BASEBALL’S EARLY RETURNS: SURPRISES IN BOTH LEAGUES AS APRIL CLOSES
By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
May 1, 1905 – With the first month of the campaign behind us, the base ball season is beginning to take shape, and already the standings in both leagues offer a mixture of expectation and surprise.
In the American League, two clubs have set the pace: the New York Highlanders and the Philadelphia Athletics, each at 9–5. Not far behind stand the Cleveland Naps (9–6) and Chicago White Sox (9–7), both eager to mount a May surge. Yet the great talking point rests at the foot of the table, where the Boston Americans have stumbled badly. At 3–11, the club that has so often been the terror of the circuit looks a shadow of itself. While there is time for a recovery, the Huntington Avenue faithful cannot help but fret at the sluggish start.
Over in the National League, the Pittsburgh Pirates hold a narrow lead at 11–5, a mere half game clear of the season’s early darlings, the Boston Beaneaters, whose play has far outstripped preseason forecasts. The Cincinnati Reds (10–6) sit in striking distance, while the New York Giants (8–6) are not far off. The reverse, however, is true in St. Louis, where the Cardinals have endured a wretched opening, stumbling to 2–14 and already nine games adrift.
As April gives way to May, the Sporting Times is pleased to honor those whose efforts have shone most brightly in the opening weeks:
April Awards
American League
Top Batter: Cy Seymour, New York Highlanders – .364 average, 4 home runs, 14 runs batted in, 13 runs scored.
Top Pitcher: Charles Bender, Chicago White Sox – 4–0 record, 1.25 ERA.
Top Rookie: Ed Reulbach, New York Highlanders – 4–0 record, 1.25 ERA.
National League
Top Batter: George Brown, Philadelphia Phillies – .429 average, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored.
Top Pitcher: Bill Dinneen, Boston Beaneaters – 3–1 record, 1.69 ERA.
Top Rookie: Jim Buchanan, New York Giants – 2–0 record, 1.00 ERA.
With the long summer ahead, today’s leaders may yet stumble and today’s stragglers may yet rise. Still, the season has begun in earnest, and already the tale of 1905 promises intrigue and excitement in equal measure.
