BASEBALL MONTHLY
August 1888
American Association Pennant Up For Grabs
Some worried that the change to the schedule and the elongation of the baseball season would create indiffrence and a lack of drama at the end of a season. But on the contrary as the marathon 154 game season comes to a close, the American Association couldnt be anymore close and dramatic.
The defending World Champion Boston Americans are back to do it again and have played the mosr consistent baseball posting the best record in the league going into September. Right on their tales is a fresh new face and city as the Lousville Colonels have come out of years of frustration to currently sit one single game behind the leaders.
The Amercians are led again by ace Bob Black who was injured for a good portion of the current season but is back for the stretch run and is pitching lights out once again with a 1.65 ERA. Black tore a muscle in the offseason but worked hard to regain his form.
Mike Griffin
At the plate the current loss of Mike Griffin the star center fielder to a back problem has the team concerned. There remain questions if Griffin will play at all this year and now new faces need to step it up. Thus far noone has really taken on this role and pressure has mounted on bats such as Arlie Latham (.263) and George Pinkney (.263)
With the Americans solely built on pitching, the Colonels look more of the same but have some pop in their lineup. Jerry Denny has smashed 17 homeruns this season and sits in the middle of the order. Tommy Tucker has stolen 58 bases thus far this season and is among the best lead off men in the league. Not to be outdone is on the mound is Matt Kiltoy who has won 31 games and has a shot at the all time record of 36 wins. Killroy has also fanned 160 men and is a rising star at the age of 23.
The teams will face off for one four game series in Lousville at the start of the month. The Colonels of course won plenty when they were the St. Louis Browns, but have never won in their current home.
Speaking for the Browns, the new St. Louis team is sitting more comfortable in the national league. The Browns have a 5 game lead over the Philadelphia Quakers, the two teams finish the season against eachother on the final week end of the regular season.
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Records sure to fall
With the season now close to 20 games longer then what we have seen in the past, obviously a number of season records will fall this season. Some of the notables are:
At bats
Singles
Total bases
RBI
Home Runs
Hits
We will update you on these at the end of the season.
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Tim Keefe In A Class Of His Own
The great Brooklyn hurler set new standards of excellence this past month. While pitching his entire career in Brooklyn, Keefe struck out his 2000 man this month to increase his lead as the all time leader in the department.
Keefe has already won his 200th game this past season and remains one of the nicest and well mannered players in the league today. Keefe is only 31 year old and the sky is the limit to what he can do.
Most important in most peoples eyes is also the fact that Keefe has already won three championships with his team. Players stats over the years: