As the National race thundered into September, three teams were within two games of the top. John McGraw's O's were still leading, but the Reds were closing fast, with Honus Wagner and the Colonels also in the hunt:
The Philly A's had all but clinched the American, with the defending champion Tigers still struggling at mid-table and the brand new Red Sox mired in tenth place:
Down the stretch! With three games remaining, the O's led by two, and thus needed only one win on the weekend to claim their first pennant since their 1890s trifecta. But getting that win wouldn't be easy, as Baltimore would be finishing the regular season in...Cincinnati!
St. Louis still had a mathematical chance, but to grab second place and a spot in the Cup Final, they would need to sweep Louisville while Baltimore did the same to Cincinnati. But that dream evaporated when Noodles Hahn held the O's to five hits in a 3-1 win, pulling the Reds within one game. The next day, the Redlegs banged out 17 hits, including two doubles by Harry Steinfeldt, smothering the Orioles, 13-8. Suddenly, the pennant race would come down to a single game!
Meanwhile, the A's raced to the American League title, while the St. Paul Saints took second and a spot in the Dauvray Cup final:
