Without being anything near what we are looking for, May is a key month with our 16-12 record at least settling the nerves a bit and nosing us back above 500 ball.
Our offence in particular is coming around nicely, as we lead the NL with our 320 BA, 799 OPS, and 358 wOBA. Lefty Davis hits a ton (449 to be exact) for the month, Billy Maloney and Jimmy Williams each knock in 22 and Honus gets on base 30 games in a row. More of a mixed bag on the pitching side, with Frank Owen’s RotM-winning 5-0 / 2.10 month being offset by Jack Chesbro’s 4-7 / 5.29 section.
I decide to start playing Billy Maloney as our everyday catcher with Schreckengost – who has fallen into a complete hole since his first week tearaway – now his backup, thereby giving Davis increased game time.
Hot- Our bats: NL-best 320 BA / 799 OPS / 358 wOBA.
- Lefty Davis 449 BA in May. Billy Maloney / Jimmy Williams 22 RBI.
- P Frank Owen: 5-0 / 2.10 / Rookie of the Month.
- SS Honus Wagner gets on base in 30 consecutive games.
- 2B Danny Murphy puts together a 15-game hit streak.
Not- C Ossee Schreckengost: see above.
- Jack Chesbro: 4-7 / 5.29.
Around the Leagues- The A’s continue to dominate the AL but the White Sox loom as legitimate challengers, just 1½ games behind.
- Frank Chance of the White Sox has started the season well, leading the AL with a 442 BA and 2.4 WAR.
- Very bunched in the NL, with just 6 games between top (Chicago; 23-17) and bottom (St. Louis; 16-22).
- A's catcher Boileryard Clarke hits in 26 straight.
Awards- 05/06 POTW: AL – Wid Conroy (Detroit) .462 / 12 RBI; NL – Honus Wagner (Pittsburgh) .433 / 2 HR / 8 RBI.
- 05/13 POTW: AL – Charlie Hickman (Baltimore) .652 / 1 HR / 11 RBI; NL – Danny Green (Chicago) .526 / 3 HR / 13 RBI.
- 05/20 POTW: AL – Nap Lajoie (Philadelphia) .560 / 1 HR / 10 RBI; NL – Harry Wolverton (St. Louis) .583 / 5 RBI.
- 05/27 POTW: AL – Kid Elberfeld (Detroit) .538 / 7 RBI; NL – Bill Keister (Brooklyn) .577 / 1 HR / 9 RBI.
- AL Batter of the Month: Charlie Hickman (Baltimore) 415 / 3 HR / 32 RBI.
- NL Batter of the Month: Elmer Flick (Philadelphia) 400 / 0 HR / 24 RBI.
- AL Pitcher of the Month: Jack Harper (Baltimore) 7-1 / 3.23 / 23 K / 69.2 IP.
- NL Pitcher of the Month: Christy Mathewson (New York) 5-2 / 1.71 / 50 K / 63 IP.
- AL Rookie of the Month: Ed Poole (Cleveland) 4-4 / 2.94 / 26 K / 70.1 IP.
- NL Rookie of the Month: Frank Owen (Pittsburgh) 5-0 / 2.10 / 23 K / 51.1 IP.