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Brooklyn Superbas 1909 Update
1909 Update
The Superbas had a breakthrough season in 1909. They finished at 88-66, winning their first NL Championship, and taking the Highlanders to 7 games before losing in the World Series.
The biggest difference over the course of the entire season for the Superbas over past years was their pitching. The Superbas led the NL in starting pitching ERA (1.99) and bullpen ERA (1.67), leading to a league- leading 464 Runs-Against. Their Big Three were:
• Rip Egan: 18-10, 1.57, league-leading 241 Ks
• Jim Conway: 19-13, 1.57
• Aaron Harang: 19-12, 2.44
Other major contributors were:
• Phil Hughes: 9-12, 1.41, 9 saves in 53 games
• Matt Clement: 8-1, 1.95, 4 saves in 16 games (7 starts)
Even with their pitching, however, Brooklyn probably would not have won the NL had it not been for two timely midseason trades. As of the end of May, the Superbas stood 18-24, in 7th place, 6 ½ games off the pace. Then they looked for deals to shore up weaknesses:
• On 6/16, they obtained C John Stearns for 4 minor leaguers
• By the end of June, Brooklyn stood 34-33, tied for 4th, 3 ½ games behind
• On 7/6, they obtained SS/3B Eduardo Nunez for Grant Balfour
• Both Stearns and Nunez played starting roles for the remainder of the year.
• On 7/20, Brooklyn moved into 1st place for the first time, at 46-39
• They were never passed again, although they won the NL by a mere 2 games.
While pitchers were the club’s stars this season, several offensive players had key roles:
• 2B Nap Lajoie: 3-60-.277, 46 SB, was a 5-tool threat
• 1B/OF Kevin Millar: 4-73-.250, led the NL in RBIs
• C John Stearns: 0-30-.264-12 after coming to Brooklyn, improved the C position both defensively and offensively
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