BASEBALL MONTHLY
August 1898
Count Em! 40 Straight For Keeler
Willie Keeler has proven just how easy hitting can be when he puts a bat in his hand, unfortunately for the rest of us it isnt exactly so. Keeler and the season he has put togther in 1898 has proven to be indeed one of the most historic in all of baseball lore, and this past month Keeler broke one of the most popular and established records in the game.
On August 24th Keeler stood at the plate against Louisville and on his second atbat slammed a double to right field to tie record of consecutive games with a hit set by George Davis of 38 games set in 1895. Keeler would recieve a standing ovation from the Washington crowd at Boundary Field.
Keeler then tok his show to Chicago and faced the White Sox with a chance at history. Keeler beat out an infield hit in the 4th inning and the record was his. Keeler got this one with his speed which is one reason why he is such a great on base player. On the next night Wee Willie made it a clean 40 straight games and did so in his final at bat in the 9th inning when he singled to center after beiing 0-4. Keeler is the first player in baseball history to hit in 40 straight games and he isnt done yet.
In an odd turn on events however Keeler wont be chasing game 41 for a while. In his game against the White Sox, Keeler fell on his elbow and lost much of his motion. The outfielder will be out for a few weeks with the bad elbow and wont pick up his hitting streak until mid September sometime. Even more important is the fact that his team, the Washington Senators are in the middle of a pennant race, something that has never happened in Washington before. The Senators are one game behind Boston going into the home stretch.
Keeler's numbers this season are mind boggling. Wee Willie is batting .422 with 223 hits and 56 stolen bases. Keeler has upped his lifetime average to an inccredible .384.
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Orphans Look To Close Things Out
The Chicago Orphans are about one month away from their third straight pennant as they lead the second place Boston Beaneaters by 5.5 games. The Chicago offense is still the best in the league and stars like Fred Clarke who has driven in 114 runs this season while batting .367 is a big reason why.
The major concern for Chicago really comes down to staying healthy for the postseason. With Charlie Geggus already done for the season and players like John McGraw spending significant time out of the lineup, health has been an issue.
The goal is clear.
"We dont just want to win a pennant this season" said manager Al Spalding, "everyone wont rest until we cross the finish line and are world champions."
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League Notes
Alot of talk is being generated from Cincinnati and their young pitcher Rube Waddell. It appears that Wadell has a tendency to arrive at games late and still finds time to get into games, especially late. Wadell has struck out 11 men in 19 innings.
Pop Foster of the Philadelphia Phillies hit for the special cycle this month. Foster at 20 years old is the youngest player to ever hit for the cycle and did it in style as the Phillies beat the Orpahns. Foster is the second man to hit for the cycle this season.