the past. come. It seems almost a certain- tnat these eight teams win While only one team can win the mane up an extremely weu-oa- i for the first time pennant and one team will finish anced league and any one of five in history in 10th place, this is why I feel j teams appear to nave a reason- I can sav without charges of ex- - ame cnance 10 win me pennam iiHincr nutrniitv that the in recent years l nave derived win hp a sreac Pleasure trom giving my keen competition for every posin observations, through in tion the standings this season, inese VanThe chamDion .New . York uri iacmues Decause i ... . Itntin C1'"u u"ia auuLl1 kees can truly be classified as "avc on out tne limD. My preaic mS the team tn heat. Mirtev Man. n interesting and ex tions for tie. Yoei Berra. Roffer Maris and season' have been made to rnmnnnv hnat a fnrmiHahle hat- - citing look h Performances i. ting array, a truly- - colorful club which emerged with the pennant from the- - bitter 1960 race that went right down to the final six days of the season and promises to be even more hotly contested this year. Orioles Should Be Better I. do not subscribe to the so- called "sophomore jinx" so T)ften mentioned in connection with the i Baltimore Orioles. This is a tal ented team, certain to be better , as "the result of its thrilling ex i season. of last perience Both the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians have added pitching and power at the plaje to make them far more for i . midable than last year. The Minnesota Twins will bring the new American League fans of that truly major league area a d array certain to a prominent part in the 1961 play I pennant picture. new There are encouraging Jooks to the Detroit Tigers, Bos ton Red Sox and Kansas City Athletics, each with rookies abounding on the rosters and of fering bright prospect of improve ment in their fortunes according ::x;:::::f::::::v:.i:.:.::::;.x: to the formula of blending : new II blood with ' veteran stars which proved so successful for t h e aforementioned Orioles last sea material. Bosox Get Jensen The change in locale may help . . Esmm pennant-contendin- g 3 a, 13 sore-arme- "... gilt-edge- st d ing on two pitchers to come back The Tigers have one of the best outfields in Al Kaline, B'tly Bruton and Rocky Colavito but beyond that the club lacks a, i f i SUNDAY HERALD last year Steve ) corps of rookies a ivuu nau coum win in uaruer, uiucn OMarv Breeding pitching holds up. sen, Jim Gentile, one figured the and Wes Stock. The Orioles don't short on it last figure to. hit the jack pot like that year, but their new manager, again ' and Richards has failed to Ralph Houk, doesn't agree. He come up with the power hitting points out that the Yankee staff he needs in the outfield. led the league in earned run That is why the Orioles, who averages and despite the loss of finished eight games behind the three second line hurlers in the Yankees last year, arev selected draft to stock the two new Ameri- to drop to third place. can League clubs, Houk mainThat leaves the Chicago White tains his pitching will be better Sox for second. Manager Al Lothis year than last. pez is the most confident manHe doesn't put it in a class with ager in Florida, maintaing his Baltimore's, but with the power club will beat 'em all and that the Yankees generate they don't he isn't worried about age catchd need hurling. No team ing up with some of his players in the league can match the hit- like Early Wynn, Minnie Minoso, ting of Mickey Mantle, Roger Gerry Staley, Earl Torgeson, Maris," Moose Skowfon, Yogi Ber-r- Sherm Lollar, Billy Goodman and Tony Kubek, and J a lot of others. others. Lopez says pitching cost the The Yankees don't have to take White Sox the pennant last year the a back seat in defense or- - speed, when they finished ' third either, and have by far the best lowest Lopez ever has finished in his major league managerial ' ca catching staff in the league. Put them all together and they reer. He thinks he has added the pitching strength necessary with spell "championship." The Orioles would be tough if the addition of Cal McUsh-an- r they had one power hitter in the Juan Pizarro, and is counting on outfield. ( comebacks by Wynn and Ierb r ' we "That as all lack from being Score. Cleveland may pull up short in a great team," Manager- - Paul X Richards says. pitching, and also power, Detroit : Baltimore came up with a fine has infield troubles and is rely Well-Balanc- Cronih Says Expansion Right Move burgh Pirates are not rated nearly as highly as the Yankees and, in fact, were rated second to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the UPI rankings. The word from experts who viewed the teams in spring .training is that the Dodgers are "loaded" with the type of swift young .players for many years. Giles Sees . SivSSn. ' Rated Highly - l OD-FiC- Los Angeles xne xanKees breeze if their Almost every Yankees were 22-milli- on. Ml a nr rz Coiilcf Win in n if Loaded D oaaei's m its M J ) i u 1 Potorson Predicts: AIYIGE1ICANA" C3 n en r? . 'is --P- ay. Vz Mpnlhly river s .Scason-- b spectacular In Sports Illustrated . . now ifteet this new suit and other T&.P kipper m tuc page suits in our clothing selections . . . complete right now. , |