OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward

FuzzyRussianHat · 03-26-2026, 05:16 AM

Baltimore played around .500 ball in September, but it was plenty to finish with the best record in Major League Baseball at 101-61. The Orioles won their second American League East title (1888) and set a franchise record for wins. It was the fourth 100+ win season in AL history, one win short of Chicago’s record 102-60 in 1884. Baltimore led MLB with 931 runs scored and was tied for the best run differential at +162.

Defending World Series champ New York and Philadelphia tied for second at 90-72. The A’s have now had four 90+ win seasons, but have yet to earn a playoff berth. Washington was fourth at 88-74, a franchise record for wins. Cleveland and Boston struggled to 65-97 and 62-100, respectively. It was a sharp drop for the Red Sox, whose first-ever losing season put them at the bottom of the AL.

Detroit maintained its five-game AL West lead to win the division for the third consecutive season. The Tigers finished 91-71 with only Milwaukee (86-76) also posting a winning record. Minnesota (80-82) and Kansas City (79-83) were next. The Brewers had the fewest runs allowed in the AL at 655.

The AL Batter of the Month and Rookie of the Month in September both went to St. Louis LF Ducky Holmes. The #15 pick in the 1892 draft, Holmes hit .424 with 11 home runs, 30 RBI, and 26 runs. AL MVP is an open race, although Twins CF Hugh Duffy is likely the favorite by leading in WAR (9.7), homers (46), and RBI (133). Defending MVP Willie Keeler with the Brewers notably led again in batting average (.389) and OPS (1.096). Tigers two-way man Pat Luby also had 8.6 WAR combined and is always an option.

Detroit’s Lee Viau was Pitcher of the Month with a 1.61 ERA, 5-1 record, and 47 strikeouts in 56 innings. Viau was the AL leader for pitching WAR (7.4) and innings (307.1). The Browns’ Frank Knauss won his second ERA title (2.75) and was the Ks leader for the first time at 254, making him the top contender for Pitcher of the Year.

In statistical notables, A’s 2B Tom Cahill hit for the cycle on September 11 against Baltimore. Browns rookie Ducky Holmes ended the season on a 20-game hitting streak. St. Louis’s Ed McKean also became the first player to reach 700 career stolen bases.

In team records, Baltimore’s 663,645 season attendance was a new AL best. Washington’s pitchers had 991 strikeouts and Philadelphia’s 978; the second/third best in the AL. The Yankees’ 1283 hits allowed were third best. Cleveland had 42 saves and Detroit 41, which were the first/second best in all of MLB history. The Spiders set a bad offensive record with only 170 doubles, the fewest by any MLB team.

03-26-2026, 05:16 AM	#149
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,401	1893 AL Final Standings Baltimore played around .500 ball in September, but it was plenty to finish with the best record in Major League Baseball at 101-61. The Orioles won their second American League East title (1888) and set a franchise record for wins. It was the fourth 100+ win season in AL history, one win short of Chicago’s record 102-60 in 1884. Baltimore led MLB with 931 runs scored and was tied for the best run differential at +162. Defending World Series champ New York and Philadelphia tied for second at 90-72. The A’s have now had four 90+ win seasons, but have yet to earn a playoff berth. Washington was fourth at 88-74, a franchise record for wins. Cleveland and Boston struggled to 65-97 and 62-100, respectively. It was a sharp drop for the Red Sox, whose first-ever losing season put them at the bottom of the AL. Detroit maintained its five-game AL West lead to win the division for the third consecutive season. The Tigers finished 91-71 with only Milwaukee (86-76) also posting a winning record. Minnesota (80-82) and Kansas City (79-83) were next. The Brewers had the fewest runs allowed in the AL at 655. The AL Batter of the Month and Rookie of the Month in September both went to St. Louis LF Ducky Holmes. The #15 pick in the 1892 draft, Holmes hit .424 with 11 home runs, 30 RBI, and 26 runs. AL MVP is an open race, although Twins CF Hugh Duffy is likely the favorite by leading in WAR (9.7), homers (46), and RBI (133). Defending MVP Willie Keeler with the Brewers notably led again in batting average (.389) and OPS (1.096). Tigers two-way man Pat Luby also had 8.6 WAR combined and is always an option. Detroit’s Lee Viau was Pitcher of the Month with a 1.61 ERA, 5-1 record, and 47 strikeouts in 56 innings. Viau was the AL leader for pitching WAR (7.4) and innings (307.1). The Browns’ Frank Knauss won his second ERA title (2.75) and was the Ks leader for the first time at 254, making him the top contender for Pitcher of the Year. In statistical notables, A’s 2B Tom Cahill hit for the cycle on September 11 against Baltimore. Browns rookie Ducky Holmes ended the season on a 20-game hitting streak. St. Louis’s Ed McKean also became the first player to reach 700 career stolen bases. In team records, Baltimore’s 663,645 season attendance was a new AL best. Washington’s pitchers had 991 strikeouts and Philadelphia’s 978; the second/third best in the AL. The Yankees’ 1283 hits allowed were third best. Cleveland had 42 saves and Detroit 41, which were the first/second best in all of MLB history. The Spiders set a bad offensive record with only 170 doubles, the fewest by any MLB team. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)