Is this the end for the Giants' dynasty? The National League juggernaut has fallen 5.5 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in their quest to record a fifth-straight pennant. With just three weeks left in the season, time is running out for the Giants to capture the flag. The Pirates, who roared through the first fortnight of August, have slowed since then, but are still playing good, solid base ball and seem to have a hold on what would be their first pennant. With Harry Francis (20-14, 2.24) leading the pitching and Jeremiah Thiel (.315, 17 triples) pacing the offense, the Pirates will be tough to catch. One thing working against them: Fred Brown, their third baseman and second-leading hitter (.282) will miss the remainder of the season with an injury.
Joining the Giants in the race to catch Pittsburgh is the Boston Beaneater club. Boston is also 5.5 games back and split six games with New York so far this month. A big series at the end of September looms between the Boston and Pittsburgh clubs, while the Giants get their chance with the Pirates in a three-game series starting on the 17th of September. That series will go a long way towards determining the 1906 National League pennant.
In the American League, things may be getting interesting. The Cleveland club has showed some resilience, climbing back into contention after looking to be all but dead at the beginning of September. Cleveland posted an 8-4 mark to start the month while front-running Washington posted a 5-7 mark, cutting three games off their Senators' lead, which now stands at five games. Unfortunately, Cleveland will need to take care of business and hope for the best from other clubs because the teams do not meet until the last day of the season for a one-game matchup. Whether that game will mean anything remains to be seen.
FRED BROWN, PITTSBURGH