The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-24
National League Compared With
the American.
Some Figures Prepared by Ad'
mirer of the Former.
OLDER CROWD FASTER
Kennedy of the Pirates Leads
All the Batters.
MattheWSOn Stands at the Front
of the TWirlerS.

| Cincinnati Aug. 24.-The Enquirer
says:
The latest batch of National league
averages contains many figures to
prove that the older organization is
faster than the American league The
Enquirer's American league averages
as published last Sunday was the
first to announce that but IA
players in the entire organization were
batting in the 300 class.
A fair sample of difference between
the stickers of the two leagues can be
seen at a glance down the batting table.
1t will be seen that Cincinnati, Pitts
burg and Chicago have more players in
the society of the 800 than the entire
American league. Cincinnati alone has
nearly one-half if Dolan, who has pass
ed the 300 mark can be counted
Steinfeldt and Kelley.
Again. if base running can be taken
as a criterion as the standard of COM
parison the American league is once
more beaten a block. Up to date the
National league players have stolen
1,096 bases to that of 727 of their rivals.
Even in sacrifice hits the American
must once more take back seat, as
the National has the best of them 604
to $50.
Twenty-Five National league players
now grace the select bingle push. Gin
cinnau with five regulars, Pittsburg
with four regulars and a pitcher, Chi
cago four regulars and utility. Phila-
delphia two, Boston, ST Louis Brooklyn
and New York with but one each. Just
how New York manages to stay up
fighting with Pittsburg for first place
with but one batter in the big society
is a problem for dope students to figure
out. Cincinnati hanging as though an
chored in fourth place enjoys the diStinc-
ton Of clinging like wax to the Pitts
burg leaders in everything but the race.
The Pirates are but three points ahead
of the Reds in batting and the pair
are side by side in club fielding. In
long hits by clubs the Smoky City
champions are being pressed hard by
Joe Kelley and his band of ball tossers.
Roaring Bill Kennedy, of the Pirates,
is still leading the sluggers with Clarke
and Wagner Of the same team following
in order named 81 Seymour ranks
fourth and Becl5ley fifth both coming
along toward the finish like whirlwinds.
Mathewson leads the twirlers in field
ing, while Kennedy graceS the top OF
the winning list. No records are given
of pitchers who have been tried and re-
leased and those who have not taken
part in five or more games. Warner is
the premier catcher, Mccain, has gone
to the front as the boss first baseman,
Ritchey leads the two baggers, with
Gleason and DAILY for company. Dunn,
of New York, stands alone in the third
base class, with but two errors in "a
games. Corcoran, of the Reds has a
lead of ten points over Dahlen, of
Brooklyn, for the shortstop honors.
Cincinnati is again represented In front
with Dolan leading the outfelders
Chance, of Chicago, and Sheckard, of
Brooklyn have both passed the base
running mark set by Hans Wagner in
1902. Donan and Steinfeldt are pushing
Mertes and Wagner for the individual
sluggership laurels. Neither Corcoran,
of Cincinnati, nor Cooley, of Boston,
have made a sacrifice hit this season.
Ryan, of st. Louis, is the only regular
who has not stolen a base. Hahn, Of
Cincinnati, % games; Menefee, of Chi
cago, Is games. Wilhelm and Veil, of
Pittsburg, are the twirlers of 1908 with
out a wild pitch.