The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

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... a veritable plethora, one might say...

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A huge - and, I think, brilliant - move by Honus to bring one of the league's biggest bats to the Bucs. Cost them a fine prospect in Vic Harris and Biz is a FA at the end of '27, but it shows he means business and gives Beck that much-needed protection in the lineup.

Just remember, I taught him everything he knows...

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So much going on!

Wilkes-Barre's Bill Lamar just gets past Wattie Holm to set a new hit streak mark for AAA.

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A bit of a struggle for the Bucs in July, with a 13-15 record.





While the batting continues to be productive, the pitching all but falls apart. Brown (6.68 ERA) and McDonald (7.62) completely lose their mojo and need to figure out how to get it back if the side hopes to hang onto their ever-diminishing lead.





The Cubs have made a move with a 16-11 sectional to get just 1 1/2 GB, with the Cards another 2 back of them. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have done the same in the AL and now trail the Yanks by just a couple, with the Tigers and A's still in reach.




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Been a while since we had an in-depth look at the Yanks and thought this a good time to do so.

While they are leading the AL, there's certainly no Murderer's Row-type dominance going on. While Gehrig is a run-producing machine, Ruth continues to be streaky (his monthly HR totals so far this season are 1-14-13-3). Still, they are a young squad with plenty of upside and the additions of pitchers like Salmon and Winters has made them a much better ballclub. That said, given all of the talent at their disposal, they have to be seen as underperformers to this point. For whatever reason, they just don't seem to be able to get it done as easily as one might expect.





In fact - and, somewhat ironically in the historical context - I believe it is the Red Sox who look set to be the dominant AL club over the next decade or so. Their IRL propensity for trading players after a few years' service means that they have few Legacy Players coming through. This, combined with their poor performance through the corresponding historical period, which gives them high Draft picks in this save, has already allowed them to stock up on quality players like Jimmie Foxx, Hack Wilson, Glenn Wright and Satchel Paige and they'll get a few more chances to do so in upcoming years one would think.

This is some sort of group they have - and continue to - put together.



However they play out, these next few seasons should prove nothing short of fascinating.

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What a career Tris Speaker has had. He is the league's all-time leader in bWAR with a 152 and counting, as well as doubles (692), and today becomes just the second player with 3500 career hits.

Cocky Collins isn't far behind him but I see neither of them catching Ty. All 3 are roughly the same age so that should be some HOF class or two a few years hence. But, before that, hopefully they each have a few more productive seasons left in them.

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The Tigers are in the AL race up to their eyeballs just 3 GB of the Yanks and Harry is playing a major part in this.

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While the pitchers have worked a treat, getting the Negro League hitters where they should be has been a real struggle filled with loads of trial and far too much error. But finally I think we're on the right track and now we're seeing some really strong performances from a broad number of quality players, as you can see from the screenshot of the best NeL hitters by WAR for the season to date.

Still far from perfect but at least I believe things are headed in the right direction.

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Bill has been one of the real surprises out of the NeL pitcher ranks, and this fantastic win takes his career tally to 134 (including 21 in 1924), far more than I ever expected from him.

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As they have done so often, the Bucs show plenty of heart in August despite their overall form remaining somewhat spotty. They, for the time being at least, repel a strong challenge by the Cards, who draw level with them and then ever-so-briefly poke their noses in front, only for Pittsburgh to string together 7 wins to round out the month with a 16-10 record.




Big Poison leads the bats, winning the monthly award for his commanding 388/480/660 with a homer and 17 ribbies. Little brother Lloyd will be seeing more action after regular CF Curt Walker is lost for essentially what's left of the season to a knee injury. Beck belts 9 HR for the month and is clearly benefitting from Mackey's presence. Biz himself goes deep 5 times. Still no sign of Lefty O'Doul, despite expanded rosters kicking in. He's set to win the TC at AAA so I find this utterly bewildering.




Dave Brown turns it around and then some, going 7-1 / 1.75 to also win the monthly gong. Foster is still going strong (his 18 wins lead the club) but Streeter's form must be of grave concern and with 56 Varieties also seemingly not up to the task, the bottom end of the rotation leaves them really vulnerable.




As with the Bucs and Cards, the Sox and Yanks continue to jockey for position, with Boston now holding the slight advantage. Detroit's challenge is killed off by an awful 8-16 month, leaving the other two to fight it out again.




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There's no doubt any starting pitcher on their day can throw a no-hitter - which means that sometimes they come from the most unexpected sources, as is the case here with one of the league's less-heralded hurlers.

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3500 hits for the veteran, joining Ty and Tris. He's now well past his IRL mark of 3315.

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The Bucs hold their nerve and end up clinching with 4 to play, a couple days after the Sox have done likewise in the AL to set up a rematch of that epic ’26 Series.







Beck finishes with 40 HR to set a new club single-season record, as well as improving his own RBI mark with 139.




Brown and Foster both win 20 while Streeter finishes with 19. Each is much-improved down the stretch.




Here are the Top 20 hitters and pitchers by WAR for the season.





Batting titles to Al Simmons (3rd) in the AL and Chick Hafey (1st) in the NL. Lou Gehrig ties Babe's 48 HR mark from 1921, with Chick Hafey and Babe himself both finishing with 45. Hafey only misses out on the TC by finishing behind Beck in RBI; Gehrig by finishing runner-up to Simmons in BA. Andy Cooper also finishes top 3 in all three pitching categories.


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Boston Red Sox (97-57) v Pittsburgh Pirates (91-63)

Best-of-seven, Red Sox with the home-field advantage.

BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

PITTSBURGH PIRATES S+ PAGE


Rather bizarre, this standing on the outside looking in business, but I’ve made my bed of neutrality so now I have to lie in it.

For mine, the Bucs’ pitching is the absolute key here. Anything short of their very best and I think they’ll struggle to match the BoSox, who are just a beast of a team. And with Paige there as well their pitching has gone to the next level. So, as much as it pains me to say it, I think Boston gets the prize here, and fairly handily.

Red Sox in 5.

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The Scranton Miners wrap up their second AAA barely breaking a sweat against San Antonio.




Wilkes-Barre actually finished with the second-best overall record at 86-40, but such was the Miners' dominance this season that still left them 7 games in arrears.

Wilkes-Barre OF Lefty O'Doul won the Triple Crown courtesy of an astonishing season.

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Game 1 in Boston, October 6th 1927
Satchel Paige (22-16, 3.19) v Dave Brown (22-16, 3.19)

That isn’t a typo—these two superb pitchers finished with identical records for the season. For Paige, that’s even more impressive given it was his rookie season.

But it is the more experienced campaigner who ends up showing the young upstart how it’s done, quelling the big Boston bats with a gutsy 7-hit shutout in which he uses all his guile to get out of numerous jams. The Bucs only manage 6 hits themselves, but runs in the 1st and 3rd hold up to earn them a crucial road win.

Pirates 2, Red Sox 0

BOX SCORE


Game 2 in Boston, October 7th 1927
Dazzy Vance (22-14, 3.01) v Willie Foster (20-17, 3.21)
Pirates lead series 1-0

Baseball really is a game of inches and the Red Sox are lucky to not be leaving home down 0-2 after they escape with a thrilling 12-inning win.

After a run surge in the middle innings, the home side looks home leading 6-4 entering the 9th. But Vance flags and the Bucs pounce, scoring twice to send the game into extras. It takes them another three tense innings to finally get the win, with Ed Taylor’s RBI double off Webster McDonald in the 12th walking it off for a 7-6 decision. The Bucs show plenty of mustard but will rue a couple of missed chances in those spare frames to put the Sox away.

Red Sox 7, Pirates 6 (12 innings)

BOX SCORE


Game 3 in Pittsburgh, October 9th 1927
Sam Streeter (19-12, 3.92) v Satchel Paige (0-1, 1.00)
Series tied 1-1

Mayer was scheduled to start this but ended up pitching in relief in Game 2. TO send out a rookie on just two days’ rest shows just how highly they regard Paige.

He doesn’t let them down, rewarding that faith with a gem – weathering a rain delay to end up pitching a 5-hit shutout. Foxx homers for the second time in the series and Wilson has a 2-run triple in a 4-run 9th that puts the hosts away as Streeter’s struggles resurface.

Red Sox 7, Pirates 0

BOX SCORE


Game 4 in Pittsburgh, October 10th 1927
Dave Brown (1-0, 0.00) v Dazzy Vance (0-0, 6.23)
Red Sox lead series 2-1

As can so often happen when you’re expecting dominance from two top-notch pitchers, this one ends up a slugfest, as the Bucs ride an 8-spot in the 6th to turn an early deficit into a 12-7 win. Beckwith leads the bats as he’s done all year and Brown chimes in with a bases-clearing triple to square the series at 2.

Pirates 12, Red Sox 7

BOX SCORE


Game 5 in Pittsburgh, October 11th 1927
Erskine Mayer (1-0, 0.00) v Willie Foster (0-0, 7.71)
Series tied 2-2

I’ve made myself pretty scarce since stepping down. A couple of dinners with Honus at which baseball was barely touched upon and that’s it. I just didn’t want to be a distraction. So when the club kindly offered me the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for this game, my first inclination was to turn them down. Thankfully – at the not-so-gentle prodding of my wife – I came to my senses and returned to Forbes Field for the first time all season. And I’m so glad I did, because I got to see the lads at their devastating best.

Mayer’s .857 regular-season winning percentage (18-3) is the best of all-time, so to have him at SP3 shows just how deep this BoSox staff is now. But it counts for little as the Bucs bats turn it on early, chasing him in the 2nd and eventually winning it in a canter by 9 to 1. Foster goes the distance and Cobb has 4 hits, with Beckwith’s second homer of the series – a 3-run job in the 1st – setting the tone for a big statement win. Lundy also goes deep and Traynor knocks in two with a 2nd-inning double.

Pirates 9, Red Sox 1

BOX SCORE


Game 6 in Boston, October 13th 1927
Satchel Paige (1-1, 0.50) v Sam Streeter (0-1, 6.23)
Pirates lead series 3-2

And so it rests upon the Sox’ star rookie to keep them alive in this series, with Streeter getting the chance to atone for his poor Game 3 showing and clinch it for the Bucs.

Once again, Paige comes up trumps, overcoming 8 walks issued by fanning 10 and giving up just 2 early runs on 4 hits over 8+. Streeter is in strife from the off as the hosts belt him about Fenway for 5 runs and 3 more in the 4th send him off for an early shower. Foxx homers again and drives in 3 to set up a dramatic finale once again between these two mighty teams, while former Pirate Ken Williams goes 4-for-5 and scores twice.

Red Sox 8, Pirates 2

BOX SCORE


Game 7 in Boston, October 14th 1927
Dazzy Vance (0-1, 9.00) v Dave Brown (2-0, 3.00)
Series tied 3-3

The 160 games that have preceded this one now fade into nothingness as the Game 4 combatants renew hostilities with everything on the line.

And it is the home fans who go home disappointed as Brown steps up once again, pitching his third complete game of the series and allowing just one run on 7 hits to earn the Pirates their fourth straight Championship and 11th overall. Series MVP Ty Cobb goes 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, as does Dick Lundy, with a 3-run 6th for the visitors the key inning, putting them 4 to the good. A solo shot by Andy High in the 8th raises the home fans’ hopes, but Brown won’t be moved and closes it out to add another chapter to his story of legend.

Pirates 4, Red Sox 1

BOX SCORE


PITTSBURGH WINS SERIES 4-3

SERIES MVP: Ty Cobb (Pittsburgh)


Sorry, forgot the Series stats screenshots...


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AL 1928 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1928 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY

Lou Gehrig wins his 3rd WLM while Gabby Hartnett nets his first. Andy Cooper and Dazzy Vance each win their second Waddell Medal. Ted Trent edges out Satchel Paige in the AL RoY, with Red Kress nailing it down in the NL.

Won't bother with the sim accuracy until we're back using the appropriate LTMs.

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A bunch of managing casualties at the start of the offseason, with Rudy Kling (Browns), Pete Downing (Senators), Jack Burns (Reds) and Andy Oyler (Phillies) all now out of a job.

Retirees this season include Cy Williams, Ping Bodie, Ray Schalk, Erv Kantlehner, Juan Padron, Buck Weaver, Alejandro Oms, Oliver Marcell, Stan Coveleski and Wally Pipp.

Some interesting moves at Pittsburgh, as they void the options on John Beckwith’s, Dick Lundy’s and Frank Snyder’s contracts. Honus obviously looking to put his own stamp on the squad.

They do extend the contract of Willie Foster for 4 years at $32200 and Walter Anderson for a year at $3060.

Long-time Bucs Scouting Director Gus Weyhing retires and the sign Harry McNeal on a 4-year deal to the role.

And, on news that all-time club wins leader Wilbur Cooper is hanging up the glove, they retire #74 in his honour.

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Held on 12/20/1927.

Eight Legacies but this is far from the strongest Draft Class we’ve seen.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1928 season:

Boston Braves: Ed Brandt (31.5; 283)
Cleveland Indians: Mel Harder (44.3; 582 – one club player)
Detroit Tigers: Vic Sorrell (17.1; 280 – one club player)
New York Giants: Carl Hubbell (68.5; 535 – one club player)
New York Yankees: Bill Dickey (56.5; 1789 – one club player)
Philadelphia Athletics: George Earnshaw (21.9; 219)
Philadelphia Phillies: Chuck Klein (46.6; 1405)
St. Louis Cardinals: Pepper Martin (22.1; 1189 – one club player)

Clint Brown (20.8; 237) was also eligible for the Indians, but Harder’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 124 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1927 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. New York Giants (597)
2. New York Yankees (714)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (331; dice roll)
4. Cleveland Indians (431)
5. Boston Braves (390)
6. St. Louis Cardinals (601)
7. Philadelphia Athletics (591)
8. Detroit Tigers (536)
9. Boston Red Sox (331; dice roll)
10. St. Louis Browns (386)
11. Brooklyn Robins (425)
12. Chicago White Sox (458)
13. Cincinnati Reds (490)
14. Washington Senators (552)
15. Chicago Cubs (556)
16. Pittsburgh Pirates (610)


Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Boston Red Sox (331; dice roll)
2. Philadelphia Phillies (331; dice roll)
3. St. Louis Browns (386)
4. Boston Braves (390)
5. Brooklyn Robins (425)
6. Cleveland Indians (431)
7. Chicago White Sox (458)
8. Cincinnati Reds (490)
9. Detroit Tigers (536)
10. Washington Senators (552)
11. Chicago Cubs (556)
12. Philadelphia Athletics (591)
13. New York Giants (597)
14. St. Louis Cardinals (601)
15. Pittsburgh Pirates (610)
16. New York Yankees (714)


Here are the new Pirates players:

1. C Walt Lerian, 24
2. OF Doug Taitt, 25
3. 1B Bill Joseph Sweeney, 22
4. IF Joe Hassler, 22
5. OF George Blackerby, 24


FULL DRAFT LOG


Full log for Round 1:

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Tight pennant wins to the Yanks and Cards, but then an anticlimactic Series in which the Bombers sweep to give them eight straight wins in the Fall Classic.

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (101-53)
NL CHAMPIONS: St. Louis Cardinals (95-59)
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Cardinals 0

Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. JIM BOTTOMLEY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .325 average, 124 runs, 187 hits, 42 doubles, 20 triples, 31 home runs, 136 RBIs, 71 walks.
• Bottomley’s top campaign included the rare feat of collecting at least 20 doubles, triples and home runs each in the same season.

2. ROGERS HORNSBY, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .387 average, 42 doubles, 7 triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, 107 walks, .498 on-base percentage, .632 slugging percentage.
• Exiled yet again for his abrasive ego (and alleged, extensive debts from horse racing bets), Hornsby became the first Brave to reach 20 homers in the year they brought the fences in at Braves Field.

3. PAUL WANER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .370 average, 142 runs, 223 hits, 50 doubles, 19 triples, 86 RBIs, 77 walks.
• Alongside brother Lloyd, Waner came off as a diminutive type never to be confused with a superhero—but continued to play like one nevertheless.

4. CHICK HAFEY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .337 average, 101 runs, 46 doubles, 6 triples, 27 home runs, 111 RBIs.
• Evolving into an everyday star hitter, Hafey would begin the first of six seasons in which he would hit a collective .340.

5. HACK WILSON, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .313 average, 32 doubles, 9 triples, 31 home runs, 129 RBIs, 77 walks, 94 strikeouts.
• For the second straight year, Wilson had to share the NL home run lead—this time with Jim Bottomley.

6. FRED LINDSTROM, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .358 average, 231 hits, 39 doubles, 9 triples, 14 home runs, 107 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, 21 caught stealing.
• If there was anyone left in New York who had yet to forgive and forget Lindstrom’s “pebble-induced” defensive lapses at the 1924 World Series, his 1928 performance would have likely turned them into converts.

7. DEL BISSONETTE, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 155 games, .320 average, 188 hits, 30 doubles, 13 triples, 25 home runs, 106 RBIs, 70 walks.
• After a crackling minor league warmup for the International League’s Buffalo team, the 28-year-old first baseman skipped nary a beat at Brooklyn.

8. BILL TERRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .326 average, 100 runs, 185 hits, 36 doubles, 11 triples, 17 home runs, 101 RBIs.
• Memphis Bill all but mimeographed his 1927 numbers, matching his .326 average of the year before among other similar results.

9. GEORGE GRANTHAM, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 124 games, .323 average, 93 runs, 9 triples, 10 home runs, 85 RBIs, 59 walks.
• An early bid to hit .400 was interrupted when Grantham missed three weeks of action in early June; he hit .290 the rest of the season after returning.

10. PIE TRAYNOR, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .337 average, 192 hits, 38 doubles, 12 triples, 3 home runs, 124 RBIs, 42 sacrifice hits.
• It wasn’t all about the hits for Traynor; he also completed 42 sacrifice hits, a figure nobody in the majors has since matched.

AL Hitters

1. BABE RUTH, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .323 average, 163 runs, 173 hits, 54 home runs, 146 RBIs, 137 walks, 87 strikeouts, .709 slugging percentage.
• Ruth led the AL in runs for the eighth (and last) time.

2. LOU GEHRIG, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .374 average, 139 runs, 210 hits, 47 doubles, 13 triples, 27 home runs, 147 RBIs, 95 walks, .467 on-base percentage.
• The Iron Horse’s home run total dropped by 20 from the year before, but along with Ruth still continued to roll along without peer.

3. GOOSE GOSLIN, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .379 average, 36 doubles, 10 triples, 17 home runs, 102 RBIs, 16 stolen bases.
• Goslin risked losing the AL batting title to Heinie Manush when he waived off a pinch-hitter for his last at-bat; he singled to cement a micro-thin margin.

4. HEINIE MANUSH, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .378 average, 104 runs, 241 hits, 47 doubles, 20 triples, 13 home runs, 108 RBIs.
• In his first year with the Browns, Manush hit all 13 of his home runs at home.

5. AL SIMMONS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 119 games, .351 average, 33 doubles, 9 triples, 15 home runs, 107 RBIs.
• The A’s, who finished runner-up to the Yankees by three games in the AL race, might have wondered how much different the standings would have looked had Simmons not missed the season’s first month.

6. JIMMIE FOXX, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 118 games, .328 average, 29 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs, 79 RBIs.
• The 20-year-old Foxx began the season as Mickey Cochrane’s back-up at catcher, but when he continued to hit .400 into June, the A’s had to find another spot for him somewhere, splitting his playing time afterward between first and third base.

7. LU BLUE, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 116 runs, 32 doubles, 11 triples, 14 home runs, 80 RBIs, 105 walks, 12 stolen bases.
• Coming to St. Louis in the same trade that also gave the Browns Heinie Manush, the switch-hitting Blue had one of his most potent campaigns as offensive catalyst.

8. CHARLIE GEHRINGER, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .320 average, 108 runs, 193 hits, 29 doubles, 16 triples, 69 walks, 15 stolen bases.
• Nicknamed the Mechanical Man for his consistent level of great hitting, Gehringer perfectly matched his eventual .320 career batting average.

9. HARRY HEILMANN, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .328 average, 183 hits, 38 doubles, 10 triples, 14 home runs, 107 RBIs.
• Heilmann enjoyed the home cookin’, hitting nearly 100 points higher at Navin Field (Tiger Stadium) than on the road; he also hit a whopping .446 in 83 at-bats against the Yankees.

10. TONY LAZZERI, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 116 games, .332 average, 30 doubles, 11 triples, 10 home runs, 82 RBIs, 15 stolen bases.
• Lazzeri might have placed higher on this list, but he missed a month due to a shoulder injury.

NL Pitchers

1. DAZZY VANCE, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 2.09 ERA, 22 wins, 10 losses, 4 shutouts, 280.1 innings, 200 strikeouts.
• Vance reigned as the NL strikeout king for the seventh straight (and last) time while posting a career-low ERA.

2. BURLEIGH GRIMES, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.99 ERA, 25 wins, 14 losses, 48 appearances, 37 starts, 28 complete games, 4 shutouts, 330.2 innings.
• The Pirates clearly got the better end of a deal that gave them Grimes, while his former Giants mates suffered with Vic Aldridge—who held out, seldom won and finally quit.

3. LARRY BENTON, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.73 ERA, 25 wins, 9 losses, .735 win percentage, 42 appearances, 36 starts, 28 complete games, 310.1 innings.
• The Giants’ pain of losing Grimes was eased with the addition of Benton from the Braves—who originally snagged the pitcher from New York in a big 1922 deal.

4. SHERIFF BLAKE, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.47 ERA, 17 wins, 11 losses, 4 shutouts, 240.2 innings.
• Never an actual sheriff, Blake enjoyed a career year that ended with a hand injury, reducing the effectiveness of his bread-and-butter curve ball; he’d never be the same.

5. BILL SHERDEL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.86 ERA, 21 wins, 10 losses, 5 saves, 248.2 innings, 56 walks.
• Nicknamed “Wee Willie” because of his 5’10”, 160-pound frame, Sherdel won 20 games for the first and only time of his major league career.

6. EPPA RIXEY, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.43 ERA, 19 wins, 18 losses, 43 appearances, 37 starts, 291.1 innings, 67 walks.
• In the last workhorse effort of his career, Rixey received his worst run support since 1920—keeping him from winning 20 games for a fifth time.

7. WATTY CLARK, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 2.68 ERA, 12 wins, 9 losses, 40 appearances, 19 starts.
• The evolving southpaw was used mostly out of the bullpen in the summer—but three late starts, all complete-game victories, cemented his future as a rotation guy.

8. ART NEHF, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.65 ERA, 13 wins, 7 losses.
• Struggling with numbness of the hand, the former Giants ace turned Cubs reclamation project delivered a final positive effort at age 36.

9. FREDDIE FITZSIMMONS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.68 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, 40 appearances, 31 starts, 261.1 innings.
• Fat Freddie won 20 games for the only time in his 19-year career, his last three coming in a span of five days in a vain effort to give the Giants the pennant.

10. JESSE HAINES, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.18 ERA, 20 wins, 8 losses, .714 win percentage, 240.1 innings.
• One of the reasons the Cardinals were able to overcome Fitzsimmons and the Giants was that Haines finished a perfect 6-0 in September.

AL Pitchers

1. LEFTY GROVE, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.58 ERA, 24 wins, 8 losses, .750 win percentage, 39 appearances, 31 starts, 24 complete games, 261.2 innings, 183 strikeouts.
• Grove highlighted the start of an impressive six-year run by striking out the side on nine pitches—twice. (Only one other pitcher—Chris Sale in 2019—would throw two such “immaculate innings” in a season.)

2. HERB PENNOCK, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.56 ERA, 17 wins, 6 losses, 5 shutouts, .739 win percentage, 40 walks.
• The highly reliable veteran finished off a six-year stretch in which he posted a 115-57 record and 3.03 ERA.

3. GARLAND BRAXTON, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 2.51 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 6 saves, 44 walks.
• Moved from the bullpen, Braxton laid claim to the AL ERA title, despite a middling record for a middling team.

4. WAITE HOYT, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.36 ERA, 23 wins, 7 losses, .767 win percentage, 8 saves, 42 appearances, 31 starts, 273 innings.
• Hoyt’s Yankee tenure peaked as he finished a two-year run winning 48 while losing just 14 (World Series games included).

5. JACK QUINN, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.90 ERA, 18 wins, 7 losses, .720 win percentage.
• The ageless Quinn, who began playing professionally in 1907, turned in a vintage effort at age 45; he still had another five years of major league experience to give.

6. SAM GRAY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.19 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 262.2 innings.
• Along with General Crowder, Gray became part of the last pair of 20-game winners for the franchise until 1969.

7. GEORGE PIPGRAS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.38 ERA, 24 wins, 13 losses, 46 appearances, 38 starts, 300.2 innings.
• With much of the Yankees’ rotation chronically hurt, Pipgras was one of the last healthy men standing and took on the workhorse burden—very well, we might add.

8. TOMMY THOMAS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 17 wins, 16 losses, 24 complete games, 283 innings.
• The White Sox thought they had a Lefty Grove clone in the hard-working Thomas—another ex-Baltimore Orioles standout—but he lacked the kind of support Grove had in Philadelphia.

9. SAD SAM JONES, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 17 wins, 7 losses, .708 win percentage.
• After burning out with the Yankees and bombing in 1927 with the Browns, Jones found solace at age 36 in D.C. thanks to his work on the road (11-2, 1.77 ERA, as opposed to 6-5 and 4.52 at home).

10. ED MORRIS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.53 ERA, 19 wins, 15 losses, 5 saves, 47 appearances, 29 starts, 257.2 innings.
• The here-today, gone-tomorrow success of Morris kept the Red Sox from becoming the first AL team to lose 100 games in four straight years.