OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

amead17 · 12-03-2025, 10:54 AM

LEAGUE HONORS GAME’S BRIGHTEST AT ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER
By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times
November 7th, 1911

The grand hall was filled with applause last evening as the League held its annual awards dinner, bestowing the highest honors upon the finest players of the 1911 campaign. Both circuits produced performances worthy of the game’s proudest traditions, and the assembled crowd bore witness to a parade of achievement.

AMERICAN LEAGUE AWARDS
Most Valuable Player — Tris Speaker, Cleveland Naps

No batsman proved more formidable in the American League this season than Tris Speaker, whose steady brilliance in center field earned him the 1911 MVP Award. Speaker compiled a sterling .341 average, collecting 207 hits, including 41 doubles, 18 triples, and 10 home runs. He drove in 112 runs and matched that total in runs scored.

Speaker dominated the voting with 14 of 16 first-place ballots, well ahead of Chicago’s Sam Crawford and Detroit’s Larry Doyle, each of whom garnered a single first-place vote.

A full accounting of the voting placed Speaker atop a distinguished list of contenders.

Pitcher of the Year — Russ Ford, Detroit Tigers

Detroit’s Russ Ford stood supreme among American League moundsmen, earning the Pitcher of the Year Award after a season of consistent mastery. Ford posted a 23–16 record, a 2.36 ERA, and held opponents to a .246 average. His 39 starts and 362⅔ innings underscored his reliability, while 193 strikeouts testified to his dominance.

Ford gathered 13 first-place votes, outpacing New York’s Jay Hughes and Philadelphia’s Nap Rucker.

Rookie of the Year — Bobby Keefe, Philadelphia Athletics

Philadelphia’s Bobby Keefe emerged as the league’s top newcomer, claiming the Rookie of the Year Award. In 38 starts, Keefe compiled a 21–15 record and a superb 2.21 ERA, striking out 136 across 322⅓ innings.

Keefe earned 12 first-place votes, ahead of Washington’s Jim Doyle and New York’s Vean Gregg.

NATIONAL LEAGUE AWARDS
Most Valuable Player — Ty Cobb, Philadelphia Phillies

Youth proved no obstacle for Ty Cobb, the electrifying 24-year-old center fielder of the Philadelphia Phillies, who claimed the NL Most Valuable Player Award in unanimous fashion. Cobb delivered a season of extraordinary brilliance, batting .409 with a .463 on-base percentage, amassing 248 hits, 64 doubles, 21 triples, 8 home runs, 123 RBIs, and 138 runs scored.

Upon receiving the honor, Cobb remarked, “I’m blown away by the season I was able to put together. I’m looking forward to trying to do it all again next year.”

Cobb claimed all 16 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Brooklyn’s Joe Jackson and Eddie Collins.

Pitcher of the Year — Hooks Wiltse, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh’s dependable left-hander Hooks Wiltse garnered the NL Pitcher of the Year Award after turning in a superb season. Wiltse finished 22–17, hurled 324 innings, struck out 139, walked just 66, and recorded a strong 2.61 ERA.

Wiltse received 12 first-place votes, with New York’s Christy Mathewson and Brooklyn’s Walter Johnson placing second and third, respectively.

Rookie of the Year — Art Fletcher, Boston Braves

The Boston Braves’ gifted shortstop Art Fletcher was unanimously chosen as the NL Rookie of the Year. Fletcher hit .320 across 154 games, collecting 186 hits, 4 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 79 runs scored—a campaign remarkable for poise as well as production.

Fletcher swept all 16 first-place votes, with Boston’s Grover Cleveland Alexander and New York’s Del Gainer rounding out the field.

Thus concluded a night celebrating the finest talents of the 1911 season—players whose exploits, whether at bat, on the mound, or in the field, have left their mark upon the game and set the tone for the seasons yet to come.

12-03-2025, 10:54 AM	#498
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,288	LEAGUE HONORS GAME’S BRIGHTEST AT ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times November 7th, 1911 The grand hall was filled with applause last evening as the League held its annual awards dinner, bestowing the highest honors upon the finest players of the 1911 campaign. Both circuits produced performances worthy of the game’s proudest traditions, and the assembled crowd bore witness to a parade of achievement. AMERICAN LEAGUE AWARDS Most Valuable Player — Tris Speaker, Cleveland Naps No batsman proved more formidable in the American League this season than Tris Speaker, whose steady brilliance in center field earned him the 1911 MVP Award. Speaker compiled a sterling .341 average, collecting 207 hits, including 41 doubles, 18 triples, and 10 home runs. He drove in 112 runs and matched that total in runs scored. Speaker dominated the voting with 14 of 16 first-place ballots, well ahead of Chicago’s Sam Crawford and Detroit’s Larry Doyle, each of whom garnered a single first-place vote. A full accounting of the voting placed Speaker atop a distinguished list of contenders. Pitcher of the Year — Russ Ford, Detroit Tigers Detroit’s Russ Ford stood supreme among American League moundsmen, earning the Pitcher of the Year Award after a season of consistent mastery. Ford posted a 23–16 record, a 2.36 ERA, and held opponents to a .246 average. His 39 starts and 362⅔ innings underscored his reliability, while 193 strikeouts testified to his dominance. Ford gathered 13 first-place votes, outpacing New York’s Jay Hughes and Philadelphia’s Nap Rucker. Rookie of the Year — Bobby Keefe, Philadelphia Athletics Philadelphia’s Bobby Keefe emerged as the league’s top newcomer, claiming the Rookie of the Year Award. In 38 starts, Keefe compiled a 21–15 record and a superb 2.21 ERA, striking out 136 across 322⅓ innings. Keefe earned 12 first-place votes, ahead of Washington’s Jim Doyle and New York’s Vean Gregg. NATIONAL LEAGUE AWARDS Most Valuable Player — Ty Cobb, Philadelphia Phillies Youth proved no obstacle for Ty Cobb, the electrifying 24-year-old center fielder of the Philadelphia Phillies, who claimed the NL Most Valuable Player Award in unanimous fashion. Cobb delivered a season of extraordinary brilliance, batting .409 with a .463 on-base percentage, amassing 248 hits, 64 doubles, 21 triples, 8 home runs, 123 RBIs, and 138 runs scored. Upon receiving the honor, Cobb remarked, “I’m blown away by the season I was able to put together. I’m looking forward to trying to do it all again next year.” Cobb claimed all 16 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Brooklyn’s Joe Jackson and Eddie Collins. Pitcher of the Year — Hooks Wiltse, Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh’s dependable left-hander Hooks Wiltse garnered the NL Pitcher of the Year Award after turning in a superb season. Wiltse finished 22–17, hurled 324 innings, struck out 139, walked just 66, and recorded a strong 2.61 ERA. Wiltse received 12 first-place votes, with New York’s Christy Mathewson and Brooklyn’s Walter Johnson placing second and third, respectively. Rookie of the Year — Art Fletcher, Boston Braves The Boston Braves’ gifted shortstop Art Fletcher was unanimously chosen as the NL Rookie of the Year. Fletcher hit .320 across 154 games, collecting 186 hits, 4 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 79 runs scored—a campaign remarkable for poise as well as production. Fletcher swept all 16 first-place votes, with Boston’s Grover Cleveland Alexander and New York’s Del Gainer rounding out the field. Thus concluded a night celebrating the finest talents of the 1911 season—players whose exploits, whether at bat, on the mound, or in the field, have left their mark upon the game and set the tone for the seasons yet to come.