AL Mid-Season Report
The White Sox have been the surprise of the American League this season. They finished April in first place thanks to a 17-9 record. At the end of June, they are 46-35 and in third place ahead of both New York and Detroit. This is a team that has lost 411 games over the past four seasons. This season, they have the best pitching staff in the AL along with the 4th best offense and 3rd best defense in the league. Everyone knows that
Ed Walsh (10-5, 2.17 ERA),
Jim Scott (9-4, 2.88 ERA) and closer
Harry Suter (4-4, 21 Sv, 3.40 ERA) can pitch, but rookie
Joe Benz (8-5, 2.91 ERA) is showing what he is made of as well. Even former starter
Frank Smith (3-3, 3.07 ERA) is performing well in his new setup role. The offensive showing may be an anomaly, but rookie
Ping Bodie (.284, 14 HR, 40 RBI) looks like the real thing.
The other Sox from Boston are actually leading the AL standings half way through the season though. Boston's offense leads the league thanks to the outfield of
Tris Speaker (.363, 25 HR, 71 RBI),
Gavvy Cravath (.315, 32 HR, 66 RBI) and
Harry Hooper (.319, 13 HR, 50 RBI). The team's defense ranks just 5th and their pitching staff 4th, which reveals a potential weakness going forward. However,
Elmer Steele (11-4, 2.28),
Fred Anderson (10-2, 2.97 ERA) and
Ray Collins (6-3, 2.52 ERA) are each having superb seasons on the mound. Likewise for closer
Nick Altrock (4-3, 16 Sv, 2.25 ERA), who continues to impress in his third season in the bullpen.
In their attempt to tie the MLHR record with six consecutive pennants, Oakland has the 2nd best offense in the AL.
Joe Jackson (.381, 18 HR, 64 RBI),
Frank Baker (.301, 31 HR, 73 RBI),
Eddie Collins (.336, 9 HR, 66 R, 34 SB) and
Ed Lennox (.278, 16 HR, 43 RBI) continue to do most of the damage. Centerfielder
Harry Armbruster (.206, 8 HR, 22 RBI) has struggled, so you can expect
Danny Hoffman (.354 in 48 AB) to take back his starting job in center. On the pitching side,
Jimmy Dygert (11-2, 1.99 ERA) leads the American League in ERA. Teammate
Tom Walker (7-5, 2.74 ERA) isn't far behind.
Standings
Batting Leaders
Pitching Leaders
