SPORTING TIMES — AUGUST 1, 1910
By Arthur H. Leland, Sporting Times
PENNANT PICTURE SHARPENS AS AUGUST ARRIVES
Senators and Reds Still Command Their Leagues; Hill, Cobb, Ford, and Plank Earn Monthly Honors
With the dog days of summer settling in and the season turning toward its decisive stretch, the standings in both leagues are beginning to show their true shape. Clubs now find themselves either bracing for a pennant chase or resigned to playing out the string.
SENATORS CONTINUE THEIR MARCH IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Washington Senators, steady and relentless throughout, have tightened their grip atop the American League, holding a six-game lead over the second-place Detroit Tigers. The Chicago White Sox keep themselves in the conversation in third, while the New York Highlanders have slipped to fourth as their midsummer form wavers.
At the opposite end, the unfortunate St. Louis Browns continue to anchor the league with the worst record in baseball. Still, July brought them the faintest flicker of improvement—small comfort, perhaps, but comfort nonetheless for their loyal few.
REDS MAINTAIN COMMAND IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
On the senior circuit, the Cincinnati Reds remain the class of the league, holding a five-game cushion over their challengers. The Philadelphia Phillies lead that pack in second place, while the Brooklyn Superbas, energized by a strong July, have surged into third.
The St. Louis Cardinals, meanwhile, endure a bleak campaign, leaving fans in their city doubly burdened as both local clubs languish at the bottoms of their respective leagues.
MONTHLY AWARDS — JULY ACHIEVEMENTS
American League
Top Batter: Pete Hill, Washington Senators — .376, 14 runs batted in, 20 runs scored
Top Pitcher: Russ Ford, Detroit Tigers — 5–3, 1.79 ERA
Rookie of the Month: Russ Ford, Detroit Tigers — repeating with 5–3, 1.79 ERA
National League
Top Batter: Ty Cobb, Philadelphia Phillies — .340, 1 home run, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored
Top Pitcher: Eddie Plank, Cincinnati Reds — 7–1, 1.81 ERA
Rookie of the Month: Sailor Stroud, Brooklyn Superbas — 3–0, sparkling 0.35 ERA
With August now upon us, the final chase begins in earnest. The coming weeks will separate contenders from pretenders, and every inning from here on will count twice.
