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amead17 · 09-21-2025, 01:35 AM

PENNANTS DECIDED: BOSTON AND CINCINNATI TO CLASH FOR WORLD’S HONORS

By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times
September 30th, 1903

The curtain has fallen upon the 1903 base ball campaign, and what a season it has proven to be! After a summer of fierce contests, the pennants are at last decided, and the stage is now set for the forthcoming World Championship Series.

In the American League, the mighty Boston Americans once more proved their staying power. Entering September trailing the hard-hitting Philadelphia Athletics, the Bostonians staged a resolute charge, finally seizing the flag for a third successive season. Their final mark of 83–57 was just enough to hold off the Athletics by two games. At the opposite end of the ledger, the hapless St. Louis Browns collapsed woefully in the season’s final month, stumbling to a record of 57–83 and the ignominy of last place.

The National League, meanwhile, produced drama of the highest order. The Pittsburgh Pirates seemed safe in early September, holding what appeared to be a commanding advantage. Yet the Cincinnati Reds, led by timely hitting and stout pitching, mounted a furious rally and, by the slimmest of margins, captured their first pennant. With a mark of 82–58, the Reds stood just a single game clear of the Pirates at the finish. The Brooklyn Superbas, who never found their footing, concluded the campaign in the cellar with a record of 60–80.

Thus, the eyes of the base ball world now turn to the great clash ahead: Boston Americans versus Cincinnati Reds. For the third time in succession, Boston will contest the honors of the nation, though they have yet to seize the ultimate crown. Cincinnati, in contrast, enters the grand stage for the very first time, bringing with them the hunger of a city and club unaccustomed to such lofty achievement.

As one spectator put it in Boston today: “It is the pride of the East against the vigor of the West, and may the better nine prevail.”

Monthly Honors

American League

Top Batter: Mike Grady, Washington Senators — .430, 2 home runs, 22 runs batted in, 15 runs scored

Top Pitcher: Ted Lewis, Boston Americans — 5–1, 1.67 earned run average

Top Rookie: Charles Bender, Chicago White Sox — 3–2, 1.88 ERA

National League

Top Batter: Sam Crawford, Cincinnati Reds — .396, 3 home runs, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored

Top Pitcher: Doc Newton, Cincinnati Reds — 6–0, 1.37 ERA

Top Rookie: Chappie McFarland, Philadelphia Phillies — 2–3, 4.11 ERA

With the regular season complete, anticipation swells for the first true World Championship Series. Will the seasoned champions from Boston at last grasp the ultimate prize, or will Cincinnati, in its maiden venture, carry off the laurels of base ball supremacy? Only the coming days shall tell.

Name: MLB 1903 September.png
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Name: MLB 1903 September.png
Views: 38
Size: 101.0 KB

09-21-2025, 01:35 AM	#119
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,814	Final Standings Review PENNANTS DECIDED: BOSTON AND CINCINNATI TO CLASH FOR WORLD’S HONORS By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times September 30th, 1903 The curtain has fallen upon the 1903 base ball campaign, and what a season it has proven to be! After a summer of fierce contests, the pennants are at last decided, and the stage is now set for the forthcoming World Championship Series. In the American League, the mighty Boston Americans once more proved their staying power. Entering September trailing the hard-hitting Philadelphia Athletics, the Bostonians staged a resolute charge, finally seizing the flag for a third successive season. Their final mark of 83–57 was just enough to hold off the Athletics by two games. At the opposite end of the ledger, the hapless St. Louis Browns collapsed woefully in the season’s final month, stumbling to a record of 57–83 and the ignominy of last place. The National League, meanwhile, produced drama of the highest order. The Pittsburgh Pirates seemed safe in early September, holding what appeared to be a commanding advantage. Yet the Cincinnati Reds, led by timely hitting and stout pitching, mounted a furious rally and, by the slimmest of margins, captured their first pennant. With a mark of 82–58, the Reds stood just a single game clear of the Pirates at the finish. The Brooklyn Superbas, who never found their footing, concluded the campaign in the cellar with a record of 60–80. Thus, the eyes of the base ball world now turn to the great clash ahead: Boston Americans versus Cincinnati Reds. For the third time in succession, Boston will contest the honors of the nation, though they have yet to seize the ultimate crown. Cincinnati, in contrast, enters the grand stage for the very first time, bringing with them the hunger of a city and club unaccustomed to such lofty achievement. As one spectator put it in Boston today: “It is the pride of the East against the vigor of the West, and may the better nine prevail.” Monthly Honors American League Top Batter: Mike Grady, Washington Senators — .430, 2 home runs, 22 runs batted in, 15 runs scored Top Pitcher: Ted Lewis, Boston Americans — 5–1, 1.67 earned run average Top Rookie: Charles Bender, Chicago White Sox — 3–2, 1.88 ERA National League Top Batter: Sam Crawford, Cincinnati Reds — .396, 3 home runs, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored Top Pitcher: Doc Newton, Cincinnati Reds — 6–0, 1.37 ERA Top Rookie: Chappie McFarland, Philadelphia Phillies — 2–3, 4.11 ERA With the regular season complete, anticipation swells for the first true World Championship Series. Will the seasoned champions from Boston at last grasp the ultimate prize, or will Cincinnati, in its maiden venture, carry off the laurels of base ball supremacy? Only the coming days shall tell.