ATHLETICS AND GIANTS CLAIM PENNANTS AS SEASON CLOSES
Base Ball Public Turns Attention Toward Approaching World’s Series
By George F. Winthrop
Sporting Times
October 1st 1919
With the regular campaign now concluded and the pennants at last decided, followers of base ball may enjoy a brief respite before attention turns toward the forthcoming World’s Series.
In the American League the championship was finally secured on September 28, when the Philadelphia Athletics clinched the flag after a determined struggle with the Washington Senators. The Athletics completed the season three games ahead of their closest rivals to claim the coveted position at the head of the circuit.
At the opposite end of the standings, the Chicago White Sox brought a difficult season to a close with only fifty victories. Their campaign ends thirty-five games behind the leading club and leaves them with the poorest record in all of base ball.
The National League saw its decisive moment arrive on the same date. On September 28 the New York Giants secured the pennant after outpacing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had been their most persistent challengers throughout the season. At the final reckoning the Giants also finished three games to the good. Bringing up the rear of the senior circuit were the Cincinnati Reds, who concluded the campaign twenty-nine games behind the leaders.
Final Monthly Honors
American League
Batting distinction for the final month goes to Ben Hauser of the Cleveland Indians, who struck at a .333 clip while adding four home runs, thirty runs batted in, and sixteen runs scored.
Pitching honors were earned by Smokey Joe Williams of the Washington Senators, who posted a flawless record of five victories without defeat and a fine earned run average of 1.29.
Rookie recognition belongs to Dana Fillingim of the Detroit Tigers, whose four victories without loss came with an earned run average of 1.80.
National League
The batting laurels fall once again to Babe Ruth of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who produced a .377 average along with two home runs, fifteen runs driven in, and twenty runs scored.
Pitching honors go to Leon Cadore of the New York Giants, whose mark of five victories against one defeat was accompanied by a sterling 1.58 earned run average.
Among the rookies, Red Ryan of the Chicago Cubs gained distinction with four victories and no defeats along with a 1.75 earned run average.
With the pennants now determined, the stage is set for the champions of each league to meet in what promises to be an eagerly anticipated World’s Series.
