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1903 U.S. Baseball Preview
from the Sporting Way, March 29, 1903:
As teams began to leave training camps in Arizona and California for the start of the 1903 baseball season, the single-most asked question was "So, who's going to win it this year?"
The Giants and Lumberjacks return their pennant-winning starting lineups intact, so the smart money would likely be on those two. But a shrewd prognosticator would look at a few other factors. For example, the San Diego squad, runners-up last year, also return an intact team, plus their new ace - "Tornado" Jake Weimer, a 29-year old from the agricultural league in Ottumwa, Iowa. Star-in-the-making Joe Tinker holds down the shortstop position, and Fred Tenney is a bona fide offensive star. The Conquistadors are fully capable of upsetting Connie Mack's Portland squad.
In the Federal League, the Giants cruised to a relatively easy title. But a pair of 1902 also-rans from Pennsylvania picked up two of the top chuckers to come out of the amateur ranks. Philadelphia, last season's doormat (and embarassment to Ben Shibe), found a gem in home-state prospect "Chief" Bender. The 18-year-old may not be ready, but when he is the City of Brotherly Love's squad will be doormats no more. The other Pennsylvania team, Pittsburgh, inked Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown. Brown lost a pair of digits to a farm accident, but his thus reduced claw can employ miraculous spin on the horsehide, making him a challenge for any swinger of the lumber. Still, the pick's the Giants - Buck Freeman and co. are the class of the East. Columbia, with up-and-comers Frank Chance, Pete Hill and Sam Crawford, might surprise, but the smart money is on the Giants.
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