1903 Playoffs
NABL News: Playoffs begin
Wednesday, September 30th, 1903: "Baseball is a marathon," or so the saying goes. But once the North American BaseBall League playoffs start today, it's a sprint to the finish. One false move, one errant miscue, one pressure-packed flub will end your team's chances of winning the title. It could be over in a moment. On the other hand, one swing of the bat or a fastball blown by the last hitter could just as easily send your team parading down Main Street, hoisting a 24-carat gold-studded North American Series trophy before an adoring crowd. The contending ballclubs are all poised and ready -- the playoffs begin today with several North American Series showdowns:
Detroit Tigers versus Philadelphia Phillies. Best of Nine.
Detroit at Philadelphia
Thursday 10/1
Game 1
Frank Glade (19-14, 3.08) vs Doc White (18-9, 2.86)
Philadelphia 4 Detroit 2:
Doc White pitches a six hitter. Buck Freeman HR (1) for Tigers.
Friday 10/2
Game 2
Bill Donovan (18-13, 3.11) vs Nick Altrock (25-10, 2.83)
Philadelphia 9 Detroit 3:
Charlie Babb 3-4, 2 RBIs. Emmett Heidrick 3-5, 2 RBIs.
Philadelphia at Detroit
Saturday 10/4
Game 3
Bill Vinton (18-11, 3.17) vs Ed Killian (19-15, 3.89)
Philadelphia 15 Detroit 4:
Duff Cooley HR (1), 4 RBIs. Buck Freeman HR (2). Lee DeMontreville 2-5, 3 RBIs.
Sunday 10/5
Game 4:
Harry Howell (19-11, 3.45) vs Happy Townsend (9-4, 3.68)
Philadelphia 6 Detroit 4:
Bill Joyce pinch hit 2 run double in the ninth.
Detroit at Philadelphia
Tuesday 10/7
Game 5
Frank Glade (0-1, 4.50) vs Doc White (1-0, 1.00)
Philadelphia 8 Detroit 6:
Doc White 2-4, 3 RBIs.
North American Series Sweep to Phillies
Wednesday, October 7th, 1903: Philadelphia gathered in its 1st North American Series championship today and made it look easy. They swept the Detroit Tigers in straight games, winning the series 5-0.
The Phillies disposed of Detroit 8-6 in the series finale at Baker Bowl. Doc White was the MVP.
Off Season
NABL News: Draft Pool Revealed
Friday, October 2nd, 1903: North American BaseBall League announced the 1903 amateur draft pool today, a scant 30 days in advance of the actual draft. For scouts, it is the toughest challenge of the season, trying to come up with an educated guess as to what a young man in his late teens or early twenties is going to do at the professional level a good five years down the road, at best. Some will go on gut instincts; some will rely on years of experience; but most will find it disconcerting how much their team is beholden to Lady Luck. Choose well and they are geniuses; choose poorly and they are unemployed.
The top players available (in no particular order) seem to be:
1. Ed Walsh, 22 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
2. Mike Lynch, 23 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
3. Frank Schulte, 21 year-old left fielder out of college.
4. Hooks Wiltse, 24 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
5. Frank Smith, 23 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
6. Moose McCormick, 22 year-old center fielder out of college.
7. Frank Corridon, 22 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
8. Bugs Raymond, 21 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
9. Howie Camnitz, 22 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
10. Miller Huggins, 25 year-old second baseman out of college.
Neil Chapman Acquires Brooklyn
Friday, October 9th, 1903: Everything points to a new day in Brooklyn after it was announced that the Brooklyn Superbas had been acquired by financier and investment magnate Neil Chapman. The commissioner said the sale had been approved by the league owners, and the new owner was introduced at a press conference today at Washington Park III. The Brooklyn Superbas are fresh off a 4th-place finish this season. They compiled a 72-68 mark in the National League. Chapman boasted to the press corps, "All my life, everything I've touched has turned to gold. I expect the Brooklyn Superbas to be the best baseball organization in the league and will work tirelessly toward that end."
Deal is Done, Pollock Buys Chicago White Sox
Friday, October 9th, 1903: Today Lawrence Sullivan Jr., owner of the Chicago White Sox, announced the sale of his team to Dennis Pollock. Pollock is said to be a unmerciful character, with a fiscal personality of generous. The White Sox finished the regular season with a 72-68 record, 4th place in the American League.
Senators Off Season
Pitching Coach Asa Brainard retires
Player retirements.
Dusty Miller RF (.291, 1744 hits, 65 HR, 996 RBIs.)
Chick Carroll LF
Charlie Bell SP
Bill Gleason SP
John Taber SP
George Rettger SP
Frank Boyd C
Awards
Season's Best Fielders Selected by NL
Monday, October 19th, 1903: On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. The defensive dream team in the National League for 1903 has been announced, and the Glove Wizard Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:
Pitcher: Bill Vinton (Philadelphia Phillies)
Catcher: Roger Bresnahan (Philadelphia Phillies)
First Baseman: Duff Cooley (Philadelphia Phillies)
Second Baseman: Nap Lajoie (Boston Beaneaters)
Third Baseman: Bill Bradley (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Shortstop: Honus Wagner (Brooklyn Superbas)
Left Fielder: Fred Clarke (New York Giants)
Center Fielder: Fielder Jones (Cincinnati Reds)
Right Fielder: Jimmy Sheckard (Boston Beaneaters)
AL Names Glove Wizard Award Choices for 1903
Monday, October 19th, 1903: It's been said that the best offense is a good defense. That's why contending teams are always looking to improve on the defensive side of the game. Keeping runs from scoring is just as good as driving them in. The top fielders have been chosen in the American League for 1903. Here are the Glove Wizard Award winners:
Pitcher: Bill Sowders (Philadelphia Athletics)
Catcher: Lew Drill (Cleveland Naps)
First Baseman: Kitty Bransfield (St. Louis Browns)
Second Baseman: Claude Ritchey (St. Louis Browns)
Third Baseman: John McGraw (Detroit Tigers)
Shortstop: Joe Tinker (Boston Americans)
Left Fielder: Jesse Burkett (Philadelphia Athletics)
Center Fielder: Bill Lange (Chicago White Sox)
Right Fielder: Pete LePine (Boston Americans)
NL #1 Newcomer Named
Tuesday, October 20th, 1903: He was a "talented and gifted ballplayer." That the way one BNN writer described the rookie right fielder for Brooklyn in the article announcing him as the National League Newcomer of the Year Award recipient. John Titus came on the scene this year and quickly established himself as player to be reckoned with.
The 27-year-old Superbas newcomer took the trophy by hitting .333 in 123 games this season and finished with 150 hits, 6 home runs, 85 RBIs and 82 runs scored.
American League Best Rookie Named
Tuesday, October 20th, 1903: Red Ames's age didn't show very often in his first year. He performed more like a veteran on the hill for the Chicago White Sox and today he walked away with the 1903 American League Newcomer of the Year Award.
The 21-year-old starter registered a 17-12 record this season in 35 starts. Over 269.1 innings he gave up 280 hits, struck out 142 and issued 95 walks as he held the opposition to a .256 batting average and fashioned a 2.47 ERA.
Best Hurler Award Presented by NL
Thursday, October 22nd, 1903: The Outstanding Pitcher Award for 1903 has been presented and the National League winner is Nick Altrock of Philadelphia.
"It's always nice to receive an award like this," said Altrock. "I just hope I can improve on my performance next year and be in the running again," the Phillies star told reporters.
Altrock excelled with an impressive 25-10 record in 37 starts. In 308.2 innings he yielded 349 hits and 61 walks, while striking out 67 and compiling a fine 2.83 ERA.
AL Awards Outstanding Pitcher Trophy
Thursday, October 22nd, 1903: He's in the early phase of his career, but this past season Christy Mathewson performed like a veteran on the hill for the Washington Senators and walked away with the American League Outstanding Pitcher Award in the process.
The 23-year-old Senators star fashioned a 29-12 won-loss record in 1903 with a 2.76 ERA. In 359.1 innings of work and 45 starts, Mathewson struck out 236 while giving up 369 hits and 73 walks. He held opposing batters to a .253 average.
Donlin Tops NL Best Hitter List
Friday, October 23rd, 1903: The top batter in the National League in 1903 was Philadelphia left fielder Mike Donlin. Today he was named the winner of the Outstanding Hitter Award.
Donlin starred this season with a .379 batting average, 209 hits, 13 home runs, 115 RBIs, .424 OBP and 123 runs scored.
Buck Freeman Named Premier AL Batsman
Friday, October 23rd, 1903: Detroit's Buck Freeman put the wraps on a fine campaign today by winning the 1903 American League Outstanding Hitter Award.
The 31-year-old veteran scorched the opposition with a .340 average, picking up 205 hits, 30 doubles, 37 triples, 18 home runs and 142 RBIs, while scoring 132 runs.
Draft
The Top Four
Ed Walsh Cincinnati
Frank Smith New York Giants
Howie Camnitz Philadelphia Athletics
Sherry McGee St Louis Cardinals
Senators draft
C Jimmy Archer (13 seasons)
3B Bob Hall (2 seasons)
C Pete Noonan (3 seasons)
C Tom Stanton (1 game)
SS Mike Donovan (2 seasons)
News
2B Lajoie Negotiating with Senators
Monday, November 2nd, 1903: Speculation intensified today as Nap Lajoie addressed rumors that he would sign with Washington. The 29-year-old complimented the city and fans, and he was quoted as saying that the atmosphere in American League Park II "makes you feel at home."
Giants Trade Otten to Senators for Griffith
Saturday, November 7th, 1903: The Giants and the Senators finalized a deal this afternoon. New York has traded for 33-year-old starting pitcher Clark Griffith and in return Washington will receive 33-year-old catcher John Otten.
Otten has played in 368 games with a .264 career batting average and 371 hits. He also has scored 170 runs and driven in 167 runs with 10 home runs.
His career record is 34 victories and 59 defeats. Griffith also has struck out 239 batters and compiled a 3.97 ERA.
Senators Win Sweepstakes for C Doyle
Friday, January 15th, 1904: Rumors of a deal between Jack Doyle and Washington finally bore fruit today as the two sides faced a packed press corps. Senators officials looked very pleased as they outlined the terms of the new deal.
Doyle will earn $4,055 per year for 5 years, and is expected to make a solid addition to his new club.
To date Doyle has a .307 career batting average and has totaled 30 home runs.
Washington Wins 2B Lajoie Sweepstakes
Saturday, February 13th, 1904: Washington fans are justifiably excited today as the team unveiled their latest acquisition in Nap Lajoie. The 29-year-old is a big money player and will certainly have an immediate impact on the organization.
Some estimates have him making $41,006 over 7 years, though media representatives haven't been able to confirm the exact figure.
In his career Lajoie has accumulated a .355 batting average with 1642 hits. His totals include 355 doubles, 112 triples, 96 home runs, 379 strikeouts, 858 runs scored, 991 RBIs and a lifetime .373 OBP.