HOB2 1903 Season Recap

Tiger Fan · 04-21-2002, 11:11 PM

A DYNASTY BEGINS?
Desiring a presence in the biggest market in the country, the American League sold the Baltimore franchise to businessmen Frank Farrell and Bill Deveery for $18,000. The new club, dubbed the Highlanders because they will play their home games at Hilltop Park, would retain the services of Baltimore player-manager John McGraw despite the frequent run-ins McGraw had with American League President Ban Johnson.

JOHN MCGRAW
McGraw was an extremely interesting character and probably one of the greatest baseball minds of his era. He is credited as the main reason baseball added addtional umpires on the bases. The story has it that while the single umpire would follow the flight of the ball McGraw would do everything he could to obstruct baserunners including blocking or tripping them. He was continuously having run-ins with baseball's establishment and one such disagreement over the folding of Baltimore's National League team in 1900 led him to organize the Baltimore Orioles franchise in the new American League. However, McGraw ran into more trouble this time with AL President Ban Johnson and in mid-1902 jumped to the NL's New York Giants where he would remain for 30 years. His managerial style was similiar to his playing antics as he incited crowds and opposing teams alike as his Giants quickly became the most despised team in baseball. In 1906 he arrogantly had "Champions of the World" emblazoned across the front of his team's jerseys. He retired as a manager in 1932 with 2763 career victories, second only to Connie Mack. It remains to be seen if McGraw's HOB2 career will be anywhere near as interesting.

The Yankee Dynasty in its Infancy
The transplanted Baltimore franchise brought plenty of talent north to New York. The team featuring Roger Bresnahan, Honus Wagner, McGraw, Bill Keister, Mike Donlin, Cy Seymour and Joe McGinnity added another strong starter in Happy Townsend via free agency and had rookie Barney Wolfe burst onto the scene. The result was a 90 win season and an American League Pennant. 27 game winner Harry Howell left for Washington as a free agent but with the addition of Townsend (17-5, 2.13) and rookie of the year Wolfe (25-14, 2.53) no one missed him. New York had solid pitching and the best offense in the league with Mike Donlin, Steve Brodie and Bill Keister all finishing in the top 10 in batting while Cy Seymour led the American League in rbi's.
The only real challenge came from Philadelphia but the White Elephants were no match for the New Yorkers. Free agent pickup Nixey Callahan, the ex-White Sox hurler, went 29-16 to win the Markle Award. Eddie Plank chipped in with 22 victories. Nap Lajoie won his third straight batting crown but infuriated Philadelphia management and fans by refusing to sign a lucrative contract extension. Lajoie will test the free agent waters and almost assuredly will not be back in an A's uniform.

PHILLIES SUFFER SAME FATE AS PITTSBURGH
Just like the Pirates a year ago, the Philadelphia Phillies endured a serious hangover following their pennant winning season. Free agency decimated the Phillies as Happy Townsend, Elmer Flick and Ed Delahanty all skipped town. In their place the Phillies only managed to sign pitcher Jack Harper. It was a move they would have been better off not making. Harper, who was 27-16 for the Cardinals last year, was injured early and struggled to a 9-20 season. Without Delahanty and Flick, the Philadelphia offense was the worst in the league.
Boston had a little more success in the free agent market. The Beaneaters signed ex-Pirate Deacon Phillippe and he went 18-11 to solidify a rotation that included Vic Willis (22-11) and Bill Dineen (20-17). The other key free agent pickup was third baseman Jimmy Collins, fresh off his World Series victory with the cross-town Pilgrims. Collins (.291) teamed with Pat Carney (.276), Jimmy Sheckard (.318) and Bobby Wallace (78 rbi) to lead the Boston offense.
Bob Ewing (26-14, 2.50) of second place Cincinnati was named the loop's top pitcher. MVP honours went to Jesse Burkett of St Louis. Burkett finished second to teammate Ed Delahanty in batting and led the league with 13 homers. Oscar Grove of Brooklyn was named the rookie of the year. The 24 year old went 24-18 and earned a spot on the midseason all-star team.

NOTES
Elmer Flick of Chicago(A) hit just 6 homers all season but 3 of them came in one game. "I don't know what Flicky had for breakfast that morning," said teammate Frank Isbell, "but I got to get me some." Flick drove in 5 runs and his final homer came in the 13th inning to give the White Sox a 6-4 win over St Louis.

The National League won its second straight all-star game, nipping the American Leaguers 5-4. Brooklyn third baseman Fred Hartman's rbi single in the top of the ninth capped a 3 run inning as the NL rallied for the victory. Ed Delahanty was named the game's MVP. Delahanty had 2 hits including a double. He also scored a run and added an rbi despite being in a very quiet mood during the entire day as a result of an incident two nights before on the train from Brooklyn. Cardinals pitcher Alex Pearson was the winner with Bill Reidy of the Browns taking the loss. Nixey Callahan of the A's pitched 3 perfect innings to start the game for the American League.

NEAR MISS FOR DELAHANTY
Rumour has it Ed Delahanty nearly plunged into the Niagara River just prior to the allstar game. The incident is said to occur as 4 Cardinals; Delahanty, Jesse Burkett, Alex Pearson and Otto Williams were traveling from Brooklyn to Detroit for the all star game. Although none of the players involved would discuss the incident it appears Delahanty was so distraught at his gambling debts that he threatened to throw himself into the Falls as the train stopped at the Canadian border. One observer says Delahanty was wandering at the edge of the Falls in a drunken state and he lost his footing. Teammate Jesse Burkett managed to catch the star outfielder and return him to safety.



American League Standings :

                         W   L   PCT    GB   

   New York             90  50  .643    --  

   Philadelphia (A)     85  55  .607     5  

   Boston (A)           74  66  .529    16  

   St Louis(A)          68  72  .486    22  

   Detroit              65  75  .464    25  

   Chicago (A)          61  79  .436    29  

   Cleveland            61  79  .436    29  

   Washington           56  84  .400    34  

 

  National League Standings :

                         W   L   PCT    GB  

   Boston (N)           81  59  .579    --  

   Cincinnati           77  63  .550     4  

   Chicago (N)          76  64  .543     5 

   St. Louis (N)        76  64  .543     5  

   New York (N)         74  66  .529     7  

   Brooklyn             68  72  .486    13  

   Pittsburgh           64  76  .457    17  

   Philadelphia (N)     44  96  .314    37 



AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS

BATTING LEADERS

 

  TOP 10 in BATTING AVG :

   .367  Nap Lajoie(PHA,AL)

   .328  Buck Freeman(BOS,AL)

   .327  Steve Brodie(NYY,AL)

   .326  Elmer Flick( CHW,AL)

   .326  Ollie Pickering(CLE,AL)

   .325  Mike Donlin(NYY,AL)

   .324  Kid Elberfeld(DET,AL)

   .315  Bill Keister(NYY,AL)

   .315  Bill Bradley(CLE,AL)

   .312  Sport Mcallister(DET)

 

  TOP 10 in HOMERUNS :

   13  Mike Donlin(NYY,AL)

   11  Buck Freeman(BOS,AL)

   11  Billy Hamilton(PHA)

   11  Ducky Holmes(DET)

   10  Pop Foster(WSH,AL)

   9  Fred Clarke(SLB)

   9  Nap Lajoie(PHA,AL)

   7  Doc Nance(DET)

   7  Bill Coughlin(WSH)

   7  Cy Seymour(NYY,AL)

 

  TOP 10 in RBI :

   98  Cy Seymour(NYY,AL)

   92  Bill Bradley(CLE,AL)

   92  Nap Lajoie(PHA,AL)

   88  Mike Donlin(NYY,AL)

   85  Bill Keister(NYY,AL)

   84  Harry Davis(PHA)

   84  Algie Mcbride(SLB)

   83  Pop Foster(WSH,AL)

   83  John Anderson(SLB,AL)

   81  Chick Stahl(BOS)



TOP 10 in ERA :

   2.13  Happy Townsend ( NYY,AL)

   2.24  Cy Young (BOS,AL)

   2.49  Bill Bernhard (PHA)

   2.49  Nixey Callahan ( PHA,AL)

   2.50  John Deering ( NYY,AL)

   2.53  Barney Wolfe ( NYY)

   2.60  Norwood Gibson ( BOS)

   2.63  Sam Mcmackin (CHW)

   2.71  George Winter (BOS,AL)

   2.90  Bill Reidy (SLB,AL)

 

  TOP 10 in WINS :

   29  Nixey Callahan ( PHA,AL)

   25  Barney Wolfe ( NYY)

   24  Sam Mcmackin (CHW)

   23  Eddie Plank (PHA)

   22  Cy Young (BOS,AL)

   19  Dale Gear (WSH)

   19  Tully Sparks (SLB)

   19  Bill Reidy (SLB,AL)

   18  George Winter (BOS,AL)

   18  George Mullin (DET,AL)



NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS

     TOP 10 in BATTING AVG :

   .342  Ed Delahanty( STL,NL)

   .333  Jesse Burkett(STL,NL)

   .333  George Davis(NYG,NL)

   .318  Jimmy Sheckard(BSN,NL)

   .304  Billy Gilbert(NYG)

   .303  Ginger Beaumont(PIT)

   .301  Harry Bay(CIN)

   .300  George Vanhaltren(NYG)

   .298  Willie Keeler(BRO)

   .295  Sam Crawford(CIN)

 

  TOP 10 in HOMERUNS :

   13  Jesse Burkett(STL,NL)

   7  Ginger Beaumont(PIT)

   6  Charlie Hickman(NYG,NL)

   6  Jimmy Sheckard(BSN,NL)

   6  George Vanhaltren(NYG)

   6  Emmet Heidrick(STL)

   6  Fred Tenney(BSN,NL)

   6  Ed Delahanty( STL,NL)

   5  Bunk Congalton(CHC)

   5  Harry Steinfeldt( CIN)

 

  TOP 10 in RBI :

   94  George Davis(NYG,NL)

   93  Jesse Burkett(STL,NL)

   79  Tom Mccreery(BRO)

   78  Pat Carney(BSN,NL)

   78  Bobby Wallace(BSN,NL)

   76  George Vanhaltren(NYG)

   75  Fred Hartman(BRO,NL)

   72  Topsy Hartsel(CHC)

   71  Bunk Congalton(CHC)

   70  Otto Williams(STL,NL)



  TOP 10 in ERA :

   2.21  Alex Pearson (STL,NL)

   2.31  Christy Mathewson (NYG)

   2.37  Deacon Phillippe ( BSN,NL)

   2.38  Carl Lundgren (CHC,NL)

   2.39  Jack Chesbro (PIT,NL)

   2.50  Bob Ewing (CIN)

   2.52  Jake Weimer ( CHC)

   2.58  Ed Doheny (NYG)

   2.66  Bill Dinneen (BSN,NL)

   2.69  Vic Willis (BSN)

 

  TOP 10 in WINS :

   26  Bob Ewing (CIN)

   24  Christy Mathewson (NYG)

   24  Oscar Jones ( BRO,NL)

   23  Ed Doheny (NYG)

   22  Vic Willis (BSN)

   21  Jesse Tannehill (PIT)

   20  Bill Dinneen (BSN,NL)

   19  Carl Lundgren (CHC,NL)

   19  Alex Pearson (STL,NL)

   19  Jack Chesbro (PIT,NL)

Next up the 1903 World Series between the New York Highlanders and the Boston Beaneaters.

Tiger Fan · 04-22-2002, 05:33 AM

1903 WORLD SERIES: NEW YORK HIGHLANDERS vs BOSTON BEANEATERS
The first World Series appearance for each of these clubs. The New York franchise had enjoyed some decent success while based in Baltimore the past two seasons, finishing 3 games out of first in 1901 and just 1 game behind eventual world champion Boston(A) last year. Meanwhile, the Beaneaters pennant is a bit of a surprise to say the least. Boston was sixth in the National League, a whooping 35 games out of first place in 1901. Last season was a little better but they still finished in fourth place. However, consistant pitching was enough to get them into the Series this year. Can those Boston arms hold up against the mighty Highlander bats is the big question heading into the 1903 Series.

Injuries will play a key role in the series as the Beaneaters will be without 2 of their 3 starting pitchers. Both Vic Willis and Deacon Phillippe will likely miss the entire series.
Veteran Kid Nicholls (9-8, 2.42) will have no problem stepping into the rotation but there is much concern in Boston about whether untested Togie Pittenger (4-2, 3.19)will be able to do the job.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders got bad news on the eve of the series when it was learned that Honus Wagner's injury suffered in the final game of the season would be severe enough to end his season.

GAME 1 - Boston pitcher Bill Dineen wins the game with his arm and his bat. Dineen allows just 8 hits and his 2 run single in the 6th proves the difference as Boston beats New York 4-3 in the opener. Happy Townsend takes the loss. Bill Keister has 3 of the Highlander hits.

GAME 2 - Kid Nichols allows a pair of New York doubles in the first inning but is nearly perfect the rest of the way. Like Dineen ahead of him Nichols provides the key hit, a 2 run single in the third. It stands up as Boston beats rookie Barney Wolfe and the Highlanders 3-1 to sweep the first 2 games in New York.

GAME 3 - The seldom used Togie Pittenger appears to be in over his head starting a World Series game against the great Joe McGinnity. However, Pittenger keeps the Beaneaters in the game, trailing just 1-0 through 5 innings. Boston manufactures a run in the sixth to tie the game and in the 7th McGinnity makes a mistake. He hangs a 1 out curveball that Boston outfielder Duff Cooley rips into the rightfield corner. By the time Highlander outfielder Cy Seymour tracks the ball down Cooley is steaming into third base. Pat Carney follows with a weak grounder to second that is enough to plate Cooley with the eventual winning run. Pittenger shuts down the Highlander bats the rest of the way and it ends 2-1 Boston. The Beaneaters are just one win away from pulling off a huge upset.

GAME 4 - Townsend and New York lead Dineen and Boston 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th but a couple of walks and a clutch single from Pat Carney ties the game with the Beaneaters down to their final out. Neither team can score in the 10th but in the top of the 11th the Beaneaters shoot themselves in the foot. Errors from Fred Tenney and Jimmy Sheckard help New York score 3 times in the frame. Happy Townsend retires the Boston side without incident in the bottom of the 11th and the Highlanders cling to life following a 6-3 win.

GAME 5 - Steve Brodie drives in 4 as New York hammers Kid Nichols 6-1. Nichols was cruising along thru the 7th before allowing 5 runs in two innings. Barney Wolfe allowed 7 hits in earning the victory. The series shifts back to New York with Boston still needing just 1 victory.

GAME 6 - Pittenger is terrific allowing just 3 hits. Unfortunately for Boston supporters McGinnity pitches just as well surrendering only 1 run on 8 hits. Two of the hits Pittenger gave up were triples to Mike Donlin and each time they resulted in a run being scored so the Highlanders win the game 2-1 and now having won 3 straight the series is deadlocked. Donlin was the hero with an rbi and a run to go with his pair of three-baggers.

GAME 7 - Dineen and Townsend hook up for the third time in the series. Having dropped 3 straight, Boston's fragile psyche suffers a blow in the second when Bill Keister singles to lead off the inning. Back to back doubles from Cy Seymour and Roger Bresnahan make it 2-0 New York. Boston gamely tries to crawl back into the game but in the end the Highlanders prevail 6-3, completing an improbbale comeback after just as unexpectedly dropping the first 3 games.

With 5 rbi's and a .379 batting average, New York shortstop Bill Keister is named the series MVP.

The Braves fell just short in a season no one expected them to get anywhere near this far. You cant blame the loss on Nichols or Pittenger but one can't help but wonder if things would have turned out differently had Vic Willis and Deacon Phillippe been healthy for the series. Between them they won 40 games this season. Willis will not be back in a Boston uniform next season. He is a free agent but the rest of the cast should remain the same. It is unlikely to expect Boston to repeat but it was highly unlikely they would have won the pennant this year.

The Highlanders are loaded with talent but will likely lose Joe McGinnity and Roger Bresnahan to free agency. If they can replace those players there is no reason New York wont be a team to reckon with for several seasons.

Next up 1904 and the schedule expands to 154 games.

Ryan W. · 04-23-2002, 07:30 AM

Nice reference on Delahanty. Thankfully, someone was there to catch him this time. [Wink]

I am always intrigued in my replays to see how Delahanty does. He usually finishes ~ 4000+ hits and is one of the first inductees in the Hall of Fame. What a career it COULD have been. May have been Delahanty's record that Rose was chasing after.

04-21-2002, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 5,443 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3x in 2 posts	HOB2 1903 Season Recap A DYNASTY BEGINS? Desiring a presence in the biggest market in the country, the American League sold the Baltimore franchise to businessmen Frank Farrell and Bill Deveery for $18,000. The new club, dubbed the Highlanders because they will play their home games at Hilltop Park, would retain the services of Baltimore player-manager John McGraw despite the frequent run-ins McGraw had with American League President Ban Johnson. JOHN MCGRAW McGraw was an extremely interesting character and probably one of the greatest baseball minds of his era. He is credited as the main reason baseball added addtional umpires on the bases. The story has it that while the single umpire would follow the flight of the ball McGraw would do everything he could to obstruct baserunners including blocking or tripping them. He was continuously having run-ins with baseball's establishment and one such disagreement over the folding of Baltimore's National League team in 1900 led him to organize the Baltimore Orioles franchise in the new American League. However, McGraw ran into more trouble this time with AL President Ban Johnson and in mid-1902 jumped to the NL's New York Giants where he would remain for 30 years. His managerial style was similiar to his playing antics as he incited crowds and opposing teams alike as his Giants quickly became the most despised team in baseball. In 1906 he arrogantly had "Champions of the World" emblazoned across the front of his team's jerseys. He retired as a manager in 1932 with 2763 career victories, second only to Connie Mack. It remains to be seen if McGraw's HOB2 career will be anywhere near as interesting. The Yankee Dynasty in its Infancy The transplanted Baltimore franchise brought plenty of talent north to New York. The team featuring Roger Bresnahan, Honus Wagner, McGraw, Bill Keister, Mike Donlin, Cy Seymour and Joe McGinnity added another strong starter in Happy Townsend via free agency and had rookie Barney Wolfe burst onto the scene. The result was a 90 win season and an American League Pennant. 27 game winner Harry Howell left for Washington as a free agent but with the addition of Townsend (17-5, 2.13) and rookie of the year Wolfe (25-14, 2.53) no one missed him. New York had solid pitching and the best offense in the league with Mike Donlin, Steve Brodie and Bill Keister all finishing in the top 10 in batting while Cy Seymour led the American League in rbi's. The only real challenge came from Philadelphia but the White Elephants were no match for the New Yorkers. Free agent pickup Nixey Callahan, the ex-White Sox hurler, went 29-16 to win the Markle Award. Eddie Plank chipped in with 22 victories. Nap Lajoie won his third straight batting crown but infuriated Philadelphia management and fans by refusing to sign a lucrative contract extension. Lajoie will test the free agent waters and almost assuredly will not be back in an A's uniform. PHILLIES SUFFER SAME FATE AS PITTSBURGH Just like the Pirates a year ago, the Philadelphia Phillies endured a serious hangover following their pennant winning season. Free agency decimated the Phillies as Happy Townsend, Elmer Flick and Ed Delahanty all skipped town. In their place the Phillies only managed to sign pitcher Jack Harper. It was a move they would have been better off not making. Harper, who was 27-16 for the Cardinals last year, was injured early and struggled to a 9-20 season. Without Delahanty and Flick, the Philadelphia offense was the worst in the league. Boston had a little more success in the free agent market. The Beaneaters signed ex-Pirate Deacon Phillippe and he went 18-11 to solidify a rotation that included Vic Willis (22-11) and Bill Dineen (20-17). The other key free agent pickup was third baseman Jimmy Collins, fresh off his World Series victory with the cross-town Pilgrims. Collins (.291) teamed with Pat Carney (.276), Jimmy Sheckard (.318) and Bobby Wallace (78 rbi) to lead the Boston offense. Bob Ewing (26-14, 2.50) of second place Cincinnati was named the loop's top pitcher. MVP honours went to Jesse Burkett of St Louis. Burkett finished second to teammate Ed Delahanty in batting and led the league with 13 homers. Oscar Grove of Brooklyn was named the rookie of the year. The 24 year old went 24-18 and earned a spot on the midseason all-star team. NOTES Elmer Flick of Chicago(A) hit just 6 homers all season but 3 of them came in one game. "I don't know what Flicky had for breakfast that morning," said teammate Frank Isbell, "but I got to get me some." Flick drove in 5 runs and his final homer came in the 13th inning to give the White Sox a 6-4 win over St Louis. The National League won its second straight all-star game, nipping the American Leaguers 5-4. Brooklyn third baseman Fred Hartman's rbi single in the top of the ninth capped a 3 run inning as the NL rallied for the victory. Ed Delahanty was named the game's MVP. Delahanty had 2 hits including a double. He also scored a run and added an rbi despite being in a very quiet mood during the entire day as a result of an incident two nights before on the train from Brooklyn. Cardinals pitcher Alex Pearson was the winner with Bill Reidy of the Browns taking the loss. Nixey Callahan of the A's pitched 3 perfect innings to start the game for the American League. NEAR MISS FOR DELAHANTY Rumour has it Ed Delahanty nearly plunged into the Niagara River just prior to the allstar game. The incident is said to occur as 4 Cardinals; Delahanty, Jesse Burkett, Alex Pearson and Otto Williams were traveling from Brooklyn to Detroit for the all star game. Although none of the players involved would discuss the incident it appears Delahanty was so distraught at his gambling debts that he threatened to throw himself into the Falls as the train stopped at the Canadian border. One observer says Delahanty was wandering at the edge of the Falls in a drunken state and he lost his footing. Teammate Jesse Burkett managed to catch the star outfielder and return him to safety. American League Standings : W L PCT GB New York 90 50 .643 -- Philadelphia (A) 85 55 .607 5 Boston (A) 74 66 .529 16 St Louis(A) 68 72 .486 22 Detroit 65 75 .464 25 Chicago (A) 61 79 .436 29 Cleveland 61 79 .436 29 Washington 56 84 .400 34 National League Standings : W L PCT GB Boston (N) 81 59 .579 -- Cincinnati 77 63 .550 4 Chicago (N) 76 64 .543 5 St. Louis (N) 76 64 .543 5 New York (N) 74 66 .529 7 Brooklyn 68 72 .486 13 Pittsburgh 64 76 .457 17 Philadelphia (N) 44 96 .314 37 AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS BATTING LEADERS TOP 10 in BATTING AVG : .367 Nap Lajoie(PHA,AL) .328 Buck Freeman(BOS,AL) .327 Steve Brodie(NYY,AL) .326 Elmer Flick( CHW,AL) .326 Ollie Pickering(CLE,AL) .325 Mike Donlin(NYY,AL) .324 Kid Elberfeld(DET,AL) .315 Bill Keister(NYY,AL) .315 Bill Bradley(CLE,AL) .312 Sport Mcallister(DET) TOP 10 in HOMERUNS : 13 Mike Donlin(NYY,AL) 11 Buck Freeman(BOS,AL) 11 Billy Hamilton(PHA) 11 Ducky Holmes(DET) 10 Pop Foster(WSH,AL) 9 Fred Clarke(SLB) 9 Nap Lajoie(PHA,AL) 7 Doc Nance(DET) 7 Bill Coughlin(WSH) 7 Cy Seymour(NYY,AL) TOP 10 in RBI : 98 Cy Seymour(NYY,AL) 92 Bill Bradley(CLE,AL) 92 Nap Lajoie(PHA,AL) 88 Mike Donlin(NYY,AL) 85 Bill Keister(NYY,AL) 84 Harry Davis(PHA) 84 Algie Mcbride(SLB) 83 Pop Foster(WSH,AL) 83 John Anderson(SLB,AL) 81 Chick Stahl(BOS) TOP 10 in ERA : 2.13 Happy Townsend ( NYY,AL) 2.24 Cy Young (BOS,AL) 2.49 Bill Bernhard (PHA) 2.49 Nixey Callahan ( PHA,AL) 2.50 John Deering ( NYY,AL) 2.53 Barney Wolfe ( NYY) 2.60 Norwood Gibson ( BOS) 2.63 Sam Mcmackin (CHW) 2.71 George Winter (BOS,AL) 2.90 Bill Reidy (SLB,AL) TOP 10 in WINS : 29 Nixey Callahan ( PHA,AL) 25 Barney Wolfe ( NYY) 24 Sam Mcmackin (CHW) 23 Eddie Plank (PHA) 22 Cy Young (BOS,AL) 19 Dale Gear (WSH) 19 Tully Sparks (SLB) 19 Bill Reidy (SLB,AL) 18 George Winter (BOS,AL) 18 George Mullin (DET,AL) NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS TOP 10 in BATTING AVG : .342 Ed Delahanty( STL,NL) .333 Jesse Burkett(STL,NL) .333 George Davis(NYG,NL) .318 Jimmy Sheckard(BSN,NL) .304 Billy Gilbert(NYG) .303 Ginger Beaumont(PIT) .301 Harry Bay(CIN) .300 George Vanhaltren(NYG) .298 Willie Keeler(BRO) .295 Sam Crawford(CIN) TOP 10 in HOMERUNS : 13 Jesse Burkett(STL,NL) 7 Ginger Beaumont(PIT) 6 Charlie Hickman(NYG,NL) 6 Jimmy Sheckard(BSN,NL) 6 George Vanhaltren(NYG) 6 Emmet Heidrick(STL) 6 Fred Tenney(BSN,NL) 6 Ed Delahanty( STL,NL) 5 Bunk Congalton(CHC) 5 Harry Steinfeldt( CIN) TOP 10 in RBI : 94 George Davis(NYG,NL) 93 Jesse Burkett(STL,NL) 79 Tom Mccreery(BRO) 78 Pat Carney(BSN,NL) 78 Bobby Wallace(BSN,NL) 76 George Vanhaltren(NYG) 75 Fred Hartman(BRO,NL) 72 Topsy Hartsel(CHC) 71 Bunk Congalton(CHC) 70 Otto Williams(STL,NL) TOP 10 in ERA : 2.21 Alex Pearson (STL,NL) 2.31 Christy Mathewson (NYG) 2.37 Deacon Phillippe ( BSN,NL) 2.38 Carl Lundgren (CHC,NL) 2.39 Jack Chesbro (PIT,NL) 2.50 Bob Ewing (CIN) 2.52 Jake Weimer ( CHC) 2.58 Ed Doheny (NYG) 2.66 Bill Dinneen (BSN,NL) 2.69 Vic Willis (BSN) TOP 10 in WINS : 26 Bob Ewing (CIN) 24 Christy Mathewson (NYG) 24 Oscar Jones ( BRO,NL) 23 Ed Doheny (NYG) 22 Vic Willis (BSN) 21 Jesse Tannehill (PIT) 20 Bill Dinneen (BSN,NL) 19 Carl Lundgren (CHC,NL) 19 Alex Pearson (STL,NL) 19 Jack Chesbro (PIT,NL) Next up the 1903 World Series between the New York Highlanders and the Boston Beaneaters. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles My current dynasty - Fictional Breda Baseball League

04-22-2002, 05:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 5,443 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3x in 2 posts	1903 WORLD SERIES: NEW YORK HIGHLANDERS vs BOSTON BEANEATERS The first World Series appearance for each of these clubs. The New York franchise had enjoyed some decent success while based in Baltimore the past two seasons, finishing 3 games out of first in 1901 and just 1 game behind eventual world champion Boston(A) last year. Meanwhile, the Beaneaters pennant is a bit of a surprise to say the least. Boston was sixth in the National League, a whooping 35 games out of first place in 1901. Last season was a little better but they still finished in fourth place. However, consistant pitching was enough to get them into the Series this year. Can those Boston arms hold up against the mighty Highlander bats is the big question heading into the 1903 Series. Injuries will play a key role in the series as the Beaneaters will be without 2 of their 3 starting pitchers. Both Vic Willis and Deacon Phillippe will likely miss the entire series. Veteran Kid Nicholls (9-8, 2.42) will have no problem stepping into the rotation but there is much concern in Boston about whether untested Togie Pittenger (4-2, 3.19)will be able to do the job. Meanwhile, the Highlanders got bad news on the eve of the series when it was learned that Honus Wagner's injury suffered in the final game of the season would be severe enough to end his season. GAME 1 - Boston pitcher Bill Dineen wins the game with his arm and his bat. Dineen allows just 8 hits and his 2 run single in the 6th proves the difference as Boston beats New York 4-3 in the opener. Happy Townsend takes the loss. Bill Keister has 3 of the Highlander hits. GAME 2 - Kid Nichols allows a pair of New York doubles in the first inning but is nearly perfect the rest of the way. Like Dineen ahead of him Nichols provides the key hit, a 2 run single in the third. It stands up as Boston beats rookie Barney Wolfe and the Highlanders 3-1 to sweep the first 2 games in New York. GAME 3 - The seldom used Togie Pittenger appears to be in over his head starting a World Series game against the great Joe McGinnity. However, Pittenger keeps the Beaneaters in the game, trailing just 1-0 through 5 innings. Boston manufactures a run in the sixth to tie the game and in the 7th McGinnity makes a mistake. He hangs a 1 out curveball that Boston outfielder Duff Cooley rips into the rightfield corner. By the time Highlander outfielder Cy Seymour tracks the ball down Cooley is steaming into third base. Pat Carney follows with a weak grounder to second that is enough to plate Cooley with the eventual winning run. Pittenger shuts down the Highlander bats the rest of the way and it ends 2-1 Boston. The Beaneaters are just one win away from pulling off a huge upset. GAME 4 - Townsend and New York lead Dineen and Boston 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th but a couple of walks and a clutch single from Pat Carney ties the game with the Beaneaters down to their final out. Neither team can score in the 10th but in the top of the 11th the Beaneaters shoot themselves in the foot. Errors from Fred Tenney and Jimmy Sheckard help New York score 3 times in the frame. Happy Townsend retires the Boston side without incident in the bottom of the 11th and the Highlanders cling to life following a 6-3 win. GAME 5 - Steve Brodie drives in 4 as New York hammers Kid Nichols 6-1. Nichols was cruising along thru the 7th before allowing 5 runs in two innings. Barney Wolfe allowed 7 hits in earning the victory. The series shifts back to New York with Boston still needing just 1 victory. GAME 6 - Pittenger is terrific allowing just 3 hits. Unfortunately for Boston supporters McGinnity pitches just as well surrendering only 1 run on 8 hits. Two of the hits Pittenger gave up were triples to Mike Donlin and each time they resulted in a run being scored so the Highlanders win the game 2-1 and now having won 3 straight the series is deadlocked. Donlin was the hero with an rbi and a run to go with his pair of three-baggers. GAME 7 - Dineen and Townsend hook up for the third time in the series. Having dropped 3 straight, Boston's fragile psyche suffers a blow in the second when Bill Keister singles to lead off the inning. Back to back doubles from Cy Seymour and Roger Bresnahan make it 2-0 New York. Boston gamely tries to crawl back into the game but in the end the Highlanders prevail 6-3, completing an improbbale comeback after just as unexpectedly dropping the first 3 games. With 5 rbi's and a .379 batting average, New York shortstop Bill Keister is named the series MVP. The Braves fell just short in a season no one expected them to get anywhere near this far. You cant blame the loss on Nichols or Pittenger but one can't help but wonder if things would have turned out differently had Vic Willis and Deacon Phillippe been healthy for the series. Between them they won 40 games this season. Willis will not be back in a Boston uniform next season. He is a free agent but the rest of the cast should remain the same. It is unlikely to expect Boston to repeat but it was highly unlikely they would have won the pennant this year. The Highlanders are loaded with talent but will likely lose Joe McGinnity and Roger Bresnahan to free agency. If they can replace those players there is no reason New York wont be a team to reckon with for several seasons. Next up 1904 and the schedule expands to 154 games. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles My current dynasty - Fictional Breda Baseball League

04-23-2002, 07:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ryan W. Jack of all trades Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Somewhere, not sure where. Maybe nearby, maybe far away. Posts: 919 Thanks: 12 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Nice reference on Delahanty. Thankfully, someone was there to catch him this time. I am always intrigued in my replays to see how Delahanty does. He usually finishes ~ 4000+ hits and is one of the first inductees in the Hall of Fame. What a career it COULD have been. May have been Delahanty's record that Rose was chasing after.

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