THE YEAR IN REVIEW: 1902
BOSTON DOMINATES AMERICAN LEAGUE AGAIN
The Boston Americans won their second straight league championship in convincing fashion, finishing with a 9 game bulge over second place Baltimore. The key to the Americans success was their big 3 on the mound : Rube Foster (23-14, 2.51), James 'Nixey' Callahan (26-11, 2.77) and William Malone (25-12, 3.58). There was also no shortage of offense as Buck Freeman (.314,8,121), Patsy Dougherty (.342,0,57), George Van Haltren (.324,0,77) and Chick Stahl (.328,2,68) all enjoyed stellar campaigns.
American League MVP Mike Donlin (.343,11,106) kept the Orioles in the race for much of the season. He was helped by Jimmy Williams (.322,7,109) and John McGraw (.302,1,73). Philadelphia's Nap Lajoie (.348,9,78) won the batting title.
Code:
AMERICAN LEAGUE W L Pct GB
Boston Americans 92 48 .657 -
Baltimore Orioles 83 57 .593 9.0
Washington Senators 77 63 .550 15.0
Chicago White Sox 73 67 .521 19.0
Philadelphia Athletics 72 68 .514 20.0
St Louis Browns 58 82 .414 34.0
Detroit Tigers 55 85 .393 37.0
Cleveland Blues 50 90 .357 42.0
Batting AVG
N. Lajoie PHA .348
Z. Harvey CHA .346
J. Farrell WS1 .344
M. Donlin BLA .343
P. Dougherty BOS .342
Homeruns
M. Donlin BLA 11
N. Lajoie PHA 9
B. Freeman BOS 8
J. Williams BLA 7
F. Clarke BLA 6
ERA
R. Foster BOS 2.51
N. Callahan BOS 2.77
J. Skopec WS1 2.95
H. Wilson PHA 2.99
F. Mitchell BOS 3.11
Wins
N. Callahan BOS 26-11
W. Malone BOS 25-12
C. Patten WS1 23-14
E. Poole BLA 23-12
H. Wilson PHA 23-15
PHILLIES REPEAT AS NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPS
The Philadelphia Phillies overpowered the rest of the National League to win their second straight pennant. Al Orth (28-11, 2.53) anchored the rotation and was named the loop's top pitcher while the offense featured Willie Keeler (.345,8,95) and Ed Delahanty (.335,5,81).
Veteran Wilbert Robinson (.370,1,50) was the league's batting average leader and he almost singlehandedly carried the Giants to second place. His only help on offense came from Sammy Strang (.312,0,42) and Elmer Flick (.316,6,66). After being cut by the Americans, veteran hurler Cy Young (16-9, 3.78) provided a steadying influence on the mound and was instrumental in tutoring 21 year old phenom Christy Mathewson (17-13, 3.19). At season's end Young announced his retirement from the game. He leaves with 367 career victories.
The other big story in the National League was provided by the powerful bat of Cincinnati outfielder Sam Crawford (.369,21,88). Crawford was named player of the year mainly due to the majesty of his crushing home runs.
Code:
NATIONAL LEAGUE W L Pct GB
Philadelphia(N) Phillies 88 52 .629 -
New York(N) Giants 75 65 .536 13.0
Chicago(N) Orphans 73 67 .521 15.0
Pittsburgh Pirates 73 67 .521 15.0
Brooklyn Superbas 70 70 .500 18.0
St Louis(N) Cardinals 68 72 .486 20.0
Cincinnati Reds 66 74 .471 22.0
Boston(N) Beaneaters 47 93 .336 41.0
Batting AVG
W. Robinson NY1 .370
S. Crawford CIN .369
J. Sheckard BRO .358
W. Keeler PHI .345
B. Wallace SLN .337
Homeruns
S. Crawford CIN 21
J. Burkett BRO 12
J. Sheckard BRO 12
G. Beaumont PIT 9
E. Heidrick SLN 8
ERA
A. Orth PHI 2.53
A. Pearson SLN 2.72
W. Mercer NY1 2.73
J. Manga NY1 2.96
B. Phyle PHI 3.06
Wins
A. Orth PHI 28-11
F. Morrissey CHN 26
J. Tannehill PIT 26
J. St.Vrain CHN 24
D. Taylor BRO 22
1902 WORLD SERIES : Boston Americans vs Philadelphia Phillies
GAME 1: James Callahan holds the Philadelphia bats in check for 7 innings while George Van Haltran and Chick Stahl each drive in 2 runs as the Boston Americans build a 4-0 lead and then hang on for a 4-3 victory in the series opener.
GAME 2 - Rube Foster tosses a 6-hit shutout and Freddy Parent drives in the only run with a 3rd inning single as the Americans prevail 1-0. The Phillies lose despite a 3 hitter from pitcher Harry Felix.
GAME 3 - Van Haltren has 3 hits and drives in Patsy Dougherty with a pair of runs as the Americans win in Philadelphia by a 3-2 count. Callahan has another strong outing for his second win of the series.
GAME 4 - Boston completes the sweep with a 7-5 victory in Game 4. 2 more hits for Van Haltren, who batted .500 in the series, while Buck Freeman and Billy Gilbert also deliver 2 hits each. Rube Foster gets his second win of the series while Felix is the losing pitcher once again.
It was the Americans second straight World Series victory.
OTHER 1901 NOTES
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - It took extra innings in the 5th and deciding game but the St Paul Saints emerged as the minor league baseball champion with a 3 games to two victory over the Montreal Royals in the Little World Series. Former Chicago White Sox Fred Hartman hit .370 to lead the Saints to the American Association league title. Montreal emerged victorious in an International League race that saw 7 teams seperated by just 9 games in the standings.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
UCLA topped Tennessee 34-21 in the Fiesta Bowl to claim college Football's National Championship. Junior running back James Williams of Army rushed for 1851 yards and 20 touchdowns to claim the 1902 Heisman Trophy. It was the second straight season the Heisman went to a cadet. USC quarterback Joe Jimenez and Michigan signal caller Jimmie Motley also received serious consideration
Code:
1902 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 10
1- UCLA 12-0
2- Texas 12-0
3- Tennessee 12-1
4- Yale 12-1
5- Mississippi 11-2
6- USC 10-2
7- Army 11-1
8- Washington St 10-2
9- Oklahoma 9-3
10- VMI 11-2
BOXING: 1902 HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTS
Code:
HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION : Peter Jackson
DATE TITLE HOLDER RESULT OPPONENT[/b]
2/2/1902 Peter Jackson TKO4 Tom Allen
6/3/1902 Peter Jackson UD Joe Lannon