The 1906 season is underway! It was an interesting few weeks too. A few of the early storylines:
- The Giants got off to their usual slow start, going 8-7 over their first 15 games to place fifth in the current standings. And even though the roster got an overhaul this winter, you can safely bank on the New Yorkers being in the thick of things come September.
- The Cleveland Blues, following on the heels of a very strong 1905 campaign, may have found a gem in new third baseman Henry Lazarus. "Holy Hank" is leading the world in batting average with a .458 average. Purchased from the Memphis Egyptians of the Southern League this winter, Lazarus looks like a good one, and at just 22 years of age, could be around for quite a while. Even with Lazarus' hitting though, the Blues stumbled out of the gate and are last in the American League with a 4-12 mark.
- The Washington Senators are 13-4 and off to a fast start again. But their hopes for that fourth straight American League title may have hit a snag. Top pitcher Harlan Holladay suffered a leg injury on April 30 against Cleveland and may be out until August. Luckily for the defending World's Champions that Pat Krieger (4-0, 0.73 ERA) and Wes Luttier (3-1, 1.29 ERA) are pretty good too.
- The Cincinnati Reds, who battled most of the season in '05 for the pennant, also took it on the chin this April, finishing with a dismal 2-12 record for the month. There are a few bright spots: Ozark Ike Bunker's .389 average, Jasper Hinkley's .375 to name a couple, but the team's pitching has been dismal (aside from Jasper Ellis and his 2.09 ERA). Cincinnati's scored 37 runs, but allowed 74 and that's going to equate to a lot of losses.
- Brooklyn's Ed Mays was the top National League batter for April, hitting .326 and helping the Superbas to a second-place standing just a half-game behind the front-running St. Louis Cardinals.
- Is it time for Otis Chesterfield to make his mark in St. Louis? The best player in the Pacific Coast League last season, Chesterfield's contract was purchased for a large (and undisclosed) sum by the St. Louis Browns, but thus far in 1906, Otis has only played five games. Still, with his .308 average (in limited play), it won't be long before he is an everyday player, especially considered the lackluster play of the incumbents in left and right field.
The minor leagues - with the exception of the Pacific Coast League - are just getting underway and an update on their doings will be in the next edition.
HENRY LAZARUS