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Milwaukee finished with the best record in Major League Baseball at 103-59, earning their fourth American League West Division title (1887, 88, 94, 96). The Brewers allowed the fewest runs in the AL at 654 and had the best run differential at +133. Their record was the second-best in AL history behind Minnesota’s 106-56 the prior year. Kansas City was second in the AL West at 92-70, which was a franchise record. However, the Royals are one of three franchises yet to make a playoff berth.

After winning it all in 1895, the Twins were third at 88-74. Minnesota was the best in the division after the all-star break at 41-28, but couldn’t overcome a middling start. Chicago rebounded from a last place finish to finish above .500 at 83-79. Detroit was a winner last year, but had the worst record in MLB at 62-100. The Tigers were an abysmal 22-47 after the break. Their .236 team batting average was the second-worst in AL history.

New York won the AL East title at 96-66, their second division title (1892). It completed an impressive turnaround for the Yankees, who went 60-102 the prior year and got the #1 draft pick. NY also set a new AL attendance record at 778,761. Baltimore was the only other team in the division above .500 at 84-78. It was the fourth straight winning season for the Orioles, who led MLB with 887 runs scored. Despite ending on a seven-game win streak, two-time defending division champ Washington fell just short of a winning season at 80-82.



Kansas City 3B Jimmy Collins was the final AL Batter of the Month with a .415 average, 39 hits, 6 home runs, 22 RBI, and 18 runs in September. Washington veteran Peek-A-Boo Veach was Pitcher of the Month with a 5-0 record, 1.89 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 52.1 innings. Twins C Klondike Douglass was Rookie of the Month on a .397 average, 4 home runs, 17 RBI, and 15 runs.

Milwaukee RF Willie Keeler is the likely favorite for AL MVP, becoming the first player to win four batting titles and the third to lead in OPS four times. Keeler hit .401, giving him two .400+ seasons. He was a narrow second in WAR (9.3) to Chicago RF Jimmy Bannon (9.4). New York’s Pat Luby led in homers (49) for the third time in his career. Luby also had a 3.09 ERA and 2.4 WAR pitching.

In his Yankees debut, George Davies won an ERA title at 2.31 and finished second in wins (21-11) and WAR (7.1), making him the favorite for Pitcher of the Year. St. Louis’s Bob Black led in WAR (7.9) and tied for the most strikeouts (230) with Washington’s Ed Doheny. Black’s 4.14 ERA means he has no shot at POTY. He’s had an interesting career with 76.5 WAR over 13 seasons (the most of any pitcher), but a 3.91 ERA and 189-187 record for the Browns. Milwaukee’s Lee Viau is a contender with the most wins (24-7) and the second-best ERA (2.74).

In other milestones, Milwaukee’s Arlie Latham, Chicago’s Duke Farrell, and Detroit’s Harry Stovey reached 1000 runs scored. 1896 was also notable for not having a single six-hit game by a batter in MLB, nor a 15+ K game by a pitcher.