1910 Key Retirees - Pitchers
Bill Bernhard, Phillies
The Phillies won nine pennants before there was a World Series. Bernhard was the closer for their only pennant in the new World Series era. That season was 1902, and the Phillies won it all. Bernhard was their closer for 6 1/2 years, losing the job briefly in 1905. He led the NL with 39 saves in 1907.
Jimmy Callahan, Phillies
Callahan was supposed to be the Phillies' heir apparent to HoF'ers
Ben Sanders and
Bill Vinton. Instead, he had an up-and-down career in which he was above or below league average in any given season. Thanks to having a great offense around him his whole career, he never lost more than 15 games and actually went 16-10 in his worst statistical season. He finished with an impressive 232-177 career record. He led the NL in innings pitched once, complete games once and shutouts twice. He also led the NL in most home runs allowed five times.
Win Mercer, Giants
Mercer would not have been part of the rotation long for most teams, but until recently, the Giants were so desperate for pitching that he had to remain in the rotation. There were a few seasons when the Giants struggled to fill their bullpen with live bodies. Anyway, Mercer may have been a successful reliever had he had the chance earlier in his career. As a starter, he led the NL in most home runs allowed twice, but he also led the NL in best BB/9 ratio in 1902.
Jack Powell, Cardinals
Powell had an incredibly up and down career. He was never above league average in consecutive seasons but only once was he below league average in two consecutive seasons. From 1903 until his final season in 1909, his performance fluctuated greatly as measure by ERA+ from 79 to 184 to 75 to 126 to 67 to 287 to 88. In 1901 and 1902, he led the league in games pitched and runs allowed, but in 1902 he also led in holds.
Ed Siever, Tigers
From 1901-1903 - when the AL's offenses were weaker - Siever was one of the better pitchers in the league with a WAR over 7.0 each season. In 1903, he led the AL in fewest HR allowed per 9 innings.
Tully Sparks, Phillies
Sparks was a bit of a phenomenon when he arrived on the scene in 1897. He was incredible out of the bullpen in the first half of that season and was then promoted to the rotation as the Phillies won the pennant. They won the pennant in 1898 with Sparks again in the rotation. Sparks' performance began to drop after that and he had his poorest season as a starter when the Phillies won their next pennant in 1900. He went to the bullpen in 1901 and was dominant again by 1902 when the Phillies won their final pennant and only World Series. Overall, his career numbers were very good. He won nearly 2/3 of his decisions.
Jim St. Vrain, Cubs
St. Vrain also burst onto the scene as a rookie. In 1902 he was immediately thrust into the closer's role and nearly won the Rookie of the Year Award. He won the Fireman Award in 1902 and led the league in saves and games finished in 1906. He is the Cubs leader in career saves with 249.
Willie Sudhoff, Cardinals
Sudhoff was the closer for the Cardinals' last three pennants, winning two World Series in 1903 and 1904. He was also the 1900 Fireman Award winner.
Jack Taylor, Cubs
Taylor was a solid starting pitcher for the Cubs for six seasons before becoming an even better reliever for his first three seasons in the bullpen. He led the NL in shutouts in 1902 and finished in the Top 10 in holds four times.
