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amead17 · 08-30-2025, 03:26 AM

TEAMS SHAPE THEIR DESTINIES AT THE DEADLINE

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times, July 31, 1901

With July now drawing to a close and the player movement deadline upon us, clubs across both leagues have been busy adjusting their rosters, weighing present ambition against the promise of tomorrow. The flurry of trades in recent weeks has made clear which teams are intent on capturing this year’s pennant, and which are instead laying the foundation for future campaigns.

Some deals have seen aging veterans exchanged for fresh youth, while others speak of clubs unwilling to wait, preferring to seize experience and steadiness for the pressing fight ahead.

On July 17th, the St. Louis Cardinals parted with young Bill Richardson, a 23-year-old first baseman with a live bat, sending him to the Chicago Orphans in return for the seasoned arm of Jock Menefee. Chicago, sagging in the standings, seems intent on youth, while St. Louis sought the reliability of a 33-year-old pitcher who can steady a rotation that has wavered.

Two days later, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who sit firmly in the race, showed their hunger by dealing 20-year-old third baseman Terry Turner to the Washington Senators for 34-year-old Sam Dungan, a right fielder of proven skill. For Pittsburgh, the message is plain: they want a bat to aid them now, not a prospect to ripen years hence. Washington, burdened by the cellar, will gladly take a chance on the youth.

The Philadelphia Phillies, chasing hard in the National League, struck on July 21st, dealing Rudy Hulswitt, a young shortstop, to the Cleveland Blues in return for Bill Hart, a 36-year-old hurler. The Phillies clearly believe their strength lies in the moment, while Cleveland continues to collect youth, hoping to emerge from the depths in coming years.

The Boston Beaneaters, in dire need of steadiness, were perhaps the busiest traders of all. On July 25th, they parted with Tommy Sheehan (3B, 23) and George Gossart (LF, 21) to Cincinnati, receiving Bill Phillips, a 32-year-old pitcher whose arm may help stabilize a troubled staff. Then on July 28th, they sent away Fred Crolius (RF, 24) and Joe Rickert (LF, 24), both still green, to the Reds once more, this time for veteran outfielder Algie McBride, 32. The Beaneaters clearly hunger to correct their stumbling ways and return to the upper ranks before the season is lost.

In New York, the Giants traded Ed Doheny (P, 27) to the Detroit Tigers for two promising young arms, Frank Owen (21) and Roscoe Miller (24), both of whom may become key pieces in their rebuilding. Detroit, meanwhile, wanted Doheny’s steadiness as they push to remain in the first division.

The Cleveland Blues, already busy, continued their pursuit of youth in two significant transactions. On July 27th, they sent Jack McCarthy (LF, 32) to the Philadelphia Athletics for Billy Milligan, a 22-year-old pitcher. Then, a day later, they moved Ollie Pickering (CF, 31) to those same Athletics, receiving in return an entire brace of youth: Charlie Carr (1B, 24), Phil Geier (RF, 24), and Matty McIntyre (LF, 21). Philadelphia’s intentions are clear — strengthen the present with tested outfielders as they continue their pursuit of the Orioles and Americans at the top of the American League table.

Finally, on July 31st, the Baltimore Orioles, leaders of the American League race, made a bold strike. They dealt two youthful first basemen, Frank Foutz (24) and Slats Jordan (22), to the Cleveland Blues, bringing in Ed Scott, a 30-year-old pitcher who may well become a valuable piece down the stretch. Baltimore, desperate to maintain its edge in the pennant race, values arms now more than the promise of tomorrow.

In sum, July’s transactions paint the picture of two leagues divided: clubs like Baltimore, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, all striving mightily for immediate victory, while outfits such as Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago collect their future in trade, conceding the present.

The balance of power may yet shift on account of these deals, and August will reveal whether the veterans acquired can indeed deliver pennants, or whether those who chose to build for the morrow will look wise when the current season fades.

08-30-2025, 03:26 AM	#20
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,484	Trade Deadline News TEAMS SHAPE THEIR DESTINIES AT THE DEADLINE By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times, July 31, 1901 With July now drawing to a close and the player movement deadline upon us, clubs across both leagues have been busy adjusting their rosters, weighing present ambition against the promise of tomorrow. The flurry of trades in recent weeks has made clear which teams are intent on capturing this year’s pennant, and which are instead laying the foundation for future campaigns. Some deals have seen aging veterans exchanged for fresh youth, while others speak of clubs unwilling to wait, preferring to seize experience and steadiness for the pressing fight ahead. On July 17th, the St. Louis Cardinals parted with young Bill Richardson, a 23-year-old first baseman with a live bat, sending him to the Chicago Orphans in return for the seasoned arm of Jock Menefee. Chicago, sagging in the standings, seems intent on youth, while St. Louis sought the reliability of a 33-year-old pitcher who can steady a rotation that has wavered. Two days later, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who sit firmly in the race, showed their hunger by dealing 20-year-old third baseman Terry Turner to the Washington Senators for 34-year-old Sam Dungan, a right fielder of proven skill. For Pittsburgh, the message is plain: they want a bat to aid them now, not a prospect to ripen years hence. Washington, burdened by the cellar, will gladly take a chance on the youth. The Philadelphia Phillies, chasing hard in the National League, struck on July 21st, dealing Rudy Hulswitt, a young shortstop, to the Cleveland Blues in return for Bill Hart, a 36-year-old hurler. The Phillies clearly believe their strength lies in the moment, while Cleveland continues to collect youth, hoping to emerge from the depths in coming years. The Boston Beaneaters, in dire need of steadiness, were perhaps the busiest traders of all. On July 25th, they parted with Tommy Sheehan (3B, 23) and George Gossart (LF, 21) to Cincinnati, receiving Bill Phillips, a 32-year-old pitcher whose arm may help stabilize a troubled staff. Then on July 28th, they sent away Fred Crolius (RF, 24) and Joe Rickert (LF, 24), both still green, to the Reds once more, this time for veteran outfielder Algie McBride, 32. The Beaneaters clearly hunger to correct their stumbling ways and return to the upper ranks before the season is lost. In New York, the Giants traded Ed Doheny (P, 27) to the Detroit Tigers for two promising young arms, Frank Owen (21) and Roscoe Miller (24), both of whom may become key pieces in their rebuilding. Detroit, meanwhile, wanted Doheny’s steadiness as they push to remain in the first division. The Cleveland Blues, already busy, continued their pursuit of youth in two significant transactions. On July 27th, they sent Jack McCarthy (LF, 32) to the Philadelphia Athletics for Billy Milligan, a 22-year-old pitcher. Then, a day later, they moved Ollie Pickering (CF, 31) to those same Athletics, receiving in return an entire brace of youth: Charlie Carr (1B, 24), Phil Geier (RF, 24), and Matty McIntyre (LF, 21). Philadelphia’s intentions are clear — strengthen the present with tested outfielders as they continue their pursuit of the Orioles and Americans at the top of the American League table. Finally, on July 31st, the Baltimore Orioles, leaders of the American League race, made a bold strike. They dealt two youthful first basemen, Frank Foutz (24) and Slats Jordan (22), to the Cleveland Blues, bringing in Ed Scott, a 30-year-old pitcher who may well become a valuable piece down the stretch. Baltimore, desperate to maintain its edge in the pennant race, values arms now more than the promise of tomorrow. In sum, July’s transactions paint the picture of two leagues divided: clubs like Baltimore, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, all striving mightily for immediate victory, while outfits such as Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago collect their future in trade, conceding the present. The balance of power may yet shift on account of these deals, and August will reveal whether the veterans acquired can indeed deliver pennants, or whether those who chose to build for the morrow will look wise when the current season fades.