MAY IN REVIEW: AMERICANS AND ORIOLES SHINE, PIRATES SET PACE IN SENIOR CIRCUIT
By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times, June 1, 1901
The second month of the new major league campaign is behind us, and already the races are taking shape, both in the freshly-minted American League and the long-established National. May has been a month of stirring contests, surprising climbs, and early disappointments, with players and clubs alike beginning to reveal their true colors.
In the American League, the chase at the top remains neck and neck. Both the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Americans stand at 23–11, their strong starts giving each city cause for hope. Just behind them lurk the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics, a mere three games back and pressing close. At the other end of the ledger, however, the fortunes of the Washington Senators and Milwaukee Brewers continue to wane. The Senators, winners of but 8 contests, and the Brewers, with 12 to their name, already appear condemned to a long and trying campaign.
Over in the National League, the Pittsburgh Pirates have taken command of the senior circuit, their 27–12 mark placing them three and a half games clear of the Boston Beaneaters, who surged in May to a fine 23–15 standing. Yet not all clubs have fared so well. The New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Orphans have stumbled badly, each finding themselves adrift by double digits in the race, their prospects dimming before the season’s heat has even arrived.
May also brought with it the first of the monthly player honors, and fittingly, the laurels went to men whose bats and arms dominated the month.
In the American League, the Boston Americans carried the day. Outfielder Chick Stahl, with a glittering .391 average, proved the steadiest hand at the plate, while his famed teammate Cy Young was untouchable upon the mound, fashioning a perfect 7–0 record across as many starts. Their heroics have lifted Boston to the forefront, a fact not lost upon the faithful at Huntington Avenue Grounds.
The National League saw equal brilliance. Jimmy Sheckard of the Brooklyn Superbas scorched opposing pitchers with a .398 average and no fewer than six home runs, his bat providing rare solace to Brooklyn supporters during a season otherwise marred by missteps. On the hill, Jack Chesbro of the Pittsburgh Pirates was the very model of consistency, also running up a flawless 7–0 mark, his steady hand at the tiller a chief reason for Pittsburgh’s commanding lead.
Thus the stage is set for the summer’s great battles. In both leagues, heroes are emerging, pretenders are fading, and the faithful of every city watch with hope that June shall bring further glory to their chosen nine.
