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New Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB) with random introduction feature opens in 1901
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1901 Season The inaugural season of Metaphysical League Baseball, MLB for short, using the new OOTP Random Introduction feature, begins in 1901. The year 1901, beginning with the formation of the American League, and the first World Series, was a great success. The season provided amazing drama right down to the final out, and even offered an international flare with the participation of Japanese legend Ichiro Suzuki and Taiwanese pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. Both pennant races went down to the wire. In the American League, the newly formed Milwaukee Brewers led for much of the year, but dropped their final 2 games to fall into a first place tie with the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles finely prevailed when with 2 out in the bottom of the 12th, Graig Nettles singled, stole 2nd, and scored on a single by PH Tim Shinnock (3-9 for the year). The Orioles finished 86-55. In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals won 8 of 9 down the stretch, while the New York Giants dropped 6 of 10, and surpassed the Giants by a half game. With the Giants schedule completed, the Cards only had to win the finale. They faltered, and the playoff was on. The Giants’ John E. Farrell bested Willard Mains, the league’s best pitcher, and the Cards, 2-0, to finish 92-49 and win the title. The excitement of the World Series actually surpassed that of the pennant races. The Giant’s leading HR/RBI producer, Joe Carter, would be out with an injury for the entire series, while the Orioles would be without the big bat of Joey Votto. The Orioles impressively jumped out to a 3-1 series lead on the back of timely hitting and a big running game. The Giants, however, eaked out a close Game 5 victory in Baltimore, then roared back to win the final two in New York, taking the finale 5-1, behind the league’s leading hitter, Benny Kauff, who finished the series with a home run, 7 RBIs, and a .385 batting average. Top Newcomer and Outstanding Pitcher awards each league were: • AL: Crazy Schmit, 25, Bal, 22-8, 2.02, 263 IP, 240 H, 56 BB, 122 K • NL: Willard Mains, 24, NYG, 27-10, 2.32, 329 IP, 298 H, 86 BB, 137 K, 35 CG Outstanding Hitter awards: • AL: George Wright, 27, SS, Bal, 4 HR, 76 RBI, .349, 167 H, 25 2B, 30 3B, 92 R, 36 SB • NL: Benny Kauff, 27, CF, NYG, 7 HR, 100 RBI, .383, 194 H, 28 2B, 8 3B, 104 R, 48 SB (NL batting title) AL Batting Title; Lou Brock, LF, Bos, .365 Top Prospect: Al Rosen, 23, 3B, NYG Major Disappointments: • Ichiro Suzuki, 37, RF, Phil N, 121-26-0-15-.215, retired • Bob Feller, 30, P, Cle, 16-17, 2.95, 277 IP, 316 H, 77 BB, 64 K Top Position Player and Pitcher by Franchise: • Baltimore George Wright Crazy Schmidt • Bos A Lou Brock Esteban Yan • Bos N Milton Bradley Sad Sam Jones • Brooklyn Dave Hanson Cliff Melton • Chi A Gary Redus Johnny Welch • Chi N Kirby Puckett Clayton Richard • Cincinnati Ron Fairly Ray Moss • Cleveland Hank Majeski Bob Feller • Detroit Joe Evans Dan Adams • NY Giants Benny Kauff Steve Sundra • Phil As Adrian Gonzalez Scott Chiamparino • Phil Phillies Ray Chapman Ryan Drese • Pittsburgh Harry Rice Ray Keating • Milwaukee Dusty Cooke Joe Yeager • St. Louis N Bobby Tolan Willard Mains • Washington Harold Baines Dennis Blair Stay tuned for the 1902 season! |
1902 - Comments Solicited
Hi all, following is a synopsis of my 1902 season. If there is interest, I would be happy to exclude/include information to make it more meaningful to others. If so, let me know. Thanks.
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB) 1902 Season The second season of Metaphysical League Baseball saw a bit of a power shift in both leagues. The first round of the draft had some interesting names: • #1 SP Frank Knaus to Brooklyn • #2 LF Edd Roush (19) to Washington • #5 3B Bob Horner to Chicago Orphans • #10 SP Danny Friend to Cincinnati • #12 3b Scott Rolen to Detroit • #13 1B Travis Hafner to StL Browns • #15 Vlad Guerrero to StL Cardinals • #16 SP Early Wynn to NY Giants The defending AL Champion Orioles never got untracked, finishing 21 games off the pace, and their manager, John McGraw, was sacked at season’s end. Meanwhile, the Boston Americans, who stood pat over the Winter, made a couple of savvy early-season rotation acquisitions, and outlasted the Athletics to win the AL by 3 games, with an 81-59 mark. The defending NL Champion Giants started strong and led for the first half, but their star CF Benny Kauff went down for 6 weeks early in July. In the end, both the Reds and Cards passed them by. The Reds rode a sensational second half by their #1 and #2 picks, Danny Friend and Jerry Garvin, who finished 1-2 in ERA in the NL, to a 6-game margin over St. Louis, finishing 88-52. Friend was so dominant that he won 14 starts in a row at one point. The Reds were heavily favored in the World Series, with Friend and Garvin expected to start up to 5 games if necessary. True to their billing, the dual aces won the first two games for the Reds at home, 6-1, and 7-3. At home in Boston, their rookie starter, Fred Gladding, returned the favor, 5-1 Americans. Game 4 was a shock. Boston got to Friend early with 5 runs in the first 3 innings for a 9-1 victory to tie the series. Then in Game 5, early-season acquisition Alfredo Martinez outpitched Garvin in a 4-3 Boston win. In Game 6, Gladding sewed up the MVP award, going 8.2 innings and getting the key hit, a 2-out, 2-run triple in the top of the 8th to put the Americans up for good, as Boston won the game 7-5 and the series 4 games to 2. Outstanding Pitcher • AL: Sam Shaw, 23, PhilA, 23-11, 1.98 34 GS, 295 IP, 280 H, 68 BB, 197 K, .250 avg (Rnd 4) • NL: Danny Friend, 21, Cin, 29-5, 1.42, 35 GS, 324 IP, 238 H, 58 BB, 308 K, .200 avg Outstanding Hitter • AL: Edd Roush, 19, LF, Was, 2 HR, 51 RBI, .339, 178 H, 62 SB • NL: Bobby Tolan, 25, CF, StL, 7 HR, 73 RBI, .323, 147 H, 60 SB Batting Leaders AL: HR: Harold Baines, SLA, 10; RBI: Harold Baines, SLA, 89; Avg: Steve B Dunn, Phi, .348; SB Steve B Dunn, Phi, 105 NL: HR: Bob Horner, Cin, 11; RBI: Bill Serena, StL, 82; Avg: Jimmy Bannon, NYG, .345; SB: Jim Chatterton, BosN, 66 Pitching Leaders AL: Wins: Sam Shaw, Phi, 23; Sv: Floyd Giebell, Chi, 4; ERA: Chief Yellow Horse, Was, 1.62; K: Larry McWilliams, Chi, 204 NL: Wins: Danny Friend, Cin, 29; Sv: Earl Henry, StL, 5; ERA, Jerry Garvin, Cin, 1.40; K: Danny Friend, Cin, 308 Manager of the Year: AL: Jimmy Collins, 32, Bos, 82-58, 2nd year NL: Bid McPhee, 42, Cin, 88-52, 2nd year |
1903 Season
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1903 Season The character of the MLB and of many of the players began to take shape in this, the 3rd season of operation. For the third consecutive year, two new teams found their way to the World Series, this time the Philadelphia Athletics from the AL and the St. Louis Cardinals from the NL. The overall balance is evident. One team is standing out, however, the Cardinals, who have finished in a 1st place tie (lost playoff), 2nd, and 1st. No other club has come close to the Card’s consistency. On the flip side, On the White Sox and Tigers in the AL, and Phillies and Boston Beaneaters in the NL have been consistent also-rans. In the 1st round of the draft: • #1 SP Doc White – Chicago Cubs • #4 1B Pedro Guerrero – Philadelphia Phillies • #12 RF Vlad Guerrero – Washington (not sure some guys are drafted in successive yrs) • #14 SP Cliff Lee – NY Giants • #16 SP Juan Pizarro – St. Louis Cardinals (big role in upcoming season) A tremendous highlight in league history occurred on 8/3/03, when 22-year-old rookie hurler Harry Moran of the Ny Highlanders took the mound vs the league-leading Philadelphia Athletics. Twenty seven batters later, Moran left the mound with the first perfect game in MLB history. Moran struck out 8 A’s in the process. On 8/18/03, teammate Dave Davenport became the MLB career leader in Wins with 49, ending the season at 55 Wins for his career. Steve B Dunn of the Philadelphia Athletics, the biggest surprise of all the players, set a new single-season hits record with 195 on 9/19/03, finishing with 206. Dunn has won a batting title (.348 in 1902), an Outstanding Hitter award (1903), and twice consecutively cracked the single-season stolen base record with 105 in 1902 and then 118 in 1903. As for the Pennant races, the Athletics, led by Dunn, rattled off 7 in a row late in the year and clinched with 4 games to play over Cleveland, finishing 89-51. Cleveland finished 5 behind. Similarly, St. Louis sewed up the NL race with 5 games to play, finishing 89-51, with defending champion Cincinnati 5 back. For the 3rd consecutive year, dominating pitching was even more the story in the NL than in the AL. For the first time, the World Series would be a best 5 of 9 affair. The visiting Cardinals took the first two games, 6-5, and 9-3 on the strength of SPs rookie Juan Pizarro (26-9, 1.69) and Mike Regan (27-6, 1.63), # 2/1 respectively in wins and ERA in the NL, and the hitting of Charlie Lindstrom, David Eckstein and Graig Nettles. It looked like a rout was on. However the A’s won Game 3 in St. Louis, 5-0, on Bill Hubbell’s shutout and Bert Campaneris’ 5 RBIs. The Cards won Game 4, 6-2 on 3 first-inning runs and Nettles’ 3-4 2-RBI day. But again the A’s got a shutout, this time 1-0 by Sam Shaw, in Game 5 (over Pizarro), again the lone run driven in by Campaneris. The Cards took a 4-2 series lead in Game 6 with a solid 9-4 victory, led by Nettles 2-4, HR, 2 RBI day. The A’s won Game 7, as Dunn finally made his presence felt but it only staved off the inevitable as the Cards won Game 8, 7-4, for a 5-3 series victory. Nettles was the MVB, with a 2-8-.370 line, and spectacular play at 3B. League Awards Outstanding Pitcher /Newcomer • AL: Norm Bass, 21, Cle, 26-8, 1.66 • NL: Juan Pizarro, 19, St.L 26-9, 1.69, 329 IP*, 257K Outstanding Hitter • AL: Steve B Dunn, 25, Phil A’s .334, 206 H, 31 2B, 6 3B, 3 HR, 75 RBI, 94 R, 118 SB • NL: Duff Cooley, 22, Bro .322, 168 H, 21 2B, 24 3B, 4 HR, 75 RBI, 81 R, 54 SB Batting Leaders AL: HR: Al Shaw, Cle, 10; RBI: Joey Votto, NYH, 90; Avg: Edd Roush, Was, .341; SB Steve B Dunn, Phi, 118* NL: HR: Mack Jones, Bro, Graig Nettles, St.L, 10; RBI: Pedro Guerrero,PhilP, 76, Graig Nettles, StL, 76; Avg: Pete Browning, Cin, .332; SB: Roxey Roach, BosB, 80 Pitching Leaders AL: Wins: Norm Bass, Cle, 26; Sv: 3 players, , 3; ERA: Norm Bass, Cle, 1.66; K: Frank Knaus, Chi, 271 NL: Wins: Mike Regan, St.L, 27; Sv: 4 players, , 3; ERA, Mike Regan, St.L, 1.63; K: Doc White, ChC, 307 Manager of the Year: AL: Vincinte Garcia, PhilA, 89-51, 1st, 2.5 years 209-155 lifetime NL: Juan Sendejas, Pit, 78-62, 3rd, 2 years, 154-126 lifetime Biggest Contracts Edd Roush, Was, $2419; Benny Kauff, NYG, $2387; George Wright, NYH, $2343; Scott Rolen, Det, $2240; Tommy Henrich, St.L Cards, $2218 * MLB Record |
1904 Metaphysical League Baseball Season
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1904 Season For the first time, MLB expanded to a 154-game schedule. Balance continued to be the overall theme of the new league as, for the fourth consecutive year, two new teams made it into the World Series. Altogether, however, 1904 was a relatively bland year, as pitching dominated even more than in the previous three seasons. The 1903 draft leading into the season was very weak. • #1 CF Dutch Zwilling – Chicago White Sox • #3 CF Jim Wynn – New York Giants • #12 SP Ray Collins – Pittsburgh Pirates were the only real notables who were either big names or would play a big role during the season. The early leaders in the pennant races were the Cleveland Naps and New York Highlanders in the American League and the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League. The defending champion St. Louis Cardinals got off to a terrible start and traded star 3B Graig Nettles to the Chicago White Sox on May 11. This proved to be key to the AL race as the White Sox took the lead by the end of June and never looked back, winning by a 5 game margin over the Philadelphia A’s. In the NL, the Phillies led until August when their intra-state rival Pittsburgh Pirates passed them and won going away by 10 games. The White Sox (1903 cellar-dwellers in the AL at 50-90) concluded an incredible turnaround at 90-64, while the Pirates established a new record for wins at 97-57. Expectations were that pitching would dominate the World Series, and in this case the expectations were fulfilled. Every game was a shutout except for one. Visiting Chicago took Game 1, 3-0, on Frank Knauss’ (27-11, 1.76) 3-hitter and the bats of #1 pick Zwilling and Nettles. Game 2 went to Pittsburgh, 2-0, behind Buddy Napier’s (18-13, 1.74) 5-hitter, a clutch sac fly by Larry Parrish and a big RBI triple by 2B Carlos Rodriguez. Chicago bounced back in Game 3, 2-0, as rookie Catfish Hunter (13-9, 1.90) twirled a 3-hitter and Jack Wilson had the game-winning RBI in the 4th. Pittsburgh’s Game 4 win, 3-0, knotted the series on rookie Ray Collins (23-14, 1.42) 3-hitter and Carlos Rodriguez GW RBI. Game 5 was the turning point. In an 11-inning affair, Buddy Napier of Pittsburgh pitched a complete game (163 pitches), allowing 6 hits, for his 2nd win of the series as Pittsburgh took the game on the road, 4-2 for a 3 games to 2 lead. The go-ahead run scored on back-to-back doubles by David Justice and Larry Parrish. The finale was a pitchers’ duel between Catfish Hunter for the White Sox and Anibal Sanchez for the Pirates. The Pirates got a run in the bottom of the 5th on a Bream bunt single, Carlos Rodriguez single and a 2-out single by Stennett, and Sanchez made it hold up, tossing a 4-hit shutout, Pittsburgh 1 Chicago 0. Pittsburgh wins 4 games to 2! Series MVP was Buddy Napier for his 2 complete-game victories and 0.45 ERA in 20 IP. During the regular season, the second no-hitter in league history was pitched Gary Serum of the St. Louis Browns vs. the Chicago white Sox in a 1-0 victory on 9/29. He allowed only 2 BB and struck out nobody. Season record-breakers and season leaders are listed below. Before closing, a note regarding the upcoming 1905 season. The November 1904 draft for the upcoming season will be the best to date, with prospects like Stephen Strasburg, Johnny Bench, Frank Tanana, Reggie Sanders, Max Carey, Pascual Perez, Chris Chambliss, Lou Whitaker, Willie Davis, Monte Ward and Carl Crawford. In addition, I will begin to profile a team, starting with the New York Giants, who have fallen from World Champions in 1901 to last in the NL in 1904, and have the #2 pick in the upcoming draft. I will cut back on the more mundane parts of this report to compensate. 1904 Single Season Records: • Triples: Bill Delancey, Cle, 31 • Losses (pitching): Jean Dubec, Detroit, 27 • Saves: Nelson Cruz, NYH, 6 • Complete Games: Doc White, ChC, 37 • Shutouts: Tim Belcher, Boston Beaneaters, 9 • Innings Pitched: Glenn J. Liebhardt, ChC, 381 • Strikeouts: Juan Pizarro, St.L Cardinals, 327 • Opp Avg: Anibal Sanchez, Pit, .196 • Opp SLG: Anibal Sanchez, Pit, .259 League Awards Outstanding Pitcher • AL: Frank Knauss – Chicago White Sox 27-11, 1.76, 357.2 IP, 291 K • NL: Glenn J. Liebhardt – Chicago Cubs 24-13, 1.68, 381 IP, 204 K Outstanding Hitter • AL: Joe Evans, Cleveland 1-68-.305, 20 2B, 27 3B, 26 SB • NL: Steve Yerkes, Pittsburgh 1-48-.312, 30 2B, 22 3B, 31 SB Batting Leaders AL: HR: Vlad Guerrero, Was, 10; RBI: Joey Votto, NYH, 77; Avg: Joe Evans, Cle, .305; SB Steve B Dunn, Phi, 95 NL: HR: David Justice, Pit, Larry Parrish, Pit, Rick Wilkins, Pit, 7; RBI: Larry Parrish, Pit, 74: Avg: Steve Yerkes, Pit, .312: SB: Ward Miller, Phil, 76 Pitching Leaders AL: Wins: Frank Knauss, ChW, 27; Sv: Nelson Cruz, NYH, 6; ERA: Ken Gables, Cle, 1.54; K: Frank Knauss, ChW, 291 NL: Wins: Anibal Sanchez, Pit, 25; Sv: Hipolito Pichardo, Pit, 5; ERA, Ray Collins, Pit, 1.42; K: Juan Pizarro, St.L, 327 |
MLB 1905 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1905 Season The 1904 draft leading into the 1905 season was the most promising to date, with prospects such as Johnny Bench, Stephen Strasburg, Frank Tanana, Reggie Sanders, Max Carey, Pascual Perez, Chris Chambliss, Lou Whitaaker, Carl Crawford and Willie Davis. The top 4 selections were: • #1 SP Stephen Strasburg – Detroit Tigers • #2 C Johnny Bench – New York Giants • #3 LF Max Carey – Boston Beaneaters • #4 SP Pascual Perez – Boston Americans Beginning this season, the New York Giants will be profiled. The Giants were the first-ever MLB World Champions (1901), led by MVP CF Benny Kauff. The following season they finished in third place, as Kauff began a pattern of being injured often. In 1903 and 1904, the Giants really hit bottom, finishing dead last, with their 60-94 record in 1904 being their worst. The 1904-1905 offseason began as a major rebuilding project: as the Giants: • Fired Manager Joe Brown and replaced him with Ricky Hicks • Selected Johnny Bench with the 2nd pick of the draft • In Round 2, selected SP Monte Ward • In Round 3, selected SP Gary Ryerson • All would play a huge part in the 1905 Giants team. • Traded the aging Benny Kauff (4-48-.256 in 1904) was traded for SS/2B Alexi Casilla and SS Doug Flynn. This allowed the move of Jimmy Wynn from SS to his natural position of LF and improved their infield defense tremendously. • Traded 2B Joe Sewell and SP Dennis Tankersley to the St.Louis Browns for CF Dusty Cooke. This left the Giants with an Opening Day lineup mixed with youth and veterans and a youthful but developing pitching staff: C: Johnny Bench – 18 SP: Monte Ward – 22 1B: Babe Young – 21 SP: Early Wynn – 20 2B: Felix Milan – 31 SP: Jack Neagle – 22 3B: Al E Smith – 32 SP: Gary Ryerson – 22 (SP: Ernie Shore – 25 in AAA) SS: Alexi Casilla – 28 MR: Rod Scurry – 24 LF: Jim Wynn – 20 MR: Clay Smith – 25 CF: Don Lock – 30 RF: Dusty Cooke – 29 The revitalized Giants started faster than anyone expected. By the end of May, they were 24-14, only 3 games behind the league-leading Phillies. Mote Ward was named the Rookie of the Month for May with a 6-1, 1.59 ERA in 7 starts, and stood 4th in the league in ERA at 1.68, while Gary Ryerson led the league with a 0.82 ERA. By the end of June, the Giants were 41-23, and pulled with 1 ½ games of Philadelphia. Every starting pitcher had at least 10 wins, led by Ward with 14. Ward led the league in K’s and Ryerson continued to lead the league in ERA. Spurred by their great start, the Giants engineered two deals early in July: • Obtained SP/RP George Dumont – 18 (1-1-2, 2.00) from St.LN in return for Randy Elliott, Rob Nelson and Red NonnenKamp • Obtained 3B/1B Scott Livingstone – 33 (0-14-.387 in 93 AB) from Cleveland in return for Jake Kafora and Justin Ruggiano Shortly after the Dumont trade, Ryerson went on the DL for 15 days with elbow soreness and Dumont filled his rotation slot. July saw the Giants slip back a bit, going 11-15, but their 56-40 record left them still only 4 ½ games back. In August, the defending World Champion Pirates made a run and the Giants fell into 3rd, finishing the month at 71-49, still within striking distance, 5 games behind the league-leading Pirates. The wheels finally came off in September. The Giants dropped 8 of the first 10 and fell 9 ½ games behind. Ernie Shore replaced Ryerson in the rotation. Then on 9/11, Johnny Bench fractured a finger and was lost for the remainder of the year. Bench’s first year stat line: 2-67-.254 in 481 AB, not bad for an 18-year-old! Finally, on 9/29, with 8 days remaining, SS Alexi Casilla (3-60-.279, 20 SB) tore an oblique and the Giants faded home. The Giants finished 8 ½ games back in the end, at 85-69, but all-in-all the season was a success for a team that nobody thought would contend at all, let alone through the end of August. The club’s first three draft picks showed that they have promising futures in the majors, and each of the Giants trades paid dividends. The Giants finished second in the league in 4 offensive categories, which is something to build upon. Their pitching however, faded, finishing 5th in ERA, and the defense was 5th as well, so these areas need to be improved further if the Giants are to continue to move up. As for the pennant races, the stretch runs in both leagues were tremendously exciting. The new real-time simulation feature was terrific to watch the final days unfold. In the NL, as mentioned, the defending-champion Pirates overtook the Phillies in late August. The Phillies, however, fought back and caught Pittsburgh with 2 weeks remaining. After see-sawing back and forth, the teams were again tied with 3 games remaining. By way of schedule, Philadelphia went ½ game up with a victory, then both teams lost 2 in a row, allowing Philadelphila to clinch a tie with Pittsburgh to play 1 last game. The Pirates came through on a 4-0 win over the Reds and a 1-game playoff was scheduled for Philadelphia. Neither club had their best pitchers available due to the stretch run. Pittsburgh threw Buddy Napier (18-18, 2.22), while Philadelphia countered with Nellie King (6-6, 2.25). Pittsburgh had won 14 of 22 during the season, but this day belonged to King and the Phillies. Taking an early lead on great hitting by Jack Heinzman (4-3-3, SB, scored all 3 runs), the Phillies held on for a 3-2 victory behind King (8-8-1-0-0-3) and the pen to dethrone the champs and move to the World Series for the first time). In the American League, the defending-champion Chicago White Sox were never a factor. The St. Louis Browns jumped out to an early lead and were ahead by 6 games at the Al-Star break. By the middle of August, however, the Philadelphia Athletics had overtaken the Browns by 1 game. Again the Browns fought back, and the teams were tied with 3 games remaining. Philadelphia traveled to Washington where they lost their next two games, while St. Louis defeated their rival White Sox in their next game to clinch a tie for the title. With their backs to the wall, the Phillies won their final game over the Senators, but starting 2 hours later, the Browns easily finished off the White Sox, 9-2 to win their first AL title. Five times in five years there would be new franchises in the World Series! It was anyone’s guess who would win this one. The Browns (94-60) were given a slight advantage given their home-field advantage and an extra day’s rest due to the Phillies (94-61) one-game playoff for the NL title. The Phillies had the stronger offense and the Browns the better pitching: • Game 1: St. Louis bats won the game, 5-4, for rookie SP John Skopec (22-15, 2.24), led by Harold Baines, 2-4, 2-run HR; Adolpho Phillips 4-4, RBI; Mickey Cochrane 3-3 • Game 2: St. Louis won 4-3 (12 inn). An exciting battle. Dennis Tankersley (19-6, 1.91) kept St. Louis in it for 11 solid innings. Then in the bottom of the 12th, star-of-the-game Adolpho Phillips (3-6, 2 3B, 2 R, RBI) smashed a 1-out 3B, and Hal Warnock grounded a game-winning single up the middle for the victory. • Game 3: Philadelphia 3, St. Louis 0. Nellie King (7-6-1, 2.11) who came up big in the 1-game playoff vs the Pirates does it again with an 8-hit shutout. • Game 4: St. Louis 3, Philadelphia as Skopec wins his 2nd and Phillips continues his hit hitting, going 2-5, RBI, R • Game 5: St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 0. Tankersley with a masterful 6-hit shutout for his 2nd win and the World Series victory. Harold Baines went 2-4, HR, RBI, R • Series MVP was Adolpho Phillips: 12-23-.522, 2B, 2 3B, 3 SB, 5 R, 3 RBi Two major regular-season highlights to mention: • Steve B Dunn (Phil A) set the MLB record consecutive-game hitting streak at 39 games! • Bob Horner (22) (Cin) shattered his own single-season HR record (previously 11, set at the age of 19), by clobbering 14 HRs. Other 1905 Single Season Records: • Hits: Steve B Dunn, PhilA, 223 • Total Bases: Steve B Dunn, PhilA, 278 • Singles, Steve B Dunn, PhilA, 176 • Doubles: Steve B Dunn, PhilA, 41 • Saves: Rick Steirer, BosA, 10 • Games: Rick Steirer, BosA, 58 • Strikeouts: Juan Pizarro, St.L Cardinals, 327 • Opp Avg: Anibal Sanchez, Pit, .196 • Opp SLG: Anibal Sanchez, Pit, .259 League Awards Outstanding Pitcher • AL: Jim Scott, PhilA, 25-13, 2.11, 346 IP, 191 K • NL: Ray Collins, Pit, 26-13, 1.86, 362.1 IP, 188 K, MLB record 16 consecutive wins Outstanding Hitter • AL: Cupid Childs, NY Highlanders, 3-87-.325, 197 H, .403 OBP, 107 Runs • NL: Dustin Ackley, Phil Phillies, 3-97-.309, 182 H, 24 2B, 27 3B, .353 OBP, 78 Runs Batting Leaders AL: HR: Travis Hafner, St.L, 10; RBI: Lefty Marr, St.L, 92; Avg: Steve B Dunn, PhilA, .355; SB Steve B Dunn, PhilA, 108 NL: HR: Bob Horner, Cin, 14; RBI: Dustin Ackley, PhilN, 97: Avg: Pete Browning, Cin, .342: SB: Ward Miller, PhilN, 81 Pitching Leaders AL: Wins: Jim Scott, PhilA, 25; Sv: Rick Steirer, BosA, 10; ERA: Chick Robitaille, PhilA, 1.84; K: Frank Tanana, Cle, 206 NL: Wins: Ray Collins, Pit, Monte ward, NYG, 26; Sv: Brian Shouse, PhilN, 6; ERA, Gary Ryerson, NYG, 1.73; K: Monte Ward, NYG, 239 |
2006 Season
The young New York Giants had high hopes after showing great improvement in the 2005 season. The 2005 draft class had a few top prospects at the top but fell off quickly. Among the coveted names were Mark McGwire, Charlie Pick, Pascual Perez and David Price. The top 3 selections were:
• #1 LF Charlie Pick – Boston Beaneaters • #2 1B Mark McGwire – Boston Americans • #3 SP David Price – Chicago Cubs The Giants, picking #13, selected C Mike Diaz. Other notable New York picks: Dick Green, 2B (2) and sleeper 2B Lou Whitaker (9). The Giants surprising stood pat during the off-season, only making one minor deal, sending reserve 3B Scott Livingstone to Cleveland for prospects RP Bobby Locke and CF Bill Whaley. Spring training featured several battles for positions as rookie Mike Diaz was given 1B and OF gloves and quickly entered into a 1B platoon with Claude Cooper. Erv Dusak emerged as the starter at 3B over Al Smith.. Dick Green and Lou Whitaker battled for 2B. Green appeared to emerge as the winner before an injury sent him to the DL to start the season. Cooper and Diaz challenged for OFD time when not playing 1B. On the mound, Gary Ryerson earned his way back into the starting rotation. The youthful Giants got off to a fast start, going 9-6 in April, holding a percentage points lead over the Reds in the NL. Early Wynn (now the MLB career innings pitched leader) was named NL Pitcher of the Month, going 4-0 with a 0.47 ERA. Lou Whitaker was named Rookie of the Month, finishing 1-11-.318. May was another solid month overall. Ryerson struggled and was replaced in the rotation by George Dumont, but Mote Ward emerged to win NL Pitcher of the Month, going 6-1, 0.75. The Giants ended May 22-17 overall, ½ game behind the defending champion Phillies. In June, reality began to set in. New York played .500 ball for the month, dropping to 3rd place, still only 3 ½ games back of the Phillies. The Giants slid further back in July, to 48-47, 5th place, 7 games behind the surging Cardinals. They seemed to give up on the season on 7/30 when they dealt 4th OF Jim Russell, hitting .308 to the A’s for prospect MR Rex Dawson. In the end, the Giants finished a disappointing 5th, 78-76, 16 games back, a step back from the previous year. Some individuals showed good growth however: • Johnny Bench (20) finished 5-64-.259, and threw out more than 50% base-stealers • Monte Ward finished 21-17-1.59 • Early Wynn went 22-17-1.98 • George Dumont established himself as 3rd starter, 17-14, 2.13 Overall, however, the team still needs more consistent offense and a bullpen that can hold a lead (they finished dead last in bullpen ERA). As for the pennant races, the Cincinnati Reds (94-60) got stronger as the year evolved, and eventually ran away with the NL race, winning by 11 games over the Cardinals. The Reds were led by SP Harry Salisbury. Salisbury became the first player to win the pitching Triple Crown with 28 wins, a 1.49 ERA and 257 K’s. By winning, the Reds became the first team in MLB to make a second appearance in the World Series. The AL race was much tighter. With 2 days left, the Senators held a ½ game lead on the Tigers. The Senators had 1 game to play and the Tigers had 2 remaining. The next day a Senators victory and Tigers loss sent the Senators (86-68) to their first World Series appearance. The Reds were heavy favorites in the World Series, but the teams were deadlocked after 6 games. The finale was played in Cincinnati with “triple-crown” Harry Salisbury, already 2-0 in the series on the mound for Cincinnati. However, on this day, John Fulgham of Washington shut down the Reds and Washington won 2-0 to take the World Championship, denying Salisbury his perfect season. Of Note: • Rookie David Price(ChC) pitched a no-hitter vs St.L 9/1, with 4 K’s and 6 BB’s • Harry Salisbury (Cin) won the pitching “triple crown” at 28-9, 1.49, 257 K’s |
Go Boston Americans. Can you do something on them?
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Boston Americans
Sure, I will do something on Boston Americans. I have been away from site for awhile, so i apologize for delay in response to you. I am about to post 1907 league write-up (featuring Giants) now.
I will go back and put something together for you and post it in these threads. |
MLB 1907 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1907 Season The 2006 draft class had some interesting players: • #1 - Chicago Cubs: SP Mordecai Brown • #2 – Boston Doves: SP Preacher Roe • #7 – New York Highlanders: 1B Mike Hargove • #9 – New York Giants: RF Glenallen Hill • #11 – Pittsburgh Pirates: CF Vada Pinson (18) • #12 – Brooklyn Superbas: 1B Nap Lajoie Once again, the Giants were surprisingly passive during the off-season, only sending 34-year-old 3B Al Smith to the Cubs for MR Milt Jordan and CF Art Gardner, neither of which figured in their immediate plans. Overall, it was a quiet off-season. The Phillies made the most noise, upgrading at 2 positions with SP Chuck Robitaille and RF Augie Bergamo for retiring C.-M. Wang and Ron Gant respectively. In an effort to upgrade the team’s power, speed and defense, the Giant’s Opening Day lineups included changes from the previous year, with Mike Diaz at 1B, speed Claude Cooper in RF and slick Lou Whitaker at 2B. On the mound, young George Dumont looked good in Spring Training and earned the 4th slot in the rotation. This New York team showed more power, but seemed to be missing something. They got out of the blocks slowly at 5-11 and continued to play around .500 ball after that until the end of July, where they sat at 45-53, in 6th place. From August 1 until the end of the season, they showed a bit of a turnaround, going 33-23 to finish at 78-76 (still in 6th place) with an identical record to the previous year. There were some bright spots along the way: • In April, Early Wynn earned his 100th win (3rd on the career list) • Lou Whitaker was Batter of the Month for May • Johnny Bench was Batter of the Month for July • Monte Ward was Pitcher of the Month for August • The Giants led the NL in home runs with 24, led by Don Lock with 6 Overall, however, it was a club fraught with inconsistent performance. On October 15th, owner Dave Ross sold the Giants to Enrico Salcido, whose reputation is tolerance and financial charitability. Shortly thereafter, on November 1, the Giants traded prospects Joe Cicero, Gordon Massa and Art Gardner to the Boston Doves to obtain lefty Joe Nuxhall, 26, expected by most to be a strong addition to the shaky bullpen or even close. As for the pennant races, the defending champion Cincinnati Reds (94-60) led the NL from the beginning. Then in early August, the Phillies went on a 9-1 spurt to take the lead. The race stayed close, but the Phillies won by 4 games. The AL was another story. The St. Louis Browns led for the first half of the season. The A’s then caught them in early July. The two clubs jockeyed for the lead the rest of the way until the Browns finally took the pennant with an A’s loss on the next to last day of the season. The World Series was a repeat match of the 1905 series, won by the Browns in 5 games. The Phillies ((90-64) were a well-balanced club, slightly stronger in offense (they led the NL in runs scored) with batting champ Jack Heinzman (.295), Dustin Ackley (72 RBI) and Bryce Harper (6 HR). On the mound, Oyster Burns led the league in wins (27), albeit his ERA was not dominant (2.33). The Browns were led by MLB’s first 30-game winner, Rick Reed (31-6, 1.19) and 2 other starters with ERAs under 2.00. The offense was led by Ken Boswell 2-80-.304-12) and Ray Chapman (2-72-.276-62), with occasional power, 4 HRs each, from Harold Baines and Don Mincher. The first 2 games were split. The Phillies took Game 1, 6-3, on a solid performance from Jesse Litsch and bit hits from Bryce Harper, 2-5 2B, 2 RBI, R. Game 2 belonged to Rick Reed, Browns 6, Phillies 1, with Reggie Sanders 3-5, 2B, RBI, R, and Mincher providing key hits. In the third game, the Browns inexplicably fell apart. They committed 7 errors, for 6 unearned runs. The score: Phillies 6, Browns 1. Oyster Burns was the winner. Game 3 seemed to be a momentum change, as in Game 4 Litsch sailed through the Browns lineup on the way to a 2-1 victory, aided by Heinzman’s 3-4 day. Game 5 was almost a repeat of Game 3 as 2 1st inning errors by the Browns led to 7 runs, 6 unearned, and an easy 8-3 victory for the Phillies. The Phillies win 4 games to 1 for their first MLB title. MVP was Jesse Litsch, 2-0, 1.50. Highlights and Awards • MLB single season records: o Rick Reed, St.L A, 31 wins o John Fulgham, Was, 1.16 ERA o David Price, Chi Cubs, 28 losses • Avg: AL: Mike Hargrove, NYA, .341; NL: Jack Heinzman, Phi, .295 • HR: AL: Scott Rolen, Det, 7; NL: Benny Kauff, Chi, 7 • RBI: AL: Mike Hargrove, NYA,82; NL: Nap Lajoie, Bro, 73 • SB: AL: Steve B Dunn, Phil A, 96; NL: Otis Clymer, Bos, 77 • Wins: AL: Rick Reed, StL, 31; NL: Oyster Burns, Phil, 27 • Sv: AL: Sergio Romo, Phil, 9; NL: Scott Stewart, Bro, 8 • ERA: AL: John Fulgham, Was, 1.16; NL: Ray Collins, Pit, 1.42 • K’s: AL: Frank Tanana, Cle, 233; NL: Rip Egan, Bor, 204 Rookie of the Year: • AL: Wally Hebert, 23, Phil, 26-10, 1.96 • NL: Preacher Roe, 21, Bos, 15-19, 1.98 Best Pitcher: • AL: Rick Reed, StL, 31-6, 1.19 • NL: Harry Salisbury, Cin, 25-13, 1.91 (2nd consecutive year) Best Hitter: • AL: Mike Hargrove, NYA, 2-82-.341, 207 H, 24 2B, 8 3B, 63 R • NL: Dustin Ackley, Phil, 3-72-.272, 155 H, 13 2B, 25 3B, 75 R |
Boston Americans Profile
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
Boston Americans The Boston Americans were one of the early success stories in MLB. In their first season, management was determined to excite the fans with a lively brand of baseball. It began with the offseason acquisition of LF Lou Brock from Detroit (in return for Ed Charles). stole Led by batting champion Brock, 32, .365/.397/.453, 47 SB, and 2B Quilvio Veras , 24, 48 SB, the Americans pilfered 247 based in 140 games. Still, with all that speed, they were only 5th in runs scored and finished with a 71-69 record, tied for 4th with Cleveland, 14 ½ games behind Baltimore. More changes were in order. In the 1901 draft, the Americans selected IF/OF John Hummel, 19, in Round 1, SP Fred Gladding, 22, in Round 2, and SP Rick Steirer, 23, in Round 4. All were to play major roles in 1902, which was to be the American’s big year. Returnees C Mike Stanley, 2B Quilvio Veras, CF Cy Williams and RF Harry Hooper retained their starting roles. Pat Collins earned a platoon share of 1B with Pop Dillon. Dave Cash, 23, took the 3B job from Ron Gant. and Tommy Sheehan, 20, took SS from Royce Clayton. The biggest surprise, however, was when rookie Hummel and Ron Gant (moved from 3B) shared LF over defending batting champion Brock. The starting pitching was nearly completely overhauled., with Bill VanLandingham the only returning starter. He was complemented by rookies Gladding and Steirer. On July 5, the Americans, still struggling with pitching, traded Ron Gant, hitting .353 with 3 HRs and 11 SBs, to the Phillies in return for Ryan Drese and Alfredo Martinez, inserting both into the rotation, and promoting Hummel to full-time LF. All the juggling did the trick. The Americans went on a tear to win the American League pennant by 3 games at 82-58. The Americans easily had the most attendance in the league and made the most profit. The Americans played as a team. Americans were noticeably absent from the offensive leaderboards. However, Rookies Sheehan and Hummel hit .313 and .304 respectively. Four players stole over 30 bases, led by Sheehan with 44. Cash hit .299 and played solid defense at 3B. Stanley hit 6 HRs from the catcher’s spot. Gladding and Steirer stood out among the staff. G;adding was 2nd in the league in ERA at 1.86 and went 18-8. Steirer went 19-7, 2.03, for the league’s best winning percentage. The rest of the staff went 45-43 combined. The Reds were heavily favored in the World Series, with Friend and Garvin (#s 1&2 in the NL in ERA) expected to start up to 5 games if necessary. True to their billing, the dual aces won the first two games for the Reds at home, 6-1, and 7-3. At home in Boston, their rookie starter, Fred Gladding, returned the favor, 5-1 Americans. Game 4 was a shock. Boston got to Friend early with 5 runs in the first 3 innings for a 9-1 victory to tie the series. Then in Game 5, mid-season acquisition Alfredo Martinez outpitched Garvin in a 4-3 Boston win. In Game 6, Gladding sewed up the MVP award, going 8.2 innings and getting the key hit, a 2-out, 2-run triple in the top of the 8th to put the Americans up for good, as Boston won the game 7-5 and the series 4 games to 2. The Americans were World Champions! The bottom fell out on the Americans the next three seasons as they went 59-81, 70-84, and 56-98 respectively, never finishing higher than 7th place nor less than 20 games out. While it appeared that some of the position players had career years in 1902, the biggest reason for the drop-off was the collapse of the pitching staff. In 1903 and 1905, the Americans had the worst ERA in the AL, at 3.82 (league avg 3.04) and 3.38 (league avg 2.56) respectively, and in 1904 they were 7th in that category. Fred Gladding, the staff ace in 1902, went 7-16, 3.83 in 1903, and 3-3, 4.37 in 1904 before being traded in May with Steve Dignan for 1B Greg Walker. Amid all the hubbub, Lou Brock quietly retired at the end of the 1904 season with 52 SB and a .360 life-time avg in 470 AB. By the end of the 1905 season, it was clear that sweeping changes were in order. With the 2nd pick in the 1905draft, the Americans were delighted when the Boston Beaneaters went with LF Charlie Pick at #1, and the Americans quickly snatched up 1B Mark McGwire, 21. With pick 1-5 they selected SP Al Downing, 18. Pick 2-3 went for SP Brad Halsey, 21. Pick 4-2 was Ed Eiteljorge, 22. On 11/2/05, they traded MR Willie E Smith and C Jim Byrnes to the Cubs for C Cam Carreon, 30. On the same day, the Americans dealt MR Red Anderson and 2B Charlie Sweasy to Cincinnati in return for RF Roy Cullenbine, 32. All 3 players would find themselves in the 1906 Opening Day lineup. Hummel was still at 2B. Eduardo Nunez took over at 3B and Phil Lewis was at SS. The OF left-to-right was 1903 rookie sensation Tim Hendryx, 1904 2nd Round pick Willie Davis and Roy Cullenbine. Rookies Downing, Halsey and Eiteljorge all made the starting staff along with converted reliever Bill Atkinson, for a complete revamp of the rotation from the previous season. Converted Rick Steirer would anchor the pen. The changes paid off as the Americans climbed to respectability at 75-79, 6th place, 11 games back. The biggest improvement was in the pitching, which came in at a league average 2.36 ERA. Downing (18) went 20-15, 1.88; Halsey 19-18, 2.65; Eiteljorge 17-22, 1.97. McGwire led the league in HRs (9) was 2nd in BBs and 1st in IWs (28). Tim Hendryx was 2nd in the league in hitting, finishing 1-47-.311-24. Willie Davis tied McGwire for the team lead with 61 RBIs and stole 43 bases. Otherwise the offense was anemic. The club only hit 16 HRs in total and averaged 3.5 runs/game. But youth and, therefore, hope prevailed. All the aforementioned players were 22 years of age or younger. On to 1907. The off-season draft saw them pick up OF Mike Tiernan, 18, in Round 1 and MR Jose Valverde, 23, in Round 4. Tiernan won the RF in spring training. Chris Sabo, who had an off year in 2006, regained the 3B spot, forcing Nunez into a SS platoon with Phil Lewis. Otherwise, for the first time in several years , the lineup remained stable. On the pitching side two changes of note. Fred Toliver, who came from Cleveland in an off-season deal, made the rotation, and Jose Valverde was installed as the closer. The result was more consistency, but not much change in the standings as the Americans finished 77-77, up to 4th place, 16 games back of the Browns. Holding them back was still the offense, at 3.5 runs/game. This year only 13 HRs left the yard, and no player, even McGwire, hit more than 3. The pitching continued to improve. Eiteljorge finished 25-11, 2.50 and Downing was 18-16, 2.65. Valverde did his job with a 1.76 ERA. In summary, as the Americans prepare for 2008, they have the advantage of youth and of recent, albeit slow improvement. They hold one world title, which is more than the majority of clubs can claim. Their seven-year record, however, is 490-546, with a history of instability. Only 1 player, John Hummel, has held a starting spot for 6 seasons, and only 1 more, Tim Hendryx, for 5 seasons. They desperately need to improve their offense to take the next step forward. Possibly part of the answer is in the recent draft with first-rounder OF George Burns, 20, and third-rounder 1B/OF Billy Goodman, 19. 1908 is an historic year for the club as they are renamed the Boston Red Sox. Hope springs eternal. |
Boston Doves (previously Beaneaters) Profile
Boston Doves
The Boston Doves (known as the Beaneaters through the 1906 season) have struggled in their first 7 years in MLB. Witness: • 441-595, .426% overall record • Never finished better than 6th • Never finished less than 20 games out of 1st place • Never cracked 70 victories until 1907, when they went 70-84 and still finished 7th Nonetheless, the Doves can fly. In 1907, they stole a league-record 441 bases, nearly 3 SBs per game, and touted the top 4 base-stealers in the NL. With all that, however, they still finished only 4th in the NL in Runs Scored. The Doves problem is three-fold: • Defense • Starting Pitching • Power They finished last in the NL in each category. However, before we address the 1908 addition of the club, let’s take a brief look back at some of its history. Most of the successful players on the club have come from the draft’s first 2 rounds: • 1901: SS Roxey Roach, SP Joe Kennedy • 1902: SP Tim Belcher • 1903: OF Otis Clymer • 1904: CF Max Carey, LF Gus Williams (sup 1), LF Carl Crawford • 1905: 3B Charlie Pick (overall #1) • 1906: SP Preacher Roe, SP Joe Haynes, SP Todd Stottlemyre Exceptions are OF Johnny Bates, who is an original member of the club, holding several career and single season offensive records, and 1B Dolph Camilli, who came over from the Cardinals in November of 1906 in return for reliever John Gillespie and C Harry O’Neill. Camilli is, notably, the only source of power on an otherwise anemic team. Other than for its stolen base prowess, the Doves never make the offensive leader boards. In stolen bases they are dominant every season. In 1907, they held the top 4 spots: Otis Clymer, 77, Gus Williams, 74, Max Carey, 71, Charlie Pick 64. Substitute OF Carl Crawford even had 29 SBs. The Doves had had some bright spots in starting pitching, but they have been peaks and valleys, with never any depth on the staff. Joe Kennedy, for example, went 26-9 in his rookie season of 1902, with the league’s best winning percentage, and started for 5 seasons, with an overall 86-84 record, the teams most career wins and best winning percentage. Tim Belcher has also been at it for 5 seasons, from 1903-07, surpassing Kennedy in IP, K’s, complete games and shutouts, but he holds a career 84-101, 2.36 record. He also had a great season, in 1904, going 23-16, 1.59, but has faded since. The new breed of Roe, Haynes and Stottlemyre is showing promise, and with 1907 draft Round 1 pick Bob Turley, there is hope for more improvement. On the position player side, CF Johnny Bates (7 yr, lifetime .270/.339/.376, 296 SB) and SS Roxey Roach (6 yr, lifetime .254/.297/.331, 270 SB) have had the longest runs. Roach is still expected to start while Bates will battle Max Carey (.275/.325/.352), Jim Chatterton and Carl Crawford for playing time. The current team leaders are (2007 stats) 1B Dolph Camilli, 6-66-.248 and RF Gus Williams, 2-64-.291, 74 SB. Catcher is wide open. Light-hitting Babe Pinelli (.206) returns at 2B, but there is talk of switching Otis Clymer (0-45-.284, 77 SB) to 2B to make room for one of the other bats in the OF. Charlie Pick (1-98-.277, 123 SB over his first 2 seasons is a promising fixture at 3B. The big worries, of course, are still the lack of power and poor defense, not addressed by the last draft or the current crew. It remains to see whether the young pitching staff takes care of itself through development. The fan loyalty is poor and fan interest is down, so, while the club has still been making sizable profits, their time may be running out. |
1908 Season
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1908 Season The 2007-08 draft class included: • #1 - Cleveland Naps: RF Mickey Mantle (18) • #3 – Boston Doves: SP Bob Turley • #5 – Chicago White Sox: SS Chipper Jones (20) • #7 – Boston Red Sox: LF George J Burns • #8 – New York Giants: RF Joe Lahoud • Rnd 2 #12 – Brooklyn Superbas: SP Johnny Cueto As the 1908 season began, the New York Giants, underachievers for years, shot out to the lead in the NL with a 9-2 start. The Philadelphia A’s , 2nd in the AL in 2007, were even better, going 12-0 to start the year. The Giants, however, lost RF Don Lock on 5/15 for 3 months, then 3 days later lost his replacement Joe Lahoud for 5-6 weeks and they started to revert to their old form quickly. In the AL, the A’s also cooled but held their lead well into May on the strength of their early blitz On May 31, Danny Friend, 27, of the Reds suffered a career-ending injury. Friend, while struggling this season, was 87-59, 2.14 lifetime and won both the NL Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards in 1902 in leading the Reds to the World Series. By June 1 there were tight races in both leagues. Washington, led by Edd Roush and Vlad Guerrero, took a slim lead in the AL on the strength of an 8-game winning streak. They were trailed closely by the Tigers, A’s and defending champion Browns. In the NL, the Cardinals and Pirates shared the top spot, followed closely by the Reds and Superbas. Four different clubs held the AL lead in June before the Browns, behind Mickey Cochrane and Steve Hargan asserted themselves and led from July through mid-September, when they were caught by spurts from the A’s and Senators. Finally it came down to Washington and St. Louis. The Senators took the lead with 10 days to go, but didn’t finally clinch until the 153rd . Back in the NL, it became a race to the finish between Cincinnati, led by Pete Browning and Harry Salisbury (1.37 ERA) and Pittsburgh, led by the pitching triumvirate of Anibal Sanchez, Kelly Downs and Ray Collins, who had the worst ERA of 2.02. Cincinnati was 1 up with 1 to play, and won their final game to move on to the World Series. The World Series was a repeat match of the 1906 series, won by the Senators in 7 games. This would be the Reds 3rd Series appearance, the most by any team in either league (having also lost in 1902). The Senators, playing at home, quickly jumped out to a 2-0 series lead. They won Game 1, 6-1 on a pitching rematch of the 1906 Series finale (won by Fulgham of the Senators). Again Fulgham bested MLB ERA leader Harry Salisbury, allowing only 1 unearned run for the victory. Game 2 was 5-4 (10 innings) in favor of Washington. The winning run scored when Reds pitcher Patterson muffed a 2-out bases-loaded grounder. Mordecai (Three Finger) Brown went all 10 innings for the win. Cincinnati turned the tables quickly at their place. The Reds took Game 3, 7-1. Game 4 went to Cincinnati, 2-1, as Salisbury finally bested Fulgham behind a walk-off RBI 2B by Grady Sizemore. After falling behind 3-0 in Game 5, the Reds scored 5 in the 3rd and 2 in the 4th, walking away with an easy 9-4 victory and a 3 game to 2 lead going back to Washington. But this is where it fell apart in the Reds in 1906, up 3-2 going back to Washington. Would it happen again? Not this time. Aided by shocking defensive play by the usually reliable star Edd Roush of the Senators, who dropped 2 fly balls with runners in scoring position, the reds bested the Senators 5-2 to win 4 games to 2. The Reds had their first World Series title. Pete Browning was the series MVP: 12-23-.522, 4 2B, 8 RBIs, 5 R, SB Highlights and Awards • MLB single season records: o Sergio Romo, Phil A’s, 19 Svs o Lucas Harrell, NY Highlanders, 70 games pitched o Jose Rosado, Phil Phillies, 41 games started o Juan Pizarro, St.L Cards, 37 complete games • Avg: AL: Mike Tiernan, Bos, .305; NL: Nap Lajoie, Bro, .304 • HR: AL: Joey Votto, NYA, 10; NL: Bobby Morgan, Pit, 8 • RBI: AL: Rico Petrocelli, Det, 85; NL: Nap Lajoie, Bro, 71 • SB: AL: George Burns, Bos, 69; NL: Otis Clymer, Bos, 106 (new NL record) • Wins: AL: Steve Hargan, SLA, 25; NL: Kelly Downs, Pit, Harry Salisbury, Cin, 25 • Sv: AL: Sergio Romo, Phil, 19; NL: Neftali Feliz, Pit, 11 • ERA: AL: Bill C Lee, CHA, 1.44; NL: Harry Salisbury, Cin, 1.37 • K’s: AL: Al Downing, Bos, 215; NL: Rip Egan, Bro, 265 Rookie of the Year: • AL: Denny Galehouse, 22, St.L., 19-8, 1.61 • NL: Kelly Downs, 25, Pit, 25-13, 1.70 Best Pitcher: • AL: Steve Hargan, 23, St.L., 25-12, 1.71 • NL: Harry Salisbury, Cin, 25-14, 1.37 (3rd consecutive year) Best Hitter: • AL: Joey Votto, 35, NY, 10-70-.284, 155 H, 27 2B, 2 3B, .355 OBP • NL: Nap Lajoie, 22, Bro, 2-71-.304-36, 185 H, 22 2B, 18 3B, .325 OBP |
Boston Americans 1908 Update
1908 Update:
The Red Sox made a sizeable leap forward in 1908 to a record of 82-72, good for 5th place, 9 games back. They were led by: • Mike Tiernan, 20, RF, 1906 first-round pick who led the AL in Avg: .305, OBP: .405, and OPS: .793 and was 3rd in RBIs: 74 and SBs: 61 • Al Downing, 21, who led the AL in K’s: 215, and tied for 2nd in wins: 23, going 23-12, 2.02 • George Burns, 20, LF, who led the AL in SB’s with 69 Mark McGwire was also a bit of a disappointment, with 5 HRs and a .221 avg Overall, they were 1st in the AL in runs scored, batting average OBP and SBs, so they improved their offense as needed. However, they were still slowed by their 6th place spot in both runs allowed and defense. Improvements in those areas, along with much needed power are the steps needed to close the gaps with the leaders. They have youth on their side to sustain the improvements made to date. |
Boston Dove 1908 Update
1908 Update
The Doves made a significant advance in 2008, going 81-73, finishing 4th, 6 GB. They were 1st in the NL in runs scored, batting average and stolen bases. However they were 5th in runs allowed, and hampered by their bullpen, which was 7th in ERA at 2.74. Their starting staff ERA was 2.42, good for 5th place. The Doves were led by: • Otis Clymer, 32, RF who led the NL in SBs: 106 (new NL record), was 2nd in hits: 171 and runs: 82 • Charlie Pick, 27, 3B who tied for 2nd in the NL in RBIs: 70, was 3rd in hits: 166, tied for 4th in runs: 71 and 5th in SBs: 62 • Gus Williams and Max Carey who finished 3rd and 4th respectively in the NL in SBs with 77 & 68 • Preacher Roe, 22, who tied for 1st in the NL in shutouts: 7, and went 21-13, 2.15 • Rookie Bob Turley, 20, who came through at 20-18, 2.06 The OF evolved into a solid combo of Carey in LF, Bates in CF and Williams in RF. The team struggled at the SS position. Ray Blades, brought over in an off-season trade, initially helped but never recovered from nagging injuries and veteran Roxey Roach hit .175 for the year. Overall, though, there are less holes to fill and a solid base going forward if they can add a bit of power, shore up the pitching staff and get more consistent play at shortstop. |
MLB 1909 Season
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1908 Season The 2007-08 draft class included: • #1 – Chicago Cubs: LF Sherry Magee • #2 - Cleveland Naps: RF Mickey Mantle (19) • #3 – Cleveland Naps: SP George Zettlein • #4 – New York Highlanders: SP Josh Johnson Otherwise, this season’s draft was very light in talent. As the season began, Cleveland had the #1 & #2 rated prospects in Mickey Mantle and George Zettlein.. Both pennant races were very tight in the 1909 season. In the AL, five different clubs, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and defending champion Washington held the lead at various time during the season. The race was decided on the very last day as New York’s victory gave them a 1-game margin over Detroit, St. Louis and Washington, and sent them to their first World Series since they moved to New York from Baltimore. In the NL, the New York Giants started fast and led the league through the end of June with a 37-29 mark. They faded fast however, finishing with a 74-80 mark, resulting in the firing of their GM. The defending champion Reds stayed in the race through July, but also faded. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were in the hunt throughout. The Brooklyn Superbas, however, were the big surprise. Standing only 18-24 at the end of May and only at .500 by the end of June, the Superbas made a huge late-season push, clinching their first pennant with 2 games remaining, finishing at 88-66, (54-33 in their final 77 games). The World Series was an exciting one. The New York Highlanders won the series, 4 game to 3, by taking the finale 1-0 behind the shut-out pitching of rookie Josh Johnson, who was named the series MVP. It was Johnson’s 2nd series victory. Highlights and Awards • MLB single season records: o Preacher Roe, Boston Doves, 38 complete games o Stephen Strasburg, Detroit, Opp Slugging Avg, .252 o Vada Pinson, Pittsburgh, 650 ABs • No-hitter: Kelly Downs, Pittsburgh, 7/9/09, @ NYG, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K • Avg: AL: Al Dark, Cle, .322; NL: Oyster Burns, Phi, .313 • HR: AL: Rico Petrocelli, Det, 10; NL: Johnny Bench, NYG, 8 • RBI: AL: Frank Thomas, ChW, 88; NL: Kevin Millar, Bro, 73 • SB: AL: Dutch Zwilling, ChW, 74; NL: Max Carey, Bos, 104 • Wins: AL: Doc White, PhiA, 27; NL: Preacher Roe, Bos, 25 • Sv: AL: Jamie Vermilyea, Was, Jose Valverde, ChW, 11; NL: Phil Hughes, Bro, 9 • ERA: AL: Stephen Strasburg, Det, 1.25; NL: Vic Aldridge, Cin, 1.54 • K’s: AL: George Zettlein, Cle, 247; NL: Rip Egan, Bro, 241 Rookie of the Year: • AL: George Zettlein, 26, Cle, 20-18, 1.88, 247 K (league leader) • NL: Lou Fiene, 21, Phil, 19-11, 2.25, 105 K Best Pitcher: • AL: Stephen Strasburg, Det, 22-13, 1.25 • NL: Preacher Roe, BosN, 25-16, 2.31, 38 CG Best Hitter: • AL: Joey Votto, NY, 5-60-.319-6 • NL: Oyster Burns, phil, 1-54-.313-38 |
Chicago White Sox 1909 Update
1909 Update
The White Sox showed very little improvement over the previous season, finishing 72-80. 6th, 14 GB. Their offense did improve, scoring 470 runs (vs 377 the year before) thanks largely to Frank Thomas, who led the AL in RBI’s with 88. However, that was still the 2nd worst offense in the AL. After Thomas, Dutch Zwilling (MLB’s highest salaried player @ $3660), led the league in SBs with 74, but hit only .216 with 5 HRs and 49 RBIs. Not a single starting position player hit as much as .250. The pitching however, was outstanding. The starting staff had a league-leading 2.08 ERA and the bullpen also led the league @ 1.44. Frank Knauss (16-18, 2.39) lead in wins, Bill Lee (15-23, 2.00) lead in ERA, and Chan Ho Park, who was called up part way through the season, had a remarkable 13-5, 1.55 record. Jose Valverde (8-3, 0.74) with 11 saves was nearly unhittable out of the bullpen. The White Sox still have a long way to go to have a competitive offense. They must count on development of youngsters like Chipper Jones, even more outstanding performances from Thomas, and possibly dealing some of their pitching for offensive help. |
Brooklyn Superbas 1909 Update
1909 Update
The Superbas had a breakthrough season in 1909. They finished at 88-66, winning their first NL Championship, and taking the Highlanders to 7 games before losing in the World Series. The biggest difference over the course of the entire season for the Superbas over past years was their pitching. The Superbas led the NL in starting pitching ERA (1.99) and bullpen ERA (1.67), leading to a league- leading 464 Runs-Against. Their Big Three were: • Rip Egan: 18-10, 1.57, league-leading 241 Ks • Jim Conway: 19-13, 1.57 • Aaron Harang: 19-12, 2.44 Other major contributors were: • Phil Hughes: 9-12, 1.41, 9 saves in 53 games • Matt Clement: 8-1, 1.95, 4 saves in 16 games (7 starts) Even with their pitching, however, Brooklyn probably would not have won the NL had it not been for two timely midseason trades. As of the end of May, the Superbas stood 18-24, in 7th place, 6 ½ games off the pace. Then they looked for deals to shore up weaknesses: • On 6/16, they obtained C John Stearns for 4 minor leaguers • By the end of June, Brooklyn stood 34-33, tied for 4th, 3 ½ games behind • On 7/6, they obtained SS/3B Eduardo Nunez for Grant Balfour • Both Stearns and Nunez played starting roles for the remainder of the year. • On 7/20, Brooklyn moved into 1st place for the first time, at 46-39 • They were never passed again, although they won the NL by a mere 2 games. While pitchers were the club’s stars this season, several offensive players had key roles: • 2B Nap Lajoie: 3-60-.277, 46 SB, was a 5-tool threat • 1B/OF Kevin Millar: 4-73-.250, led the NL in RBIs • C John Stearns: 0-30-.264-12 after coming to Brooklyn, improved the C position both defensively and offensively |
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB) Chicago Cubs
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
Chicago Cubs The hapless Chicago Cubs hold a 545-799-.406 record over the league’s first 9 seasons, easily the worst record in MLB The Cubs only once finished over .500, at 78-76, in 1904. They are currently on a streak of 4 straight last place finishes with little hope of immediate improvement in sight. The Cubs are largely placing their future hopes in developing a strong starting pitching staff. They drafted Dick McBride, 22, with the 1st overall pick in the 1909 draft. He joins David Price, 25, Craig Swan, 26, and Adonis Terry, 22, in the Cubs rotation. Under development is Johnny Cueto, 22, (1907 R#2). The Cubs have no real offensive weapons. 1B Bob Horner, 27, is a possibility with his lifetime 43 HRs, but he has faded badly with only 1 HR in each of the last two seasons. They have high hopes for OF Sherry Magee (1909 R1 pick #2), but he is more of a speed player than an RBI guy. The Cubs two offseason trades were both signs of aiming for the long-term rather than the near-term: They dealt RF Lon Knight, 31, career 3-251-.270 to the Boston Doves in return for 2 young catchers, Art Weaver, 22, and Gordon Massa, 23. They dealt SP Dixie Leverett, 28, career 19-30-2.62 to Cleveland in return for 5 youngsters, each of which is a flyer to have a big-league career. The Cubs finished last in the NL in both runs scored and runs allowed, with an astounding run differential of -1.2 runs per game. There is little reason to believe that there will be an improvement from their last place finish in the immediate future. |
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB) Cleveland Naps
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
Cleveland Naps The Cleveland Naps have been the weakest franchise in the AL, with a 613-731-.456 record over the league’s first 9 seasons. They have finished in last place in each of the last 4 seasons. However, this has allowed them to collect several big draft picks over the last few seasons. Combined with a few off-season trades, they look poised to start making their move upward in 1909. The Naps 2010 lineup is expected to be (career #s): C: Mike Maksudian 7-46-.237 1B: Tony Solaita (1909 R#1) 2B: Art Phelan (1908 R#2) 1-31-.226-66 SB SS: Alvin Dark (1908 R#@) 2-47-.322-18 (led league in avg.) 3B: Jim Tabor 5-63-.206-35 LF: Mike Shannon (1906 R#3) 5-50-.263 CF: Mickey Mantle (1908 R#1) 1-46-.257-18 RF: Kiki Cuyler (1906 R#2) 6-113-.264-96 SP: George Zettlein (1908 R#1) 20-18-1.88 (1909 Rookie of the Year) SP: Pascual Perez (1905 R#10) 51-76-2.38 SP: Dixie Leverett (Cubs, 1907 R#2, obtained trade 12/09) 19-30-2.62 SP: Luis Aquino (1905 R#3) 18-31-2.62 CL: Jose Valverde (obtained trade 11/09) 12-12-19-1.74 The Naps off-season acquisitions concentrated on pitching. They acquired SP Dixie Leverett, 28, from the Cubs in return for OF/1B Bobby Tolan, 33. Closer Jose Valverde, 26, also came over from the Cubs in return for a package of 5 prospects. Setup man George Cunningham,27, career 53-54-15-2.84, was obtained from the Cardinals in return for RF Tony Torcato, 23, and RF Hank Eibel, 24. On the position player side, the Naps acquired backup IF Alexi Casilla, 33, from the Athletics in return for RP Jack McAdams, 25, and 2B Al Cuccinello, 19. Altogether with expected improvements from youngsters like Mantle, Dark and Zettlein, Solaita’s bat and the additions to the pitching staff, the Naps hope to make big strides from their last place finish in runs scored and 6th place finish in runs allowed. Finishing at .500 would give the club a big boost toward the future. |
MLB Season 10 Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1910 Season The 1909 draft class included: • #1 – Chicago Cubs: SP Dick McBride • #2 – Chicago Cubs: LF Sherry Magee • #3 - Cleveland Naps: 1B Tony Solaita • #7 – Chicago White Sox: SP Kerry Wood • #9 – New York Giants: C Chief Meyers • #11 – Philadelphia Athletics: 3BDavid Wright • #15 – Philadelphia Athletics: 3B Brett Lawrie During the off-season, the Cleveland Indians looked to be one of the most improved clubs, obtaining SP Dixie Leverett, closer Jose Valverde, RP George Cunningham, and utility IFs Chris Sabo and Alexi Casilla in various deals, losing only RP Ramon Hernandez and a bunch of prospects in the process. When the finished 15-9 in the exhibition season, tops in the AL, there was excitement in Cleveland. Likewise, the Philadelphia Athletics looked much-improved. On the flip side, The Chicago Cubs in the NL and Washington Senators in the AL undertook massive rebuilding programs. Cleveland’s hopes were damaged early by injuries to starting position players. On 4/14, RF Kiki Cuyler went down for 2 weeks. On 4/20, 2B Art Phelan went out for 38 days. On 4/21, 1B Tony Solaita was lost for 25 days. By the time they all were healthy at the beginning of June, Cleveland stood at 16-27, in 7th place, 11 ½ games behind the 1st place White Sox. The White Sox led the AL for most of the season except for a period of 3 weeks in late June and July when the A’s pulled ahead, and found themselves with a 4 ½ game lead on September 5. Then in the next 3 weeks, the A’s went 14-4 while the Pale Hose went 9-10, and the A’s pulled ahead. The A’s clinched the title with 2 games remaining, their first since 1903. The NL was more of a donnybrook. The first 1/3 of the season belonged to the Cincinnati Reds, who finished May 27-17, 1 ½ games ahead of Brooklyn. But a maturing Johnny Bench of the NY Giants, relocated to RF, was menacing the league, leading in HR (4), RBI (26), and 2nd in avg (.338). The second 1/3 of the year belonged to Brooklyn, who finished July at 56-40, 1 ½ games ahead of the surging Pirates. By September, however, both Cincinnati and Brooklyn had faded. The Giants now led at 71-51, 4 games up on the Cardinals. By 10/1 the Giants were still up by four, but this time it was the Phillies turn to enter the chase in 2nd place. Finally, with 4 games to play the Giants clinched the NL title, their first since 1901. The Athletics (94-60) were the Series favorites over the Giants (90-64) based on their much stronger offense and somewhat deeper starting pitching. They did not disappoint, taking the first two games at home 6-4 and 3-2 behind Doc White and Gary Ryerson, who entered when starter Aaron Harang was injured. As the action moved to New York, the A’s had AL ERA leader Rollie Naylor to start. Naylor pitched a 5-0 shutout for an A’s 3 game lead. The Giants salvaged Game 4 behind league victory and ERA leader Monte Ward, 6-1. However, Jim Scott, subbing for the ailing Harang, allowed only 4 hits and 3 unearned runs in Game 5 as the A’s won 6-3 for a decisive 4 games to 1 World Series victory, their first in MLB. Scott and Naylor were voted co-MVPs. Season Highlights and Awards • 5/26: Joey Votto, 36, New York Highlanders, hits 55th career HR, breaking record previously set by Harold Baines • 9/21: Harry Salisbury, Cin, wins 20 games for 7th consecutive season (each yr he has been in league) • Avg: AL: Cleon Jones, Phi, .337; NL: Shin-Soo Choo, StL, .311 • HR: AL: Don Mincher, StL, 10; NL: Johnny Bench, NYG, 13 • RBI: AL: Cleon Jones, Phi, 97; NL: Brandon Belt, Pit, 81 • SB: AL: George Burns, Bos, 96; NL: Hans Lobert, StL, 97 • Wins: AL: Bill Lee, ChW, 27; NL: Monte Ward, NYG, 27 • Sv: AL: Bill Henry, StL, Kameron Loe, Bos, 8; NL: Armando Benitez, Pit, 13 • ERA: AL: Rollie Naylor, Phi, 1.88; NL: Monte ward, NYG, 1.68 • K’s: AL: Will Sawyer, Was, 223; NL: Bob Turley, Bos, 229 Rookie of the Year: • AL: Kerry Wood, 20, ChW, 19-15, 2.82, 198 K • NL: Russ Miller, 27, Phi, 14-19, 2.42, 98 K Best Pitcher: • AL: Bill Lee, ChW, 27-11, 2.15 (led league in W) • NL: Monte Ward, NYG, 27-10, 1.68, 191 K (led league in W & ERA) Best Hitter: • AL: Cleon Jones, Phi, 7-97-.337-39, 195 H, 31 2B, 14 3B (led league in RBI & avg) • NL: Shin-Soo Choo, StL, 5-64-.311-31, 167 H, 26 2B, 9 3B (led league in avg) |
Cleveland Naps 1910 season Addendum
Cleveland Naps 1909 Season Addendum
When the Naps finished 15-9 in the exhibition season, tops in the AL, there was excitement in Cleveland. However, Cleveland’s hopes were damaged early in the regular season by injuries to starting position players. On 4/14, RF Kiki Cuyler went down for 2 weeks. On 4/20, 2B Art Phelan went out for 38 days. On 4/21, 1B Tony Solaita was lost for 25 days. By the time they all were healthy at the beginning of June, Cleveland stood at 16-27, in 7th place, 11 ½ games behind the 1st place White Sox. From June 1 on, however, Cleveland went 60-51, to finish 76-78, tied for 4th in the AL. The Indians scored 185 more runs in 1910 than in 1909, improved their bullpen ERA from 8th to 5th and their defense from 6th to 4th. They still need improvement to contend, but some of that will come through maturity of young players , and some will come if they can stay healthier in future and build more depth. This club made a 17-game improvement in record in 1910. Another 17-game improvement next season would have them vying for first place. |
Chicago Cubs 1910 Season Addendum
Chicago Cubs 1910 Season Addendum
The Cubs transactions this past year are indicative of a desperate move to grab young players and hope for something big. They have some solid starting pitchers, and their SP ERA improved accordingly, but they made only marginal progress in runs allowed due to a league-worst bullpen. They also still trail the league in every offensive category except SBs. The Cubs lost 2 more games in 1910 than in 1909. The rebuilding process is going to be a long one. Rookies Dick McBride, Adonis Terry and Sherry Magee all made positive contributions to the club, but none were bid enough to help the club turn the corner into a winner. |
New York Giants (NL Champions - 1910) Update
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
New York Giants We left off following the New York Giants around the 1907 season as they continued to sit around the .500 mark. In 1910, several of their moves over the past few seasons came to fruition, along with a few key lineup changes to get them to the top of the NL in 1910. Foremost has been the Giants draft history, starting with their initial pick in 1901, Early Wynn. All Wynn has done over 9 seasons is go 168-148, 2.29, giving them a durable starter who has averaged nearly 19 wins per season over 9 seasons. In the 1903 draft, they added Jimmy Wynn. In 1904 it was Johnny Bench, who had barely turned 18 years old, and Monte Ward in Round 2. In 1905 they added Lou Whitaker in Round 9. In 1906 they found Justin Duchscherer in Round 4. 1908 brought Vito Tamulis, followed by Chief Meyers in 1909. In their League Championship season of 1910, Bench, at the age of 24, blossomed into the league’s best power hitter with 13 HRs, leading the NL in Hrs for the 2nd year in a row. Rookie catcher Myers was so good that the Giants could afford to move Bench to RF to get more pop in the lineup. Monte Ward blossomed into the league’s best SP, leading the NL in both wins and ERA. Duchscherer, in his first season in the bigs, had a 0.91 ERA out of the pen. Tamulis became a 20-game winner in his 2nd season. Whitaker’s excellent defense at 2B and decent bat allowed Green to move to SS, providing another lift to the offense. Wynn excelled with his all-around play. But even all these performances may not have put the Giants over the top. Tow big trades also helped make the difference: 1. On 7/4/08 they obtained Nemo Leibold for Alexi Casilla and Andres Thomas. Leibold worked his way into a near full-time job in LF in 1910 with stellar defense and solid all-around play. 2. On 7/13/10, with the Giants several games off the pace, they dealt Don Lock and Ed Lyons for SP Buddy Napier. Napier replaced Ewald Pyle (14-18), and went 7-6 the rest of the way to solidify the 4th spot in the Giants rotation. The Giants are still a relatively young club and their future looks rather bright. Their biggest weakness is a lack of team speed, and to some extent, mediocre batting average. Both flaws are generally overcome by their league-leading HR power, resulting in a #2 spot in the league in runs scored. Combined with a #1 rating in runs allowed and the Giants are tough to beat. |
Metaphysical Baseball League (MLB) Career Leaders through 1910
Metaphysical Baseball League (MLB)
Career Leaders through 1910* *for rate stats, min 3000 Pas or 1000 IP; players actively as of season end 1910 unless otherwise indicated. Rookie year after 1st instance of player name Avg: Steve B Dunn .321 1902; Ed Swartwood .309 1901; Pete Browning .308 1901 OBP: Roy Cullenbine .391 1901-07; Ed Swartwood .385; Joey Votto .381 1901 SLG: Harold Baines .409 1901; George Wright .404 1901 OPS: Ed Swartwood .773; Joey Votto .756 Runs: Ray Chapman 769 1901; Nemo Leibold 692 1901 Hits: Edd Roush 1549 1902; Joey Votto 1508 HR: Joey Votto 57; Harold Baines 54 1901; David Justice 51 1901 RBI: Joey Votto 712; Harold Baines 605 SB: Steve B Dunn 661; Nemo Leibold 565; Edd Roush 564 VORP: Joey Votto 291; Edd Roush 254; Mickey Cochrane 252 1901 WAR: Mickey Cochrane 49; Salvador Perez 40 1903; Scott Rolen 40 1902 ERA: Stephen Strasburg 1.65 1905; Harry Salisbury 1.80 1904; Ray Collins 1.82 1904 Wins: Anibal Sanchez 176 1902; Early Wynn 168 1902; Harry Salisbury 164 Saves: Sergio Romo 54 1902; Steve larkin 24 1905; Alex Malloy 24 1906 Complete Games: Anibal Sanchez 274; Early Wynn 265 Shutouts: Anibal Sanchez 45; Harry Salisbury 40 IP: Anibal Sanchez 2941; Early Wynn 2815.1 Ks: Juan Pizarro 1720 1903; Anibal Sanchez 1625 VORP: Anibal Sanchez 520; Harry Salisbury 454; Early Wynn 385 WAR: Anibal Sanchez 97; Scott Stratton 82 1904; Harry Salisbury 82 |
Metaphysical Baseball League (MLB) Single Season Leaders through 1910
Metaphysical Baseball League (MLB)
Single Season Leaders through 1910 Avg: Benny Kauff .383 1901; Bobby Tolan .3607 1901; Edd Roush .3606 1906 OBP: Benny Kauff .458 1901; Dusty Cooke .444 1901; Bobby Tolan .436 1901 SLG: George Wright .552 1901; Benny Kauff .512 1901; George Wright .496 1903 OPS: Benny Kauff .970 1901; George Wright .967 1901; Dusty Cooke .899 1901 Runs: Nemo Liebold 112 1902; Ray Chapman 106 1905; Sammy Strang 106 1901; Ward Miller 106 1905 Hits: Steve B Dunn 223 1905; Mike Hargrove 207 1907; Steve B Dunn 206 1903 HR: Bob Horner 14 1905; Johnny Bench 13 1910; Bob Horner 1902 11; Eric Soderholm 1901 11 RBI: Joe Carter 110 1901; Benny Kauff 100 1901; Cleon Jones 97 1910; Dustin Ackley 97 1905 SB: Steve B Dunn 118 1903; Steve B Dunn 108 1905; Otis Clymer 106 1908 VORP: Benny Kauff 77 1901; George Wright 57 1901; Edd Roush 57 1906 WAR: Edd Roush 7.64 1906; Benny Kauff 7.52 1901; Salvador Perez 6.97 1910 ERA: John Fulgham 1.16 1907; Rick Reed 1.19 1907; Stephen Strasburg 1.25 1909 Wins: Rick Reed 31 1907; Danny Friend 29 1902; Harry Salisbury 28 1906; John Fulgham 28 1907 Saves: Sergio Romo 19 1908; Armando Benitez 13 1910; Steve larkin 12 1908 Complete Games: Preacher Roe 38 1909; Doc White 37 1904; Juan Pizarro 37 1908 Shutouts: Tim Belcher 9 1904; Mike Regan 9 1903; Pascual Perez 9 1906; Harry Salisbury 9 1907 IP: Glenn J Liebhardt 381 1904; Petie Behan 368 1904; Curt Davis 365 1904 Ks: Juan Pizarro 327 1904; Doc White 312 1904; Danny Friend 308 1902 VORP: Stephen Strasburg 86 1909; Danny Friend 85 1902; Jerry Garvin 83 1902 WAR: Danny Friend 15.49 1902; Doc White 14.88 1903; Doc White 14.42 1904 |
Detroit Tigers Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers have been a lower middle tier club in their first 10 seasons, with an overall 722-776-.482 record. They have twice (1906 & 1909 finished within a game of 1st) and 3 times, including 1910, finished in last place. The Tigers 2011 lineup is expected to be (1910 #s): C: Salvador Perez 3-61-.289 1B: Mike Jurgenson 8-63-.256 (challenged by Round 2 pick Lee May) 2B: Rico Petrocelli 5-61-.265 SS: Frank Fennelly 2-50-.226-36 SB 3B: Scott Rolen 0-14-.300 due to injury but 45-459-.257-98 career at age of 29 LF: George R Stone (overall #2 pick) CF: Wally Westlake 4-45-.243 RF: Harry Hooper (age 37) 1-27-.264 and Matt Stairs (age 28) 3-14-.289 The staff (career #s): SP: Stephen Strasburg (1904 R#1) 107-86-1.65, return from 7/1/10 ruptured finger tendon SP: J.A. Happ 78-81-2.75 SP: John Fulgham 121-102-2.32 SP: Jake Wade, 29, 0-2-4.43 obtained in 1/3/11 trade SP: Frank Hiller, 29, 1-3-3.99 CL: Steve Larkin 26-43-24-2.44 2nd(tied) in career saves SP Bill Doak 23-27-2.96 starts the season with a bad ankle sprain, returning late May The Tigers were very active in the off-season. First they fired Manager Armando Viera. They traded SP Virgil Barnes, 22, 10-20-3.51 for 4 porspects. They dealt OFs Ted Uhlaender, 28 and Art Allison, 23 for LF Joe Connolly, 33, 0-10-.267 in 1910, 11-316-.289-143 lifetime, hoping for a resurgence, but he has not cracked the starting lineup coming out of spring training. They dealt LF Johnny Lewis 6-49-.278 to Pit for RP Hipolito Pichardo, 29, and SS Wally Dashiell, 20. They obtained SP Jake Wade, 29 from the Cubs for 3B Danny Valencia, 25 and SS Wally Dashiell. Finally, they dealt Vinnie Pestano, 8-7-4-2.09 to the Cards for 5 prospects. The consensus, however, was that the Tigers’ moves were made out of desperation, and that the players they got had no significant upside with respect to those they gave up. The club was rated far and away the worst in MLB in their off-season moves. Of all the players obtained, only Jake Wade earned a starting spot (in the rotation), which he may give up with the return of Bill Doak from the DL. On the position player side, Tigers’ two major additions are their #1 and #2 draft picks, George Stone and Lee May. The entire league is high on Stone, considered a 4-tool player. May has high potential and will challenge Jorgenson at 1B. The return of Scott Rolen, hopefully for the full year (he was out from the middle of May on in 1910) will help. Overall, however, there is very little hope that the Tigers’ offense will be enough improved from 1910 to put them in the hunt. The Club’s SP ERA was 7th in 1910. If they can get a full yea from Strasburg and a bounce-back from Fulgham, they can improve on that, but again, not enough to contend, given that the Tigers have two question marks in their 4th and 5th SP slots. |
Cincinnati Reds Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds have been MLBs most successful franchise in the league’s first 10 seasons, with an overall 832-666-.555 record. The Reds are the only franchise to win their league 3 times (2002, 2006, 2008). The Reds won the World Series in 2008. They have never finished worse than 4th, nor worse than .500. The Reds finished 3rd in 1910. The Reds 2011 lineup is expected to be (1910 #s): C: Mike Gonzalez 1-50-.264 1B: Dick Hoblitzell 0-1-.353 and Lyle Overbay 4-47-.240 2B: Troy Glaus 6-70-.242 SS: Bob W Johnson 4-48-.295 3B: Roy Sievers (1910 R#1 pick) backed up by Enos Cabell 1-55-.270-53 SB LF: John Kruk (1909 R#1 pick) 4-54-.266-28 CF: Grady Sizemore 5-77-.249-31 RF: Mickey Rivers 1-45-.288-43 The staff (career #s): SP: Harry Salisbury (1903 R#1) 164-103-1.80, 20-game winner in each of 7 seasons SP: Roy Patterson (1904 R#1) 91-80-2.28 SP: Vic Aldridge 144-111-2.48, 24-game winner in 1910 SP: Tex Shirley 26-24-2.47 SP: Oswaldo Peraza 127-125-2.20 CL: Tom Henke (1907 R#1) 10-11-17-2.07 The Reds were content to largely stand pat in the offseason. The addition of 21-year-old Roy Sievers at 3B is expected to add some power to a lineup that already finished 2nd in the NL in HRs in 1910. The OF of Kruk, Sizemore, and Rivers, all of whom are between 23 and 25 years old, is expected to continue to mature and improve in all aspects of the game. The Reds do still miss Pete Browning who was the face of the franchise for years. Browning, with career 16-494-.308-423 #s, averaged only .196 in 1910. He is still on the roster but has not looked much better in Spring Training. The Reds bread and butter, however, has always been its pitching staff. That staff slumped in 1910, when the SP ERA was 5th in the league. The 1911 season will see Tex Shirley replace Ike Delock (10-14-2.97) in the rotation. With the career track records of the other starters, and a bullpen that finished 1st in the NL with a 1.81 ERA, the Reds expect again to ride their pitching staff back to into the NL pennant race. |
1911 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1911 Season Going into the 1911 season the experts consensus top prospects included: 1. SP Doc McJames, 19, Chicago Cubs, overall #1 pick 2. LF George R Stone, 25, Detroit Tigers, overall #2 pick 3. 2B Tim Raines Sr, 18, New York Highlanders, pick 1-4 4. SS Ryne Sandberg, 20, Boston Red Sox, pick 1-7 7. CF Roy Sievers, 21, Cincinnati Reds Each would play a prominent role in their teams’ fortunes in 1911. Early on, the defending champion Philadelphia Athletics dominated the AL. The A’s were 29-14 through May with a 4 game lead on Boston. By July, however, the lead seesawed between the A’s, Red Sox and Senators. The A’s faded, while the Red Sox and Senators were tied for 1st on Labor Day. Then, in the 3rd week of September, the Red Sox strung together 5 wins while the Senators were losing 5 in a row and pulled away, eventually winning by a 4-game margin. A big side-story in the AL was the emergence of rookie George R Stone of Detroit. Stone was named Batter of the Month in April, hitting .438, then Rookie of the Month in May, finishing the 1st 2 months of the season at 2-30-.412 with 16 SBs. Stone ended the year leading the league in batting average and winning Batter of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors with a 4-67-.356-67 stat line. He led the resurgent Tigers to an 84-70 4th place finish. The NL race was a shocker. The perennial doormat Chicago cubs, 56-98 in 1910, opened a big lead with a 16-2 April mark behind the pitching of Adonis Terry and David Price. The Cubs continued to hold the lead, entering September at 74-48, 5 ½ game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds. In the first 5 days of the month, the Reds closed the gap to 2 games. The Reds then came to Chicago on 9/6-9 and swept the Cubs to take a 1-game lead. But the Cubs were not finished. With 1 game to play, on 10/12, the Cubs trailed by 1, and that game was Chicago @ Cincinnati. The Cubs’ Adonis Terry pitched a shutout for his 30th victory to force a playoff at Chicago. Cincinnati led 5-4 with 2 out, bottom of the 9th, men on 2nd & 3rd, SP Tiant still on the mound vs Eric Young Jr. Young lined to CF and the Reds won the pennant. Adonis Terry of the Cubs, only 24 and in his 5th season, had one of the best MLB seasons ever. He won the Pitching Triple Crown with 30 wins, 1.93 ERA and 245 Ks. He was of course voted Best Pitcher in the NL by a wide margin. The Reds and Red Sox advanced to the World Series, where the Red Sox were heavy favorites based on their offense and the fact that Reds SPs Roy Paterson and Fritz Peterson were out with injuries. The Red Sox did not disappoint, winning handily in 5 games for their 2nd world title and first since 1902. The Red Sox had many standouts on the year. To name a few: • SP Jason Hammel, 23-8, 2.64 (AL Best Pitcher award) • SP Russ Christopher, 23-14, 2.73 • RF Mike Tiernan, who broke MLB season records for Runs Scored, 116, and Total Bases, 288, with a 10-62-.293-71 line • CF Tim Hendryx, 2-76-.324-30 • 1B Mike Hargrove 5-58-.301, .408 OBP, 91 R • Rookie SS Ryne Sandberg, 7-81-.319, 30 • 3B Mark McGwire, 11-81-.222 • Closer Ramon Hernandez, 4-1-11, 1.78 This Red Sox team may be the most balanced to win the MLB World Title in the league’s eleven seasons. Other Individual Season and Career Records Broken or Tied in 1911: Season: • RBI: Brandon Belt, Pit, 112 • Games Pitched: Colby Lewis, NYA, 75 • HR Allowed: Pascual Perez, Cle, 22 Career: • RBI: Joey Votto (38), NYA, retires with 750 • HR: David Justice, Pit, & Frank J Thomas (1950’s), ChW, tie Joey Votto, NYA, 58 |
MLB Season 12 Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1912 Season The top 5 picks in the 2011 draft were: 1. 1B Frank E Thomas, 20, New York Highlanders 2. 3B Jim Thome, 19, St. Louis Cardinals 3. SP Jumbo McGinnis, 26, Cleveland Naps 4. SP Larry French, 20, Boston Braves 5. SP Pete Donohue, 19, Philadelphia Phillies Thomas, Thome and Donohue were rated the top 3 prospects going into Opening Day 1912. None would disappoint, but Thomas and Donohue would prove to exceed all expectations. The 1912 season was a Tale of Two Cities – New York and Philadelphia. New York fancied itself the center of American sport. But baseball in New York was on the wane. Two of the Metaphysical League’s greatest players had retired from the Highlanders one before the 1911 season and one after the 1911 season: • George Wright, 37, retired before the 1911 season with 11 HR, 359 RBI, .280 avg. and 111 SB. He won the AL Outstanding Hitter award in 1901. • 1B Joey Votto, 38, retired with 58 HR, 750 RBI, and a .289 avg. His HR total at his retirement was tied with David Justice for the all-time high., and his RBI total still stands as the all-time record. He won the 1908 and 1909 AL Outstanding Hitter awards. These two players had contributed to one World Championship and one League Championship for their team. Without Their stars, the Highlanders struggled to their 2nd consecutive last place finish, this time with a 58-96 record. They suffered from the worst defense and the worst starting pitching in the league, surrendering the league’s most runs. Even the blossoming of Rookie of the Year Frank E Thomas did very little to improve the team. At the end of the year, owner ship changed the team name to the New York Yankees in hopes of garnering a fresh image and insisted that all awards be announced with the new club Moniker. The cross-town New York Giants fared better by comparison, but were a considerable disappoint, given the talent on the club. With young stars like Johnny Bench, Jim Wynn and Bill Singer, the Giants were expected to be strong contenders. However, they got off to an atrocious start, losing one close game after another. They closed strongly to get back to 76-78, but were a pitiful 17-33 in one-run games. Management was under considerable criticism for continuing to play Bench at 3B and in the OF rather at catcher. Fans were crying for a trade of C Chief Meyers to put Bench behind the plate and more talent elsewhere. The City of Brotherly Love, on the other hand, has arguably become the hotbed of Metaphysical League Baseball. In the NL, the Phillies took the lead midway through May at 18-9 and were never headed, clinching the pennant with 5 games remaining, and finishing at 93-61 for their 3rd NL title. They were led by Rookie of the Year Pete Donohue, 25-8-1.87. Donohue’s ERA led all of MLB and his 25 wins tied the high mark. The AL race was a tighter affair. Cleveland led through most of the first half of the season. The Washington took the lead in July and August. The Philadelphia Athletics took the lead early in September and clinched with 4 games remaining, finishing 87-67. This marked the third time that the A’s and the Phillies each had made it to the World Series in 12 seasons. Each held 1 World Championship in their first 2 visits. In all, the World Series had now entertained at least one team from Philadelphia in 5 of 12 World Series. This World Series was an exciting one. Led by their pitching and Ken Caminiti, the Phillies won the first two and home and the first game at the A’s home for a 3 games to 0 lead. But the A’s bounced back to take the next 3 games to set up the decisive Game 7 with Doc White on the mound for the A’s and Donohue on the hill for the Phillies. They had split their forst two outings. The A’s took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the 7th when Ken Caminiti deposited a 3- run 308’ drive over the short left-center-field fence at the Baker Bowl for a 6-5 Phillies lead. The Phillies added an insurance run and held on behind Malloy’s 2nd save. Caminiti was the series MVP with 3 HR, 8 RBI and a .333 avg. Donohue went 2-1-1.78. Alex Malloy recorded 2 saves with a 2.08 ERA. The World Champions Phillies Lineup included: • C Jake Gibbs, 1B Chris Chambliss, 2B Martin Prado, 3B Ken Caminiti, SS George Myatt, LF Alex Johnson, CF Curt Welch, RF Johnny Mostil • SPs: Pete Donohue, Dennis Ribant, Bob Anderson, Russ Miller • CL: Alex Malloy Individual Season and Career Records/Milestones Broken or Tied in 1911: Season: • 3B: Ed Stroud, Ph A’s, 31 • SB: Max Carey, Bos Braves, 123 • Hits – NL: John Kruk, Cin, 209 • Walks: Frank E Thomas, NY Yankees, 114 • Wins Above Replacement: Salvador Perez, Detroit, 7.9 • Games Pitched: Chief Yellow Horse, Pittsburgh, 77 Career: • RBI: Joey Votto (38), NYA, retires with 750 • HR: Frank J Thomas, ChW, 61 • Wins: Anibal Sanchez, Pittsburgh, 1st to reach 200 Wins, 4/20/12. All-time leader @ 218 Wins • Wins: Harry Salisbury, Cincinnati, 2nd to reach 200 Wins on6/15/12. Second all-time @ 210 wins Awards • Avg: AL Salvador Perez, Det, .342 NL: John Kruk, Cin, .348 • Rookie of Year: AL Frank E Thomas, NY Yankees, 11-93-.317, .436 OBP, 61 R • Rookie of Year: NL Pete Donohue, PH Phillies, 25-8-1.87 • Best Pitcher: AL Fleury Sullivan, ChW, 24-14-2.15 NL Pete Donohue, Ph Phillies see above • Best Hitter: AL Mickey Mantle, Cle, 9-89-.315. ,491 SLG, .901 OPS, 88 R • Best Hitter: NL John Kruk, Cin, 4-68-.348-12, 209 H (NL record), 22 2B, 22 3B, 102 R |
MLB Season 13 Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1913 Season The top 5 picks in the 2012 draft were: 1. RF Harry Lumley, 22, St. Louis Cardinals 2. SP Jered Weaver, 22, New York Yankees 3. SP Kevin Brown, 19, Pittsburgh Pirates 4. SP Hiroki Kuroda, 31, St. Louis Browns 5. LF Carlos May, 18, Cincinnati Reds Lumley, Weaver and May were rated the top 3 prospects going into Opening Day 1913. None would disappoint, but Lumley and Weaver would exceed expectations. Going into the 1913 season, the defending champion Phillies and A’s were widely expected to repeat. However, The Phillies were hit badly by injuries. In February, SP Russ Miller had a setback in his recovery from a torn ligament and wouldn’t return until August. Early in April starters 2B Rich Rollins and OF Andy Pafko each went down for 4-5 weeks. Early in May, SS Floyd Baker went out for 3-4 weeks. By the end of May, the Phillies found themselves in 7th place at 19-27, 12 games behind streaking Brooklyn. Things weren’t much better for the A’s. They lost their most valuable player, Cleon Jones, for 5 weeks on 4/24, and by 5/30 were tied for 2nd at 24-22, 7 ½ games behind the White Sox. The White Sox continued to lead the AL through the end of July, with the A’s, Senators and Yankees all within striking distance. The surprising Yankees, behind emerging superstar 1B Frank Thomas, 22, and their young rotation of Josh Johnson, John Smoltz and Jered Weaver, surged past the White Sox by Labor Day and won going away, clinching with 6 games remaining. New York finished at 89-65, with a 5-game margin over Chicago, 9 over Philadelphia. In the NL, the Brooklyn Superbas led wire-to-wire, finishing at 100-54, 16 games ahead of Philadelphia and Chicago. Brooklyn’s pitching dominated, with starters Larry Christenson, Bret Saberhagen, Paul Rigdon and Rip Egan combining for a 2.24 ERA. The offense led the league in scoring, led by 2B Nap Lajoie, CF Willie Davis and C Elston Howard. This marked the third time that AL New York franchise would appear in the World Series (defeating Brooklyn in 1909 and once losing as Baltimore in 1901). For Brooklyn it would be their second World Series appearance (having lost to NY in 1909). Brooklyn (100-54) was heavily favored over New York (89-65) going into the World Series. As it turned out, however, the series was one of the closest in the history of the league, going a full 7 games, with each of the first 6 games decided by 1 or 2 runs.. Some highlights: • Game 3: After Brooklyn had taken a 2-game lead, NY rallies for 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 4-3 on a Frank Thomas walk-off 1B. • Game 4: Brooklyn turns a TRIPLE PLAY in the 1st, sparked by Lajoie, and wins, 4-2. • Game 6: Bottom 12th, Tim Raines Sr scores on a passed ball for NY to send the series to a 7th game • Game 7: NY (Weaver 0-2, 1.59) @ Bro (Christenson 2-0, 0.00). NY scores 1st on a Montero 2-run 1B in the 2nd. They add 4 more, the last 2 unearned, in the 4th, and coast to an upset 7-2 victory. MVP Montero goes 3-5, 2B, 4 RBI, R in the finale. Individual Season and Career Records/Milestones Broken or Tied in 1913: Season: • OBP: Frank Thomas, NYY, .468 • OPS: Frank Thomas, NYY, .978 • AB: Willie Davis, Bro, 681 • TB: Max Carey, Bos Braves, 291 • HR: Mark McGwire, Bos Red Sox, 16 • SB: Sherry Magee, Chi Cubs, 129 • BB: Frank Thomas, NYY, 120 • K: Harry Lumley, St.L Cardinals, 110 Career: • Games: Ray Chapman, St.L Browns, 1595 (retired 10/13) • AB: Ray Chapman, St.L Browns, 6401 (retired 10/13) • R: Ray Chapman, St.L Browns, 936 (retired 10/13) • 2B: Ray Chapman, St.L Browns, 296 (retired 10/13) • RBI: Pedro Guerrrero, Boos Braves, 797, surpassing Joey Votto • HR: Mark McGwire, Bos Red Sox, 67, surpassing Frank J Thomas • Wins: Harry Salisbury, Cin, 233, surpassing Anibal Sanchez Awards • Avg: AL Frank Thomas, NYY, .355; NL Sherry Magee, ChC, .359 • Rookie of Year: AL Jered Weaver, NYY, 18-11-2.47 • Rookie of Year: NL Harry Lumley, St.LN, 10-89-.311-82, 174 H, 96 R • Best Pitcher: AL John Smoltz, NYY, 24-15-2.50, led league in wins • Best Pitcher: NL Larry Christenson, Bro, 25-7-1.89 • Best Hitter: AL Frank Thomas, NYY, 12-90-.355, 197 H, 32 2B, 9 3B, 107 R, .468 OBP, ,510 SLG. Led league in RBI, Avg, OBP, SLG • Best Hitter: NL Sherry Magee, ChC, 7-89-.359-129, 208 H, 28 2B, 15 3B, 100 R, .420 OBP, .496 SLG. Led league in Avg, OBP, SLG, SB |
Season 1914 Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1914 Season The 1914 MLB season was the most interesting yet, as it combined historical perspective with a couple of the greats of the early seasons retiring, filled rosters during the 1913 draft for the 1914 season with the best prospect draft to date, marked in-season milestones for several of the league’s long-time stars, showcased rising stars and rising teams for the first time, and crowned a first-time World Series champion. Three of the league’s all-time greats retired shortly after the 1913 season. • Ray Chapman split 1901 between the Phillies and Braves, the spent the next 12 seasons as the anchor of the Browns franchise. Upon retirement he held the league record for games played: 1595! His career stat line was 9-633-.279-604. He was a World Series winner and Gold Glove SS in 1905, leading the league in runs scored and AB. He also led the league in runs scored and 2B in 1903, and was an 11-time Player of the Week. • Steve B Dunn played his entire career with the Philadelphia A’s from 1902-1910. He finished with a 9-464-.312-661 stat line. He is the career leader in batting avg, and at the end of 1910 was the career leader in SB (since passed by Max Carey). He was named the AL Outstanding Hitter and 1B Gold Glove in 1903, had a 39-game hit streak in 1905, longest in MLB history,. Dun was a member of the 1910 World Championship team. He led the AL in hits 1902-05, SB in 1902-07. In both 1902 and 1905 he led the AL in avg & 2B. • Pete Browning played for Cincinnati from 1901-1912. He finished 16-508-.308-423, 3rd lifetime in career avg. He led the NL in hits in 1903-04, avg 1903 & 1905, OBP 1903 & 1908. He had hitting streaks >= 20 games 3 times and was Batter of the Month 7 times. The top 5 picks in the much-anticipated 2013 draft were: 1. SS Gary Sheffield, 17, Pirates 2. LF Miguel Cabrera, 18, Tigers 3. SP Moe Drabowsky, 19, Naps 4. SP Junior Thompson, 20, Braves 5. 1B Cecil Fielder, 20, Cardinals Sheffield and Cabrera were rated the top 2 prospects going into Opening Day 1913. Sheffield played the entire season as a 18-year old, starting at SS for the Pirates. Many first-round players saw late-season action with the big clubs, including Cabrera and Fielder. Going into the 1914 season, the defending world champion Yankees were heavily favored to become the first team in the 14-year history of the MLB to repeat a league title. In the NL, the race was expected to be a wide-open affair. The Yankees, however, ran into trouble before the season even began as their ace, John Smoltz went out for 6 month in early April with shoulder inflammation. Smoltz’ injury notwithstanding, NY held a 5-game cushion on Cleveland by the end of May. Over in the NL, the Reds led from nearly the beginning and were up by 2 ½ over the Boston and Brooklyn. On June 16, Vic Aldridge of the Cardinals became the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to notch win #200, holding a career 200-173-2.69 line. At the end of June, the Yankees’ lead was 4 games over the Indians, while Brooklyn had taken a 3-game lead over Cincinnati. July was Cleveland’s month as they pulled within percentage points of New York. In the NL, Brooklyn lengthened it’s lead to 7 ½ games. On August 2, promising Kevin Brown, 21, of the troubled Pirated franchise, a R1-3 pick in 1912, ruptured a finger tendon so badly that it was career-ending after only 46 career starts and a 17-24-3.35 record. August 14 was an historic day for MLB and Harry Salisbury of Cincinnati. Salisbury (249-154-2.04) and Anibal Sanchez (236-210-2.21), the two winningest pitchers in MLB history, matched up for the greatest game in league history to date. Salisbury came away with a milestone victory #250, 6-1, on a complete game 5-hitter. Sanchez allowed all 6 runs but only 1 was earned. Back to the pennant races, Cleveland passed NY on 8/18, and the Browns passed the faltering Yankees on 8/22, with Cleveland holding a 2 ½ game lead over the Browns at the end of August. In the NL, Brooklyn was still holding on, but the Cubs were making a big move and the lead was down to 2 games. On September 3, Early Wynn became the 4th pitcher to win #200 with a 3-0 shutout of Brooklyn. September saw NY, Cleveland and St. Louis see-saw back and forth with the lead in an exciting race. But the Browns lost 2 starting pitchers in the last 2 weeks, and were the first eliminated. Cleveland clinched it’s first pennant on it’s 153rd game. The Yankees then faded to finish behind the Browns. In the NL the Cubs shot past Brooklyn on 9/21 but still needed a victory in their final game to win their first NL title. Two newcomers, the Chicago Cubs (88-66) and Cleveland Indians (92-62) met for the world title. Some highlights: • Game 1: Cleveland’s Bill Sarni wins it, 6-5, on a 2-out, 3-2 count, 2-run walk-off 2B. Mickey Mantle earlier hit a 439’ 2-run HR for Cleveland. • Game 2: Big day for the Cubs at the plate. They win 9-1, as Adonis Terry shuts down the Tribe. • Game 3: Cleveland takes an early lead and wins 4-2 • Game 4: 9th inning RBI 1b by Gary Geiger wins it for Chicago, 2-1 • Game 5: Another Cubs blowout behind Terry. Chicago 10, Cleveland 0 • Game 6: Easy Cleveland victory. Phil Coridan leads the way, 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, SB, R . • Game 7: More of the same from Corigan, 3-5, 3B, SB, 3 RBI, leading Cleveland to an 8-4 victory and the 1914 World Series title, 4 games to 3. • Corigan is named the series MVP for his Game 6 & 7 heroics. He finishes the series with a .467 average and 6 RBIs. Individual Season and Career Records/Milestones Broken or Tied in 1914: Season: • 2B: Nap Lajoie, Brooklyn, 46 • RBI: Donn Clendenon, St. Louis Cardinals, 118 • BB: Billy Lush, St. Louis Cardinals, 125 • Appearances: Lou Fiene, Philadelphia Phillies, 94 Career: • 250 Wins: Harry Salisbury, Cincinnati (finishes season at 256 wins) • 200 Wins: Vic Aldridge, St. Louis Cardinals (3rd pitcher in MLB history) • 200 Wins: Early Wynn, New York Giants (4th pitcher in MLB history) Awards • Avg: AL George R Stone, Det, .342; NL Sherry Magee, ChC, .346 • Rookie of Year: AL Andy Benes, Boston, 19-14-2.79 • Rookie of Year: NL Junior Thompson, Boston, 17-11-2.15 • Best Pitcher: AL Parke Swartzel, Philadelphia, 23-13-2.48; led league in Wins • Best Pitcher: NL Doc McJames, Chicago, 25-12-2.59; led league in Wins, K’s, Shutouts • Best Hitter: AL Mickey Mantle, Cleveland, 6-71-.318-8; led league in OBP • Best Hitter: NL Sherry Magee, Chicago; led league in Avg, OBP, SLG, OPS |
Season 15 Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1915 Season The 1914 draft was rather light. The top 6 picks were: 1. LF Gavvy Cravath, 25, Senators 2. CF Hack Miller, 21, Pirates 3. LF Red Murray, 20, Phillies 4. SP Bob Ewing, 27, Indians 5. SP Cliff P Lee, 22, White Sox 6. SP Dean Chance, 18, Red Sox Several interesting players went later in the draft: • Jonathan Papelbon, 22, Yankees #16 • Ryan Zimmerman, 19, Reds, #2-11 • Adrian Beltre, 17, Senators, #3-1 Going into the 1915 season, the defending world champion Indians were heavily favored to repeat in the AL. In the NL, the defending champion Cubs looked strong, but many were impressed with the Cardinals. The Cards had a couple of significant lineup changes. Lead-off hitter Hans Lobert shifted from 3B to Lf, making room for 22-year-old slugger Jim Thome at 3B. Rookie Pat Donahue (#3-11) earned the starting C job. Finally Andy O’Connor gained the 4th starter’s spot on a rotation anchored by #3 all-time winner Vic Aldridge (211 wins). April saw rookie Dean Chance, Bos, dazzle the AL, going 4-0-1.06 garnering Pitcher and Rookie of Month awards, leading surprising Boston to an early tie for 1st in the AL. By the end of May, however, the cream had risen to the top of both leagues. Cleveland @ 31-15 led the AL by 2 games over Boston. In the NL, Brooklyn @30-13 led St. Louis by 5 games. In the AL, Cleveland continued to pull away in a race that was never close. The NL was another story. By the end of July, Brooklyn and St. Louis were in a daily see-saw for the lead. St. Louis had a hot August, pulling ahead by as much as 6 ½ games before Brooklyn’s September run brought them within 2 ½. Finally, St. Louis held on and clinched the pennant with 3 games remaining. The Cards, however, paid a price, as 3 of their starters, CF Billy Lush, C Donahue and SS Yunel Escobar were all injured in the final week of September and would miss the World Series against Cleveland. The defending champion Cleveland Indians (93-61) and St. Louis Cardinals (94-60) met for the world title. The Indians came in fully healthy, while as mentioned above, the Cards were down 3 position players. Some highlights: • Game 1: Pitching Triple Crown winner Vinegar Bend Mizell (26-8-1.46) dominated for Cleveland, with a 9 5 0 0 0 6 line in an easy win, Cleveland 4, St. Louis 0 • Game 2: Tex Hughson of Cleveland makes it look nearly as easy with a 9 7 2 2 0 3 line, while Lefty Marr sets an AL playoff record with 2 3B. Cle 3, StL 2 • Game 3: StL takes the lead for the first time in the series in the top of the first but Cleveland wipes that out with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning and Casey Coleman coast from there. Cle 4, StL 2 • Game 4: Clendenon puts StL on top with a 2-run HR off Mizell in the top of the 1st. Cleveland gets 1 back in the 1st then attacks with Covington’s 2-run HR in the 3rd, 1 in the 4th and 1 in the 5th for a 5-2 lead. StL gets 2 in the 8th, but it is too late. Cle 5, Stl 4 MVP: MIzell, 2-0-2.00. Mantle (0-4-.429) and Covington (1-6-.235) also star. Cleveland becomes the only team in the 15-year history of MLB to repeat as World Champions! Individual Season and Career Records/Milestones Broken or Tied in 1915: Season: • 1B: Nap Lajoie, Brooklyn, 182 • HR: Jim Thome, SLN, 17 (breaking Mark McGwire’s record on final day) • Games: U Larkin, SLA/NYY, 155 • No-hitters: o Denny Galehouse, SLA, 1-0 vs NYY, 0 BB, 4K (2 errors) o Bill C Lee, NYG, 7-0 vs SLN, 4 BB, 3K (1st start of year) o Andy Benes, BosA, 4-0 vs SLA, 3 BB, 6K o Tom Candiotti, SLA, 1-0 vs NYY, 4 BB, 4K • 6-hit game: Frank Taveras, Pit, (7-8-.875 for year) all 1Bs in Pit 6-5 loss to ChC Career: • 250 Wins: Anibal Sanchez, Pit (2nd pitcher in MLB history) Note: The rivalry between Sanchez, 34, 1902-15and Harry Salisbury, 35, 1904-15 for the claim of MLBs best all-time pitcher continues. Some #s: o Ks: Sanchez 2354; Salisbury 2353 o W: Salisbury 274; Sanchez 261 o ERA: Salisbury 2.10; Sanchez 2.19 o W%: Salisbury .613: Sanchez .540 o GS: Sanchez 518; Salisbury 469 o CG: Salisbury 375; Sanchez 363 o SHO: Salisbury 60; Sanchez 59 o IP: Sanchez 4434; Salisbury 4102 • 200 Wins: Aaron Harang, BosA (5th pitcher in MLB history) • 2000 Hits: Salvador Perez, Det Awards • Avg: AL Mickey Mantle, Cle, .332; NL Nap Lajoie, Bro, .323 • Rookie of Year: AL Dean Chance, Bos,20-11-2.50 • Rookie of Year: NL Jim Lefebvre, Phil, 6-85-.269-5, 156 H, 73 R • Pitching Triple Crown!: AL Vinegar Bend Mizell, Cle, 26-8-1.46 • Best Pitcher: NL Bill Vinton, NYG, 22-15-2.07, led league in wins • Best Hitter: AL Mickey Mantle, Cle, 4-48-.332-13, led league in avg, BB, OBP, OPS • Best Hitter: NL Donn Clendenon, StL, 884-.319-11, led league in SLG, OPS, 3B, R, XBH, TB |
Season 16 (1916) Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1916 Season The 1915 draft was exciting! Top 10 Picks: 1. SS Rogers Hornsby, 17, Yankees (#1 rated on Opening Day) 2. 1B Honus Wagner, 21, Pirates (great to see this!) (#6 rated on Opening Day) 3. CF Fred Lynn, 20, Braves (#7 rated on Opening Day) 4. SP Justin Verlander, 20, A’s (#3 rated on Opening Day) 5. 1B Hal Chase, 20, Reds 6. RF Don Baylor, 19, Senators 7. SP J.R. Richard, 19, Cubs (#4 rated on Opening Day) 8. SP Johnny Marcum, 22, Browns 9. 3B Doug Rader, 22, Braves 10. LF Gus Zernial, 24, Phillies The two-time defending champion Cleveland Indians were looking to make it 3 in a row in the AL, and were expected to be challenged by the A’s and Red Sox. In the NL, the defending champion Cardinals looked strong, overall they league looked balanced at the top of the standings going in. Brooklyn’s Willie Davis got off to a great start on Opening day, hitting for the cycle, his final hit a HR. On April 20th, 31-year-old Mark McGwire of the Red Sox hit career HRs #82 and #83 in the same game off Chris Nabholz to tie and then surpass the all-time mark previously held by Jim Wynn. At the end of April, the Red Sox, paced by Pitcher of the Month Virgil Barnes, 4-1-2.08, sat atop the AL @ 11-6. The Boston Braves, paced by Rookie of the Month Doug Rader, 0-7-.356, 4 2B, 4 3B, 13 R, sat atop the NL @ 10-6. May individual highlights: • Brett Lawrie, Yankees– single-game record 4 triples in 16-inning victory @ Fenway • Pedro Guerrero, Braves – hit #2000 (#2 all-time) in 1777 gms. • Nap Lajoie, Brooklyn – 26-game hitting streak By the end of May, the A’s led the AL @ 26-18, with the Yankees 1 back and Red Sox 3 back. The Cubs led the NL @ 31-16 with the Reds 4 back. The Braves fell apart to 18-25. June saw new leaders emerge in the Tigers and Giants, but both held tenuous ½ game leads over their predecessors. By the end of July, the A’s and Cubs had re-emerged. Individual August highlights: • Rig Egan, Brooklyn, win #200 (6th all-time). Career: 200-121-2.30 • Buck Herzog, Braves, 24-game hitting streak In the AL, the A’s carried their lead the rest of the way, although always challenged, and they clinched the pennant with 2 games remaining. In the NL, the Cubs were still 2 games up on the Giants going into September with a 75-52 record, but then lost 14 in a row, and the Giants coasted to win the pennant by 5 games. The Philadelphia Athletics (89-65) and New York Giants (90-64) met for the world title. This would be the A’s 4th appearance and the Giants 3rd appearance. Each held one previous championship. This series was one of the most one-sided to date, as the A’s easily swept by scores of 5-2, 5-0, 3-2 and 4-2. MVP: Parke Swartzel, 2-0-1.00 in 18 IP. For the A’s, Jim Gilliam went 7-13, .538/.600/846; Harry Taylor hit the game-winning HR in Game 3 and had 4 RBIs in the series. For the Giants, Bill Vinton had a 1.20 ERA in a losing cause. Every regular but 1 hit <.200. Philadelphia is World Champions for the 2nd time in 4 tries, the last time in 1910. Individual Season and Career Records/Milestones Broken or Tied in 1916: Season: • 1B: Nap Lajoie, Brooklyn, 202 Career: • 200 Wins: Rip Egan, Brooklyn (6th pitcher in MLB history) • 2000 Hits: Pedro Guerrero (2nd all-time) Awards • Avg: AL rookie Rogers Hornsby, NYY, ; NL rookie Doug Rader, Braves, .333 • Rookie of Year: AL Johnny Marcum, Browns, 21-17-1.97 • Rookie of Year: NL Doug Rader, Braves, 1-60-.333 (LL), 70 R, 153 gms • Best Pitcher: AL Jered Weaver, NYY, 22 (LLt)-11-1.87 • Best Pitcher: NL Bill Vinton, NYG, (2nd straight), 23-9-1.97 (LL) • Best Hitter: AL Rogers Hornsby, NYY, 8-81-.335 (LL)-23, led league in avg, SLG, OPS • Best Hitter: NL Doug Rader, Braves, 1-60-.333. led league in avg, SLG, OPS, 2B, XBH, TB |
1917 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1917 Season The 1916 draft did not have many big marquee names but made up for that by being one of the deepest in years.. Some highlights: 1. SP Harry Howell, 19, Senators (#6 rated on Opening Day) 2. LF Charley Jones, 23, Pirates (#1 rated on Opening Day) 3. 2B Roberto Alomar, 18, Braves (#8 rated on Opening Day) 4. SP Paul Derringer, 23, Phillies (#4 rated on Opening Day) 8. 1B Willie McCovey, 19, White Sox (#5 rated on Opening Day) 9. LF Moises Alou, 22, Cardinals (#7 rated on Opening Day) 11. SS Alex Rodriguez, 17, Robins 2-2. RF Paul Waner, 21, Pirates 2-4. C Josh Willingham, 24, Phillies 2-10. SS Elvis Andrus, 19, Redlegs In the offseason, one of the greats of the game, Sergio Romo, 39, retired. Romo holds the MLB career Saves record with 77. His final line: 57-45-77-2.23 in 442 appearances. Unlike past reports, this season we will follow two possible contenders, one in each league, through their 1917 season. In the NL, we’ll watch the Brooklyn Robins, 81-73, 3rd, 9 GB in 1916. In the AL, it will be the Chicago White Sox, 77-77, 4th, 12 GB in 1916. During the offseason, Brooklyn largely remained static, only dealing RP Joel Hanrahan and a prospect for C Jake Gibbs. The Robins were counting on development of their youthful but relatively experienced roster (only 2 starting position players and 2 SPs over 30), led by star Nap Lajoie, and their draft to propel them to the top. They were, however, unable to sign their #1 draft pick SS Alex Rodriguez. They went into the season with this lineup: C: Buster Posey 1B: Joe Foy 2B: Sam F McConnell 3B: Grady Hatton SS: Nap Lajoie (1-61-.331-52 in 1916) LF: Pete Reiser CF: Willie Davis RF: Frank Gilhooley (#2 pick)/Jeff Heath SP: Bret Saberhagen SP: Rube Vickers SP: Larry Christenson SP: Rip Egan (202 wins, MLB #6 all-time) SP: Frank Tanana CL: Turk Farrell RP: Bob Lawrence The White Sox’ offseason formula was not much different from Brooklyn’s. They made a couple of deals, acquiring veteran 2B Dustin Ackley for SS John Ake and 2 prospects for fading CF Mickey Rivers. Their starting players were younger than Brooklyn’s, with only 1 position player (injured Dutch Zwilling) and 2 pitchers over 30. Chicago’s lineup: C: Clint Courtney 1B: Willie McCovey (#1 pick) 2B: Bobby Doerr 3B: Chipper Jones (9-56-.234 in 1916) SS: Bill Hall LF: Ralph Pond (for inj Bankston/Zwilling) CF: Bill North RF: Bob Allison SP: Fleury Sullivan SP: Kerry Wood SP: Preacher Roe SP: Cliff P Lee SP: Ron Deagle CL: Jason Motte RP: German Jimenez Veteran CF Dutch Zwilling (76-714-.252-585 in 13 seasons), the Sox’ team leader, was injured and not expected to return until the beginning of July, when he would take over CF with North returning to LF. Brooklyn came out of the gates in good shape, led by LF Pete Reiser, whose .407 avg and .514 OBP earned him NL April Player of the Month. At month’s end the Robins stood 10-7, 3 games back of the Cards. Surprisingly, even without Zwilling, the Sox were also good. It helped to get Bankston back on the 20th, but the real keys were excellent performances by AL Pitcher of the Month Fleury Sullivan, 2-2-1.27, and NL Rookie of the Month Willie McCovey, 2-9-.225, 9 runs. The Sox stood 11-8, 1 game behind the A’s and Yankees. May saw both clubs continue their solid play. Brooklyn ended May in 3rd place, 28-19, 1 game behind the Giants and Cubs. The White Sox, getting a lift by insertion of rookie C Orie Kerlin, moved up to 2nd, 28-20, ½ game behind the A’s. However, trouble was brewing for the Sox, as OF’s Bankston (5/21, 4 weeks) and his replacement Lohr (5/30, 3-4 weeks) both went down with injuries. Buoyed by prospects so far, each club made significant trades in the middle of June: • Brooklyn dealt starting 2B Sam McConnell for RP terry Leach and RF Joe Borchard. The big news surrounding that deal, however, was the insertion of Bud Harrelson at SS, moving Nap Lajoie to 2B, where he would win the Gold Glove. • With the return of Zwilling imminent, the Sox traded Bankston for RP Tom Henke (MLB #3 all-time in saves) to set up for Motte. This would help the Sox lead the league in Runs-Against, offsetting their anemic offense. • Finally, on 6/24, Brooklyn acquired SP Bill Doak for 2B Jeff Huson & Joe Borchard. Doak replaced Christenson in the rotation. The Robins were setback on 6/19 when Pete Reiser lost a month with a fractured foot. Others, however, picked up the pace. On 6/22, Willie Davis went 5-6, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI to crush the Phillies. On 7/1, Rip Egan was named NL Player of the Week, going 2-0-0.00 in 14.2 IP. Brooklyn finished June 42-30, 2 games behind the Cubs. The White Sox were equally impressive. Led by Rookie of the Month (2nd time) Willie McCovey, 0-10-.290, 5 2B, 3 3B 11 R, the White Sox finished 43-33, % points behind NY. July and August saw the teams make their moves. Zwilling returned to CF for the Sox on July 1. Despite Zwilling’s slow start, the Sox largely held their ground in July, led by Batter of the Month Bobby Doerr, 2-15-.358, 14 R, 8 BB, .395 OBP, and 3rd-time Rookie of the Month Willie McCovey, 0-10-.355. They finished at 58-46, 2nd, 2 ½ games behind the A’s. On July 16, just when Brooklyn was about to get back to full strength, Frank Tanana, 10-3-1.56, was lost for the season with a torn labrum. Christenson returned to the rotation in his place. Two days later, Reiser returned from the DL. Despite the Tanana loss, Brooklyn kept surging. On 7/24, the Robins passed the Cubs to take 1st by ½ game, and finished the month 3 ½ games ahead. The Robins would not be caught again, winning the pennant by 4 games over the Giants and the Cubs. The White Sox still had work to do. A 6-3 streak at the beginning of August, coupled with an A’s stumble put the White Sox in 1st place on August 10th. However, 10 days later they were passed again, then on 8/26, they lost SS Bill Hall for 4-5 weeks with a herniated disk. Despite brilliant performances by Pitcher of the Month Fleury Sullivan, 6-2-2.18, and 4th-time Rookie of the Month Willie McCovey, 2-15-.304, 17 R, the Sox finished August in the tight AL race tied for 3rd with Cleveland, 2 games behind NY and % points behind the A’s. The Sox run was hindered by more injuries. On 8/30, OF Bill North was lost for 5 weeks to a fractured rib. Two days later, SP Preacher Roe sprained his elbow and was lost for 4 weeks. Still, Chicago fought gamely. The Sox went into their final 3-game series at NY 1½ games behind both NY and the A’s. In a scheduling quirk, the Yankees and A’s would meet in a final 3-game series after the Sox season concluded. Chicago had to win at least 2 vs the Yankees to stay alive, more if the A’s won any games vs Detroit. Unfortunately, in Game 1 the Yankees defeated the White Sox, 2-0 behind Jered Weaver (21-13), then in Game 2 they won again, 2-1 behind Larry Jansen (20-11) to eliminate the White Sox with 1 game to play. Fleury Sullivan was again incredible down the stretch for the White Sox, named Pitcher of the Month, 6-1-0.91 in 49.2 IP. 1917 World Series: Brooklyn Robins (89-65) vs New York Yankees (92-62) This would be the Brooklyn’s 3rd appearance in the World Series, and New York’s 4th (once losing as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901). New York defeated Brooklyn in 1909 and 1913. Game 1: NY 6, Bro 2, behind Jered Weaver’s complete game and timely hitting by Berghammer (2-4, RBI, R, BB) and Raines (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R). Game 2: NY 7, Bro 6 (10 inn). Brooklyn takes 6-1 lead after 3 innings. NY draws to 6-6 in 5th. Woody English’s 2-out walk-off RBI 1B wins it in the 10th. W: Papelbon, L: Egan Game 3: Bro 6, NY 5. NY takes 5-0 lead in 2nd. Craig Wilson’s 473’ Grand Slam ties it 5-5 in 8th. Posey GW RBI 1B puts Bro ahead to stay. Game 4: NY 3, Bro 1. Weaver CG win. English 2-3, RBI, R; Ramsey 3-4, 2B. Game 5: NY 10, Bro 1. NY scored 7 in first 3 innings and wins in a walk. Smoltz CG. Quinn 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R; Raines 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI New York is World Champions for the 3rd time, each time defeating Brooklyn. MVP: Jered Weaver: 2-0-1.50 in 18 IP. Milestones/Achievements Season: • WHIP: 0.902, Willie E Adams (prev held by Rick Reed, 0.903 in 1907) • No-hitter: Willie E Adams, 10/2 vs Red Sox @ Fenway; 9 0 0 0 0 4, 2 HBP Career: • 300 Wins: Harry Salisbury, Cincinnati (#1 pitcher in MLB history). On 6/17/17, 2.2 IP in relief (6th of career) in 12-inning 3-2 home win over Philadelphia. Career: 300-196-2.14 in 528 G, 522 GS. Finished 1917: 308-212-2.15 over 14 years. (11 straight 20-win seasons at start of career). Retirement: • Aaron Harang, Red Sox, 205-178-2.45 (6th all-time in wins) • Doc White, A’s, 191-187-2.37 (t-9th all-time in wins) • Pedro Guerrero, Braves, 53-925-.288-159 (#1 career RBI, 1906 NL Player of Yr) Awards • Avg: AL Tim Raines Sr, NYY, .301 ; NL Pete Reiser, Bro, .327 • Rookie of Year: AL Brickyard Kennedy, Det, 17-19-4-2.43 • Rookie of Year: NL Roberto Alomar, Braves, 0-54-.300-54, 75 R, 147 g • Best Pitcher: AL Willie E Adams, Was, 22-9-4-1.73 • Best Pitcher: NL Monty Stratton, Pit, 26-8-6-2.10 (LL wins) • Best Hitter: AL Frank E Thomas, NYY, 7-69-.299, led league in OBP, BB • Best Hitter: NL Pete Reiser, Bro, 1-75-.327-11, led league in avg. |
1918 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1918 Season The 1917 draft was not particularly deep but will be a memorable one. Several players to note: 1. 1B Jackie Robinson, 26, Phillies 2. SS Alex Rodriguez, 18, Red Sox (not signed previous year) (#1 rated on Opening Day) 3. CF Hack Wilson, 21, Tigers will not be signed) 7. SP Bobo Newsom, 20, Indians (#2 rated on Opening Day) 8. LF George Anderson, 23, Braves 11. C Mike Napoli, 23, Indians (#10 rated on Opening Day) This season we will follow the Cleveland Indians into battle. The Indians have been a contending team for the past few seasons. They are the MLBs only repeat World Champions, in 1914 and 1915. They finished a disappointing 4th in 1917, 8 GB @ 84-70. The Indians are led by 3-time Batter of the Year Mickey Mantle (1912, ’14, ’15). Their biggest competition will come from the defending World Champion and favored New York Yankees and from the dark-horse Chicago White Sox. The Indians were relatively quiet in the off-season. They made two minor deals: • Acquired OFs Ira Flagstead and Tommy Madden for 3B Billy Lush • Acquired 2B Dick Schofield for 2B Ed Giavanola and RP Edgar Ramos They had already acquired three player midway the previous year expected to start. Their biggest additions, however, were #1 draft picks SP Bobo Newsom and C Mike Napoli They went into the season with this lineup: C: Mike Napoli SP: Tex Hughson 1B: Tony Solaita 8-59-.272 SP: Vinegar Bend Mizell 2B: Al Dark 2-67-.263 SP: Scott Bankhead 3B: Pepper Martin (acq 6/17) SP: Bobo Newsom SS: Frank Smykal (acq 7/1917) SP: Joel Pineiro LF: Wes Covington 3-31-.298 CL: Henry Jones CF: Bill Bankston (acq 6/1917) RP: Dan Bickham RF: Mickey Mantle (28) 11-66-.291-14 Not a single starter had won more than 17 games the previous year. They needed an ace. The first two months of the season went largely as expected, with New York ending May on top by 3 ½ games over Cleveland. The Indians had lost Dark for 6 weeks on 5/12 (Schofield to 2B) and Bankston for 4 months on 5/25 (J. Sandberg to 3B, P Martin to OF), but they continued to play well. Led by June Batter of the Month Mantle: 2-14-.307, 23 R, Pitcher of the Month Hughson: 6-2-2.77, and Dark’s return, the Indians went 20-8 to overtake NY and build a 1 ½ game lead by July 1. Management, spurred by these hopes, on 7/8 dealt Swigler and Lachemann to the A’s for Rich Rollins, who was promptly inserted into the lineup at 2B for Dark on the very day that the Yankees again passed the Indians in the standings. July continued to be a month of ups and downs for Cleveland. On 7/22 they lost 1B Solaita for 5 weeks (Rob Sasser 1B). But on 7/23 they acquired closer Dave Lemonds (lifetime 30 saves, 2.82 ERA) from the Phillies. By the end of the month, they were hanging on, still in 2nd, but 3 ½ games back. Fighting through additional injuries, and again led by Pitcher of the Month Hughson, the Indians drew within a game by the end of August. Next commenced the best September/October finish in MLB history to date: • 1st week in Sept, Pepper Martin goes crazy, hitting .556, Cle closes to % behind • 2nd week, Cle goes 5-1, NY 1-5, both look up and White Sox won 11 straight, 1 ½ bk • 9/21: Chicago wins 15th in row, Cle loses to propel Chi into 1st by 1 game, 10 rem • 9/23: Cle & Chi tied 1st @ 84-61, NY 5 ½ GB, 9 to play • 9/25, Chi goes up by 2 games. • 9/29: Chi def Cle 5-0 to clinch tie for pennant w 3 games rem • 10/6: (final day). Cle wins 3rd straight, playing earlier in day. Chi has lost 2 straight. Chi loses to St. Louis 3-2 in 31 innings and Cle and Chi tie for the pennant. • In the ensuing playoff game, Cleveland, behind Tex Hughson, 26-14, wins relatively easily, 5-2, to advance to the World Series. 1918 World Series: Cleveland Indians (90-65) vs Boston Braves (100-54) Cleveland appears in its unprecedented 3rd Fall Classic in five seasons, having won in both 1914, and 1915. The Braves make their 1st appearance in the World Series in the league’s 18-year history. The Indians are without SP Vinegar Bend Mizell (11-12-2-3.03, Sept. elbow surgery) and 3B/OF Pepper Martin (0-35-.311-6). The Braves are without SP/RP Phil Knell (19-8-8-1.57, NL ERA and saves leader). Game 1: Bos 4, Cle 3. In a battle of 2 rookie SPs, Boston’s Lefty Chambers (18-10-2.41) bests Newsom (21-11-3-2.20) as Bos jumps out with 4 runs in the first 3 innings then holds off Cle rally. POG: Doug Radar 3-4, 2 RBI. Batting champ George Anderson 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R. Game 2: Bos 7, Cle 5. Dan Casey bests Scott Bankhead (17-13-1-2.17). Cle scores in the 1st on a Solaita infield 1B. But Bos ties it in its half of the 1st, goes ahead in the 2nd, and builds a big lead before a late Cle comeback makes it close. POG: Gerald Young 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI, R. Game 3: Cle 3, Bos 0. Ace Tex Hughson (26-14-4-2.50) spins a 5-hit shutout. Mantle goes 3-4, 2B; Rich Rollins 1-3, 2 RBI, R. Game 4: Cle 4, Bos 3. Best game of the series to date. Tied 3-3 into the bottom of the 9th. Smykal reaches on an error on SS Myatt, steals second and scores on Dark’s walk-off 1B. W: Dave Lemonds, (1 perfect IP in relief). POG: Alvin Dark. Game 5: Bos 4, Cle 2. Casey again bests Bankhead with his 2nd CG. Same Bos formula, and early 3-0 lead, hold on for the win. POG: Casey. Radar 2-3, 3B, RBI, R BB. Danzig 3-4, RBI. Game 6: Bos 2, Cle 0. Hughson vs Boston’s Junior Thompson (14-6-1-2.56). A scoreless duel through 7. In the 8th, Bos finally gets to Hughson after 17 IP in the series with a Myatt leadoff 2B, Danzig BB, Nick Hundley RBI 2B, Hector Lopez SF for a 2-0 lead. Thompson finishes the 3-hit shutout to win the game and the series and garner the series MVP award. The Boston Braves win the World Championship for their 1st try, after an 18-year wait! Milestones/Achievements Season: • No-hitter: Dan Casey, Braves, vs Giants @ Polo Grounds, 4/22, 9 0 0 0 2 7. • No-hitter: Monty Stratton, Pirates, vs Cubs @ Wrigley, 8/11, 9 0 0 0 2 4 • 2B: Honus Wagner, Pit, 51 • 3B: Charley Jones, Pit, 33 Career: • 300 wins: Anibal Sanchez (2nd all-time), Pit, 10/6 (final day of season), 2-1 over Cubs @ Wrigley. 8.2 12 1 1 0 3. Year: 22-8-1.94. Career: 300-251-2.20. • 200 wins: Stephen Strasburg (7th all-time), Det, 4/20, 4-3 over White Sox @ Comiskey. 8.2 IP. Career: 200-182-2.33. Suffered torn labrum during the game and is out 7-8 months. • 200 wins: Preacher Roe (8th all-time), ChW, 5/4, 3-1 over Det @ Navin Field. 9 7 1 1 0 1. Career: 200-152-2.48. • 2000 Hits: Nap Lajoie (2nd all-time), Bro, 6/21, @ Ebbets Field, 1-3 in 4-2 win vs Giants. Career: 33-767 (6th)-.303 (7th), 2000 H, 573 SB (14th), 869 R (5th), 1612 G. Retirement: • Edd Roush: 32-660-.295-637. Sixteen seasons with Washington., on 2 pennant winners, World Series winner in 1906. AL Batter of Year 1902 & 1906, led league in H 3 times, TB 4 times, Avg 2 times. Career: 4th in H & TB, 7th in SB, 8th in R. Awards • Avg: AL Bill North, ChW, .313 ; NL George Anderson (rookie), Bos, .355 • Rookie of Year: AL Bobo Newsom, Cle, 21-11-3-2.20 • Rookie of Year: NL Charley Jones, Pit, 2-65-.270-25, 86 R, .351 OBP • All-Time Rookie of Year: Jackie Robinson, Phillies, 2-55-.277-34, 63 R (compared with real-life debut 29 years later: 12-48-.297-29, 125 R) • Best Pitcher: AL Larry Jansen, NYY, 28-11-1.94 (LL wins, ERA) • Best Pitcher: NL Bret Saberhagen, Bro, 24-10-4-1,66 (LL wins(t)) • Best Hitter: AL Mickey Mantle, Cle, 13-68-.308-23 (LL HR, R, BB, OBP, SLG, OPS, K), 4th time awarded Best Hitter award in last 7 seasons (’12, ’14, ’15) • Best Hitter: NL Pete Reiser, Bro, 1-75-.327-15. (2nd consecutive Best Hitter award; amazingly, exactly same # of HR, RBI and Avg as previous season). |
Season 1920 Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1920 Season The 1919 draft was light except for a couple of outstanding names. There was a surprise at the top. Highlights: 1. CF Braggo Roth, 20, Red Sox 2. LF Frank Robinson, 19, Senators 3. 2B Rod Carew, 20, Pirates 4. 1B Andre Thornton, 22, Tigers 5. 3B Bill Madlock, 20, Browns 6. SP Ben Sheets, 21, Cardinals 7. SP Andy Pettitte, 21, Robins The 1920 pennant races were similar in character. The early going in the AL was dominated by the White Sox and the upstart Browns. As the White Sox faded, the Browns found themselves with a 2 ½ game margin over the Tigers at the end of July. But the Browns gave up their lead with a 4-9 spell in the first two weeks of August. The Tigers were never caught again, winning their first pennant by a 6-game margin over the Senators. Back in the NL, the Reds held 1st place from the opening bell through late July. Then they dropped 7 in a row while the Robins won 6 in a row and the Robins took a 1 ½ game lead into August. Although the race was close, the Robins were never headed, finishing 3 games ahead of the Pirates and 4 games in front of the Reds. This was the Robins fourth pennant. 1920 World Series: Brooklyn Robins (84-70) vs Detroit Tigers (90-64) This series was to be a best-of-nine affair. Each team was looking for its first World Championship, the Tigers on their first try, the Robins on their fourth try. The Tigers HR star RF Jerry Lynch was only at 70% but would still play in the series. The Robins, on the other hand, found themselves without 3 key players: OF/3B Pete Reiser: 2-78-.345-19; 2B Nap Lajoie: 2-70-.318-16; and SS Bud Harrelson: 1-50-.275-7 The clubs split the first two games in Detroit as the Tigers’ Johnny Marcum shut out the Robins in Game 1 and the Robins’ Don Gullett and Hector Carrasco combined to shut out the Tigers in Game 2. But then the Tigers reeled of 3 straight wins by scores of 6-2, 4-1 and 4-2, and it looked like the series was over. However the Robins bounced back behind Peavy and Saberhagen to take games 6 & 7 to pull with 4 games to 3. Game 8 was the only slugfest of the series. The Tigers outlasted the Robins 7-5 due to the bats of Player-of-the-Game Ryan Braun 3-5, RBI, 3 R; Rod Myers 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; and Jerry Lynch 3-4, 3B, RBI, 2 R. Detroit won the World Series on their first try. Series MVP was Johnny Marcum, 2-1-1.38. Milestones • 5/22 - Preacher Roe, 34, ChW, win #250 (4th all-time), 3-1 over Was @ Griffith Stadium. Line: 9 11 1 1 1 2. Career: 250-176-2.44 Records • Rod Carew, Pit, NL single-season record: 215 H Retirement: • Jim Wynn, 36, NYG, 87-792-.256-338, 993 R, 1887 H, 1162 BB, 1042 K. Career: 1st BB & K; 4th R; 4th(t) HR; 5th G & AB; 7th RBI & TB; 9th H; LL HR ‘12-’14; 5-time Gold Glove • Stephen Strasburg, 36, Det, 200-182-3-2.33. Career: 6th ShO; 7th GS; 8th IP; 9th W; 10th K; AL Pitcher of Year (& ERA) 1909 • Joel Hanrahan, 35, PhiN, 21-29-48-3.10. Career: 6th Sv; LL 1915 Other Events • 5/23 - Rogers Hornsby, NYY, walk-off HR leading off bottom of 15th to complete cycle for 5-4 win over SLA • 5/31 - Frank Snyder,. ChC, 23-game hitting streak (finished season hitting .348) Awards • Avg: AL Ty Cobb, Bos, .370 ; NL Rod Carew (rookie), Pit, .354 • Rookie of Year: AL Eppa Rixey, StL, 21-16-4-3.07, 32 GS, 275.1 IP, 270 H, 77 BB, 83 K, .257 avg. • Rookie of Year: NL Rod Carew, Pit, 1-70-.354-26, 215 H, 102 R • Best Pitcher: AL Fleury Sullivan, ChW, 21-12-3-2.33, 37 GS, 322.1 IP, 330 H, 66 BB, 110 K, .264 avg. • Best Pitcher: NL Pud Galvin, ChC, Pitching Triple Crown, 24-16-5-2.47, 36 GS, 328.1 IP, 83 BB, 249 K, .236 avg. • Best Hitter: AL Mickey Mantle, Cle, 12-77-.329-4, 192 H, 29 2B, 3 3B, 75 R; LL: OBP, BB, H • Best Hitter: Rod Carew, Pit, 1-70-.354-26, 215 H, 34 2B, 16 3B, 102 R: NL Record: H; LL: Avg, R, TB |
The First Two Decades: 1901 - 1920
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
The First Two Decades: 1901 - 1920 The first twenty years of Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB), a Random Debut league starting in 1901, has had its share of surprise stars and flops, along with it’s expected superstars. We will highlight these players here, along with 20-year and decade All-Star Teams, and a couple of clubs that dominated the scene. Sizzlers and Fizzlers The stars and flops. Some will shock you, some will not. All records, unless otherwise noted, are career totals. Pitchers • Harry Salisbury, Cin, 1904-, 324-239-2.28. Career W leader, 14 consecutive 20-win seasons (real-life Christy Mathewson holds record with 12 consecutive years over which he won 337 games). NL Outstanding Pitcher 1906-1908. • Anibal Sanchez, Pit, 1902-, 315-263-2.26. 2nd career W. Salisbury’s rival. Oddly never won Outstanding Pitcher, led league in W once and ERA once but consistent. • Preacher Roe, Cin, 1907-, 261-188-2.49. Youngest of the lot at 34, so still may hit 300 wins and challenge leaders. As Brave, ROY 1907 and Outstanding Pitcher 1909. • Early Wynn, Cin, 1902-, 268-273-2.77. Everyman pitcher, 3rd in W, but with a losing record. Spent most of career with Giants. • Stephen Strasburg, Det, 1905-19, 200-182-2.33. 9th in career W. Still, a sad story. Won his 200th Opening Day 1918 at Age 33, but suffered a torn labrum in the process and only pitched 5 more MLB innings before retiring at the end of 1920. • Sergio Romo, -, 1902-14, 57-45-77-2.23. LL Sv 4 times. Career Saves leader by 11 over Alex Malloy. • Rube Waddell, ChN, 1902-03, 2-3-4.91, 7 G, 55 IP • Bob Feller, Cle/SLA, 1901-02, 23-24-3.35, 391.2 IP, 459 H, 117 BB, 77 K • Ed Walsh, SLA, 1901-02, 33-27-2.76 Position Players • George R Stone, LF, Det/Was, 1911-, 35-455-.328-467. Career Leader in Avg (.328), OBP (.397), SLG (.439) & OPS (.836). AL ROY & Outstanding Hitter 1911 (Det). LL H & TB 1914-16, , SLG 1911, ’14 & ’15; SB 1912 & ’14; Avg 1911 & ’14; OPS 1911 & ’14. • Salvador Perez, C, Det, 1903-, 34-941-.288-1. Twice led AL in Avg: .342 in 1912, .329 in 1919. 4-time Gold Glove. Career: 1st in G, AB, H, 1B, 3B, TB; 2nd RBI, 2B, R. 35-game hitting streak in 1919 (@ age 36) 2nd longest in MLB history. • Mickey Mantle, CF, Cle, 1909-, 94-755-.295-133. 5 times AL Outstanding Hitter in 12 seasons. Career: 2nd OBP, 2nd(t) HR, 3rd OPS & BB, 5th SLG & TB, 7th R, 8th H, 10th RBI; LL OBP 5 times , HR 1916-18, R 1918-19. • Johnny Bench, C, NYG, 1905-, 94-907-.249-56. Career: 2nd G, 2nd(t) HR. 3rd AB & 2B, 4th H & RBI, 5th R; LL HR 1909-11, 3-time Gold Glove • Nap Lajoie, 2B, Bro, 1907-, 37-942-.301-628, 1075 R. Career: 1st in RBI & R. 2nd H, 7th Avg. NL Outstanding Hitter 1908. 6-time Gold Glove. LL RBI 4 times, H 3 times, Avg twice. • Sherry Magee, LF, ChC, 1910-, 53-782-.302-788. 2-time NL Outstanding Hitter 1913-14. LL Avg 1913 (.359) & 1914 (.346). LL SLG 4 consecutive yrs: 1911-14. Career: 2nd SLG & SB, 4th OPS, 6th Avg. • Ralph Kiner, LF, several, 19-202-.221-6 • Mark McGwire, 1B, Bos, 1906-, 99-744-.215-7 (.291 SLG) Career leader in HR but terrible Avg and SLG • Carl Yastrzemski, LF, SLA, 1901-02, 0-62-.274-4 (late start, retired at age 38) • Lou Brock, LF, Bos, 1901-03, 0-62-.360-52 (late start, retired at age 35) • Kirby Puckett, CF, ChN, 6-88-.312-18 (late start, retired at age 34) All-Star Teams (all records are career totals) AL First 20 Years 1901-1910 1911-1920 C Salvador Perez 34-941-288-1 Mickey Cochrane 20-539-.267-62 Salvador Perez 1B Frank Thomas 65-615-.282-22 Joey Votto 58-750-.289-81 Frank Thomas 2B Dutch Ussat 23-672-.272-57 Dutch Ussat Dutch Ussat 3B Scott Rolen 55-635-.252-118 Scott Rolen David Wright 74-674-.275-255 SS Ray Chapman 9-633-.279-604 Ray Chapman Al Dark 28-623-.282-59 OF Mickey Mantle 94-755-.295-133 Harold Baines 63-735-.273-106 Mickey Mantle OF Edd Roush 32-660-.295-637 Edd Roush GeorgeRStone 35-455-.328-467 OF Dutch Zwilling 87-892-.252-642 Hal Warnock 14-384-.279-26 Tim Raines Sr 38-590-.298-693 SP Stephen Strasburg 200-182-2.33 Stephen Strasburg Parke Swartzel 176-143-12-2.49 SP Fluery Sullivan 194-151-16-2.38 Scott Stratton 124-131-2.68 Fluery Sullivan SP Pascual Perez 163-199-2.61 Frank Knaus 124-120-2.22 Tex Hughson 156-114-19-2.49 SP Jim Scott 191-173-2.75 Harey Moran 146-128-2.96 Jered Weaver 147-115-2.44 SP Rick Reed 190-138-8-2.34 Jake Westbrook 105-127-2.57 John Smoltz 143-127-11-2.71 CL Gary Ryerson 64-42-60-2.32 Sergio Romo 57-45-77-2.23 Gary Ryerson NL First 20 Years 1901-1910 1911-1920 C Charlie Lindstrom 26-712-.254-5 Charlie Lindstrom Chief Meyers 13-405-.271-49 1B Donn Clendenon 37-659-.292-196 Chris Chambliss 31-663-.281-19 Donn Clendenon 2B Nap Lajoie 37-942-.301-628 Carlos Rodriguez 4-360-.286-7 Nap Lajoie 3B Doug Rader 22-351-.283-11 Graig Nettles 32-418-.234-52 Doug Rader SS Bud Harrelson 4-377-.274-94 Don Buddin 8-385-.250-7 Bud Harrelson OF Sherry Magee 53-782-.302-788 Ron Fairly 18-429-.271-2 Sherry Magee OF Jim Wynn 87-792-.256-338 Jim Wynn John Kruk 31-492-.296-92 OF Pedro Guerrero 53-925-.288-159 Pedro Guerrero Max Carey 26-643-.288-888 SP Harry Salisbury 324-239-10-2.28 Harry Salisbury Harry Salisbury SP Anibal Sanchez 315-263-4-2.26 Anibal Sanchez Adonis Terry 206-186-17-2.60 SP Early Wynn 268-273-10-2.77 Early Wynn Doc McJames 145-110-5-2.80 SP Rip Egan 244-152-4-2.46 Juan Pizarro 171-156-4-2.51 MontyStratton 132-134-17-2.70 SP Preacher Roe 261-188-4-2.49 Monte Ward 147-95-0-2.13 Larry Christenson 189-134-2.57 CL Alex Malloy 58-46-66-2.89 Joe Nuxhall 30-30-15-2.78 Alex Malloy Noticeably, the American League gravitated more toward hitting in the first 20 seasons, while the National League became known as the pitchers’ league. How did this play out in the baseball clubs and the World Series winners? The Champs The Philadelphia Athletics were the iconic team of the first twenty years, with a .548 winning percentage, 62 wins than any other club, more World Series appearances (5) and more World Championships (3). They only finished out of the first division 4 times. The A’s have always featured a balanced offense that is usually 1st or 2nd in the league. In the early days the leaders were Steve B Dunn and Cleon Jones. In the teens, David Wright and Pee Wee Reese, and more recently by Matt Holliday stepped up. The pitching has always been solid, early on led by Jim Scott. More recently, Wilbur Cooper has been a star, with Parke Swartzel and Justin Verlander developing as young studs behind him. Unlike most clubs, the A’s have also emphasized closers. They have owned at various times the top 2 of the top 3 guys in Saves in the game: Sergio Romo, and Gary Ryerson. The Best of the Rest The Cincinnati Reds have had the 3rd best winning percentage, .524 (to the A’s and Robins). The Reds have been World Champions once (1908) and League Champions on 3 other occasions. They have done it with superb pitching, led by all-time Wins leader Harry Salisbury, and a willingness to trade for veterans to keep winning (they currently have 3 of the top 4 pitchers in career wins on their roster, Salisbury, Preacher Roe and Early Wynn). The Results After the first 8 seasons, in which the National league won 5 World Championships, the American League philosophy has been dominating. The American League has won 10 of the last 12 World Series, the only exceptions in 1912 and 1918. The Stars The American League has stars such as Willie McCovey, Frank Robinson, Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby and Mickey Mantle, who has been good enough to beat out Hornsby for the Outstanding Hitter award in 1918 and both Hornsby and Cobb for the award in 1920. The National League has Honus Wagner and his rookie teammate Rod Carew, who beat out Wagner for the batting title. They also have hitters such as Nap Lajoie, Jackie Robinson, Cecil Fielder, Pete Reiser, Matty Alou, and Tim Raines, but nowhere near the pop of the AL. On the pitching side, the National League had had the advantage with their 200-game winners, but they are getting old. Their places are being taken by the likes of Pud Galvin, Paul Derringer and Claude Hendrix. The American League has aces Fluery Sullivan and Wilbur Cooper and up-and-comers John Smoltz, Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver. The American League future looks brighter. |
1921 Season
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1921 Season 1921 was a magical season! Offense blossomed like it never had before, with league batting averages jumping 15-20 points and league ERAs jumping by .5 to .7 runs per game. Young players who had been showing potential for several seasons finally broke out, and the old guard was turned on its ear. It started with the draft, when 1920 cellar-dwelling Red Sox selected SP Bob Black, 19, overall #1, and the equally dismal Boston Braves picked 20-year-old RF Beals Becker #2. The likes of Harmon Killebrew and Bill Madlock would follow, making this one of the most fun drafts to date. Led by their #1 picks and offensive explosions from the likes of Ty Cobb for the Sox and Roberto Alomar for the Braves, these clubs were in the heat of the pennant races from the beginning. No team could be counted out. But even more exciting for the fans were the individual performances that were being followed all over baseball in 1921. By the end of April, Ty Cobb was hitting .500 for the Red Sox, while Mickey Mantle of the Indians was closing in on the All-Time Home Run record. The previously lowly Browns were leading the American League, and 6 clubs were within 1 ½ games of first place in the National League. On May 6, Mickey Mantle shattered the career Home Run record, previously held by Mark McGwire, by hitting his 100th HR. At age 31, Mantle is expected to add many more HRs before he is through. Only 6 days later, the great Nap Lajoie, 34, of the Brooklyn Robins, got hit #2500, going 3-4 @ Ebbets Field. His lifetime line: 37-963-.302-629, 2502 H, 1092 R, leaves him #1 all-time in RBI and R, #2 in H, and #9 in avg. Three days after that, on May 15, Fleury Sullivan, ChW, won his 200th game, tied for 9th on the all-time list with Stephen Strasburg. The end of May found Cleveland, led by Mantle, and Pittsburgh, led by Honus Wagner and Rod Carew, atop the standings. However, by the end of June, both the previous season’s cellar-dwelling Boston clubs had taken the lead. Ty Cobb, who hit an amazing .450 in June, led the Red Sox. Roberto Alomar’s league-leading RBI total sparked the Boston Braves. July brought on more individual milestones: • Mickey Mantle got hit #2000 on July 9, going 2-3 in a 9-8 win vs. the A’s @ League Pk His lifetime line to date: 109-808-.296-133, 248 2B, 107 3B, 959 R. • Wid Conroy, Browns, a lifetime .252 hitter, went on an inexplicable 33-game hitting streak that ended 7/17 with an 0-5 day. He finished the day hitting .274. He would be one of 10 players with hitting streaks of 20 games or more during the year. • 7/18: Mickey Mantle hits HR #17 to tie Jim Thome, Cardinals, (1915) for most HRs in a season; August continued the individual record assault: • 8/3: Willie McCovey, ChW, hits HR #17 to tie Mantle and Thome. • 8/14: McCovey hits HR #18 to break the single season HR record. He would go on to hit 24 HRs for the season. • 8/29: Hack Wilson, Phillies, set a new NL single season HR record with 19 HRs. By the end of August, both the Boston clubs had built nearly insurmountable leads in their respective pennant races, the Red Sox by 12 games and the Robins by 9 games. September saw the following individual single season records fall: • Roberto Alomar broke the single season record for RBI with 129 • Alex Rodriguez broke the single season AL record for RBI with 11 • Braggo Roth broke the single season record for runs, 136 and total bases, 371, and 2B, 53 • Rod Carew broke the NL single season record for hits with 232 • Ty Cobb broke the single season record for hits with 258, slugging percentage with .601 and OPS with 1.057. • Most amazingly, Ty Cobb easily surpassed .400 for the first time, hitting .419! 1921 World Series: Boston Braves (92-62) vs. Boston Red Sox (100-54) This series was to be a best-of-nine affair. The Red Sox had won twice previously in 1902 and 1911, while the Braves had won in 1918. After the exciting regular season of individual achievements, the World Series could have been anti-climatic, but that was not to be the case. The clubs split the first 4 games of the series without much fanfare except for a big game by the Red Sox’ Alex Rodriguez in a 10-2 Red Sox win in Game 3. Game 5 was tied 1-1 in the 12th when ARod hit a walk-off 2-run HR for a 3-1 Red Sox win and a 3-2 series lead. #1 draft pick Bob Black won in relief, his second victory in the series after a complete-game victory in Game 3. The Braves, however, came back from a 4-0 deficit to win Game 6, 5-4 in 10 innings, on a solid pitching performance from Phil Knell, Roberto Alomar’s game-winning RBI in the 10th, and a Jimmy O’Connell throw to nail the potential tying run at the plate in the 10th. The Braves took the series lead in Game 7 on the strength of Bill Dammann’s 3rd series win, 6-5. But the Red Sox won big in Game 8, 9-2 to force a winner-take-all final. The Red Sox were again too much in Game 9, taking a 5-1 lead after 3 innings and winning easily, 8-1, for their 3rd World Championship. The MVP was Rookie overall #1 pick Bob Black, 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in 19.2 IP. Retirement: • Anibal Sanchez, 318-266-5-2.28. Career: 1st G, GS, IP, Pitcher VORP; 2nd Wins, ShO, Pitcher WAR; 3rd CG, K • John Skopec, 82-68-1-2.10. Career: 1st ERA (1375.2 IP) • Rick Reed, 190-138-8-2.34. 1st single season W: 31 • Rip Egan, 245-154-5-2.53. Career: 2nd K; 3rd Win %; 6th W • Max Carey, 26-643-.288-888. Career: 1st SB; 2nd sing. sea. SB Awards • Avg: AL Ty Cobb, Bos, .419 ; NL Nap Lajoie, Bro, .381 • Rookie of Year: AL Fred Nicholson, Cle, 11-76-.363-10, 94 R, .425 OBP • Rookie of Year: NL Bill Madlock, Phil, 9-93-.357-7, 109 R, 214 H, .391 OBP • Best Pitcher: AL Bob Black (#1 overall pick), Bos, 23-12-9-3.08 • Best Pitcher: NL Pud Galvin (2nd yr in row), Chc, 23-14-1-3.42 • Best Hitter: AL Ty Cobb, Bos, 15-113-.419-52, 258 H, 35 2B, 16 3B, 114 R, .601 SLG, 1.057 OPS. Set Records: Avg, H, SLG, OPS, also LL: SB • Best Hitter: NL Honus Wagner, Pit, 7-106-.354-49, 219 H, 45 2B, 24 3B, 103 R, .539 SLG, .953 OPS. LL: SLG, OPS, 2B, XBH |
Looks like a real fun season you had in 1921. Congrats!
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1922 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1922 Season The highlight of the 1922 season was the emergence of several sluggers who challenged for the single-season HR record. Gary Sheffield, Pit, hit his 20th HR on 9/18 to break the NL record previously set by Hack Wilson (in 1921). Sheffield finished with 22 HRs. In the AL, Gavvy Cravath, Was, hit his 25th HR on 9/21 off Jack Morris to break the MLB record previously set by Willie McCovey (in 1921). Hot on Cravath’s heals were Rogers Hornsby, NYY, and Jim Rice, Was. Cravath finished the season with 27 HRs, Hornsby with 26, and Rice with 25. The pennant races unfolded much like the previous season, with the Red Sox and Braves dominating their respective leagues, winning by 17 and 15 games respectively and setting up a World Series rematch. The 1922 World Series was shortened to a best of 7 series. Just like the previous season, it took the full schedule of games to crown a champion. Again the Red Sox prevailed behind the pitching of Bob Black, who went 30-3.76 and was named the series MVP for the 2nd consecutive year. This time the vote was close between Black and teammate Ty Cobb, who hit .481 with 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 SB and 8 runs scored in the series. The Red Sox hardly missed SS Alex Rodriguez, who was out with a concussion. Fans witnessed other major player milestones and records in 1922: • Chipper Jones, CHW, & Sherry Magee, ChC, each garnered hit # 2000. Jones would finish the season 6th on the all-time list with 2086 hits, with Magee 7th with 2041 hits • Parke Swartzel, A’s, gained win #200, finishing the year with 210 wins, 9th all-time. • Ryne Sandberg, Red Sox, drove in 116 runs, breaking by 1 the AL record set by his teammate Alex Rodriguez the previous season. Awards • Avg: AL Ty Cobb, Bos, .389 (3rd consecutive); NL Honus Wagner, Pit, .363 • Rookie of Year: AL Orlando Cepeda, ChW, 20-94-.338-23, 123 R, 221 H • Rookie of Year: NL Beals Becker, Braves, 17-101-.338-22, 100 R, 185 H • Best Pitcher: AL John Smoltz, NYY, 22-13-5-2.60 • Best Pitcher: NL Jered Weaver, ChC, 26-15-7-2.53 • Best Hitter: AL Ty Cobb, Bos, 12-109-.389-50, 246 H, 46 2B, 21 3B, 125 R (2nd consecutive) • Best Hitter: NL Honus Wagner, Pit, 6-86-.363-57, 225 H, 45 2B, 15 3B, 122 R (2nd consecutive) Hall of Fame First Hall of Fame inductee in MLB: Aaron Harang, SP, Bro 1904-09, PhA 1910-12, BosA 1913-17 205-178-2.45, 444 App, 422 GS, 3617 IP, 1625 K, .242 Opp Avg 4-time 20-game winner, 1 World Championship (A’s), 9th all-time in Wins, 8th in GS and IP, 9th in WAR for pitchers. Retirees • Harry Salisbury, Cin, 1907-22, sure-fire HOF. 326-241-13-2.31, 20-game winner 1st 11 straight seasons in MLB, 1st all-time in Wins, Games, ShO, K, pitcher WAR • Adonis Terry, ChC, 1906-22, 211-198-18-2.80. Won Outstanding Pitcher in 1911 with 30 wins and 1.93 ERA. Led league in ShO 4 times and IP & WAR 3 times each. • Mark McGwire, Red Sox, 1906-20, all-or-nothing HR hitter. 99-744-.215. Held both single-season (16) and career (99) HR records, since broken. • Hack Wilson, Phillies, 1919-21, promising career cut short by injury. 30-218-.289/.373/.455. Set NL single-season HR record (19 in 1921), since broken. |
1923 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1923 Season Ty Cobb and the Boston Red Sox were the story in the American League. Cobb battled only his past in the batting race, coming within a single point his single-season batting record, finishing at .418. Cobb set a new mark for hits with 273, won his 4th consecutive batting title and his 3rd consecutive Outstanding Hitter award, while leading the Red Sox to their 3rd straight AL pennant. He was assisted by Rookie of the Year 1B Dick Stuart, 15-142-.316, who set a new single-season RBI mark. However, the Red Sox were upended in an exciting seven-game World Series by an extremely talented Pittsburgh Pirates team. The Pirates were led by their middle infield combination of Rod Carew and Honus Wagner, who finished 1-2 in the NL batting race at .371 and .365 respectively. Rookie of the Year catcher Jim Pagliaroni (7-72-,327) also helped the Pirates cause. Three pitchers also exceed major milestones in 1923:: • Early Wynn, Reds, gained win #300, finishing the season with 309 wins for 3rd on the all-time list. Wynn is an exceptional case with a 309-315-3.00 record. • Jared Weaver, ChC, & John Smoltz, NYY, each passed the 200 win plateau, Weaver finishing the season at 208-160-262 (10th all-time), and Smoltz finishing at 204-170-2.77 (12th all-time) Retired • Salvador Perez, C, Det, 34-954-.288, 227 3B (1st all-time), 2nd in car. G, AB, H, TB, 1B • Johnny Bench, C, NYG, 94-909-.250-56, 7th in HR, 8th in RBI • Matt Holiday, LF, Cle, 61-703-.277-104 • Willie Davis, LF, CHW, 21-688-.273-471 |
1924 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1924 Season Surprisingly, the 3-time defending champion Red Sox got some competition in the American League from the upstart St Louis Browns. Boston held what looked to be a comfortable 4-game lead going into August but the Browns ran off 9 of 10 going into September to take a 1-game lead. The Browns stayed hot, winning 9 of the next 11, finally taking the pennant by 2 games. All this despite a record-setting season by the Sox’ Ty Cobb, who hit .445, ending his 6th season in MLB with a career average of .398. Over in the NL, the Pirates, led by Honus Wagner, Ryan Braun and Rod Carew, were the class of the NL That is, until seemingly out of nowhere, the resurgent New York Giants, in the midst of an 8-game winning streak and a Pirates 8-game losing streak, caught the Pirates with 8 days to go and shot past them to win by 3 games. The World Series was a low-scoring affair. The Giants took Game 1, 4-1, behind Chris Zachary. From then on, however, the Browns shut the Giants down by scores of 2-1, 5-3, 3-0 and 1-0 to win the 2nd World Championship in the team’s history. Josh Hamilton was the series MVP, going 11-19-.579, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R. Besides setting a new record with a .445 avg, Ty Cobb also set single-season records with a .494 OBP, .654 SLG, 1.148 OPS, and 397 TB. Nap Lajoie became the first player in MLB to get hit #3000 on 5/10, off 300-game winner Early Wynn. Lajoie ended the season the holder of 8 MLB career records. Preacher Roe reached victory #300, and pitchers Monty Stratton, Bill Vinton and Bret Saberhagen all reached victory #200. On 10/29/24, P Vic Aldridge, 1902-19, became the 2nd player elected to the MLB Hall of Fame. Aldridge finished 248-215-3-2.75. He is currently 6th in career W, 5th in IP, 7th in K’s, 5th in G, 6th in GS and 5th in CG. |
1925 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1925 Season The Brooklyn Robins, after 4 disappointing seasons, were determined to make a run in 1925. They traded for SP turned Closer John Smoltz from the Yankees and teamed him with Francisco Rodriguez to form the best bullpen in baseball. Add the rotation of Jake Peavy, Bret Saberhagen, Don Gullett, Jim Clancy and Trevor Cahill and the Robins’ staff was formidable. Their bigger question was could they generate enough offense. Enter pick 1-8, Rookie of the Year CF Ginger Beaumont, who proceeded to produce an 8-102-.350-43 stat line with 119 runs, and the Robins would win the NL pennant by a comfortable 7 games over the Cubs. Their World Series challenge would be tougher, however because the Red Sox were back for the 4th time in 5 seasons, having outlasted the Senators by 4 games. Ty Cobb was his usually brilliant self at 10-91-.401-68 for the Sox. Pitcher Bob Black took Pitcher of the year honors yet again with a 23-11-9-2.97 record. Unfortunately both clubs would be without their CFs, Cobb and Beaumont, due to injury for the World Series, making the outcome anyone’s guess. However the Red Sox had experience and they had Bob Black, winning in 5 games as Black went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA to win series MVP. Other notable performances: Gavvy Cravath, Was, put down his claim as the top power hitter of his era, crushing the MLB single-season records for HR: 33 (prev 27 by Cravath), RBI: 161 (prev 142), and 2B: 55 (prev 53). On 5/16 he went 5/5 with 3 HR (including a Grand Slam), 3B, 2B and 10 RBI. By the end of the season, Cravath had 157 HR, with 4 of Mickey Mantle for the All-Time lead. The leagues’ outstanding hitters: Rogers Hornsby hit .408 to beat out Cobb for the AL batting title with a 24-107-.408 line. Honus Wagner posted a 13-76-.399-60 line to lead the NL in batting. Nap Lajoie, 39, Bro-PhiN, retired after 19 seasons, holding MLB career records for AB, R, H, TB, 1B, 2B, RBI. Hi Final Line in 2499 G: 43-1160-.307-662, 3129 H; played on 4 NL Championship teams, 1 Batter of the Year, RBI leader 4 times, Batting leader 3 times, 6 Gold Gloves. Milestones: Mickey Mantle and Chipper Jones each reached hit #2500 Fleury Sullivan reached win #250 Doc McJames reached win #200 |
The First Quarter Century
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
The First Quarter Century The first quarter century of Metaphysical League Baseball has been a fascinating journey. At the highest level, much of what was expected has unfolded. Pitching dominated the first 20 years, and the last 5 years hitting has emerged, led by great stars like Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby and Honus Wagner. Nap Lajoie proved he could hit in any era. The individual stars have now emerged. Along with those named above, Gavvy Cravath has become the most dangerous power hitter in the game, barring injury soon to surpass Mickey Mantle. Other big sticks have struggled vs superior pitching, but have still but up good numbers relative to their peers, guys like Chipper Jones and David Wright for example. The big surprise has been in the pitching. Four 300-game winners have already been crowned. Their names: Harry Salisbury, Early Wynn (with a losing record), Anibal Sanchez and Preacher Roe, from different eras. No less than 13 other pitchers have already notched 200 wins in their careers, some who seemed that they would not be that strong, but had staying power. As for the clubs, mostly there have been meteoric rises and falls among the franchises. The Boston Red Sox, however, have clearly emerged as the dominant team, with 3 World championships and another AL Championship in the last 5 seasons to go along with another 2 previous World Championships. The Brooklyn Dodgers have bee the most frustrated club, winning 5 NL titles without a World Series victory. The Chicago White Sox lead in futility with no league titles in 25 years. The stars have been so exciting: Ty Cobb: ..445 season average, .398 career avg to date Rogers Hornsby, .408 average to nose out Cobb for the batting title Gavvy Cravath’s 33-161-.331 season to break HR and RBI records and almost upset the Red Sox Nap Lajoie playing 19 seasons, winning year after year for Brooklyn but never quite reaching the pinnacle Honus Wagner’s excellence every year for Pittsburgh Mickey Mantle and Chipper Jones toiling for 2nd-division clubs Cleveland and Chicago Whte Sox, yet putting up some of the best totals in MLB history. Relative unknown Harry Salisbury carrying Cincinnati to NL titles but failing in the World Series Bob Black leading the Red Sox pitching both in the regular season and when int counts most in the World Series Surprising Anibal Sanchez matching Salisbury for best all-time before finally falling a bit short Jackie Robinson matching up with the best of the early 1900’s It’s been a great ride. Up next, the second 25 years. Play Ball! |
Metaphysical League Baseball 1926 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1926 Season The 1926 season belonged to the Cleveland Indians, and their superstar, Mickey Mantle. The Indians had finished a mediocre 77-77 in 1925, 17 games back. With Mantle turning 36, on gimpy knees, they moved him from CF to 1B to start the year, and used a 5-man rotation of Jackie Brandt, Henry Larkin, Fred Nicholson, Danny Tartabull and Alan Wiggins in the OF to great effect (all 5 hit at least .295). Around the infield, 2nd-year 2B Jason Kipnis hit .307, 3B Kevin Seitzer was solid, and SSs Everett Scott and Alcides Escobar split time adequately. Mike Grady earned the C job and hit .281. Mantle, relieved of OF duties, played in his most games in 6 years, hitting .273 with 12 HR and 83 RBI (best since 1922) and an MLB record-setting 138 BB, scoring 102 runs. The biggest difference, however, may have been in the pitching. Number 1 draft pick Cinders O’Brien went 22-11-11-3.40, winning Rookie of the Year while leading the league in Saves (as a starting pitcher). Jonathan Papelbon went 4-2-2-1.43 out of the bullpen. The bullpen led the league with a 2.82 ERA. Cleveland also made three big trades in June, acquiring veterans Deacon Phillippe and Hideo Nomo for the starting rotation and Bob Lawrence for the bullpen. These paid off as they parlayed a 1 1/2 game lead at the end of June to a full 6 game margin at the end of the season. These players would also play big roles in the World Series. The 1926 World Series pitted the Phillies (84-70) vs the Indians (88-66) The Phillies were led by Miguel Cabrera, Wade Boggs, Jackie Robinson and Paul Derringer. In game 1, Cleveland took a 7-1 lead, but star SP Cinders O’Brien left after 5 IP with an elbow sprain. Cleveland won 8-4, but the concern turned to their staff for the remainder of the series. The Indians Bobo Newsom won Game 2, 4-3, behind Fred Nicholson’s 3-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI game. In Game 3, Deacon Phillippe, a 23-game loser, came up big with an 8-0 shutout and Cleveland pulled within a game of the title. In Game 4, the other trade acquisition, Hideo Nomo, also dominated, winning 4-2, behind Mickey Mantle’s 3-3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R performance. Cleveland swept to win their 3rd World Championship in 4 tries, all during the Mickey Mantle era. Mantle and Nicholson were names co-MVPs. 1926 Awards and Achievements: Batting Avg: AL: Ty Cobb, Bos, .392; NL: Al Wickland, Chi, .373 Rookie of Year: AL: Cinders O’Brien, Cle, 22-11-11-3.40; NL: Fred Carroll, StL, 8-85-.333-8 Mgr of Year: AL: Cy Williams, Cle, 88-66; NL: Jim Ware, Bos, 79-75, 3rd Pitcher of Year: AL: Joe Blong, StL, 22-19-4-2.17; NL: Bill J Sweeney, Cin, 23-12-3-3.24 Hitter of Year: AL: Braggo Roth, Bos, 9-90-.380-42, #1 in 3B (31), R (139), OBP (.465), SLG (.586) NL: Al Wickland, Chi, 7-82-.373-20, #1 in avg, H (215), R (114), OBP (.445) Other notable performances: Mickey Mantle set the MLB single-season record for BB with 138, and continues to hold the career HR record of 173. Hitting Streaks: Ty Cobb hit in 34 straight games Honus Wagner hit in 31 straight games Milestones: David Wright reached hit #2500 (5th all-time) Honus Wagner, Rogers Hornsby and Miguel Cabrera reached hit #2000 (10th - 12th all-time) Jered Weaver reached win #250 (6th all-time) Cliff P Lee reached win #200 Hall of Fame (elected 10/7/26): Anibal Sanchez, Pit, 318 (4th)-266-5-2.28 (17th), 5369.1 IP (2nd), 2645 K (3rd), 862.4 VORP (1st) Rip Egan, Bro, 245 (8th)-154-5-2.53 (44th), 3682.1 IP (13th), 2666 K (2nd), .614 win % (4th), 6.52 K/9 (1st) Retirements: Early Wynn, Browns, 334 (1st)-350 (1st)-11-3.09, 5959 IP (1st) Parke Swartzel, A’s, 226-195-21-2.91, 3979.1 IP; 1914 Outstanding Pitcher; 2 x led lg in W, 4x K/BB, 3 x BB/9, 3 x CG |
Metaphysical League Baseball 1927 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1927 Season The 1927 season marked the resurgence of the long-dormant Washington Senators in the AL, and the culmination of a maturing process by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL. The Pirates were aided by one of the most lopsided trades in league history. The Reds, looking to free up 1B for 21-year-old phenom Lou Gehrig, traded Hal Chase to the Pirates shortly after the 1926 season ended, receiving only 30-year-old 3B Gene Freese in return. While Freese sat the bench in Cincinnati, Chase went on to win the Triple Crown in Pittsburgh, posting a 13-136-.379-35 stat line, and combining with Honus Wagner, Rod Carew and Bill Madlock to lead the Pirates to a 4-game margin over the Cubs for the NL pennant. The Senators margin of victory was even more impressive in the AL, taking the lead from Opening Day and winning by 17games over the defending champions Cleveland Indians. Part of the story for Washington was the emergence of Greg Maddux, who posted a 25-9-3.10 season, easily his best to date. Wiate Hoy was a strong #2 with a 21-10-3.75 line. The Senators were a well-balanced hitting machine, with 3 hitters racking up over 100 RBI’s: Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Charlie Hickman. Gavvy Cravath, #2 all-time in HRs, at age 38 played in 124 games and put up an 18-91-.302 stat line for the team. The Senators broke all offensive records for MLB by averaging over 5.8 runs/g over the regular season. The Pirates put a score into the Senators in the World Series by beating Maddux in Game 2 and winning Game 3 to go up tow games to 1, but the Senators won the next 3 games to take the series 4-2 for their 2nd World Championship and 1st since 1906. The MVP was Frank Robinson with 3 HRs, 5 RBIs, 2 IWs, and 8 Runs scored. 1926 Awards and Achievements: Batting Avg: AL: Ty Cobb, Bos/A’s, .376; NL: Hal Chase, Pit, .379 Rookie of Year: AL: Chris Hoiles, NYY, 9-72-.323; NL: Will Clark, NYG, 5-57-.321 Pitcher of Year: AL: Greg Maddus, Was, 25-9-3.10; NL: Kid Nichols, Cin, 23-11-2-3.00 Hitter of Year: AL: Ty Cobb, Bos/A’s, 6-92-.375-68, 34 2B, 12 3B, 198 H, 105 R. Led league in avg., SB, SLG and OPS NL: (Triple Crown!) Hal Chase, Pit, 13-136-.379-35, 44 2B, 14 3B, 248 H, 114 R. Led league in Triple Crown categories, SLG and Hits (setting NL record for RBI and H). Other notable performances: Hal Chase hit for the cycle twice in the same week, on July 1 and July 7. Paul Molitor had a 6-6 day, RBI in the White Sox 15-3 win over the Red Sox Hub Collins had a 6-7 day, RBI in the Yankees win over the Browns at Sportsman’s Park Hitting Streaks: Danny Tartabull, Cle, hit in 35 straight games Hal Chase hit in 31 straight games Joe Adcock, Cin, hit in 27 straight games Jim Viox, Cin, hit in 25 straight games Milestones: Roberto Alomar, Braves, reached hit #2000 (13th all-time) Ty Cobb reached hit #2000 (14th all-time) Justin Verlander, A’s, reached win #200 (18th-tie all-time) Hall of Fame (elected 10/7/26): Harry Salisbury, Cin, 326 (2nd)-241-13-2.31 (18th), 5245.1 IP (3rd), 4833 H, 1108 BB, 2747 K (1st), 1.13 WHIP (10th), 704 G (2nd), 448 CG (2nd), 66 ShO (1st), 837.43 VORP (2nd), 170.3 WARP (1st). Won 20 games each of 1st 11 seasons in MLB. Pitcher of Year 3 consecutive seasons. Led league in K/BB 5 times. Adonis Terry, ChC, 211(t15th)-198-18-2.80, 3696.2 IP, 3499 H, 1435 BB, 1834 K, 1.33 WHIP. Pitcher of Year 1911, winning 30 games with 1.93 ERA Retirements: Sherry Magee, ChC 65-970-.303-825 (2nd). Batter of Year 1913 & 1914. Led NL in SLG 4 straight seasons 1911-’14. Preacher Roe, Braves, 319-236-9-2.84, 5240.2IP, 5181 H, 1342 BB, 2363 K. Third or 4th all-time in virtually every major cumulative pitching category. Rookie of Year in 1907. Pitcher of Year in 1909. Goerge R Stone, Browns, 36-532-.331 (9th)-490. Rookie of Year/Batter of Year in 1911. Led league three times each in Hits, TB and SLG. |
Metaphysical League Baseball 1928 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1928 Season The 1928 pennant races were much like 1927 with the Washington Senators and Pittsburgh Pirates again winning league titles, this time by 11 games and 7 games respectively. The Senators (93-61) were favorites over the Pirates (88-66) to win the World Series by virtue of their previous year’s victory, their better season record and by the fact that the Pirate’s leading RBI man, Hal Chase, 5-107-.324-11, was out with an injury. The Pirates, however, won the series 4 games to 0, with the most lopsided victory in MLB history, by scores of 14-6, 14-5, 10-6 and 8-6. Jim Pagliaroni, (0-12-.474, 2 2B, 3B, 9 H, 3 BB, 4R), was named MVP. The Pirates sweep, along with the emergence with young stars like the Pirates’ Pagliaroni and Carew and the Reds’ Gehrig, Kid Nichols and Bill Sweeney caused many to wonder if maybe the tide of talent had finally turned toward to the National League after the previous 15 seasons of American League domination in which the AL had won 13 World Series. 1926 Awards and Achievements: Batting Avg: AL: Ty Cobb, A’s, .358; NL: Rod Carew, Pit, .362 Rookie of Year: AL: Dave Winfield, Det, 15-80-.345-3; NL: Richie Ashburn, NYG, 4-67-.312-26 Pitcher of Year: AL: Greg Maddus, Was, 22-9-10–3.19; NL: Bill J Sweeney, Cin, 24-11-3-2.86 Hitter of Year: AL: Charlie Hickman, Was, 25-151-.340-12 NL: Lou Gehrig, Cin, 15-110-.331-3 Hitting Streaks: Hal Chase hit in 37 straight games Milestones: Mickey Mantle, Cle, became 1st ever to pass 200 career HRs, ending season w/ 206 HRs Gavvy Cravath, Was, reached hit #2000 (15th all-time) Monty Stratton, Braves, reached win # 250 (7th all-time) Bret Saberhagen, Bro, reached win #250 (8th all-time) Paul Derringer, Phillies, reached win #200 (19th tie all-time) Addie Joss, NYG, reached win # 200 (20th tie w/ Strasburg all-time) Retirees: David Wright, Was 1910-’28, A’s/Was, 150-1121-.286-297. Career: 4th RBI, 5th H (2547), R (1168), HR (tie); 3rd 2B (439), 6th AB (8893), 4th G (2336). Won World Championships with A’s in 1910 and Senators in 1927, and an AL Title with Senators in 1928. |
MLB 1929 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1929 Season Before covering the pennant races, it is worth noting that 1929 was a year where no less than 12 players reached major career milestones (the milestones are detailed at the end of this report). On the Pirates alone, 5 hitters passed either the 2500-hit or 2000-hit barrier this season, yet the Pirates finished in 2nd place. Erv Lange also pitched a no-hitter for the Browns, the first in a couple of season in MLB. Now on to the pennant races. The Cincinnati Redlegs had suffered 17 straight seasons of frustration in the National League. By the end of May, however, it appeared that the Reds fans had something to hope for as their club held a 2 1/2 game lead over the Cards, led by their young 1B, Lou Gehrig, and two-time pitcher of the year Bill J Sweeney. The Reds held their ground in Jun, then rattled off 13 wins in 14 games to start July for an 8 1/2 game lead, and ewer never challenged. The Reds finally won the NL by 14 games over the Pirates, finishing at 100-54. Back in the American League, the race was much closer. The Red Sox, paced by rookie sensation Joe Torre, led at the end of April at 11-3. The Tigers won 10 straight games in May to pass the Red Sox, but the defending Senators kept pace, and May concluded with Washington percentage points ahead of Detroit. Detroit, paced by Dave Winfield and Don Demeter, passed Washington in June and held on to by 1 game margin at the end of July. But Washington went 19-10 in August while Detroit faded at 11-15 and the Senators held the lead for good. Washington finished at 92-62, 7 games ahead of the hard-charging A’s of Ty Cobb. The 1929 World Series would be Washington’s 3rd straight appearance, while the Redleg’s were returning for the first time since their loss in 1911. Cincinnati, however, took it right to the veterans, winning the first two games at home: 4-3 (10 inn) on an Alex Rodriguez game-tying HR in the 9th, followed by ARod’s 2-out 3-2 pitch 2-run walk-ogg 1B in the 10th. Beating Greg Maddux, 3-2, on a Lou Gehrig 2-out 2-run 1B in the 8th Then traveling to Washington, the Reds, behind Bill J Sweeney, took a 3-0 series lead by crushing the Senators 8-3. Washington came bak to win the next 2 games, 6-0 and 5-3 to send the series back to Cincinnati. At home, however, behind pitching Triple Crown winner Sweeney, the Reds sealed the deal in Game 6, 5-0, on Sweeney’s 5-hitter. Sweeney was named series MVP, going 2-0-1.00 in 18 IP, 15 H, 1 BB, 7 K. Gehrig’s line was .348/.423/.565, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R This was Cincinnati’s 2nd World series title, the 1st in 1908. This also constitutes the first time since 1907-1908 the the NL has won two consecutive World Series. 1929 Awards and Achievements: Batting Avg: AL: Ty Cobb, A’s, .374; NL: Roger Connor, Braves, .387 Rookie of Year: AL: Johnny Mize, Browns, 22-91-.342-0 Rookie of Year NL: Roger Connor, Braves, 20-97-.387-18 Pitcher of Year: AL: Greg Maddux, Was, 25-18-9-3.42 (3rd straight) NL: Bill J Sweeney, Cin, 27-12-7-2.83, 155 K, won Pitching Triple Crown (also outstanding Pitcher in 1926 & 1928) Hitter of Year: AL: Charlie Hickman, Was, 22-111-.357-11 (2nd straight) NL: Roger Connor, Braves (see Rookie of Year) Hitting Streaks: Beals Becker hit in 33 straight games Don Wert hit in 32 straight games No-Hitter: Erv Lange, Browns, 9 0 0 0 2 1 in 6-0 win vs Detroit @ Navin Field, 9/22/29 Milestones: Honus Wagner, Pirates, reached hit # 2500 (6th all-time) Miguel Cabrera, Phils, reached hit # 2500 (7th all-time) Rogers Hornsby, Yankees, reached hit # 2500 (8th all-time) Tim Raines, Sr, Pirates, reached hit # 2000 (16th all-time) Rod Carew, Pirates, reached hit # 2000 (17th all-time) Willie McCovey, White Sox, reached hit # 2000 (18th all-time) Hal Chase, Pirates, reached hit # 2000 (19th all-time) John McGraw, Pirates, reached hit # 2000 (20th all-time) Cliff P Lee, White Sox, reached win # 250 (9th all-time) Doc McJames, Red Sox, reached win #250 (10th all-time) Won all but final 2 with Cubs John Smoltz, Indians, reached win #250 (11th tie all-time) Bob Black, Red Sox, reached win # 200 (22nd place tie w/ Strasburg all-time) Retired: Chipper Jones, 41, ChW, 137-1216-.268-204, 2672 H, 1253 R, 1392 BB, 2674 Games. Second all-time (to still-active Mickey Mantle) in Games, RBIs, BB; 4th in Runs, 5th in Hits. Played 17 seasons without ever getting to a World Series. |
Metaphysical League Baseball 1930 Season Summary
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1930 Season The 1930 season saw an explosion of offense in both leagues. The AL set all-time league batting avg (.308) and ERA (5.07) records. The NL was not far behind, with league averages of .291 and 4.48 respectively. 1930 also saw the resurgence of the winningest franchise in MLB history, the Boston Red Sox, who bounced back from a 6th place finish in 1930 to win the AL pennant by 6 games over the former league champion Senators and the White Sox. The Red Sox were led by a new young star, 27-year old Ken Williams, whose 37 HR shattered the single-season HR record previously held by Gavvy Cravath (33). The NL pennant race was a much tighter affair, at least for a while. The aging Pirates of Honus Wagner got off to an 11-4 start to hold the lead through April. The Cardinals and Braves dominated May and June, with the Cards holding a 1 game lead going into July. By the end of July, their lead was up to 2 ½ games, but it was now the defending World Champion Reds in 2nd place after a 9-1 streak. Four days into August, the Reds took the lead, and were never headed, winning by 4 games over the Cardinals and the Giants. The 1930 World Series featured the defending champion Reds (2-3 in World Series play and the Boston Red Sox (all-time leader at 5-1 in World Series play). The first two games in Boston were won by the Red Sox by identical 6-5 scores. In Game 1, Ken Williams hit a walk-off 2-run HR in the bottom of the 13th after the Sox had fallen behind by a run in the top of the frame. In Game 2, Raul Mondesi’s walk-off 1B in the bottom of the 11th was the difference for the Red Sox. The Reds came back to win the first game at home, 5-4, on a 3-run 8th inning rally. The Red Sox, however, pounded out a 12-10 victory in Game 4, led by Ken Williams’ monster game: 4-5, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R. Game 5 was an easy win for the Red Sox, 8-3, behind Bob Black’s 3rd victory of the series. The Red Sox easily won their 6th World Series, by far the winningest franchise in World Sies history! MVP Ken Williams: 3-13-.440 (11-25), set records for RBI in a World Series and for hits in a 5-game World Series. Records: Willie McCovey, ChW, broke career HR record with HR #207 on 5/11, surpassing Mickey Mantle. McCovey finished the season with 234 career HRs. Ken Williams, Red Sox, set new single-season HR record with 37 HR. Charlie Hickman, Was set new single-season RBI record: 177, and 2B record: 58. Will Clark, NYG, set new NL single-season HR & RBI records with 31 HR and 154 RBIs, and set new MLB record with 426 Total Bases Johnny Mize, Browns, set new single-season SLG record: .665 Rod Carew, Was, set new single-season Runs record: 161 1929 Awards and Achievements: Triple Crown: Will Clark, NYG, 31-154-.376 (2nd ever in MLB play Batting Avg: AL: Ty Cobb, A’s, .411 (5th time >.400); NL: Will Clark, NYG, .376 Rookie of Year: AL: Denny Lyons, Browns, 8-83-.304-4 Rookie of Year NL: Dale Long, Cardinals, 10-65-.366-0 Pitcher of Year: AL: Tommy Thomas, Bos, 25-11-2-2.99 NL: Kid Nichols, Cin, 27-4-3.72 Hitter of Year: AL: Ty Cobb, A’s, 10-103-.411-28, 236 H, 53 2B, 17 3B, 123 R NL: Will Clark, NYG, 31-154-.376-3, 242 H, 45 2B, 23 3B, 142 R Hitting Streaks: Ty Cobb hit in 48 straight games, most in MLB history Milestones: Ty Cobb, A’s, reached hit #2500 Roberto Alomar, Pirates, reached hit # 2500 Alex Rodriguez, Reds, reached hit # 2000 Jim Rice, Tigers, reached hit # 2000 Frank Robinson, Pirates, reached hit # 2000 Justin Verlander, A’s, reached win # 250 Greg Maddux, Was, reached win # 200 Retired: Willie McCovey, 33, ChW, 234 (#1)-1155 (#9)-.295-18, 2244 H, 321 2B, 103 3B, 1130 R, 917 BB (#10); 6-time Gold Glove; Career HR leader, led league in HR 4 times. Gavvy Cravath, Was, 191 (#4t)-1071-.284-120, 2053 H, 402 2B (#9), 114 3B, 1108 R, 892 BB; led league in HR 3 times and held all-time record until broken in 1930 by McCovey. Held single-season RBI record until broken in 1930. Frank E Thomas, NYY, 103-909-.276-26, 1940 H. 292 2B, 38 3B, 926 R, 1171 BB Bill Vinton, NYG, 211-170-24-3.07; Outstanding Pitcher 1915 & 1916. |
Metaphysical League Baseball - 1931 Season
Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1931 Season The 1931 pennant races looked to be interesting. In the AL, the World Champion Red Sox were led by single-season HR champ Ken Williams and star pitcher Bob Black. Their principal rival, the Washington Senators, had 2B Charlie Hickman, coming off a single-season record 177 RBIs, LF Harmon Killebrew, 1B Rod Carew, and SPs Greg Maddux and Claude Passeau. Over in the NL, the formidable Reds were led by 1B Lou Gehrig and SP Kid Nichols. They would be challenged by the very deep St Louis Cardinals, led by SP Waite Hoyt and position players C Joe Mauer, 1B Dale Long, 3B Ken Boyer, SS Joe Tinker and RF Roger Maris. According to form, after the 1st month of the season, the Red Sox and Senators sat tied atop the AL. In the NL, the Reds held a 1 game lead over the surprising Braves and 1 ½ games over the Cardinals. On 5/19, the Cards, still 2 games back, made a big trade, acquiring 35-yr-old J.R. Richard, 4-1-1.75, from the Cubs for 4 players. However, by the end of May, they had fallen to 5 ½ games behind the Reds. Over in the AL, the White Sox had taken the lead over Boston and Washington. By the end of June, order had been restored in the AL, with the Senators on top, the Red Sox trailing by a scant ½ game. Over in the NL, Cincinnati and Brooklyn were tied, St Louis in 3rd, 4 ½ games behind. On July 10, Boston leading Washington, by 2 games, the league leaders pulled off an earth-shattering trade. Washington sent Charlie Hickman (of the 177 RBIs the previous season, but struggling) to Boston for speedster SS Terry Turner. Observers felt that this deal could very well decide the outcome of the AL race. By the end of July, however not much had changed, The Red Sox held a 1 game lead. In the NL, St Louis, by virtue Batter of the Month Boyer and Pitcher of the Month Hoyt, took a 2 game lead on Cincinnati. The Cards’ Dale Long led baseball in RBIs (84) and the Cards’ J.R Richard led baseball in ERA (2.22). Injuries, however, began to hit the Cardinals. Mauer went out on 8/1 for 5-6 weeks, then Tinker, who had already missed over two weeks, would be delayed for another week. This slowed, but did not stop the Cardinals. When the Reds won 7 straight into early September while the Cards lost 3 in a row, the Reds pulled ahead by 5 games with 22 to play. At the same time, the Red Sox 8 game win streak and a Senators slump gave Boston an 8 ½ game lead and all but cinched the AL race. On 9/17, the Red Sox clinched the AL pennant with 9 games remaining. The NL, however, would prove to be quite another story. On 9/21, the Reds clinched a tie with 5 games remaining. They then lost the next two games, while the Cards won 2, setting up a 3-game finale at home vs the Cards. St Louis won the 1st game and the tension mounted. Finally, in game #153, Cincinnati defeated St Louis 7-3, on the back of Matt Joyce’s 2-4, HR, 4 RBI day to win the pennant. The 1931 World Series would be a rematch of the defending champion Red Sox (all-time leader at 6-1 in World Series play) and the Reds (2-4 in World Series play). Surprisingly, and controversially, the Reds announced that their ace, Kid Nichols, would not pitch until the 1st home game in Cincinnati. However, the Reds Bill J Sweeney (11-18) outdueled the Red Sox Bob Black, 2-1, in Game 1. In Game 2, Ken Williams’ 3-4, HR, 3 RBI day and Mike Hampton’s led the Sox to an easy 7-3 win. Nichols finally appeared in Game 3, and the visiting Red Sox promptly beat him, 4-3 behind Joe Horlen. The Rds bounced back in Game 4, as Sweeney again defeated Black, 4-3, on Norm Miller’s 1-our walkoff RBI 1B in the 9th. The Reds retook the series lead in Game 5 with a tense 2-1 victory on another walkoff, this time an Eric Hinske 2B in the 11th. Nichols got another chance vs Horlen in Game 6 in Boston. This one was a slugfest fitting of Fenway Park. The Reds took a 5-0 lead in the 1st, the key blow a Bob Watson 3-run HR. They increased their lead to as much as 8-2 by the top of the 5th. Then the Red Sox stormed back. By the end of 7 innings, the game was tied at 8-8. Cincinnati, however, had one more rally left, scoring two in the top of the 8th for a 10-8 lead. Nichols and Lee Smith finished up for the Reds win. The Reds won their 3rd World Championship (2nd in 3 seasons), 4 games to 2. Bill J Sweeney, 2-0-2.00 in 18 IP defeated the Red Sox star pitcher Bob Black in 2 games to garner the MVP honers. Records: Ty Cobb, A’s, set single-season record for 2B: 62 1931 Awards and Accomplishments: Triple Crown: Will Clark, NYG, 21-118-.355 (3rd ever in MLB play, 2nd consecutive for Clark) Batting Avg: AL: Ty Cobb, A’s, .396 (6th in a row, 11th leading lg); NL: Will Clark, NYG, .355 Rookie of Year: AL: Baby Doll Jacobson, Cle, 13-83-.359-3 Rookie of Year: NL: Cliff Johnson, ChC, 21-79-.269-1 Pitcher of Year: AL: Bob Black, Bos, 23-8-2.65 Pitcher of Year: NL: Kid Nichols, Cin, 24-9-2.92 (2nd consecutive) Hitter of Year: AL: Ty Cobb, A’s, 4-81-.396-37, 233 H, 62 2B, 13 3B, 126 R (2nd Consecutive) Hitter of Year: NL: Will Clark, NYG, 21-118-.355-2, 224 H, 36 2B, 20 3B, 123 RBI (2nd Consecutive) Hitting Streaks: Ty Cobb hit in 33 straight games Joe Adcock hit in 32 straight games Milestones: Honus Wagner, Pirates, reached hi # 3000 (2nd all-time to Nap Lajoie, 3129) Rod Carew, Senators, reached hit # 2500 Bobo Newsom, Indians, reached win # 200 Hall of Fame: Early Wynn, 1902-26, 334-350-11-3.09; 762 G, 694 GS, 5956 IP, 5968 H, 2034 BB, 2255 K, 500 CG. All-time leader in Wins, GS, CG, IP, Losses. One World Championship (SLA ’24), one League Championship. Parke Swartzel, 1910-26, 226-195-21-2.91; 3979.1 IP,3897 H, 800 BB, 1488 K. Outstanding Pitcher: 1914, led league in W (2), CG (3), K/BB (4). Two World Championships (A’s ’16, ’19). Retired: Jackie Robinson, 1918-29, 77-758-.282-131. Six Gold Gloves (5 @ 2B, 1 @ 1B) Overachiever: Doug Rader, 1916-31, 81-918-.281-17 Underachiever: Fred Lynn, 1916-31, 108-820-.273-34 |
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