Retry...historical simulation since 1921

[Sberl]

After the bad news (my database getting damaged with no saving chance), I'll try again to setup a big history replay since 1921.

First some hints:

1) It's better using potential ratings based on entire career or peak season of career?

2) Fielder ratings and pitching stamina 3 years period is ok?

3) Every season it is better recalculating ratings using stats or OOTP Engine?

Any other hints? I'll plan to use full minor league roster but with no fictional players on majors

Thanks!

[Sberl]

Here we go (again). 1921 regular season completed! I will try to maintain the same update scheme:
1) AL Recap with Standings and principal stats
2) NL Recap with Standings and principal stats
3) World Series recap
4) End of season awards
5) Draft and hall of fame voting
6) Off-season recap and season preview

Let's start!

[Sberl]

It's spring time and 1921 makes no difference...baseball is in the air. But 1920 saw the discover of a parallel world in which baseball is a big part of it, so there is no difference --> spring time is baseball time. But things could go in a very different way here...

Spring training saw a trade between Indians and Pirates, with Indians acquiring SP Wilbur Cooper for C Ginger Shinault and a minor leaguer; Pirates also sign 1B Brief in free agency and prediction for WS is Yankees vs Reds. No season can start without a top prospect list, so here we are:

1) Goose Goslin, LF (Senators)
2) Ray Blades, 2B (Cardinals)
3) Lew Fonseca, 1B (Reds)
4) Pie Traynor, 3B (Pirates)
5) Pete Donohue, SP (Reds)
6) George Grantham, 3B (Cubs)
7) Kiki Cuyler, LF (Pirates)
8) Topper Rignes, SS (Tigers)
9) Riggs Stephenson, 2B (Indians)
10) Syl Johnson, SP (Cardinals)

AMERICAN LEAGUE RECAP
Season started with 5 teams competing closely, creating a gap with other 3 teams (Red Sox, Athletics and Browns). At the end of April the leading team was Washington Senators (14-4), with Indians and Yankees respectively 1 and 2 games back. The latest member of Cleveland Indians, Cooper, started on fire with 4 wins and an ERA under 2.00 while Babe Ruth connected with 6 dingers on first 18 games. On injury side, to note the long absence by 2B Del Pratt (Red Sox), which will be sidelined for 5 months.
During May an incredible 23-6 run gave Senators a 37-10 record, with 4 and half game lead on Indians and a 10 game lead on White Sox. George Sisler (Browns) and Bobby Veach (Tigers) are above .400 on BA while Babe Ruth (Yankees) and Elmer Smith (Indians) are tied with 11 HR; on pitching side already 10 wins for Wilbur Cooper (Indians). To note an astonishing 9 RBI game for Elmer Miller (Yankees) in a 22-5 win against the Browns (4/7, 1 Grand Slam, 2 3B).
In June Senators continued their run, extending their lead to 10 and half game on Indians and Yankees; Sislers continued batting over .400 while Ruth led HR with 17. To note the Red Sox sent Pug Cavet (SP) to Reds for veteran 1B Jake Daubert. In July there were many trades, but no impact player came to an AL Team (as we note in National League recap, three important players left the AL (Barnes, Rigney, Wheat). In standings, Senators showed some fatigue, as their lead trimmed to 3 and half game (70-35) on Indians, with White Sox and Yankees respectively 8 and 9 and half game back. Ruth continues crushing the ball, but the attention in stats is for George Sisler, who is still batting .411 with two months to go. Approaching September, Senators rebounded and extended their lead to 9 games on Indians. 5 teams out of 8 are already out of contention with beginning of the last month (Tigers, Browns, Red Sox and Athletics), Sisler is still batting .412 and SP Stan Covelesky (CLE) and Dickey Kerr (White Sox) are 1 W shy of 20. No surprises on last month, with Senators clinching World Series with a 102-51 Record, with a 11 game lead on Indians. George Sisler won the BA award, but avg fell under .400; Babe is the HR King with 42 (a enormous 11.4 WAR!) while Stan Coveleski (Indians) led the ERA rankings (2.70)

COMPLETE STANDINGS
1) Washington Senators 102-51
2) Cleveland Indians 91-62
3) New York Yankees 89-64
4) Chicago White Sox 89-64
5) Detroit Tigers 69-84
6) St. Louis Browns 64-89
7) Boston Red Sox 62-91
8) Philadelphia Athletics 46-107

BATTING AVERAGE
1) George Sisler (Browns) .393
2) Babe Ruth (Yankees) .383
3) Jack Tobin (Browns) .370

HR
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 42
2) Elmer Smith (Indians) 23
3) Ken Williams (Browns) 22

RBI
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 140
2) Ken Williams (Browns) 124
3) Elmer Smith (Indians) 119

HITS
1) George Sisler (Browns) 245
2) Charlie Hamieson (Indians) 206
3) Ken Williams (Bronws) 206

STOLEN BASES
1) George Sisler (Browns) 41
2) Bucky Harris (Senators) 37
3) Ken Williams (Browns) 28

BASES ON BALL
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 130
2) Harry Hooper (White Sox) 87
3) Wally Schang (Yankees) 78

ERA
1) Stan Coveleski (Indians) 2.70
2) Carl Mays (Yankees) 2.82
3) Sad Sam Jones (Red Sox) 2.82

WINS
1) Eric Erickson (Senators) 21
2) Dickey Kerr (White Sox) 21
3) Wilbur Cooper (Indians) 20

K
1) Dutch H. Leonard (Tigers) 143
2) Walter Johnson (Senators) 135
3) Dick McCabe (White Sox) 120

COMPLETE GAMES
1) Dutch H. Leonard (Tigers) 23
2) Stan Coveleski (Indians) 21
3) Walter Johnson (Senators) 21
4) Carl Mays (Yankees) 21

[Sberl]

NATIONAL LEAGUE RECAP
No clear dominant team at the start of the season, April saw Pirates going 11-5, with the Giants very close (12-6). The only team which appeared to be out of contention was the highly rated Reds (4-14). Frankie Frisch (Giants) had an unbelievable .481 BA in 18 games while Walton Cruise (Robins) smashed 5 dingers. On pitching side Art Nehf (Giants) carried a 0.93 ERA into may.
In May Giants take the lead, 30-17 record at the end of the month, with Pirates in second place (26-20) and Robins on third (25-23). Above .400 BA mark there were two players, Zeb Terry (Cubs) and Frankie Frisch (NYY) while Roger Hornsby led the NL in HR with 10. On pitching side, Bill Sherdel (Cardinals), Dutch Ruether (Robins) and Jesse Barnes (Giants) had an era under 2.00. At the start of July, Giants dug a big hole with a 12 game lead on Pirates and 14 game lead on Cubs and Cardinals. As Sisler in AL, Frisch (Giants) continued his quest to beat .400 mark on BA while we have to note a 6 hit game by High Pockets Kelly (Giants). Deadline month saw many trades, but not all were relevant: the most notable are the acquisition of SP Virgil Barnes (from Athletics) and SS Topper Rigney (from Tigers) by the Pirates and the landing of LF Zack Wheat (from Brooklyn) by Cubs. In Standings Giants continued their march with a 11 and half game lead on Cardinals; Pirates fell to 17 games back and also the Cubs had a bad month, despite the big acquisition on trade. Frisch (Giants) fell under .400 BA and we had a 28 game hitting streak by Billy Southworth (Robins). At the start of September Cardinals were trying to contend the league (with their SP, Bill Doak, already at 21 wins), starting the month 7 games back. Already out Braves, Robins, Reds and Phillies.
No surprises in september, with Giants clinching the league and a World Series place with Cardinals 10 games back. Hornsby clinched the BA and HR crown, missing triple crown for 12 RBI; 24 wins for Bill Doak (Cardinals) with a 2.76 ERA and triple crown missed for 5 strikeouts.

COMPLETE STANDINGS
1) New York Giants 101-52
2) St. Louis Cardinals 91-62
3) Pittsburgh Pirates 84-69
4) Chicago Cubs 79-74
5) Boston Braves 70-84
6) Brooklyn Robins 66-87
7) Cincinnati Reds 61-92
8) Philadelphia Phillies 61-93

BATTING AVERAGE
1) Roger Hornsby (Cardinals) .385
2) Frankie Frisch (Giants) .380
3) Carson Bigbee (Pirates) .366

HR
1) Roger Hornsby (Cardinals) 24
2) Austin McHenry (Cardinals) 22
3) Cy Williams (Pirates) 19

RBI
1) Austin McHenry (Cardinals) 120
2) Roger Hornsby (Cardinals) 108
3) Frankie Frisch (Giants) 100

HITS
1) Frankie Frisch (Giants) 234
2) Milt Stock (Cardinals) 213
3) Irish Meusel (Phillies) 212

STOLEN BASES
1) Frankie Frisch (Giants) 46
2) Carson Bigbee (Pirates) 34
3) Ross Youngs (Giants) 27

BASES ON BALL
1) Bunny Brief (Pirates) 85
2) Ray Grimes (Cubs) 75
3) Jack Fournier (Cardinals) 72

ERA
1) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 2.76
2) Whitey Glazner (Pirates) 2.87
3) Jesse Barnes (Giants) 2.87

WINS
1) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 24
2) Whitey Glazner (Pirates) 22
3) Dana Fillingim (Braves) 20
4) Fred Toney (Giants) 20

K
1) Whitey Glazner (Pirates) 124
2) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 119
3) Burleigh Grimes (Robins) 108

COMPLETE GAMES
1) Burleig Grimes (Robins) 26
2) Whitey Glazner (Pirates) 24
3) Dutch Ruether (Robins) 23

[Sberl]

GAME 1 - NEW YORK GIANTS @ WASHINGTON SENATORS

26 thousand people came to National Park for game 1 of 1921 World Series. Fred Toney is the starting pitcher for Giants, Walter Johnson for Senators. First inning started with a bang: Frankie Frisch, one of the best hitters in the league, launched a solo shot giving Giants a 1-0 lead. Lead lasted till bottom of the 4th, when Patsy Gharrity tied it with a double. A double by Frisch gave the lead back to the Giants in the 5th inning but in the bottom of the 6th Senators tied again. Pitchers showed great endurance with the game tied at the start of 9th inning. Giants scored a run thanks to a defensive error and they had the chance of gaining a 1-0 lead in the series. But the defense said no...2 costly mistakes gave 2 runs to the Senators, with final score being 4-3 for the home team.
WP: Johnson (9 IP, 12 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2K)
LP: Toney (8.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 3K)
Notable offense: Frisch (3/4, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 HR), Kelly (3/4) - Judge (2/4, 2 R)

GAME 2 - NEW YORK GIANTS @ WASHINGTON SENATORS

Almost 27 thousand fans on the stands in a warm autumn day, with Jesse Barnes on the mound for Giants and George Mogridge for Senators. Senators took the lead on the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI single by Goose Goslin, but Giants answered back in the fifth with a squeeze bunt by Bob Fischer, with George Burns scoring. In the 6th a defensive error brought Joe Judge on the bases and he scored on a single by Bing Miller with a great run from first base, giving Senators a 2-1 lead. Giants did not gave up and they tied it again in the 8th, with an RBI single by Frank Snyder but in the bottom half of the inning Senators played hard scoring 2 runs (Bucky Harris came home after a throwing error on a stolen base and Patsy Gharrity hit an RBI single scoring Goose Goslin). 9th inning is a 1-2-3 for George Mogridge, with Senators winning the game 4-2 and gaining a 2-0 lead in the series
WP: Mogridge (9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K)
LP: Barnes (8 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Frank Snyder (2/4, 1 RBI) - Bucky Harris (2/4, 2R), Goose Goslin (2/4, 1 R, 1 RBI)

GAME 3 - NEW YORK GIANTS @ WASHINGTON SENATORS

Third home game in this best of nine WS for Senators and in front of 27000 fans Tom Zachary (WAS) and Rosy Ryan (NYG) gave people a stellar pitching duel. The first run was scored in the upper half of the 6th by Giants, with and RBI single by Frisch. Despite the first two games, Giants defense was perfect and New York was close to the W when, in the bottom half of the 8th, Joe Judge tied the game with and RBI single. No surprises in the 9th and the game was decided in the 11th, when with 2 outs Sam Rice hit a run scoring single off reliever Slim Sallee, giving Senators a 2-1 win and a 3-0 lead in the series.
WP: Tom Zachary (11 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 K)
LP: Slim Sallee (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB)
Notable offense: Frankie Frisch (2/3, 1 RBI), Ross Youngs (2/4, 1 R) - Sam Rice (4/6, 1 R, 1 RBI), Goose Goslin (3/4)

GAME 4 - WASHINGTON SENATORS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

35000 people on the stands at Polo Grounds with Giants in search of the first win of their WS. Red Shea took the mound for Giants while Tom Philips was given the nod by Senators. And Senators score first in the 3rd, with an RBI single by the pitcher. Giants offense was stuck till the 5th, when Ross Youngs hit a 2 run single giving Giants the lead. Everything seemed on place for Giants, but in the 8th Senators took the lead back with a 2 run double by Harris. Game over? Not this time. In the bottom of the 9th Homer Summa hit a game tying single and High Pockets Kelly won it with a bases loaded walk. 4-3 the final score, 3-1 the series.
WP: Red Shea (9 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K)
LP: Eric Erickson (1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB)
Notable offense: Jimmy Cooney (2/4, 2 R) - Homer Summa (2/2, 1 RBI)

GAME 5 - WASHINGTON SENATORS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

Pivotal game as Walter Johnson and Fred Toney took again the mound after game 1. Frankie Frisch opened the score in the first with a solo shot off Johnson (as in game 1) but Johnson got a revenge in the 2nd, scoring Lewis with and RBI single. Later in the inning Bucky Harris gave Senators 2-1 lead with another RBI single. Giants answer back in the bottom half of the 2nd with a run scoring double by Charlie High. The game remained tied till the 4th, when Bob Fischer hit a run scoring single for the Giants lead. A sac fly in the 7th by Goslin tied it again, setting up another close finish. The game deciding moment came in the 8th, when Walter Johnson hit again with a 2 run double: it's a 5-3 win for Senators! With that, they are only 1 game away from clinching the series
WP: Johnson (9 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 4 K)
LP: Toney (7 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Patsy Gharrity (3/5, 1 R), Jimmy Cooney (3/4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Walter Johnson (2/4, 3 RBI, 1 BB) - Charlie High (2/4, 1 RBI), Bob Fisher (2/4, 1 RBI)

GAME 6 - WASHINGTON SENATORS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

Facing the possibility of losing the series, Giants must answer the call. On the mound it's Jesse Barnes time for them, while Mogridge started for Senators. Barnes did not started well, giving a run scoring single to Joe Judge for Senators lead. But here came the offense and in the bottom half of the first, Mogridge was hit hard with 5 runs. No answer from Senators and in the 3rd Giants added another one; also in the 4th and 6th Giants scored taking a 8-1 lead. In the 8th a solo shot by Sam Rice gave Senators the 2nd run, but in the bottom half High Pockets Kelly and Frankie Frisch went back to back --> 11-2 Giants and no party for Senators.
WP: Barnes (9 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K)
LP: Mogridge (3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K)
Notable offense: Joe Judge (2/4, 1 RBI) - Dave Bancroft (4/5, 2 R, 2 RBI), High Pockets Kelly (3/5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR), Frank Snyder (2/4, 1 R, 2 RBI)

GAME 7 - WASHINGTON SENATORS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

Last game at Polo Grounds, with 35000 fans trying to push Giants back to Washington. Rosy Ryan on the mound for Giants, Tom Zachary for Senators. First innings seems favorable to Giants, with Snyder hitting two RBI (in the 1st and 3rd) for a 2-0 Giants lead. Nothing happened till the 6th, when Senators woke up with a bases clearing double by Garrity and an RBI single by Zachary. 4-2 the score and in the 7th more damage came: RBI double by Lewis, 2 Run single by Garrity and the score is 7-2. Giants are unable to react, Washington scored again in the 9th, again with an RBI by Garrity and they did it! 8-2 the final score, 5-2 the series and WASHINGTON SENATORS ARE 1921 WORLD SERIES WINNERS!
WP: Zachary (9 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 K)
LP: Ryan (6.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K)
Notable offense: Patsy Gharrity (3/5, 1 R, 6 RBI), Duffy Lewis (3/5, 2 R, 1 RBI), Sam Rice (2/4, 2 R, 1 BB) - Dave Bancroft (3/4), Frank Snyder (1/4, 2 RBI)


WORLD SERIES MVP: Sam Rice (CF, Senators)

[Sberl]

AMERICAN LEAGUE

GOLD GLOVE

P - Walter Johnson (Senators)
C - Mickey Devine (Yankees)
1B - Joe Judge (Senators)
2B - Aaron Ward (Yankees)
3B - Larry Gardner (Indians)
SS - Everett Scott (Red Sox)
LF - Amos Strunk (White Sox)
CF - Johnny Mostil (White Sox)
RF - Bing Miller (Senators)

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR: Roy Wilkinson (White Sox)

PLATINUM STICK AWARD
P - Carl Mays (Yankees)
C - Patsy Gharrity (Senators)
1B - George Sisler (Browns)
2B - Bucky Harris (Senators)
3B - Larry Gardner (Indians)
SS - Joe Sewell (Indians)
LF - Ken Williams (Browns)
CF - Johnny Mostil (White Sox)
RF - Babe Ruth (Yankees)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Goose Goslin (Senators)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: George McBride (Senators)
CY YOUNG: Dutch H. Leonard (Tigers)
MVP: Babe Ruth (Yankees) - Unanimous

NATIONAL LEAGUE

GOLD GLOVE
P - Buddy Napier (Reds)
C - Ginger Shinault (Pirates)
1B - Lew Fonseca (Reds)
2B - Bob Fisher (Giants)
3B - Charlie Deal (Cubs)
SS - Rabbit Maranville (Pirates)
LF - George J. Burns (Giants)
CF - Edd Roush (Reds)
RF - Billy Southworth (Braves)

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR: Slim Sallee (Giants)

PLATINUM STICK AWARD
P - Pug Cavet (Reds)
C - Earl S. Smith (Giants)
1B - Bunny Brief (Pirates)
2B - Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals)
3B - Frankie Frisch (Giants)
SS - Dave Bancroft (Giants)
LF - Austin McHenry (Cardinals)
CF - Cy Williams (Pirates)
RF - Ross Youngs (Giants)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Pie Traynor (Pirates)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: John J McGraw
CY YOUNG: Bill Doak (Cardinals)
MVP: Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals)

[Sberl]

Draft time...there is a very good draft pool this year, with players like Gabby Hartnett, Al Simmons, Ike Boone, Les Bell, Earle Coombs, Bob Fothergill. Some players could really be franchise player, so let's see how it worked (only first round).

1) Philadelphia Athletics --> Al Simmons (CF)
2) Philadelphia Phillies --> Gabby Hartnett (C)
3) Boston Red Sox --> Ike Boone (CF)
4) Cincinnati Reds --> Earle Combs (CF)
5) St. Louis Browns --> Les Bell (SS)
6) Brooklyn Robins --> Bob Fothergill (LF)
7) Detroit Tigers --> Babe Herman (1B)
8) Boston Braves --> Joe Hauser (1B)
9) Chicago Cubs --> Freddie Lindstrom (2B)
10) Pittsburgh Pirates --> Travis Jackson (SS)
11) Chicago White Sox --> Freddy Leach (3B)
12) New York Yankees --> Fred Haney (3B)
13) St. Louis Cardinals --> Jake Miller (SP)
14) Cleveland Indians --> Andy High (3B)
15) New York Giants --> George Pipgrads (SP)
16) Washington Senators --> Bunny Roser (CF)

There were also 5 new Hall of fame Inductees
1) Christy Mathewson (SP - Unanimous)
2) Kid Nichols (SP - 98.9%)
3) Cy Young (SP - 98.6%)
4) Nap Lajoie (2B - 82%)
5) Mordecai Brown (SP - 82%)

[Sberl]

Winter has been very quiet in the majors, no blockbuster deal or trade were made and general managers worked on roster depth while the most impact players will came from the draft. At the eve of the season there was an important injury to register: Edd Roush (CF - Reds) will be sidelined all season due to a fractured elbow. The injury came in a spring tranining game.

Monitoring prospects was exciting also in the twenties and for 1922 season here's the top ten:
1) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies)
2) Al Simmons (Athletics)
3) Earle Combs (Reds)
4) Ray Blades (Cardinals)
5) George Grantham (Cubs)
6) Travis Jackson (Pirates)
7) Smead Jolley (Senators)
8) Bob Fothergill (Robins)
10) Joe Hauser (Braves)

For teams, the best farm was the Cardinals one, with Cubs and Phillies respectively 2nd and 3rd. Worst farm system for Yankees and Indians. Most popular newspapers hinted that the New York Yankees were the early AL favorites while Giants were seen as back to back NL champions.

[Sberl]

AMERICAN LEAGUE

April started with a tight race involving Yankees, White Sox, Senators, Indians and Browns. Yankees closed first month with a 11-7 record, 1 game ahead of White Sox, Senators and Indians, with Browns 1 and a half game back. To note a wonderful start by George Sisler, batting .528 with 5 HR and 21 RBI and a cycle by Fred Lear (Senators); speaking about injuries, Indians lost Tris Speaker for about 2 months (strained anterior cruciate ligament). The race became less tight in May, with Yankees taking a 4 game lead on Tigers (31-17 vs 28-22) and 4 and half game on Indians. Good bounce back by Red Sox, while Senators and Browns had difficult times. Already out seemed the Athletics, with a 14-30 record. To note, and this is a very bad news for St. Louis Browns, an injury to George Sisler, which will be sidelined for 5 weeks; also to register a bad injury to Senators pitcher, Tom Zachary (5 months). Speaking about individual stats, at the end of may Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel (both Yankees) led HR category with 16 and 10 dingers. Approaching summer, Yankees mantained a 4 game lead on Indians and Tigers (46-28 vs 42-32), with White Sox and Senators around .500 and Red Sox, Browns and Athletics out of contention. Babe Ruth continued his campaign adding another 10 dingers (26 total), including a 3 HR game with 7 RBI (against White Sox); Al Simmons was beginning to shine, grabbing the AL Rookie of the month award while Walter Johnson (SP, Senators) suffered a season ending injury.
With the trading deadline coming, Yankees (plagued by injuries, with SS Peckinpaugh out for season and Shangh out for a month) were caught by Indians, with also Tigers ready to contend: they were, at the end of july, 2 and a half game back having also added SS Rabbit Maranville from Pirates and SP Sad Sam Jones from Red Sox. Still not out White Sox and Senators while Red Sox and Browns joins the Athletics being out of contention. Babe Ruth was even hotter than the month before, hitting 18 dingers (total 44); also to note two cycles: the first by Johnny Grabowski (Yankees), the second from Al Simmons (Athletics). Coming into september, Indians and Tigers were distant 3 and a half games (74-55 Indians, 71-59 Tigers), with Yankees 5 games back and Senators still in the hunt. Babe was trying to destroy MLB records with 51 HR entering september and Sisler, back from injured list, began batting again and entered last month with a .425 BA. Injuries could be an important factor: at the end of august Cleveland lost young SS Joe Sewell for season and 3B Larry Gardner for the remainder of regular season. September was exciting, but Indians played better baseball winning the league with a 5 games lead on Tigers. Third place for Yankees, despite Babe Ruth destroyed HR records with 65 (and 161 RBI, plus a second 3 HR game). To note a 27 hitting game streak by Tris Speaker (Indians), the 23 wins by Wilbur Cooper (Indians) and the 14 saves by George Uhle (Indians). Last but not least, we had a .414 Batting average by Sisler.

COMPLETE STANDINGS
1) Cleveland Indians 91-62
2) Detroit Tigers 86-67
3) New York Yankees 84-69
4) Chicago White Sox 78-75
5) Washington Senators 78-75
6) Boston Red Sox 74-80
7) St. Louis Browns 72-81
8) Philadelphia Athletics 50-104

BATTING AVERAGE
1) George Sisler (Browns) .414
2) Babe Ruth (Yankees) .374
3) Harry Heilmann (Tigers) .373

HR
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 65 (NEW MLB RECORD)
2) Bob Meusel (Yankees) 33
3) Tillie Walker (Red Sox) 25

RBI
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 161
2) Jack Bentley (White Sox) 130
3) Tillie Walker (Red Sox) 118

HITS
1) Harry Heilmann (Tigers) 219
2) Bob Meusel (Yankees) 217
3) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 207

STOLEN BASES
1) Bucky Harris (Senators) 38
2) George Sisler (Browns) 28
3) Ken Williams (Browns) 28

BASES ON BALLS
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 134
2) Lu Blue (Indians) 119
3) Eddie Collins Sr. (White Sox) 84

ERA
1) Herb Pennock (Red Sox) 2.68
2) Red Faber (White Sox) 3.02
3) Ray Caldwell (Tigers) 3.26

WINS
1) Wilbur Cooper (Indians) 23
2) Ray Caldwell (Tigers) 20
3) Red Faber (White Sox) 20

K
1) Dutch H. Leonard (Tigers) 126
2) Wilbur Cooper (Indians) 118
3) Bob Shawkey (Yankees) 118

COMPLETE GAMES
1) Red Faber (White Sox) 25
2) Wilbur Cooper (Indians) 24
3) Ray Caldwell (Tigers) 22

[Sberl]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Like the finish of 1921 regular season, 1922 saw a great start by Giants and Cardinals, with Giants 13-5 at the end of April, 1 game ahead of Cardinals. Not a good start for Cubs and Braves (6-12 and 6-11). No standout batter in april, but we noted a stellar start by Rosy Ryan (SP, NYG) with a 1.03 ERA, 4 wins. In May Cardinals could not hold on and Giants closed the month with a 35-12 record, 6 game lead on Cardinals. Only another team was above .500 (Cincinnati Reds) while everyone else season was going south. A really bad injury stroke Braves' prospect Joe Hauser, which was out for season with a torn posterior cruciate ligament. Great month for Hornsby (14 HR total) while Frankie Frisch, as in 2021, took the lead in batting average (0.418); to note a Cycle batted by Charlie High (New York Giants) and career win 250 for Pete Alexander (Cubs). Approaching summer, Giants took a giant lead over Cardinals (13 games, 58-17 vs 44-29), with Reds and Pirates only other teams above .500. No one is hitting over .400, but we have to register the stellar season so far by Fred Toney (SP, Giants), with a 1.82 ERA and Bill Doak (SP, Cardinals) which already had 15 wins. Mueller (Cardinals) had a 7 RBI game. No great acquisitions were made in deadline month (but Pirates send Rabbit Maranville to Detroit), with the standings locked: Giants 76-27 with a 12 and half game lead on Cardinals. Every other team is under .500, with no chances of getting back into contention. Ross Youngs (Giants) was flirting with .400 BA while Reb Russell (Reds) emerged into HR and RBI battle (Hornsby lost the entire month with tendinitis). August mantained the status quo: entering september Giants led by 11 games on Cardinals, 19 games on Reds and 25 and a half game on Pirates with the other teams already eliminated. Youngs (Giants) still flirting with .400 BA while Reb Russell (Reds) was leading HR and RBI stats into last month. Also to note that Bill Doak, 1921 Cy Young, already had 23 W and another rookie sensation started to rise (Earle Combs). No surprises in september, with Giants gaining a 2nd consecutive pennant (105-48). Cardinals finished 2nd, 10 games back; third place for Reds, 24 games back. Youngs (Giants) finished just under .400 in BA, while Russell (Reds) won the HR stat with 36. Bill Doak finished with 28 wins (!), flirting again with the triple crown

COMPLETE STANDINGS
1) New York Giants 105-48
2) St. Louis Cardinals 95-58
3) Cincinnati Reds 81-72
4) Chicago Cubs 76-77
5) Pittsburgh Pirates 71-82
6) Brooklyn Robins 62-91
7) Philadelphia Phillies 61-92
8) Boston Braves 61-92

BATTING AVERAGE
1) Ross Youngs (Giants) .391
2) Austin McHenry (Cardinals) .377
3) Charlie Hollocher (Cubs) .367

HR
1) Reb Russell (Reds) 36
2) Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals) 27
3) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies) 25

RBI
1) Reb Russell (Reds) 137
2) Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals) 113
3) Austin McHenry (Cardinals) 113

HITS
1) Frankie Frisch (Giants) 226
2) Ross Youngs (Giants) 210
3) Irish Meusel (Phillies) 208

STOLEN BASES
1) Frankie Frisch (Giants) 68
2) Charlie Hoolocher (Cubs) 33
3) Ross Youngs (Giants) 32

BASES ON BALL
1) Ross Youngs (Giants) 100
2) Jack Fournier (Cardinals) 87
3) Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals) 84

ERA
1) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 2.63
2) Fred Toney (Giants) 2.85
3) Rosy Ryan (Giants) 2.99

WINS
1) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 28
2) Rosy Ryan (Giants) 22
3) Pete Donohue (Reds) 20

K
1) Pug Cavet (Reds) 138
2) Harry Heitmann (Cubs) 126
3) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 113

COMPLETE GAMES
1) Bill Doak (Cardinals) 25
2) Pete Donohue (Reds) 24
3) Pete Alexander (Cubs) 22

[Sberl]

GAME 1 CLEVELAND INDIANS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

A stellar matchup between Wilbur Cooper and Fred Toney was set to open the 1922 World Series at Polo Grounds in front of 35 thousand people. Giants stroke first, with an RBI single by Ross Youngs. Toney cruised without problems to the third inning while his teammates destroyed Cooper in the bottom half of the same inning: Charlie High hit a 2 run shot, followed by a 2 run double by Snyder, an RBI single by Fisher, a RBI triple by Frisch and a RBI double by Pockets Kelly. 8-0 at the end of the third. Toney tossed a gem, a one hitter and Giants took a 1-0 lead in the series (8-0 final score, 17 hits to 1 for Giants)
WP: Toney (9 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K)
LP: Cooper (2.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Youngs (4/5, 1 R, 1 RBI), High (2/4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR), Bancroft (4/5, 1 R)

GAME 2 CLEVELAND INDIANS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

Windy day in New York for game 2 of 1922 World Series, Rosy Ryan takes the mound for the Giants while Pfeffer is on for Cleveland. Giants started fast, scoring in the first (RBI double by High) and second inning (RBI by Summa). With a 2-0 lead they cruised till the fifth inning, when another run was added thanks to a sac fly by Frisch. Cleveland comes alive in the sixth, with a Sac Fly by the player-manager Tris Speaker, setting the score 3-1 for the Giants. It became 4-1 in the bottom 6th when Snyder took home Ross Youngs with a single but in the 7th Cleveland hit hard, tying the game at 4. With the game on the line, in the bottom of the 8th New York took the decisive advantage scoring 3 runs, with a great 2 run double by Snyder and another RBI double by Summa. More thrilling in the 9th, with Indians ending the game with 2 men on base and Tris Speaker eliminated via groundout. 7-4 the finale, 2-0 in the series for New York.
WP: Ryan (8.1 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 BB)
LP: Pfeffer (7.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Gardner (3/5), Lu Blue (2/4) - Snyder (2/4, 1 R, 3 RBI), Summa (1/4, 2 RBI)

GAME 3 NEW YORK GIANTS @ CLEVELAND INDIANS

22000 people in a cold autumn day came to Dunn Field for supporting Indians, with Guy Morton on the mound versus Jesse Barnes. It's a vital game for Indians and they stroke first in the third with a solo shot by Art Butler. Game remained on the line till the 5th, when the Indians offense erupted: 5 runs scored, thanks to a 2 Run double by Jamieson, a RBI double by Gardner, a passed ball and a RBI single by Smoky Joe Wood. Giants were silenced till the 8th, when they tried to came back with 2 run scored; in the bottom half of the inning Morton helped himself with an RBI single setting the score 7-2 for the Indians and closing the game in the 9th without problems. 2-1 in the series.
WP: Morton (9 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 3 K)
LP: Barnes (4.2 IP, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Frisch (3/5), Snyder (2/4), Fisher (2/4, 1 RBI) - Speaker (2/4), Wood (2/4, 1 RBI), Butler (2/3, 2 R, 1 RBI)

GAME 4 NEW YORK GIANTS @ CLEVELAND INDIANS

Another sellout at Dunn Field for game 4, Stan Coveleski took the mound for Indians and Bill Meehan for Giants. Giants started fast, scoring 3 runs in the first inning (RBI single by High, 2 RBI single by Snyder) while Indians tried to respond in the second, with a run scored by Butler on defensive mistakes. In the 3rd High hit a solo HR for the Giants, while Indians reacted in the 4th, thanks to another defensive mistake by Giants. A sac fly by Summa opened the 5th (5-2) and the game seemed over til the 8th inning. Giants defense created a full bases situation: Riggs Stephenson hit a bases clearing double and the game was tied. Meehan was pulled and on the first pitch by Nehf Jamieson hit a run scoring single which gave Indians the lead and the game. Series tied!
WP: Prough (2 IP, 1 BB)
LP: Meehan (7.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K)
Notable offense: Snyder (3/4, 2 RBI), High (2/4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 1 BB) - Speaker (3/4)

GAME 5 NEW YORK GIANTS @ CLEVELAND INDIANS

With the series tied, game 5 is pivotal. Same starters as game 1, cold day with a chance of rain, great atmosphere. Indians started with a run scoring single by Lu Blue, but after that pitchers rose dominating the game till the 5th inning. Fisher tied the game with a run scoring single, then Frisch gave Giants the lead (another run scoring single) and Kelly hit a perfect squeeze bunt for a 3-1 lead. There is still time for another 2 runs in this half inning (RBI single by Youngs, RBI triple by High) and score is 5-1. It became 5-2 in the bottom half of the 6th thanks to a run scoring single by Speaker; but in the 7th Youngs hit again scoring Toney and setting the score 6-2 for Giants. After that, Toney became almost a nightmare for Indians, cruising till the end. 6-2 Giants, 3-2 lead in the series.
WP: Toney (9 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K)
LP: Cooper (7 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 K)
Notable offense: Frisch (3/4, 1 R, 1 RBI), Youngs (2/5, 2 RBI) - Speaker (2/4, RBI), Blue (2/4, RBI)

GAME 6 CLEVELAND INDIANS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

A wonderful autumn day is the scenery for Game 6, with Ryan trying to push Giants to the title. Everything started right for the home team, with a RBI single by Youngs on first inning and Ryan easily cruising through Indians offense. But in the 4th Speaker and Blue both hit for runs, giving the guest a 2-1 lead. Pfeffer was not the same pitcher as in game 2 and silenced Giants bat while his offense added 2 more runs in the 6th (2 RBI single by Steve O'Neill). Also Toney regained his form freezing the game on 4-1, till the bottom of the 9th: Youngs doubled as leadoff, High grounded out, Snyder took Youngs and after that was caught stealing, ending comeback hopes. 4-2 the final score, we have a game 7!
WP: Pfeffer (9 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K)
LP: Ryan (8 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB)
Notable offense: Speaker (2/4, 2 R, 1 RBI), Gardner (3/3) - Youngs (3/4, 1 R, 1 RBI), Snyder (2/4, 1 RBI)

GAME 7 CLEVELAND INDIANS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

It's show time at Polo Grounds, with Morton and Barnes dueling on the mound and two cities that hoped to celebrate at the end of the game. Giants stroke first with a RBI by Youngs after a Kelly triple. 1-0 after one inning, 2-0 after three with a run scoring single by High. The fourth inning saw the Cleveland reaction: Gardner hit a triple after a very hard battle with Barnes, Speaker and Blue both gained a base on balls and with the bases full Smoky Joe Wood hit a bases clearing triple. 3-2 Cleveland! Barnes and Morton countinued dueling and no more runs where scored. Bottom of the 9th, last chance for the Giants: Bancroft opened with a single, but went out on the next at bat, with Summa reaching on fielder's choice. Sac bunt by Walker and there is a man on second with 1 out. Butch Henline at the plate, RBI Single! Game tied and Frisch at bat. Another single, 2 on, 2 out and Kelly stepped up to the plate: groundball past the infielders, Henline tried to score from second and he was safe! A walkoff RBI single for Kelly, 4-3 the score and the series went to New York!
WP: Nehf (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K)
LP: Morton (8.2 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Wood (2/4, 3 RBI) - Frisch (3/5, 1 R), Kelly (2/5, 1 R, 1 RBI), Bancroft (4/4)

WORLD SERIES MVP: Frankie Frisch (3B, Giants)

[Sberl]

AMERICAN LEAGUE

GOLD GLOVE
P - Wilbur Cooper (Indians)
C - Johnny Grabowski (Yankees)
1B - Jack Bentley (White Sox)
2B - Aaron Ward (Yankees)
3B - Larry Gardner (Indians)
SS - Everett Scott (Red Sox)
LF - Denver Grigsby (Athletics)
CF - Johnny Mostil (White Sox)
RF - Bing Miller (Senators)

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR: Fred Fussell (Browns) - Unanimous

PLATINUM STICK AWARD
P - Carl Mays (Yankees)
C - Johnny Bassler (Tigers)
1B - Harry Heilmann (Tigers)
2B - Jimmy Dykes (Athletics)
3B - Fred Lear (Senators)
SS - Joe Sewell (Indians)
LF - Babe Ruth (Yankees)
CF - Wally Schang (Yankees)
RF - Bob Meusel (Yankees)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Lu Blue (Indians) - Unanimous
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Tris Speaker (Indians)
CY YOUNG: Herb Pennock (Red Sox)
MVP: Babe Ruth (Yankees) - Unanimous

NATIONAL LEAGUE

GOLD GLOVE
P - Buddy Napier (Reds)
C - Mickey O'Neil (Braves)
1B - Lew Fonseca (Reds)
2B - Hod Ford (Braves)
3B - Frankie Frisch (Giants)
SS - Dave Bancroft (Giants)
LF - Earle Combs (Reds)
CF - Cy Williams (Pirates)
RF - Bill Lamar (Robins)

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR: Phil Douglas (Giants)

PLATINUM STICK AWARD
P - Dutch Ruether (Robins)
C - Earl S. Smith (Giants)
1B - Jack Fournier (Cardinals)
2B - Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals)
3B - Frankie Frisch (Giants)
SS - Charlie Hollocher (Cubs)
LF - Austin McHenry (Cardinals)
CF - Charlie High (Giants)
RF - Ross Youngs (Giants)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Earle Combs (Reds) - Unanimous
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: John J. McGraw (Giants)
CY YOUNG: Bill Doak (Cardinals)
MVP: Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals)

As you can see, it's twice in a row for Babe Ruth, Bill Doak, Rogers Hornsby and manager John J. McGraw

[Sberl]

Time to dream in baseball, time to dream if a player can be an hall of famer or a total bust, it's draft time! 1922 draft pool brought in professional baseball player like Mickey Cochrane, Lou Gehrig, Hack Wilson, Chick Hafey so let's see how they played out in this alternative world.

1) Philadelphia Athletics --> Lou Gehrig (1B)
2) Boston Braves --> Mickey Cochrane (C)
3) Philadelphia Phillies --> Hack Wilson (CF)
4) Brooklyn Robins --> Chick Hafey (RF)
5) Pittsburgh Pirates --> Bill Terry (1B)
6) St. Louis Browns --> Showboat Fisher (RF)
7) St. Louis Browns --> Heinie Manush (LF)
8) Detroit Tigers --> Les Bell (SS)
9) Boston Red Sox --> Maurice Archdeacon (CF)
10) Chicago Cubs --> Harvey Hendrick (LF)
11) Chicago White Sox --> Dale Alexander (1B)
12) Washington Senators --> Taylor Douthit (CF)
13) Cincinnati Reds --> Jimmie Wilson (C)
14) New York Yankees --> Randy Moore (C)
15) Detroit Tigers --> Mule Haas (RF)
16) Cleveland Indians --> Bill Bagwell (CF)
17) St. Louis Cardinals --> Ripper Collins (RF)
18) New York Giants --> Harry Rice (3B)

And before the season started, 4 new players were inducted into Hall of Fame:
1) Honus Wagner (SS - 99.6%)
2) Eddie Plank (SP - 95.7%)
3) Ed Walsh (SP - 90%)
4) Vic Willis (SP - 75.4%)

[Sberl]

uring 1922 off-season there were some interesting trades:
1) Washington Senators acquired SS Everett Scott (5.0 WAR in 1922) from Red Sox for CF Sam Rice (1.5 WAR)
2) Yankees acquired 1B Bunny Brief from Pirates (2.6 WAR) for two prospects (nothing special)
3) Cubs acquired SP James Edwards (2.7 WAR) for SS Ike Caveney (-0.3 WAR)

There were no particular move in free agency, many minor league adjustments but nothing special. In Spring Training we have to note:
1) Bad injuries to SP Cadore (Yankees, out for season), LF Wheat (Cubs, out 4-5 months), 1B Sisler (Browns, out for 4 weeks)
2) Cardinals signed one of the top reliever still in free agency (Wingfield)
3) Giants sent one of their heroes of 1922, Frank Snyder, to Washington for SP George Mogridge
4) Robins sent LF Bert Griffith to the South Side (White Sox) for SP Roy Wilkinson

Like every year, here it is the top 10 prospect list
1) Mickey Cochrane (C, Braves)
2) Lou Gehrig (RF, Athletics)
3) Hack Wilson (CF, Phillies)
4) Chick Hafey (RF, Robins)
5) Paul Waner (CF, Yankees)
6) Heinie Manush (RF, Browns)
7) Les Bell (3B, Tigers)
8) Al Yeargin (SP, Giants)
9) Dale Alexander (1B, White Sox)
10) Bill Terry (1B, Pirates)

According to reports, the best farm system is Philadelphia Athletics, followed by Browns and Pirates. Preseason prediction said Tigers will win the AL while in NL Giants will be champions again.

[Sberl]

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Season started a bit late, so in April there were only 12/13 games for every team. Fast start for the Yankees with a 9-3 record, 2 games ahead of White Sox. Only Browns and Red Sox looked bad, going 3-8 and 4-8 in these first games. To note the 2500 career hits milestone reached by Tris Speaker. In May American League got very thight, with 5 teams in 4 games: Tigers got the lead (26-17), half-game ahead of Indians and 1 game ahead of Yankees. Athletics and Senators were respectively 2 1/2 and 4 games back. Meusel and Ruth led the HR battle while Ken Williams (Browns) was riding a 33 game streak before suffering a season ending injury. Heading into the summer, Indians heated up and took a 3 and half game lead on Tigers (46-25 vs 41-27), with Yankees following 6 1/2 back despite a 10 HR month by Ruth. Speaker and Simmons are still hitting above .400 while Wilbur Cooper (Indians), Hoyt (Yankees) and Sad Sam Jones (Tigers) had already 11 wins. Freddy Leach (White Sox) had a 7 RBI game in June.
Deadline month saw no major moves in trade market, but the standings saw a shakeup: Tigers lead by 2 and half games on Yankees and by 3 games on Indians. With some hope left there were also the Senators (9 game back) while White Sox, Athletics, Browns and Red Sox appeared to be out of contention. No one was hitting over .400 while Ruth already had 24 dingers; in pitching we had Hoyt (Yankees) with 16 wins with still 2 months to go. The dog days of summer continued in august and Tigers dug a hole with the rest of league, going 75-46 with a 7 1/2 game lead on Yankees. Harry Heilmann stood up for the team, raising his avg over .400 and driving home more than 100 runners; in pitching his teammate, Sad Sam Jones, raised his level, leading the AL with a 3.04 ERA. While many expected a Yankees furious comeback, Tigers put on a show finishing the season with a 102-52 record, winning the pennant and going to the world Series, while Yankees were unable to respond and finished 2nd, with 86-68 record. Another 40 HR season for Babe while Harry Heilmann completed his wonderful season with a .404 BA (and 8.6 WAR, second only to Babe Ruth). Hoyt (Yankees) won 25 games, followed by Tigers Duo, Jones and Leonard, with 22 and 21.

COMPLETE STANDINGS
1) Detroit Tigers 102-52
2) New York Yankees 86-68
3) Cleveland Indians 81-73
4) Washington Senators 80-74
5) Chicago White Sox 69-85
6) Philadelphia Athletics 69-85
7) St. Louis Browns 68-86
8) Boston Red Sox 61-93

BATTING AVERAGE
1) Harry Heilmann (Tigers) .401
2) Cotton Tierney (Tigers) .375
3) Babe Ruth (Yankees) .372

HR
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 40
2) Jimmy Dikes (Athletics) 22
3) Bill Bagwell (Indians) 17

RBI
1) Bill Bagwell (Indians) 124
2) Jimmy Dikes (Athletics) 124
3) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 121

HITS
1) Harry Heilmann (Tigers) 244
2) Al Simmons (Athletics) 222
3) Joe Sewell (Indians) 215

STOLEN BASES
1) Bucky Harris (Senators) 34
2) Bob Meusel (Yankees) 28
3) Denver Grisby (Athletics) 27

BASES ON BALLS
1) Babe Ruth (Yankees) 140
2) Lu Blue (Indians) 103
3) Bunny Brief (Yankees) 87

ERA
1) Sad Sam Jones (Tigers) 3.00
2) Tom Zachary (Senators) 3.13
3) Bill Piercy (Yankees) 3.21

WINS
1) Waite Hoyt (Yankees) 25
2) Sad Sam Jones (Tigers) 22
3) Dutch H. Leonard (Tigers) 21

K
1) Dutch H. Leonard (Tigers) 138
2) Johnny Enzmann (Browns) 103
3) Bill Bayne (Browns) 100

COMPLETE GAMES
1) Waite Hoyt (Yankees) 23
2) Sad Sam Jones (Tigers) 23
3) Doc Crandall (Senators) 22

[Sberl]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

4 teams in 1 game after april: Reds leading 10-4, Phillies 9-4, Giants and Cardinals tied at 9-5: could be a very interesting season. Rookie Mickey Cochrane was the only light for the Robins, with 4 HR in 13 games while the team has gone 4-9. Worse did the Cubs, with a 3-11 start. We already had a 6 RBI game by Hartnett (Phillies). In May the kings were back in first place: Giants lead at the end of the month with 28-16 record, 1 and half game ahead of Cardinals and 3 and a half game ahead of Phillies. Gabby Hartnett is playing like an all-star while in pitching George Mogridge (Giants) and Pete Donohue (Reds) were the stars. At the end of June, Giants were still in front, but there was a great battle with Reds and Cardinals (2 games back). Hartnett was still playing like a star despite Phillies falling down 10 games from the lead; in pitching Mogdridge carried into july an ERA under 2.00. In July NL was hit by a major trade: Cubs acquired LF Irish Meusel from Phillies, giving up 3 prospects; there were many other moves, but none of relevance. The pennant battle was very hard, with Reds leading at the end of july by half game on Cardinals and by 1 game on Giants. Every other team seemed already out of contention. As in AL, no one is hitting over .400 while Mogridge continued his great season (ERA 2.04). The tight race continued in august and the lead changed again: it's Cardinals time and they headed into september with a 3 and half game lead on Reds, the only team trying to resist and contend the pennant. The defending champs fell back 11 games, while Cubs were 15 games back. Hornsby stood up for Cardinals, while we had to register that Pete Alexander (Cubs) already had 23 wins with 1 month to go. Last weeks of regular season saw the battle between Cardinals and Reds intensify, but Cardinals won the pennant with a 96-58 record, 2 games ahead of Reds. No one was above .400 BA while Reb Russell won HR and RBI stat. 28 wins for Alexander (Cubs) but we also had to note the 200 career wins for Rube Marquard (Sp, Reds)

COMPLETE STANDINGS
1) St. Louis Cardinals 96-58
2) Cincinnati Reds 94-60
3) New York Giants 86-68
4) Chicago Cubs 84-70
5) Brooklyn Robins 75-79
6) Pittsburgh Pirates 70-84
7) Philadelphia Phillies 58-96
8) Boston Braves 53-101

BATTING AVERAGE
1) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies) .385
2) Edd Rousch (Reds) .368
3) Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals) .351

HR
1) Reb Russell (Reds) 26
2) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies) 24
3) Charlie High (Giants) 24

RBI
1) Reb Russell (Reds) 132
2) Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals) 122
3) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies) 113

HITS
1) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies) 222
2) High Pockets Kelly (Giants) 217
3) Carson Bigbee (Pirates) 215

STOLEN BASES
1) Frankie Frisch (Giants) 53
2) Ross Youngs (Giants) 40
3) Gabby Hartnett (Phillies) 35

BASES ON BALLS
1) Earle Combs (Reds) 93
2) Charlie High (Giants) 93
3) Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals) 84

ERA
1) George Mogridge (Giants) 2.32
2) Pug Cavet (Reds) 2.36
3) Pete Alexander (Cubs) 2.80

WINS
1) Pete Alexander (Cubs) 28
2) Pug Cavet (Reds) 21
3) Jesse Haines (Cardinals) 20

K
1) Pug Cavet (Reds) 131
2) Burleigh Grimes (Robins) 117
3) Vic Aldridge (Piurates) 111

COMPLETE GAMES
1) Pete Alexander (Cubs) 23
2) Burleigh Grimes (Robins) 23
3) Pug Cavet (Reds) 22

[Sberl]

GAME 1 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS @ DETROIT TIGERS

Over 22 thousand people showed up to Navin Field for 1923 inaugural World Series Game with Bill Doak on the mound for Cardinals and Dutch H. Leonard for Tigers. The game started as a nightmare for Tigers: Cardinals scored 4 runs in the first inning thanks to a 2 run RBI double by McHenry and a 2 run shot by Jack Fournier. Bill Doak pitched well in the first and Cardinals added 2 more runs in the 2nd with a 2 run double by Hornsby. 6-0 after 2 innings. Detroit woke up in the 3rd, with a solo HR by Mule Haas but Cardinals answered back in the 4th with a bases loaded walk to McHenry. Maranville hit a RBI single in the bottom of the 4th and Tigers tried a comeback in the 5th reducing the gap to 3 runs (7-4). In the 6th McHenry hit a sac fly and Detroit answered back with a RBI double by Bell: 8-5 after six. Jack Scott entered the game for Cardinals and he pitched 3 great innings: Detroit could not score any other runs and Cardinals won game 1.
WP: Doak (5.2 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 K)
LP: Leonard (4 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K)
Notable offense: McHenry (1/4, 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB), Hornsby (3/3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Stock (3/4, 3 R) - Bell (3/4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Maranville (4/6, 1 RBI)

GAME 2 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS @ DETROIT TIGERS

Another great atmosphere at Navin Field for game 2, with Haines vs Sad Sam Jones. We did not see a fast start like in Game 1, the first run came in the 2nd with Les Bell hitting a RBI single. Pitchers dominated, but in the 4th Cardinals came back and scored 2 run thanks to RBi single by McHenry and Stock. Haines tried to preserve the lead, but in the sixth he lost the duel with Heilmann, who hit a RBI double and tie the game. No one scored in the 7th, bottom of the 8th was crucial: 2 runs for the Tigers and the score was settled, 4-2 Tigers. No problem for Jones in the 9th and the Tigers tied it up: 1-1.
WP: Jones (9 IP, 8 R, 2 ER, 3BB, 3K)
LP: Haines (8.0, 10 R, 4 R, 2BB, 2K)
Notable offense: Stock (2/4, RBI) - Haas (2/4, 2R), Heilmann (2/4, 1 R, 2 RBI), V>each (2/3, R)


GAME 3 DETROIT TIGERS @ ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

A full Sportsman's Park welcomed both teams, with Sherdel battling Smith on the mound. For Sherdel the first inning was a nightmare: Detroit scored 2 runs thanks to a RBI single by Tierney and Veach. Cardinals bat were silent till the 3rd, when they erupted for 3 runs: RBI double by Friberg and 2 run shot by Mueller. But for Sherdel was not a good day: Tigers add 2 more runs, going 4-3 (RBI single by Bassler and Maranville). In the 5th Jack Scott replaced him and he gave up another run in the 6th. Cardinals cut off a run scoring with Fournier and 7th inning was the key of the game: Hornsby hit a 2 run shot, Cardinals up 6-5. Detroit could not answer in the 8th and in the bottom half of the inning McHenry hit another HR, fixing the score 7-5 and sealing a 2-1 lead in the WS for Cardinals.
WP: Scott (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K)
LP: Smith (6.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 1 K)
Notable offense: Bassler (2/4, 2 R, 1 RBI), Maranville (2/4, R, 2 RBI, BB) - Friberg (3/4, 2 R, 1 RBI), Mueller (2/4, R, 2 RBI, HR), McHenry (3/4, 1 R, 1 RBI, HR)

GAME 4 DETROIT TIGERS @ ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Cardinals with the chance to going up 3-1 in the series, with Jack Ogden on the mound trying to overpitch Steamboat Williams. Hornsby and McHenry gave Cardinals a early 2-0 lead, but in the 2nd Detroit answered back in a very strong way, scoring 5 runs with the highlight of a bases clearing triple by Mule Haas. Cardinals tried a comeback in the fifth with an RBI double by Mueller but Tigers did not fell and answered by scoring another run in the 6th, thanks again to Haas. And after that, Stemboat Williams closed the door, not letting any other Cardinals runner to score and sealing a 6-3 W. Series tied, 2-2
WP: Williams (9 IP, 8 H, 3 R, BB 3 K)
LP: Ogden (5 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 1 BB)
Notable offense: Haas (3/4, 4 RBI), Bell (2/4, R) - Mueller (3/4, R, RBI)

GAME 5 DETROIT TIGERS @ ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

A beautiful autumn day was the perfect setting for game 5, with Dutch H. Leonard and Bill Doak dueling on the mound. St. Louis stroke first, with a RBI single by McHenry in the 1st and till the 4th inning pitchers stole the show. In the 4th Tigers tie the game with a solo shot by Harry Heilmann but Cardinals quickly answered thanks to a RBI single by Fournier in the bottom half of the inning. Doak in the 5th wasn't perfect and allowed 2 runs to Tigers, thanks to a RBI triple by Heilmann, with Tigers leading 3-2. And again, pitcher rose and they shutted down batters. In the 9th Doak kept the score on the line and in the bottom half Cardinals tie the game thanks to a wild pitch and an error by Detroit defense. But in the 10th Cardinals Manager left Doak on the mound and Flagstead punished him with an RBI single: 4-3 Tigers. Leonard also pitched in the 10th but Detroit Manager used the bullpen after a single by Stock: Oldham forced a game ending double play with Hornsby batting, giving Tigers a 4-3 victory and a 3-2 lead in the series.
WP: Leonard (9.1 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)
LP: Doak (9.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K)
Notable offense: Heilmann (2/4, 2R, 3 RBI, HR), Bassler (3/4, R) - Stock (3/5), McHenry (2/3, RBI, BB)

GAME 6 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS @ DETROIT TIGERS

Against Sad Sam Jones Cardinals faced a must win game to stay alive, with over 22 thousand Tigers fans ready to celebrate a World Series win. Like in game 5, Cardinals started fast, scoring 2 runs in the first inning and giving the nod to Jesse Haines. Haines responded well, shutting down Detroit offense till the 6th, when Les Bell took home Harry Heilmann. The 8th was the decisive inning: despite a great start, Sad Sam Jones was tagged for 2 more runs with singles by McHenry and Stock: 4-1 Cardinals. Detroit tried to come back in the last 2 innings, scoring both in the 8th and in the 9th, but the game was decided by a bang bang play at home: Haas at the bat, Bluege at second, 2 outs. Haas hit a single, Bluege was waved home...and thrown out by a great throw by Mueller! Cards win 4-3, game 7!
WP: Haines (9 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K)
LP Jones (9 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K)
Notable offense: Stock (3/4, 2 RBI), Mueller (2/4, 2 R, BB) - Haas (2/5, R), Bell (2/2, RBI, BB)

GAME 7 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS @ DETROIT TIGERS

Final showdown at Navin Field, with Sherdel (Cardinals) and Smith (Tigers) on the mound. Tigers opened the score in the 2nd with back to back RBI singles by Tierney and McGowan, 2-0. Smith allowed a run in the 4th, a solo shot by Fournier, but held on and in the 5th Tigers added another run with a RBI single by Bell. Pitcher arise, bats struggled and in the 9th the score was still 3-1 Tigers. Cardinals opened the 9th with back to back singles by Stock e Flack, but Hudgens, Cardinals pinch hitter, hit a groundball that went for a double play, despite scoring a run: 3-2 Tigers. Jack Smith was the last hope for Cardinals and he grounded out via 6-3: Detroit won the series!
WP: Smith (9 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K)
LP: Sherdel (5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, BB, 3 K)
Notable offense: Stock (2/5, R) - Bell (2/3, R, RBI, BB), McGowan (3/4, RBI)

WORLD SERIES MVP: Les Bell (3B, Tigers)

[Sberl]

AMERICAN LEAGUE AWARDS

GOLD GLOVES
P - Wilbur Cooper (Indians)
C - C.B. Minor (Browns)
1B - Bunny Brief (Yankees)
2B - Aaron Ward (Yankees)
3B - Howie Shanks (Browns)
SS - Rabbit Maranville (Tigers)
LF - Denver Grisby (Athletics)
CF - Beauty McGowan (Tigers)
RF - Nemo Leibold (Red Sox)

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR: Fred Fussell (Browns)

PLATINUM STICK AWARD
P - Carl Mays (Yankees)
C - Wally Schang (Yankees)
1B - Harry Heilmann (Tigers)
2B - Jimmy Dykes (Athletics)
3B - Les Bell (Tigers)
SS - Joe Sewell (Indians)
LF - Babe Ruth (Yankees)
CF - Al Simmons (Athletics)
RF - Bob Meusel (Yankees)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Les Bell (Tigers)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Ty Cobb (Tigers)
CY YOUNG: Sad Sam Jones (Tigers)
MVP: Babe Ruth (Yankees)

NATIONAL LEAGUE AWARDS

GOLD GLOVES
P - Buddy Napier (Reds)
C - Mickey Cochrane (Braves)
1B - Lew Fonseca (Reds)
2B - Hod Ford (Braves)
3B - Frankie Frisch (Giants)
LF - Dave Bancroft (Giants)
CF - Cy Williams (Pirates)
RF - Merwin Jacobson (Pirates)

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR: Ted Blakenship (Pirates)

PLATINUM STICK AWARD
P - Lefty Stewart (Phillies)
C - Earl S. Smith (Giants)
1B - Gabby Hartnett (Phillies)
2B - Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals)
3B - Frankie Frisch (Giants)
SS - Travis Jackson (Pirates)
LF - Earle Combs (Reds)
CF - Charlie High (Giants)
RF - Ross Youngs (Giants)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Mickey Cochrane (Braves)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Branch Rickey (Cardinals)
CY YOUNG: Pug Cavet (Reds)
MVP: Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals)

[Sberl]

After a very long year, I have been able to purchase OOTP 22 and trying to restart my project. The sim league was simply put on OOTP 22 to continue the simulation and see where it goes this alternative baseball universe. So it's time to restart and my last post was a 1923 awards recap...time for draft!

1) Boston Braves --> Jimmie Foxx (C)
2) Philadelphia Phillies --> Charlie Gehringer (2B)
3) Boston Red Sox --> Sam West (C)
4) St. Louis Browns --> Carl Hubbell (P)
5) Philadelphia Athletics --> Max Bishop (2B)
6) Chicago White Sox --> Denny Sothern (C)
7) Pittsburgh Pirates --> Bill Hallahan (SP)
8) Brooklyn Robins --> Johnny Hodapp (3B)
9) Washington Senators --> Bill Akers (CF)
10) Cleveland Indians --> OOTP player
11) Chicago Cubs --> OOTP player
12) New York Yankees --> Del Bissonnette (1B)
13) New York Giants --> Clise Dudley (P)
14) Cincinnati Reds --> Pat Crawford (1B9
15) St. Louis Cardinals --> Johnny Moore (RF)
16) Detroit Tigers --> J. Jones (CF)

No one elected in the HOF this year....

[Sberl]

As always, off season was a busy period but in mid-twenties there were no shocking movements. These were the most relevant:

1) Red Sox traded for SP Dickey Kerr with the White sox, giving a young first baseman for him
2) Boston Braves got CF Ike Boone from Red Sox for a bench player (Tony Boeckel, 1B)
3) In one of the bigger moves, Cincinnati Reds got SP Vic Aldridge from Pirates for minor leaguers
4) New York Giants got SP Dutch Ruether from Robins for a veteran backup catcher
5) Washington Senators lose SP Walter Johnson, who is retired after 1923 season (334 wins, 2878 K)

Before the opening day, there is also a very bad news for Reds: they lose young SP Pete Donohue for season due to injury

TOP 10 PROSPECTS LIST

1) Jimmie Foxx, C, Braves
2) Sam West, C, Red Sox
3) Charlie Gehringer, 2B, Phillies
4) Max Bishop, 2B, Athletics
5) Carl Hubbell, LHP, Browns
6) Dale Alexander, CF, White Sox
7) Bill Hallahan, LHP, Pirates
8) Jim Mahady, RHP, Phillies
9) Mule Haas, LF, Tigers
10) Ripper Collins, LF, Cardinals

According to the minor leagues report, New York Giants had the best system, with Phillies in 2nd place and Pirates on 3rd.
Finally, the league preview said that WS will be a New York affair, with a clash between Giants and Yankees.