Do-Over--A History of Baseball, 1901-2023

[Lord Byron]

Awards for September:
AL Best Batter: Second baseman Jimmy Williams (Baltimore Orioles), 0 home runs, 22 RBIs, and 22 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Ed Delahanty (Philadelphia Phillies), 0 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 22 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Roy Patterson (Chicago Orphans), with a 6-0 record and a 1.02 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Addie Joss (Cincinnati Reds), with a 5-1 record and a 1.20 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher William Wright (Baltimore Orioles), with a 6-1 record and a 1.91 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Addie Joss (Cincinnati Reds), with a 5-1 record and a 1.20 ERA.

Regular season awards:
AL Best Batter: Second baseman Nap Lajole (Philadelphia Athletics), with 9 home runs, 99 RBIs, 107 runs scored, and a .384 batting average.
NL Best Batter: Left fielder Fred Clarke (Pittsburgh Pirates), with 2 home runs, 75 RBIs, 75 runs scored, and a .358 batting average.

For the 1902 World Series, there is a rematch, with the Philadelphia Phillies (83-57) vs. the Baltimore Orioles (92-48).

[Lord Byron]

The 1902 World Series: Baltimore Orioles vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Results
Game 1, October 8th, 1902, National League Park
The Baltimore Orioles started the World Series in style today, winning on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies at National League Park by a score of 7-6 to take an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Orioles third baseman Bill Keister excelled. He was 3 for 5 with 2 doubles. He drove in 4 runs and scored once.
Had Keister not come through in the top of the ninth, who knows how the game would've ended? But with two down, Keister hit a bases-clearing double. The Orioles took the lead, 7-6, and never looked back.
"Postseason wins taste oh so sweet," said Keister after the game.
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at National League Park in Philadelphia.
Orioles lead 1-0

Game 2, October 9th, 1902, National League Park
Behind a bravura effort from starter Reeve McKay, the Philadelphia Phillies topped the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 6-2 today and got their first win in the 1902 World Series. McKay threw 9.0 innings of 7-hit ball for the Phillies. The win moves Philadelphia into a 1-1 tie with Baltimore.
Roy Thomas dealt the Orioles a blow in the bottom of the fourth. Batting with runners on 2nd and 3rd and Philadelphia trailing 1-0, Thomas, who finished 4th in the AL in on-base percentage with .456 in 1899, hit a full count slider for a 2-run double.
"I thought I'd have a season or two to get accustomed to everything," McKay said. "I didn't think I'd be here already."
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Oriole Park in Baltimore.
Series tied 1-1

Game 3, October 11th, 1902, Oriole Park
When the games really matter, the Baltimore Orioles put on their best show, beating the Philadelphia Phillies by a final score of 7-6 today. Roger Bresnahan went 2-4 with a triple and 2 walks. He scored 2 runs. Baltimore now leads Philadelphia 2-1 in the best-of-7 affair.
The clutch at-bat came in the bottom of the 11th inning, when Baltimore pinch hitter Mike Donlin, facing Red Donahue, had a run-scoring single. It gave the Orioles the 7-6 win.
"Things broke our way today and that's great," Orioles manager John McGraw said. "It's important, though, to stay focused and not pat yourself on the back too much. We aren't done yet."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Oriole Park in Baltimore.
Orioles lead 2-1

Game 4, October 12th, 1902, Oriole Park
Handed an opportunity to take a commanding lead in the World Series, the Baltimore Orioles could not close the deal.
Game 4 went into extra frames and the Philadelphia Phillies emerged victorious, taking a 13-inning, 6-4 win. Philadelphia starting pitcher Doc White threw 13.0 innings allowing 4 runs in the win at Oriole Park today to drag the Phillies back to parity. The clubs are now tied 2-2 in the best-of-7 series.
Roy Thomas hit a run-scoring triple off Joe McGinnity in the top of the 13th, which put the Phillies in front, 4-3. Thomas had 1 single, in addition to the triple. For the game, he went 2 for 6.
Orioles manager John McGraw did not take questions after the game, telling assembled reporters that he would hold a press conference "if and when we win the World Series."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Oriole Park in Baltimore.
Series tied 2-2

Game 5, October 13th, 1902, Oriole Park
When the games really matter, the Baltimore Orioles put on their best show, beating the Philadelphia Phillies by a final score of 10-9 today. Cy Seymour was 6 for 10 with 6 singles. He drove in 2 runs and scored once. Baltimore now leads Philadelphia 3-2 in the best-of-7 affair.
The game was still up for grabs in the bottom of the 21st. With two out, Seymour hit a fastball from Bill Sparger for a run-scoring single. The Orioles, in dramatic fashion, had a walk-off win.
"It was a good day but I'm not letting my guard down," Seymour said. "I'll let my guard down as soon as someone puts a big, fat championship ring on my finger."
Game 6 is scheduled for Wednesday at National League Park in Philadelphia.
Orioles lead 3-2

Game 6, October 15th, 1902, National League Park
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Baltimore Orioles will take the World Series to a decisive 7th game. In a must-win situation today, the Phillies beat the Orioles 8-3 at National League Park to force the series into what will essentially be a one-game playoff. Philadelphia first baseman Ed Delahanty was 4 for 5 with a home run and 3 singles. He scored 3 runs and drove in 3.
The two teams provided some entertaining baseball for the National League Park crowd. Regardless of the outcome, a good time was had by all.
"Man, Game 7 in the World Series," Delahanty remarked later. "That's about as dramatic as it gets."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at National League Park in Philadelphia.
Series tied at 3-3

Game 7, October 16th, 1902, National League Park
A celebratory mood filled the air as the Baltimore Orioles closed out the season with a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at National League Park to capture the World Series, 4-3.
Giving the Phillies credit for a hard-fought series, Orioles players said they believed throughout the postseason that their "destiny" was to be crowned Major League Baseball champions.
"We felt like this was our year all season long," said right fielder Cy Seymour, who was named series MVP. "It was our destiny to win it and we did."
It was the 1st in franchise history. During the AL regular season Baltimore put up a 92-48 record and finished first.
"They're the champions and they deserve it," said a dejected Philadelphia manager Bill Shettsline. "We played good ball, they just played better than us."
Orioles win World Series, 4-3

Series MVP: Cy Seymour

[Lord Byron]

-Even winning a World Series doesn't ensure that the Orioles stay in Baltimore because, after the season's over, the Baltimore Orioles move to New York and become the Highlanders. Let's hope the Highlanders have success there (McGraw on what became the New York Yankees IRL is going to be...interesting, to put it mildly).
-What do Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher George Page and starting pitcher Crazy Schmit, Brooklyn Superbas catchers Duke Farrell and Deacon McGuire and starting pitcher Brickyard Kennedy, Boston Beaneaters first baseman Charles Dooley, Chicago Orphans third baseman Frank Weikart, Cleveland Bronchos starting pitcher Bill Hart and shortstop Frank Scheibeck, Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joseph Theisen, pitcher John Barnett, and starting pitcher Kid Gleason, Philadelphia Athletics catcher Morgan Murphy and relief pitcher Pat Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Eugene McGreevy, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chief Zimmer, and St. Louis Browns center fielder Hugh Duffy and relief pitcher Fred Doe have in common? They all retired from baseball in 1902.
-In a related story, Hugh Duffy's number, 36, was retired by the Boston Beaneaters.
-Oh, and, starting the off-season trades, on October 24th, the Chicago White Sox traded third baseman Ben Shelton (23) to the Detroit Tigers for third baseman Doc Casey (32).
-On October 31st, the Boston Beaneaters made two trades, first trading their left fielder, Billy Lush (28), to the Cincinnati Reds for catcher Daniel O'Leary (22). Then, they traded catcher Malachi Kittridge (33) to the Philadelphia Athletics for third baseman Billy Lauder.
-On November 8th, the Boston Beaneaters (again) traded shortstop Herman Long (36) to the Cincinnati Reds for third baseman Charlie Irwin (33).
-On December 12th, the Philadelphia Phillies traded shortstop Joe Dolan (29) to the New York Highlanders for starting pitcher Grant Thatcher (25).
-Oh, and the Cleveland Bronchos changed their name again, this time to the Cleveland Naps, while the Chicago Orphans changed their name to the Chicago Cubs.
-New York Giants owner Donny Landers has purchased land on the outskirts of New York to develop affordable housing and work for residents.

[Lord Byron]

AL Great Glove Awards: Pitcher Bob Wicker (Cleveland Bronchos), catcher Harry Bemis (Chicago White Sox), first baseman Harry Davis (Philadelphia Athletics), second baseman Hobe Ferris (Boston Americans), third baseman Jimmy Collins (Boston Americans), shortstop Kid Eberfield (Detroit Tigers), left fielder Sam Mertes (Chicago White Sox), center fielder Jimmy Barrett (Detroit Tigers), right fielder Socks Siebold (Philadelphia Athletics)
NL Great Glove Awards: Pitcher Happy Townsend (New York Giants), catcher Hughie Hearne (Brooklyn Superbas), first baseman Herb Delahanty (Philadelphia Phillies), second baseman Cupid Childs (Chicago Cubs), third baseman Harry Steinfeldt (Cincinnati Reds), shortstop Bill Dahlen (Brooklyn Superbas), left fielder Jimmy Sheckard (Brooklyn Superbas), center fielder Emmet Heidrick (St. Louis Cardinals), right fielder Patsy Donovan (St. Louis Cardinals)
AL Platinum Stick winners: Pitcher Wiley Platt (Philadelphia Athletics), catcher Roger Bresnahan (Baltimore Orioles), first baseman Harry Davis (Philadelphia Athletics), second baseman Nap Lajole (Philadelphia Athletics), third baseman Bill Bradley (Cleveland Bronchos), shortstop John McGraw (Baltimore Orioles), left fielder Charlie Hemphill (Boston Americans), center fielder Chick Stahl (Boston Americans), right fielder Socks Seybold (Philadelphia Athletics)
NL Platinum Stick winners: Pitcher Noodles Hahn (Cincinnati Reds), catcher Johnny Kling (Chicago Orphans), first baseman Ed Delahanty (Philadelphia Phillies), second baseman Dick Padden (St. Louis Cardinals), third baseman Tommy Leach (Pittsburgh Pirates), shortstop Honus Wagner (Pittsburgh Pirates), left fielder Fred Clarke (Pittsburgh Pirates), center fielder Ginger Beaumont (Pittsburgh Pirates), right fielder Willie Keeler (Brooklyn Superbas)
AL Rookie of the Year: Catcher Harry Bemis (Chicago White Sox), with 0 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 47 runs scored.
NL Rookie of the Year: Center fielder Homer Smoot (New York Giants), with 3 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 62 runs scored.
AL Best Manager: John McGraw (Baltimore Orioles)
NL Best Manager: Bill Shettsline (Philadelphia Phillies)
AL Best Pitcher of the Year: Starting pitcher George Mullin (Chicago White Sox), with a 24-11 record and a 2.17 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher of the Year: Starting pitcher Doc White (Philadelphia Phillies), with a 24-12 record and a 1.39 ERA.
AL MVP: Second baseman Nap Lajole (Philadelphia Athletics), with 9 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 107 runs scored.
NL MVP: Left fielder Ed Delahanty (Philadelphia Phillies), with 7 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 100 runs scored.

[Lord Byron]

1902 Rookie Draft results in draft order
Washington Senators: Starting pitcher Charles Bender (18), relief pitcher Jimmy Wiggs (26), catcher Monte Belville (27), first baseman Lon Ury (25)
Detroit Tigers: Starting pitcher Jim St. Vrain (19), relief pitcher Lew Moren (19), catcher Tommy Raub (32), relief pitcher Dutch Randolph
Cleveland Naps: Starting pitcher Barney Pelty (22), right fielder Doc Gessler (21), starting pitcher Bucky Veil (21), relief pitcher Jim Fairbank (21), relief pitcher Ed Hug (22)
New York Giants: Right fielder John Titus (26), shortstop Charles Moran (23), catcher Fred Carlsch (21), catcher John Kalahan (21)
Boston Beaneaters: Starting pitcher Red Ames (20), third baseman George Moriarty (17), left fielder Ernie Diehl (25), right fielder Harry Wood (21)
Pittsburgh Pirates: Starting pitcher Ambrose Puttmann (22), relief pitcher Cy Morgan (24), relief pitcher Eddie Quick (21), second baseman Matt Broderick (25)
Chicago Orphans: Starting pitcher Gus Thompson (25), center fielder Denny Sullivan (20), shortstop George Marshall (26), second baseman Claude Gouzzie (29)
St. Louis Browns: Right fielder Walt McCredie (26), right fielder Joe Martin (26), right fielder Jack Hardy (26)
St. Louis Cardinals: Starting pitcher Rip Ragan (23), relief pitcher Pat Hynes (18)
Brooklyn Superbas: Third baseman Hans Lobert (21), relief pitcher Harry Betts (21), relief pitcher John Lovett (25)
Cincinnati Reds: Shortstop Lee Tannehill (22), relief pitcher Bill Bartley (17), third baseman Charlie DeArmond (25)
Boston Americans: Catcher Jake Stahl (23), third baseman Pep Clark (19), left fielder Gene Curtis
Philadelphia Athletics: Starting pitcher Al Mattern (19), relief pitcher Jack Doscher (22), second baseman Bert Daly (21)
Chicago White Sox: Second baseman Rabbit Robinson (20), shortstop Harry Aubrey (21), second baseman Harry Berte (30)
Philadelphia Phillies: Starting pitcher Jesse Stovall (27), relief pitcher Conny McGeehan (20), catcher Jack Zalusky (23)
Baltimore Orioles: Shortstop Simon Nicholls (20), relief pitcher Ed Pinnance (20), center fielder Jim Cook

[Lord Byron]

-The Detroit Tigers failed to reach an agreement with their second round pick, relief pitcher Lew Moren.
-On January 2nd, the St. Louis Cardinals traded relief pitcher Ted McGrew (22) to the Chicago Cubs for second baseman Cupid Childs (35).
-On January 19th, the New York Highlanders traded relief pitcher Clarence Currie (24) to the Boston Beaneaters for relief pitcher Togie Pittinger (31).
-On March 9th, the St. Louis Cardinals traded relief pitcher George Wilkinson (23) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for relief pitcher Snake Wiltse (31) and right fielder Joe Stanley (21).
-First baseman Cap Anson and left fielder Jim O'Rourke were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[Lord Byron]

1903 preseason predictions

American League
Chicago White Sox, 84-56
New York Highlanders, 78-63
Boston Americans, 70-70
Detroit Tigers, 70-70
Philadelphia Athletics, 68-72
Cleveland Naps, 66-74
St. Louis Browns, 63-77
Washington Senators, 63-77

National League
Pittsburgh Pirates, 85-55
Cincinnati Reds, 81-59
St. Louis Cardinals, 80-60
Philadelphia Phillies, 71-69
Brooklyn Superbas, 68-72
Chicago Cubs, 68-72
New York Giants, 66-74
Boston Beaneaters, 43-97

[Lord Byron]

Awards for April:
AL Best Batter: Catcher Roger Bresnahan (New York Highlanders), with 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and 4 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Left fielder Jimmy Slagle (Philadelphia Phillies), with 1 home run, 10 RBIs, and 13 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Oscar Jones (Chicago White Sox), with a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Tom Hughes (Chicago Cubs), with a 4-0 record and a 1.22 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Jim St. Vrain (Detroit Tigers), with a 2-0 record and a 1.93 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Mordecai Brown (New York Giants), with a 3-0 record and a 1.33 ERA.
-Meanwhile, the Boston Americans finalized a deal with starting pitcher Jake Weimer that will pay him $2,740 over one year.

Looking at the standings, the Washington Senators, of all teams, are in first place in the AL with 6 wins, while Detroit is behind them by one game, with 5 wins. In the NL, likewise, there is a close race so far between the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Only time will tell whether these will hold.

[Lord Byron]

Awards for May:
AL Best Batter: Right fielder Socks Seybold (Philadelphia Athletics), with 3 home runs, 18 RBIs, and 16 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Third baseman Harry Steinfeldt (Cincinnati Reds), with 2 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 18 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Cy Young (Boston Americans), with a 6-1 record and a 1.37 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Jack Chesbro (Pittsburgh Pirates), with a 6-2 record and 1.85 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Barney Pelty (Cleveland Naps), with a 4-3 record and 1.82 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Charles Baum (Brooklyn Superbas), with a 5-3 record and 2.84 ERA.

In the AL, the Cleveland Naps, of all teams, are now in first place by a half-game against the St. Louis Browns, with the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Americans, and New York Highlanders tied for third. In the NL, there's a similarly close race between the Pittsburgh Pirates, at 27-14, and the New York Giants, 1 and a half games behind at 25-15.

[Lord Byron]

Awards for June:
AL Best Batter: Right fielder Buck Freeman (Boston Americans), with 2 home runs, 22 RBIs, and 20 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Third baseman Tommy Leach (Pittsburgh Pirates), with 1 home run, 19 RBIs, and 22 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Wiley Piatt (Philadelphia Athletics), with a 6-2 record and a 2.13 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Rube Waddell (Pittsburgh Pirates), with a 7-0 record and a 2.73 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Jim St. Vrain (Detroit Tigers), with a 5-1 record and a 2.34 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Charles Baum (Brooklyn Superbas), with a 4-3 record and a 2.36 ERA.

In the AL, the New York Highlanders and Boston Americans are tied for first (with only a .003 winning percentage separating them) and with the Cleveland Naps a half-game behind and the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics tied for third. In the NL, the Pittsburgh Pirates have pulled ahead of the New York Giants for first by six and a half games, at 44-22, though it will be seen if that lead holds as the summer goes on.

[Lord Byron]

-On July 26th, the Boston Beaneaters traded left fielder Duff Cooley (30) to the Boston Americans for relief pitcher Phil Deller (24) and catcher Larry McLean (22).
-The Philadelphia Athletics traded relief pitcher Dummy Leitner (31), starting pitcher Slow Joe Doyle (21), and shortstop Dave Brain (yes, really!) (24) to the Cincinnati Reds for center fielder Harry Bay (25).
-On July 29th, the Philadelphia Phillies traded closer Red Donahue (30) to the St. Louis Cardinals for second baseman Dick Padden (32).
-The Brooklyn Superbas traded starting pitcher Frank Kitson (33) to the Boston Americans for first baseman Cy Townsend (30).
-The St. Louis Browns traded relief pitcher Edward Webster (31) and second baseman Roy Hartzell (22) to the New York Giants for relief pitcher Cal Vashbinder (23) and starting pitcher John McCord (18).
-On July 30th, the Chicago Cubs traded relief pitcher Jack Taylor (29) to the Cleveland Naps for relief pitcher Louis Leroy (24).

[Lord Byron]

Awards for July:
AL Best Batter: Shortstop Freddy Parent (Boston Americans), with 1 home run, 18 RBIs, and 23 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Center fielder Ginger Beaumont (Pittsburgh Pirates), with 1 home run, 13 RBIs, and 25 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Eddie Plank (Philadelphia Athletics), with a 5-2 record and a 2.14 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Rube Waddell (Pittsburgh Pirates), with a 6-1 record and a 1.48 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Bucky Veil (Cleveland Naps), with a 3-0 record and a 0.67 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Ted McGrew (Chicago Cubs), with a 3-2 record and a 2.29 ERA.

In the AL, the New York Highlanders have a 50-38 record, one and a half games ahead of the Boston Americans, at 50-41. In the NL, the Pittsburgh Pirates are 7 games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds in second place, having a 60-34 record.

[Lord Byron]

Awards for August:
AL Best Batter: Second baseman Nap Lajole (Philadelphia Athletics), with 1 home run, 20 RBIs, and 17 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: First baseman Frank Chance (Chicago Cubs), with 0 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 12 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Relief pitcher Chick Frasier (Philadelphia Athletics), with a 7-0 record and a 1.57 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Addie Joss (Cincinnati Reds), with a 4-2 record and a 1.73 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Jim St. Vrain (Detroit Tigers), with a 4-1 record and a 1.69 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Mordecai Brown (New York Giants), with a 4-4 record and a 2.07 ERA.

The Boston Americans are now on top of the AL, with a 2-game lead at 64-52 over the New York Highlanders. In the NL, the Pittsburgh Pirates are still dominating, with an 8-game lead over the second-place team, the Cincinnati Reds, while the Cubs and Beaneaters have been eliminated from the pennant race.

[Lord Byron]

Awards for September:
AL Best Batter: Center fielder Cy Seymour (New York Highlanders), with 3 home runs, 25 RBIs, and 21 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Third baseman Harry Steinfeldt (Cincinnati Reds), with 1 home run, 17 RBIs, and 14 runs scored.
AL Best Pitcher: Starting pitcher Oscar Jones (Chicago White Sox), with a 6-0 record and a 0.64 ERA.
NL Best Pitcher: Noodles Hahn (Cincinnati Reds), with a 5-1 record and a 1.52 ERA.
AL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Tom Tuckey (New York Highlanders), with a 4-2 record and a 2.41 ERA.
NL Rookie of the Month: Starting pitcher Ginger Clark (Boston Beaneaters), with a 3-2 record and a 2.82 ERA.

Regular season awards:
AL Best Batter: Center fielder Cy Seymour (New York Highlanders), with 5 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 79 runs scored.
NL Best Batter: Center fielder Ginger Beaumont (Pittsburgh Pirates), with 4 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 100 runs scored.

For the 1903 World Series, it's the Pittsburgh Pirates (88-52) vs. the Boston Americans (79-61).

[Lord Byron]

The 1903 World Series: Boston Americans vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Results
Game 1, October 2nd, 1903, Huntington Avenue Grounds
The stakes were high. Cy Young was ready.
The right-hander turned in a performance for the ages at Huntington Avenue Grounds today, pitching a 9-inning, complete-game shutout to lead the Boston Americans to victory in Game 1 of the World Series. Young held the Pittsburgh Pirates to 8 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 4. The win got the best-of-9 series off to a good start for Boston, which now leads 1-0.
Young pitched a complete game for Boston. The 36-year-old right-hander was charged with no runs on 8 hits. He struck out 4 during his 132-pitch performance.
Pirates manager Fred Clarke did not take questions after the game, telling assembled reporters that he would hold a press conference "if and when we win the World Series."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston.
Americans lead 1-0

Game 2, October 3rd, 1903, Huntington Avenue Grounds
The Boston Americans got a strong performance from pitcher Jake Weimer, who stymied the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates en route to a win, 7-3, in Game 2 of the World Series today. The Pirates could never get a bead on the left-handed Weimer, who threw 9.0 innings of 8-hit ball. The Americans now hold a 2-0 in the best-of-9 series.
Weimer had a consequential at-bat in the bottom of the fifth for the Americans. Coming up with the bases loaded and Boston trailing 2-1, he hit a 2-run double.
"It has been an incredible experience today," Weimer said in the clubhouse following the game. "It's a short list of people who have started in the World Series at all, and an even shorter list who have done a good job of it."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston.
Americans lead 2-0

Game 3, October 4th, 1903, Huntington Avenue Grounds
The Boston Americans got a strong game from starter Frank Kitson, but it was some clutch hitting that ultimately delivered the win.
The Americans took the 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 3 of the World Series in a 9th inning walk-off today. The win capped off a fine outing for the right-handed Kitson. Kitson threw 8.0 innings of 6-hit ball in the win, which gave the Americans a 3-0 lead in the best-of-9 series.
Tommy Dowd was the walk-off hero for Boston. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Americans pinch hitter hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.
"We're one game closer to our goal," Boston manager Jimmy Collins said later. "It isn't any more complicated than that."
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday at Exposition Park in Pittsburgh.
Americans lead 3-0

Game 4, October 6th, 1903, Exposition Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates have closed some of the gap between themselves and the series-leading Boston Americans, winning 7-4 at Exposition Park today. Pirates third baseman Tommy Leach was 3-4 with 2 triples, while scoring 2 times and driving in 4. The win cuts the deficit facing the Pirates to 3-1 in the best-of-9 World Series.
The Pirates took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Facing Boston hurler Cy Young with no outs, Leach hit a bases-clearing triple.
"We're happy," Leach told reporters after the win. "When you're in the playoffs, you've got to treat every game like it could be your last."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Exposition Park in Pittsburgh.

Game 5, October 7th, 1903, Exposition Park
When the stakes were high, Jake Weimer raised his game to match.
The left-handed Weimer turned in a stellar performance in Game 5 of the World Series today, pitching a 9-inning, complete-game shutout to lead the Boston Americans to victory. He allowed 10 hits and struck out 1. The win gave Boston a 4-1 lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the best-of-9 series.
With two out in the top of the seventh, Tommy Dowd had a game-changing hit. The Americans pinch hitter slammed a 2-run single off Rube Waddell, making the score 3-1, Boston.
"We lost," Pittsburgh manager Fred Clarke said later. "We'll deal with it. The series isn't over."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Exposition Park in Pittsburgh.
Americans lead 4-1

Game 6, October 8th, 1903, Exposition Park
The Boston Americans are champions, today and forever. The Americans topped the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 at Exposition Park today to claim the World Series crown.
"Nobody can take this away from us, not ever," said series MVP and center fielder Chick Stahl after his club had sealed the victory. "We worked hard and we accomplished our goal."
The atmosphere was electric as the newly-crowned champs stormed the field at the conclusion of the game. Fans cheered, gloves flew in the air, high fives and hugs were the order of the day.
"From day one of spring training, I could see it in their eyes," said Boston manager Jimmy Collins. "The players had that look of intensity, of hunger, of a desire to accomplish something great, and today they did that. They're champions of the world."
The Americans took the series 5-1. The new titleholders completed the regular season with a first-place finish in the AL and a 79-61 record.
Americans win World Series 5-1

Series MVP: Chick Stahl

[Lord Byron]

AL Great Glove Awards: Pitcher George Winter (Boston Americans), catcher Malachi Kittridge (Philadelphia Athletics, first baseman Candy LaChance (Cleveland Naps) second baseman Hobe Ferris (Philadelphia Athletics), third baseman Jimmy Collins (Boston Americans), shortstop Joe Tinker (Cleveland Naps), left fielder Sam Mertes (Chicago White Sox), center fielder Jimmy Barrett (Detroit Tigers), right fielder Socks Seybold (Philadelphia Athletics)
NL Great Glove Awards: Pitcher Willie Sudhoff (St. Louis Cardinals), catcher Jack Warner (New York Giants), first baseman Frank Chance (Chicago Cubs), second baseman Claude Ritchey (Pittsburgh Pirates), third baseman Tommy Leach (Pittsburgh Pirates), shortstop Lee Tannehill (Cincinnati Reds), left fielder Jimmy Sheckard (Brooklyn Superbas), center fielder Roy Thomas (Philadelphia Phillies), right fielder Sam Crawford (Cincinnati Reds)
AL Platinum Stick Award: Pitcher Beany Jacobson (Washington Senators), catcher Roger Bresnahan (New York Highlanders), first baseman John Anderson (St. Louis Browns), second baseman Nap Lajole (Philadelphia Athletics), third baseman Bill Bradley (Cleveland Naps), shortstop Freddy Parent (Philadelphia Athletics), left fielder Mike Donlin (New York Highlanders), center fielder Cy Seymour (New York Highlanders), right fielder Socks Seybold (Philadelphia Athletics)
NL Platinum Stick Award: Pitcher Christy Mathewson (New York Giants), catcher Heinie Peitz (Cincinnati Reds), first baseman Frank Chance (Chicago Cubs), second baseman Joe Kelley (Brooklyn Superbas), third baseman Harry Steinfeldt (Cincinnati Reds), shortstop Honus Wagner (Pittsburgh Pirates), left fielder Fred Clarke (Pittsburgh Pirates), center fielder Ginger Beaumont (Pittsburgh Pirates), right fielder Sam Crawford (Cincinnati Reds)
AL Rookie of the Year: Center fielder Doc Gessler (Cleveland Naps), with 0 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 76 runs scored.
NL Rookie of the Year: Third baseman Lee Tannehill (Cincinnati Reds), with 1 home run, 51 RBIs, and 34 runs scored.
AL Best Manager: Jimmy Collins (Boston Americans)
NL Best Manager: Fred Clarke (Pittsburgh Pirates)
AL Pitcher of the Year: Starting pitcher Cy Young (Boston Americans), with a 22-12 record and a 2.36 ERA.
NL Pitcher of the Year: Starting pitcher Rube Waddell (Pittsburgh Pirates), with a 28-8 record and a 1.32 ERA.
AL MVP: First baseman Roger Bresnahan (New York Highlanders), with 7 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 84 runs scored.
NL MVP: Shortstop Honus Wagner (Pittsburgh Pirates, with 7 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 97 runs scored.

[Lord Byron]

-The St. Louis Cardinals signed manager Patsy Donovan to a 5-year contract extension and general manager David Busser to a 3-year contract extension.
-The Pittsburgh Pirates signed manager Fred Clarke to a 5-year contract extension.
-The Philadelphia Phillies signed manager Bill Shettsline to a 5-year contract extension and general manager Jonathan Baird to a 3-year contract extension.
-The Cincinnati Reds signed manager Bid McPhee to a 5-year contract extension and general manager Aaron Thorson to a 3-year contract extension.
-The Chicago Cubs signed manager Tom Loftus to a 5-year contract extension and general manager Sam Moynihan to a 3-year contract extension.
-The Brooklyn Superbas signed manager Ned Hanlon to a 5-year contract extension and general manager Dan Wilson to a 3-year contract extension).
-The Boston Beaneaters renewed the contracts of manager Frank Seelee and general manager Scott Carter for 5 and 3 years, respectively.
-The Washington Senators renewed the contracts of manager Jim Manning and general manager Will Hood for 5 years (for both).
-The St. Louis Browns renewed the contract of general manager Randy Manning for 3 years, but manager Hugh Duffy was fired from the team.
-The Philadelpha Athletics renewed the contracts of manager Connie Mack and general manager Ryan Washington for 5 and 4 years, respectively.
-The New York Highlanders signed manager John McGraw to a 5-year contract extension.
-The Detroit Tigers renewed the contracts of manager George Stallings and general manager Brian Campbell for 3 years each.
-The Cleveland Naps renewed the contracts of manager Jimmy McAleer and general manager Jose Salazar for 4 and 3 years, respectively.
-The Chicago White Sox renewed the contracts of manager Clark Griffith and general manager Ryan Duhamel for 5 years each.
-The Boston Americans renewed the contract of manager Jimmy Collins for 5 years.
-41 players of various positions and the bench coaches of the St. Louis Browns and New York Giants retired from baseball and coaching, respectively.
-The Boston Beaneaters signed manager Tom Loftus to a 3-year contract.
-On November 11th, the Chicago White Sox traded shortstop Ross Thorton (22) and relief pitcher Tom Barry (24) to the Brooklyn Superbas for second baseman Tom Daly.
-On November 19th, the Chicago Cubs made trades with both the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, trading catcher Lou Ritter (28) and relief pitcher Louis Leroy (24) to the former for shortstop Charlie Babb (30) and trading catcher Ed Phelps (24) and relief pitcher Lee Rundell (32) to the latter for right fielder Jimmy Sebring (21).

[Lord Byron]

Here are the Top 10 players in the 1903 rookie draft as picked by OOTP and the teams that drafted them:
1. Sherry Magee (19), right fielder (#2--Chicago Cubs)
2. Fred Odwell (31), left fielder (#7--New York Giants)
3. Miller Huggins (25), second baseman (#5--Detroit Tigers)
4. Ralph Caldwell (19), starting pitcher (#1--Boston Beaneaters)
5. Johnny Lush (18), starting pitcher (#6--St. Louis Cardinals)
6. Spike Shannon (25), right fielder (#9--Cleveland Naps)
7. Mike Lynch (23), starting pitcher (#3--St. Louis Browns)
8. Harry Lumley (23), right fielder (#4--Washington Senators)
9. George Stovall (26), first baseman (#15--Cincinnati Reds)
10. Gus Dundon (29), second baseman (#3, second round--Detroit Tigers)

[Lord Byron]

-On February 2nd, the Philadelphia Phillies traded relief pitcher Reeve McKay (22) to the New York Giants for starting pitcher Ham Iburg (30).
-On February 12th, the Chicago White Sox traded second baseman George Magoon (28) and starting pitcher Jack Dunleavy (24) to the Cincinnati Reds for center fielder Fielder Jones (32) and shortstop Rabbit Robinson (21).
-On March 3rd, the Philadelphia Athletics traded relief pitcher Lave Winham (22) and third baseman Mike McCormick (20) to the Brooklyn Superbas for starting pitchers George Watt (32) and James Durham (22).
-The St. Louis Browns failed to sign 5th-round draft pick Art Bader.
-The Chicago Cubs failed to sign 1st-round draft pick Sherry Magee.
-The St. Louis Cardinals failed to sign 1st-round draft pick Johnny Lush.
-The Hall of Fame inducted right fielder Sam Thompson, being the only Hall of Fame induction for the 1903 class.

[Lord Byron]

1904 preseason predictions (MLB expanded to 154 games this season)

American League
Washington Senators, 91-63
Detroit Tigers, 89-65
Cleveland Naps, 82-72
Boston Americans, 77-77
New York Highlanders, 74-80
Chicago White Sox, 71-83
Philadelphia Athletics, 67-87
St. Louis Browns, 66-88

National League
Philadelphia Phillies, 88-66
Pittsburgh Pirates, 88-66
New York Giants, 87-67
Cincinnati Reds, 79-75
Brooklyn Superbas, 74-80
St. Louis Cardinals, 74-80
Chicago Cubs, 71-83
Boston Beaneaters, 57-97

And on that, let's play ball!