BASEBALL MONTHLY
July 1886
'The Greatest Batter To Ever Walk To The Plate'
Anson Gets Hit Number 3000
He stepped up to the plate just as he has done over 9500 times in his career. Cap Anson has played the game longer and in many estimation's better then anyone in history. Just like he has done countless other times Cap Anson went with the pitch and drove the ball between third and short for a single. Only this time Anson reached a number that no one has even come close to, with his single against Cincinnati the 44 year old earned his 3000th hit.
Anson could have sat out and waited to reach the feat when the team came back to Chicago, but Anson refused to sit out and wanted to play as his team is in first place in the National League. The Cincinnati fans as well as players from both dugouts took a moment to applaud the star and show thier appreciation for his longevity. Chicago and its mayor have already announced a small ceremony before the Colts next game against the Pittsburgh Pirates where he may also recieve the key to the city.
The emotions were especially high as Anson is already playing in the last year of his contract. Anson is one of the original players of Major League Baseball and the appreciation for him is showing throughout baseball by generations old and new.
His teamates are said to have told him that they will win it all for him this season and the Colts could not have been more right so far. Chicago has the best record in baseball and is leading the three time defending champion Boston Beaneaters by 13 full games.
The Colts set the tone of the season pounding the Beaneaters 16-3 and 11-1 this month giving them a 9-6 record against them for the year.
Charlie Comiskey the manager of the Reds had high praise indeed for Anso as a former manager of his as well as a former player himself. "Anson is the greatest batter ever to step to the plate. I have seen them all and no one is better."
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League Notes The Cleveland Spiders have caught the Washington Senators in the standings of the Western League. The two time defending pennant winners went 19-9 for the month and tied the leaders who have been leading since April. An exciting finish for the pennant is set to transpire.
Trying to stay in the race with Chicago, Boston traded one of their best players when Jesse Burkett was sent to Brooklyn in exchange for catcher Ed Greer. Greer was the MVP of the National League last season.
Another "Cap", named Dan McGann made news out of Chicago this month as the second baseman hit for the Cycle against the Beaneaters. McCann is batting .326 and at the age of 25 has a bringt future indeed.
Former Colt Cyclone Miller has a damaed elbow and will miss the remainder of this season and most likely next season for the Baltimore Orioles. Miller has 165 wins in his career.