While the races in both leagues somewhat resemble those of 1905, there are two big differences: the team which was battling the eventual champions (Cincinnati in the NL and Cleveland in the AL) are both in the basement in 1906. Brooklyn has taken the Reds' spot as the National League Cinderella team and currently boasts both a 19-7 record and a 2.5-game edge on the St. Louis Cardinals atop the standings. In the American League, the Senators are in their accustomed spot at the top, with Boston dogging their heels at 3.5 games back.
Washington's task in repeating is already facing the obstacle of Harlan Holladay's injured leg, but is also facing the real possibility that star third baseman Harvey Cart may be reaching the end of his career. Cart, who topped the .390 mark in batting average twice in his career and has a .332 mark for his career, has had a dismal May after starting April strong. His average currently sits at .240, but in May he is hitting .058 - yes, that's .058 - on a 3-for-52 performance for the month. Is it time for the Senators to consider replacing the team's cornerstone?
How is Brooklyn doing it? Aside from Ed Mays (.307), the lineup doesn't boast a regular with an average within twenty-points of .300, yet the team is 19-7 and in first place in the National League. The answer may be the pitching. Though none of the pitchers is dominant, they are all respectable. Erve Manning (6-2, 2.16), William Redd (6-0, 2.29), Bucky O'Connell (4-2, 2.79) and Leo Rosen (3-3, 2.94) are not setting the world on fire, but are doing enough to win games. Whether it will last remains to be seen. Fans in Brooklyn remember well the team's outstanding run in 1904 before falling apart in the second half of the season.
In the Eastern League, the Newark Sailors sit atop the standings - as usual - but their spot looks far from secure. Baltimore and Toronto are both just one game back and Buffalo is a mere two back. It is very early - none of the teams have played more than 20 games, so there is time to separate the wheat from the chaff. Jersey City right fielder "Tupelo" Terry Shatley may draw some interest from the National and American League teams. He's posted averages of .353 and .315 the last two seasons and is hitting a nice round .400 so far in '06. At 28 years old, the Mississippian can no doubt help somewhere.
American Association fans have grown accustomed to opening their morning papers to see the Louisville Colonels atop the standings. Well, in 1906, they're seeing a different team in the top spot - the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians feature both a top hitter in Goody Edwards (.337) and top pitcher in Joe Hahn (4-0, 0.71) and should be at or near the top of the standings throughout the summer.
Out on the West Coast, the Pacific Coast League is in full swing. Oakland is currently the top dog with a 43-21 mark, and is closely followed by Portland (41-23). Last year's dominant club, Seattle, is 32-32 and looking decidedly average. A pair of Los Angeles Angels (or Looloos as some of the locals are calling them) are both hitting .340 to top the batting charts (that'd be Rabbit Mills and Little Ben Benson), but the Angels do not appear to have the pitching to compete with Oakland and Portland.
"TUPELO" TERRY SHATLEY