NL Mid-Season Report
The Pirates are leading the National League pack halfway through the 1911 season despite an offense that is ranked just 6th overall in the 8-team league. 37-year-old shortstop
Honus Wagner (.251, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 6 SB) and 34-year-old second baseman
Jimmy Williams (.212, 5 HR, 20 RBI) are scuffling. The offensive leaders so far have been third baseman
Hans Lobert (.294, 13 HR, 45 RBI, 54 R, 11 SB), left fielder
Max Carey (.275, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 19 SB) and right fielder
Chief Wilson (.268, 13 HR, 48 RBI). Meanwhile, the team's pitching and defense are both ranked #1 in the league. This is despite the fact that 35-year-old
Rube Waddell (3-13, 5.02 ERA), a 5-time Pitcher of the Year, is having by far his worst season. Fortunately, rookie
Claude Hendrix (9-3, 2.76 ERA) is picking up the slack.
Sitting in second place are the Cubs who lead the NL in offense again. Several players are having fine seasons, but none more so than reigning NL Batter of the Year
Fred Luderus (.289, 23 HR, 51 RBI). Rookie
Vic Saier is playing part time but has 16 home runs in just 147 at bats! However, the pitching staff ranks 6th in the league and the defense is 7th, which causes a lot of concern about the team's true chances of winning a second straight pennant.
In contrast to the Pirates and Cubs, the third place Reds are balanced with a 2nd ranked offense and 3rd ranked pitching staff. Their biggest weakness so far is an underperforming defense ranked just 6th. Their offense leads the league in OBP and stolen bases, while their bullpen is also tops in the league. Just one year after being benched mid-season, 32-year-old second baseman
Miller Huggins (.388 AVG, .449 OBP, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 27 SB) is back in the #2 spot in the lineup and having the best season of his career. Leadoff hitter
Bob Bescher (.271 AVG, .360 OBP, 6 HR, 71 R, 41 SB) is also having a fine season. Huggins leads the NL in AVG and OBP while Bescher leads the entire MLHR in stolen bases. On the pitching side,
Noodles Hahn (8-5, 3.35 ERA) has bounced back from a lousy 1910 season and ranks 5th in the NL in ERA.
The Braves have been a big surprise this season. Their offense is 3rd in the NL and is led once again by first baseman
Buck Freeman (.315, 30 HR, 78 RBI). Second baseman
Charlie Hickman (.289, 21 HR, 51 RBI), right fielder
Fred Beck (.267, 25 HR, 50 RBI), center fielder
Johnny Bates (.285, 12 HR, 57 R, 13 SB) and rookie left fielder
George Jackson (.263, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 20 SB) make up an impressive offensive attack. Meanwhile, the team's defense is a respectable 4th in the NL and their pitching rotation has the best ERA in the league. Unfortunately, their bullpen is ranked 7th and could cost them a shot at their first pennant if they don't improve.
Standings
Batting Leaders
Pitching Leaders
