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IS 1904 THE END OF THE BIG THREE?
EHLE, WILKERSON, & KEARNS ALL FACING DIMINISHED ROLES

Brooklyn, Milwaukee, & New York City – The first week of the professional baseball season has brought with it what appears to be the imminent end of pitching’s “Big Three” of Hans Ehle, Charles Wilkerson, & Martin Kearns.

In Milwaukee, Ehle had another fantastic season in 1903, finishing 29-9 and winning his 14th Hurler of the Year award. However, he finally showed his age (40) during Spring Training and agreed to be the #4 starter for the upcoming season.

Ehle needs just two wins to reach 600 between his time in Milwaukee and the three years he spent as a semi-pro in Columbus at the start of his career, and he’s considered likely to move the bullpen afterwards.

In New York, Wilkerson still has enough talent to be an APBL starter but the Athletics’ historic level of pitching talent – their starting rotation declared the most talented of all-time by pundits during preseason – has led to him being moved to the bullpen.

If five-star prospect Dave Penny falters, Wilkerson will move back into the rotation. However, based on Penny’s preseason form that seems unlikely.

In Brooklyn, Kearns has been moved to the Long Relief role after having a career-worst season – 13-18, 4.15 ERA, 153 K – in 1903:

His command has fallen off significantly, and it’s looking very likely that this will be Kearns’ last season in an ABA league.

If this is indeed the last year for each of the Big Three, a significant piece of the history of professional baseball in the late 19th Century will go with them. The trio entered the season with a combined record of 1,391-691, a 2.51 ERA, 12,993 Ks, and 614.8 WAR.

Add in the fact that two-way Penn Quakers legend Jurgen Schultz (429-252, 3.18 ERA, 3,222 K – 2,032 H, 734 RBI, 156.2 total WAR) wasn’t offered a contract anywhere over the winter, and 1904 could very easily be remembered as the year the greatest living legends of the mound called time on their careers.