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amead17 · 08-27-2025, 11:59 AM

BASEBALL’S GRAND RETURN: HOPEFULS AND HEAVYWEIGHTS READY FOR OPENING DAY

By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times, April 17, 1901

Tomorrow, the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd will once again signal the start of another Major League season, and while every club carries hope in its heart, the pre-season predictions indicate that some will enter the fray with greater promise than others.

AMERICAN LEAGUE OUTLOOK
The Boston Americans, powered by the extraordinary duo of pitchers Cy Young (25-9, 1.99 ERA) and Ted Lewis (22-10, 2.50 ERA), are the darlings of the experts, projected to finish atop the American League with a remarkable 95 wins. Their offense, led by slugger Jimmy Collins (.339) and dependable Buck Freeman (.335), is expected to generate 723 runs, while Boston’s nimble baserunners could steal over 130 bags.

Following Boston, the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox are forecasted to mount stiff competition, with the Orioles’ potent .304 batting average and 917 runs nearly overwhelming opponents, and the White Sox relying on a balanced attack and the steady arm of Roy Patterson (20-13, 2.76 ERA). At the other end of the spectrum, Cleveland Blues and Milwaukee Brewers are expected to struggle, with weak pitching and middling offense likely to see them languish at the bottom of the standings.

Top hitters to watch include Nap Lajoie (.405, 16 HR, 123 RBI) and Mike Donlin (.361), while pitching stars like Cy Young, Ted Lewis, and Winter promise to dominate the mound.

NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies are the favorites, guided by their 27-year-old ace Happy Townsend (27-8, 2.42 ERA) and a steady lineup featuring Ed Delahanty (.339, 109 RBI) and Elmer Flick (.310). Pittsburgh and St. Louis trail closely, with strong pitching staffs anchored by Jesse Tannehill (25-9, 2.05 ERA) and Rube Waddell (20-13, 2.39 ERA).

At the bottom of the league, New York Giants and Chicago Orphans are predicted to struggle. The Orphans, with Tom Loftus still at the helm, face an uphill battle despite acquiring new talent in the form of Carlos Moran and Grant Johnson in recent weeks. Loftus remarked cautiously yesterday, “We are a work in progress. Talent alone does not win games—teamwork and experience count for much.”

EXPERT VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS
Many baseball pundits anticipate a fiercely competitive season, especially in the AL, where Boston’s dominant pitching and explosive offense may face stiff resistance from Baltimore and Chicago. In the NL, the Phillies’ combination of pitching depth and offensive consistency makes them the team to beat, though Pittsburgh and St. Louis are by no means out of contention.

LOOKING AHEAD
Fans can expect thrilling contests, record-setting performances, and perhaps surprises from dark horse teams. The game’s best hitters—Lajoie, Mike Donlin, Delahanty, Burkett—and pitchers—Young, Ted Lewis, Happy Townsend, Waddell—are poised to dazzle and dominate. Yet as history reminds us, the diamond is a place where predictions can fall as easily as fly balls, and tomorrow’s Opening Day will offer the first evidence of who will rise and who will struggle.

In a sport now freshly united under Commissioner Zack Zrback, with new stars of color and Hispanic descent taking the field, the 1901 season promises not just excitement, but a momentous chapter in baseball’s history. Fans should arrive early and stay late—the game they witness may very well be one for the ages.

08-27-2025, 11:59 AM	#4
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,051	Baseball Returns BASEBALL’S GRAND RETURN: HOPEFULS AND HEAVYWEIGHTS READY FOR OPENING DAY By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times, April 17, 1901 Tomorrow, the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd will once again signal the start of another Major League season, and while every club carries hope in its heart, the pre-season predictions indicate that some will enter the fray with greater promise than others. AMERICAN LEAGUE OUTLOOK The Boston Americans, powered by the extraordinary duo of pitchers Cy Young (25-9, 1.99 ERA) and Ted Lewis (22-10, 2.50 ERA), are the darlings of the experts, projected to finish atop the American League with a remarkable 95 wins. Their offense, led by slugger Jimmy Collins (.339) and dependable Buck Freeman (.335), is expected to generate 723 runs, while Boston’s nimble baserunners could steal over 130 bags. Following Boston, the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox are forecasted to mount stiff competition, with the Orioles’ potent .304 batting average and 917 runs nearly overwhelming opponents, and the White Sox relying on a balanced attack and the steady arm of Roy Patterson (20-13, 2.76 ERA). At the other end of the spectrum, Cleveland Blues and Milwaukee Brewers are expected to struggle, with weak pitching and middling offense likely to see them languish at the bottom of the standings. Top hitters to watch include Nap Lajoie (.405, 16 HR, 123 RBI) and Mike Donlin (.361), while pitching stars like Cy Young, Ted Lewis, and Winter promise to dominate the mound. NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies are the favorites, guided by their 27-year-old ace Happy Townsend (27-8, 2.42 ERA) and a steady lineup featuring Ed Delahanty (.339, 109 RBI) and Elmer Flick (.310). Pittsburgh and St. Louis trail closely, with strong pitching staffs anchored by Jesse Tannehill (25-9, 2.05 ERA) and Rube Waddell (20-13, 2.39 ERA). At the bottom of the league, New York Giants and Chicago Orphans are predicted to struggle. The Orphans, with Tom Loftus still at the helm, face an uphill battle despite acquiring new talent in the form of Carlos Moran and Grant Johnson in recent weeks. Loftus remarked cautiously yesterday, “We are a work in progress. Talent alone does not win games—teamwork and experience count for much.” EXPERT VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS Many baseball pundits anticipate a fiercely competitive season, especially in the AL, where Boston’s dominant pitching and explosive offense may face stiff resistance from Baltimore and Chicago. In the NL, the Phillies’ combination of pitching depth and offensive consistency makes them the team to beat, though Pittsburgh and St. Louis are by no means out of contention. LOOKING AHEAD Fans can expect thrilling contests, record-setting performances, and perhaps surprises from dark horse teams. The game’s best hitters—Lajoie, Mike Donlin, Delahanty, Burkett—and pitchers—Young, Ted Lewis, Happy Townsend, Waddell—are poised to dazzle and dominate. Yet as history reminds us, the diamond is a place where predictions can fall as easily as fly balls, and tomorrow’s Opening Day will offer the first evidence of who will rise and who will struggle. In a sport now freshly united under Commissioner Zack Zrback, with new stars of color and Hispanic descent taking the field, the 1901 season promises not just excitement, but a momentous chapter in baseball’s history. Fans should arrive early and stay late—the game they witness may very well be one for the ages.