MONDAY APRIL 4, 1921
FEDERAL LEAGUE SEASON GETS UNDERWAY
The three time defending Federal League champion Brooklyn Tip-Tops got off to the start you would expect with a convincing 9-0 drubbing of the Columbus Buckeyes in the regular season opener. Bullet Joe Bush tossed a 5-hit complete game shutout while Jack Hannibal hit 3 doubles and drove in 3 runs to lead the Tip-Tops.
In other action the Chicago Whales, who made plenty of waves by sweeping the spring Chicago Cup event, pulled out a 5-3 victory in 11 innings over Baltimore. Rookie Frank Parkinson, the MVP of the Cup tournament, had 3 hits while ex-Pittsburgh Pirate Mike Prendegast pitched 10 innings for the victory.
Catcher Patsy Gharrity drove in two runs to help Pittsburgh win it's home opener, 3-2 over Kansas City. Meanwhile in Indianapolis Bob Groom went the distance, pitching visiting St Louis past the Indians 4-1.
The St Louis Terriers topped the spring training standings with a league best 20-10 mark, followed by Philadelphia (19-11) and Brooklyn (18-12). The Chicago Whales were just 18-13 overall but just 12-13 in games against Federal League opponents. The Whales went 6-0 in the Chicago Cup challenge series with the White Sox and Cubs from MLB and the Negro National League's Chicago American Giants.
The pre-season predictions favour a St Louis title but in my opinion the Tip-Tops are far too strong and could enjoy another double-digit lead at the end of the season.