Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

An outstanding pitching duel between Noodles Hahn and Addie Joss that ultimately saw the Boston Americans (57-49) top the New York Highlanders (64-42) by a score of 2 to 1. The Americans remain in 3rd place; 7 games out of the top spot.

The recent success of Noodles Hahn (14-10) continued in this game as he picked up the victory after allowing 1 earned run on just 4 hits; Game Score 78. Hahn's scoreless streak ended at 35 2/3 innings! Addie Joss (16-11) took the loss after he permitted 2 runs (0 earned) on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 2 hit batsmen; Game Score 76.

While both offenses struggled today against excellent pitching, there were a few performances which warrant mention. Danny Shay (2 for 3, Triple, 2 RBIs) played well for Boston, while Patsy Dougherty (1 for 1, Run) and Roy Thomas (2 for 4) contributed for the Highlanders.

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #13 / Career: #58)

[OmahaBaseball]

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in "Win Now" mode while the Boston Americans are in a "Rebuilding" mode; the makings of a good trade opportunity! In reaching a deal to send veteran pitcher Al Orth to the Pirates, the Americans received back-of-the-rotation minor leaguer Wiley Dunham and prospect reliver Bucky Veil (ranked #68). While the players Boston received are headed to the minors, the Pirates have moved Orth into the setup role and will be counted on during their playoff push.

[OmahaBaseball]

What a week for Ed Delahanty, as he took home another American League Player of the Week award; the 5th of his career. In earning PofW honors, Delahanty batted .423 (11 for 26) with 4 Doubles, 2 Triples, 6 Runs, 6 RBIs, and 3 Walks for a slash line of .423/.483/.731 that generated 0.4 WAR and 0.59 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

Now that he has been consistent playing time, New York Giants outfielder Zaza Harvey is showing just how special of a player he is. In picking up his 1st National League Player of the Week award, Harvey had 9 hits in 27 at-bats (.333 batting average) with 1 Double, 3 Triples, 3 Runs, 6 RBIs, 1 Walk, and 2 Stolen Bases for a slash line of .333/.345/.593; good for 0.4 WAR and 0.34 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

The latest Power Rankings have the Boston Beaneaters (60-46) in the top spot, followed by the New York Highlanders (64-42) and the St. Louis Cardinals (61-45). The Boston Americans (57-49) have moved up to a season-high 4th place, and the New York Giants (39-67) have a solid hold on the last spot.

[OmahaBaseball]

It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win! In a critical game for the teams, the Boston Americans (58-49) topped the New York Highlanders (64-43) by a score of 11 to 9. With the victory, Boston is 6 games out of the top spot with the Magic # now at 31.

Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision and this was a game that turned on timely hitting and which bullpen could get the critical outs. For the Americans, Jesse Tannehill took the mound and lasted 7 innings, allowing 9 earned runs on 15 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman; Game Score 13. Closer Jose Ramos (2-2; Blown Save #3) picked up the win on 2 "scoreless" innings of relief. For the Highlanders, Barney Wolfe got the nod for the start but lasted just 4 2/3 innings in which he permitted 9 runs (5 earned) on 14 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman; Game Score 8. Zeke Wilson was called in for 3 1/3 innings of play and kept the opposition of the board while scattering 5 hits. Christy Mathewson (17-12) was tagged with the loss for his 1 inning of play in which he served up 2 earned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks.

Both teams had no problem getting the ball into play, with several fine hitting performances occurring. For Boston, Chick Stahl (5 for 6, Homerun, Run, RBI), Danny Shay (3 for 5, Double, 2 Runs), Bill Lange (3 for 5, 2 Runs, RBI, Walk), and Frank Chance (3 for 5, 2 Runs, RBI) played great. The Highlanders received help from Harry Davis (3 for 5, Double, Run, 3 RBIs), Jimmy Collins (2 for 4, Double, Run, RBI), and Harry Gleason (2 for 2, 2 Runs, RBI).

Player of the Game: Chick Stahl (Season: #2 / Career: #6)


***The decision of whether to push forward for a playoff run or to sell off and look towards the future is becoming more difficult. The team is playing much better, but the gap is just enough that I am unsure how aggressive I should be.***

[OmahaBaseball]

On the same day that Boston American's outfielder Chick Stahl had a 5-hit game, Philadelphia Phillies 3rd-baseman Bill Bradley showed that the National League players can hit the ball just as well. Bradley's 5-hit performance came in a 17 to 1 victory against the Chicago Cubs, and saw the slugger accumulate 3 Doubles, 1 Homerun, 2 Runs, 7 RBI's, 1 Walk, and 1 Stolen Base. What a night!

[OmahaBaseball]

Another squandered opportunity that greatly disappointed the 5,707 hometown fans who attended the game. Here, the Washington Senators (51-57) beat the Boston Americans (58-50) by a score of 5 to 2. The loss now has the team sitting 7 games back; Magic #30.

Carl Lundgren (7-8) earned the win in which he permitted 2 runs (1 earned) on 10 hits and 1 walk; Game Score 63. Cy Young (9-14) was tagged with the loss after allowing 5 earned runs on 14 hits, 5 walks, and 1 wild pitch; Game Score 37.

The Senators frequently put the ball in play today, led by Danny Green (2 for 5, 3 RBIs, Stolen Base), Heinie Peitz (2 for 3, 2 Doubles, Run, Walk), and Cy Seymour (2 for 4, Double, Run, RBI, Walk). The Americans offense was powered by Bill Lange (3 for 5, Triple, Run, RBI) and Chick Stahl (2 for 4, Stolen Base).

Player of the Game: Carl Lundgren

[OmahaBaseball]

The Cleveland Naps and the Boston Americans reached agreement on a multi-player trade. The Naps acquired shortstop Stub Smith, second baseman Charlie Krause, and a 7th round draft pick in exchange for minor league players Martin Glendon, Alex Hardy, and Hunter Hill.

The Naps acquire players who will slot into their major league lineup and are still on the "right side" of 30, while the Americans continue to bring in young(ish) players in hopes that one turns up as a diamond in the rough. With the loss earlier in the day, rumors are running rampant that Boston's trade activity will increase.

[OmahaBaseball]

A fine pitching performances by Sam Leever led the Boston Americans (59-50) to a 3 to 2 victory over the Washington Senators (51-58).

Sam Leever (15-11) picked up the win, allowing 2 earned runs on 8 hits while striking out 2 batters; Game Score 65. Rube Waddell (16-14) was saddled with the loss after permitting 3 earned runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 1 wild pitch; Game Score 58.

The Americans offense sputtered a little today but did enough to eek out the win. Leading the way was Kid Elberfeld (2 for 3, Double, Run) and Fred Clarke (2 for 4, Double, Triple, 2 Runs). For Washington, Jack Doyle (2 for 4) and Cy Seymour (1 for 4, Double, Run) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Sam Leever (Season: #11 / Career: #33)

[OmahaBaseball]

Utterly pathetic!!! Given the perfect opportunity to gain ground on both the Highlanders and Athletics who lost earlier in the day, and having the hometown energy of 6,147 fans, the Boston Americans (59-51) were obliterated by the Washington Senators (52-58) by a 9 to 3 score. The Americans committed 7 errors on the day; 4 by shortstop Danny Shay

Picking up the win was Doc Scanlan (16-12) after he limited the opposition to 3 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5; Game Score 58. Noodles Hahn (14-11) got the start for Boston and lasted 7 1/3 innings of play in which he allowed 7 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and 1 walk; Game Score 50. John Gilroy covered 2/3 innings in a scoreless effort before turning the ball over to Jose Ramos for 1 inning in which he allowed 4 hits and 2 unearned runs.

The Senators offense was led by Cy Seymour (2 for 5, Triple, Run, RBI), Kid Gleason (2 for 5, 2 RBIs), Heinie Peitz (2 for 5, 2 Runs, RBI), and Bobby Wallace (1 for 5, 3 Runs). Danny Shay (3 for 4, Double, Run, Stolen Base), Chick Stahl (3 for 5, 3 Stolen Bases), and Bill Lange (2 for 3, Double, RBI) hit the ball well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Doc Scanlon

[OmahaBaseball]

The last day before the trading deadline. I had talked myself into trading off veteran talent (i.e., Young, Lange, etc...) in hopes of getting younger to build for the future. I then talked myself of going all in and trading youth and draft picks for established players. In the end, I could not pull the trigger on a major deal and ended up doing nothing. UGH!

The game went well for the Americans (60-51), as they topped the 2nd-place Athletics (62-49) by a score of 9 to 3 behind the solid pitching of Jesse Tannehill. The win keeps Boston in 3rd place in the American League standings; 5 games out of the top spot.

The reliable Jesse Tannehill (17-10) came through today, permitting 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks; Game Score 62. Buttons Briggs (15-12) was tagged with the loss after allowing 9 runs (8 earned) on 11 hits, 4 walks, and 1 hit batsman in 7 innings of play; Game Score 20. Kid Carsey covered the final inning in a scoreless outing.

There were several fine hitting performances by the Americans, led by Jiggs Donahue (2 for 3, Triple, 3 RBIs), Danny Shay (2 for 3, 2 Runs, RBI, Walk, 2 Stolen Bases), Fred Clarke (2 for 4, Double, Run, 2 RBIs), Chick Stahl (2 for 3, 2 Runs, Walk), and Bill Lange (2 for 5, 2 Runs, RBI, Stolen Base). Tom McCreery (1 for 3, Run, Walk, Stolen Base) and Honus Wagner (2 for 3, Run, RBI, Walk, Stolen Base) played well in the loss.

Of Note, since taking over shortstop duties from Kid Elberfeld on July 17th, Danny Shay is batting .439 (18 for 41) with 3 Doubles, 1 Triple, 9 Runs, 3 RBIs, 5 Walks, and 4 Stolen Bases, and has seen his slash rise from .303/.352/.364 to .365/.416/.452; on pace for 2.0+ WAR.

Player of the Game: Jesse Tannehill (Season: #17 / Career: #57)

[OmahaBaseball]

Nothing major to report as it pertains to starters, but nice to see a few of the younger players getting a little bump up.

[OmahaBaseball]

What a season Ed Delahanty is having. The captain of the Cleveland Naps team had an outstanding July to take home his 4th American League Player of the Month award. In picking up the honor, Delahanty batted .349 (45 for 129) with 12 Doubles, 3 Triples, 3 Homeruns, 21 Runs, 23 RBIs, 11, and 11 Walks for a slash of .349/.400/.558 which resulted in 1.6 WAR and 1.85 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie is arguably the best hitter in baseball and is poised to make it a 3-peat of the NL Most Valuable Player award by season's end. In the meantime, Lajoie had to settle for capturing his 7th career National League Batter of the Month award. In picking up this latest accolade, Lajoie went 49 for 129 (.380 batting average) with 13 Doubles, 3 Triples, 1 Homerun, 23 Runs, 19 RBIs, and 7 Walks for a slash line of .380/.409/.550 that resulted in 1.8 WAR and 1.01 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

Detroit Tigers pitcher Doc White was named the American League Pitcher of the Month; the 4th time that White has earned the honor in his career. On the month, White posted a 7-1 record with a 2.85 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 10 walks in 79.0 innings of play which was good for 2.1 WAR and 2.2 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

It was a special month for Boston Beaneaters rookie pitcher Ed Killian. The former 1st round (16th overall selection) not only took home National League Rookie of the Month honors, he was also named the National League Pitcher of the Month. In picking up the honors, Killian posted a 6-1 record with a 1.16 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 62.0 innings of play. His efforts generated 0.9 WAR and 1.0 WPA on the month.

[OmahaBaseball]

As the overall #1 pick in the draft, great things were expected of Charles "Chief" Bender. While the season has not gone well for his Chicago White Sox team, Bender continues to shine as he was named the American League Rookie of the Month. In picking up his first AL RofM award, Bender posted a 5-1 record and a 2.49 ERA in 65.0 innings of play; generating 1.7 WAR and 1.1 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

A look at MLB standings. In the American League, the New York Highlanders continue to occupy the top spot with a 3-game lead over the Philadelphia Athletics. While the Americans and Naps have, at various times, narrowed the gap with the top spot, it is proving difficult for anyone to apply meaningful, consistent pressure on New York.

In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Beaneaters are locked in a terrific battle for the top spot. While St. Louis has played well (posting an 8-2 record in its last 10 games), the Beaneaters are currently on a 16-game win streak. The last-place New York Giants enjoy the worst record in baseball.

[OmahaBaseball]

Batting stats sorted by at-bats for July 1903. Several really nice performances for the month, including Fred Clarke (.355/.396/.484), Bill Lange (3.9 WAR), and Danny Shay (.453/.500/.566 albeit small sample size). Disappointed to see John Farrell struggle this month, and still not getting much production from the 3rd-base tandem of Brain and Hoffmeister.