Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

Detroit Tigers rookie centerfielder "Turkey Mike" Donlin came into the season with high expectations, but a very difficult April (.258 BA, .280 OBP, .680 OPS, 98 OPS+, 0.4 WAR) created some doubt on whether he was ready for the Show. Well Donlin put those concerns to rest with an outstanding May, as he smashed the ball to the tune of a .362 batting average (38 for 120), with a .429 OBP, .952 OPS, 178 OPS+, and 1.5 WAR. For his efforts, Donlin took home the American League Batter of the Month award.

[OmahaBaseball]

The sweet swing of Chick Stahl was in top performance last month, as the Pittsburgh centerfielder frequently had opposing defenses chasing the ball all across the field as he rounded the bases. On the month, Stahl batted .390 (46 for 118) with 10 Doubles, 5 Triples, 1 Homerun, 13 RBIs, and 29 Runs. The slash line of .390/.425/.585 (192 OPS+) was more than enough to take home his first NL Batter of the Month award.

[OmahaBaseball]

Another outstanding month for Washington Senators ace Rube Waddell, as the rookie sensation posted a 6-2 record with a 1.23 ERA and a 6 to 1 K/BB rate to take home American League Pitcher of the Month honors.

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National League Pitcher of the Month honor was awarded to Jack Powell after the Brooklyn Superbas pitcher went 6-1 with a 2.07 ERA in 7 starts.

[OmahaBaseball]

The stockpile of honors is quickly growing for Rube Waddell, as the southpaw picked up the American League Rookie of the Month award. Waddell went 6-2 on the month, allowing just 49 hits in 73 innings of work.

[OmahaBaseball]

Like his AL counterpart, Brooklyn Superbas pitcher Jack Powell is quickly piling up honors. Powell was named the NL Rookie of the Month after posting a 6-1 record, with a 0.95 WHIP and 1.3 WAR.

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American League season Batting Leaders through the May 1901. Fred Clarke is the only Boston Americans player who makes an appearance on the list (WAR).

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National League season Batting Leaders through May 1901.

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The American League pitching leaders through May 1901, with both Noodles Hahn (WAR) and Jesse Tannehill (ERA) making an appearance. It is difficult to see a scenario where Rube Waddell doesn't win every pitching award -- just so dominate right now!

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National League pitching leaders through May 1901.

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Snapshot of Manager's page.

[OmahaBaseball]

While Boston continues to rank among the top teams in both Batting and Pitching categories, they did not play very well during the month of May (15-14 record). I am hoping that they can turn it around in June.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston batting stats through May 1901, sorted by PA.

Fred Clarke and John Farrell continue to provide the much-needed offense for the team, though I am concerned that Farrell has regressed from his torrid April start. I am not happy with the production of Frank Chance, Win Mercer, and Kid Elberfeld. On "paper" Chance has very respectable ratings (1-10 scale) yet has struggled all year. Not a fan of Mercer and if I make a trade from the starting lineup, he will be the one to go. Unsure of what to make of Elberfeld and Dave Brain.

Because roster depth is so limited right now, I don't have much to fall back on within the ranks. I will continue to try for a playoff push over the next few months, but if it gets to the point where I am clearly out of contention, then I will need to give serious consideration to trading for long-term depth.

[OmahaBaseball]

I got incredibly lucky to have Noodles Hahn and Jesse Tannehill anchor the Boston staff, and they should provide a 1-2 punch for years to come. Not sure what to make of Fred Klobedanz, as he continues to pitch above what his ratings would indicate should happen. Picking up Cy Young in an earlier trade has had its positive moments, but at 34 years old it is not a long-term solution. I am pitcher heavy due to limited use of relivers, so I may be able to turn into assets if I cannot make playoff push.

[OmahaBaseball]

Player Development report for the Boston Americans based on OSA.

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A nice way to start the month, as Boston picked up 2 wins for what will hopefully set a pattern for things to come in June.

Game 58: Boston (34-24) was able to break up the 1-1 tie with a 3-run 3rd inning that gave pitcher Cy Young (7-6) the runs needs to pick up the 6 to 4 victory over the Blues (32-26). On the day, Young allowed 4 runs (2 earned) while scattering 9 hits and issuing 3 walks on his way to a Game Score of 61. Cleveland pitcher Watty Lee (9-6) was burdened with the loss despite pitching fairly well (6 runs but only 1 earned, 8 K's, Game Score of 59). Though Boston had 11 hits on the day, they could not muster an extra base hit, with Win Mercer (4 for 5, 2 Runs), Bill Lange (3 for 5, 2 Runs, 1 RBI), and Kid Elberfeld (2 for 4, 4 RBIs) providing the offensive punch. For the Blues, it was "Big Ed" Delahanty (3 for 5, 2 RBIs) and Watty Lee ( 2 for 4, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, 2 Walks) that kept the game close.

Player of the Game: Cy Young (Season: #6 / Career: #6)


Game 59: An epic 13 inning battle between 2 top-notch pitchers, but at the end of the day only 1 team can claim victory. Noodles Hahn (10-6) outlasted Kid Nichols (3-9) to lead the Boston Americans (35-24) to a 2 to 1 victory over the Cleveland Blues (32-27). Hahn lasted 12.1 innings (tossing 156 pitches) giving up 1 run (unearned) on just 3 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 7 to finish with a Game Score of 99. Al Orth wrapped up the final 2 outs to record his first save of the season. Despite the loss, Nichols pitched one heck of a game, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks, striking out 8, and finishing with a Game Score of 92. Bill Lange (3 for 6, 1 RBI), Fred Clarke (1 for 5, Triple, 1 Run, 1 RBI), and Noodles Hahn ( 2 for 5, 1 Run) led the winning team, while "Big Ed" Delahanty (2 for 5, Double, Walk) and Kid Nichols (1 for 4, Double, 1 RBI) contributed in the losing effort.

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #10 / Career: #10)

[OmahaBaseball]

With the turn of the month, several teams added players to the Trading Block that might draw some interest. One name that popped out to me is Baltimore Orioles 3rd baseman Jimmy Collins. With the Orioles currently sitting 7 games under .500 and 14 games behind in the standings, it looks like they are now looking to the future.

While Collins is a 31 year-old starter making $1,400 per year, his ratings and stats at the almost 1/2 point of the season are respectable. I am intrigued in what he could provide yet his age and salary are a concern. Another factor that might weigh against going for a trade is the fact that current Boston 3rd baseman Jesse Hoffmeister is playing well (slash line of .299/.353/.402, 123 OPS+, 1.0 WAR, 2.3 projected WAR), is a few years younger than Collins, offers better speed and stealing ability, though he does not field as well.

With that in mind, I tasked the Americans lead scout (Dave Radovanic) to provide his expert review of Collins.

[OmahaBaseball]

Detroit Tigers rookie centerfielder "Turkey Mike" Donlin continues to impress, as he smashed the ball around the field last week. In hitting 14 for 29 (.483 average) with 7 Runs, 4 RBIs, and 3 extra-base hits, Donlin picked up American League Player of the Week honors.

[OmahaBaseball]

Simply put, Napoleon (Nap) "Larry" Lajoie is one of the best hitters in baseball. The Cincinnati Reds 2nd baseman tore the cover off the ball last week (14 for 33, .424 batting average, with 4 Runs, 4 RBIs, and 4 extra-base hits) to pick up another National League Player of the Week award.

[OmahaBaseball]

The top spot remained unchanged in the Week 9 Team Power Rankings, as the Detroit Tigers increased its lead over the 2nd-place Boston Beaneaters. The Milwaukee Brewers had the biggest jump on the week (4 spots from 16th to 12th), while the Philadelphia Athletics suffered the largest drop (4 spots from 12th to 16th). Boston remained in the 5th spot.