Campaign of 1901 Opens with Upstart Circuit, Great Expectations
April has arrived and once again hope springs eternal for the championship clubs of baseball. The National League has enjoyed a large amount of success on the field but the upstart American League looks to challenge the Senior Circuit’s dominance of the professional scene by placing teams in cities already occupied by established clubs. Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia are the contested battlegrounds between the two circuits. Numerous players have already jumped to the new league, starting a “war” among the leagues’ owners for their respective players. Ban Johnson’s revamped “minor” league still pales in comparison to the skill and professionalism exhibited by the Nationals and no doubt any player jumping to the new league will be looked harshly upon and may never see a National League stadium again. Teams in the west can only hope these jumpers’ play will remain stellar for a chance to remain top of the standings.
Last year’s National League Champion, the Superbas of Brooklyn, look to repeat their success this year with the return of stars Kelly, Keeler and Sheckard. Veteran lefthander Kitson is joined by the emergence of young Donovan to tie up opposing hitters. However, most of the team is new, as the Superbas suffered greatly a number of regulars who jumped to the rival league. Fred Clarke, manager of the second place Pirates of Pittsburgh hopes that his pitching staff takes opportunity and overtakes the champions. With the likes of 20 game winners Phillippe and Tannehill heading the charge, young hurlers
Happy Jack Chesbro and Rube Waddell should tap into their limitless abilities and secure first place. Wagner looks to lead the league in hitting again and may displace Ely at shortstop.
There’s no saying which of the new clubs will finish on top of the upstart American League. Baltimore acquired the services of pitching sensation Joe McGinnity and reclaims longtime son McGraw to lead the attack. Beaneater Collins jumped across town to play and manage the Americans of Boston who have stolen the golden arm of legendary Denton “Cy” Young.
Clark Griffith turns Benedict Arnold on the Orphans of Chicago and now pitches and manages for the White Sox on the south side. It will be interesting to see if die-hard cranks in these towns also switch their hard-earned loyalties to follow their favorite players in new surroundings.