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Kansas City’s dominance continued through May 1902 with MLB’s best record at 40-15. Everyone else in the American League West is below .500, giving the defending champion Royals a 13.5 game lead. The AL East is a tough fight with Cleveland moving into first at 33-22 with an 8-2 end to the month. New York is a half-game back (33-23) while Boston (31-24), Washington (29-27), and Baltimore (28-28) are all right in the mix.

Pittsburgh’s 20-8 May pushed them to the National League’s best record at 37-19, just passing the 36-20 Braves in the East Division. Everyone else in the division are several games below .500. New Orleans and Chicago remain even in the West at 33-23. St. Louis is next at 29-27, but only nine games separate first from last in the West.

The defending MVPs led their leagues in May. Royals LF Mike Donlin secured AL Batter of the Month with a .412 average, 5 home runs, 28 RBI, and 28 runs. Pelicans SS Jimmy Williams won for the NL with a .422 average, 43 hits, 10 homers, 28 RBI, and 30 runs.

AL Pitcher of the Month went to Chicago’s Amos Rusie with a 6-0 record, 1.38 ERA, and 41 strikeouts over 52.1 innings. Cardinals righty Carl Lundgren was NL POTY and the Rookie of the Month as the #12 pick posted a 2.29 ERA, 5-1 record, and 35 Ks in 51 innings. Red Sox LF Moose McCormick was the AL’s top rookie with the #9 pick posting a .304 average, 5 homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs.

In bad news for struggling Cincinnati, SS Honus Wagner is out 2-3 months with a strained hamstring. The Reds acquired him in an offseason trade with Detroit. Wagner has been great when healthy, but has notably missed chunks of the last few seasons. Phillies star LF Joe Kelley is out for the year on a torn ACL. The Royals lost long-time 1B and all-time walks leader 1B Otto Schomberg for the season with a ruptured disc.

44-year old Spiders 1B Dan Brouthers announced that 1902 will be his final season. Through May 1902, Big Dan is MLB’s all-time leader in games (2793), runs (1835), doubles (748), and triples (115). Brouthers is second in hits at 3314, chasing Pete Browning (3405) for the top spot. He’s also #2 in RBI (1815) and WAR for position players (114.49); behind only Mike Tiernan for both (1963, 126.59).



Tiernan became the first player to 600 career home runs on May 24 for the Pirates. His once prolific power has been less pronounced since signing with Pittsburgh due to their cavernous outfield at Exposition Park. Buffalo’s Jimmy Ryan meanwhile on the same day became only the third to 500 homers, a feat also met by Hugh Duffy. A few days earlier, Ryan also reached 800 career stolen bases.

In other May milestones, Braves 2B Reddy Mack and Brewers 1B Duke Farrell both reached 2500 hits. Nationals CF Jim Fogarty snagged RBI #1000. White Sox ace Amos Rusie earned win #200 and Red Sox LHP Frank Knauss crossed 2500 strikeouts.