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For the second time in three years, Cardinals two-way star Charlie Hickman won National League Most Valuable Player honors. He took it unanimously in 1904 with a combined 12.1 WAR season, tied for the third-best by a two-way player. Playing RF, “Piano Legs” led in triples (16), slugging (.644), and wRC+ (185) over 142 games. Hickman had 192 hits, 112 runs, 43 doubles, 29 home runs, 126 RBI, .349 average, 1.027 OPS, and 8.4 WAR.

On the mound, Hickman had the best BABIP at .215. He posted an 18-6 record over 244.2 innings, 2.39 ERA, 104 walks, 125 strikeouts, 167 ERA+, 96 FIP-, and 3.7 WAR. He again had a wide gap between a great ERA and middling FIP at 3.81. Soon to be 29, Hickman is signed through 1910 for St. Louis. He also won his seventh Silver Slugger with five as a pitcher and two as an outfielder.

Pitcher of the Year was also unanimous to second-year Buffalo righty Barney Pelty, who set a single-season record with 10 shutouts. Nicknamed “The Yiddish Curver,” he also led in wins (23-9), ERA (2.22), innings (300.1), quality starts (29), and complete games (17). Pelty struck out 201 with a 183 ERA+, 81 FIP-, and 7.1 WAR. He was the #19 pick in the 1902 draft for the Bisons, who have an impressive young core of talent with the likes of Pelty, Charles Bender, and Pete Hill.

As a rookie, the Bisons RF Hill led the majors with 38 home runs and 369 total bases. The #12 pick also had 112 RBI, 211 hits, 111 runs, .343/.383/.599 slash, 173 wRC+, and 7.8 WAR. Hill was third in MVP voting with this effort, but he took second in Rookie of the Year voting with six first place votes.

The rest of the first place votes went to Indianapolis RF Ty Cobb, who led in hits (221), doubles (58), batting average (.372), OBP (.430), and OPS (1.046) in his debut at age 17. The Georgia Peach was the #1 pick by the Clowns and also scored 111 runs with 27 homers, 102 RBI, 184 wRC+, and 9.4 WAR. Cobb was second in MVP voting and won both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in his debut.

New Orleans SS Jimmy Williams won his seventh Silver Slugger and fifth Gold Glove. Pirates 2B Reddy Mack won his fifth Slugger as did Cubs CF Ginger Beaumont. Phillies LF Joe Kelley got his fourth Slugger as he heads into free agency and Louisville 3B Jim Delahanty got his third. Pirates 1B Dan McGann and Pelicans LF Davy Jones both became three-time Gold Glove winners.

By ending the Cardinals’ playoff drought, 44-year old Joseph Keenan won NL Manager of the Year. He took over the Cardinals job in 1900 with no previous experience. After four middling seasons, St. Louis earned a division title in 1904.