The season is now a little over a month old, so perhaps some trends may begin to develop. In the National League, another tough fight for the pennant may be developing. The Boston Beaneaters remain in the top slot with an 18-11 record, one game ahead of New York and Pittsburgh with Brooklyn a mere 1.5 games back, St. Louis two back and Cincinnati 2.5 back. Chicago is six back and only the Phillies, with an abysmal 4-25 record, and 14 games back are not in the mix.
Over in the American League, for years the exclusive playground of Washington, things have a decidedly different look in 1907. The Washington powerhouse has been slow out of the gate and with a 10-20 mark thus far, are ten games behind the league leaders in Boston. Chicago and Detroit and two back, Cleveland is 3.5 back and St. Louis (4.5) and Philadelphia (5.0) are also in the mix. The New York Highlanders have fallen into the cellar with a 7-23 record, 13 games off the pace.
Philadelphia Athletic shortstop Newt Madewell seems to have recaptured the form which made him one of the game's best young players in 1903 and 1904 when he hit .348 and .352, respectively. After having his average fall to .278 in '05 and .297 in '06, Madewell is on fire to start '07, leading all of base ball with a .404 average. Jeremiah Thiel of Pittsburgh is pacing the Senior Circuit with a .346 mark.
Three hurlers lead the way in victories with eight apiece. Tommy Powell of St. Louis and Lewis Volk of Pittsburgh lead the National while Chicago's Jesse Raines has eight to lead the American. New York's Fred McDonnell has played a big part in the Giants' surge, leading the way with a 0.88 ERA, best in the National. Raines is also the top ERA man in the American League, with a 0.96 mark thus far.
In the Eastern League, Newark is back in its accustomed spot atop the standings, and is off to a red-hot start with a 16-4 record. Buffalo looks to be a contender this year, and is just two games back with a 14-6 mark. The American Association is currently paced by the St. Paul with a 20-7 record. Both Columbus and Milwaukee are are four back with identical 16-11 records. Out west, the Pacific Coast League, having trimmed down to four clubs and starting later than they had in their first four seasons, sees the 19-9 Portland Giants leading the way, four games better than the Los Angeles Angels.
NATE MADEWELL, PHILA. (A)