MLB - 1903 Recap

[MattD]

Major League Baseball - 1903
AMERICAN LEAGUE

Team Reviews

BOSTON (A) PILGRIMS (104-50) - The Pilgrims are stacked in every sense of the word. Carl Lundgren was 28-6 and won the Spalding Award. Rube Waddell and Jack Chesbro also won at least 20 games. Despite an injury late in the season to Fred Clarke (.341), Boston had plentty of pop in the lineup. All nine players who appeared in at least 100 games batted over .280. 3B Bill Coughlin had one of the most amazing seasons ever, hitting 18 homers, driving home 111, and scoring 124 runs, numbers good enough to win him the Anson Trophy.

CLEVELAND NAPS (91-63) - Jock Menefee (25-6, 2.30) was high on the Spalding Award list, but Rube Vickers and Joe McGinnity also pitched very well. The lineup had the likes of LF Ginger Beaumont (.303, 2, 87), 3B Jimmy Collins (.295, 5, 93), and 1B Fred Tenney (.289, 7, 73).

NEW YORK (A) HIGHLANDERS (83-71) - The franchise had its best season ever in its first year in New York City. John McGraw evidently didn't care where the team played, batting .383 with a .489 on-base percentage, 200 hits, 109 runs, 81 walks, and just seven strikeouts. Herm McFarland had a career-high 98 RBI and 79 walks.

WASHINGTON SENATORS (73-81) - Cy Young continued to dominate (1.28 ERA) but started only 29 games. Heinie Pietz continued to show why he's believed to be the best catcher in the AL, batting .297 with five homers and 84 RBI. Elmer Flick and Ed Delahanty put up their usual numbers, but it wasn't enough to claim a third straight pennant.

CHICAGO (A) WHITE SOX (72-82) - Hughie Jennings, Kid Gleason, Harry Wolverton, and Charlie Hickman all had very good seasons, but the pitching wasn't as good as it has been. Jesse Tannehill tossed well, posting a 2.18 ERA and 21 wins.

DETROIT TIGERS (72-82) - Earl Moore and George Mullin went on the DL early and the Tiger pitching staff was not the same afterwards. CF Billy Hamilton continued to show why he's Detroit's favorite athlete, batting .370 with 200 hits and 45 steals.

ST. LOUIS (A) BROWNS (70-84) - The Brownies did have the second-highest batting average in the league, but also had the second-highest team ERA. C Klondike Douglas was excellent behind the plate, but didn't come through in the clutch situations enough (.343 AVG, but only 41 RBI). Erve Beck, Hugh Duffy, and Buck Freeman all had at least 90 RBI.

PHILADELPHIA (A) ATHLETICS (51-103) - The A's had the worst pitching in the league, and because of it finished with the worst record in American League history. Rookie Kaiser Wilhelm did manage to lose 30 games, setting a record no one would like to hold.

League Leaders
BATTING LEADERS

TOP 10 in BATTING AVG :
.383 John McGraw(NYA,AL)
.370 Billy Hamilton(DET,AL)
.340 Elmer Smith(BOS,AL)
.337 Hughie Jennings(CHA)
.324 Buck Freeman(SLA,AL)
.314 Ed Delahanty(WS1,AL)
.314 Kid Gleason(CHA)
.313 John Anderson(BOS,AL)
.309 Bill Coughlin(BOS,AL)
.304 Charlie Carr(DET)

TOP 10 in HOMERUNS :
18 Bill Coughlin(BOS,AL)
13 Irv Waldron(PHA,AL)
7 Fred Tenney(CLE)
5 Ed Delahanty(WS1,AL)
5 Heinie Peitz(WS1,AL)
5 Buck Freeman(SLA,AL)
5 Joe Sugden(CHA)
5 Elmer Flick( WS1)
5 Jimmy Collins(CLE,AL)
5 Charlie Hickman(CHA)

TOP 10 in RBI :
111 Bill Coughlin(BOS,AL)
100 John Anderson(BOS,AL)
98 Buck Freeman(SLA,AL)
98 Herm McFarland(NYA)
94 Hugh Duffy(SLA,AL)
93 Jimmy Collins(CLE,AL)
90 Erve Beck(SLA,AL)
89 Bert Conn(DET)
89 Boileryard Clarke(BOS)
88 John McGraw(NYA,AL)

TOP 10 in Doubles :
39 Ed Delahanty(WS1,AL)
38 Jimmy Collins(CLE,AL)
34 Bill Coughlin(BOS,AL)
34 Honus Wagner(SLA,AL)
34 Hughie Jennings(CHA)
33 Elmer Smith(BOS,AL)
32 Tom Daly( WS1)
32 Erve Beck(SLA,AL)
31 Bobby Wallace(CLE)
31 George Hogriever(SLA)

TOP 10 in Triples :
21 Jimmy Collins(CLE,AL)
19 Ginger Beaumont(CLE)
19 John McGraw(NYA,AL)
19 Buck Freeman(SLA,AL)
16 Honus Wagner(SLA,AL)
14 Danny Hoffman( DET)
14 Harry Bay(PHA)
14 Charlie Carr(DET)
13 Ed Delahanty(WS1,AL)
13 Fred Clarke(BOS)

TOP 10 in Runs :
124 Bill Coughlin(BOS,AL)
109 Jimmy Collins(CLE,AL)
109 John McGraw(NYA,AL)
102 Freddy Parent(BOS)
94 Jack Doyle(NYA)
94 Willie Keeler(NYA)
93 Honus Wagner(SLA,AL)
93 Ginger Beaumont(CLE)
89 John Anderson(BOS,AL)
88 Hughie Jennings(CHA)

TOP 10 in Stolen Bases :
55 Ginger Beaumont(CLE)
51 Ed Delahanty(WS1,AL)
47 Sam Mertes(PHA)
46 John McGraw(NYA,AL)
45 Billy Hamilton(DET,AL)
45 Tom Daly( WS1)
43 Joe Kelley(PHA)
43 Harry Bay(PHA)
43 Wid Conroy(DET)
43 Cupid Childs(CLE)

TOP 10 in BB's :
81 John McGraw(NYA,AL)
79 Herm McFarland(NYA)
72 Billy Hamilton(DET,AL)
65 Doc Nance(CHA)
65 Fred Tenney(CLE)
65 Jimmy Barrett(WS1)
54 Sam Mertes(PHA)
53 Bill Coughlin(BOS,AL)
53 Heinie Peitz(WS1,AL)
52 Elmer Smith(BOS,AL)

TOP 10 in Strikeouts :
92 Dutch Rudolph( NYA)
58 Simon Nicholls( WS1)
55 Win Kellum(DET)
50 Kaiser Wilhelm( PHA)
49 Jesse Tannehill(CHA,AL)
49 Bill Bernhard(WS1,AL)
44 Doc McJames(SLA)
43 Joe McGinnity(CLE,AL)
40 Doc White(DET)
40 Rube Waddell( BOS)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PITCHING LEADERS

TOP 10 in ERA :
1.28 Cy Young (WS1)
2.11 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)
2.19 Jesse Tannehill (CHA,AL)
2.28 Tully Sparks (BOS)
2.30 Jock Menefee (CLE,AL)
2.32 Barney Wolfe ( NYA)
2.37 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)
2.55 Chief Bender ( NYA)
2.71 Jack Chesbro (BOS,AL)
2.82 Joe McGinnity (CLE,AL)

TOP 10 in WINS :
28 Carl Lundgren (BOS,AL)
25 Jock Menefee (CLE,AL)
24 Jack Chesbro (BOS,AL)
21 Jesse Tannehill (CHA,AL)
20 Rube Waddell ( BOS)
20 Chief Bender ( NYA)
20 Joe McGinnity (CLE,AL)
19 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)
18 Doc White (DET)
17 Tully Sparks (BOS)

TOP 10 in LOSSES :
30 Kaiser Wilhelm ( PHA)
23 Doc White (DET)
22 Win Kellum (DET)
20 Doc McJames (SLA)
19 Henry Thielman (SLA)
18 Roy Patterson (NYA)
18 Jesse Tannehill (CHA,AL)
18 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)
18 Ted Lewis (PHA)
18 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)

TOP 10 in SAVES :
4 Kid Nichols (NYA)
4 Lew Moren ( PHA)
4 Jack McAleese (SLA,AL)
3 Mike O'Neill (NYA)
3 Clarence Currie (WS1)
3 George Mullin (DET)
2 Roscoe Miller (NYA)
2 Jimmy Wiggs ( BOS)
2 Ed Murphy (NYA)
2 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)

TOP 10 in COMPLETE GAMES :
37 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)
36 Joe McGinnity (CLE,AL)
36 Doc White (DET)
36 Win Kellum (DET)
34 Jesse Tannehill (CHA,AL)
33 Henry Thielman (SLA)
32 Carl Lundgren (BOS,AL)
32 Jack Chesbro (BOS,AL)
32 Chief Bender ( NYA)
30 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)

TOP 10 in SHUTOUTS :
4 Jesse Tannehill (CHA,AL)
4 Barney Wolfe ( NYA)
3 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)
3 Win Mercer (PHA)
3 Chief Bender ( NYA)
2 Doc White (DET)
2 Joe McGinnity (CLE,AL)
2 Al Orth (CHA)
2 Jock Menefee (CLE,AL)
2 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)

TOP 10 in K's :
216 Doc White (DET)
119 Rube Waddell ( BOS)
110 Watty Lee (WS1)
107 Chief Bender ( NYA)
100 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)
99 Harry Howell ( DET)
92 Jack Harper (CLE)
89 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)
85 Jesse Tannehill (CHA,AL)
73 Kaiser Wilhelm ( PHA)

TOP 10 in BB's :
104 Kaiser Wilhelm ( PHA)
103 Henry Thielman (SLA)
102 Doc McJames (SLA)
90 Carl Lundgren (BOS,AL)
85 Rube Waddell ( BOS)
82 Chief Bender ( NYA)
74 Joe McGinnity (CLE,AL)
70 Bill Bernhard (WS1,AL)
70 Harry Howell ( DET)
69 Rube Vickers (CLE,AL)

[MattD]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Team Reviews

CINCINNATI REDS (95-59) - 2B Nap Lajoie once again led the Reds to the pennant, copping his third straight Anson Trophy. He had a lot of help though from Jesse Burkett (.342, 5, 93), Topsy Hartsel (.293, 3, 84), and Dan McGann (.289, 5, 81). Doc Newton was spectacular on the hill, going 24-13.

PHILADELPHIA (N) PHILLIES (91-63) - The Phillies were well stacked for another run at the pennant, but came up just short. Happy Towsend continued to baffle NL hitters, but Bob Ewing added nearly a run to his ERA. Mike Donlin really improved over last year, jumping up to a .308 AVG, 7 HR, and 92 RBI.

BROOKLYN SUPERBAS (86-68) - Christy Mathewson finally lived up to his potential, winning the Spalding Award. He was just 22-18, but had a 1.61 ERA and allowed fewer than one baserunner per inning. The team's lack of power hurt them, hitting only 10 homers on the year.

BOSTON (N) BEANEATERS (83-71) - Boston did not excel in any category, but their defense really hurt them. It's amazing a team can continue to hold on to SS Bill Keister and his .897 fielding percentage. We all know he can hit but is becoming a huge defensive liability. Jack Taylor (24-12, 2.66) had his best season.

NEW YORK (N) GIANTS (77-77) - The Giants believed they would seriously challenge for the flag this year, but fell far short. One of the players who struggled was George Van Haltren, who hit just .220. Age may be catching up to the former star. Eddie Plank had his third straight year with at least 21 victories.

CHICAGO (N) CUBS (68-86) - The Cubs seemed to be riding a rollercoaster all season long. They had long winning streaks followed by long losing streaks and were seeking consistency all year. SS Bill Friel was about the only bright spot all year long, putting up a .314 average.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (67-87) - Danny Green had another great year with his bat - .316 AVG, 7 HR, 21 2B, 91 RBI - but didn't have much help. C Jiggs Donahue swung well enough to hit .308. Their pitching was mediocre at best with none of their starters posting a winning record.

ST. LOUIS (N) CARDINALS (49-105) - The Cards went through pitchers like no one else during the year. Their rotation was ravaged by injuries. The only bright spot to all the injuries was the Addie Joss was allowed to continue to improve. Candy La Chance's numbers continued to declined, but he was still the team's top hitter.

League Leaders
BATTING LEADERS

TOP 10 in BATTING AVG :
.347 Nap Lajoie(CIN,NL)
.342 Jesse Burkett( CIN,NL)
.326 Sam Crawford(NY1,NL)
.319 Steve Brodie(PHI,NL)
.316 Danny Green(PIT,NL)
.308 Jiggs Donahue(PIT,NL)
.308 Mike Donlin(PHI,NL)
.302 Jimmy Sheckard(NY1,NL)
.299 Frank Chance(PIT)
.297 Sam Dungan(BRO)

TOP 10 in HOMERUNS :
8 Nap Lajoie(CIN,NL)
7 Mike Donlin(PHI,NL)
7 Danny Green(PIT,NL)
6 Jake Beckley(NY1)
6 Bobby Lowe(PIT)
6 Bill Friel(CHN,NL)
6 George Davis(PHI)
5 Emmet Heidrick(BSN)
5 Jesse Burkett( CIN,NL)
5 Dan McGann(CIN,NL)

TOP 10 in RBI :
100 Nap Lajoie(CIN,NL)
93 Jesse Burkett( CIN,NL)
92 Mike Donlin(PHI,NL)
91 Danny Green(PIT,NL)
87 Kitty Bransfield(CHN,NL)
86 George Davis(PHI)
85 Jake Beckley(NY1)
85 Jimmy Sheckard(NY1,NL)
84 Topsy Hartsel(CIN)
81 Dan McGann(CIN,NL)

TOP 10 in Doubles :
62 Nap Lajoie(CIN,NL)
38 Ducky Holmes(SLN)
36 Kitty Bransfield(CHN,NL)
35 Jimmy Sheckard(NY1,NL)
35 Kip Selbach(SLN)
33 John Titus( BRO)
33 Kid Elberfeld(PHI,NL)
33 Frank Chance(PIT)
31 John Farrell(PHI)
30 Jake Beckley(NY1)

TOP 10 in Triples :
20 Jimmy Sebring(PIT)
18 Tommy Leach(BRO,NL)
18 Mike Donlin(PHI,NL)
17 Bill Keister(BSN)
16 Steve Brodie(PHI,NL)
15 Frank Isbell(PHI)
15 Nap Lajoie(CIN,NL)
15 Frank Shugart(BRO,NL)
15 Cy Seymour(CHN)
15 Bill Bradley(SLN)

TOP 10 in Runs :
113 Nap Lajoie(CIN,NL)
101 Doc Casey(CIN)
98 Jesse Burkett( CIN,NL)
92 Mike Grady(PIT)
91 Tommy Leach(BRO,NL)
90 Sam Crawford(NY1,NL)
89 Kip Selbach(SLN)
88 Frank Isbell(PHI)
87 Topsy Hartsel(CIN)
86 Candy LaChance(SLN)

TOP 10 in Stolen Bases :
51 Gene DeMontreville(CHN)
49 Steve Brodie(PHI,NL)
49 Frank Chance(PIT)
48 Lefty Davis(BSN)
48 Fielder Jones(BRO)
47 Topsy Hartsel(CIN)
47 Jesse Burkett( CIN,NL)
45 Herman Long(CIN)
40 Charlie Babb( CHN)
40 Frank Isbell(PHI)

TOP 10 in BB's :
71 Fielder Jones(BRO)
70 Topsy Hartsel(CIN)
70 Jesse Burkett( CIN,NL)
64 Roy Thomas(BSN)
60 Emmet Heidrick(BSN)
59 Lefty Davis(BSN)
58 Ducky Holmes(SLN)
57 Danny Green(PIT,NL)
55 Steve Brodie(PHI,NL)
55 Kid Elberfeld(PHI,NL)

TOP 10 in Strikeouts :
78 Fred Jacklitsch(PHI)
73 Fred Burchell( CIN,NL)
72 Sam Dungan(BRO)
70 Eddie Plank(NY1,NL)
69 Doc Newton(CIN,NL)
69 Vic Willis( CHN)
68 Jud Smith( NY1)
66 George Winter(PIT)
64 Christy Mathewson(BRO,NL)
57 Mordecai Brown( NY1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PITCHING LEADERS

TOP 10 in ERA :
1.61 Christy Mathewson (BRO,NL)
2.28 Norwood Gibson ( BRO)
2.28 Rube Kisinger (BRO)
2.51 Addie Joss (SLN)
2.51 Doc Newton (CIN,NL)
2.56 Eddie Plank (NY1,NL)
2.59 Happy Townsend (PHI)
2.63 Tom Hughes (CHN)
2.66 Jack Taylor ( BSN,NL)
2.70 George Winter (PIT)

TOP 10 in WINS :
24 Eddie Plank (NY1,NL)
24 Jack Taylor ( BSN,NL)
24 Doc Newton (CIN,NL)
23 Bob Ewing (PHI)
23 Fred Burchell ( CIN,NL)
22 Happy Townsend (PHI)
22 Christy Mathewson (BRO,NL)
22 Sam Leever ( PHI,NL)
21 Snake Wiltse (CIN,NL)
20 Jake Weimer ( BRO)

TOP 10 in LOSSES :
26 Bill Donovan ( SLN)
25 George Winter (PIT)
23 Addie Joss (SLN)
23 Vic Willis ( CHN)
22 Otto Hess (PIT)
20 Roger Denzer (NY1)
19 Mordecai Brown ( NY1)
18 Bob Ewing (PHI)
18 Tom Hughes (CHN)
18 Christy Mathewson (BRO,NL)

TOP 10 in SAVES :
4 Ambrose Puttmann ( CHN)
4 Jack Sutthoff (CIN,NL)
4 Kid Carsey (PHI)
3 John McPherson (CHN)
3 Bob Wicker (BSN)
3 Frank Owen (NY1)
2 Noodles Hahn (BSN)
2 Bill Duggleby (BSN)
2 Cowboy Jones ( NY1)
2 Ed Taylor ( PIT)

TOP 10 in COMPLETE GAMES :
39 Bob Ewing (PHI)
36 George Winter (PIT)
35 Christy Mathewson (BRO,NL)
35 Vic Willis ( CHN)
34 Fred Burchell ( CIN,NL)
33 Addie Joss (SLN)
33 Sam Leever ( PHI,NL)
32 Happy Townsend (PHI)
32 Doc Newton (CIN,NL)
32 Eddie Plank (NY1,NL)

TOP 10 in SHUTOUTS :
6 Eddie Plank (NY1,NL)
4 Jack Taylor ( BSN,NL)
3 Bob Ewing (PHI)
3 Doc Newton (CIN,NL)
3 Noodles Hahn (BSN)
2 Fred Glade (SLN)
2 Christy Mathewson (BRO,NL)
2 Happy Townsend (PHI)
2 Fred Burchell ( CIN,NL)
2 Addie Joss (SLN)

TOP 10 in K's :
212 Doc Newton (CIN,NL)
203 George Winter (PIT)
194 Happy Townsend (PHI)
167 Noodles Hahn (BSN)
160 Christy Mathewson (BRO,NL)
144 Tom Hughes (CHN)
119 Frank Owen (NY1)
108 Addie Joss (SLN)
102 Bob Lawson (BSN)
102 Bob Ewing (PHI)

TOP 10 in BB's :
102 Bob Ewing (PHI)
87 Bill Donovan ( SLN)
80 Vic Willis ( CHN)
79 Tom Hughes (CHN)
79 Charlie Case (CHN)
76 Fred Burchell ( CIN,NL)
73 Happy Townsend (PHI)
73 Ed Doheny (PIT)
71 Otto Hess (PIT)
71 Gus Dorner (CHN)

[MattD]

1903 WORLD SERIES
BOSTON PILGRIMS vs. CINCINNATI REDS

Game 1:
Boston combined a 12-hit attack with a stellar performance by Jack Chesbro to crush the Reds in the first game.

CIN     0  6  2

BOS     6  12 1

Game 2:
The Reds were able to score in only one inning, but put together four hits, a sacrifice, a hit by pitch, and a walk and turned them into four runs.

CIN     4  10 2

BOS     2  7  0

Game 3:
Nap Lajoie and Dan McGann both had three hits, coming through after two errors by Boston shortstop Freddy Parent in the eighth inning.

BOS     2  8  3

CIN     3  8  3

Game 4:
Tully Sparks continued his hot streak in the end of the season, winning his 16th straight decision. Boston was able to tie the series thanks in large part to Dave Brain, who was 3-for-4.

BOS     3  10 0

CIN     2  7  2

Game 5:
This was a great 12 inning affair, with Cincinnati finally winning on a two-out RBI single by Patsy Dougherty that brought home Roger Bresnahan.

BOS     2  9  1

CIN     3  9  0  (12)

Game 6:
Boston was able to score two runs in both the bottom of the eighth and ninth to come back and win this one. Socks Seybold had a clutch triple in the eighth after Cincy intentionally walked Anson Trophy winner Bill Coughlin. In the ninth, Dave Brain reached on an error by third basemen Doc Casey to load the bases, meaning they had to pitch to Coughlin, who ended the game with a single.

CIN     4  10 1

BOS     5  8  1

Game 7:
Jack Chesbro threw his second shutout of the series and Boileryard Clarke had three RBI to give the Pilgrims an easy win in game seven.

CIN     0  6  3

BOS     5  8  1

The Pilgrims were able to capitalize on Cincinnati's errors in the series and won because of it. Seven unearned runs and 12 errors in seven games will hurt you every time, as it did here to the Reds. Jack Chesbro was named series MVP after throwing two shutouts and posting a 0.91 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. Dave Brain was the hitting star though, putting up a .433 average and five triples.

[Celtic Forever]

Like the style. You're cranking out those results man - you'll catch up to me in no time flat. How are you running this league, with regard to financials and the assignment of rookies?

[MattD]

I've actually already got up to about 1930, just figured I'd actually make sure I started getting some good results before posting some recaps. I figured I've began a sim quite a few times and then ended up restarting that I'd make sure it was looking good for a little while.

Anyways, I guess mine is a little like Tiger Fan's, I'm letting teams use free agency with no salary cap for now while having a five round draft of rookies.