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Big Six · 01-27-2004, 12:51 PM

Boston Post, August 4, 1914

SPEAKER AND O’FARRELL TOP THE LIST
Red Sox Sluggers Set Pace for Pennant Leaders

BOSTON—For several years now, Tris Speaker and Pat O’Farrell have provided punch in the middle of the Red Sox batting order. Speaker usually hits third, with O’Farrell cleaning up.

Now, they find themselves in unusual positions: Speaker atop the list, with O’Farrell second. This is not a batting order, however; it is the listing of the top batsmen, by percentage, in the American League. Their efforts have helped lift the defending World Series champions to the first place in the standings, two games ahead of Detroit.

Speaker completed yesterday’s play with a gaudy mark of .393 after ripping four base hits off the White Sox’ Red Faber, sparking the Bostons’ 5-2 victory. O’Farrell, with his two safeties, raised his mark to .376.

Speaker scored three of the Sox’ runs, giving him an even 100 for the season, in only 106 games. Tris is well on his way to setting a new American League record in this category.

Both Tris and Pat drove in a run, raising Speaker’s total to 76 and O’Farrell’s to 82, third most in the league. And both swiped a base, giving Speaker 50 and O’Farrell 47. The teammates rank third and fourth in these categories.

The men are also good friends, as they came up to the Red Sox together several years ago. Their backgrounds could not be much different, as O’Farrell is a New England Irishman and Speaker a Texas cowboy. “I admit we had a little difficulty understanding each other at first,” Speaker says with a grin.

Now the difficulty has shifted to American League pitchers who must figure out ways to retire both of them, much to the delight of Boston rooters.

*****************

League note: The St. Louis Browns, looking for anything that can pull them out of the depths of last place, signed pitcher Eddie Plank to a contract this week. Plank, 38, who had been out of base ball since an elbow injury ended his season in 1912, pitched the Browns to a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees. He allowed seven hits and seven walks, but bore down when he needed to. “My arm feels fine,” Plank said after the game.

Plank has won 209 games in his career, despite pitching for some lousy Philadelphia teams over much of that time. He has not landed in an improved situation with the Browns, who have won only 24 times against 78 defeats.

01-27-2004, 12:51 PM	#163
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,145	Slugging teammates Boston Post, August 4, 1914 SPEAKER AND O’FARRELL TOP THE LIST Red Sox Sluggers Set Pace for Pennant Leaders BOSTON—For several years now, Tris Speaker and Pat O’Farrell have provided punch in the middle of the Red Sox batting order. Speaker usually hits third, with O’Farrell cleaning up. Now, they find themselves in unusual positions: Speaker atop the list, with O’Farrell second. This is not a batting order, however; it is the listing of the top batsmen, by percentage, in the American League. Their efforts have helped lift the defending World Series champions to the first place in the standings, two games ahead of Detroit. Speaker completed yesterday’s play with a gaudy mark of .393 after ripping four base hits off the White Sox’ Red Faber, sparking the Bostons’ 5-2 victory. O’Farrell, with his two safeties, raised his mark to .376. Speaker scored three of the Sox’ runs, giving him an even 100 for the season, in only 106 games. Tris is well on his way to setting a new American League record in this category. Both Tris and Pat drove in a run, raising Speaker’s total to 76 and O’Farrell’s to 82, third most in the league. And both swiped a base, giving Speaker 50 and O’Farrell 47. The teammates rank third and fourth in these categories. The men are also good friends, as they came up to the Red Sox together several years ago. Their backgrounds could not be much different, as O’Farrell is a New England Irishman and Speaker a Texas cowboy. “I admit we had a little difficulty understanding each other at first,” Speaker says with a grin. Now the difficulty has shifted to American League pitchers who must figure out ways to retire both of them, much to the delight of Boston rooters. ***************** League note: The St. Louis Browns, looking for anything that can pull them out of the depths of last place, signed pitcher Eddie Plank to a contract this week. Plank, 38, who had been out of base ball since an elbow injury ended his season in 1912, pitched the Browns to a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees. He allowed seven hits and seven walks, but bore down when he needed to. “My arm feels fine,” Plank said after the game. Plank has won 209 games in his career, despite pitching for some lousy Philadelphia teams over much of that time. He has not landed in an improved situation with the Browns, who have won only 24 times against 78 defeats.