Notes from history - Page 29

amead17 · Today, 12:00 PM

SPORTING TIMES — April 8th, 1913
By Arthur H. Leland

SPORTING TIMES SETS ITS MARK: PENNANT RACES FORECAST AS NEW SEASON DAWNS

As is now customary with the opening of another championship season, the Sporting Times has cast its eye forward and attempted the difficult task of forecasting how the pennant races may unfold over the long summer ahead. As always, these figures are predictions only, yet they offer a revealing picture of how the coming campaign is expected to take shape.

American League Outlook

In the American League, the balance of opinion points strongly toward the Washington Senators as the club to beat. Predicted to finish with a commanding 97–57 record, Washington’s strength is seen primarily on the mound, where their staff is projected to allow just 473 runs with a league-best 2.29 ERA. The Senators’ rotation, led by Willie Mitchell, Reb Russell, and Smokey Joe Williams, is forecast to dominate opposing bats throughout the season.

Behind them, the Cleveland Naps and Philadelphia Athletics are expected to wage a tight battle for second, both clubs penciled in at 79–75. Cleveland’s hopes rest largely on the continued excellence of Tris Speaker, projected to lead all American League hitters with a .354 average, while Philadelphia’s balance of pitching and timely hitting keeps them firmly in the chase.

The middle of the table is crowded, with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns close behind, while the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox are forecast to bring up the rear in what promises to be a competitive but uneven race.

Speaker, when asked about Cleveland’s prospects, remarked simply, “If we play the game the way we know how, the standings will take care of themselves.”

National League Forecast

The National League picture appears far less restrained. The Sporting Times projection gives the Brooklyn Superbas a commanding position atop the circuit, with a remarkable predicted record of 111–43. Their expected dominance is built on overwhelming offense—over 900 runs scored—and a deep pitching staff anchored by Grover Cleveland Alexander, John Donaldson, and Ed Reulbach.

Brooklyn’s lineup is forecast to be led by Joe Jackson, whose projected .389 batting average and 142 RBIs stand as the highest totals in either league. Jackson himself was modest in assessing such expectations, saying, “You just try to hit the ball hard and help the club. The rest is for the writers to figure out.”

Challenging Brooklyn from a distance are the Boston Braves, projected at 87–67, followed by the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants, though not favored for the flag, are expected to lean once more on the steady arm of Christy Mathewson, who is forecast for another heavy workload.

Mathewson, speaking quietly before departing the grounds, noted, “Predictions don’t win ballgames. You still have to take the ball every fourth day and earn it.”

A Season Ready to Be Written

These projections, bold though they may be, will soon give way to the realities of the diamond. Injuries, form, and fortune will have their say, as they always do. Yet as clubs take the field in earnest, the figures laid out here provide a compelling starting point for what promises to be another memorable year in base ball.

Today, 12:00 PM	#561
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,963	SPORTING TIMES — April 8th, 1913 By Arthur H. Leland SPORTING TIMES SETS ITS MARK: PENNANT RACES FORECAST AS NEW SEASON DAWNS As is now customary with the opening of another championship season, the Sporting Times has cast its eye forward and attempted the difficult task of forecasting how the pennant races may unfold over the long summer ahead. As always, these figures are predictions only, yet they offer a revealing picture of how the coming campaign is expected to take shape. American League Outlook In the American League, the balance of opinion points strongly toward the Washington Senators as the club to beat. Predicted to finish with a commanding 97–57 record, Washington’s strength is seen primarily on the mound, where their staff is projected to allow just 473 runs with a league-best 2.29 ERA. The Senators’ rotation, led by Willie Mitchell, Reb Russell, and Smokey Joe Williams, is forecast to dominate opposing bats throughout the season. Behind them, the Cleveland Naps and Philadelphia Athletics are expected to wage a tight battle for second, both clubs penciled in at 79–75. Cleveland’s hopes rest largely on the continued excellence of Tris Speaker, projected to lead all American League hitters with a .354 average, while Philadelphia’s balance of pitching and timely hitting keeps them firmly in the chase. The middle of the table is crowded, with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns close behind, while the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox are forecast to bring up the rear in what promises to be a competitive but uneven race. Speaker, when asked about Cleveland’s prospects, remarked simply, “If we play the game the way we know how, the standings will take care of themselves.” National League Forecast The National League picture appears far less restrained. The Sporting Times projection gives the Brooklyn Superbas a commanding position atop the circuit, with a remarkable predicted record of 111–43. Their expected dominance is built on overwhelming offense—over 900 runs scored—and a deep pitching staff anchored by Grover Cleveland Alexander, John Donaldson, and Ed Reulbach. Brooklyn’s lineup is forecast to be led by Joe Jackson, whose projected .389 batting average and 142 RBIs stand as the highest totals in either league. Jackson himself was modest in assessing such expectations, saying, “You just try to hit the ball hard and help the club. The rest is for the writers to figure out.” Challenging Brooklyn from a distance are the Boston Braves, projected at 87–67, followed by the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants, though not favored for the flag, are expected to lean once more on the steady arm of Christy Mathewson, who is forecast for another heavy workload. Mathewson, speaking quietly before departing the grounds, noted, “Predictions don’t win ballgames. You still have to take the ball every fourth day and earn it.” A Season Ready to Be Written These projections, bold though they may be, will soon give way to the realities of the diamond. Injuries, form, and fortune will have their say, as they always do. Yet as clubs take the field in earnest, the figures laid out here provide a compelling starting point for what promises to be another memorable year in base ball.