1912 Season Recap:
So clearly I'm still having trouble evaluating deaball era talent. Apparently I keep underestimating the player's abilities. I guess part of it is I'm not used to a team using it's bullpen so little....
Final 1912 Standings:
1912 New York Highlanders Leaders & Rankings:
1912 New York Highlanders Transactions: None
Season Recap:
The team's last season as the "Highlanders", and it's last season in Hilltop Park was obviously a great one. Much better then anyone expected. Eddie Collins clearly responded well to becoming the every day 2nd baseman. He won the AL batting crown, and might even win a Gold Gove. Homerun Baker put up another MVP type Season. Big Six Christy Mathewson was everything we expected and more. He should win the AL Most Valuable Pitcher award. But perhaps the most surprising contributor was young SS Stuffy McInnis, who put up a .327 average with 98 RBIs.
The American League quickly evolved into a 2 team race between the Highlanders & the Naps. But when New York started the month of July 12-0, they pulled away in the standings and never looked back. After July 15th, the closest Cleveland got was 7 games.
New York is making it's 5th straight World Series appearance. They'll take on the Pirates for the 2nd time in 3 years. Pittsburgh is making it's 5th World Series appearance since 1904.
But, the Highlanders are in a bit of trouble as Doc White will likely miss the entire World Series. He went down with "dead arm syndrome" on October 4th. He might make it back in time for game 6 or game 7, if the series goes that far. That leaves the starting duties to Mathewson, Frank Smith, & George Winter.
1912 World Series Recap:
Game 1 @ New York: Christy Mathewson pitched a complete game, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and the Highlanders pounded out a dozen hits of their own. New York wins the game 8-3 to take a 1 game to none lead in the series.
Game 2 @ New York: Homerun Baker's 2 run homer in the bottom of the 1st was all the offense Frank Smith would need. Smith pitched a complete game giving up 1 run on 3 hits as the Highlanders won game 2 by a 3-1 score. New York leads the series 2 games to none.
Game 3 @ Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh pounded out 7 runs on 14 hits in just 5.1 innings against New York's George Winter. The Pirates won the game 9-2, but still trail the series 2 games to 1.
Game 4 @ Pittsburgh: Tris Speaker's 2 run homer in the 5th proved to be the deciding score as New York won 4-3. Christy Mathewson pitched his 2nd complete game of the series, giving up 2 earned runs on 7 hits. New York leads the series 3 games to 1.
Game 5 @ Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh bounced back with a convincing 10-1 win to send the series back to New York. The Highlanders still lead the series 3 games to 2.
Game 6 @ New York: The Highlanders turned to Christy Mathewson to make his 3rd start of the series, this time on just 2 days rest. Big Six didn't disappoint, giving up 2 runs in 8 innings as the Highlanders pounded Pittsburgh 8-2 to win their 3rd World Series! A great way to wrap up the Highlanders era and close down Hilltop Park!
World Series Tally:
Real Yankees: 26
My Yankees: 3