The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-17
Pittsburg's Great Work in the
Baseball World.
Gives Remarkable Exhibition of
ShutOnt Contests.
A STARTLING RECORD.
BIanked Their Opponents for
"a Innings.
Struggle Between the Pirates
and the Giants.

Cincinnati, June 1.-THE Enquirer
says: Since the last batch of National
league averages were published in the
Enquirer the baseball world has been
startled by the wonderful work of The
great team which represents Pitts
burg
Not in the history of the national
game has such remarkable exhibition
of shut-out contests been played as
those which were in evidence at the
Smoky City from June ? to June ..
Starting with New York June up to
the third inning in the game with Phil
adelphia June the champions of 1902
accomplished the great feat of blank
ing their opponents for "a successive
innings. New Yorks were whitewashed
twice, Boston three times, including the
six-inning game of June 6. Philadelph'a
received theirs June 8, but broke the
Pirates brilliant record in the fourth
inning of the game the following day
Win the 1888 pennant or not, the Pitts
burg team has set a new mark for
shut-outs which viii probably stand for
ages. AS a cap Sheaf to the grand
work of his team, Fred Clarke. the
hustling leader of the record makers
and breakers. has gone to the front as
the premier batsman of the league.
Mertes, of New York, IS second; Bres-
nahan, of the same team, third. Stein
feldt of the Reds who was hammering
away for tOD-nOtch hOnors two weeks
ago. has dropped to sixth place. Sey-
mour is the only other member of the
Red clan in the 300 class. There seems
to have been a decided slump all along
the line among the sluggers of the Ma
tiOnal league. Only % men now linger
in the society of the 300 Kennedy, IF
Pittsburg. still leads the twirlers in
stick work. with Wicker. the st. LOUIS
castoff. second.
Taylor. Of Chicago, holds the seat of
honor as the best fielding pitcher, Bow
erman of New York can tip his hat as
the boss catcher. with Phelps of Pitts
burg, second, and Bergen, of Cincinnati.
thirA-
Doyle, of Brooklyn and Bransfeld of
Pittshurg, are having it hot and heavy
for Arst- base leadership
Cincinnati can at least boast of being
first in something-M Magoon leads the
second basemen in fielding by a block.
while Corcoran is showing his heels TO
the ShOrtstoDs
Wolverton. of Philadelphia, and
Strang, of Brooklyn. are tie for third
base honors, with Steinfeldt, of Gin
cinnatI, good third.
There seems to be something the
matter with the National league out
fielders this season Not player out
side of DObbs, of Brooklyn, has shown
anything like his 1902 form.
The struggle of New York and Pitts
! burg is clearly exemplihed in the fact
.iieit d 'lS Low e&iatS between inefn N
the matter of club batting and fielding
Cincinnati is fifth in batting and fOurta
IN fielding. Pittsburg has the long hts
by clubs to its credit by a mile. With
New -Orlz second
MatheWson and Taylor. of New York
are leading pitchers in games won and
lost. Mertes. of New York. is the biz
individual long-hi slugger. with Clarke.
of Pittsburg, second.
A battle royal is on between McCaun
of New York. and Sheckard of Brook
lyn. for the leadership in base running
Pittsburg leads in double plays Is:
st. Louis, second. 80; Brooklyn. 90: Chi
cago, %; Cincinnati, %; Boston. 26; Phil
adelphia. .
Two triple plays have been made
since the season opened. Cincinnati
pulling OFF both May 49, at Brooklyn.
Beckley and Corcoran turned the truck
June H. at Cincinnati New York. suf-
fered through Bfagoon, Kelley AMI
sGOrrisseY