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AMERICAN BASEBALL MONTHLY RECAP: MAY

NORTHEAST U.S.A. (May 31, 1880) – The opening month of another baseball season is behind us. Here is how each of the four competitions stand at the end of May:

AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS

COLONIAL – St. John’s has taken a number of close losses, and that’s keeping them from having what should be the league’s best record as they’re #1 in Runs, Runs Allowed, OBP, OPS, Stolen Bases, Strikeouts (P), & Pitching WAR. Niagara’s even with them because Edward Jenkins is off to a fine start (6-2, 2.38) while both Boss Barrett & William Norman are batting .330.

Three things of note among the rest of the eight teams…Did anybody have Flour City being in third place at any point, or having even one solid over-.500 month this year? No, but there they are at 13-11 with a Run Differential of +33, thanks in no small part to the work of 3B Jesse Noss (.383, 2 HR, 28 RBI). Meanwhile, champions Alleghany are pitching & fielding very well, but their offense ranks 15th in Runs, Average, OBP, Slugging, OPS, & Batsman WAR. Mass. Bay has a rough RD, but on the other hand they’re 5-0 in one-run games.

METROPOLITAN – Gotham tops the Metro on RD thanks to an offense that ranks in the top five in just about every notable category. They’ve been led by old hand Royal Altman (.385, 1 HR, 23 RBI), and fielding wizard Peter Jones has been batting shockingly well (.333, 17 RBI), even clubbing a pair of Inside the Park Home Runs. Orange looks like a completely different team from the past three miserable years. Jonathan Cobb looks fantastic again (.389, 3 HR, 20 RBI), and Greenhorn William Carrow is playing well at SS (.304, 1 HR, 18 RBI).

As in the Colonial, the rest of the field is bunched close together and nobody had a terrible opening month. Notes…Knick has struggled a bit on offense, but Robert Goodman has been brilliant (9-3, 1.79) while new 1B Gerald Burns looks great so far (.365, 1 HR, 23 RBI). Quaker St. is being led by veteran #1 Ross Gill (8-4, 3.47). Excelsior is somehow 11-13 even though their offense has disappeared (last in R, AVG, OBP, OPS, & B-WAR). Kings Co. is 10-14 because they’ve been 0-5 in one-run games.

A.P.B.L. MONTHLY AWARDS

BATSMAN OF THE MONTH
Jonathan Cobb (RF, ORA) – .389, 1.015 OPS, 30 R, 42 H, 14 XBH, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 3 BB, 3 SB, 1.2 WPA, 2.1 WAR

PITCHER OF THE MONTH
Howard Burns (StJ) – 10-2, 2.03 ERA, 106.1 IP, 11 CG, 57 K, 19.0 K/BB, 4.8 K/9, 1.09 WHIP, 3.3 WAR, NO-HITTER

GREENHORN OF THE MONTH
Walter Carrow (SS, ORA) – .304, .861 OPS, 29 R, 31 H, 14 XBH, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 9 BB, 6 SB, 1.0 WPA, 1.4 WAR

Cobb didn’t lead the league in RBI, with that honor split between Niagara CF Charles Barrett & Flour City 3B Jesse Noss (28 RBI each). Aside from that, Cobb was tremendous, leading the league in Runs, Hits, AVG, SLG, OPS, & Batsman WAR by half a point. He has become everything observers hoped he would be when he was the #1 Batsman prospect in the N.B.B.O. for Granite. The two who came close to Cobb: Noss (.382, .940 OPS, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 1.4 WAR) and Gotham 1B Royal Altman (.385, .978 OPS, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 1.4 WAR).

Without even taking into account his No-Hitter, Burns was absurd. The only ten-Win Pitcher. A 2.03 ERA. A K/BB Ratio of nineteen to one. 50% more Pitching WAR than anyone else. Burns was simply brilliant, and that mean nine-win Pitchers Robert Goodman of Knick (9-3, 1.79 ERA, 47 K, 1.7 WAR) and Alex Ward of Gotham (9-2, 2.30 ERA, 24 K, 1.7 WAR) had no chance to take the monthly pitching honor.

While Theobold Knapp has been a nice surprise for Mass. Bay (7-5, 2.51 ERA, 27 K, 1.8 WAR), William Hoy of St. John’s also had an impressive month even if he had a worse record (4-5, 2.41 ERA, 34 K, 2.1 WAR). Meanwhile, Carrow was by far the best of the Greenhorn Batsmen – the only one who hit over .300, the only one with an OPS over .700 let alone .800, and 1.1 more Batsman WAR than anyone else in the group.

A.P.B.L. STATISTICAL LEADERS

Average: .389 by Jonathan Cobb (RF, Orange)
OPS: 1.015 by Jonathan Cobb
Home Runs: 4 by William Busby (1B, American)
Runs Batted In: 28 by Charles Barrett (CF, Niagara) & Jesse Noss (3B, Flour City)
Runs: 30 by Jonatha Cobb & Rudolph Decker (CF, St. John’s)
Stolen Bases: 16 by Frank Bulger (1B, Shamrock)
Batsman WPA: 2.1 by Harold Corso (RF, Gotham)
Batsman WAR: 2.1 by Jonathan Cobb

Wins: 10 by Howard Burns (St. John’s)
ERA (50+ IP): 1.79 by Robert Goodman (Knick) & William McMahon (Alleghany)
Strikeouts: 57 by Howard Burns
Complete Games: 12 by Robert Goodman
WHIP (50+ IP): 0.95 by Edward Jenkins (Niagara)
Pitcher WAR: 3.3 by Howard Burns
Pitcher rWAR: 3.4 by Howard Burns

NATIONAL BASE BALL ORGANIZATION REGIONAL LEADERS

BROOKLYN: Bedford at 11-4 (Empire 1 GB; Atlantic 2 GB; Marathon 3 GB)
NEW YORK CITY: Baltic at 10-5 (Harlem & Union 1 GB; Mercury 2 GB)
UPSTATE N.Y.: Utica at 10-5 (Frontier, Minuteman, & Syracuse 2 GB)
COASTAL: National & Trenton Utd. at 10-5 (Maryland 1 GB, Philadelphia B.C.C. 2 GB)
INLAND: Pioneer at 10-5 (Lancastra Brit. & Susquehanna 1 GB; Merrimack M. & Scranton 2 GB)
NEW ENGLAND: Portland at 14-1 (Cantabrigians 5 GB; Green Mtn. 6 GB; three teams 7 GB)

BROOKLYN – Could it be the start of a strange new world in Brooklyn? Through three weeks of play, Bedford & Empire are the top two, while Marathon is manufacturing Runs, preseason favorites Continental are 7-8, and Eckford is in sixth place.

NEW YORK CITY – Baltic is tops to end May thanks to good work in close games and a quality offense. Union is 2nd with fielding that’s holding up despite the loss of William Cruise, Harlem’s high-powered attack is a nice surprise, Mercury has been stingy in the field, and N.Y.A.C. is one of four teams at 6-9.

UPSTATE N.Y. – No surprises here, as the expected top four are the current top four, with Utica leading the way thanks to the N.Y.L.’s #1 offense. The eight teams are separated by four games in total.

COASTAL – National is tied for 1st because they’re clubbing the ball, and Trenton Utd. is tied for 1st thanks to the N.B.B.O.’s best fielding. Maryland is right behind, and P.B.C.C. has the N.E.L.’s #1 offensive attack. The main issue for Trenton Utd. is an offense that ranks 34th/48, and if that continues then they’ll eventually fall down the standings.

INLAND – Pioneer ends May in first place, thanks mostly to that season-opening sweep of Reading A.C. That means it shouldn’t be long before they’re overtaken by both Lancastra, who’s won their last four games, and Susquehanna, who’s won their last five.

NEW ENGLAND – Portland looks scary, as their 14-1 record has happened even though two of their trio of five-game series have been away from home. Their pitching is #1 in the N.E.L., and thanks to the signing of William Cruise their fielding is #2. It already looks like they could run away with the New England pennant.

N.B.B.O. MONTHLY AWARDS

BATSMEN OF THE MONTH
NYL: Clifford Martin (RF, HAR) – .426, 1.176 OPS, 26 R, 26 H, 6 2B, 4 3B, 11 RBI, 11 BB, 4 SB, 0.5 WPA, 1.1 WAR
NEL: Jesse Craig (1B, SotO) – .460, 1.175 OPS, 17 R, 29 H, 8 2B, 3 3B, 20 RBI, 5 BB, 1 SB, 1.6 WPA, 1.3 WAR

PITCHERS OF THE MONTH
NYL: Howard Budd (EMP) – 8-0, 2.96 ERA, 79.0 IP, 8 CG, 33 K, 3.8 K/9, 5.5 K/BB, 1.09 WHIP, 2.1 WAR, 2.6 rWAR
NEL: Francis Molinari (PORT) – 8-1, 2.14 ERA, 75.2 IP, 6 CG, 1 SHO, 43 K, 4.8 K/BB, 10.6 WHIP, 2.1 WAR, 2.4 rWAR

GREENHORNS OF THE MONTH
NYL: William Napier (2B, BED) – .306, .929 OPS, 22 R, 19 H, 5 2B, 4 3B, 16 RBI, 11 BB, 4 SB, 1.2 WPA, 0.8 WAR
NEL: Michael Newman (P, MM) – 3-3, 0.49 ERA, 54.2 IP, 6 CG, 5 K, 5.0 K/BB, 1.15 WHIP, 0.9 WAR, 1.5 rWAR

N.B.B.O. STATISTICAL LEADERS

Average: .500 by Llewellyn Davis (1B, Eagle)
OPS: 1.176 by Clifford Martin (RF, Harlem)
Home Runs: 2 by eight different Batsmen
Runs Batted In: 23 by Julius Krebs (3B, Marathon) & Scott Lyons (1B, Susquehanna)
Runs: 85 by Louis Murray (LF, Eckford)
Stolen Bases: 16 by Jack Anastasio (RF, New York A.C.)
Batsman WPA: 1.8 by V.O. Papenfuss (SS, Squirrel Hill)
Batsman WAR: 1.5 by Nicholas Hardingham (CF, Marathon)

Wins: 8 by Howard Budd (Empire) & Francis Molinari (Portland)
ERA (50+ IP): 0.49 by Michael Newman (Merrimack M.)
Strikeouts: 47 by Charles Rhodes (New York A.C.)
Complete Games: 8 by three different Pitchers
WHIP (50+ IP): 0.97 by William Hawk (Susquehanna)
Pitcher WAR: 3.1 by Charles Rhodes
Pitcher rWAR: 2.6 by Howard Budd

COASTAL BASEBALL CONFERENCE LEADER

Bridgeport at 12-3 (Camden & Amb. 1 GB; Sportsman’s 2 GB; Essex Co. 3 GB)

Bridgeport leading the league at the end of May is no surprise, but Camden & Amboy being a game behind them most certainly is. Bridgeport has league’s best batting, pitching, AND fielding, so if that continues then they’re certain to win the title. C. & A. is a game back thanks to a 2nd-ranked attack, Sportsman’s has had the league’s most powerful lineup in terms of OPS, and Essex Co. has been best in the league at stranding opposing runners on the basepaths.

C.B.C. MONTHLY AWARDS

BATSMAN OF THE MONTH
Mark Russo (CF, SPO) – .422, 1.065 OPS, 21 R, 27 H, 7 2B, 2 3B, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 6 SB, 0.9 WPA, 1.0 WAR

PITCHER OF THE MONTH
Tom Hauser (P, BRI) – 7-0, 1.96 ERA, 69.1 IP, 7 CG, 22 K, 2.9 K/9, 4.4 K/BB, 0.88 WHIP, 1.4 WAR, 2.0 rWAR

GREENHORN OF THE MONTH
Stephen Willis (P, SPO) – 6-2, 1.60 ERA, 67.2 IP, 7 CG, 44 K, 5.9 K/9, 3.7 K/BB, 1.26 WHIP, 1.9 WAR, 2.5 rWAR

C.B.C. STATISTICAL LEADERS

Average: .422 by Mark Russo (CF, Sportsman’s)
OPS: 1.065 by Mark Russo
Home Runs: 2 by Frank Burkett (LF, Highlander)
Runs Batted In: 19 by Charles Neville (LF, Sportsman’s)
Runs: 23 by Roy Smith (CF, Highlander)
Stolen Bases: 10 by Robert Werstler (CF, Bridgeport)
Batsman WPA: 1.9 by John Burton (CF, CC)
Batsman WAR: 1.0 by John Burton & Mark Russo

Wins: 7 by Tom Hauser (Bridgeport) & Albert Pigott (C. & A.)
ERA (50+ IP): 1.33 by William McClure (Highlander)
Strikeouts: 44 by Stephen Willis (Sportsman’s)
Complete Games: 7 by three different Pitchers
WHIP (50+ IP): 0.88 by Tom Hauser
Pitcher WAR: 1.9 by Stephen Willis
Pitcher rWAR: 2.5 by Stephen Willis

PHILADELPHIA CITY BASEBALL LEAGUE LEADERS

EAST: Frankford Arsenal at 10-5 (Minerva 1 GB; Sons of Ben 2 GB; three teams 3 GB)
WEST: Mercantile, Merion, Overbrook, & Schuylkill at 9-6

EAST – Frankford is back on their familiar perch with an attack that ranks 3rd in Runs but tops the league in AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, & Batsman WAR. Minerva is close behind due to solid overall play and excellent work from B.o.t.M. Dobbs. Sons of Ben is looking dangerous now that G.o.t.Y. Peter Stinson is back from his season-opening injury. Yorktown being one of the three 7-8 teams is a pleasant surprise, as Benjamin Warnock is leading them in precisely the way they hoped he would.

Defending East champions Spartan are tied for last at 6-9 with a rough -36 Run Differential.

WEST – Of course the West is a mess. Of the four 9-6 teams tied atop the standings, Mercantile is there because they’re 2nd in Runs Allowed, Merion is there because their attack ranks 2nd and A.P.B.L. import Sid Crowder is playing very well (.400, 16 RBI, 1.0 WAR), Overbrook is there because of quality baserunning and, of course, #1 Robert Nygren, and Schuylkill is there because they’re 5-2 in one-run games.

Defending L.B.C. champions Penn B.C. are tied for last at 5-10 thanks to a 1-4 record in one-run games.

P.C.B.L. MONTHLY AWARDS

BATSMAN OF THE MONTH
Edward Dobbs (LF, MIN) – .431, 1.139 OPS, 20 R, 28 H, 2 2B, 6 3B, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 3 SB, 1.4 WPA, 1.3 WAR

PITCHER OF THE MONTH
Robert Nygren (OVER) – 6-3, 2.74 ERA, 72.1 IP, 6 CG, 1 SHO, 28 K, 9.3 K/BB, 1.13 WHIP, 1.7 WAR, 1.5 rWAR

GREENHORN OF THE MONTH
John Smith (RF, IND) – .365, .897 OPS, 20 R, 23 H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 10 RBI, 7 BB, 6 SB, 1.1 WPA, 0.8 WAR

P.C.B.L. STATISTICAL LEADERS

Average: .431 by Edward Dobbs (LF, Minerva)
OPS: 1.139 by Edward Dobbs
Home Runs: 2 by Dennis DeLong (C, Mercantile)
Runs Batted In: 20 by James Lynch (CF, Minerva)
Runs: 23 by George Estes (CF, Frankford)
Stolen Bases: 13 by George Estes
Batsman WPA: 2.1 by Roy Myers (C, Schuylkill)
Batsman WAR: 1.3 by Edward Dobbs

Wins: 7 by Bud Forster (Minerva)
ERA (50+ IP): 1.69 by Arthur Lipscomb (Germantown)
Strikeouts: 40 by Oliver Greene (Frankford)
Complete Games: 7 by Thomas Bath
WHIP (50+ IP): 1.03 by Arthur Lipscomb
Pitcher WAR: 2.4 by Oliver Greene
Pitcher rWAR: 2.1 by Ralph Brown (Schuylkill)