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amead17 · 12-14-2025, 02:09 AM

SPORTING TIMES — November 2nd, 1912
By Arthur H. Leland

BASEBALL’S BRIGHTEST HONOURED AT ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

Last evening the annual awards dinner was held, bringing together the finest figures of the 1912 campaign as players from both major leagues were recognised for performances that marked the season as one of uncommon quality.

American League Honours

The American League’s highest individual distinction, the Most Valuable Player Award, was bestowed upon Tris Speaker of the Cleveland Naps. The gifted centre fielder proved a constant torment to opposing pitchers, amassing 209 hits, including 39 doubles, 7 triples and 9 home runs, while driving in 95 runs and crossing the plate 97 times himself. Such sustained excellence earned Speaker a unanimous selection, as he claimed all 16 first-place votes, finishing comfortably ahead of Dode Paskert of Detroit and Nap Lajoie of Philadelphia.

On the mound, the Pitcher of the Year Award went to Smokey Joe Williams of the Washington Senators, whose work throughout the season marked him as one of the league’s premier hurlers. Williams completed 39 starts, compiling a 20–18 record, striking out 201 batters in 332⅔ innings, and posting a fine 1.95 earned run average, while holding opponents to a .227 batting mark. He secured 12 first-place votes, with Ed Walsh of Boston and teammate Hank Robinson following in the balloting.

The Rookie of the Year Award was claimed by Jeff Tesreau of the Philadelphia Athletics. In his first full season, Tesreau delivered a 17–13 record, a 2.64 ERA, and 137 strikeouts across 280 innings, earning 15 of 16 first-place votes and establishing himself as a key figure in the Athletics’ staff.

National League Honours

In the National League, the Most Valuable Player Award was awarded unanimously to Ty Cobb of the Philadelphia Phillies. At just 25 years of age, Cobb produced a season for the ages, batting .412 with a .453 on-base percentage across 153 games. His remarkable totals included 263 hits, 34 doubles, 27 triples, 8 home runs, 131 runs batted in, and 143 runs scored, placing him well clear of runner-up Joe Jackson of Brooklyn and third-placed teammate Heinie Zimmerman.

The Pitcher of the Year Award was also a unanimous decision, going to Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants. Mathewson’s season featured 25 victories, 11 defeats, and a 2.72 ERA over 41 starts, during which he logged 340⅔ innings, struck out 105, and issued only 39 walks, once again affirming his place among the game’s elite.

Rounding out the National League honours, Del Pratt of the St. Louis Cardinals captured the Rookie of the Year Award with a flawless sweep of the voting. The young second baseman appeared in 151 games, batting .316, driving in 70 runs, and scoring 77 times, while collecting 30 doubles, 17 triples, and a home run in an impressive debut campaign.

Thus closed an evening devoted to the celebration of excellence, fittingly recognising those men whose performances defined the baseball season of 1912.

12-14-2025, 02:09 AM	#553
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,275	SPORTING TIMES — November 2nd, 1912 By Arthur H. Leland BASEBALL’S BRIGHTEST HONOURED AT ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER Last evening the annual awards dinner was held, bringing together the finest figures of the 1912 campaign as players from both major leagues were recognised for performances that marked the season as one of uncommon quality. American League Honours The American League’s highest individual distinction, the Most Valuable Player Award, was bestowed upon Tris Speaker of the Cleveland Naps. The gifted centre fielder proved a constant torment to opposing pitchers, amassing 209 hits, including 39 doubles, 7 triples and 9 home runs, while driving in 95 runs and crossing the plate 97 times himself. Such sustained excellence earned Speaker a unanimous selection, as he claimed all 16 first-place votes, finishing comfortably ahead of Dode Paskert of Detroit and Nap Lajoie of Philadelphia. On the mound, the Pitcher of the Year Award went to Smokey Joe Williams of the Washington Senators, whose work throughout the season marked him as one of the league’s premier hurlers. Williams completed 39 starts, compiling a 20–18 record, striking out 201 batters in 332⅔ innings, and posting a fine 1.95 earned run average, while holding opponents to a .227 batting mark. He secured 12 first-place votes, with Ed Walsh of Boston and teammate Hank Robinson following in the balloting. The Rookie of the Year Award was claimed by Jeff Tesreau of the Philadelphia Athletics. In his first full season, Tesreau delivered a 17–13 record, a 2.64 ERA, and 137 strikeouts across 280 innings, earning 15 of 16 first-place votes and establishing himself as a key figure in the Athletics’ staff. National League Honours In the National League, the Most Valuable Player Award was awarded unanimously to Ty Cobb of the Philadelphia Phillies. At just 25 years of age, Cobb produced a season for the ages, batting .412 with a .453 on-base percentage across 153 games. His remarkable totals included 263 hits, 34 doubles, 27 triples, 8 home runs, 131 runs batted in, and 143 runs scored, placing him well clear of runner-up Joe Jackson of Brooklyn and third-placed teammate Heinie Zimmerman. The Pitcher of the Year Award was also a unanimous decision, going to Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants. Mathewson’s season featured 25 victories, 11 defeats, and a 2.72 ERA over 41 starts, during which he logged 340⅔ innings, struck out 105, and issued only 39 walks, once again affirming his place among the game’s elite. Rounding out the National League honours, Del Pratt of the St. Louis Cardinals captured the Rookie of the Year Award with a flawless sweep of the voting. The young second baseman appeared in 151 games, batting .316, driving in 70 runs, and scoring 77 times, while collecting 30 doubles, 17 triples, and a home run in an impressive debut campaign. Thus closed an evening devoted to the celebration of excellence, fittingly recognising those men whose performances defined the baseball season of 1912.