CARDINALS BUOYED BY HORNSBY SPIRIT
Team Gets Off to Fighting Start in National Race
ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 22.—Something of the old fight and spirit that marked the Cardinals in their championship year appears to have returned to the club and the Redbirds are off to a fighting start in the National League race.
With Rogers Hornsby back at the helm the team has taken on a different aspect. There is more aggressiveness displayed and a disposition to battle for every advantage that was not so evident last season.
Hornsby’s presence has had a marked effect upon the players. They appear to respond readily to his leadership and there is a noticeable difference in their general demeanor both in practice and in games. Hustle has been insisted upon and is being shown.
The pitching staff, which did not appear especially strong earlier in the spring training period, has shown improvement. Additional strength has developed and the hurlers are working with greater confidence. They have been more effective in holding opposing clubs and giving the team a better chance to win.
Defensively the club has shown improvement, particularly in the infield. Chances are being handled more cleanly and with better judgment. There is less hesitation and more certainty in the fielding play than was noticeable a year ago.
At bat the Cardinals have displayed a more confident attack. The hitters are swinging more freely and taking better advantage of opportunities. There has been a tendency to drive in runs when chances are presented instead of letting them slip away.
The younger members of the squad also appear to have benefited by the change. They are striving to keep pace and are showing improvement under the more exacting standards that have been established.
Altogether the Cardinals are presenting a more formidable appearance than at the same stage last season and their followers are encouraged by the showing that has been made.
If the present spirit is maintained and the pitching continues to develop the club should prove a factor in the National League race, while the Browns are finding the going more difficult and may have trouble keeping pace with the leaders unless improvement is shown.
In other developments of the sporting world there was further evidence of the uncertain nature of ring competition, one contestant failing to land the decisive blow when opportunity presented itself and later being finished by a sharp punch in the knockout round.
Souce: Cardinals buoyed by Hornsby spirit. (1926, April 22). The Sporting News, p. 1.
