[FuzzyRussianHat]

Elmer Flick’s incredible debut for Detroit earned him American League Most Valuable Player and the unanimous Rookie of the Year. He joined Willie Keeler and Denny Lyons as the players to win both honors in the same season. Despite his dominance, Flick wasn’t the MVP unanimously, but did earn 22 first place votes. Washington’s Ed Delahanty had the other two.

The #2 pick in the last draft by the Tigers, Flick led the AL in runs (143), hits (217), total bases (398), triple slash (.371/.450/.680), OPS (1.130), wRC+ (207), and WAR (11.4). He had 39 doubles, 42 home runs, and 121 RBI. Flick’s WAR was the fourth-best by a position player and his runs scored ranked fifth-best. His OPS was also the eighth-best qualifying season and he was seventh in total bases.

Washington’s Ed Doheny was unanimous as Pitcher of the Year and won for the second time, having also done it in 1895. The 24-year old lefty led in ERA (2.16), innings (312), quality starts (28), strikeouts (261), complete games (22), shutouts (6), WHIP (0.96), and WAR (7.6). He had a 20-9 record, falling one win shy of the first pitching Triple Crown.

Ed Delahanty won his seventh Silver Slugger at 2B. Minnesota 1B Fred Tenney and Detroit DH Tuck Turner became three-time winners. Turner’s previous wins were in LF. Brewers RF Willie Keeler won his fifth Gold Glove. Earning their fourth was Browns C Jocko Milligan, Orioles 2B Tommy Corcoran, and Tigers 3B Billy Clingman; each of which enters free agency in the winter. Twins 1B Fred Tenney and SS Grant Johnson both won their third Gold Gloves.

Although Detroit narrowly missed the playoffs, George Strief won Manager of the Year. He took the Tigers job in 1895 and they had their fire sale and last place finishes in 1896-97. In his fourth year, Strief took Detroit from 69-93 to 98-64 in one of the biggest single-year win differences in MLB history.