[CT Wolverine]

Metaphysical League Baseball (MLB)
1917 Season


The 1916 draft did not have many big marquee names but made up for that by being one of the deepest in years.. Some highlights:
1. SP Harry Howell, 19, Senators (#6 rated on Opening Day)
2. LF Charley Jones, 23, Pirates (#1 rated on Opening Day)
3. 2B Roberto Alomar, 18, Braves (#8 rated on Opening Day)
4. SP Paul Derringer, 23, Phillies (#4 rated on Opening Day)
8. 1B Willie McCovey, 19, White Sox (#5 rated on Opening Day)
9. LF Moises Alou, 22, Cardinals (#7 rated on Opening Day)
11. SS Alex Rodriguez, 17, Robins
2-2. RF Paul Waner, 21, Pirates
2-4. C Josh Willingham, 24, Phillies
2-10. SS Elvis Andrus, 19, Redlegs

In the offseason, one of the greats of the game, Sergio Romo, 39, retired. Romo holds the MLB career Saves record with 77. His final line: 57-45-77-2.23 in 442 appearances.

Unlike past reports, this season we will follow two possible contenders, one in each league, through their 1917 season. In the NL, we’ll watch the Brooklyn Robins, 81-73, 3rd, 9 GB in 1916. In the AL, it will be the Chicago White Sox, 77-77, 4th, 12 GB in 1916.

During the offseason, Brooklyn largely remained static, only dealing RP Joel Hanrahan and a prospect for C Jake Gibbs. The Robins were counting on development of their youthful but relatively experienced roster (only 2 starting position players and 2 SPs over 30), led by star Nap Lajoie, and their draft to propel them to the top. They were, however, unable to sign their #1 draft pick SS Alex Rodriguez. They went into the season with this lineup:

C: Buster Posey
1B: Joe Foy
2B: Sam F McConnell
3B: Grady Hatton
SS: Nap Lajoie (1-61-.331-52 in 1916)
LF: Pete Reiser
CF: Willie Davis
RF: Frank Gilhooley (#2 pick)/Jeff Heath
SP: Bret Saberhagen
SP: Rube Vickers
SP: Larry Christenson
SP: Rip Egan (202 wins, MLB #6 all-time)
SP: Frank Tanana
CL: Turk Farrell
RP: Bob Lawrence

The White Sox’ offseason formula was not much different from Brooklyn’s. They made a couple of deals, acquiring veteran 2B Dustin Ackley for SS John Ake and 2 prospects for fading CF Mickey Rivers. Their starting players were younger than Brooklyn’s, with only 1 position player (injured Dutch Zwilling) and 2 pitchers over 30. Chicago’s lineup:

C: Clint Courtney
1B: Willie McCovey (#1 pick)
2B: Bobby Doerr
3B: Chipper Jones (9-56-.234 in 1916)
SS: Bill Hall
LF: Ralph Pond (for inj Bankston/Zwilling)
CF: Bill North
RF: Bob Allison
SP: Fleury Sullivan
SP: Kerry Wood
SP: Preacher Roe
SP: Cliff P Lee
SP: Ron Deagle
CL: Jason Motte
RP: German Jimenez

Veteran CF Dutch Zwilling (76-714-.252-585 in 13 seasons), the Sox’ team leader, was injured and not expected to return until the beginning of July, when he would take over CF with North returning to LF.

Brooklyn came out of the gates in good shape, led by LF Pete Reiser, whose .407 avg and .514 OBP earned him NL April Player of the Month. At month’s end the Robins stood 10-7, 3 games back of the Cards.

Surprisingly, even without Zwilling, the Sox were also good. It helped to get Bankston back on the 20th, but the real keys were excellent performances by AL Pitcher of the Month Fleury Sullivan, 2-2-1.27, and NL Rookie of the Month Willie McCovey, 2-9-.225, 9 runs. The Sox stood 11-8, 1 game behind the A’s and Yankees.

May saw both clubs continue their solid play. Brooklyn ended May in 3rd place, 28-19, 1 game behind the Giants and Cubs. The White Sox, getting a lift by insertion of rookie C Orie Kerlin, moved up to 2nd, 28-20, ½ game behind the A’s. However, trouble was brewing for the Sox, as OF’s Bankston (5/21, 4 weeks) and his replacement Lohr (5/30, 3-4 weeks) both went down with injuries.

Buoyed by prospects so far, each club made significant trades in the middle of June:
• Brooklyn dealt starting 2B Sam McConnell for RP terry Leach and RF Joe Borchard. The big news surrounding that deal, however, was the insertion of Bud Harrelson at SS, moving Nap Lajoie to 2B, where he would win the Gold Glove.
• With the return of Zwilling imminent, the Sox traded Bankston for RP Tom Henke (MLB #3 all-time in saves) to set up for Motte. This would help the Sox lead the league in Runs-Against, offsetting their anemic offense.
• Finally, on 6/24, Brooklyn acquired SP Bill Doak for 2B Jeff Huson & Joe Borchard. Doak replaced Christenson in the rotation.

The Robins were setback on 6/19 when Pete Reiser lost a month with a fractured foot. Others, however, picked up the pace. On 6/22, Willie Davis went 5-6, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI to crush the Phillies. On 7/1, Rip Egan was named NL Player of the Week, going 2-0-0.00 in 14.2 IP. Brooklyn finished June 42-30, 2 games behind the Cubs.

The White Sox were equally impressive. Led by Rookie of the Month (2nd time) Willie McCovey, 0-10-.290, 5 2B, 3 3B 11 R, the White Sox finished 43-33, % points behind NY.

July and August saw the teams make their moves. Zwilling returned to CF for the Sox on July 1. Despite Zwilling’s slow start, the Sox largely held their ground in July, led by Batter of the Month Bobby Doerr, 2-15-.358, 14 R, 8 BB, .395 OBP, and 3rd-time Rookie of the Month Willie McCovey, 0-10-.355. They finished at 58-46, 2nd, 2 ½ games behind the A’s. On July 16, just when Brooklyn was about to get back to full strength, Frank Tanana, 10-3-1.56, was lost for the season with a torn labrum. Christenson returned to the rotation in his place. Two days later, Reiser returned from the DL. Despite the Tanana loss, Brooklyn kept surging. On 7/24, the Robins passed the Cubs to take 1st by ½ game, and finished the month 3 ½ games ahead. The Robins would not be caught again, winning the pennant by 4 games over the Giants and the Cubs.
The White Sox still had work to do. A 6-3 streak at the beginning of August, coupled with an A’s stumble put the White Sox in 1st place on August 10th. However, 10 days later they were passed again, then on 8/26, they lost SS Bill Hall for 4-5 weeks with a herniated disk. Despite brilliant performances by Pitcher of the Month Fleury Sullivan, 6-2-2.18, and 4th-time Rookie of the Month Willie McCovey, 2-15-.304, 17 R, the Sox finished August in the tight AL race tied for 3rd with Cleveland, 2 games behind NY and % points behind the A’s.

The Sox run was hindered by more injuries. On 8/30, OF Bill North was lost for 5 weeks to a fractured rib. Two days later, SP Preacher Roe sprained his elbow and was lost for 4 weeks. Still, Chicago fought gamely. The Sox went into their final 3-game series at NY 1½ games behind both NY and the A’s. In a scheduling quirk, the Yankees and A’s would meet in a final 3-game series after the Sox season concluded. Chicago had to win at least 2 vs the Yankees to stay alive, more if the A’s won any games vs Detroit. Unfortunately, in Game 1 the Yankees defeated the White Sox, 2-0 behind Jered Weaver (21-13), then in Game 2 they won again, 2-1 behind Larry Jansen (20-11) to eliminate the White Sox with 1 game to play.

Fleury Sullivan was again incredible down the stretch for the White Sox, named Pitcher of the Month, 6-1-0.91 in 49.2 IP.

1917 World Series: Brooklyn Robins (89-65) vs New York Yankees (92-62)

This would be the Brooklyn’s 3rd appearance in the World Series, and New York’s 4th (once losing as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901). New York defeated Brooklyn in 1909 and 1913.

Game 1: NY 6, Bro 2, behind Jered Weaver’s complete game and timely hitting by Berghammer (2-4, RBI, R, BB) and Raines (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R).

Game 2: NY 7, Bro 6 (10 inn). Brooklyn takes 6-1 lead after 3 innings. NY draws to 6-6 in 5th. Woody English’s 2-out walk-off RBI 1B wins it in the 10th. W: Papelbon, L: Egan

Game 3: Bro 6, NY 5. NY takes 5-0 lead in 2nd. Craig Wilson’s 473’ Grand Slam ties it 5-5 in 8th. Posey GW RBI 1B puts Bro ahead to stay.

Game 4: NY 3, Bro 1. Weaver CG win. English 2-3, RBI, R; Ramsey 3-4, 2B.

Game 5: NY 10, Bro 1. NY scored 7 in first 3 innings and wins in a walk. Smoltz CG. Quinn 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R; Raines 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI

New York is World Champions for the 3rd time, each time defeating Brooklyn.
MVP: Jered Weaver: 2-0-1.50 in 18 IP.

Milestones/Achievements

Season:
• WHIP: 0.902, Willie E Adams (prev held by Rick Reed, 0.903 in 1907)
• No-hitter: Willie E Adams, 10/2 vs Red Sox @ Fenway; 9 0 0 0 0 4, 2 HBP
Career:
• 300 Wins: Harry Salisbury, Cincinnati (#1 pitcher in MLB history). On 6/17/17, 2.2 IP in relief (6th of career) in 12-inning 3-2 home win over Philadelphia. Career: 300-196-2.14 in 528 G, 522 GS. Finished 1917: 308-212-2.15 over 14 years. (11 straight 20-win seasons at start of career).
Retirement:
• Aaron Harang, Red Sox, 205-178-2.45 (6th all-time in wins)
• Doc White, A’s, 191-187-2.37 (t-9th all-time in wins)
• Pedro Guerrero, Braves, 53-925-.288-159 (#1 career RBI, 1906 NL Player of Yr)

Awards
• Avg: AL Tim Raines Sr, NYY, .301 ; NL Pete Reiser, Bro, .327
• Rookie of Year: AL Brickyard Kennedy, Det, 17-19-4-2.43
• Rookie of Year: NL Roberto Alomar, Braves, 0-54-.300-54, 75 R, 147 g
• Best Pitcher: AL Willie E Adams, Was, 22-9-4-1.73
• Best Pitcher: NL Monty Stratton, Pit, 26-8-6-2.10 (LL wins)
• Best Hitter: AL Frank E Thomas, NYY, 7-69-.299, led league in OBP, BB
• Best Hitter: NL Pete Reiser, Bro, 1-75-.327-11, led league in avg.