BASEBALL MONTHLY
July 1898
A Rivalry OF Arms For 8 Years
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Between them they have combined for over 600 major league wins and countless battles on the mound. In the history of the game few players have rivaled themselves more then Charlie Geggus and Bob Black. Ever since Geggus came into the National League in 1891, the two have faced off in important battles countless times.
Both fierce competitors, their styles are similar and their respect established through the National League. Still the two stars of their craft have never shown much respect for eachother and in many terms and actions have proved to not get along. Geggus added to the fire when in 1891 he replaced Black in Chicago after he had not lived up to expectations in the city. Chicago embraced Geggus where as Black was almost run out of town for failing to win the big game.
Geggus has won the pitcher of the year twice while Black has taken the award home three times.
Black has the big edge on Geggus in the catagory that matters the most. Black has won four world championships while Geggus is still looking for his first. Geggus hopes that this season will tell a diffrent story.
"He has stood in the way of everything I have tried to acomplish in my career" said Geggus about his rival, "No one in Chicago could get along with someone from Boston."
With the Orphans having the better of things this season sitting in first place, the two rivals faced off in Chicago on the 28th of the month. Both players were at their best not allowing a run going into the 9th inning. Geggus has been at the top of his game this season going 11-6 with a 1.68 ERA.
In the bottom of the 9th, Frank Chance came up and made the home fans happy by taking a Bob Black fast ball well over the left field wall for a walk off home run.
The Orphans are having an excellent season with their offense still the best in the game having scored 466 runs already.
Mr. Black and Mr. Geggus are sure to see eachother down the road again soon.
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1898 Amatuer Draft Complete
The Orphans took part in the annual amatuer draft of young talent across our great land. With the 16th pick in the draft the Chicago side chose right handed starter Jack Chesbro.
Chesbro is 24 years old and comes to town from North Adams Mass. The right hander is known as Happy Jack and is another charasmatic figuire on a team that has the likes of Hughie Jennings and Frank Clark. Chesbro will start his career on the reserve team to improve his command. Scouts say that he has electric stuff and throws hard but getting things under control is his current challange. Chesbro is not expected to join the big club this season barring some kind of emergency.
The top picks of the draft went like this:
1. Jimmy Barrett CF - Philadelphia Phillies
2. Noodles Hahn SP - Cincinnati Reds
3. Mike Donlin CF - Baltimore Orioles
4. Ray Thomas CF - Louisville Colonels
5. Jimmy Williams 3B - Detroit Tigers
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League Notes
Jimmy Sheckard
Jimmy Sheckard wowed the baseball word by hitting for the cycle against Cleveland this month. The young Sheckard at only 19 years old is the youngest man to pull off the feat and is a .323 career hitter so far.
The Cleveland Spiders who are looking to threepeat lost a key arm. Joe Corbett has a broken finger on his pitching hand and will miss 2 to 3 months of action. The Spiders have alot of work to do as they sit 7.5 games out.