THE SEASON TURNS TO ITS SECOND HALF
By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times, August 1, 1901
With July now behind us, the base ball campaign stands at its midway point, and clubs in both leagues have revealed their ambitions — some reaching for the pennant with bold determination, others resigned to re-shaping for contests yet to come.
In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles continue their spirited duel with the Boston Americans, at present holding the narrowest of advantages. Baltimore’s record of 56 victories and 30 defeats places them one game clear of Boston, whose men have matched them stride for stride through the summer. The Chicago White Sox, three games adrift, remain a factor in the chase, though they must show greater consistency in the dog days of August. The Detroit Tigers, seven and a half games back, and the Philadelphia Athletics, nine games distant, yet cling to hope, though their path is arduous. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Blues, and Washington Senators have all but surrendered this year’s fight, turning their gaze toward the future as they languish at the foot of the standings.
Across the way, the National League finds one club towering above the rest. The Pittsburgh Pirates, with a formidable mark of 60-29, have taken complete command, standing a full eleven games ahead of their nearest challengers, the Philadelphia Phillies. For the rest of the circuit, the pennant seems already slipping from their grasp, and though faint hope lingers, it is clear that Pittsburgh has made itself the overwhelming favorite.
As is custom, the month just past brought recognition to those players whose individual feats shone brightest amidst the heat of July.
In the American League, Napoleon Lajoie of the Philadelphia Athletics was again acclaimed as batter of the month. The mighty batsman struck at a .416 pace, clouting five home runs and driving home 35 runs, while himself crossing the plate 23 times. On the mound, honors fell to Roy Patterson of the Chicago White Sox, whose sure arm guided him to a 7-1 record with a 3.20 earned run average, a performance that kept Chicago in striking distance of the leaders.
For the National League, the batsman of note was Jimmy Sheckard, whose efforts brought his club both power and consistency. Sheckard hit at a .363 clip, belting six home runs and providing 20 runs batted in, alongside 17 tallies of his own. The pitching laurels were claimed by Jock Menefee, whose services were split in July between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Orphans. Menefee posted a 7-1 mark with a brilliant 1.28 ERA, a testament to his guile and durability.
Thus, as August dawns, the lines are drawn. Baltimore and Boston will continue their furious duel in the junior circuit, while Pittsburgh marches ever closer to National League supremacy. The summer’s heat shall surely test the mettle of both man and club, and by September’s end we shall know which of them endured, and which faltered when the strain grew greatest.
