Brooklyn managed to extend its lead in August, pushing out to a five-and-a-half game cushion on second place Cleveland. The Spiders hold the slimmest of leads over Baltimore in the race for that Temple Cup spot - just a half-game. Louisville (11 back) and Pittsburgh (16 back) have fallen off the pace.
Another young star is emerging in the base ball firmament as 23-year-old Bruno Barbella of Louisville is making his name known throughout the National League. Barbella, who debuted at the tender age of 17 and has been a fixture in the Colonels' lineup ever since, is hitting .372 this season, following on his .346 in 1895 and (thus far) career high of .365 in 1894. His career average has risen to .308, overcoming the struggles (.226 and .225) of his first two seasons in the Big League. Barbella currently sits third in the batting race behind front-runner Dixie Russell of Boston (.394) and Philly's Ed Burrell (.378).
The pitching story has a familiar look to it with Baltimore's Rick Kushner having moved into a tie for the lead in victories with Brooklyn's George Tharp. Both ace hurlers have 26 victories to their credit. Owen Upjohn of Pittsburgh remains in charge in the earned run average category - his 1.74 mark tops the 1.87 of Tharp (Kushner is fourth with a 2.41 behind Pittsburgh's Hans Tenbuckel's 2.38).
BRUNO BARBELLA