The state herald., 1921-01-07

the American League for the 1920 sea.
son, liberty is taken herewith to di.
rect the attention of the public to
some of the more noteworthy perform.
ances of this most successful season.
BY the use OF more perfect ball
and the elimination of all forms of
trick pitching-except the use of the
spitter-battlng was increased over
the 1919 average. fifteen points. This,
naturally added to the uncertainty of
the result of any particular game or
series. and increased the interest of
the patrons in a corresponding degree.
For the second time in fourteen
years Tyrus Raymond Cobb was
forced to yield first place to a rival in
the contest for individual batting hon.
ors. The new leader, George Sisler.
the great first baseman of the st.
Louis team, finished with mark of
.i07, nineteen points ahead of man
ager Iris Speaqer of Cleveland I3SS)
who in turn was six points In front of
Joe jackson (3s2) Chicago.
Sisters work during the past sea.
son stamps. him as one of the great
players OF all time. Participating In
every game his team played, 15i, he
led all in times at bat. 63l: In safe
hits, 257, new American League rec
ord. Cobb's 24S. made in 1911 being
the high mark until now. He was also
first in total bases, 399, 40 doubles, Is
triples and 10 home runs supplement.
ing his 172 singles. Tied with Man.
ager Speaker for second place In runs
scored with 1877. first In three base
hits. second In two base hits. tied with
his team mate Jacobson. for second
place In runs driven In, 122. second In
stolen bases with AZ while he was
thrown out In attempts to pilfer but
seventeen times.
Even more spectacular than Sisters
remarkable record-though not 80
valuable TO his team-was the won.
derful work OF George II. Ruth. the
slugging outflelder of fthe New York
team. Big Babe" poled 81 home
runs, a greater number than any en-.
tire team In either major league com
piled. Ruth's wonderful performances
was the more extraordinary because
he was out OF the lineup In twelve
games and In his 1i2 contests he was
officially "at bat" l73 times less than
Sisler. being obliged to accept las
bases on balls from opposing pitchers
while Sisler was passed but 40 times.
Ruth crossed the plate 15s times with
needful tallies. leading Speaker and
Sisler, who were second by 21 runs.
He also led the league in driving In
runs $50 being thus responsible for
2il OF the SIS runs scored by the yam.
KEGS. Babe" tried hard for the
strike out record, tanning on so occa.
sions. but was beaten out OF first
"honors" by his team mate Ward. who
whined Si times. Meusel, OF the same
team. also struck out 72 tlmeg. but
Jimmy Dykes. OF the Athletics, finish
cd next TO Ruth with 10.
Edgar S. Rice, the fleet outnelder
Of the Washington team. stole sixty
two bases In nlnoty.two attempts. his
nearest competitor being slsler as
noted above. Robert Roth. also OF
Washington. was third In stolen bases
with twenty.four out OF thirty.six of
forts.
Manager Iris Speaker drove out
fifty wobaRgcrs. one more than Sis
Ter. and eight ahead OF Joe Jackson
who was third In tho list OF two-basc
siuggcrs.
Joe Gcdcon OF the Browns was cred
tied with forty.cight sacrifices. as wa,
also Owen Bush Of Detroit. McInni,
Of Boston was third with forty.ave.
Iris Speaker with nincty.sevcr
bases on balls. and Harry Hooper with
eirhty'cight were nearest TO Ruth II
being awarded free passage To nrs
base.
Pitching Records
The leading pitcher OF the ycar wa
Robert shawkey OF New York, VIII,
worked in IS games. se7 innings. an,
allowed but rs runs for an average o
2.ig for each full game or nine inn
insp Stanley coyoloakic, premic