The Topeka state journal., 1905-01-12
SPORTING NEWS.
Last Year Was the Banner One
In Baseball.
National Game Never Enjoyed
Such Prosperity.
PEACE WAS RESTORED.
Leading Event Was the Race in
the American League.
Many Changes in Make Up OF the
American League Clubs.

i GnlCaEOs Jan. 1z."Bdn johnson
says: The season of 1904 was the
banner year in baseball. Peace had
been thoroughly restored, and every
league of importance from the At
lantic to the Pacific operated under
and enjoyed the benefits Of the new
national agreement. The leading
event of the year, and around which
centered the most interest, was the
remarkable race furnished by the
American league. Since baseball be-
came the national game of this coun-
ltry there was never so exciting and
hotly contested a battle as was waged
for the American league pennant.
Five of the eight clubs were factors
in the race up to the very closing
days of the season. In the last week
the race narrowed down to Boston
and New York, and the championship
uled- date was reached. The Boston
club, with its veteran players, scored
we'll merited victory.
The National league pennant went
to New York. and the fans in Gotham
were so pleased with the prospects of
a championship team-the first since
1SS9-that they gave the Giants most
liberal patronage. The minor leagues
cial returns as they did last season.
Formerly the smaller leagues We're
wont to disband shortly after July 4
on account of lack of patronage, but
last season all enjoyed unprecedented
prosperity. Artistcally the brand or
ball compared favorably with past
brilliant seasons.
Since the signing of the peace pact
between the two major leagues, the
American league club members have
worked earnestly to arrange a series
each fall between the champions of
the two organizations. Great public
interest is taken in post-season games
between the champions of the two
leagues and the playing of such a
series is a benefit to baseball in many
ways. It has always been the pur-
pose of the American league to crafty
the demands of its patrons
1t is the liberal support given by
the public that makes professional
baseball possible. In the history of
the game there was never such in
terest taken in a series as centered in
the contest for the worlds champion
burg clubs. There was a general and
urgent demand for such a series of
games last fall That the games were
not played was no fault Of the Amer
have made arrangements for atrial of
skill and pluck with the vaunted
champions of the National league.
The adoption of a schedule of 154
games by the National almost pre-
cludes the possibility of such a series
next fall. It is next to impossible to
play 154 championship games and
close the season before the 9th or 10th
Of October The weather usually at
that season of the year is unfavorable
for outdoor sports, and but five Iull
days would be allowed before the ex-
piration of the contracts of the play
ers which run to the middle of Oc--
tober.
There will be many changes in the
makeup of the American league clubs
next season. Particularly will this be
true of st. Louis, Detroit, and Wash !
ington, while a number of new faces
will appear in the ranks of the Bos-
ton. Cleveland, and Philadelphia
clubs.
The washington team will be much |
improved and Detroit. under the ca /
pable leadership of Manager Armour, |
is sure to be an important factor in
the race of 1905. Chicago win start
the year under far more favorable !
conditions, and will surely render a !
good account to its stanch friends I
and supporters. While we can not
hope for so grand a race as marked |
the season of 1904, still, we believe the |
championship of next year will be
productive of many surprises
AS president of the American league |
I desire to thank the public for their |
loyal support and the generous consid-
Grafton given our organization at all /
tir0nS.