MLHR: Major League Historical Replay... what if?

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AL Mid-Season Report

The Twins currently hold first place at the half-way point in the AL's inaugural season. They can thank a surprisingly good pitching staff, led by Casey Patten (7-5, 2.57 ERA). In fact, all five starters have ERA's below 3.00 and Cy Swaim (11-3, 2.40 ERA) is tied for the league lead in wins. First baseman Tim Jordan leads the Twins' 2nd ranked offense with 14 home runs and 44 RBI.

In second place, Detroit is a bit of a mystery. Their offense has scored the most runs in the league despite the league's 3rd worst team batting average and team OBP. Left fielder Kid Nance (.250, 10 HR, 42 RBI) leads the team in home runs. The team's pitching staff ranks just 5th in the league, but their bullpen is 3rd. Frank Owen (9-3, 2.26 ERA) leads the rotation.

The Orioles and White Sox are still in contention. Baltimore has scored the 2nd most runs and has a dominant bullpen, but their rotation is 3rd worst in the league. Chicago has the 2nd best rotation, led by Roy Patterson (7-5, 2.62 ERA), and their offense and defense are both ranked 4th. Based on those stats alone, one would think that the Orioles would fade down the stretch while the White Sox should be a serious pennant contender.

Oakland's Eddie Plank (11-2, 1.50 ERA) is thriving among the offensively-challenged AL teams, and the A's are riding a 7-game winning streak after starting the season 10-20. Then you have the Yankees, who were 18-11 and in first place at the end of April, but have since gone 22-33. New York still leads the AL with a .254 team batting average and .316 team OBP. They also have the top ranked defense and 2nd best bullpen, but their starting pitching is ranked dead last.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

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NL Season Wrap-up

As the season wore on, the Pirates slowly began to pull away from the rest of the league. At the end of August, they held a 5-game lead and then they went 20-7 in September to quickly nail down their first pennant since 1885. Interestingly enough, the MLB Pirates also won the pennant in 1901. The difference in MLHR is that there will be a World Series in 1901.

The Pirates were dominant all around this season, ranking 2nd in offense, defense and pitching. Their bullpen was truly the best in baseball with a 2.82 ERA. Patsy Flaherty (5-4, 44 Sv, 3.01 ERA) led the league in saves, tying for 2nd most all-time behind only Jack Cattanach's 45 in 1892. Rube Waddell (18-8, 3.10 ERA, 299 K's) had another dominant season as team ace while the rest of the rotation struggled somewhat. Offensively, the Pirates surprised everyone by leading the league in home runs. The top six batters in their lineup each hit 20+ home runs. Shortstop Honus Wagner (.333, 30 HR, 97 RBI, 24 SB) had a breakout season, and 24-year-old second baseman Jimmy Williams (.253, 28 HR, 92 RBI) also had a superb year.

Despite falling short of the pennant, the Phillies had strong seasons from Ed Delahanty (.312, 19 HR, 91 RBI) and Elmer Flick (.301, 24 HR, 102 RBI), while first baseman Nap Lajoie (.298, 52 2B, 26 HR, 141 RBI) led the league in doubles and RBI. On the pitching side, Ned Garvin (14-8, 3.05 ERA) led the league in ERA and 37-year-old Ben Sanders (17-7, 3.51 ERA) had another solid year. Fellow 37-year-old Bill Vinton (12-18, 4.66 ERA) is the active leader with 271 career wins, just 7 wins away from setting the all-time record. However, he struggled this season making us wonder how long he will remain in the rotation and whether or not he will be the first pitcher to reach 300 wins.

The Cubs faded down the stretch as their vaunted offense was unable to capitalize on career seasons from several of the team's pitchers. Last season's BoY Bill Lange (.303, 28 HR, 94 RBI, 73 SB) had his second career hitting streak of 20+ games, but as a whole the team scored just the 4th most runs. While they stole the most bases in the league, their power plummeted to the 3rd lowest league total. Clark Griffith (16-9, 3.23 ERA) and Buttons Briggs (14-7, 3.43 ERA) had big years in the rotation, and 38-year-old Jocko Flynn (15-9, 3.88 ERA) continued to defy time with another impressive season even if his rough final two months ballooned his ERA in the end.

The Cardinals finished with the top offense, led by Mike Donlin (.309, 36 HR, 127 ERA) and Jimmy Bannon (.281, 38 HR, 117 RBI). However, the pitching staff was mediocre. Cy Young (16-8, 3.34 ERA) had a bounce-back season after going 11-16 with a 4.07 ERA last year. Rookie Bob Wicker (16-11, 3.52 ERA) also had a solid season, but other key pitchers like Joe Corbett (9-15, 5.04 ERA) and closer Willie Sudhoff (9-11, 23 Sv, 6.05 ERA) really struggled.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

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AL Season Wrap-up

At mid-season, the Twins held a 3.5-game lead in the American League standings. After that, they went 46-33 while the second place Tigers fell apart and fell to 5th place, just 2-games above .500. The Twins led the AL in offense and pitching, a sure recipe for success if there ever was one. They also finished 2nd in defense. Tim Jordan (.292, 40 HR, 112 RBI) raised his batting average from .259 to .292 in the second half and led the AL in home runs and RBI. Cy Swaim (22-6, 2.27 ERA) had the team's best performance from a pitcher and led the league in wins.

Oakland heated up in the second half with the second best pitching staff and best team defense in the league. Eddie Plank (18-8, 1.86 ERA) was superb and set a MLHR record in ERA while also leading the AL in strikeouts, WHIP and many other key pitching statistics.

There were few other memorable performances in this first season for the AL. Now we wait to see what kind of competition the Twins can offer the Pirates in the first ever World Series, and we look forward to see what type of new talent the AL adds in the offseason. I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the irony in the fact that the first ever AL pennant was won by the Senators/Twins franchise - a historically awful franchise (with a few exceptions) over the 60 years they spent in Washington. They did not actually win their first pennant until 1924, and they won just a total of three over those 60 years in Washington. It will also be fun to see how they fare over time as the rosters of all teams are filled with players who actually debuted with these franchises.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

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1901 World Series

Game 1

The Twins shocked the Pittsburgh fans in the 4th inning by taking a 4-run lead off Pirates ace Rube Waddell (18-8, 3.10 ERA). The Pirates offense chipped away with a run in the bottom of the 4th and another in the 7th off Twins starter Al Orth (16-12, 3.04 ERA). Then in the 8th inning, the Pirates offense finally came alive when Mike Smith and Honus Wagner both doubled to score one run. Then Fred Clarke hit a 2-run homer to give the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish. Patsy Flaherty allowed a walk in an otherwise smooth 9th inning to claim the Pirates' first World Series win.




Game 2

Pittsburgh's Deacon Phillippe (13-10, 4.33 ERA) and Minnesota's Happy Townsend (17-7, 2.94 ERA) went toe-to-toe in this pitcher's duel. Both pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball. The Pirates claimed victory when centerfielder Ginger Beaumont hit a solo home run with one out in the 11th inning off Twins closer Tom Smith.




Game 3

Pirates second baseman Jimmy Williams hit a 2-out, 2-run homer to break a 1-1 tie in the top of the 6th inning of Twins starter Casey Patten (16-12, 2.83 ERA). Pittsburgh starter Sam Leever (17-9, 3.50 ERA) allowed just 5 hits and one walk over eight innings, and Flaherty earned his 2nd World Series save.




Game 4

Pirates right fielder Mike Smith doubled in a run in the 3rd inning and first baseman Jake Beckley hit a 2-run homer in the 6th in this 6-3 Series-clinching win. Beckley had spend 14 pennant-less seasons in Pittsburgh, and Smith debuted in 1886 - the first season after Pittsburgh's last pennant - giving him 16 seasons without a pennant until this year. Now both of them can also claim a part in the first ever World Series title.




Recap

Afterward, no one was surprised that the Pirates defeated the fledgling American League's Twins in just 4 games. But everyone was surprised at how close each game was. This may be a good sign that the AL will be competitive with the Senior Circuit much sooner than expected.

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Season Awards


NL Batter of the Year




NL Pitcher of the Year




NL Rookie of the Year




NL Fireman Award




NL Gold Gloves
P - Pop Williams, CHN
C - Marty Bergen, ATL (3rd overall)
1B - Frank Chance, CHN
2B - Claude Ritchey, CIN (2nd consecutive)
3B - Jimmy Collins, ATL (2nd overall)
SS - Herman Long, ATL (3rd overall)
LF - Kip Selbach, CIN
CF - Bill Lange, CHN (3rd overall)
RF - Willie Keeler, SFG (4th overall)




AL Batter of the Year




AL Pitcher and Rookie of the Year




AL Gold Gloves
P - Snake Wiltse, OAK
C - Al Shaw, DET
1B - John Ganzel, NYY
2B - Dick Padden, BAL
3B - Bill Bradley, CLE
SS - Terry Turner, CLE
LF - Topsy Hartsel, OAK
CF - Charlie Jones, BOS
RF - Jake Gettman, MIN

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1902 National League Rookies

Johnny Evers, 2B, Age 20, Cubs

Here is an excerpt from Evers' bio on sabr.org:

"An excellent bunter, accomplished base stealer, and pesky left-handed hitter who usually had the National League's best walk-to-strikeout ratio after his first few seasons, Johnny Evers was considered one of the Deadball Era's smartest and best all-around players, but he was just as well known for his fiery disposition. The star second baseman's nickname, "The Human Crab," was originally bestowed due to his unorthodox manner of sidling over to ground balls before gobbling them up, but most baseball men considered it better suited to his temperament than his fielding."

Evers will compete with Jim Delahanty for the starting second base job this season. Evers likely has a leg up on the job with Delahanty filling a role as a super-sub off the bench.




Bob Ewing, SP, Age 24, Reds

A strong addition to the Reds pitching staff, Ewing will compete for the 5th starter's job but may begin his rookie season in the bullpen. The two men he is competing with, 32-year-old veteran Billy Rhines (8-15, 4.42 ERA) and 22-year-old sophomore Charlie Case (6-14, 5.07 ERA), both struggled last season.




Fred Glade, SP, Age 24, Cubs

Glade is one of four rookie pitchers that will be competing for a spot in the Cubs starting rotation. However, the Cubs rotation was impressive last season so it is possible that several of these rookies, Glade included, could begin the season in the bullpen. A bullpen upgrade would be very helpful in the team's quest for their first pennant since 1889.




Carl Lundgren, SP, Age 21, Cubs

Of the four rookie pitchers the Cubs have added in the offseason, Lundgren is perhaps the most talented. He throws hard but does have control issues from time to time. While some believe he is the pitcher most likely to crack the starting rotation, his makeup may be better suited for a key relief role.




Homer Smoot, CF, Age 23, Cardinals

Smoot is a solid outfielder who hits for average and plays above average defense. With Charlie Frank (.250, 17 HR, 85 RBI) having an off season at age 31, he may lose some of his playing time in left field to former starting centerfielder Duff Cooley (.265, 16 HR, 62 RBI), who plays left field defense far superior to anyone on the team. Those potential moves could open up a spot in center for Smoot, although he may initially split time there with Emmet Heidrick (.254, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 11 SB in 272 AB).




Jim St. Vrain, SP, Age 24, Cubs

St. Vrain is another hard-throwing rookie pitcher debuting for Chicago this season. He is a candidate for the starting rotation, but like the other rookies, he may begin his career in the bullpen while waiting for his opportunity to start. Like Lundgren, his makeup is well suited for a bullpen role.




Joe Tinker, SS, Age 21, Cubs

I have noticed over the past decade that the positions up the middle of the field - catcher, shortstop, second base and centerfield - are trending toward lighter hitting players who play good defense, which was the historical role of those positions. Joe Tinker fits this role to a tee. He is a light hitter who doesn't draw a great deal of walks, but he doesn't strike out often and he plays solid defense. As the Cubs' current shortstop Bill Dahlen is now 32, his bat is showing signs of slowing down but he still plays good defense and has a little more speed than Tinker. So Dahlen will likely keep the starting job initially, but it may not be long until Tinker takes over.




Rube Vickers, SP, Age 23, Reds

Vickers is a talented pitcher who had a limited MLB career. He will likely find a spot in the Reds' starting rotation. With his addition along with Ewing and rookie reliever Martin Glendon (8-7-7 ratings), the Reds pitching staff should be much improved this season. Now, they need some improvement from their offense.

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1902 American League Rookies

Andy Coakley, SP, Age 19, Athletics

Coakley is a solid pitcher who will improve the A's rotation. In fact, along with the addition of Tom Walker (below), Oakland may have the best rotation in the AL this season. After all, they are led by PoY Eddie Plank (18-8, 1.86 ERA).




Addie Joss, SP, Age 21, Indians

Here is an excerpt on Joss from sabr.org:

"For nine seasons Addie Joss was one of the best pitchers in the history of the American League, posting four 20-win seasons, capturing two ERA titles, and tossing two no-hitters (one of them a perfect game) and seven one-hitters. Of Joss's 160 career victories 45 were shutouts, and his career 1.89 ERA ranks second all-time only to his long-time rival Ed Walsh among players with 1,000 innings pitched. An exceptional control pitcher with a deceptive pitching motion, the right-handed Joss employed a corkscrew delivery, turning his back entirely to the batter before coming at him with a sidearm motion that confused most hitters. "Joss not only had great speed and a fast-breaking curve," Baseball Magazine observed in 1911, "but [also] a very effective pitching motion, bringing the ball behind him with a complete body swing and having it on the batter almost before the latter got sight of it." After nearly pitching the (Cleveland) Naps to their first pennant in 1908, illness and injury limited Addie's endurance during his final two major league seasons, before his life was tragically cut short at the age of 31 by a bacterial infection."

Joss is clearly one of the best pitchers we have seen added to MLHR yet, rivaled only by Oakland's Eddie Plank and Pittsburgh's Rube Waddell. Interestingly enough, St. Louis' Cy Young was also imported with similar ratings but has had only above-average results. Along with the additions of Charlie Smith (below) and Otto Hess (6-6-6 ratings) and the return of sophomore Earl Moore (9-13, 2.77 ERA), the Indians will challenge Oakland for the title of best rotation. But like the A's, the team's offense may determine their fate this season.




Charlie Smith, SP, Age 21, Indians

Smith is another solid pitcher added to the American League who helps solidify the Cleveland rotation. The question is whether or not the rotation is good enough to carry the team to the World Series with little offensive help.




Tom Walker, SP, Age 20, Athletics

Walker is a hard thrower who spent limited time in the majors during his MLB career, but was clearly talented. He will be a key addition for the A's, but again, the team's offense may be the deciding factor as they compete for the pennant.

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1902 Key Retirees - Batters


Ed McKean, SS, Reds

All-time leader in at bats, hits, home runs, runs scored and walks for a shortstop. Two Gold Gloves, then displayed poor range beginning the season after his second award. Top 10 in triples three times, walks three times, batting average twice, OBP twice.




Art Twineham, C, Cardinals

Won two Gold Gloves.




George Van Haltren, OF, Cubs

I really liked Rip, but due to the overloaded offense Chicago had throughout his tenure with the club, he missed out on a lot of playing time throughout his career. He would have been an every day starter likely for his entire career had he played for anyone else. His best seasons were 1888 and 1889 as a 23 and 24-year old when he recorded a 149 OPS+ both seasons. He led the league in triples in 1888 and finished in the Top 10 in runs scored three times, batting average three times, OBP twice, SLG twice and OPS twice. He also had a 25-game hitting streak in 1888.

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1902 Key Retirees - Pitchers


George Borchers, Cubs

Top 8 in saves twice.




Jocko Flynn, Cubs

Never the ace of Chicago's staff, but a remarkably consistent pitcher. Finished with 6th most wins and 10th best ERA+ of all-time. Started every single game he pitched. Led the league in winning percentage in 1900 and finished Top 10 nine times. Led the league in K's in 1890 and finished Top 10 six times. Led the league in ERA, fewest R/9 and fewest HR/9 in 1893 and finished Top 10 eight times in ERA, six times in R/9 and ten times in HR/9. Led the league in quality starts twice and finished Top 10 ten times. Finished Top 10 in wins eight times, innings pitched four times, WHIP six times, H/9 nine times, K/9 five times, shutouts twice as well as walks allowed six times.




Kid Madden, Braves

Finished Top 10 in holds twice, innings pitched three times, WHIP twice, HR/9 twice, shutouts twice, complete games six times as well as losses five times.




Lee Viau, Reds

Led the league in losses in 1899 and finished Top 10 four times. Finished Top 10 in innings pitched twice, walks allowed five times, fewest HR/9 twice and shutouts twice.

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1902 Hall of Fame Induction


Cap Anson, 1B, Cubs

2604 H, 490 doubles, 72 triples, 440 HR, 1503 R, 1655 RBI, 903 BB, 1713 K, 216 SB, .284 AVG, .353 OBP, .498 SLG, .850 OPS, 9159 AB, 2397 G

2 BOY
4 GG
5 Pennants

All-time leaderboards: RBI (3rd), OPS (4th), HR (5th), Runs (7th), Triples (7th), Hits (8th), Doubles (8th)
Single season leader in RBI (157), OPS (1.062)


Roger Connor, 3B, Giants

2776 H, 409 double, 65 triples, 605 HR, 1586 R, 1854 RBI, 887 BB, 1993 K, 204 SB, .271 AVG, .332 OBP, .501 SLG, .833 OPS, 10243 AB, 2754 G

1 BOY
1 ROY
3 Pennants

All-time leaderboards: HR (2nd), RBI (2nd), Hits (5th), Runs (5th), SLG (5th)
Single season leader in SLG (.646)


Tommy Bond, SP, Dodgers

277-230, .546 Win%, 732 G, 590 GS, 4601.2 IP, 153 CG, 36 SHO, 1124 BB, 2.20 BB/9, 4287 K, 8.38 K/9, 4147 HA, 501 HRA, 3.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP

1 POY
4 Pennants

Career leader in Wins, Losses, Games Started, Complete Games, Innings, Hits Allowed, HR Allowed, Strikeouts

Charlie Ferguson, SP, Phillies

227-141, .617 Win%, 555 G, 441 GS, 3405 IP, 99 CG, 28 SHO, 1060 BB, 2.80 BB/9, 3283 K, 8.68 K/9, 2940 HA, 251 HRA, 3.21 ERA, 1.17 WHIP

2 POY
1 ROY
1 GG
9 Pennants

All-time leaderboards: OOPS (4th), OSLG (5th), ERA (6th), K's (6th), Wins (7th), Win % (8th), Innings (9th)

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1902 NL Preseason Predictions

The Pirates are coming off winning the inaugural World Series versus Minnesota. As the 1902 season nears, the Pirates are still considered to be the team to beat in the National League. They have one of the best starting rotations, bullpens, offenses and defenses in the league. What else can you ask for? Honus Wagner (.333, 30 HR, 97 RBI, 24 SB) leads the offense after winning the BoY Award. Meanwhile, Rube Waddell (18-8, 3.10 ERA, 299 K) won his second consecutive PoY Award. The team also sports last season's Fireman Award winner in closer Patsy Flaherty (5-4, 44 Sv, 3.01 ERA).

On their heels are the Cubs, who added a new second baseman, shortstop and three new pitchers in the offseason. Rookie Jim St. Vrain (7-6-6 ratings) may have the biggest impact, as he will be starting the season as the team's new closer. Carl Lundgren (7-6-5 ratings) also has an opportunity to make an impact as the team's #5 starter after the retirement of Jocko Flynn (15-9, 3.88 ERA). In order for the Cubs to unseat Pittsburgh as NL champ, their pitching staff will need to perform as well as they did last season, leading the league in fewest R/G, while their offense gets back to their normal form of being among the best in the league.

The Cardinals also have equally high expectations this season. Their offense led the league in runs per game last season, but their pitching staff - particularly the bullpen - struggled. Expect improvement from pitchers such as Joe Corbett (9-15, 5.04 ERA) and closer Willie Sudhoff (9-11, 23 Sv, 6.05 ERA). Meanwhile Cy Young (16-8, 3.34 ERA) has earned the job as opening day starter after a fine season. The team has also made some changes to their offensive and defensive alignment with veteran Jack Doyle (.266, 11 HR, 54 RBI in 346 AB) taking his offensive skills behind the plate and former starting centerfielder Duff Cooley (.265, 16 HR, 62 RBI) becoming a platoon player, making several starts in left and right field, as well as backing up first base in Doyle's absence. That gives the starting nod in center fielder to Emmet Heidrick (.254, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 11 SB in 272 AB), a slightly faster baserunner, and creates available playing time for rookie center fielder Homer Smoot (7-6-5-5-6 ratings). But another key reason for making these moves is the fact that long-time left fielder Charlie Frank (.250, 17 HR, 85 RBI) had a down year at age 31. Cooley will take some playing time from Frank in left field, and Cooley is also the best defensive left fielder on the team.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have also made some big changes. Superstar Nap Lajoie (.298, 26 HR, 141 RBI) moves to second base, his preferred position. He is a spectacular defensive second baseman, but this unfortunately sends 35-year-old veteran Cupid Childs (.257 AVG, .378 OBP, 108 R, 115 BB) to the bench. Childs will backup Lajoie occasionally at second, but he will primarily get his playing time backing up outfielder-turned-first baseman Sam Mertes (.210 in 105 AB), a defensive downgrade at first from Lajoie but a speedy baserunner who should get on base at a decent clip and show 15-20 home run power. It is a gamble by the Phillies, and if it fails, they will quickly revert to Lajoie at first and Childs at second.

On the other hand, Philadelphia's pitching staff is in flux. 37-year-old Bill Vinton (12-18, 4.66 ERA) may be getting his last shot in the starting rotation. Fellow 37-year-old Ben Sanders (17-7, 3.51 ERA) is still being counted on to produce at a high level, which may be too much to ask at his age. The team has a top-notch bullpen and could probably find another reliable starter should either Vinton or Sanders struggle.

In the mold of other teams making dramatic changes to their offensive and defensive alignment, the Giants will also be moving slugger Mike Tiernan (.272, 32 HR, 90 RBI) out of centerfield, where he has struggled defensively for years, to a much more comfortable left field in favor of defensive upgrade Cy Seymour (.242 in 178 AB). They are also moving the bat of Harry Davis (.254, 25 HR, 84 RBI) off of third base, where he led the league in errors for several seasons, to his natural position of first base. The only gamble with these moves is the loss of Jesse Burkett (.260, 23 HR, 77 RBI) from the starting lineup, but the team believes a little less playing time for Burkett may also help their offense since he has finished in the top three in strikeouts for each of the past four seasons.


Predicted Standings
(Scale of 1-12)

Rank	Team	Rotation	Bullpen	Offense	Bench	Speed	Defense	Totals	Grade
1	Pittsburgh Pirates	9	9	10	7	7	8	8.8	A-
2	Chicago Cubs	7	8	9	9	11	8	8.4	B+
3	St. Louis Cardinals	9	7	10	7	9	6	8.3	B+
4	Philadelphia Phillies	7	9	9	8	8	7	8.0	B
5a	Los Angeles Dodgers	8	8	5	6	5	8	6.9	B-
5b	San Francisco Giants	7	5	7	10	7	7	6.9	B-
7	Cincinnati Reds	8	7	7	6	5	5	6.6	B-
8	Atlanta Braves	7	4	7	6	5	6	6.1	C+

MLB results for the NL in 1902

Champs: Pittsburgh Pirates, (103-36, .741)

Batting Title: Ginger Beaumont, PIT, .357
OPS+: Honus Wagner, PIT, 162
AB/HR: Tommy Leach, PIT, 85.7
RBI: Honus Wagner, PIT, 91
Runs: Honus Wagner, PIT, 105
SB: Honus Wagner, PIT, 42

ERA+: Jack Taylor, CHN, 206
Win%: Jack Chesbro, PIT, .824
WHIP: Jack Taylor, CHN, 0.953
K/9: Doc White, PHI, 5.441


MLHR Milestone Watch

3000 Hits
Denny Lyons, LAD, Age 37, 2822 Hits

2500 Hits
Billy Hamilton, PHI, Age 37, 2446 Hits
Cupid Childs, PHI, Age 35, 2403 Hits
Hugh Duffy, CHN, Age 35, 2361 Hits
Mike Tiernan, SFG, Age 36, 2356 Hits

400 Home Runs
Bill Joyce, LAD, Age 34, 382 HR
Ed Delahanty, PHI, Age 35, 379 HR

1500 Runs
Ed Delahanty, PHI, Age 35, 1469 Runs
Mike Smith, Age 35, PIT, 1422 Runs

1500 Walks
Cupid Childs, PHI, Age 35, 1457 BB
Billy Hamilton, PHI, Age 37, 1449 BB

250 Wins
Ben Sanders, PHI, Age 38, 233 Wins

200 Wins
Amos Rusie, STL, Age 30, 190 Wins
Sadie McMahon, LAD, Age 34, 184 Wins

3000 Strikeouts
Cy Young, STL, Age 35, 2851 K's

2500 Strikeouts
Silver King, STL, Age 35, 2367 K's

600 Games Pitched
Ed Beatin, CIN, Age 35, 585 G
Silver King, STL, Age 35, 584 G
Bill Vinton, PHI, Age 37, 583 G - entire career as a starting pitcher!
George Davies, STL, Age 34, 580 G

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1902 AL Preseason Predictions

The Twins won the very first American League pennant, and many expect them to repeat again this season. They have the best offense in the league, led by BoY Tim Jordan (.292, 40 HR, 112 RBI) at first base. They added a rookie catcher in Lew Drill, who they hope will provide some solid offense, and perhaps average defense. The team also has a dependable pitching staff and good defense.

That said, the Tigers, Athletics and Indians will be hot on their tails. The Indians made major upgrades to their pitching staff, led by rookie Addie Joss (7-6-9 ratings). Fellow rookies Otto Hess (6-6-6 ratings), Charlie Smith (6-6-6 ratings) and Gus Dorner (6-6-5 ratings) give the team four rookies in the starting rotation! They join 24-year-old Earl Moore (9-13, 2.77 ERA). This team certainly has the arms needed to compete, but the big question will be whether or not their offense handles their end of the bargain.

That Indians offense will be sporting three rookies of its own. Peaches Graham takes over catching duties. He hits for average and draws plenty of walks but has minimal power, so the team plans to bat him second in the lineup. Unfortunately, his defense is below average. Harry Bemis, who primarily played catcher is semi-pro ball, will start at first base. He should provide average offensive output, but his defense may also be a liability. Finally, "Bullet Jack" Thoney takes over in left field. He is also an average offensive player, but he plays superb defense and could have the best range of any left fielder in the league.

Meanwhile, rookies Tom Walker (7-6-6 ratings) and Andy Coakley (6-6-6 ratings) join an already solid Athletics rotation. Former starters Wiley Piatt (12-13, 3.84 ERA) and Snake Wiltse (10-13, 4.33 ERA) move to the bullpen role to upgrade the closer and setup roles respectively.

Not to be out done, the Tigers also added new young arms to their pitching staff. George Mullin (6-6-5 ratings) and Wish Egan (4-6-7 ratings) take over the #4 and #5 spots in the rotation, while fellow rookie Rube Kisinger (5-7-6 ratings) will be their new closer. The team also added a solid new second baseman in Harry Arndt. He is not a standout, but he should put up average offensive numbers with 15-HR power while playing adequate defense.

The Red Sox, who most believe underperformed last season, made some upgrades to their bullpen in the offseason. Their biggest acquisition though was left fielder Patsy Dougherty (6-5-4-6-6 ratings), who could be the top offensive rookie in the league this season.


Predicted Standings
(Scale of 1-12)

Rank	Team	Rotation	Bullpen	Offense	Bench	Speed	Defense	Totals	Grade
1	Minnesota Twins	6	5	9	8	4	7	6.7	B
2a	Detroit Tigers	8	7	6	7	5	6	6.6	B
2b	Oakland Athletics	9	5	7	6	5	5	6.6	B
4	Cleveland Indians	10	5	5	9	5	5	6.5	B
5	Boston Red Sox	7	6	5	6	5	8	6.3	B-
6	Chicago White Sox	7	6	5	7	6	6	6.1	B-
7	Baltimore Orioles	5	5	5	7	6	7	5.6	C+
8	New York Yankees	5	6	4	7	5	3	4.6	C-

MLB results for the AL in 1902

Champs: Philadelphia Athletics, (83-53, .610)

Batting Title: Nap Lajoie, PHA (OAK) and CLE, .378
OPS+: Ed Delahanty, WSH (MIN), 187
AB/HR: Socks Seybold, PHA (OAK), 32.6
RBI: Buck Freeman, BOS, 121
Runs: Topsy Hartsel and Dave Fultz, both from PHA (OAK), 109
SB: Topsy Hartsel, PHA (OAK), 47

ERA+: Ed Siever, DET, 195
Win%: Bill Bernhard, PHA (OAK) and CLE, .774
WHIP: Bill Bernhard, PHA (OAK) and CLE, 0.942
K/9: Rube Waddell, PHA (OAK), 6.840

[darnoff]

NL Mid-Season Report

The Phillies have impressed, if not surprised, most everyone outside of Philadelphia with their fine play in the season's first half. They went 19-3 in April and held a 5-game lead on the Cubs. By the end of May, they were tied with Chicago thanks to a 13-17 month, and then they went 16-9 in June to keep pace. They have been doing it with a 2nd ranked offense and a pitching staff tied for best in the league. Bill Vinton, who turned 38 in April, has held his own, going 7-2 with a 3.48 ERA. The Phillies offense also has four batters with double-digit home runs, including new first baseman Sam Mertes, who's batting average has recently dipped to .235 but has hit 15 homers with 43 RBI, 44 runs scored and 22 steals.

The Cubs offense surpassed the Phillies earlier in the season and is now the top run scoring offense in the league. 35-year old right fielder Jake Stenzel (.298, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 45 R, 31 SB) and 35-year old left fielder Hugh Duffy (.320, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 47 R, 18 SB) are having superb seasons at their age. The Cubs pitching staff may not be as dominant as they were last season, but they are still 3rd best in the league with Clark Griffith (10-4, 2.68 ERA) leading the charge.

Defending champion Pittsburgh is holding fast in third place thanks to a pitching staff tied for first with the Phillies. Three pitchers, Rube Waddell (10-4, 2.59 ERA), Deacon Phillippe (9-4, 2.83 ERA) and Sam Leever (6-4, 2.61 ERA), have ERA's below 3.00. However, the team's offense is struggling, ranked next to last in the league. Shortstop Honus Wagner's (.249, 16 HR, 51 RBI) average has dropped and left fielder Fred Clarke (.327, 14 HR, 56 RBI) has been the team's most productive hitter.

The Reds have had a surprising first half. Their offense leads the league in home runs thanks to first baseman Socks Seybold's (.313, 26 HR, 58 RBI) breakout season. Veteran centerfielder Bug Holliday (.271, 19 HR, 49 RBI) and right fielder Sam Crawford (.282, 13 HR, 41 RBI) are also among the league leaders in long balls. The team's pitching staff is ranked 4th overall but will need some improvement if they are to make a push for the pennant.

The Cardinals began the season in the pennant hunt but have since fallen below .500 and are tied with the Braves for 5th place, 13 games out. Their pitching staff is ranked 7th thanks to a messy bullpen. Cy Young (5-7, 4.34 ERA) has once again struggled after a fine season. Amos Rusie (9-4, 3.30 ERA) and Joe Corbett (8-3, 3.28 ERA) are picking up the slack, but they are doomed if they don't see immediate improvement from 4th and 5th starters Bob Wicker (6-7, 5.11 ERA) and Nig Cuppy (1-11, 6.60 ERA). In addition to those struggles, their offense, which ranked first last season, is ranked 6th halfway through 1902.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

[darnoff]

AL Mid-Season Report

Detroit began the season with a 5-game losing streak, but since breaking that streak, they have not looked back, going 50-22. At the end of April, they were 11-11 and 2.5-games out of first. It took them another two months before they would lose their next eleven games, and now they have an impressive 10-game lead on the race.

The Tigers lead the league in offense and pitching, although their offense has an interesting formula for winning. They rank just 6th in the AL in batting average and dead last in stolen bases. However, thanks in large part to left fielder Kid Nance (.327, 17 HR, 55 RBI), they lead the league in home runs. The team's starting rotation has a 2.81 ERA, but it's rookie George Mullin (9-4, 2.45 ERA) who leads the team in both wins and ERA.

After a slow start, the Twins are coming on strong with a 14-7 record since June 9th. With Detroit playing as well as they are though, it could be too little, too late for Minnesota. They are 2nd to Detroit in offense, but their pitching staff and defense are both ranked next to last. It is unlikely that they will pose a serious threat to the Tigers without a major turnaround on pitching and defense.

Cleveland's vaunted pitching staff is ranked 2nd in the league, but their offense is ranked last. Rookies Addie Joss (8-5, 2.27 ERA) and Charlie Smith (4-8, 2.18 ERA) have fantastic ERA's but with little run support their win-loss record does not reflect their success.

Oakland, on the other hand, was also supposed to have a top of the line rotation, but they rank next to last in the league. The team's offense is ranked 4th, so if their pitching staff turns it around - and there are already signs that they may - this team might have a shot to make the race interesting. Here's a fun fact that belies the struggles of the rotation, Snake Wiltse (9-3, 1.84 ERA) leads the team in wins, but he is their setup man in the bullpen.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

[darnoff]

NL Season Wrap-up

This turned out to be a fine pennant race, even if the results were somewhat unexpected. At the end of August, the Phillies held a 2-game lead over the Cubs with the Reds and Pirates just 4.5 and 5 games out respectively. The Phillies went on to lose 4 of their first 6 games in September, allowing the Cubs to take a half-game lead with the Reds just two games out. A week later, the Phillies had taken a half-game lead on the Cubs while the Reds remained two games out. The Pirates, meanwhile, were hovering at 4.5-games behind.

The Phillies then won 8 of their next 10 games, including a 3-1 record against the Cubs. With just eight days left in the season, they now had a 4-game lead over the Cubs, a 5-game lead over the Pirates and a 5.5-game lead over the Reds. The Phillies appeared to be a virtual lock for the pennant with a 4-game lead and just seven games remaining over those eight days.

However, the Phillies lost their final game in Los Angeles against the last place Dodgers and then were swept in a 3-game series in St. Louis before an off day on September 29th. Surprisingly enough, the Cubs also lost on each of those four dates, once in San Francisco and three times at home versus the Reds, eliminating Chicago from the pennant race. That same sweep allowed the Reds, who lost their other two games during the 5-day stretch, to climb to within three games of the Phillies with three games remaining. The Pirates went 2-2 over that same time frame and also were three games out.

On September 30th, the Pirates were clobbered 9-1 by Atlanta and pitcher Ted Lewis (12-15, 4.59 ERA). That eliminated them from the pennant race. The Reds defeated the red-hot Cardinals 3-1 behind rookie Bob Ewing (12-9, 4.23 ERA) while the Phillies lost to Chicago 6-4.

On October 1st, Cincinnati again beat St. Louis, this time by a 7-6 score. The winning run came in the 12th inning when right fielder Sam Crawford (.304, 32 HR, 100 RBI) led off with a double off closer Willie Sudoff (5-6, 26 Sv, 3.17 ERA) and then scored on a single from second baseman Claude Ritchey (.257, 17 HR, 73 RBI). But in Chicago, the Phillies scored 3 runs in the 6th inning to beat the Cubs 7-6, eliminating the feisty Reds and clinching their 10th pennant in 15 years.

The Reds went on to win the final game of the season 1-0, giving them an 89-73 record. That was their first winning season since 1891 and just the 5th winning season in the club's 27-year history. They finished the season with two players that recorded 40+ home runs - first baseman Socks Seybold (.296, 43 HR, 115) and centerfielder Bug Holliday (.278, 40 HR, 100 RBI) - not to mention Crawford, who hit 32. As a team, they wound up leading the league in home runs, runs scored and batting average. Unfortunately their pitching was ranked just 5th and their defense 7th, which likely cost them a few wins along the way.

As for the Phillies, they finished 2nd in pitching and offense. No offensive player had a breakout season, but they had five players with 20+ home runs and they led the league in on-base percentage. The team's bullpen was ranked 1st in the league and carried a lot of weight. The starting rotation was a mediocre 4th out of eight teams, but veteran Bill Vinton (15-7, 3.87 ERA) had a comeback season at age 38 and collected his 286th career win. That moved him ahead of new Hall of Famer Tommy Bond's 277 wins for the most all-time and gave him a great shot at becoming the first pitcher ever to reach 300 wins.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

[darnoff]

AL Season Wrap-up

The Tigers led the AL pennant race for nearly the entire season and finished with 96 wins. They went just 14-15 in August and lost 5 straight games on the road in Cleveland and Oakland in late September, so one must wonder about their confidence going into the World Series against a veteran Phillies team that was won 10 pennants over a 15 year stretch.

Detroit left fielder Kid Nance (.300, 39 HR, 126 RBI) led the American League in just about every offensive category. Rookie George Mullin (19-8, 2.77 ERA) tied for the league lead in victories. Other than those two players, Detroit has no real standout players, which makes Philadelphia the World Series favorite.

The Indians and Athletics had a strong second half, posting 53-33 and 45-40 records respectively. The Indians offense finally came through with some run support. They finished ranked 3rd in offense despite the second fewest home runs in the league. Heralded rookie Addie Joss (15-12, 3.02 ERA) was outpitched by fellow rookies Otto Hess (16-9, 2.77 ERA) and Charlie Smith (14-13, 2.58 ERA) as well as sophomore Earl Moore (19-6, 2.64 ERA).

In Oakland, the pitching staff finally came around and wound up ranked 2nd overall. They were led by rookie Tom Walker (11-12, 2.24 ERA), new setup man Snake Wiltse (13-7, 2.26 ERA in 107.1 relief innings) and new closer Wiley Piatt (8-4, 37 Sv, 1.87 ERA).

The defending AL champion Twins couldn't quite get it done this season. Their pitching staff was ranked next to last in the AL and their defense was last. The offense scored the most runs in the league and first baseman Tim Jordan followed up his BoY season with a .278 average, 27 home runs and 93 RBI.


Standings




Batting Leaders




Pitching Leaders

[darnoff]

1902 World Series

Game 1

The Tigers jumped out to a surprising lead in the second inning when light-hitting shortstop Harry Lochhead hit a 2-out, 2-run home run off Phillies starter Jimmy Callahan. The Phillies scored a run in the 5th, but stranded speedy Billy Hamilton on 3rd after a 2-out single on which many thought he should have scored from second. Hamilton had advanced to second earlier in the at-bat by stealing his second base of the day.

In the 6th inning, the Phillies scraped together two more runs after two walks a double and a single off Tigers starter Roscoe Miller. Miller made it through the 7th inning unscathed but then allowed a lead-off home run to Ed Delahanty in the 8th, which chased him from the game. However, reliever Bill Kissinger then allowed two more runs after a Mike Grady single was followed by a surprising 2-run homer from the Phillies' own light-hitting shortstop Kid Elberfeld.

The score was still 6-2 going into the bottom of the 9th, but reliever Chick Fraser walked two of the first three batters of the inning, prompting the Phillies to bring in closer Bill Bernhard. The hard-throwing righty struck out the first batter he faced, but then the Tigers got a single that scored a run and put runners at first and third with two out. However, Bernhard made quick work of catcher Al Shaw by enducing a popup on the first pitch of the final at-bat and sealing the win for Philly.




Game 2

This game featured two of these teams' best pitchers from the regular season. George Mullin (19-8, 2.77 ERA) started for Detroit while Ned Garvin (14-14, 3.73 ERA) took the hill for Philadelphia. The Phillies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a leadoff walk to Billy Hamilton followed by three consecutive 2-out singles. Garvin then pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out 7 Tigers.

In the top of the 7th, the Phillies tacked on another key run when Hamilton scored on an Ed Delahanty single. Then in the 8th and 9th, Philadelphia showed why their bullpen is considered such a strength as relievers Bill Duggleby and Tully Sparks combined to sit down six straight Tigers to shut the door on Game Two.




Game 3

Detroit's Frank Owen and Philly veteran Bill Sanders were each pitching well through 5 1/2 innings. The game was tied 1-1 when the wheels came off for Detroit's pitching staff and they coughed up six runs in the 6th inning. The Phillies went on to add four more runs in this 11-1 rout.




Game 4

In this do-or-die game, Detroit scored first with two runs in the 3rd thanks to a walk and three singles - two of which came with two outs - off Phillies starter Bill Vinton. The Phillies came right back and scored two of their own off Ed Siever, however their runs were unearned as they came off a wild pitch and a throwing error by normally sure-handed third baseman Doc Casey, all with two outs. In the next inning, the Tigers jumped on Vinton for two more runs also off singles - this time four of them. Vinton would pitch a 3-up, 3-down 5th inning, but he would be removed from the game in the 6th after allowing two more singles. Reliever Jerry Nops would then give up a single to the first batter he faced to load the bases, but he struck out the next two batters to escape without further harm.

Detroit added a run off Nops in the 7th while Siever continued to stymie the Phillies. However, the Phillies loaded the bases against Siever with two outs in the 8th, so he was removed in favor of closer Rube Kisinger, who enduced a fly out from pinch hitter Tuck Turner to end the threat.

After squandering that opportunity, the Phillies would draw an early 9th inning walk and then get three straight 2-out singles off Kisinger to score two runs. With the score now 6-4, Nap Lajoie, the 1898 BoY, a two-time batting champ and six-time RBI leader, approached the plate. Lajoie had struggled in the World Series to the tune of a 3-19 stretch, but here he was with runners on 1st and 2nd and a chance to win the World Series for his team. Instead, he grounded out to third on a 1-0 count to end the game and drop his World Series average to .150. This also marked the first World Series game won by an American League team after Pittsburgh swept Minnesota last season.




Game 5

Jimmy Callahan and Roscoe Miller met again for this Game 5 show down. Both started the game well. In fact, Callahan retired the first 9 batters he faced. However, in the top of the 4th, Dick Harley and Pop Dillon, who was moved from 6th to 2nd in the lineup for this game, led off with back-to-back singles. They were followed by an RBI double from Kid Nance, the leading AL BoY candidate who had been noticeably quiet in the series up to this point. After two consecutive outs, Pete LePine, who was starting his first game of the series in order to get another left-handed bat in the lineup, hit a clutch 2-run single to give Detroit a 3-0 lead.

Not to be outdone, the Phillies came back in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Ed Delahanty and Elmer Flick, who hit .450 and .389 in this World Series respectively, got on base with a double and a single. After catcher Mike Grady was walked to load the bases, Kid Elberfeld drove in a run with a sac fly to center field. Third baseman Lave Cross then hit an RBI single. Pitcher Callahan then stepped up, a solid hitting pitcher with a with a .236 batting average during the regular season, and he promptly laced a single to tie the game.

In the top of the 8th, Phillies setup man Bill Duggleby entered the game. After two quick outs, he allowed a single and a walk and was lifted from the game in favor of Doc Casey, a starter during the season who was moved to the bullpen for the Series. On a 2-2 count, pinch hitter Joe Stanley laced a ball up the left field line that third baseman Cross speared on a dive for out three, surely saving a run.

In the bottom of that inning, Tigers reliever Doc Parker allowed a single to Delahanty on the first pitch of the inning. "Big Ed" then stole third and scored on a double from Flick. Detroit got out of the inning without allowing another run, but they now had just one chance to avoid elimination.

In came closer Bill Bernhard, who struck out the first man he faced. Then Germany Schaefer hit a double in the left-center field gap, putting the tying run on second. Backup catcher Fritz Buelow, who had entered the game after starting catcher Al Shaw had been lifted for a pinch runner in the 7th, came to the plate for his first World Series at bat and grounded out to third, preventing Schaefer from advancing. Then pinch hitter Heinie Smith struck out looking to end the Series and hand Philadelphia their first World Series win.




Recap

Despite Philadelphia winning 4 game to 1, the Series was actually quite close. Every game was fun to watch. After winning 10 pennants in 15 years, perhaps it is only fitting that the Phillies franchise top off their legacy with a World Series victory.

[darnoff]

Season Awards


NL Batter of the Year

First Reds batter to ever win this award!




NL Pitcher of the Year

Three consecutive PoY's for Waddell




NL Rookie of the Year




NL Fireman Award

A fellow rookie who finished second in the RoY voting.




NL Gold Gloves
P - Ned Garvin, PHI
C - Billy Earle, PIT (2nd overall)
1B - Charlie Hickman, ATL (2nd overall)
2B - Nap Lajoie, PHI
3B - Jimmy Collins, ATL (3rd overall)
SS - Honus Wagner, PIT (2nd overall)
LF - Fred Clarke, PIT (5th overall)
CF - Bill Lange, CHN (4th overall)
RF - Willie Keeler, SFG (5th overall)



AL Batter of the Year




AL Pitcher of the Year




AL Rookie of the Year




AL Gold Gloves
P - Roscoe Miller, DET
C - Al Shaw, DET (2nd consecutive)
1B - Jiggs Donahue, BAL
2B - Harry Arndt, DET
3B - Bill Bradley, CLE (2nd consecutive)
SS - Terry Turner, CLE (2nd consecutive)
LF - Kid Nance, DET
CF - Charlie Jones, BOS (2nd consecutive)
RF - Zaza Harvey, CHA

[darnoff]

1903 National League Rookies

Red Ames, SP, Age 20, Giants

Ames should be a nice addition to the Giants' mediocre pitching staff. Unfortunately, the team has a recent history of top pitching prospects not panning out. He will likely begin the season as the #3 starter and bump Red Donahue (11-15, 5.29 ERA) to the bullpen, where he will likely have more success.




Mordecai Brown, SP, Age 24, Cardinals

From Brown's SABR bio:

"Mordecai's most familiar nickname was Three Finger, although he actually had four and a half fingers on his pitching hand. Because of childhood curiosity, Mordecai lost most of his right index finger in a piece of farming equipment. Not long after, he fell while chasing a rabbit and broke his other fingers. The result was a bent middle finger, a paralyzed little finger, and a stump where the index finger used to be."

Brown was an MLB HOF'er with one of the best career ERA's and WHIP's in baseball history, and the first MLB pitcher to throw four consecutive shutouts. In MLHR, he will jump right into an already talented, but consistently underperforming Cardinals rotation. Before long, he could be their ace. His addition should also help the bullpen with a former starter, perhaps Nig Cuppy (7-19, 4.73 ERA), improving their ranks. Brown's presence could be enough to boost St. Louis back into pennant contention if their offense continues to perform well.




Cy Falkenberg, SP, Age 23, Pirates

On a loaded Pirates' pitching staff, the talented Falkenberg will have to fight just to earn a bullpen role. The team already had one of the top pens in the league and Falkenberg's addition should make them the clear #1 relief staff in the game, perhaps the best that any team has had up to this point in MLHR history.




Solly Hofman, CF, Age 20, Pirates

The Pirates already have a talented outfield, so Hofman may initially split time at first base with 36-year-old veteran Jake Beckley (.253, 12 HR, 63 RBI). His future could be at first, or he may eventually take over right field from 35-year-old Mike Smith (.250, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 17 SB).




Hans Lobert, 3B, Age 21, Pirates

From his SABR bio:

"Hans Lobert's game was built around speed. Aside from 1912, when an injury caused him to miss more than half the season, the stocky, bowlegged third baseman stole 30 or more bases each year from 1907 to 1914. At a field day in Cincinnati on October 12, 1910, Lobert rounded the bases in 13.8 seconds, considered a record at the time. He also raced against— and defeated —Olympic gold-medal winner Jim Thorpe, collegiate track-star Vince Campbell, and even a racehorse. One reporter suggested that if Hans put his mind to it, he could be the world-record holder in the 110 and the 440. But the hardnosed Lobert was far from one-dimensional. The lifetime .274 hitter batted over .300 four times and twice led National League third basemen in fielding percentage."

In MLHR, Lobert will likely take over third base from 33-year-old Fred Hartman (.229, 17 HR, 58 RBI), whose skills are in decline. Lobert plays fine defense and will add a touch of speed to the team, if only providing above-average batting numbers.




Jack Pfiester, SP, Age 24, Pirates

A fine pitcher who debuted with MLB's Pirates but made his name with the Cubs, he was known as "Giant Killer" for his career 15-5 record against the Cubs' rival New York Giants. In MLHR, he will immediately join perhaps the finest rotation we have ever seen with Rube Waddell (18-8, 2.55 ERA), Deacon Phillippe (17-12, 3.10 ERA), Sam Leever (15-10, 3.00 ERA) and Jack Chesbro (11-11, 3.86 ERA). If the Pirates offense improves from their disappointing 1902 campaign, there is no reason the Pirates shouldn't be favored to win the pennant.




John Titus, RF, Age 24, Phillies

From his SABR bio:

"Silent John" Titus was a strong-armed outfielder who recorded more than 20 assists for seven straight seasons, but he was better known for his quiet demeanor, his mustache, his selectivity at the plate, and the ubiquitous toothpick in his mouth. "Titus had one of the best batting eyes I ever saw," said [HOF'er] Pete Alexander, who played with Titus on the Phillies during the early part of his career. "He would take his position at the plate with the easiest and most confident air in the world. If the ball was an inch outside of the plate, he would watch it go by and never bat an eye lash. If it was an inch inside, he wouldn't move. He would just draw in his stomach and let the ball pass. But if you put the ball over the plate, he would whale the cover off. It used to exasperate me merely to watch him. Many a time I have said to myself, If I were pitching, Old Man, I'd knock that toothpick out of your mouth and maybe then you'd move over."

In MLHR, Titus finds himself in a loaded, but aging, Phillies outfield. There really is nowhere for him to play regularly as of yet with 36-year-old Ed Delahanty (.262, 24 HR, 84 RBI) manning left field, 37-year-old Billy Hamilton (.262, 14 HR, 106 R, 75 SB) in center and 27-year-old Elmer Flick (.292, 25 HR, 93 RBI) in right. The future of center field is 27-year-old Roy Thomas (.386 OBP in 564 career AB), so Titus will have to bide his time waiting for Delahanty, a remarkable 8-time BoY, to relinquish the left field job.




Jake Weimer, SP, Age 24, Cubs

Weimer had a brief but successful MLB career that did not begin until age 29. In MLHR, he has the luxury of starting five years younger, but the Cubs already have a talented pitching staff, so Weimer will be fighting for a bullpen job this season. He throws hard, which is often a good trait in a reliever. The question is whether or not he will get many innings and if he will have the kind of success he had in MLB.

[darnoff]

1903 American League Rookies

Chief Bender, SP, Age 18, Athletics

From Bender's SABR bio:

"American Indian. Innovator. Renaissance man. Charles Albert “Chief” Bender lived a unique American life, fashioned a Hall of Fame career, and was an important member of modern baseball’s first dynasty. He silently struggled against racial prejudice, became a student of the game, and was a lifetime baseball man. His legacy, however, is less nuanced than all of that. Bender is known foremost for a rare ability to pitch under pressure. “If I had all the men I’ve ever handled, and they were in their prime, and there was one game I wanted to win above all others,” said Philadelphia Athletics icon Connie Mack, who managed fellow all-time pitching greats Lefty Grove, Herb Pennock, Eddie Plank, and Rube Waddell, “Albert would be my man.”

The A's continue to add top shelf pitching talent - and very young talent too. Sooner or later it should pan out for them, right? Well, Bender may be the best of them all. The MLB HOF'er joins Eddie Plank (14-8, 3.04 ERA), Tom Walker (11-12, 2.24 ERA), Highball Wilson (11-15, 3.34 ERA) and Andy Coakley (11-13, 3.42 ERA) to form a formidable rotation. Now, if only Oakland would add some offense!




Doc Gessler, RF, Age 22, Tigers

Gessler hits for average and has a decent eye for the strike zone. He has above-average speed and is a decent defender. In the offensive starved AL, he should thrive. Expect him to takeover right field duties for the defending AL champion Tigers this season.




Ed Killian, SP, Age 24, Indians

Like Oakland, Cleveland has a formidable pitching rotation. Killian joins that crew this season, likely as the #5 starter. He will pitch alongside Addie Joss (15-12, 3.02 ERA), PoY Earl Moore (19-6, 2.64 ERA), Otto Hess (16-9, 2.77 ERA) and RoY Charlie Smith (14-13, 2.58 ERA). This is also a young group, although not quite as young as Oakland's. But also like the A's, the Indians have yet to address their offensive needs. However, the Indians offense fared much better than Oakland's last season which gives them an advantage going into this season.




Cy Morgan, SP, Age 24, Orioles

Morgan is a fine pitcher who should immediately settle in as one the top pitchers on the Orioles' staff, perhaps their ace. Pete Dowling (16-7, 2.65 ERA) was superb for the O's last season, and the team's offense wasn't bad either. That gives Baltimore fans reason to hope that this could be their year.




Barney Pelty, SP, Age 22, Orioles

Of course, the MLB Orioles franchise began as the St. Louis Browns and Pelty was one of their aces for nearly a decade. He and Morgan (above) immediately make the MLHR Orioles rotation much better and, in doing so, improves the quality of the bullpen with two former starters likely relocating there. The Orioles offense wasn't too bad last season, so the team does have legitimate pennant potential.




George Stone, LF, Age 24, Red Sox

With last season's top offensive AL rookie Patsy Dougherty (.313, 15 HR, 50 RBI) in left field, Stone will likely be moved to right field. He has less experience in right, but his offensive potential is too much to overlook and so the team must find a spot for him. Stone had all of 2 MLB at-bats with Boston and then played the rest of his fine, albeit short, career with the Browns. He is a fine all-around hitter, though, and should make an immediate offensive impact for the Red Sox. He could challenge for a batting title and Rookie of the Year status right away. The team's pitching staff was middle of the road last season and no upgrades were made this offseason, but the likes of Nick Altrock (13-12, 2.71 ERA) and George Winter (14-12, 3.00 ERA) just might provide enough pitching to get Boston into the pennant race.