National League Review
National League Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
National League
Chicago (N) 101 53 .656 -- .289 3.20
Pittsburgh 96 58 .623 5 .291 3.66
Philadelphia (N) 88 66 .571 13 .282 3.85
Cincinnati 86 68 .558 15 .274 3.77
Brooklyn 82 72 .532 19 .274 4.44
New York (N) 59 95 .383 42 .270 4.84
St. Louis (N) 53 101 .344 48 .249 4.42
Boston (N) 51 103 .331 50 .249 4.76
-The Cubs were the first team in league history to top 100 wins. The Cubs battled out with the Pirates, and Phillies in the first half of the season before taking control in the second half. The Cubs staff featured three 20-game winners, OHR Award Winner Jack Taylor (28-9, 2.83 ERA), Jake Weimer (25-9, 2.63 ERA), and Bob Wicker (24-11, 3.51). The Cubs staff ranked 1-2-3 in wins, and 1-2 in Earned Run Average. Chicago's batting was solid as well, featuring 5 .300 Hitters (Jimmy Slagle .359, Johnny Evers .348, Davy Jones .322, Doc Casey .311, and Frank Chance .308, 118 RBI). If your curious, the other member of that famous poem, Joe Tinker, hit .248.
-Usually 96 Wins will get you a pennant. Not this year for the Pittsburgh Pirates (96-58). They had the highest batting average in the NL, although they were less balanced then the Cubs (6 .300 Hitters, 1B Kitty Bransfield hit .205, and C Ed Phelps hit .263). Three players (Jimmy Sebring 130, Fred Clarke 112, Tommy Leach 104) topped 100 RBIs. And that doesn't include Honus Wagner, who hit .375. Clarke also hit .340. On the mound, the Pirates had one great starter (Ed Doheny, 22-11, 2.94), one good starter (Deacon Phillippe 22-12, 3.55), and a couple of OK to mediocre starters.
-The Phillies (88-66) were a strong club who had solid hitting and above-average pitching. But above average won't win you any pennants. The two top players of the team were John Titus (.327, 2, 122), and Harry Wolverton (.328, 3, 84).
-The Reds (86-68) had the best (NL Deacon White Award Winner Mike Donlin, who hit .383), and the worst (Shortstop Tommy Corcoran hit .174). Cy Seymour chipped in with a .341 average and 117 Runs Batted In.
-The last over .500 team is the Brooklyn Superbas who starred Jack Doyle (.327, 2, 103), and Jimmy Sheckard (.335, 8, 95). Ned Garvin (20-17, 3.25) was their only notable pitcher.
-The last three teams were just plain old bad. Christy Mathewson (13-13, 3.67) underachieved on the Giants (59-95). The St. Louis Cardinals (53-101), and Boston Beaneaters both were no-hit, no-pitch teams in 1903.
Next up is the World Series.
[ March 04, 2002: Message edited by: JimServo ]