1931
Changes- Random playoff rule - The World Series format is changed to 2 home, 2 away, 2 home, 2 away, 1 home.
- Add fictional player - Technically not a fictional person, but I decided to add Don Bradman, the greatest cricket player of all-time, as a 22-year-old second baseman. He has very high potentials for contact and batting eye, and is a good fielder, but is not expected to ever be a good power hitter. The Don signed with the Cincinnati Reds, becoming teammates with Lou Gehrig.
- Shorten schedule - Teams will now play 148 games in a season.
American League
Chicago White Sox (84-64)
Detroit Tigers (82-66)
St. Louis Browns (82-66)
Baltimore Orioles (78-70)
Minnesota Twins (78-70)
New York Yankees (78-70)
Washington Senators (78-70)
Cleveland Indians (71-77)
Boston Red Sox (69-79)
Providence Angels (68-80)
Kansas City Athletics (63-85)
Milwaukee Brewers (57-91)
AL MVP: Jimmie Foxx (New York)
AL CYA: Carl Hubbell (St. Louis)
AL ROY: Billy Urbanski (Baltimore)
National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (93-55)
Cincinnati Reds (85-63)
Chicago Cubs (84-64)
Newark Bears (80-68)
Texas Rangers (78-70)
Boston Braves (76-72)
Brooklyn Dodgers (73-75)
Philadelphia Phillies (71-77)
New York Giants (64-84)
Montreal Expos (63-85)
Louisville Colonels (61-87)
St. Louis Cardinals (60-88)
NL MVP: Babe Ruth (Boston) (15th award)
NL MOP: Paul Derringer (Chicago)
NL ROY: Ripper Collins (Louisville)
Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Chuck Klein (Minnesota) .275, Babe Ruth (Boston) .288
Home Runs: Jimmie Foxx (New York) 54, Babe Ruth (Boston) 55
Runs Batted In: Jimmie Foxx (New York) / Glenn Wright (St. Louis) 107, Wally Berger (Brooklyn) / Lou Gehrig (Cincinnati) 97
Stolen Bases: Joe Judge (Baltimore) 29, Billy Werber (Texas) 16
WAR: Jimmie Foxx (New York) 11.8, Babe Ruth (Boston) 11.8
Wins: Carl Hubbell (St. Louis) 20, Paul Derringer (Chicago) 20
ERA: Dutch Reuther (Milwaukee) 1.94, Earl Whitehill (New York) 1.70
Strikeouts: Guy Morton (Providence) 169, Lefty Gomez (Montreal) 162
Saves: Tim McCabe (Detroit) 34, Colonel Slover (Texas) 39
WAR: Carl Hubbell (St. Louis) 11.9, Red Lucas (Louisville) 10.5
Notes
- The American League was very close, as six teams were still in contention with just four days left in the season. The White Sox won their last four games to hold off Detroit and St. Louis, taking the league title for the third time. Dale Alexander, High Pockets Kelly, and Red Ruffing starred for the Pale Hose.
- Pittsburgh won the NL pennant for the first time since 1914. Hitters Don Hurst and Tony Lazzeri led the way at the plate, while Ben Cantwell was the finest pitcher.
- Lefty Grove (Washington) suffered an elbow injury that ruled him out of the second half of the season, and the first half of 1932.
- The Braves struggled, as veteran starters Pete Schneider and Joe Wood had poor seasons. Babe Ruth was two RBI shy of another Triple Crown.
- Gehrig finished in the top three of every Triple Crown statistic.
- George Ruth (Newark) made only eleven starts due to injury.
- Don Bradman (Cincinnati) was the Reds' starting second baseman, and the rookie had a respectable .196 average, 99 OPS+, and won a Gold Glove.
- Baltimore traded second baseman George Grantham to the Braves for starter Bert Cole and a minor leaguer.
- The Phillies traded All-Star first baseman Jim Bottomley to the Cubs for two pitchers.
Achievements & Milestones
- Lou Gehrig (Cincinnati) and Pat Crawford (Braves) hit three home runs in a game.
- Phil Todt (Montreal) hit for the cycle.
- 17 no-hitters were thrown.
- Charlie Hollocher (Red Sox), Bubbles Hargrave (Baltimore), and John Kelleher (Milwaukee) reached 2000 hits.
- Babe Ruth (Braves) passed 800 homers and 2000 RBI, both records.
- Hack Wilson (Cleveland), High Pockets Kelly (White Sox), and Gabby Hartnett (Brooklyn) joined the 300 homer club.
- Pete Donohue (Newark) and Art Nehf (Pittsburgh) won their 200th games.
- George Ruth (Newark) and Hod Eller (Texas) each won game #250.
- Guy Morton (Providence) became the sixth man to win 300 games.
- Joe Wood (Braves) broke Red Ames' record for games started and Walter Johnson's record for innings pitched.
World Series
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Pittsburgh defeated Chicago, 5 games to 4.
- Don Hurst was the MVP despite being on the losing side. The Pittsburgh first baseman went 9-33 with three round trippers.
- Tony Lazzeri (Pittsburgh) hit two homers for three RBI in Game Three as the Pirates won 4-3.
- Red Ruffing (Chicago) went the distance in Game Five, as the White Sox won 6-1 and brought the series back to 3-2.
- Lon Warneke (Chicago) threw a shutout in Game Seven, allowing only three Pirate hits.
- Herb Pennock (Chicago) also shutout the Buccos in Game Eight, as the White Sox danced to a 9-0 win, and a decisive Game Nine.
- Ace Ben Cantwell (Pittsburgh) was the hero, going the distance in Game Nine, and not allowing a run. A pair of Pirates scores in the fourth innings gave them the 2-0 win, and their fourth ring.
Retirements
- Eddie Collins. All-time hit king, and the epitome of a deadball era hitter. 3746 hits, for a .327 batting average and a 141 OPS+. Four times a batting champion, and five times his league's OBP leader. 17 All-Star bids, 11 Silver Sluggers, four Gold Gloves, one ring, and the NL MVP in 1911 and 1912.
- Butch Henline. A short but strong career behind the plate. 117 OPS+ led to five All-Star games. Won a ring with the Pirates before retiring.
- Ray Schalk. Outstanding defensive catcher of his generation, winning eleven Gold Gloves, and three All-Star bids. World championship with Cleveland in 1916.
- George Sisler. Eight-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger at first base. Batted .492 in 1920, an all-time record that may never be beaten. Led the NL in hits six times, with a career total of 2836 and a 154 OPS+.
- Milt Stock. Fine third baseman for Red Sox, Twins, and Cubs. 2639 hits, but only a 97 OPS+. Two All-Star games.
- Jack Tobin. Outfielder for a generation of strong Baltimore sides, winning rings in 1919 and 1921. 2321 hits, and a 113 OPS+, for four Silver Sluggers.
Draft
- Milwaukee chose Arky Vaughan first overall.
- Joe Medwick was drafted second by the Cardinals.
- Catcher Bill DeLancey went #3 to Louisville.
- Stan Hack was the fifth pick by Kansas City.
Jimmie Foxx was the American League MVP.
Paul Derringer was the National League's Most Outstanding Pitcher.