The Slippery Elm Boys

[No Pepper]

San Francisco Chronicle
October 20, 1902

Wasps Smear Gilt Edges in Four Straight, Take Lead

After missed opportunities that lead to a 6-2 loss to the Sacramento club on Wednesday, our boys stoutly rebounded to a win over the league's top pitcher Lefty Cristall (34-13), pounding him 10-6. The brilliant hitting of catcher McCain did not dim as he slapped 3 hits and drove home just as many. The next day, the old National Leaguer Amos Rusie evened his record against the Sacs with an efficient 5-hit shutout. Deacon Phillippe outlasted former Pirate teammate Jack Chesbro 4 to 3 on account of "Happy" Jack's continued struggles in fielding the box. A costly throwing error (his 29th) in the top of the eighth gave 'Frisco a gift they'd never relinquish. A 12-inning gem by Case Patten on Sunday lifted the Wasps 5-4 and a two game lead in the standings. For the batsmen, baby-faced and slap-happy Carroll continues to sting the Sacs, collecting 10 hits in the series, maintaining a .404 average against them. With 10 games to go in this long campaign, hopes are very high for our club.

In other notes, disappointingly, it was learned yesterday that Napoleon Lajoie and Denton "Cy" Young of the All-Americans will be leaving the tour and return east once the clubs depart Denver. At each stop the ballplayers have taken to the city's night life, and rumors speculate that gambling has entered the realm of the diamond and that Lajoie and Young want no part. What may be more to the truth is that the two fear reprimand for playing games against our clubs. Lajoie, who had enough court battles during the season, needs no more trouble. Young, on the other hand, leaves a dispirited All-American club without its star pitcher. In any event, tour organizer Win Mercer has promised a good-billing for when the teams arrive in California, scheduled in two-weeks time.

California Club Standings, October 20, 1902

    Club        Won   Lost   Pct   G.B. Avg.  ERA    
San Francisco   113    77   .595    -   .306  2.69  
Sacramento      111    79   .584    2   .286  2.62   
Los Angeles      95    95   .500   18   .277  2.62   
Oakland          61   129   .321   52   .248  3.76

[No Pepper]

San Francisco Chronicle
October 30, 1902

CHAMPIONS!

The fat lady has sung and finally after a long summer the boys have come home tonight as champions of the 1902 California League! A rousing crowd awaited the ‘Frisco Stingers as they returned by ferry across the bay, beating the lowly Oakland club right out of the water by the score of 14-3. The victory, easy as she was, came after losing the last four to the league’s whipping post Oakland, just in time to clinch the pennant over the Senators as they lost to the Loo-Loos in a nail biter 2-1. Both teams were tied as of yesterday.

Amos Rusie got the start for the Wasps and he pitched a dandy, allowing 3 runs in the third inning but was lights out after that. The long time New Yorker was aided by old Giant teammate Jack Doyle, who lashed out four safeties today in what turned out to be the pro’s last game.

“I wanted to end my career with a career-night. It’s been wonderful out here, in San Francisco. The fans are wonderful, endearing, and know their baseball. Not one of these guys out here would even think to play anywhere else. I’ve been blessed,” Doyle said as he held back emotion. What a way to go out, as a champion!

Not to be outdone by easterners, home-grown Mathew McCain and Greg Carroll led the league in hitting with .384 and .379 averages, respectively. “We were able to steal some of the games greatest stars [pitchers Phillippe and Rusie, batters Cross and Doyle] but us Friscans were able to hold our own and even shine. Champions? I already can’t wait til next year,” Carroll said after the game.

Plans are being made to celebrate the team’s triumphant victory and an official notice will be made by Friday. California also braces for the arrival of the eastern professionals and it is debated whether a team of league stars will be formed and who among the locals will be afforded a crack at them as well. Tryouts will be held this weekend at Recreation Park after the celebrations. An exciting finish to this year’s campaign has all of California abuzz with base ball.

Final California Club Standings 1902

    Club        Won   Lost   Pct   G.B. Avg.  ERA    
San Francisco   119    81   .595    -   .306  2.68  
Sacramento      118    82   .590    1   .285  2.59   
Los Angeles      98   102   .490   21   .277  2.67   
Oakland          65   135   .325   52   .247  3.77

[No Pepper]

San Francisco, November 13, 1902

The news that ex-NL star Amos Rusie had jumped San Francisco to join John McGraw and the All-Nationals dominated the thoughts of another pitcher contemplating his future. Jack Chesbro himself had bolted from the strong Pittsburgh club the year before and decided to sign a more lucrative contract with the Sacramento Senators of the outlaw California League. Rumors among the players were already going round that the success of the last campaign has spurned interest in forming a much larger league with more credibility, much like what the American League had done in two years ago.

“What they say is true, Jack,” Clark Griffith explained as he handed the pitcher another beer. They were at some dark smoky saloon with tables in the back. Both were thinking about joining the poker game, voices were getting louder, the smoke heavier, and no doubt the stakes higher. Competition was their nature.

Griffith was in a better mood than Jack, and it was known among the California boys that he was on a recruiting mission for the soon-to-be New York club, the old Baltimore team that Ban Johnson wanted in New York to spite John McGraw of the Giants. It sounded like another good opportunity for Jack to get back east rather than labor in relative obscurity. Life was good here, though, and the pay back east was horrible. But ego isn’t always served by money and a suntan.

Elmer Flick, who had also jumped out West, was already on his way back to Cleveland to sign a contract. Flick claimed he got a good offer but everyone knew that despite being among the best batsmen in the California League [he won top honors] it was the best batsman in an outlaw league. He couldn’t go back east if things fell through out here, and with more rumors of the AL and NL making peace this winter, Flick wasn’t going to take a chance at getting blacklisted or banned if he stayed put.

“And he’s right too,” chimed in Griffith, who almost seemed be reading his mind.

“Keep to your drinkin’, Griff. I’ve got my own booze to keep me happy.”

“But you aren’t happy, Happy Jack. It’s written all over you. Can’t you see? Flick, now Rusie. I hear Mercy's [tour organizer Win Mercer] swept up Donovan and is even close to signing Sam Crawford for Detroit. Heck, even Jones and Comiskey, the bastard, managed to whisk away clean as Doc White!” Clark had a way of piling it on, much like all the junk he threw at hitters when he was in the clutch.

“To up the ante, I’m working a curve by your old teammate Tannehill when we go back east in two weeks,” added the old fox.

“You know, you’re already down a couple hundred bucks on this tour Foxy. Why should I bet on you and take your offer if you can’t even buy a ticket back?” Chesbro smiled as he took another stiff shot of whiskey.

“Because more than ten, twenty times that is waiting back there if you do!”

[No Pepper]

With the loss of Rusie, the San Francisco Wasps called up young Elmer Stricklett to assume a role in the starting position for a few training games in lead up to the club’s turn against the travelling all-stars. During 1902, Stricklett never broke the active roster of the championship club and was out on optional assignment in one of California’s many semi-pro leagues. As a young pitcher, Stricklett had raw stuff and his endurance wasn’t up to standards to go the distance. He quickly developed a sore arm once with the Wasps and was about to be released. George Hildebrand, back in California again, somehow managed another tryout with the Wasps. Despite his lack of talent, he knew the game extremely well and immediately saw potential in Stricklett.

“Atta boy! That’s the ticket!,” shouted George after another of the pitcher’s tosses.

“You’re going to the big leagues tomorrow,” joked the catcher. “You’ll be sure to impress those snobby tourists once they arrive. Bound to flash some money in front of yas." He was really pouing it on now. He could see Elmer's enthusiasm.

Stricklett’s pitches had a wicked bend to them as they neared their target. Not that Elmer knew exactly where they were going, but the lack of strict control was just enough to keep any hitter guessing at what was coming next.

“Real good and dirty, Elmer, real good!” George said as the ball dropped to the right. “That’s gonna do you wonders versus righties. But ya gotta know where it’s going or how you want it to break. Here, let me show you.” As has been custom on his travels, George was always chewing something, and whatever it was, it was drooling down his chin. He'd been mashing on it all day.

As he learned from the journeyman, Stricklett wondered why he never tried becoming a pitcher. He knew too much not to try.

“Don’t worry about me, boy. You may have a sore arm but this spitter is gonna solve that. I can’t throw for the life of me, no smoke, no fire. If it don’t work for me this year, I may give umpiring a try.” George was somewhat serious if not somewhat surprised at what he just said. Life as an umpire out here is a short one. Everyone wants to kill you, forcing some to carry a firearm for protection.

“Thanks, George. This pitch is real easy on my arm. I think I’m gonna use it tomorrow.”

Stricklett did and went on to win consecutive games against Sacramento and beat Jack Chesbro. Elmer was five-foot-six and barely 140 pounds, and striking out seasoned veterans with a remarkable breaking pitch. Jack had to know what was going on.

“Mighty fine ball yer tossin’ there Strick. Looks like something Clark Griffith throws on the side, when he’s actually in uniform. I tell ya, he and McGraw are out here working every angle to pick up us jumpers and you outlaws, to make sumptin’ outta us back east. It’s like wolves in the chicken coop,” Chesbro cracked. “Mind if you show me that pitch? I’ll put a word in for you next time I see the Old Fox. Those guys ain’t seen nuttin’ yet playing against the Loo-Loos and that group of schlubs they call a team in Oaktown. Gold rush by the bay,” he winked.

Off in the distance, everyone could hear the ruckus downtown at the arrival of the eastern professionals. They gave them a welcoming parade, like they owned the place or were returning war heroes. Out at Recreation Park, though, everyone had something to prove.

Elmer Stricklett

Author’s note – Unfortunately, I was unable to schedule exhibition games pitting the California League teams versus the All-Nationals and All-Americans. It was an oversight by me in not scheduling them during the preseason or at least the regular season to schedule them for 1902. Bummer, it would have been interesting to see how at least the fictional players would have matched up against the majors.

[No Pepper]

January 17, 1903

AL and NL Sign Peace Agreement

Executives of the competing major leagues wintering in Cincinnati have met and finalized an agreement to end hostilities regarding player contracts and the establishment of league sovereignty. Every player contract is hereafter recognized by both leagues as valid and binding. In addition, a reserve rule will be in effect for the protection of players under contract. The leagues circuits were also established, ending any further threat of the American League in placing teams in cities already occupied by the National League. Also, a committee will be formed for the establishment of a common code of rules that both leagues will adopt. And finally, disputed player contracts of both leagues were legally awarded to their rightful teams. Case in point, Sam Crawford will be awarded to Detroit instead of Cincinnati. It is our hopes that the two leagues can come together in peace and continue to represent our national pastime in its purist form on the world’s greatest stage.

------

Author’s note: Even though the National Agreement was actually approved in September of 1903, for our purposes we’ll include what we can of the teeth of that document before the 1903 season. In the 1903 National Agreement, the articles of the peace agreement earlier in the year were codified with specifics related to the handling of player contracts. The National Commission was formed and the reserve clause firmly reestablished. Limited rights were also described for minor league clubs that were members of the National Association. For our purposes, players will now reach eligibility for “free agency” after 12 years of service but will enter arbitration every year to keep teams honest about salaries, or so I hope. Although my ML has two affiliated minor league levels, free agency is set to 1-3 service years. Also, active roster sizes have increased from 16 to 18, but will be reduced back to 16 on June 1. The “40-man” roster will be enabled later in 1910 or so.

[No Pepper]

Each man peered into the eyes of the others. Some twitched. Was it the heavy smoke or was he bluffing? Poker chips were sprawled about the table at each man’s seat like it was laundry day. Someone was going home happy and the rest were going to get cleaned out.

Among the faceless gamblers were again, Clark Griffith and Jack Chesbro. Each were in on the current hand, but after Griffith raised, the others left in folded.

“I’ll call.” Jack’s voice was barely audible but moving his chips to the center of the table clearly indicated he at least had a pair of jacks.

Griffith eyed the pitcher with a deliberate stare. “You got guts Jack, I’ve got kings,” declared the new New York Highlander manager.

“Kings are meant to be dethroned ya know,” Jack said rather confidently.

The hand continued but ended when the Old Fox turned up three kings. Jack had his jacks, but nothing else. Money swept into Griffith’s war chest. It was growing. Several more hands passed.

“Okay, maybe I am the pauper, but one more game. Blackjack, you and me Clark, mano a mano.” It was obvious Chesbro picked up some Spanish while in California.

“Whatever that means,” Griffith laughed, still looking at the amount of his winnings.

“I’ll match what you have if you win, and if I win, I’ll come with you to New York.”

Griffith stopped counting his chips and looked up at what was just said. “You’re on. Dealer!”

Clark was quickly dealt two kings. Stand. A big grin came to the manager’s face.

“This is rigged! Aww man…” Chesbro couldn’t back down now, the others were watching intently.

Jack. Figures.

“Hit me.”

Jack. Sweat came down from the pitcher’s forehead.

“Hit me.”

“Ace in the hole! Happy Jack Chesbro is going to New York!”

***

It was later learned that Win Mercer killed himself by gas inhalation at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco earlier in the week. Gambling debts were thought to be the cause. For Chesbro, that's all he needed to make his decision to head back. Obscure or not, out here, it was cutthroat.

[No Pepper]

Chicago Tribune
April , 1903

The White Sox and Cubs rounded out the first-ever City Series between each other to find out who is king of our great city. The fifteen-game affair was bitterly fought on the field, but overall good faith between the teams (and leagues) won here at the conclusion of these matches. It sparked the excitement of what will come at the end of this year’s championship season, as pennant winners of both leagues for the first time will compete in a “World’s Series.” Both of our city’s squads finished in the first division last year: the Northsiders 10 games out and the Southsiders a mere 2 games behind Cleveland. What expectations are being held this year?

Our cranks got an early first-hand account, as the two teams battled it out in a close and thrilling series. In the first game, the Cubs struck early as newly acquired, ex-Pirate, California reacquisition Fred Clarke started things off with a single against new White Sox ace Addie Joss. Clarke scampered home as favorite Chance doubled, who later scored when stealing third, an errant throw sailed into left field. That’s all Ham Iburg needed to take the first game. A bit of grumbling from the Southsiders about the new-to-the-American-League foul-strike rule was evident throughout the game.

Cub Jock Menefee took game two by a whirlwind as he only allowed two hits and won 2-0. The White Sox were clearly kicking themselves at this point, and got redemption in game 3 with two runs in the bottom of the eighth against strong lefty Ed Siever.

But the victory did not last long as the White Sox lost three straight to the key play of Chance and the continued strong pitching of Iburg and Menefee. In game 7, Roy Patterson picked up his 2nd win against the Cubs, demonstrating that he is the meat behind any claim the Sox have for this year’s pennant. But another strong day on Sunday by Frank Chance gave the Cubs a 6-2 series lead. However, as fate would have it, that was the last victory the Northsiders would see until the last but meaningless game of the series.

The White Sox came back to form with six straight wins, the Cubs defense falling apart. [Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance was in fact Tinker-to-Evers-to-Kling, Chance is at catcher; Johnny “Noisy” Kling had rabbit ears all series with the catcalls, going 4 for 58.] Cubs had 10 costly errors in those games while the White Sox, despite having 8 in a two-game span, found the ways to win, led by manager Fielder Jones’ timely hitting and shortstop’s Bill Keister’s demoralizing homerun on Saturday.

In the final game, the Cubs resurrected any pride they may have had left by finally outlasting star pitcher Patterson and Keister’s four hits with a 5-3 win, aided by a sloppy 3-error defense by the White Sox. But in the end, what a great series, the Southsiders prevailed and are crowned City Champions, 8 games to 7!

[No Pepper]

1903 Spring Training: Boston

George Hildebrand, the baseball world’s vagabond of 1902, has somehow earned a tryout with the Boston Pilgrims this spring. He spent time in the minors with four different organizations, not lasting a month with any of them. His longest stint was with Brooklyn’s top minor league team, where he hit 12 for 62 (.194) with a homerun and 3 RBI in 25 games. For the year, he wasn’t any better, hitting .194 in 124 at bats. Perhaps by rumor of his influence in California, he was signed by the Pilgrims in February for $1000. With the club in spring training, Hildebrand has approached a number of pitchers about the spitball.
Big Bill Dineen, who had perhaps his best year last year with Boston (20-13, 3.14 ERA, 124 strikeouts in 287 innings pitched) and did well on the fall tour (3-3, 2.56 ERA), looked like a vulnerable target as he played second fiddle to Cy Young.

Long Tom Hughes, an impressive 6’1” stature, has four major league seasons under his belt despite being 24. He struggled with a poor Chicago Orphans team in 1901 going 8 wins and 25 losses with 130 walks. He jumped to the Orioles then bailed to Boston where he pitched well, ending the year with a combined 16-11 record, 2.78 ERA.

26-year old Norwood Gibson has yet to make the big league club, pitching the last two years in Louisville. He broke out last year with a 19-13 record, 1.95 ERA, holding opposing batsmen to an average of .216.

The Matrix wasn’t favorable to this year's crop of the Slippery Elm Boys. Despite being a hard worker and very intelligent, Dineen was somewhat skeptical of Hildebrand and decided to stick with his current stuff based on his success last year. He might pick it up later as he gets older. Hughes was the same, more or less indifferent at this point. Gibson would have been best to listen and at least work with George, but he ignored the extra help, especially someone who was 2 years his junior.

[No Pepper]

1903 Spring Training: Cleveland

The American League champions have renamed their team the Cleveland Naps, in honor of their new star Napoleon Lajoie. To shore up their defense of the title, the Naps have invited many pitchers to camp for a shot at the roster, with the hopes of supporting emerging star Earl Moore. Frank Bowerman spent all of last year at Columbus, earning top honors for his glove and game-calling as a catcher. He hit .265. He did well teaching the young pitchers and is the reason behind all the spring call-ups. Bowerman eyed two new amateur recruits that he felt were good candidates to learn the wet one this year. Bowerman is a 100pt bonus while Moore is worth 25 in addition to the Cleveland pitching coach.

Glenn Liebhardt is a young, hard-working pitcher out of Milton, Massachusetts. He lacks control as do all young pitchers but is really struggling with his curveball. Wanting to keep a breaking pitch, he approached Bowerman about his saliva shoot. The Matrix says it’ll be a couple of years before Liebhardt masters the pitch, and by that time he may see his first year in the majors.

Heinie Berger is a year older than Liebhardt but is from LaSalle, Illinois. He’s got a better fastball than Liebhardt but no breaking pitch. Bowerman saw the potential but his poor work ethic turned him off a bit on this project. Berger is actually the first pitcher where attempting to learn the spitball may hurt his career…he was a bust.

[No Pepper]

1903 Spring Training: New York

Frank Farrell and Bill Devery successfully purchased the Baltimore Orioles franchise and moved it to New York to place it in direct competition with the well-established Giants. A stadium is being hastily constructed so the new squad has a place to play come Opening Day. Hilltop Park, as it will become known, is being built on one of the highest spots in Manhattan, in part resulting in the team being called the “Highlanders.” Clark Griffith was secretly named player manager during the winter and was successful in raiding California of one promising pitcher.

Jack Chesbro, 28 and hailing from North Adams, Massachusetts, hasn’t had much of a stable career to polish that promise since he first broke the majors in 1899 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adjusting to the professional ranks, he went 6-9 with a high 4.11 ERA, walking twice as many batters than he whiffed. In 1900 a full season netted him a 15-13 mark and a slightly better 3.57 ERA. He still struggled with his control, which for 1901, landed him a spot-starting role in a strong pitching corps that included 20-game winners Deacon Phillippe, Jesse Tannehill, and Rube Waddell. He finished at 6-8, 2.91 ERA. Unsatisfied by his progress, he was traded by Pittsburgh to Sacramento of the California League. While the men he was traded for have either not seen a baseball diamond since or have struggled in the minors, Chesbro struck gold in California in 1902, going 26-22 with a solid 2.48 ERA. He got his regular starts, working a whopping 434 innings for the second place Senators. He found his control, walking only 56 against 161 strikeouts.

He hooked up with Elmer Stricklett during the All-Americans/All-Nationals tour of California and studied the spitball to bolster his already improving arsenal. Chesbro was sold on the idea of coming back east for 1903 and will join former teammate and star Jesse Tannehill as aces of the New York club. Under the tutelage of both Stricklett and Griffith, Chesbro looks to excel at mastering the spitball and could quickly become one of the top pitchers in the American League.

Harry Howell, 26, has five years of professional experience, pitching for Brooklyn and coming over from Baltimore as one of the team’s steady and regular performers. While not sporting an impressive career record of 56-45, Howell has improved slightly each year while perfecting his craft. Never the fireballer, Howell uses wits and guile to get batters out with an average change of pace. Griffith felt Howell needed an edge and plans to work with him in developing the wet one. So far he’s struggling to control the pitch, and may ditch it when the regular season begins.

Young Slow Joe Doyle has no golden arm but will throw everything but the kitchen sink at hitters to get them out. He enjoyed some success in the semi-pro ranks to warrant a look at Newark last year but saw very limited action in relief. Wanting to make an impression in his tryout with the big club, the 1 tool but 6 pitch hurler listened in on conversations between Griffith and Chesbro during training. As a green rookie, he won’t get much direct instruction, but Doyle will do well with the spitball if given adequate work at Newark again this year.

George “Slats” McConnell is another rookie in camp looking for the right stuff. Out of Shelbyville, Tennessee, a rare gift of intelligence gives George a slight edge over the other eastern recruits this spring, and choosing to learn his craft by way of the spitball could do wonders for his career. But he’s 25 already and may not quite harness his talents if he does not land a starting role at either Newark or Austin this year.

[No Pepper]

1903 Spring Training: Philadelphia

The Phillies begin the upcoming season with new ownership; in fact, rival Pittsburg owner Barney Dreyfuss bidding a cool $170,000 for the struggling franchise left by Colonel Rogers. Philadelphia finished last in the National League with a 55-85 record. The pitching corps has been an area of concern, having lost steady pitchers Red Donahue and Al Orth in years past and recently Doc White to the White Sox. Young Bob Wicker returns, hoping to catch the lightning that sparked his 1901 performance.

Chick Fraser opted to not re-sign with the club and is currently looking for a new team. Fraser rebounded last year from a poor 1901 season, but still ended up in spot-duty and earned little support, going 5-15. He eventually won a regular spot when competing with Frank Corridon, but soon grew unhappy with his role on the team.

Corridon continues his development and is eager to make a big splash in the starting rotation to replace the great Doc White but his chances may have been dashed when the team picked up young Bob Rhoads in a virtual swap with Chicago.

It is within reason to consider Rhoad’s 1902 performance (11-4, 2.40 ERA) better than that of Patterson, George Winter or Dummy Taylor, but the pitchers hot head often rubbed the wrong way with fellow pitcher and team co-captain, Nixey Callahan. In any respects, it will be a treat to see these two competitors, Corridon and Rhoads, push each other to make the team as it heads back north. Frank Owen, formerly of Detroit, but out of baseball last year, is also in the mix.

Fred Mitchell gets another shot at making a big league squad this spring, having spent the last two years in the minors. A move to Toronto netted him little playing time on the mound, but he was very effective, sporting a 0.70 ERA in nearly 52 innings in relief. He seems to have taken a liking towards Corridon, who has shared a similar path on his way to the majors. Frank will try to teach Mitchell his new pitch, but the new recruit, who has had more success and talent than his fellow journeyman, kept to his own devices.

The Phillies’ new management were also quick to grab respected Tommy Leach from the California League and veteran Joe Kelley. Kelley hit .394 in only 16 games, his season marred by off-the-field personal problems and contract disputes with both Boston and Cincinnati.

[No Pepper]

Los Angeles Times
Monday Morning Edition

Eastern Carpetbaggers Leave, New League Forms

The signing of the peace accord between this country’s “major leagues” was the last, but well forewarned, signal that eastern influences in our state’s baseball tradition had met its end. The influx of stars from the eastern ranks surely brought an exciting brand of base ball for our locals to cheer but it also invigorated our own sense of self-worth as our boys matched them with tooth and nail during our long summers. The winter migration has led to a renewed interest among our businessmen to locate local talent to sign contracts with teams forming the new Pacific Coast League. The four teams from last year’s California League are now joined by the northern franchises of Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. The California League is home to teams in and around San Francisco and will serve as a feeder system for the PCL. No word on whether the PCL’s owners will become members of the National Association, in which ongoing discussions about its classifications try to reassert the authority of these so-called major leagues.

Author’s note: The six-team PCL will now be considered an outlaw league and no ML team will be able to trade with its organizations. No National or American League player will be allowed to jump to the PCL and so doing, will ban said player from future contracts within the eastern leagues. Nearly all former major leaguers jumped back east, but a few remain under assumed names. The PCL will, for the time being, fade into some level of obscurity.

[No Pepper]

1903 Campaign Underway, Month of April in the Books

In the inaugural month of the season, the Pittsburg club continues its fast pace to lead all clubs in the standings. The club is lead by its pitching staff which is tops in the major leagues. Notably, Rube Waddell appears to have shaken off the effects of a torn bicep muscle suffered last year and has posted a 3-1 record for the champs. He hasn’t quite found the control but striking out 33 batsmen in 36 innings sure makes up for it. And the young lad Jim St. Vrain, over from Chicago and just 19 years old, leads all pitchers with a 0.34 ERA. Meanwhile, last year’s second place finishers Cincinnati, has struggled out of the gates, falling to 3-10 on the season. Favorite Jim Beckley has struggled without the support of Sam Crawford, who is now with Detroit in the American League. Otherwise dependable Noodles Hahn has given up more than 6 runs in 3 of his 4 starts this year.

Slippery Elm Boys Watch:

The National Leagues only spitball pitcher, Frank Corridon, made the opening day roster for the Philadelphia Phillies. Perhaps aided by the new roster limits, Corridon was granted a spot on the staff in a relief role. Corridon pitched one inning in an 8-1 loss to Brooklyn, surrendering a walk which later scored on a throwing error. He was sent packing to Toronto at the end of the month when second baseman Cupid Childs returned from injury. He’s been inserted as the number one pitcher ahead of Fred Mitchell. Dusty Rhoads strained his rotator cuff during training and is out for several weeks.

National Club Standing, April 30, 1903

    Club     Won   Lost   Pct   G.B. Avg.  ERA    
Pittsburgh    9      4   .692    -   .264  1.46   
Chicago       9      5   .643   .5   .272  2.24   
Brooklyn      8      5   .615    1   .282  3.72   
New York      7      6   .538    2   .294  2.41   
Philadelphia  7      8   .467    3   .259  2.92
St. Louis     6      8   .429   3.5  .228  2.49
Boston        6      9   .400    4   .224  3.52
Cincinnati    3     10   .231    6   .227  3.52

In the American League, the Athletics of Philadelphia lead all combatants with a 7-3 record in the early going. Expectations were set high right away as the team took two against the Bostons on opening day. Eddie Plank pitched well enough and his teammates walloped on Cy Young for 10 runs. Young, who continues to struggle to find ways to win for a team many thought to contend this year, is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA. In the afternoon game, 18 year old Chief Bender debuted to a 16-1 win over Boston’s Bill Dinneen, who is also struggling mightily on the mound. Worse than Young, Dinneen is 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA. Bender is the new rave, pitching with the guile of a veteran, going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA. The new team in the league, the New York Highlanders, won its first game on opening day against Washington. Former Pittsburg great Jesse Tannehill picked up the 4-1 win. Clark Griffith pitched 12 grueling innings, surrendering 16 hits in a tough 4-3 loss to Washington in the first game ever at New York’s new Hilltop Park.

Slippery Elm Boys Watch:

The American League has turned out to be the battleground so far for the new breed of spitballers. Happy Jack Chesbro, now with New York after a year in California, hasn’t quite got the hang of the spitball, only having trained with Elmer Stricklett for a month over the winter. Still, he’s pitched well enough to win in his return against major leaguers, but has an 0-2 record. In his first start, he held Washington to only 2 hits but his own team scattered 5 hits and could not score against George Prentiss. In his second start against Philadelphia rookie Weldon Henley, shoddy defense lost him the game 5-1. Chesbro’s own fielding mistakes followed him to New York, committing an error that eventually allowed 2 runs to score that inning. Clark Griffith, who recruited Chesbro, is the anchorman of the staff, and so far is 1-1, 2.51 ERA. Baltimore carryover Harry Howell has had the opposite fortune of Chesbro with nearly the same performance. He sports a 2-0 record with a 0.50 ERA but had also outlasted the talented Eddie Plank of Philadelphia in a close 5-4 victory. Slow Joe Doyle and George McConnell are working at Newark to start the season.

In Boston, as mentioned before, Bill Dinneen has struggled and is now 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA. He’s been throwing up slow and saucy meatballs that batsmen are just hammering. Perhaps by ignoring George Hildebrand(who made the team but has not played) he hasn’t enjoyed the success that Tom Hughes and Norwood Gibson have enjoyed so far. Hughes has been the best starter in only 2 games, going 1-1 with 10 strikeouts in 17 innings. Gibson has pitched no less than 3 innings in each of 3 games that ended in blowouts. Despite a lack of control, he’s managed to quiet the scoring, earning a 2.03 ERA.

In Cleveland, hurler Earl Moore has had a rocky start, allowing 23 hits in 17 innings netting him an 0-2 record for the defending champions. Did the limelight of the western winter tour too much for our heralded young star? Both Heinie Berger and Glenn Liebhardt start the season in Columbus and their mentor, Frank Bowerman, has been inexcusably filling in at second base for the Naps. So far he’s been entirely inept, committing 8 errors in 7 games. Cleveland better work in their other more capable infielders at shortstop so Lajoie can move back to his natural position or else there will be no consecutive league crown this year.

American Club Standing, April 30, 1903

    Club     Won   Lost   Pct  G.B. Avg.  ERA    
Philadelphia  7      3   .700   -   .299  2.32 
Detroit       5      3   .625   1   .320  2.92   
New York      5      3   .625   1   .251  1.60  
Cleveland     4      3   .571  1.5  .280  3.14   
Washington    4      4   .500   2   .247  3.24
St. Louis     3      4   .429  2.5  .266  3.38
Chicago       3      5   .375   3   .303  2.54
Boston        2      8   .200   5   .260  5.58

[No Pepper]

The May Campaign

The saying goes if you win your home games and win half your games played on the road, you’ll be a contender. Those teams that have followed the adage have certainly won more than their share on the road. In the National League, Pittsburgh sports only an 8-6 record at home but has won 18 of 27 on the road and leads New York by one-and-a-half games. New York hasn’t taken advantage of its generous home schedule, going only 18-14. Over in the American League, the surprise Washington Senators and upstart New York Highlanders have not yet played 8 games at home, but have dominated on the road, going an amazing 20-8 and 18-10, respectively. These early records may indicate that these teams will stay strong throughout the summer once they start playing in front of the friendlier hometown crowds.

National Club Standing, May 30, 1903

    Club     Won   Lost   Pct   G.B. Avg.  ERA    
Pittsburgh    26    15   .634    -   .278  1.76   
New York      24    16   .600   1.5  .271  2.92   
Chicago       24    17   .685    2   .251  2.45   
Brooklyn      21    19   .525   4.5  .269  3.51   
St. Louis     20    20   .500   5.5  .257  2.84
Cincinnati    18    22   .450   7.5  .260  3.34
Philadelphia  17    23   .425   8.5  .250  2.58
Boston        11    29   .275  14.5  .234  3.52

American Club Standing, May 30, 1903

    Club     Won   Lost   Pct  G.B. Avg.  ERA    
Detroit       27    12   .692   -   .281  2.36 
Washington    23    12   .657   2   .247  2.32   
New York      20    14   .588  4.5  .254  2.56  
Philadelphia  18    18   .500  7.5  .269  3.28   
Chicago       17    20   .459   9   .283  2.55
St. Louis     16    22   .421 10.5  .239  3.06
Cleveland     14    23   .378  12   .253  3.15
Boston        11    25   .306 14.5  .237  3.66

Slippery Elm Boys Watch:

Among those that currently toe the mound in the big leagues, the Old Fox Clark Griffith has found ways to carry his Highlander team, leading them with a 5-1 record. He’s held opponents to an anemic .207 average and is an owner of 2 shutouts already. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cleveland’s Earl Moore already has 9 losses. Although he’s given up nearly 6 runs a game, his defense has allowed 24 runs to score. Modern-day spitballer Frank Corridon is pitching extremely well in Toronto, but a glutton of pitching prospects in the Philadelphia system (a result of the new management) has stalled a return call to the bigs.

[No Pepper]

The July Campaign

It’s nearly August and the race for the National League Pennant is Pittsburg’s to lose. It would be a mighty fall that no one expects to happen, as the Pirates lead second place Chicago by 8 games with an amazing 65-29 record. An untouchable pitching staff help propel the Pirates in June with 22 wins and only 3 losses. Rube Waddell (21-5) is on pace for over 30 wins and 300 plus strikeouts. 24 year old Harry Felix is 16-6 and 20 year old Jim St. Vrain at 13-9 can potentially make the Pirates a winning dynasty in the years ahead. By the way, each pitcher mentioned has a stingy ERA of 1.66! Chicago has banked on strong pitching as well, led by Ham Iburg’s five shutouts (17-6 overall). Fred Clarke has enjoyed a resurgent July hitting .360, finding his stride after coming back to the NL from California. The rest of the NL has not enjoyed much of any success, playing .500 ball or worse over the last couple months, treading water for what many already consider the offseason with Pittsburg’s big lead. There is talk in both leagues about scheduling fall City Series in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Boston to see who among these struggling clubs are the best in town. Boston is home to two lowly clubs, both of which are 30 games out of the championship run, and could use any excitement at this point.

Slippery Elm Boy Watch:

Our lone spitballer in the National League, Frank Corridon, is growing weary of his chances of returning to Philadelphia despite a solid performance thus far in Toronto, the Phillies top “farm” club. He is 12-8 in 22 starts, sporting a 1.57 ERA. He seems to have managed his control problems of the past, striking out 94 against 44 free passes in 194 innings. One man on the major league squad ahead of Corridon is Dusty Rhoads, who has recovered from his injuries but still pitches for a bad team, going 6-13 with a 2.61 ERA. Rhoads can be moody on the mound, but he doesn’t lack the control of his fastball that probably keeps Corridon in the minors. Chick Fraser is still without a job.

National Club Standing, July 31, 1903

    Club     Won   Lost   Pct   G.B. Avg.  ERA    
Pittsburgh    65    29   .691    -   .277  1.80   
Chicago       58    38   .604    8   .265  2.34   
St. Louis     48    45   .516  16.5  .248  2.56   
Brooklyn      45    49   .479   20   .266  3.37   
New York      44    49   .473  20.5  .262  2.89
Cincinnati    44    50   .468   21   .261  2.96
Philadelphia  43    50   .462  21.5  .255  2.69
Boston        28    65   .301  36.5  .236  3.56

Over in the American League, Detroit still leads surprising Washington after a cool 13-14 July record. The pace of May and June, 22-9 and 22-4, respectively, could not have possibly been extended. Detroit obviously has benefited from the late Win Mercer’s winter transactions, having brought in Sam Crawford (.318, 64 rbi’s) and Bill Donovan (16-5, 1.87 ERA). Donovan is joined in the rotation by fellow sub-2.00 ERA holder Stan Yerkes and Frank Kitson (17 wins, 3 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio). Washington follows the Tigers by reversing a poor June (9-17) with a strong July (19-8) behind the leading bat of veteran Big Ed Delahanty (.350, 5 home runs). The Senators are perhaps slowed by an off-year by Al Orth, an otherwise dominant right-handed pitcher. Orth relies on his durability, mental strength and changing speeds to make due without a breaking pitch. But this year he’s suffered 1 more run a game and does not strike out hitters at any accelerated rate. Despite leading the league in batting average, the White Sox have not scored runs and have left strong pitchers Roy Patterson (12-10, 1.96 ERA) and young Addie Joss wanting in the win column. They’ve improved the past two months though, playing 13 games over .500, finally getting key scoring hits by Bill Keister (.337) and manager Fielder Jones. Co-captian and now former pitcher Nixey Callahan was sent to Minneapolis to work on becoming a major league fielder, and, to groom the young and extremely talented pitcher Ed Walsh. The only excitement left in Cleveland is Nap Lajoie’s pursuit of the hitting crown, which he leads comfortably at a .394 clip. New York has fallen badly, going 16-38 since May due to an anemic offense. Boston’s Cy Young had showed promise in May of recovering his past form but has again reverted to his winless ways, going 2-11 with a 3.50 ERA the past two months.

American Club Standing, July 31, 1903

    Club     Won   Lost   Pct   G.B. Avg.  ERA    
Detroit       62    30   .674    -   .278  2.48 
Washington    51    37   .580    9   .273  2.87  
Chicago       49    39   .557   11   .279  2.36  
St. Louis     49    42   .538  12.5  .263  3.03   
Cleveland     44    44   .500   16   .269  2.86
New York      36    52   .409   24   .249  3.15
Philadelphia  36    54   .400   25   .262  3.39
Boston        31    60   .341  30.5  .246  3.25

Slippery Elm Boy Watch:

Jack Chesbro has kept his spirits high despite not gaining any run support from his disappearing New York offense. His own numbers aren’t much to talk about, with AL hitters having timed his still raw spitball. Chesbro is a disappointing 5-17 with a 3.18 ERA so far this year with the Highlanders. Teammate Clark Griffith keeps pace with a 7-8 record in 17 starts, keeping hitters to a .235 batting average. His age is beginning to show, not able to make a start every time he usually sends himself out there on the mound. Cleveland’s Earl Moore has regained the edge with his herky-jerky side arm delivery, having won 11 out of his last 12 decisions after losing his first 11 of 12 in the opening two months. Moore credits his ability to get ahead of hitters and the improved location of his “saliva shoot” down and away as keys to his return to stardom and Cleveland’s push to get out of the second division. Bostonians Tom Hughes and Bill Dinneen, both struggling to keep hitters off the bases, should reconsider how they’ll spend the offseason, hopefully by listening to teammate George Hildebrand, wh