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ryanivr · 05-11-2010, 03:18 AM

1913 Presidents Cup Series Preview: Boston Americans

BOSTON, MA. October 6, 1913 - In 1912, the Boston Americans lost 91 games. They finished in 8th place. They ended the season 34 and 1/2 games back. But things are different in 1913. They're more experienced, they're smarter, and they've learned from their mistakes of old. And now, they'll fight for the most sought after piece of hardware in the United Baseball Association; The Presidents Cup.

Anyone who tells you they expected the Americans to win the United League pennant is lying. The club was absolutely dreadful last season. But, in hindsight, it's relatively easy to see how they went from worst to first.

The average age of the 1912 Boston Americans? Just 23.5. Consider the fact that Dean Anderson, a 15-year-old, pitched in 45 games for Boston. Ron Cooper, 16, pitched in 38. This year, the average age is 26.2. Also remember that Richard von Bulcher, the Americans best hitter, was out all of last season with an injury. Plus, the addition of Dave Alexander in the outfield and Bill Gable on the mound this past July injected an instant veteran presence to the team.

Bill Gable turned a great pitching staff into an unstoppable one. George Cosey (1.77 ERA) and Herb Gardener (2.03 ERA) together make one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball. But Bill Gable, picked up at the end of July from Brooklyn almost makes the Americans staff unfair. The 33-year-old was 9-18 with a 2.65 ERA before coming to Boston. After the move? He's 11-5 with a stunning 1.72 ERA. Opponents are hitting .203 off of him. He allows just 0.89 walks and hits per inning. He is the definition of an "ace" pitcher.

At the plate, look no further than Richard von Bulcher. The 28-year-old missed all of last season. This year, the hometown hero (Blucher was born in Bourne, MA) played in 127 games and hit a whopping .367 (best in the UBA) with 28 doubles. He got on base at a .447 clip (2nd in UBA) and also plays a mighty-fine second base for the club.

1. CF Rory Price (.246, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 36 SB)
2. SS Brian Klotz (.302, 4 HR, 61 RBI, 32 SB)
3. 2B Richard von Blucher (.367, 1 HR, 56 RBI, 22 SB)
4. LF Dave Alexander (.240, 7 HR, 70 RBI w/ STL and BOS)
5. RF Terry Churchwell (.289, 0 HR, 56 RBI)
6. 3B Jim Smith (.277, 5 HR, 73 RBI, 50 SB)
7. 1B Earl Liss (.260, 2 HR, 53 RBI, 37 SB)
8. C Gordon Claytor (.295, 2 HR, 54 RBI)

Bill Gable (20-23, 2.31 ERA, 186 K w/ BRK and BOS)
George Cosey (23-11, 1.77 ERA, 154 K)
Herbery Gardener (28-10, 2.03 ERA, 169 K)
Dan James (13-12, 3.09 ERA, 101 K)

The Boston club plays their games at American Grounds. The park holds 16,000 seats and is fairly even to both left and right-handed hitters.

Left Line: 332 ft., 10 ft. wall
Left Field: 357 ft., 10 ft. wall
Left-Center: 400 ft., 10 ft. wall
Center: 425 ft., 10 ft. wall
Right-Center: 394 ft., 10 ft. wall
Right Field: 359 ft., 10 ft. wall
Right Line: 324 ft., 10 ft. wall

The Americans wear gray pants and tops. "Boston" is written across the chest in dark-blue lettering. Players wear dark-blue caps with a red "B" embroidered onto it, and their stockings are dark-blue as well.

The club is owned by the 43-year-old Marshall Henderson who was known before baseball as the owner of Henderson-Reed Shipbuilders, Inc.Juan Enriquez, a 44-year-old Chicago native manages the team. He was hired as the skipper for final 47 games of last season.

05-11-2010, 03:18 AM	#118
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	1913 Presidents Cup Series Preview: Boston Americans BOSTON, MA. October 6, 1913 - In 1912, the Boston Americans lost 91 games. They finished in 8th place. They ended the season 34 and 1/2 games back. But things are different in 1913. They're more experienced, they're smarter, and they've learned from their mistakes of old. And now, they'll fight for the most sought after piece of hardware in the United Baseball Association; The Presidents Cup. Anyone who tells you they expected the Americans to win the United League pennant is lying. The club was absolutely dreadful last season. But, in hindsight, it's relatively easy to see how they went from worst to first. The average age of the 1912 Boston Americans? Just 23.5. Consider the fact that Dean Anderson, a 15-year-old, pitched in 45 games for Boston. Ron Cooper, 16, pitched in 38. This year, the average age is 26.2. Also remember that Richard von Bulcher, the Americans best hitter, was out all of last season with an injury. Plus, the addition of Dave Alexander in the outfield and Bill Gable on the mound this past July injected an instant veteran presence to the team. Bill Gable turned a great pitching staff into an unstoppable one. George Cosey (1.77 ERA) and Herb Gardener (2.03 ERA) together make one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball. But Bill Gable, picked up at the end of July from Brooklyn almost makes the Americans staff unfair. The 33-year-old was 9-18 with a 2.65 ERA before coming to Boston. After the move? He's 11-5 with a stunning 1.72 ERA. Opponents are hitting .203 off of him. He allows just 0.89 walks and hits per inning. He is the definition of an "ace" pitcher. At the plate, look no further than Richard von Bulcher. The 28-year-old missed all of last season. This year, the hometown hero (Blucher was born in Bourne, MA) played in 127 games and hit a whopping .367 (best in the UBA) with 28 doubles. He got on base at a .447 clip (2nd in UBA) and also plays a mighty-fine second base for the club. 1. CF Rory Price (.246, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 36 SB) 2. SS Brian Klotz (.302, 4 HR, 61 RBI, 32 SB) 3. 2B Richard von Blucher (.367, 1 HR, 56 RBI, 22 SB) 4. LF Dave Alexander (.240, 7 HR, 70 RBI w/ STL and BOS) 5. RF Terry Churchwell (.289, 0 HR, 56 RBI) 6. 3B Jim Smith (.277, 5 HR, 73 RBI, 50 SB) 7. 1B Earl Liss (.260, 2 HR, 53 RBI, 37 SB) 8. C Gordon Claytor (.295, 2 HR, 54 RBI) Bill Gable (20-23, 2.31 ERA, 186 K w/ BRK and BOS) George Cosey (23-11, 1.77 ERA, 154 K) Herbery Gardener (28-10, 2.03 ERA, 169 K) Dan James (13-12, 3.09 ERA, 101 K) The Boston club plays their games at American Grounds. The park holds 16,000 seats and is fairly even to both left and right-handed hitters. Left Line: 332 ft., 10 ft. wall Left Field: 357 ft., 10 ft. wall Left-Center: 400 ft., 10 ft. wall Center: 425 ft., 10 ft. wall Right-Center: 394 ft., 10 ft. wall Right Field: 359 ft., 10 ft. wall Right Line: 324 ft., 10 ft. wall The Americans wear gray pants and tops. "Boston" is written across the chest in dark-blue lettering. Players wear dark-blue caps with a red "B" embroidered onto it, and their stockings are dark-blue as well. The club is owned by the 43-year-old Marshall Henderson who was known before baseball as the owner of Henderson-Reed Shipbuilders, Inc.Juan Enriquez, a 44-year-old Chicago native manages the team. He was hired as the skipper for final 47 games of last season.