The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-31
LajOie Still Leads With the
Stick in the American.
Is Twenty-Five Points Ahead OF
DOugherty of Boston.
CLEVELAND SURPRISES
Fans Can't Understand Why
They Rank so High.
Detroit Holds Premier Place in
Bowling List.

New York, Aug. 31-The home stretch
batch of American League averages
finds Nap" Lajoie still leading the
sluggers of that organization by a good
margin. When Laioie batted himself
into the leadership of the bingle makers
several weeks ago it was predicted that
those behind him would have an awful
job in ousting him out of the position.
gap of % points separates this great
player from Dougherty, of Boston, who
ranks second. With the end Of the sea-
son in sight, so to speak, nothing short
of big slump with the stick can pre-
vent the Clevelander from landing the
batting honors of 1908. Barrett, of De-
troit, follows Dougherty, and is climb
ing at rate which will compel those in
front to keep moving or go behind.
For the past two weeks there has been
practically no change in the standing
of the leading stickers beyond the fact
that Parent, of Boston, who has been
dlng-donging it around the top since
the present season opened, has dropped
down the list. Several good whacks
with his wagon tongue during the past
few games have given Cy Young, the
Boston twirler, the right to mingie in
good society.
There has been absolutely no increase
In members of the ranks of the 800 class.
Lave Cross has dropped out since the
last installment was given, his place be-
ing taken by Young. Boston has four
sluggers out of the total of IA in the
entire league, Detroit has three, Phila-
delphia three, Chicago and Cleveland
two each. while New York, st. Louis
and Washington are without represent
ativeS.
The eyes of some of the dope stu
dents will bulge out when they notice
that Cleveland, which is ranking second
in the race, foots the table in club field
Ing Many will be at a loss to under
stand the matter until they take look
at the record of the Cleveland short
stop, Gochnaur. LajOie and his band
of bluebirds may not be able to land the
championship this year, but they will
have the distinction of possessing
shortstOp who has made more errors
than any other player in either of the
big leagues.
Just how Cleveland has attained it's high
place in the race, with hole a mile wide
in the infield. is difficult to understand
The Cleveland team has made PAS errors
since the present season opened. and
Gochnaur is Responsible for ~ Whewi
Just think of it, Seventy-two errors
and the end of the race a month away!
The release of ''Rube'' Waddell by the
Philadelphia management has been the
most noteworthy feature among the do
past week. Waddelii holds a record for
strike outs never before accomplished by
a pitcher in the history of baseball The
erratic stage struck twirler has officiated
in 81 games this year and famed 301 bats
men who faced him.
Kittridge of Washington still leads the
catchers, Anderson of st. Louis doing
likewise among the first basemen. Nc
Cormick of Washington, Cincinnati boy,
has all the second baggers looking at
him. Collins of Boston is premier of the
third basemen. Moran of Washington of
the shortstops and Jones of Chicago of
the outfielders.
Detroit holds rank No. l in club hitting
Boston in fielding and long hits. Bay of
Cleveland has stolen the most bases, but
the percentage idea places Fultz, Holmes
Boston is the boss individual slugger, with
more home runs to his credit than any
player in both National and American
leagues.
Cleveland leads in the matter of double
plays with SO, Chicago follows with 70, st.
troit c. New York 6S and Philadelphia 54