SPORTING TIMES — September 1st, 1913
By Arthur H. Leland
Pennant Races Settle as September Dawns
With the final month of the base ball season now upon us, the great pennant races have lost much of their earlier fire, leaving supporters in both leagues searching for late drama where little now appears likely to emerge.
In the American League, the Washington Senators continue to stride confidently toward the flag, holding a commanding 10-game advantage over the St. Louis Browns in second place. The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox remain a few games further back, unable thus far to mount a serious challenge. At the other end of the table, the New York Yankees have endured a grim campaign and now sit last in the circuit at 53–71, giving them the poorest record in all of base ball.
The National League presents a similar picture of separation at the top. The Brooklyn Superbas enjoy a commanding nine-and-a-half game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants a further game behind in third place. At the foot of the table, the Cincinnati Reds find themselves in dire straits, fully 22 games adrift of the leaders.
With September now underway, clubs are permitted to expand their rosters, offering contenders a chance to add a final piece in pursuit of the pennant, while those already out of the running may turn their attention toward testing younger men for the seasons ahead.
Monthly Awards
American League
Top Batter: Beals Becker, Detroit Tigers — .388 average, 2 home runs, 16 RBIs, 17 runs scored
Top Pitcher: Willie Mitchell, Washington Senators — 6–4, 2.00 ERA
Rookie: Dutch Leonard, Chicago White Sox — 2–2, 1.71 ERA
National League
Top Batter: Heinie Zimmerman, Philadelphia Phillies — .443 average, 6 home runs, 31 RBIs, 26 runs scored
Top Pitcher: John Donaldson, Brooklyn Superbas — 5–1, 1.32 ERA
Rookie: John Donaldson, Brooklyn Superbas — 5–1, 1.32 ERA
As September unfolds, the races may be largely settled, yet the final weeks promise their own stories, triumphs, and reckonings before the long summer finally fades into autumn.
