The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward

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Detroit went on 20-6 tear in September to finish with Major League Baseball’s best record at 102-60. It was a franchise best for the Tigers, who repeated as American League West Division champs and earned their fifth division title overall (1891, 92, 93, 99, 1900). Detroit allowed the AL’s fewest runs at 654 and their +217 run differential was the best in the majors.

The Tigers had a dominant 51-18 record after the all-star break; only one other team in MLB (the Phillies) had 40 wins. Minnesota was second in the AL West at 87-75, their sixth straight winning season. The rest of the division was below .500. Most notable was Milwaukee dropping to 68-96, their first losing campaign since 1892.

In the AL East, the top contenders played roughly even in September. New York never surrendered the lead and took first at 92-70; their third divisional crown (1892, 96, 1900). Both Baltimore and two-time defending AL champ Washington finished 87-75. It was a nice rebound for the Orioles after three straight sub-70 win campaigns. Baltimore led the majors with 918 runs scored, but their 15-25 record in one-run games kept them from the top spot. Cleveland at 61-101 set a franchise worst and was the AL’s bottom squad.

The final AL Batter of the Month was Tigers RF Elmer Flick with a .352 average, 9 home runs, 25 RBI, and 25 runs. Several other players had 9+ in a crowded MVP field. Baltimore rookie CF Sam Crawford led in homers (49) and RBI (165); the latter an AL record. Kansas City LF Mike Donlin notably led in average (.367) and OPS (1.097). Washington 2B Ed Delahanty was the WARlord at 9.8.

Crawford was the final Rookie of the Month with a .340 average, 35 hits, 8 homers, 23 runs, and 31 RBI. Yankees veteran Mickey Welch was Pitcher of the Month with a 5-0 record, 3.07 ERA, and 21 strikeouts in 44 innings. The 41-year old Smiling Mickey is MLB’s career wins leader at 297-237. Twins ace Brownie Foreman is the Pitcher of the Year favorite winning the ERA title (2.34) and leading in wins (22-11) with 243 strikeouts. Boston’s Bob Wicker had the most Ks (259) and WAR (8.3), but a 3.13 ERA. Nationals ace Ed Doheny is always in the mix with a 2.63 ERA, 21-11 record, and 250 Ks.



On September 3, Cleveland RF Bill Hallman hit for the cycle against Baltimore. Twins LF Henry Larkin reached 2500 career hits. Kansas City SS Bobby Wheelock stole his 900th base. Yankees RF Jack O’Connor got to 1000 RBI, Athletics 3B Bill Joyce to 1000 runs, and Orioles SS Germany Smith to 300 homers.

Attendance was up league wide with the Yankees (968,276) and Tigers (937,236) setting the top two marks for season attendance. The White Sox offense set MLB worsts for hits (1242) and doubles (170) while their .234 average was the second-worst in AL history. Minnesota’s offense only had 685 strikeouts, the third-best in AL history. A bad record was set by Browns OF Bug Holliday, who was caught stealing an MLB-record 43 times. St. Louis’ William Sutch also set a bad pitching record with 50 home runs allowed.

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Chicago held onto the National League West Division crown and took the NL’s top seed at 97-65. The Cubs led the NL with 811 runs scored and had the best differential at +148. Chicago’s pitching staff set NL bests for fewest walks allowed (362) and BB/9 (2.24). This was the fourth division title for the Cubs (1884, 91, 92, 1900). Cincinnati (88-74) and Indianapolis (85-77) were next in the division.

Defending World Series champ New York had a losing record in September, but their seven game cushion entering the month held in the NL East. The Giants finished 92-70, followed by the Phillies (89-73) and Braves (88-74). Boston had the fewest runs allowed in the NL at 636. Pittsburgh (81-81) and Brooklyn (78-84) both had decent campaigns. Buffalo finished 48-114 for the worst record in MLB history. The previous worst was 54-108 by Washington in 1887. The Bisons also set new worsts for team batting average (.230) and slugging percentage (.327).

The final NL Batter of the Month was Dodgers RF Ducky Holmes with a .406 average, 7 home runs, 25 RBI, and 18 runs. Chicago’s Deacon Phillippe was Pitcher of the Month on a 5-0 record, 1.05 ERA, and 23 strikeouts with five walks in 43 innings. The Cubs also had Rookie of the Month Ed Siever, as the #11 pick pitched 47.2 innings with a 4-2 record, 3.59 ERA, and 20 Ks.



Cubs RF Ginger Beaumont is the favorite for NL MVP, winning back-to-back batting titles (.378) and leading in RBI (124), hits (227), and runs (127). He had 25 home runs, three short of a Triple Crown. St. Louis’s Charlie Hickman led in homers with only 28 and also tied the single-season record for triples with 16. New Orleans SS Jimmy Williams was the WARlord (9.9) and Phillies LF Joe Kelley had the best OPS (1.046).

Chicago’s Phillippe won the ERA title narrowly (2.62) and led in wins (22-7), but only had 132 strikeouts and 6.7 WAR. Giants ace Joe Corbett had 8.9 WAR and was just behind for the ERA title at 2.62. Boston’s Rube Waddell led with 272 strikeouts. Louisville rookie Christy Mathewson tied Corbett with 8.9 WAR and had 259 strikeouts; he was on his way to first place in Ks until a biceps strain kept him out most of September.



On September 6, Philadelphia’s Silver King tossed a no-hitter facing St. Louis. He struck out eight and walked two over 116 pitches in a 5-0 win. That was the 249th win for the 32-year old Phillies veteran. He would get to 250 in his next start, becoming only the fourth pitcher to reach the milestone.

In other milestones, Cubs LF Mike Griffin reached 800 stolen bases. Pelicans RF Jocko Halligan reached 2000 hits and Clowns 2B Frank Grant got to 600 swipes.

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The 1900 American League Championship Series saw a repeat appearance for Detroit, who lost last season to Washington. It is the fifth ALCS for the Tigers, whose lone win was 1891. This is the third for New York, who won in 1892 and lost in 1896. Detroit has home field advantage and finished ten wins better than the Yankees, although they split the six regular season meetings.

New York scored three runs in the top of the first, but the lead was short lived as Detroit rolled to a 14-3 victory in game one. Both RF Elmer Flick and CF Harry Blake had three hit games with a homer and three runs scored. Pitcher Ted Lewis tossed a complete game win, giving up seven hits, three runs, and three walks with four strikeouts.



The Tigers won game two at home 6-2. Joe Neale pitched 7.2 innings allowing six hits, two runs (one earned), and one walk with five strikeouts. Elmer Flick had a triple and single with two RBI and a run.



Detroit kept winning on the road with a 4-1 victory in game three at New York. Doc Amole pitched a complete game allowing five hits, one run, and three walks with six strikeouts. Honus Wagner scored twice on two hits and Elmer Flick had two RBI with a double and single.



The Tigers were on their way to a sweep with a 6-2 score entering the ninth inning. The Yankees kept their hopes alive with a four-run ninth, including a three-run pinch hit homer by 2B Bill Eagan. However, Detroit’s Bill Keister had a solo homer in the top of the 11th, giving them the 7-6 victory and the first sweep in ALCS history. Elmer Flick was series MVP, going 8-18 with two homers and nine RBI.

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The 1900 National League Championship Series was the fourth trip for Chicago and first since their back-to-back defeats in 1891-92. The Cubs’ lone title came in the inaugural 1884 campaign. They had home field advantage against the defending World Series champ New York, whose first-ever NLCS appearance was the prior year. Although only five wins separated the two in the regular season, Chicago absolutely dominated the Giants 8-1 in the regular season.

New York took a 5-4 lead into the eighth inning of game one, but Chicago got two runs on three hits in the bottom half to go ahead for the 6-5 win. 3B Harry Wolverton was 3-5 with two doubles and two RBI, including the go-ahead swing.



The Giants again had a late lead, up 6-4 entering the bottom of the ninth in game two. The Cubs rallied again thanks to three hits, a walk, and two errors. Mike Griffin singled, plus an error in center allowed two runs to score and tie the game. Then Harry Wolverton singled in Charlie Hamburg for the 7-6 Cubs victory.



Game three was tied 6-6 after the seventh inning and stayed there until the 13th. Chicago’s Fred Roat got a leadoff double, enabling the go-ahead sacrifice fly by Mike Griffin. The Cubs held on for the 7-6 road win, taking the 3-0 series lead.



Chicago capped off the first-ever NLCS sweep, dethroning the defending champ New York with a 6-0 final in game four. CF Tommy Leach was 4-5 with two doubles, two RBI, and a run. Frank Figgemeier tossed a six-hitter with four walks and six strikeouts. 3B Harry Wolverton was series MVP, going 8-16 with four RBI, two go-ahead RBI, and four runs.

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The 17th World Series was the second appearance for both squads entering the 1900 finale. Detroit had previously won in 1891 over Boston, while Chicago lost the first World Series in 1884 against the crosstown White Sox. The Tigers had home field advantage with their 102-60 record compared to the Cubs’ 97-65 mark. Both notably earned sweeps in the LCS, which zero teams had pulled off in the prior 16 seasons.

Detroit claimed the opener 5-3, getting the two go-ahead runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Joe Neale pitched 7.2 innings in the win, giving up nine hits, three runs (two earned) with four strikeouts. Chicago’s Deacon Phillippe gave up four runs and nine hits over seven innings in defeat.



Chicago was up 4-0 after the third inning and held on for a 5-2 road win in game two to even the series. Rookie Ed Siever pitched 7.1 innings with five hits, two runs (both unearned) and two walks with three strikeouts. Detroit’s Ted Lewis allowed five runs and nine hits in 8.1 innings.



Game three in Chicago was a high scoring affair with 31 hits. Detroit secured a 14-7 road win to take the series lead. RF Elmer Flick was 4-6 with the first-ever postseason cycle, getting three runs and four RBI. SS Honus Wagner also was 4-6 with two runs and two RBI, while 1B Sam Mertes was 3-6 with four RBI and two runs.



The Cubs took a 4-1 lead into the ninth inning of game four. Detroit got a two-run homer from Frank Fennelly in the ninth, but no other baserunners allowing Chicago to escape with the 4-3 win. Frank Figgemeier pitched 7.1 innings allowing five hits, one run, and one walk with two Ks. This evened the series up at two apiece.



Chicago had a big four-run second inning en route to the 5-3 win in game five, giving the Cubs a 3-2 series lead heading back to Michigan. CF Tommy Leach was 3-4 with two runs. Deacon Phillippe gave up ten hits, but only three runs over seven innings with one strikeout in the win.



Both teams did most of their scoring late in game six, but Chicago had just a bit more to win the game 7-5, clinching their first World Series title on the road in six games. DH Harry Wolverton was 3-4 with a double, two runs, and a RBI. SS George Davis was series MVP, going 13-26 with one homer and six RBI. Chicago ties the best record in a postseason run of 8-2 along with the 1898 Nationals and 1895 Twins.



The Cubs are the 12th franchise to win it all, giving half of the clubs a title through MLB’s first 17 seasons. Four of the last five have gone to the National League, although the American League still leads overall 10-7. Also of note, Tigers star Elmer Flick tied the postseason record for total bases with 43.

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The American League Most Valuable Player award battle was incredibly competitive with perhaps a dark horse taking it in New York 2B Nap Lajoie. He had 11 first place votes and 263 points, while Kansas City’s Mike Donlin had 8/251 and Baltimore’s Sam Crawford had 5/225. Donlin notably was the leader in triple slash (.367/.413/.684), OPS (1.097), and total bases (414). Both he and Crawford had 9.5 WAR, second only to Washington’s Ed Delahanty. Crawford was the leader in both home runs (49) and RBI (165).

Lajoie led only in hits (224), but had an incredibly balanced effort in his fifth season with the Yankees. He scored 112 runs, 39 doubles, 9 triples, 34 home runs, 133 RBI, 48 stolen bases, .366/.394/.626 slash, 1.020 OPS, 186 wRC+, and 9.2 WAR. Lajoie was the #1 draft pick in 1896 by New York. Next year is his last under team control with no extension signed as of yet.

Crawford unsurprisingly was the unanimous Rookie of the Year. In addition to his 49 homers and 165 RBI, the 1899 #1 pick won a Gold Glove and had 205 hits, 127 runs, 33 doubles, a .336/.382/.648 slash, and 186 wRC+ for the Orioles.

Minnesota’s Brownie Foreman won Pitcher of the Year with 22 first place votes, while the other two were split between defending winner Ed Doheny of Washington and Detroit’s Joe Neale. In his sixth season, Foreman led in wins (22-11) and ERA (2.34). The 25-year old lefty pitched 288.1 innings with 243 strikeouts, 189 ERA+, 74 FIP-, and 6.8 WAR. In May, Foreman signed a six-year, $278,200 extension to stick long-term with the Twins.

White Sox 1B Duke Farrell won his ninth Silver Slugger. He’s one of four players in MLB history with 9+ Sluggers and the leader among first basemen. Detroit SS Honus Wagner and Yankees RF Danny Green both won their third.

Royals IF Tommy Cororan won his sixth Gold Glove split between 3B and 2B. Minnesota 1B Fred Tenney and teammate SS Grant Johnson both won their fifth. White Sox P George Cuppy got his fourth Gold Glove and Royals C Doggie Miller got his third.

Detroit manager George Strief won his third consecutive Manager of the Year award, especially fitting this year with his first AL pennant. The 44-year old has been the skipper six seasons with the Tigers and has averaged 100 wins per season over the last three years.

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Chicago RF Ginger Beaumont was the unanimous National League Most Valuable Player for 1900. In his third season for the Cubs, the former #3 draft pick led in runs (127), hits (227), RBI (124), total bases (346), and batting average (.378). Beaumont added 30 doubles, 25 home runs, 62 stolen bases, .433 OBP, 1.010 OPS, 178 wRC+, and 9.0 WAR.

New York’s Wiley Piatt surprised many by winning Pitcher of the Year with 14 first place votes and 134 points. He narrowly beat out Giants teammate Joe Corbett who had 10 first place votes and 126 points. Corbett was notably the WAR leader at 8.9. The only stat Piatt led was innings pitched at 287.1. In his third year in New York, Piatt had a 21-12 record, 2.94 ERA, 231 strikeouts, 142 ERA+, 74 FIP-, and 8.0 WAR. He signed a five-year, $101,100 extension with the Giants ater the season.

Louisville’s Christy Mathewson was Rookie of the Year with all but one first place vote. The #2 pick in the last draft, the 19-year old had a 2.92 ERA over 240.2 innings, 259 strikeouts, 12-14 record, 138 ERA+, and 8.9 WAR. Mathewson led the NL in K/9 (9.7) and FIP- (59).

Indianapolis CF Bill Lange became one of four with nine Silver Sluggers. He joined Mike Tiernan as the only players to win nine consecutively. Buffalo C Fred Carroll won his sixth Slugger and Giants 3B Charlie Irwin got his fifth. Becoming three-time winners were New Orleans SS Jimmy Williams and Philadelphia LF Joe Kelley. Louisville C John Kerins became only the third player with eight Gold Gloves. Charlie Irwin won his seventh at 3B and Bisons 1B Skyrocket Smith won his sixth.

With the World Series win, Chicago’s Jim Field won Manager of the Year. The 37-year old was in only his second season as a manager, having spent four years in AAA Yonkers as a hitting coach. He is the younger brother of Yankees manager Sam Field.

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The big manager firing after the 1900 season was Washington’s Jack Chapman who won the World Series twice and American League thrice over 13 seasons. The Nationals weren’t even bad in 1900 with a second place 87-75, but the expectations were now very high in DC. The 57-year old Chapman had an 1106-1000 record (.525) since taking the job in 1888. He ranks third all-time in wins among managers.

Below are the notable retirements after the 1900 season. The Red Sox retired the #41 uniform of RF Sam Thompson, who had 1451 hits, 232 homers, and 1005 RBI in Boston and was a huge part of their early dynasty. He’s the second player on team with a retired number, joining Charlie Ferguson’s #75 from the prior year. Ferguson had been the first player for any team to have his jersey number retired.

The Chicago White Sox retired the #71 of catcher Jocko Milligan, who played 1504 games over 12 years there with 63.9 WAR. The Chicago Cubs retired Dave Orr’s #6, as he played 1266 games with 1731 hits and 53.3 WAR over eight seasons. Milwaukee retired Lady Baldwin’s #32, as he pitched eight seasons for the Brewers with 36.8 WAR over 1852.2 innings.



With the continued growth of professional baseball, a fourth level of play was established for the 1901 season. This would be known as the Single A level with each major league franchise getting an additional affiliate for prospects.

The 1900 First-Year Player Draft had enough prospects to justify 14 rounds. The #1 pick was Buffalo and they took 1B Tim Jordan, who has a 70 potential grade. Cleveland grabbed SP Addie Joss #2 and he’s expected to be an immediate 80-grade ace. The #3 pick CF Harry Lumley (Milwaukee) and #4 pick SP Doc White (Red Sox) both also have 70 potential grades. Notably choosing not to sign was #8 pick Mordecai Brown, a SP taken by the Red Sox. Below are the top 50 picks from the draft.



The highest rated free agent was LF Chick Stahl, who ended up signing only a one-year, $7,100 deal with the Cubs. The biggest contract went to SP Walter Thornton formerly of the Royals and Giants. He inked a six-year, $240,000 deal with Milwaukee. The biggest yearly salary will go to LF Tuck Turner (most recently a Tiger) who joined the Yankees at $193,000 over four years. Below are the top free agent signings of the 1900-01 Offseason.



Elsewhere in the United States, the 1900 presidential election was a rematch of the 1896 battle between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. McKinley won again with a 292-155 Electoral College score and a 51.6%/45.5% popular vote.

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The 1901 Hall of Fame ballot was still not close to electing the first inductee. Newcomer SP Pud Galvin debuted at 15.3%. Billy O’Brien and Tony Mullane were again the top two vote getters, but both dropped after being above 20% the prior year.



Two teams moved into new stadiums for the 1901 season. Baltimore moved from Union Park (or Oriole Park III) into Oriole Park IV (or American League Park). The former spot was above average for batting averages but low for homers. The new Oriole Park had strange dimensions with 414 feet down the left field line, 384 to left-center, 405 to dead center, 480 to right-center, but 330 down the right field line. Factors suggest very low home run totals, but high averages and very high doubles and triples.

The Philadelphia teams had been sharing the Baker Bowl to this point, but the Athletics moved to Columbia Park. It had a smaller capacity (from 21,000 down to 13,600), but at least it was their own spot. It was a small field with 340 feet down the left field line, 396 to center, and only 280 to right although RF had a 30 foot wall. The stadium factors suggested higher home run tallies but lower averages and extra base hits otherwise.





Above are the top-rated batters in professional baseball entering the 1901 season.



Above are the top-ranked pitchers in the game. Below are the all-time leaderboards and the milestones that may be reached in the 1901 campaign.

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The American League’s division leaders through April 1901 are New York and Kansas City both at 19-9. Washington is right behind the Yankees in the AL East at 18-10. Minnesota is second in the AL West at 16-12. In the National League, defending champ Chicago has the best overall record at 19-8 atop the NL West. St. Louis is next at 16-12. In the NL East, New York (17-11) leads Brooklyn (15-13).

Royals LF Mike Donlin was AL Batter of the Month with a monster 16 home runs, 44 RBI, 29 runs, and .396 average. Cubs 3B George Davis took the NL honor with a .362 average, 7 homers, 35 RBI, and 22 runs. Twins lefty Brownie Foreman was the AL Pitcher of the Month with a 5-1 record, 53 innings, 37 strikeouts, and 1.19 ERA. Dodgers right Jim Gardner was the NL’s best arm with a 2.36 ERA, 5-1 record, 49.2 innings, and 28 Ks. Tigers righty Leroy Evans was AL Rookie of the Month with a 4-0 record, 2.38 ERA, and 17 Ks in 34 innings. Braves righty Oscar Jones was the best NL newcomer on a 3-1 record, 1.62 ERA, and 20 Ks in 50 innings.



Pelicans SS Jimmy Williams had an impressive hitting streak carried over from the prior season. He got to 34 games before stopped on April 27 by the Cubs. This was tied for the second-longest streak in MLB history. In milestones, Detroit 2B Bid McPhee reached 2500 hits. Browns LF Bug Holliday reached 1500 RBI. Yankees pitcher George Davies earned win #200 and Brewers righty Lee Viau got to 2500 strikeouts.

Getting to 2000 hits was Yankees RF Jack O’Connor and White Sox RF Charlie Duffee. Phillies RF Larry Twitchell and Giants LF Scott Stratton reached 1000 runs scored. Nationals 2B Ed Delahanty got to 900 stolen bases and Red Sox 2B Jack Glasscock got to 700 swipes. Pirates 3B King Kelly became the fifth to 600 doubles.

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The New York Yankees were 19-9 in May, giving them the best record in the majors at 38-18. Their lead in the American League East Division is up to five games, although 33-23 Washington is still putting up a fight. Kansas City was 12-16 in May, but they’re still atop the AL West at 31-25. St. Louis was 18-10 for the month to charge into second place at 30-26. Minnesota is two back and Chicago three away.

Defending AL champ Detroit continues to struggle at 24-32. In even more bad news for the Tigers, former MVP RF Elmer Flick suffered a fractured knee on May 17 to end his season. To continue the nightmare season, SS Honus Wagner fractured his ankle on the 24th and is expected out until September.

Reigning World Series champ Chicago has the National League’s best record still at 35-20. Cincinnati (30-25) and Indianapolis (30-26) are next in the NL West. A strong May pushed Boston into the NL East lead at 30-26, closely followed by Brooklyn (29-27) and Pittsburgh (27-28). New York’s 10-18 month dropped them to fourth at 27-29, but all six teams in the division are separated by only six wins.

Royals LF Mike Donlin repeated as AL Batter of the Month with a .324 average, 8 home runs, 32 RBI, and 23 runs. Two months into 1901, Turkey Mike has 24 homers and 76 RBI. Pelicans SS Jimmy Williams won the NL Batter of the Month with a .425 average, 9 homers, 24 RBI, and 29 runs. Williams leads the majors with a .408 batting average through May.

Yankees lefty Bob Becker was AL Pitcher of the Month with a 1.92 ERA, 5-1 record, and 32 strikeouts over 51.2 innings. Indianapolis righty Mal Eason won in the NL on a 1.55 ERA, 4-1 record, and 26 Ks in 52.1 innings. Cleveland’s Addie Joss was AL Rookie of the Month with 52 innings, a 2.25 ERA, 39 Ks, and 4-1 record. Braves righty Oscar Jones was the NL’s best newcomer on a 4-1 record, 3.19 ERA, and 21 Ks over 42.1 innings.

On May 30, Yankees veteran pitcher Mickey Welch made history as the first man to 300 career wins. The 41-year old righty was moved to the closer role for the first time this season and came in the bottom of the tenth in relief. Welch is also the all-time leader for innings pitched (4711) and complete games (338).



Buffalo’s Zeke Wilson tossed the first no-hitter of 1901 on May 9 in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel against the Braves. The veteran journeyman struck out six over 98 pitches and was denied a perfect game with a hit batsmen to lead off the third inning. Later in the month, Bisons vet Adonis Terry tossed a shutout to earn his 250th career win; becoming only the fifth to reach the mark. On May 23, Cleveland’s Bill Hallman went 6-6 against Milwaukee.



In other milestones, crossing 2500 hits in May was Orioles SS Germany Smith, Bisons 1B Jimmy Ryan, Red Sox 2B Jack Glasscock, Nationals CF Jim Fogarty, and Browns LF Bug Holliday. Holliday also reached 1500 runs scored, as did Tigers 1B Bid McPhee. Twins RF Dick Johnston earned his 1500th RBI. Clowns CF Bill Lange reached 1000 runs. Phillies 2B Ed Herr got to 2000 hits. Pirates LF Mike Tiernan got to 900 stolen bases, while McPhee got to 700 swipes. In other news, Athletics catcher Jack Rowe announced he’ll retire at the end of the year. He’s the oldest player in the majors at 44.

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New York’s dominance in the American League continued to June, giving them the top record in the majors of 57-26 at the 1901 all-star break. Their lead in the AL East is up to eight games with Washington still trying to keep up at 49-34. Kansas City maintained the AL West lead with a 17-10 June, putting the Royals at 48-35. St. Louis is a close second at 46-37 with Chicago third at 42-41.

Defending World Series champ Chicago remains the National League’s top squad by a healthy margin at 52-30. The Cubs went 17-10 in June, but their lead in the NL West is only 6.5 games with both Indianapolis and St. Louis keeping pace at 46-37. Cincinnati, who was five back entering June, fell to last place and 16 back at 36-46 after a putrid 6-21 record in June. The shakeup in the NL East saw Pittsburgh race into first at 46-36 after a 19-8 finish to the first half. Boston (44-39) and New York (43-40) are 2.5 and 3.5 games back, respectively.

Browns RF Charlie Dexter won AL Batter of the Month with a .364 average, 10 home runs, 24 RBI, and 24 runs. Cardinals RF Charlie Hickman got it in the NL on a .409 average, 8 homers, 21 RBI, and 19 runs. Twins lefty Brownie Foreman was AL Pitcher of the Month on a 5-0 record, 2.64 ERA, and 40 strikeouts over 47.2 innings. Pittsburgh righty Jerry Nops won in the NL on a 5-0 record, 1.53 ERA, and 31 Ks in 53 innings. The Browns had the AL Rookie of the Month Noodles Hahn with a 3-0 record, 3.99 ERA, and 24 Ks in 29.1 innings. The Pirates’ Weldon Henley was the leading NL rookie on a 4-0 record, 1.62 ERA, 55.2 innings, and 38 Ks.



At the break, Kansas City LF Mike Donlin has a remarkable 100 RBI all ready, putting him well on pace to break the single-season record of 175 by Mike Tiernan. Donlin also has 33 homers, giving him a shot at Tiernan’s 66 dinger record. If he maintains his pace, Louisville SP Christy Mathewson has a chance at Charlie Geggus’s record 311 strikeouts. Mathewson has 174 thus far and 6.2 WAR with a 2.30 ERA.



On June 7, Braves righty Vianello Drinkwater tossed a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over New Orleans. He threw 110 pitches with three strikeouts and only one walk against him. Three players hit for the cycle in June; Orioles 1B Bill Massey, Clowns 2B Frank Grant, and White Sox LF George Van Haltren. Both Grant and Van Haltren have earned the cycle thrice in their careers, becoming the first players to do so.

In other milestones, Cardinals SS Ed McKean became the third to 1000 stolen bases while Athletics 3B Bill Joyce reached 900 stolen bases. Royals SS Pat Dealy and Orioles 1B Yank Robinson got to 2000 hits. Twins 1B Fred Tenney got his 1000th run and Phillies LF Joe Kelley got his 1000th RBI. Nationals SP Peek-A-Boo Veach reached 200 wins and Clowns SP Tom Vickery got to 2000 strikeouts.

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Below are the rosters for the 1901 MLB All-Star Game at Eclipse Park in Louisville. Washington RF Jimmy Bannon won the Home Run Challenge, defeating Kansas City’s Mike Donlin 9-8 in the final round.



The American League won the All-Star Game for the fourth consecutive year in a 3-2 win over the National League. It was only the third time the event was decided by a one run margin. The AL went ahead with a pair of solo home runs from Heinie Peitz and Danny Green in the top of the ninth inning. The Yankees OF Green also drew a walk and scored in the seventh to earn MVP honors.

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New York remains the top squad in MLB and the American League at 71-37 through July 1901. The Yankees are now a comfortable 13 games ahead in the AL East after a terrible 9-16 month for Washington, dropping them to 58-50. St. Louis meanwhile has tied Kansas City for the AL West lead at 61-47. Minnesota is third at 53-55.

Chicago still has the best record in the National League at 65-42, but their NL West lead shrank after a middling July. Indianapolis was 16-9 for the month, putting the Clowns 3.5 back at 62-46. St. Louis meanwhile struggled to 9-16, dropping the Cardinals to 55-53.

The New York Giants reclaimed the NL East lead with a 16-9 month, putting them at 59-49. Pittsburgh (57-50) and Boston (57-51) are right behind. Philadelphia meanwhile has been the best team post break at 19-6, taking the Phillies from 15 games under .500 to only two. Philly is 53-55 and Brooklyn is 51-57; six and eight games back and still very much alive in a tight division.

Yankees CF Fielder Jones was AL Batter of the Month with a .404 average, 40 hits, 6 home runs, 19 RBI, and 24 runs. Indianapolis CF Bill Lange grabbed the NL honor on a .376 average, 8 homers, 19 RBI, and 24 runs. Orioles reliever Harry Wilhelm got AL Pitcher of the Month with a 0.64 ERA over 14 innings with 6 strikeouts. Phillies righty Herb Goodall won in the NL on a 4-0 record, 1.71 ERA, and 25 Ks in 42 innings. Athletics LHP Eddie Plank was AL Rookie of the Month as the #6 pick had a 4-1 record, 2.18 ERA, and 29 Ks over 41.1 innings. Pirates RHP Weldon Henley took it for the NL on a 3-2 record and 29 Ks in 46 innings.

The trade deadline came and went with few marquee names traded. The biggest name on the move was three-time Pitcher of the Year Frank Knauss, who was in the final year of a six-year deal with Cincinnati. The 32-year old had a 4.06 ERA through 124 innings, career worst metrics so far. The Reds sent him to the Boston Braves straight up for minor league RHP Harry McNeal.

In milestones, Clowns P Tom Vickery reached 200 wins. Brewers 3B Duke Farrell earned his 1500th RBI. Indy CF Bill Lange reached 1000 RBI and 700 stolen bases. Three players reached 1000 runs scored; White Sox 3B Oyster Burns, Giants 3B Charlie Irwin, and Clowns C Deacon McGuire.