Our historical replay brings us back to 1903, as the National and American League compete with each other in the first World Series. 1903 would match the Cleveland Naps (90-65), and the Chicago Cubs (101-53). This is the first in hopefully the a continuing set on the progression of my league. Each will review the AL, the NL, the World Series, and then Awards, Top Players, and League Leaders.
American League Review
American League Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
American League
Cleveland 90 65 .581 -- .279 3.14
Philadelphia (A) 89 66 .574 1 .275 3.39
Chicago (A) 87 67 .565 2.5 .265 3.37
New York (A) 80 74 .519 9.5 .271 3.53
Boston (A) 74 80 .481 15.5 .278 3.66
Detroit 74 80 .481 15.5 .277 4.04
St. Louis (A) 66 88 .429 23.5 .260 3.98
Washington 57 97 .370 32.5 .230 3.51
-At the top of the AL lies the Cleveland Naps, who were led by their manager, Nap Lajoie (.342, 8 HR, 84 RBI). The Naps batted an AL best .279, and featured four .300 hitters (Lajoie, Bill Bradley .330, Elmer Flick .312, and Charlie Hickman at .310). The staff ace was Bill Bernhard, who went 23-10 with a 2.74 ERA, behind him were Addie Joss (18-14, 2.83), and Earl Moore (19-15, 2.89). The Naps nearly blew their chance at the pennant by losing their last three games to second place Philadelphia, forcing a playoff. The Naps took the playoff game 4-2, helped by a 4 run 8th inning rally.
-The Athletics (89-66) featured a solid lineup led by Harry Davis (.307, 9, 86). Topsy Hartsel also chipped in with 8 Homers, and a .312 average. The Athletics staff was strong, but not as strong as the Naps. Best pitcher on the staff was Eddie Plank, who managed just a 16-14 record, but the second best ERA in the league (2.64). Backing him up was strikeout king Rube Waddell (25-11, 3.15 ERA, 240 K) who won the AL Old Hoss Radbourn Award.
-Chicago (87-67) took the third spot, bolstered by solid performances from Roy Patterson (22-12, league best 2.63 ERA), and Nixey Callahan (.318, 1, 93). Behind them was Wee Willie Keeler (.339) and the New York Highlanders. Keeler, and the efforts of Kid Elberfield (.300) were not enough to help the Highlanders underperforming pitching staff.
-The Tigers and Boston Pilgrims (80-74) came in tied next and both shared strong hitting and weak pitching. Although the Pilgrims did have the AL Deacon White Award Winner, Buck Freeman (.324, League Best 13 Homers, 96 RBI), although his selection was questionable, in my opinion.
-St. Louis (66-88) and Washington (57-97) took out the bottom of the standings. The only thing notworthy about the two squads were the performances of Emmet Heidrick (.333, 67 RBI), and Ed Delahanty (.314), respectively. Neither franchise had anything else.
Next up, The National League, featuring the powerhouse Chicago Cubs...
[ March 03, 2002: Message edited by: JimServo ]