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DEADLINE DEALS SHAKE THE BASEBALL LANDSCAPE — BUSY JULY BRINGS SURPRISES AND STRATEGY

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
July 31st, 1907

The trading season has drawn to a close, and the final days of July proved a flurry of activity across the major league circuit. Clubs both contending and rebuilding made bold moves to strengthen their rosters or lay the groundwork for future success. From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, and New York to St. Louis, the telegraph wires crackled with news of fresh deals and unexpected departures.

On July 18th, the Pittsburgh Pirates parted ways with veteran center fielder Ginger Beaumont, sending the 30-year-old to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for shortstop Al Bridwell, 23, and left-hander Johnny Lush, 21. Beaumont, who is hitting a fine .345 this season in 83 starts, leaves behind a notable tenure in Pittsburgh. Lush brings a 10–11 record and a 3.31 earned run average to his new club.
Beaumont, reflecting on the trade, remarked, “I’ve had good years in Pittsburgh, but baseball moves quick. I’ll do my best to give St. Louis what they need.”

The following day, July 19th, the Philadelphia Phillies sent right-hander Glenn Liebhardt to the Washington Senators in exchange for pitcher Nick Altrock and second baseman Allie Strobel. Altrock, 30, has been in excellent form this year with a 13–7 record and a 2.41 ERA, while Liebhardt’s 7–5 mark and 2.17 ERA made him an attractive target.
Altrock commented briefly on his move: “I’ve enjoyed my time in Washington, but a new start in Philadelphia might be just the thing. I’m ready to pitch wherever they need me.”

On July 27th, the New York Highlanders traded young catcher Bill Carrigan, 23, to the Cincinnati Reds for 34-year-old outfielder Dick Harley. Both men have spent much of the season as reserves. Two days later, Cleveland dealt catcher Bob Peterson to the Reds in exchange for left-hander Irv Young, another trade involving seldom-used talent.

That same July 29th, the Brooklyn Superbas and Cleveland Naps swapped reserve players, with pitcher Wiley Dunham, 30, heading to Cleveland and second baseman Dave Shean, 24, moving to Brooklyn. The St. Louis Browns also made a move, sending veteran infielder Billy Gilbert, 31, to the Washington Senators for 24-year-old first baseman Jack Hannifin. Gilbert, who has hit .203 in 37 games this year, expressed gratitude for a new chance, saying, “It’s been a tough stretch at the plate, but I’m eager to help Washington however I can.”

The flurry continued on July 30th, as the Highlanders again featured in the day’s news, sending second baseman Jimmy Williams to the St. Louis Browns for shortstop Al Cabrera, 26, and left fielder Frank Delahanty, 24. Williams, a steady hand batting .277 this season, leaves New York with respect and experience to spare.

That same day, the Philadelphia Athletics stunned the league by trading ace left-hander Eddie Plank to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, Philadelphia received outfielder Spike Shannon, 32, and infielder Bill Abstein, 24. Plank, one of the finest pitchers in the game, boasts a remarkable 17–8 record with a 2.10 ERA this year.
Plank, ever the gentleman, said simply, “It’s part of the game. I’ve given my all for Philadelphia, and I intend to do the same in Cincinnati.”

Perhaps the most eye-catching of all came as Brooklyn sent right-hander Ed Walsh, 26, to the Boston Americans in exchange for three promising youngsters—left-hander Harry Ables, first baseman Jim Nealon, and outfielder Chet Chadbourne. Walsh, currently 10–14 with a 2.54 ERA, was calm about the move. “Boston’s a fine baseball town,” he said. “I’ll miss my mates in Brooklyn, but I’m looking forward to a fresh start.”

As the dust settles on this bustling deadline, clubs will now turn their eyes toward August — where the true measure of these trades will be revealed on the field.