Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

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With the close of May 1902, the standings for the American League are as shown below. While just 2 months into the season, Boston maintains a comfortable 8 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles.

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The Boston Beaneaters continue to lead the National League with a 4 game advantage over the New York Giants. A few items that stand out from the standings info include the Philadelphia Phillies cannot buy an extra-innings win (0-7), and the Brooklyn Superbas are simply unable to beat lefty pitching (0-14).

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The Boston Americans continue to lead MLB Power Rankings over the Boston Beaneaters. The Brooklyn Superbas are ranked last!

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During the month of May 1902, the following players took home American League Player of the Week honors:

Dave Brain (Boston Americans); Earl Moore (Philadelphia Athletics); Bill Donovan (Cleveland Bronchos); and Cy Young (Boston Americans).

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May 1902 National League Player of the Week honors:

Jimmy Williams (Boston Beaneaters); Charlie Irwin (Boston Beaneaters); Luther Taylor (Philadelphia Phillies); and Jimmy Ryan (Boston Beaneaters).

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The notable events that happened across the baseball world in May 1902:

Luther Taylor of the Philadelphia Phillies tossed the first no-hitter in National League / MLB history by blanking the Pittsburg Pirates by a score of 2 to 0.

Rube Waddell led his Washington Senators to a 1 to 0 victory over Andy Coakley and the St. Louis Browns. What was special about this game was the fact that Waddell tossed 16 innings of shutout ball (184 pitches) to finish with a MLB season high Game Score of 114. Coakley was no slouch, going 15 1/3 innings on 224 pitches to finish with a Game Score of 96.

Chicago Orphans pitcher Chick Fraser set an National League record with 11 walks in a 9-inning game.

In separate games, Lefty Davis (Chicago Orphans) and Claude Ritchey (Philadelphia Phillies) each had 5-hit day performances.

Finally, in the Double-A minor league match-up between the Chula Vista Ghosts and the Henderson Jackhammers, pitcher Jim Unknown of the Ghosts tossed a no-hitter but was tagged with the loss - OUCH!

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A look at the baseball universe leaders.

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The watercooler chatter is while Willie Garoni was not happy with his assignment from the Boston Americans to the Triple-A affiliate Clearwater Hooks, he is making the most of it. The former reliever is trying his hand in the starting rotation and showing some promise. In his latest outing, Garoni tossed an 11-hit shutout of the Hammond Rampage to raise his record to 8-10 and lower his ERA to 3.25 on the season.

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No better way to respond to whispers that last-year's success was a fluke than to obliterate the ball and earn American League Batter of the Month award. Coming off a slow April, Honus Wagner made the proper adjustments and scorched the ball to the tune of a .354 batting average (45 for 127) with 7 doubles, 6 triples, and 1 home run. Wagner scored 20 runs and drove in 18 for a slash line of .354/.369/.528 (166 wRC+, 157 OPS+, and 1.4 WAR).

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Just when you thought he couldn't get any better, Nap Lajoie took it up another notch. This time the powerful Cincinnati Reds 2nd baseman smoked the opposition for a .392 batting average (47 for 120), with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 26 runs, and 20 rbi's for a slash line of .392/.434/.542 (181 OPS+, 194 wRC+, 1.9 WAR) to take home National League Batter of the Month honors.

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One of the great things about baseball is you never know which player is suddenly going to shine. A perfect example is St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Buck Hooker and his surprise May 1902 performance. In taking home National League Pitcher of the Month honors, Hooker went 6-0 with a 1.14 ERA and 1.3 WAR.

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Bill Donovan has been challenged about a perceived lack of effort. While there may be some truth to those comments, it sure didn't show during May 1902. In taking home American League Pitcher of the Month honors, Donovan went 7-2 with a 1.78 ERA in 8 starts (2.5 WAR) for the Cleveland Bronchos.

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As the 2nd overall pick, great things were expected for Baltimore Orioles pitcher Addie Joss. The rookie fireballer did not disappoint as he took home American League Rookie of the Month honors. On the month, Joss went 5-3 with a 1.77 ERA and 1.6 WAR in 8 starts.

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After taking home May 1902 National League Pitcher of the Month honors, it was little surprise that St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Buck Hooker was awarded the National League Rookie of the Month award.

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May 1902 player development report for the Boston Americans. A few thoughts regarding the report: I hate seeing the drop with Cy Young - getting declines in stuff, movement, control, and speed is never a good sign, especially for a 35 year-old pitcher; like the bump up for Chick Stahl's eye rating; hope the stuff drop for Ham Iburg is something that will adjust up soon.

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Not the way to start a new month. In dropping back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Boston Americans (43-15) fell behind the Detroit Tigers (33-25) early and could not mount a comeback in the 3 to 1 loss. Togie Pittinger (9-6) picked up the win after allowing 1 earned run on 7 hits to finish with a Game Score of 71. Jesse Tannehill (12-3) was tagged with the loss after giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on 8 hits (99 total pitches) for a Game Score of 58.

At the plate, Candy LaChance (2 for 2, 1 RBI) and Mike Donlin (2 for 3, 1 Run) played well for the Tigers, while Fred Clarke (1 for 4, Home Run, 1 Run, 1 RBI) and Frank Chance (2 for 4) kept Boston close. Despite hitting the ball well, Chance had a rough day behind the plate, allowing 5 stolen bases and committing 2 errors.

Player of the Game: Togie Pittinger

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After jumping out to a 6 to 1 lead after 2 innings, it looked like Boston (44-15) would cruise to an easy victory over Detroit (33-26). Yet, the Tigers refused to go out easy, as they pecked away at the deficit until it was tied 6 to 6 heading into the 9th inning. Though it was not meant to be for the home team, as the Americans scored 4 runs in the top of the inning to take the game by a score of 10 to 6.

Cy Young (11-3) picked up the win despite allowing 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks; Game Score of 50. Doc White (7-9) was tagged with the loss after allowing 10 runs (6 earned) on 14 hits, 3 walks, and 2 hit batsmen over 8 1/3 innings to finish with a Game Score of 25. Stan Yerkes allowed both inherited runners to score in the 2/3 inning that he pitched.

The Americans 15-hit day was led by Dave Brain (2 for 3, 1 Run, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, and 2 Stolen Bases), Fred Clarke (2 for 4, Double, 1 Run, 1 RBI), Jiggs Donahue (2 for 5, 1 Run, 2 RBIs) and Cy Young (2 for 5, 1 Run, 2 RBIs). For the Tigers, Mike Donlin (1 for 3, Home Run, 1 Run, 1 RBI, 1 Walk) and Tom O'Brien (1 for 2, Double, 1 Run) played well in the loss.


Player of the Game: Dave Brain (Season: #3 / Career: #3)

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After a challenging last few weeks, it was nice to see the Americans (45-15) play well for the hometown fans by jumping out to an early lead and cruise to an easy 9 to 3 victory over the Orioles (37-23). Sam Leever (10-3) allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 11 hits to finish with a Game Score of 62. Ed Murphy (5-6) was tagged with the loss after lasting just 3 innings, giving up 6 runs (all earned) on 7 hits and 2 wild pitches; Game Score of 19. Ted Lewis covered the final 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk.

At the plate, Boston was led by Chick Stahl (3 for 4, Home Run, 1 Run, 4 RBIs), Bill Lange (2 for 4, Double, 2 Runs, 2 Stolen Bases), Fred Clarke (2 for 4, Triple, 2 Runs), and Jiggs Donahue (1 for 4, Triple, 3 RBIs). In the loss, Jesse Burkett (3 for 5, 1 Run), Heinie Reitz (2 for 4, 3 Stolen Bases), and Jimmy Collins (2 for 5, 2 Runs) played well.

Player of the Game: Chick Stahl (Season: #3 / Career: #3)

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A tough outcome to experience for the hometown fans. After tying the game in the bottom of the 8th inning, Boston pitcher Noodles Hahn allowed a base hit dribbler to Barry McCormick in the top of the 9th inning. A sacrifice bunt followed by a groundout had McCormick sitting just 90 feet away at 3rd base. Two pitches later, Hahn hurled the ball to the backstop and the visitors had the lead. A scoreless bottom of the 9th inning gave Baltimore Orioles (38-23) a 4 to 3 victory over the Boston Americans (45-16).

Addie Joss (10-6) picked up the win by allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks to finish with a Game Score of 59. Noodles Hahn was tagged with the loss after giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits and 1 wild pitch; Game Score of 64. Leading the way at the plate for the visitors was Roy Thomas (2 for 4, Double, 1 Run), Barry McCormick (2 for 4, 1 Run), and Jesse Burkett (2 for 4). In the loss, Jiggs Donahue (2 for 4, Triple - thrown out at the plate, 1 Stolen Base) and Fred Clarke (2 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 Walk) played well.

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #11 / Career: #36)

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A poor showing by the hometown team, as the Baltimore Orioles (39-23) topped the Boston Americans (45-17) by a score of 7 to 3. Without discounting the solid pitching of Baltimore hurler Christy Mathewson, this was a sloppy game on Boston's part, as they allowed 7 errors, 2 caught stealing, and 2 wild pitches. Not a formula for success.

In picking up the win, Mathewson (12-4) allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits to finish with a Game Score of 60. Jesse Tannehill was tagged with the loss after giving up 7 runs (5 earned) on 12 hits and 2 walks for a Game Score of 42. At the plate, Harry Davis (3 for 5, Double, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs, Stolen Base), Heinie Reitz (3 for 5), and Lave Cross (2 for 5, Double, 2 RBIs) had nice showing for the Orioles. For Boston, Jiggs Donahue (2 for 4, Double) and Bill Lange (2 for 5, Stolen Base) played well despite the team coming up short.

Player of the Game: Harry Davis