BASEBALL MONTHLY
May 1898
Orphans Bats Start Season Off And Running
The Chicago franchise has always been one that has put togeter lineups that have stood at or near the top of the league in hitting. Names like Cap Anson and Sam Thompson have lead offenses to scores of runs and bases. As the new season completed its first month, the Orphans hitting lineup has gotten off to a torid start and has many wondering just how good they can get.
The Orphans are surely one of the funnest teams to watch in the league as they have scored a leading 278 runs thus far this season. The team has an incredible .321 team average. As of May 1st in fact everyone in the Orphans starting lineup was batting over .300 and pitchers were having a nightmare getting these guys out.
Things have gotten quite competitive to even get into this Chicago lineup as veteran start Sam Thompson has found himself in a platoon role with his .323 average. Big Sam made it known he wants to play everyday to manager Al Spalding as he knows at 38 years old he may not have many good atbats left.
Hughie Jennings at the top of the lineup is the key to the offense as Hughie is batting .389 and seems to set the table everytime he is up there. The addition of John McGraw has also helped on many levels as he has worked wonders motivating the team and working so well with Jennings the the top of the order. The two players have combined for 63 runs and 42 steals in the the first month of the season!
Chicago had a good month and finished n first place. A familar foe is back in the fold as the Boston Beaneaters look to get their glory back that they had three or four years ago. The entire National League is separated by only eight games.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
League Notes
BOB BLACK WINS #350
Bob Black continues to be the anchor of the Boston Beanater team and it just seems like he has no intention of slowing down at the age of 35. Black has already won 11 games in the first month of the season including a shutout.
The big number for Black however came on May 30th against Pittsburgh when he threw his 350th career win. Black is now third all time on the win list and just passed Al Spalding who had 348 wins. Black is a good bet to be the alltime leader by the time he calls it a career as he is throwing better or as good as ever.
400 may be a realistic goal for him.