The Deadball Era-1908 And On

[PhillieFever]

The Cubs,The Giants,The Tigers,The Naps,The Pirates,Fred Merkle,Tinker,Evers & Chance,John McGraw,Honus Wagner,Cristy Mathewson,Addie Joss vs. Ed Walsh,Ty Cobb vs. everybody,Walter Johnson,perhaps the finest pitcher who's ever lived,and Harry Covaleski,a young Phillies pitcher who became known as the "Giant Killer' for his late season performances against the fearsome New York Giants.These were some of the key players in the 1908 Major League Baseball season that according to many,was the greatest season in the history of the game.In this dynasty,I am going to replay that wonderful season as the GM/manager of the Philadelphia Phillies,a pretty good team up against some truely great ones.Early on in the dynasty,the focus will mostly lie with the Phils and their attempt to throw a wrench into the championship plans of the Cubs,Giants and Pirates,but as the season progresses,and the story begins to unfold the attention will become more league wide in scope.Hopefully you guys have as much fun reading as I will replaying this fantastic season(and beyond of course)

[Afino]

It's good to see you're starting a deadball league again!

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Afino

It's good to see you're starting a deadball league again!

After my 1950's league went down due to technical difficulty,I took some time to think about what I wanted to do,plus I wanted to wait until the release of OOTP X to do it.Truthfully,it was an easy decision.I'm a big fan of deadball era baseball because of the strategy that was involved and also because of the colorful players that peppered the league.It really was a great time for baseball.Another thing is the way that OOTP itself handles this style of play,for some reason the engine really does a great job of modeling this era of baseball once all the correct modifiers are put into place.

[PhillieFever]

Highlanders Ship Chase To Washington As Gambling Allegations Swirl
February 29,1908

New York,New York-Following allegations of possible involvement with underworld figures,as well as game fixing and gambling,Hal Chase has been the focus of several inquiries by local law enforcement as well as the offices of Major League Baseball.Finally though,the Highlanders have had enough.The very talented first baseman was traded today to the Washington Senators for veteran catcher John Warner,a lifetime .249 hitter.As for the 25 year old Chase,this could be his last chance to show he can play on the up and up.

[PhillieFever]

Johnson Bests Young In Senators 7-4 Victory
Tuesday April 14,1908

Up against the wily veteran Cy Young(0-1),the Senators Walter Johnson(1-0) did more than hold his own,as the youngster from Humboldt Tennessee held the Red Sox to 4 runs(2 earned) on 9 hits,leading the Senators to a 7-4 opening day victory here in Boston.

Thanks to a dominating performance by Kicakapoo Ed Summers(1-0),the Detroit Tigers started the season off on the right foot by blanking the Chicago White Sox 3-0.Summers went the distance,allowing 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5.

New York Giants star twirler Christy "Big Six" Mathewson(1-0) earned his first victory of the season today,pitching just good enough to edge the Phillies and starter Tully Sparks(0-1).Larry Doyle's sacrifice fly in the top of the 8th inning was the difference in the ballgame.

Today's Scoreboard

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday April 15,1908

Phils Bounce Back To Dump Giants 5-0

Baker Bowl,Phila,Pa.-Phillies twirler George McQuillan(1-0) had all of his pitches working today,as he held the Giants to just 3 hits while striking out 4 in the Phillies 5-0 defeat of the visitors from Gothum.SS Dave Shean led the way offensively,going 2 for 3 with a triple and 3 RBI.Hooks Wiltse(0-1) took the loss for NY.

In Other Games

Athletics -3 Highlanders-0
Thanks to a 2 run 9th inning triple by second baseman Danny Murphy,followed by a Jack Lapp RBI single,the A's upended the hometown Highlanders 3-0 here at Hilltop Park.Starting pitcher Eddie Plank(1-0) was dominant all day,allowing just 3 hits while fanning 8.

Tigers-8 White Sox-0
Pale Hose twirler Doc White(0-1) was no match for the fearsome Tigers today who pounded out 16 hits enroute to an easy 8-0 win here in Chicago's South Side Park.Ty Cobb,Germany Schafer,and Claude Rossman each had 3 hits to pace the visitors.

Today's Scoreboard

[PhillieFever]

Thursday April 16,1908

American League

Highlanders-1 Athletics-0
Kid Elberfeld's RBI single in the bottom of the second was the game's only run as New York upended Philadelphia 1-0 here in Hilltop Park.

Naps-5 Browns-0
Cleveland 2B Nap Lajoie went 3 for 3 today with 2 RBI and a run scored as the Naps easily defeated the St Louis Browns 5-0.

Senators-3 Red Sox-0
Jim Delahanty's solo home run in the top of the 9th off of Sox twirler Eddie Cicotte(0-1) sealed the deal as Washington defeated Boston 3-0 to improve to 2-1

White Sox-6 Tigers-3
Despite a 3 for 4 three RBI day by Ty Cobb,the White Sox behind solid pitching by Frank "Piano Mover" Smith(1-0) defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-3.Chicago 2B George Davis paced the Pale Hose offense going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.

National League

Phillies-4 Giants-2
Using their running game to great effect,the Phillies stole 4 bases in their 4-2 victory over the New York Giants.Starting pitcher Frank Corridon(1-0) allowed 8 hits and 2 runs(1 earned) for his first victory of the season.

Cubs-5 Reds-3
Hans Lobert's RBI triple followed later by an RBI single by Bob Bescher broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 8th inning and gave the Cubs their 2nd straight victory over the hometown Reds.

Doves-3 Superbas-0
Boston twirler Tom Tuckey pitched 8 scorless innings,allowing just 3 hits and 0 walks while striking out 3 to lead Boston to a 3-0 shutout victory over the Brooklynites.

Pirates-2 Cardinals-1
Pirates starter Lefty Leifield(1-0) finally got his team off the schneid allowing just 6 hits and 1 earned run in 9 innings of work as the Pirates defeated the hometown Cardinals 2-1.

[PhillieFever]

Friday April 17,1908

American League

Highlanders-3 Athletics-2
New York SS Kid Elberfeld once again was the difference in the game thanks to his being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded allowing Jake Stahl to walk home with the eventual game winning run.Highlanders twirler Doc Newton(1-0) was just good enough,allowing 9 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 3 and striking out 2.

Tigers-7 Naps-1
Naps pitcher Bob "Dusty" Rhoads(1-0) had no answers for the dangerous Tiger attack,allowing 10 hits and 7 runs over 9 innings in today's 7-1 defeat.For Detroit,1B Claude Rossman had 3 hits including an RBI double while starting pitcher Ed Willett(1-0) allowed 5 hits and one earned run for his first win of the season.

Senators-4 Red Sox-2
Senators' SS George McBride's third hit of the day,an RBI single to left in the top of the 8th inning gave starting pitcher Cy Falkenberg(1-0) all the breathing room he would need to hold off Boston and earn himself his first victory of the season.

White Sox-2 Browns-1
Sox pitcher Nick Altrock(1-0) provided the pitching while first baseman Jigs Donohue provided the offense as Chicago defeated the invaders from St.Louis 2-1 in a well played ballgame.Donohue connected on an RBI double in the 3rd to open the scoring and an RBI single in the 5th to end it,for the season he's batting .273

National League

Giants-2 Phillies-1
The Phils had no answers today for Giants pitcher Joe "Iron Man" McGinnity(1-0) who held the home team to just 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 5.

Reds-8 Cubs-3
Cubs twirler Jack Pfiester was schallacked for 16 hits and 8 runs(6 earned) as the hometown Reds destroyed the Cubs 8-3.2B Miller Huggins paced the Red offense,going 2 for 5 with a triple and 3 RBI while RF Mike Mitchell contributed 3 hits and 2 RBI.

Superbas-2 Doves-0
Brooklyn first sacker Tim Jordan's 2 run homer in the bottom of the first inning was all that starting pitcher George Bell would need,as he blanked the visitors from Boston on 7 hits in the 2-1 Brooklyn victory.

Cardinals-1 Pirates-0
CF Al Shaw's solo homer in the bottom of the 7th inning was one of only two hits that the Cardinals could muster off of Pirate starter Nick Maddox(0-1),but it turned out to be enough,thanks to the brilliant pitching of Art Fromme(1-0) who blanked the powerful Pirates on 5 hits.

[PhillieFever]

Saturday April 18,1908

American League

Senators-4 Highlanders-0
Washington starting pitcher Walter Johnson's(2-0) amazing skills were on full display today as he held the hometown Highlanders to just 3 hits while striking out 8 in today's 4-0 shutout victory.Jack Chesbro(0-2) took the loss.

Naps-4 Tigers-2
Cleveland pitcher Addie Joss(1-1) was just the tonic that the struggling Naps needed,as he held the Tigers to just 5 hits and 2 earned runs in Cleveland's 4-2 victory.

Red Sox-4 Athletics-3
Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the 9th,Boston got RBI singles from Bill Carrigan and pitcher Cy Young to upend Philadelphia 4-3.With the loss,the A's fall to 2-3 while Boston improves to 2-3

Browns-3 White Sox-1
Browns pitcher Rube Waddell(2-0) held the hometown Pale Hose to just 2 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 8 as St Louis defeated Chicago and star pitcher Ed Walsh(0-2) 3-1.

National League

Phillies-1 Doves-0
Phillies LF Sherry Magee saved the day in the top of the 8th inning when he threw the Doves Ginger Beaumont out at the plate to end the inning and preserve the lead for Tully Sparks(1-1) who earned his first win of the season.

Reds-6 Pirates-3
Pittsburgh's early season woes continued,as starter Vic Willis(0-2) allowed 9 hits and 6 earned runs giving the reds the 6-3 victory.With the loss,the Pirates fall to 1-4,last in the National League,while the Reds move to 3-2,in a tie for the league lead.

Superbas-4 Giants-2
Tied at 2 entering the bottom of the 8th,the Superbas stroked four straight singles off of Giants starter Christy Mathewson(1-1) giving Brooklyn a rare victory over their crosstown rivals.

Cubs-3 Cardinals-1
RBI hits by Joe Tinker,Johnny Evers,and Frank "Wildfire" Schulte paved the way for Cubs twirler Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown(1-1),who held the hometown Redbirds to 8 hits and 1 earned run for his first win of the season.

[PhillieFever]

Sunday April 19,1908

American League

White Sox-1 Browns-0 (11 innings)
Chicago pitcher Doc White(1-1) twirled a masterpiece today,pitching 11 strong innings allowing just 3 hits and 1 walk in the 1-0 White Sox victory.Jiggs Donahue's RBI double in the bottom of the 11th off of Browns starter Jack "Red" Powell(1-1) was the difference in the game.

National League

Reds-2 Pirates-1
Cincy first sacker Dick Hoblitzel's RBI single in the bottom of the fourth was the difference in the game as the Reds edged struggling Pittsburgh 2-1.Reds Starting pitcher Andy Coakley(1-1) scattered 9 hits while allowing a single run for his first win of the season,the Bucs Howie Camnitz(0-2) fell to 0-2.

Cubs-2 Cardinals-0 (11 Innings)
Cubs twirler Orval Overall(2-0) was just too much for St Louis today,holding them to just 4 hits over 11 shutout innings as the visiting Chicagoens defeated the hometowners 2-0.The Cards Johnny Lush(1-1) took the loss

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week For Week Ending April 19,1908

[Dr. Wu]

Nice job so far.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Dr. Wu

Nice job so far.

Thanks a lot,as you can see,I'm still working out the kinks,but I think I've settled on a format now anyway.

[PhillieFever]

Monday April 20,1908

American League

Red Sox-6 Athletics-5 (14 innings)
Red Sox-4 Athletics-2
Thanks to 4 errors including one on an errant pickoff throw in the bottom of the 14th inning that allowed the winning run to score,the Boston Red Sox defeated the White Elephants 6-5.Sox first baseman Bob Unglaub led the way offensively going 3 for 6 with 2 RBI and a run scored.In game two of today's doubleheader,the Bostonians completed the sweep thanks to another big game by Unglaub in which he went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI giving him 6 hits and 5 RBI on the day.

Tigers-4 Naps-0
Detroit twirler "Wild Bill" Donovan delighted the home fans today,as he whitewashed the visiting Naps holding them to just two hits in the 4-0 Tiger victory.Third sacker Charlie O'Leary paced the offense with a two run single in the 6th.

Senators-3 Highlanders-1 (13 Innings)
Thanks to a 13th inning RBI double by Gabby Street followed by an RBI sac fly by Ollie Pickering,the Washington Senators once again found themselves in the winner's circle,improving their record to 5-1.

Browns-2 White Sox-1
Danny Hoffman's RBI single in the top of the 7th turned out to be the difference in the ballgame today as St. Louis edged Chicago 2-1.Browns starter Harry Howell(1-1) went the distance for the win,while Piano Mover Smith(1-1) took the loss.

National League

Doves-6 Phillies-4
On a day in which balls flew all over the yard,the Boston Doves got the better of the action,pounding a trio of Phillies pitchers for a combined 14 hits as Boston upended the Phillies 6-4.Second Baseman Claude "Little All Right" Ritchey led the charge for the victors,going 2 for 3 with a double and 4 RBI.

Pirates-8 Reds-4
Led by the trio of Tommy Leach,Honus Wagner,and Alan Storke,who went a combined 7 for 13 with 7 RBI and 4 runs scored,the Pirates easily dispatched the hometown Reds 8-4.Pirate pitcher Lefty Leifield(2-0) earned his second victory of the season while Billy Campbell(0-2) took the loss.

Cubs-2 Cardinals-1
Chicago backstop Johnny Kling's 2 run double in the top of the 6th inning was all starting pitcher Big Ed Reulbach(2-0) would need to collect his second win of the season.Reulbach pitched 8 strong,allowing 5 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 6.RelieverRube Kroh got the save.

[Lee]

Great job so far, this will be a fun one to follow as the 1908 season is a great choice. I read the book Crazy '08, which details not only the season, put life in early 20th century America very well. Great read if you haven't already stumbled across it.

[PhillieFever]

Tuesday April 21,1908

American League

Naps-8 White Sox-0
The Naps ended today's suspense early,scoring 6 times in the first inning and then twice more in the second before easing back and cruising to an 8-0 win.First baseman Charlie Hickman led the offensive charge going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI while starting pitcher Glenn Liebhardt(2-0) went the distance while allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks and striking out 1.

Browns-2 Tigers-1 (10 Innings)
George Stone's RBI single in the top of the 10th off of Tigers starter George Mullin(0-2) was the difference in the game as St Louis defeated Detroit 2-1.Browns starter Bill Grahame(1-0) allowed 8 hits and 1 earned run over 9 and a 1/3 while reliever Bill Dinneen pitched the final 2/3 for his first save of the season.

Highlanders-7 Senators-1
The Senators 4 game win streak came to an abrupt halt today,thanks to the Highlanders potent running attack,that saw them steal 5 bases in the 7-1 win.Starting pitcher Rube Manning(2-0) collected his second win of the season,holding Washington to just 4 hits and 1 earned run.

Athletics-3 Red Sox-1
A's right fielder Socks Seybold connected on RBI singles in the 7th and 8th innings to lead Philadelphia past Boston 3-1.Starting pitcher Chief Bender(1-1) was much better today then he was in his first start,holding the Red Sox to just 5 hits and one run while striking out 2.

National League

Doves-2 Phillies-0
"Tobasco Tom" Tuckey threw the whitewash at the Phils today,holding them to just 5 hits in the 2-0 shutout victory.Offensively,Claude Ritchey continued to drive the Phils crazy,thanks to a two run two out single in the top of the first that amounted to all of the day's scoring.

Giants-4 Superbas-2
Giants twirler Doc Crandall(1-1) proved a double threat today,holding the Superbas to 6 hits and 2 runs on the hill,while also connecting on a two run single in the top of the 9th that snapped a 2-2 tie and gave New York their 4th win of the season.

Today's MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Lee

Great job so far, this will be a fun one to follow as the 1908 season is a great choice. I read the book Crazy '08, which details not only the season, put life in early 20th century America very well. Great read if you haven't already stumbled across it.

Ive read that as well as Gordon Fleming's The Unforgettable Season which the chronicles the 1908 season on a day by day basis using old newspaper articles.They're two great books about a truly unforgettable season.

[ryanivr]

Loving this dynasty. I'm a big fan of the dead ball era, and your dynasties are always a great read.

I'll be following.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by ryanivr

Loving this dynasty. I'm a big fan of the dead ball era, and your dynasties are always a great read.

I'll be following.

Thanks man,this time I took my time and got everything set up just right,because I'm hoping for this to be my final unending dynasty

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday April 22,1908

American League

Browns-1 Tigers-0 (13 Innings)
Rube Waddell(3-0) of the Browns and Ed Willett(1-1) of the Tigers battled ferociously for 13 innings,with Waddell finally getting the best of Willitt when Browns pinch hitter Dode Criss doubled home Emmet Heidrick with the only run of the game to give St Louis the 1-0 win.

Highlanders-1 Athletics-0 (11 Innings)
Charlie Hemphill's RBI single in the top of the 11th inning broke open a scoreless tie and gave New York an impressive 1-0 victory in Philadelphia's Columbia Park.

Senators-4 Red Sox-1
Clyde Milan's two run single in the bottom of the 5th followed an inning later by RBI singles by Bill Shipke and Otis Clymer sealed the deal,as Washington defeated the visiting Red Sox 4-1.Starting pitcher "Sleepy Bill" Burns(1-0) got credit for the win while Cy Young (1-2) took the loss.

Naps-5 White Sox-4 (13 Innings)
In one of the most exciting contests so far this season,the Chicago White Sox took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 13th inning only to see Elmer Flick and Bill Bradley hit back to back RBI singles in the bottom of the inning off of reliever Lou Feine to defeat Chicago 5-4.For Flick it was the capping off of a game that saw him go 3 for 6 with 2 stolen bases,2 RBI,and a run scored.

National League

Phillies-2 Doves-1
In their first road game of the season,the Phils got RBI sac flys from Kitty Bransfield and pitcher Lew Moren to send the hometown fans in a foul mood as Philadelphia defeated Boston 2-1.

Giants-10 Superbas-0
Blowout city today,as Giants twirler Joe McGinnity blanked the Superbas on 4 hits while first baseman Fred Tenney went 2 for 4 with a triple,5 RBI and a run scored as New York buried Brooklyn 10-0.

Pirates-3 Cardinals-0
Pirates starter Nick Maddox(1-1) held the Cardinals scoreless despite allowing 9 hits as Pittsburgh defeated St Louis 3-0.

Cubs-2 Reds-1 (10 Innings)
Cubs starter Jack Pfiester(1-1) was the star of the show today,allowing 9 hits and 1 earned run over 10 innings as well as knocking in the game winning run with a 10th inning walk off single off of the Reds Stoney McGlynn(1-1) to give Chicago the 2-1 victory.

Today's MLB Standings