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firstbigweekend · 05-15-2004, 12:50 PM

Cleveland Blues Update — June/July 1903
By Chauncey St. John, Associated Press

CLEVELAND — After ending May on six-game winning streak, the Broncos lost first two games of June. Cleveland bounced back with six straight victories, though, and put together two more five-game winning streaks later in June, and another in mid-July, keeping a lock on first place in the American League.

Sitting atop the league may have made general manager Levi Chronister a bit complacent. Known for his wheeling and dealing, Chronister actually turned down a trade offer from the Chicago Cubs on June 9.

The Cubs offered 33-year-old SS Bill Dahlen and $2.3 million for backup IF Jimmy Burke. Chronister declined the offer because of age, talent and salary differences.

That didn't mean Cleveland wasn't making any moves, though. Broncos manager Wilbur Nether named Jack Bracken (1.59 ERA in 11.1 IP) to closer June 28 and moved Steven Fava to mop-up duty after Fava put up a 10.80 ERA in 1.2 IP.

"I know it's just a small sample size with Steven," Nether said, "but Jack has been lights out so far and we could really use a strong closer, especially if we end up making the World Series."

The move paid off for Bracken two days later when he was named closer for the American League All-Star team. Cleveland starting pitchers Bob Wicker, George Mullin and Mordecai Brown, third baseman Jimmy Williams, and outfielders Jeffrey Schank, Sam Crawford and Mike Donlin all joined Bracken on the team.

Mullin pitched 1.1 scoreless relief innings, Crawford was 0-for-4, Schank was 0-for-3, Donlin was 1-for-4 and Williams was 1-for-4 in the National League's 4-1 victory. Former Bronco outfielder Homer Smoot was 1-for-1 in a pinch-hitting appearance.

Cleveland finished June at 54-27, eight games ahead of St. Louis and 12 games better than New York. Sam Crawford led the AL with a .371 average and was second with a .892 OPS; Jeffrey Schank had league-bests of 14 home runs, 58 RBI and 60 runs; Bob Wicker led the league with 16 wins and 65 strikeouts.

Mullin named player of the week July 5 after going 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in two complete games. After starting the season 3-5, Mullin won 12 of his next 14 decisions up to this honor.

With Fava's problems in the bullpen continuing, Chronister sent him to Buffalo on July 19 and called up Harry McNeal.

The Broncos finished July atop the American League at 68-40, 10 games ahead of St. Louis and 11 ahead of third-place New York. Crawford was second in batting (.340); Donlin was third in OPS (.835); Schank was first in homers (16); Wicker was tied for first in wins (19) and first in strikeouts (76); Brown was second in strikeouts (74).

In other news: Because of an accounting error, Cleveland believed Donlin's contract was up at the of the season. In fact, it's up at the end of the 1904 season.

In the minors: MR James Miller (3-2, 6.09 ERA, 31 K, 10 BB, .240 OAVG, 1.18 WHIP in 34.0 IP at Akron) promoted to Buffalo on June 14 and named No. 1 middle reliever.

Around the league: Bill Hoffer, the American League's pitcher of the month for May, threw a one-hit shutout against Detroit on June 15.

The National League won the All-Star game, 4-1.

Philadelphia (N)'s Ed Delahanty hit for the cycle against Chicago (N) on July 3.

Three players picked up their 2,000th career hits in July: Chicago (A)'s Lave Cross on July 23 with a single in the seventh inning off Philadelphia (A)'s Wish Egan; St. Louis (A)'s Steve Brodie on July 18 with a single off Boston (A)'s Bob Ewing; and Brooklyn's Willie Keeler on July 17 with a single off Cincinnati's Bob Rhoads.

Pittsburgh's Rube Waddell pitched his third shutout of the season July 30, blanking St. Louis (N) on two hits.

June batters of the month: Philadelphia (A)'s Nap Lajoie (.382, 1 HR, 17 RBI) and Brooklyn's Joe Kelley (.406, 1 HR, 14 RBI).

June pitchers of the month: Boston (A)'s Cy Young (6-1, 2.38 ERA) and Cincinnati's Noodles Hahn (6-1, 1.83 ERA, 20 strikeouts in 64 IP).

July batters of the month: Cross (.396, 1 HR, 14 RBI) and Cincinnati's Jake Beckley (.376, 1 HR, 17 RBI).

July pitchers of the month: New York (A)'s Ed Scott (6-1, 2.31 ERA) and Hahn (5-1, 1.76 ERA).

League files are up-to-date.

05-15-2004, 12:50 PM	#23
firstbigweekend Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 43	Cleveland Blues Update — June/July 1903 By Chauncey St. John, Associated Press CLEVELAND — After ending May on six-game winning streak, the Broncos lost first two games of June. Cleveland bounced back with six straight victories, though, and put together two more five-game winning streaks later in June, and another in mid-July, keeping a lock on first place in the American League. Sitting atop the league may have made general manager Levi Chronister a bit complacent. Known for his wheeling and dealing, Chronister actually turned down a trade offer from the Chicago Cubs on June 9. The Cubs offered 33-year-old SS Bill Dahlen and $2.3 million for backup IF Jimmy Burke. Chronister declined the offer because of age, talent and salary differences. That didn't mean Cleveland wasn't making any moves, though. Broncos manager Wilbur Nether named Jack Bracken (1.59 ERA in 11.1 IP) to closer June 28 and moved Steven Fava to mop-up duty after Fava put up a 10.80 ERA in 1.2 IP. "I know it's just a small sample size with Steven," Nether said, "but Jack has been lights out so far and we could really use a strong closer, especially if we end up making the World Series." The move paid off for Bracken two days later when he was named closer for the American League All-Star team. Cleveland starting pitchers Bob Wicker, George Mullin and Mordecai Brown, third baseman Jimmy Williams, and outfielders Jeffrey Schank, Sam Crawford and Mike Donlin all joined Bracken on the team. Mullin pitched 1.1 scoreless relief innings, Crawford was 0-for-4, Schank was 0-for-3, Donlin was 1-for-4 and Williams was 1-for-4 in the National League's 4-1 victory. Former Bronco outfielder Homer Smoot was 1-for-1 in a pinch-hitting appearance. Cleveland finished June at 54-27, eight games ahead of St. Louis and 12 games better than New York. Sam Crawford led the AL with a .371 average and was second with a .892 OPS; Jeffrey Schank had league-bests of 14 home runs, 58 RBI and 60 runs; Bob Wicker led the league with 16 wins and 65 strikeouts. Mullin named player of the week July 5 after going 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in two complete games. After starting the season 3-5, Mullin won 12 of his next 14 decisions up to this honor. With Fava's problems in the bullpen continuing, Chronister sent him to Buffalo on July 19 and called up Harry McNeal. The Broncos finished July atop the American League at 68-40, 10 games ahead of St. Louis and 11 ahead of third-place New York. Crawford was second in batting (.340); Donlin was third in OPS (.835); Schank was first in homers (16); Wicker was tied for first in wins (19) and first in strikeouts (76); Brown was second in strikeouts (74). In other news: Because of an accounting error, Cleveland believed Donlin's contract was up at the of the season. In fact, it's up at the end of the 1904 season. In the minors: MR James Miller (3-2, 6.09 ERA, 31 K, 10 BB, .240 OAVG, 1.18 WHIP in 34.0 IP at Akron) promoted to Buffalo on June 14 and named No. 1 middle reliever. Around the league: Bill Hoffer, the American League's pitcher of the month for May, threw a one-hit shutout against Detroit on June 15. The National League won the All-Star game, 4-1. Philadelphia (N)'s Ed Delahanty hit for the cycle against Chicago (N) on July 3. Three players picked up their 2,000th career hits in July: Chicago (A)'s Lave Cross on July 23 with a single in the seventh inning off Philadelphia (A)'s Wish Egan; St. Louis (A)'s Steve Brodie on July 18 with a single off Boston (A)'s Bob Ewing; and Brooklyn's Willie Keeler on July 17 with a single off Cincinnati's Bob Rhoads. Pittsburgh's Rube Waddell pitched his third shutout of the season July 30, blanking St. Louis (N) on two hits. June batters of the month: Philadelphia (A)'s Nap Lajoie (.382, 1 HR, 17 RBI) and Brooklyn's Joe Kelley (.406, 1 HR, 14 RBI). June pitchers of the month: Boston (A)'s Cy Young (6-1, 2.38 ERA) and Cincinnati's Noodles Hahn (6-1, 1.83 ERA, 20 strikeouts in 64 IP). July batters of the month: Cross (.396, 1 HR, 14 RBI) and Cincinnati's Jake Beckley (.376, 1 HR, 17 RBI). July pitchers of the month: New York (A)'s Ed Scott (6-1, 2.31 ERA) and Hahn (5-1, 1.76 ERA). League files are up-to-date. __________________ -- Life, its beauty, is all bound up in the fact it can surprise you.