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1917 Awards

NL Honors Top Glovemen for 1917
Thursday, October 25th, 1917
In baseball circles, a player who has good range, a good arm and good hands is a great catch. Clubs strive to be strong in the field, especially "up the middle." Solid defenders can make a difference in the outcome of tight games and tight pennant races. The Glove Wizard Awards for 1917 in the National League go to these standout defenders:

Pitcher: Joe Benz (St. Louis Cardinals)
Catcher: Ray Schalk (Philadelphia Phillies)
First Baseman: Steve Evans (New York Giants)
Second Baseman: Del Pratt (Boston Braves)
Third Baseman: Tex Wisterzil (Boston Braves)
Shortstop: Rabbit Maranville (New York Giants)
Left Fielder: Ernie Walker (Brooklyn Robins)
Center Fielder: Dutch Zwilling (Cincinnati Reds)
Right Fielder: Hub Northen (Cincinnati Reds)

Season's Best Fielders Selected by AL
Thursday, October 25th, 1917
Great glovemen can range far and wide to make a backhand stop or an over-the-shoulder catch -- and the best usually make it look easy. Today the winners of the American League Glove Wizard Award for 1917 were announced. These awards for defensive excellence go to:

Pitcher: Hippo Vaughn (Detroit Tigers)
Catcher: Charlie Maisel (New York Yankees)
First Baseman: Dick Hoblitzel (Philadelphia Athletics)
Second Baseman: Ed Hemingway (Washington Senators)
Third Baseman: Jack Smith (Cleveland Indians)
Shortstop: Dave Bancroft (Philadelphia Athletics)
Left Fielder: Nemo Leibold (New York Yankees)
Center Fielder: Max Carey (Chicago White Sox)
Right Fielder: Benny Kauff (Cleveland Indians)

1917 NL Best Rookie Named
Friday, October 26th, 1917
Dutch Ruether's age didn't show very often in his first year. He performed more like a veteran on the hill for the Boston Braves and today he walked away with the 1917 National League Newcomer of the Year Award.

The 24-year-old starter registered a 13-19 record this season in 33 starts. Over 267.2 innings he gave up 257 hits, struck out 111 and issued 104 walks as he held the opposition to a .253 batting average and fashioned a 2.93 ERA.

Youngs Sweeps Up Newcomer of the Year Award
Friday, October 26th, 1917
In his first season, Ross Youngs not only won the hearts and cheers of the local Boston fans, he also nabbed the American League Newcomer of the Year Award.

This gifted right fielder compiled a .303 batting average while collecting 4 home runs and 75 RBIs with a .370 on-base percentage and scoring 80 runs

Best Hurler Award Presented by NL
Sunday, October 28th, 1917
With speculation about his retirement gaining steam last offseason, Cubs ace Buck O'Brien had something to prove. He proved it in award-winning style as he accepted the National League Outstanding Pitcher Award today.

The veteran Chicago hurler posted a record of 25 wins and 9 losses this year with a 2.33 ERA. In 37 starts he struck out 132 and walked 117 in 317.1 innings.

American League #1 Pitcher Named
Sunday, October 28th, 1917
The Outstanding Pitcher Award for 1917 has been presented and the American League winner is Walter Johnson of Washington.

"It's always nice to receive an award like this," said Johnson. "I just hope I can improve on my performance next year and be in the running again," the Senators star told reporters.

Johnson excelled with an impressive 29-16 record in 51 starts. In 444.2 innings he yielded 375 hits and 100 walks, while striking out 254 and compiling a fine 2.08 ERA.

Sisler Heads NL Best Batter List
Monday, October 29th, 1917
George Sisler, the Pittsburgh first baseman, certainly made an impression on National League pitchers this past season. He punished them for 204 hits in 637 at-bats, 19 doubles, 15 triples, 6 home runs, and 67 RBIs and scored 83 times.

That standout hitting earned him the National League Outstanding Hitter Award for 1917.

Ty Cobb Chosen AL's Top Batter
Monday, October 29th, 1917
It's been a year of triumph for veteran Ty Cobb of the Washington Senators as he hit his way to the 1917 American League Outstanding Hitter Award.

The 30-year-old veteran compiled a .363 average and .443 on-base percentage by putting together 218 hits, 36 doubles, 15 triples, 5 home runs and 86 walks. He also scored 117 times and drove in 86 runs.