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Both Kansas City and New York moved closer to repeat division titles in August. The Royals went on a 19-9 tear to move to 91-45, ten games ahead of the Yankees for the American League’s top seed. KC is 20.5 games up on 70-65 St. Louis in the AL West. NY had a 16-12 August, but more importantly Cleveland struggled to 11-18 and Boston went 12-15. The Yankees lead the AL East at 81-55, seven up on the Spiders and 7.5 on the Red Sox.

The National League had a huge swing in fortunes in the East Division. Pittsburgh went 20-8 in August, while Boston was a lousy 11-17. The Pirates raced back into first place at 88-48 with a seven-game lead on the 81-55 Braves. Pittsburgh is also now six ahead of Chicago for the top seed. The Cubs are 82-54 and remain in firm control of the West as New Orleans continued to fade. The Pelicans are now 12 back at 70-66 with both St. Louis and Louisville at 69-67.

AL Batter of the Month was Royals LF Mike Donlin with a .414 average, 10 home runs, 26 RBI, and 26 runs. The reigning MVP has a shot at another Triple Crown, as he leads the AL in average (.377) and RBI (141) entering September. Donlin has 39 homers, one back on Orioles OF Sam Crawford.

In the NL, New Orleans SS Jimmy Williams leads the Triple Crown stats with a .400 average, 35 homers, and 118 RBI. The Gold Glover also has 12.7 WAR, putting him in striking distance of the position player single-season record of 13.53 by Mike Tiernan in 1889. NL Batter of the Month was Colonels 1B Jim Delahanty with a .374 average, 6 homers, 27 RBI, and 20 runs.

Louisville’s Christy Mathewson was NL Pitcher of the Month continuing his all-time great season, posting a 1.21 ERA and 6-0 record in August with 63 strikeouts over 52 innings. He leads the entire majors in ERA (1.72), wins (22), strikeouts (294), and WAR (11.3). If Mathewson keeps his pace, he’ll break the single-season record for all but the wins. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s Addie Joss has a legit shot at a Triple Crown in the AL as he leads in ERA (1.96) and Ks (200) while one win back of first at 17.

Baltimore’s Barney Wolfe was AL Pitcher of the Month and the Rookie of the Month. The #15 pick had a 4-2 record over 52 innings with a 1.04 ERA and 27 strikeouts. Reds CF Frank Schulte was NL Rookie of the Month hitting .343 with 8 homers and 23 RBI. Red Sox 2B Frank LaPorte became the second player this season to hit for the cycle, going it on August 24 against Milwaukee.



In milestones, Pittsburgh OF Mike Tiernan became the fourth member of the 3000 hit club. Entering September, the top four are Pete Browning (3490), Dan Brouthers (3408), Dick Johnston (3110), and Tiernan (3002). Silent Mike has been reduced to a part-time starting role with down numbers at age 35, but he remains the all-time leader for homers (601), RBI (1975), and WAR for position players (127.02). Tiernan and Browning are now tied for the all-time lead in total bases (5453) while Brouthers is close behind at 5427.

Dodgers 1B Roger Connor became the second to 750 career doubles. Kansas City’s Billy Hamilton was only the second to 1100 career stolen bases. He’s nine behind Jim Fogarty for the all-time lead. Red Sox RF Dick Johnston reached 900 steals. Cubs 1B Fred Carroll and Nationals 2B Ed Delahanty both got to 2500 career hits. Brewers RF Willie Keeler and Nationals 3B Jud Smith both got to 1000 RBI and Red Sox 1B Ollie Smith picked up his 1000th run scored.

Clowns veteran Mickey Welch was the fifth pitcher to 3000 strikeouts. He’s the all-time leader in wins (316), games (703), complete games (353), innings (4991), and walks (1524). Bisons pitcher Jack Sharrott earned his 200th win, the 25th pitcher to get there.