The 1915 Detroit Tigers

[stevem810]

The year was 1915 and the world would witness the sinking of the English ship Lusitania, poison gas would be used in the second battle of Ypres, Ford Motor Company would celebrate the 1,000,000 vehicle to roll of the assembly line, and Federal Spending would max out at $750 million dollars.

In the baseball world the Boston Red Sox, with Babe Ruth as one of their pitchers, would edge out the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League before going on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies four games to one.

The self imposed charge will be to change history and manage the Tigers to the American League pennant using historical line-ups. Let's see how it all unfolds.

[stevem810]

April 14

The Tigers opened in style Covelski gave Detroit 8 innings of 1 run ball and Oldham closed it out.

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Game 2 Dauss vs Steen

All Shoeless Joe in this one as he destroyed Tiger pitching going 4/4 with 2 stolen bags and 3 of the Cleveland RBI's as the Indians won it 5-0.

Spoke Cobb after the game, "He (Shoeless Joe Jackson) may be the finest natural hitter the game will ever see."

Game 3 Cavet vs Hagerman

The Scoring Line tells you all you need to know.

[stevem810]

Duboc vs Morton

In the top of the first the Indians got a pair of singles from Turner and Chapman before Joe Jackson singled in the the first run of the game, CLE 1-0. The Tigers answered in the bottom half of the inning as Sam Crawford ripped the first of his two doubles on the day scoring Bush and Cobb, 2-1 Detroit. And, that was it for the scoring. Bernie Boland worked the final 2.1 innings to preserve the win.

When asked about his offensive prowess for the game Crawford replied, "Winning the game is always the first objective."

The Chicago White Sox come to Navin Field next for a four game set.

[stevem810]

Game 5 White Sox (Faber) @ Tigers (Boland)

4,206 showed up to see a game that required 2 hours and 5 minutes to play as the pace was quick and well....no commercial delays. Donnie Bush's two run single was all that Bernie Boland needed as the Tigers won, 2-1. Cobb grounded out 4 times.

When asked about the game afterwards Cobb, in a relatively calm moment offered, "It's the crowd that makes the game."

[stevem810]

G 6
Somehow the post didn't upload but game 5 should really be game 6 and G5 was actually a 6-2 win for the Sox as both Collins totaled 6 hits for Chicago and they cruised to the win. Scott with the W is 1-1 and Coveleski sees his record leveled at 1-1.

G7 Dauss vs. Cicotte


The 'happy base runners' of this early version of the 'go go' Sox swiped 5 bases and were caught stealing 4 times. Eddie Cicotte labored on 134 pitches but finished the game in style inducing a double play and then getting Donnie Bush to ground out as the Sox took a close one 5-3 at Navin Field. Dauss (0-2) threw 155 pitches in the losing effort. Cobb was 2 for 3 but was caught stealing on his only stolen base attempt.

[stevem810]

April 21 - Reynolds vs Russell

Pressure. The White Sox are relentless with their offensive pressure. Walk or single, steal a base, steal another, score on a passed ball. The Tigers out hit the Sox 12 to 11, threw 3 runners out at the plate, cut 2 runners stealing and yet they lost 5-4 when Eddie Collins Sr. lined a double up the gap with 2 out in the 9th scoring SP Reb Russell. Six stolen bases in all were too much for Doc Reynolds in spite of having the tying runner on 3rd base in the 9th with Cobb at bat but he left the 4,235 in attendance disappointed when he meekly popped out.

The Tigers are now 3-5 and just a half game out of last.

[webrian]

The 1915 Tigers are a fun team! I've played with them off and on as well. I think I have them at 18-11 after 29 games. And I agree, the 1915 White Sox are no fun to play. Pesky little gnats.

[stevem810]

G9 Mitchell vs Duboc

Blame this one on the skipper. The Tigers had a 3-1 lead with 2 on and 1 out in the 9th and Duboc was replaced by LHP Covelski, with a LHB coming to the plate.

Joe Jackson tripled to tie it and then Steve O'Neill grounded a ball between short and third and the Indians had themselves a nice 4-3 walk off win.

At 3-6 the Tigers are sole owners of last place.

[stevem810]

G 10 Coumbe vs Covelski

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G 11 Steen vs Boland

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G 12 Morton 1-1 vs. Reynolds 0-0

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The Tigers escape the cellar.

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Coveleski (2-3) with the W and Oldham the Save. Lowdermilk is now 0-3.

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Hooks Dauss vs Bill James (yes there was another one back then)

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Boland vs. Hamilton

[stevem810]

Chicago puts a 10 game winning streak on the line as they invade the Motor City bringing April to a close while bringing on the month of May. Detroit hopes to put a dismal April behind them as they have an opportunity to make up some ground with the three game series.

[webrian]

It's early yet. The Tigers have several winning streaks in them. You hit that first one, get 4, 5 or 6 in a row and then you're cruising.

[stevem810]

Originally Posted by webrian

It's early yet. The Tigers have several winning streaks in them. You hit that first one, get 4, 5 or 6 in a row and then you're cruising.

Agree. Still getting a feel for the team.

[stevem810]

Faber vs Duboc