MAJOR MATTERS, JULY 1 EDITION
The June performance of the St. Louis Cardinals has - perhaps - proven that the National League race will remain a tight one throughout the season. The Cardinals have somewhat quietly been in the mix all season, with most attention being directed at the surprisingly strong Cincinnati club and the perennial powers in New York and Boston. Yet it is the Cardinals who enter July atop the standings in the Senior Circuit. St. Louis (40-28 on the season) was 16-10 in June, not an overpowering record, but the apparent parity in the loop was evident in the June records of the other contending clubs:
Cincinnati: 14-10 in June, 39-29 overall
New York: 15-11, 37-30 overall
Boston: 12-14, 36-32 overall
So the race really is that close and as the mercury rises in the thermometer, the question on the minds of all interested parties is which club will be able to stand the heat?
Lest we forget, the American League has itself a nice little pennant race going as well. It may be easy to overlook the race in the so-called Junior Circuit since it really is looking like a two-horse competition. The favorite has to be the Washingtons. They've won the last two pennants and sport a 45-25 mark this season, the best in all of base ball. But right there with them is Cleveland. With Larry Singer (he of the 18-3 record and 0.61 ERA) leading the way, the Blues are very much for real and this season's pennant chase is shaping up to be a humdinger. Singer leads both leagues in victories, earned run average and strikeouts (Washington's Harlan Holladay remains in 2nd place in both victories and earned run average).
The Boston Americans continue to miss Sean McGonigle. Without the big-hitting Irishman in the lineup, Boston posted a subpar 10-16 record in June. The good news is that Mick is ready to return to action and his bat should be a real aid in Boston's hopes of getting back into the pennant chase.
Pittsburgh's Junius Wood continues to lead the National League in batting with a .358 average, while Slim Jim Larson of Philadelphia leads the American with a .329 mark. While Singer & Holladay dominate the American League pitching leaderboards, the National is being led by Pittsburgh's Ralph Jeffers (14 wins) and New York's Fred McDonnell (1.48 ERA).
BEATING THE BUSHES, JULY 1 EDITION
Nat Davis' days in the Eastern League may be numbered. With a 19-3 mark and 1.51 ERA for Providence, the Chief is the subject of rumors. These rumors seem to indicate that the Pittsburgh Pirates have negotiated a deal with the Grays for Davis' services. When (or if) Davis is hopping a train for Pittsburgh is the main question around Providence these days. An even bigger one might be who will fill the very large hole Davis will leave in the Providence pitching corps. This is key for the Grays who are 43-20 and tied with Newark for the Eastern circuit's top spot.
Another hurler rumored to be heading for the big time is Los Angeles pitcher Silas Songer. The powerhouse Senators have supposedly reached a deal to purchase the promising pitcher from the Coast to help them in their push for a third-straight American title. Songer is a middling 11-10 this season, but he does toil for a team which is in fifth-place out of six clubs.
An interesting character out West is Seattle's Chuck Flinn. The big right-hander is rumored to be quite the character, entertaining his team mates with practical jokes. Flinn is also a talented pitcher, being tied for the league lead in victories with 16 and currently placing fourth in earned run average at 2.90. Even better, his Seattle Siwashes currently lead the PCL with a 63-44 record.
In the midwest, Dave Payne continues to hit away at Toledo while watching southern Ohio in hopes of a call from Cincinnati. Meanwhile, his Mud Hens are struggling with a 27-38 record, good for just a sixth-place tie with Milwaukee. Louisville continues to be the class of the American Association with a 42-23 mark and the loop's top pitcher in Don Hunsacker. The 31-year-old has never gotten a sniff from any of the National or American league clubs, but currently has a 13-2 record and 0.84 earned run average.
CHUCK FLINN, SEATTLE (PCL)