The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-03
Eight Giants Are Now in the
800 Glass.
Shows Why New Workers Lead
the Procession.
BATTING AVERAGES.
Sand0W Mertes the Premier
Stickman Of National.
Bresnahan and McGann Follow
Very Closely.

New York, June 3.-The third batch
OF National League averages. after a
battle which started April Is. show that
Sandow Mertes, the mighty slugger Of
the New Yorks. still retains his hold as
the premier batsman of the organiza-
tion. Right on Mertes' heels comes
Bresnahan and Mccain. Of the same
team, and Harry Steinfeldt, Of Cincin-
natl This quartet have been banging
away with consistency which tends to
the belief that they are destined to have
something 10 say about the 1903 batting
championship. There is not much room
Tor being puzzled over the fact that
New York is leading the league when
It is noted that they have eight players
60 the 800 batting class. Gilbert and
Dunn are the only members of the reg
ulars who rank less than the above fig
ures.
Pittsburg and Chicago each has four
men batting better than 300. Cincinnati,
Boston and Brooklyn claim three. Phil
adelphia two, while poor, luckless ST.
Louis has a measly one. Referring 10
st. Louis. its showing thus FAR has been
deploTable. Last in everything save
honor was their fate at the time Of
compiling this bunch of averages.
Clarke of Pittsburg, goes on record as
She first player to make so hits this
season. Others. however, are right on
top Of him and the race to reach the
century mark viii be interesting. Clarke
also holds the point of vantage In the
matter of long hits, with Mertes of New
York, by his side
Nine box artists have vet to make an err
ror. kittridge of Boston has never been
dlslodged from leading the catchers, Meth
er he nor PETIT has recorded misplay as
backstops. king OF Chicago has caught
almost twice as many games as any Two
catchers in the league DOYLE of Brook
lyn is showing up exceptionally strong at
first base, Ritchey OF Pittsburg and Ma
coon of Cincinnati are fighting for sec
ond base leadership. Strang IT Brooklyn
and Wolverton of Philadelphia are close
together Tor third base honors. while Dunn
or New York Dahlen of Brooklyn and
and tuck as shOrtstops. Little Johnny
U0bbs. the ex-Red, who was cast or by
Chicago this year is now carrying the
Brooklyn cOlors as the best outhelder in
the league. Dobbs has made but one error
since the season opened, and that was his
first chance offered i'm his opening game
with Brooklyn. Mccain of New York and
Gheckard Of Brooklyn are showing remark
able ability On base stealing. Both or these
teams are leading the way IN the matter
or bag pilferings New York with 81 ana
the most errOrless games, the work %
each team in the league in this respect
being shown IN the table Of additional
features. New York leads IN the club bat
Ting. Brooklyn in deidine and Pittsburg in
long hits by clubs. Chicago while not fig
urfng high I'm the following calculations, is
etil ding-donging 1t for the TOP notcn
honors in the race. Since losing three
straight to Pittsburg May 3, and they
have PLAYED 90 games, winning ~. Pitts
burg and Brooklyn are tie In double plays.
81. Chicago %. Cincinnati. Boston and New
York IS and Philadelphia q