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Philadelphia continued to dominate in September and broke the single-season record for wins at 115-47, besting Boston’s 114-48 from 1889. The Phillies’ +284 was the second-best in MLB history, still well short of the Braves’ +379. Philadelphia’s 590 runs allowed were also the second-fewest ever with only the 1884 Chicago White Sox (538) better. They set new NL records for team ERA (3.07) and earned runs allowed (501). Philly also led the NL with 874 runs scored and their 187 team home runs were the second-most in NL history.

The Phillies earned their first-ever NL East title, while Buffalo and Boston were both tied for a distant second at 84-78. It was the ninth straight winning season for the Braves and fifth for the Bisons. New York notably posted a franchise worst at 57-105, falling off a cliff after a 90-win season the prior year. It was the second-worst record in NL history.

Meanwhile, the lone competitive division race was the NL West. St. Louis and defending champ Cincinnati split their four-game series in mid-September. With 11 games remaining, the Reds had a two game lead over the Cardinals. Cincy’s next series saw them lose two of three at Boston, the defeats in 14 and 21 inning games. The Cardinals meanwhile swept last place New York, tying them up with two divisional series left.

St. Louis lost three of four at Indianapolis, while Cincinnati split four hosting Chicago. The Reds would then lose their first two at Indy, while the Cardinals split with Louisville to even them back up. In their final two games, St. Louis got 7-3 and 4-2 wins hosting the Colonels. Cincinnati won 4-2 over the Clowns in ten innings, but lost the season finale 9-4. With that, St. Louis took the title at 91-71 over the 90-72 Reds.

The Cardinals were an impressive 47-31 after the all-star break; only Philadelphia was better in the NL. It was the third division title for St. Louis, who last did it with their 1887 pennant. Indianapolis was third at 84-78, struggling to 34-45 after the break. New Orleans at 73-89 was notable as their first losing season since 1888.



Phillies RF Bug Holliday was NL Batter of the Month in September with a .412 average, 8 home runs, 23 RBI, and 26 runs. He also became the fifth player to 300 career home runs. Holliday was certainly a winning free agent signing for Philadelphia after leading Baltimore to the prior year’s title. He and teammate Charlie Duffee are the favorites for MVP. Holliday led in runs (130), OPS (1.019), and RBI (130); while Duffee was the only player in MLB with 40+ homers (43).

Louisville #1 draft pick Bobby Wallace was both Pitcher and Rookie of the Month for September with a 0.71 ERA over 51 innings, 48 strikeouts, and 5-1 record. Wallace led all NL pitchers with 8.4 WAR and 296.2 innings. Philadelphia’s Bill Daley is the Pitcher of the Year favorite as the leader in ERA (2.29) and wins (28-4), which likely will matter more than his weak 4.3 WAR. The wins were tied for the second-most in MLB history. The Phillies’ closer Clark Griffith also broke the saves record with 45, smashing the previous best of 37. Philadelphia had 49 as a team, a new MLB record.