Introducing the Footnote League

[Sevsdast]

This was the A's logo for this year.

[luckymann]

After looking gone for all money for most of the season, the Senators have somehow managed to get another shot at that elusive maiden title. They are an amazing group and if you’re not a Cubs fan it’s hard not to be pulling for them. Their rotation led the AL in starter ERA (2.70) and their run down the stretch shows they are in great form.

The Cubs are a bit of an enigma, really. They were nowhere near the top in any team stats through the regular season, had a fairly modest +83 run differential (compared with +124 for their nearest rivals Boston), and yet won 96 games, the most in either league and 8 more than their opponents here. From which it must be inferred that they are a dogged bunch who will take some beating. Disappointing news on the eve of the first game that outfielder Joe Connolly hasn’t managed to get himself up for the Series, and there’s no doubt they’ll miss his bat off the bench.

It shapes up to be another fascinating series, let’s hope it lives up to that promise. Here are the two groups that will feature:

[luckymann]

Just a heads up, for the ultimate immersion I've posted the following on my website with links to the various players in action.

READ MORE

But for those happy with a more analog experience here comes each game recapped separately, with a link to the respective box score.

[luckymann]

Washington Senators (0-0) @ Chicago Cubs (0-0)

WAS: Charlie Sweeney (0-0) v CHC: Lefty Leifeild (0-0)

The presumptive AL RoY against a late-season recruit to kick things off. Leifield is a quality southpaw, Sweeney a force of nature. Which tyro will better handle the pressure? Aye, there’s the rub of Game 1.

After a tentative start by both sides, the Cubs strike first in the 5th with a run when Jay Johnstone doubles, advances to third on a Norm Larker groundout and comes home on a single by Tom Tresh. They double their lead in the next in a very similar fashion, with Todd Dunwoody doubling to lead off the inning, going to third on an error by Sweeney and scoring on a Woody Woodward sac fly.

Looking down the barrel of an opening game loss, the Sens find a way to rally in the 8th, and it is Sweeney who gives them a huge lift with a solo shot after fouling off six pitches. Three straight singles then tie the game, with Rudy Law driving in the run.

A two-out double in the top 9th by Alex Gonzalez puts the go-ahead run on base for Washington, but Charlie Neal can only fly out to end the inning. Sweeney sends the Cubs down 1-2-3 as the game goes into extras.

After Sweeney grounds out to lead off the away 10th, a key error by Chicago 1B Larker, who drops a routine throw from 3B Cookie Lavagetto, costs the hosts big time, putting the go-ahead run on second with one out. But not as much as the throwing error by Todd Dunwoody after Micah Owings, who had only come into the game in the 9th, singled to center with two out. Dunwoody’s errant throw scores Danny Valencia to put the Sens in front for the first time in the game. And when Sweeney retires the Cubs in order again in the home half, Washington has a vital away win. Sweeney, who in addition to his home run, scattered just 5 hits over the 10 innings and fanned 5, is rightfully named PoG.

BOX SCORE

[luckymann]

Washington Senators (1-0) @ Chicago Cubs (0-1)

WAS: Ernie Broglio (0-0) v CHC: Bob Ewing (0-0)

Another cracking match-up here between two wily campaigners. Broglio went 19-11 / 1.97 and led the league in FIP with 82. Ewing gave the Cubs 300+ innings and 24 wins. A toss of the coin if ever there was one and both sides will need to take their chances in what looks likely to be a low-scoring affair.

And what a classic it turns out to be.

This time it is the visitors who score first, and again it is Chicago’s fielding that lets them down as Lavagetto makes two misplays on balls hit by the first two hitters, putting them at the corners with none out. John Titus then puts the Sens in front with a sac fly that plates Rudy Law.

The Cubs respond immediately. Jay Johnstone walks with one out and moves to third on a single by Larker, then scores on a double by Tresh. They miss a chance to take the lead when Lavagetto pops out with one out and a man on third, then catcher Frank Snyder flies out to CF.

They do go ahead, however, in the 3rd. Greg Gross leads it off with an infield hit and is at third with two out when Lavagetto redeems himself for his earlier gaffes with an RBI single.
Despite losing Broglio to injury during the 4th, the Sens ensure that the run doesn’t hold up for long. Shortstop Orlando Arcia singles with one out in the 5th and is bunted to second by reliever Gene Garber, presumably to avoid an inning-ending GIDP. Rudy Law then comes through for them in the clutch, with his two-out single scoring Arcia to tie the game at 2.

This time the run holds. All the way through to the 12th.

After wasting a leadoff double by Ewing in the 10th and then narrowly avoiding falling behind in the 11th when Washington had a runner on third with one out but couldn’t bring him home, the Cubs walk it off with back-to-back-to-back singles to Mark Grudzielanek, Gross, and then Johnstone to record a famous victory and level the series at a game apiece as it heads to Washington for a guaranteed three. Ewing, who went the distance in a remarkable performance that saw him allow just one earned run on 6 hits, wins PoG honours.

BOX SCORE

[luckymann]

Chicago Cubs (1-1) @ Washington Senators (1-1)

CHC: King Cole (0-0) v WAS: Lou Brissie (0-0)

Brissie pitched the Sens to their clinching victory on the last day of the regular season, so he knows what’s required here. But he’ll have his work cut out for him here against fellow 20-game winner Cole.

Almost from the off, this one looks to be a complete fizzer. I say almost because the Cubs actually score first, taking a 1-0 lead in the opening inning on a Johnstone single. From there, however, the home team completely dominates proceedings, blowing the game wide open with 4 in the 2nd on three hits and two more errors by the hapless Chicago defence including another one by Lavagetto, who I’m sure will have nightmares about this series for years to come. They go further ahead in the 3rd on an Arcia double, add another in the 4th, and when a solo shot by Gonzalez in the 5th makes it 7-1, this (non-)contest looks over.

But, as the Cubs showed plenty of times throughout the year, you write them off at your own peril, and they come storming back in the 8th to bring the game to life.

Lavagetto triples to lead it off and scores on a Larker single, but when the Sens record two outs that run seems as if it will be nothing but a bit of window-dressing. Even when Snyder walks to keep the inning alive the home side must feel like they have it in the bag. That’s when the wheels come off. Gross singles, scoring Larker to make it a squeamish 7-3. A wild pitch with Woodward at the plate adds another, and when he singles the Cubs have men at the points. Nevertheless, Washington manager Jim Manning sticks with Brissie, who rewards his skipper by giving up a 2-run triple to Dunwoody. Even when Brissie hits pinch-hitter Pepe Mangual to put the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first, Manning refuses to go to the pen. This time Brissie gets the job done by getting Lavagetto to fly out, ending the inning with it now just one run the difference.

Brissie returns for the 9th and the question begs as to how little faith Manning has in his relief corps. That question goes from beg to scream when Brissie gives up a two-out double to Tresh and then walks Snyder, once again putting the go-ahead run on base. But in the end Brissie hangs on, as Otto Kreuger flies out to CF and the Sens get home 7-6. Rudy Law’s 3-hit / 2 ribbie performance earns him the PoG.

BOX SCORE

[luckymann]

Chicago Cubs (1-2) @ Washington Senators (2-1)

CHC: Lefty Leifeild (1-0, 1.80) v WAS: Charlie Sweeney (1-0, 1.80)

The Game 1 combatants return for a rematch in this one as the Cubs try to get back on an even keel.

They begin positively enough, again scoring the game’s opening run to put some scoreboard pressure on the hosts. Gross leads the game off with a single and an error by Law in CF on a routine flyball shows how the nerves can affect the best of them. A Tresh sac fly scores the runner and it’s 1-0 Chicago.

Two more in the 3rd really test the Sens’ mettle, as well as that of their young ace. Once again shoddy fielding places undue stress on the pitching side as Washington first-baseman Solly Hofman flubs a throw from SS Arcia. That runner is removed when he is caught stealing, but then doubles to Dunwoody and Woodward make it 2-0. A single to Gross and yet another Law error adds a third.

It takes until the 4th for the hosts to get anything going on the basepaths, but they make the most of their first meaningful offensive foray. Walks to Titus and Curt Motton, followed by a Hofman single, load the bases with one out, and a Heinie Peitz fielder’s choice that sees a forceout at home keeps them that way, albeit with two outs now recorded. Alex Gonzalez then sends the home fans into raptures with a clutch 2-run single to put the home team just one back.

They strike again the very next inning.

Sweeney leads it off with a double, and the game is knotted at 3 when he comes in on a single by 2B Sam Bohne. Titus then singles and steals second to put two in scoring position and Washington goes ahead courtesy of a sac fly by Motton.
After a tug-of-war over the next few innings the Sens put the visitors to the sword in the 8th. A dreaded leadoff walk to Peitz eventually results in him scoring on a single by Arcia, who ends up at third when Snyder throws one into the outfield on a steal attempt. Again it is Sweeney who comes through with bat in hand, making it 6-3 with a sac fly to deep RF.

The Cubs don’t go down quietly in the 9th, bringing the tying run to the plate with singles by Lavagetto and Dunwoody. But they just can’t get that big hit they need and it finishes 6-3, putting Washington just one win away from the ultimate prize.

BOX SCORE

[luckymann]

Chicago Cubs (1-3) @ Washington Senators (3-1)

CHC: Bob Ewing (1-0, 0.75) v WAS: Tommy Hughes (1-0, 1.80)

If ever Chicago needed a gem from Bob Ewing, today’s that day. With Broglio done for the series with a herniated disc in his neck, Tommy Hughes gets the chance to pitch his side to glory in front of the home fans. No pressure there, son.

Apparently not, as this fantastic series ends rather anticlimactically.

Both sides miss chances to score early, then the home team takes the lead with a run in the 6th on a Hughes sac fly.

Thanks to sporadic spots of wildness, he’s having his worrisome moments on the mound, but getting the job done nonetheless as the Cubs just can’t get a decent rally going. And when his batters post three in the 7th to make it 4-0, it is all over bar the shouting.

Arcia’s at bat in this inning is a perfect embodiment of the doggedness the Sens have shown all year, as he fouls off 8 straight pitches and then singles to give Washington a 2-0 lead. If that doesn’t break the Cubs’ resolve, the 2-run triple by Law a couple of hitters later certainly does. They go down in order in both the 8th and 9th as Washington finally makes it to the top of the mountain. Hughes, who ends up pitching a four-hitter and strikes out six, is a deserved PoG, while Sweeney’s heroics with both bat and ball earn him the series MVP gong.

As I said at the outset, only Cubs fans would begrudge the Sens their triumph. They came so close in both 1902 and 1903 and thoroughly deserve their win here. Third time really is the charm! Tempus effulgeo, Washington – this is your time to shine!

BOX SCORE

[luckymann]

A final word or fifty from the Commish to put a ribbon on the 1904 FL season. Details on awards for both the Footnote and PostScript Leagues, as well as off-season trades, managerial shake-ups and retirements.


READ MORE

[luckymann]

Thanks for following along with my beloved Footnote League, hope you are enjoying the ride.

In an effort to keep things moving forward at a slightly brisker pace - my goal is to average between 8 and 12 seasons per IRL year - I will henceforth be forgoing any in-depth preseason analysis. I'll still be giving a quick rundown of each team, just not the lengthy editorials of seasons past. The fact is that with the S+ page offering such an "under the hood" look at the league, I believe them to be superfluous because, with this avenue available to one and all, you are free to skim along the surface, dip your toe in the water, or take a deep breath and dive for the bottom. It's up to you and you alone how immersed you become.

[luckymann]

All looks set for another engrossing Footnote League season.

I have posted the season previews for all teams on the website.

That post can be accessed HERE.

Tempus effulgeo to all players, may you each shine brighter than the brightest star!

PLAY BALL!

[luckymann]

Cribbed from THIS article on SABR Bio by Rory Costello.

As many of you would have already gathered – be it from my tendency toward overfamiliarity and odd turns of phrase in my posts or because I’m sure I have mentioned it numerous times – I am an Aussie: born, raised and still living in beautiful Sydney, “God’s Country”, as we locals like to think of it.

Like baseball is to Americans, cricket is regarded as “the national pastime” of my country. As a boy in the 1970s and early ‘80s, I partook of this sport and, if I do say so myself, was pretty bloody good at it. But, through too many hours watching grass grow and some unsavoury treatment at the hands of some older boys at boarding school, my love affair with the game waned and then turned acrimonious. I am, it’s fair to say, no longer in love with the game. In fact, I have grown to hate it with a passion.

In my early twenties, on a whim as much as for any other reason, I joined the local baseball team and started playing the game. And, if I do say so myself, was downright horrible at it. I quit a few years later, by which time the statistical aspect of the game had started interesting me much more than its physical aspect. I loved how every act within a game of baseball could be accounted for and given values. Only chess – in which I have never had more than a passing interest – offers the same “closed economy”. I’ve always been a bit of a math nerd, and when I read Bill James’ books I was hooked. The idea of being able to realistically compare and contrast Cy Young and Tom Seaver was like catnip to a kitten. I joined SABR, read everything I could on the subject, even started writing a book on the history of baseball in Australia, with the Claxton Shield, which became the Australian Baseball League (ABL) in 1989, at its heart. (The yawning gaps in the statistical records kept for the league throughout its history fairly quickly put paid to this venture.)

Americans have often asked me over the years how popular baseball is in this country. The simplest and most accurate answer I ever came up with was “about as popular as cricket is in yours”. Of the four major sports it comes a distant third to basketball and football, with hockey not really given much of a chance because of our temperate climate. (Like curling, there is however a small and incredibly fervent bunch of hockey fans Down Under, a group almost entirely made up of American, Canadian and Scandinavian ex-pats.) The ABL is an aluminium bat league with maybe 8 teams currently in operation, at the games of which attendance numbers in the hundreds. The ABL garners virtually no coverage in our local media, save a few lines scores buried so deep in the sports pages that Allen Pinkerton and his men would have a hard time finding them. I dare say it would be easier to see a game of Aussie baseball on TV in the US than it would over here.

It hasn’t always been that way. Well, mostly it has. But, for a brief halcyon period in the mid-1990s, baseball fever gripped this country because of the success at the major league level of three local lads: Dave Nilsson, Graeme Lloyd and, the bloke who blazed the trail for them and others to follow: Craig Shipley.

“Ship”, as Craig was known – we Aussies have a fairly binary attitude toward nicknames: they are usually either somewhat cryptic or simply extensions or contractions of one’s surname – was a rare breed in this country, in that he came from one of our few true baseball families. His father Barry was one of our better players and later owned a chain of stores called The Baseball Dugout, where in fact I bought all of my equipment and memorabilia back in the day: my Easton aluminium bat; my Rawlings Brooks Robinson glove; my Nike cleats; and pretty much the entire Oakland A’s playing kit.

Craig and his two brothers Mark (who made it to a Spring Training tryout with the Braves but never got to the bigs) and Grant all played baseball from a young age. While on a trip to the US for the Australian Under-19 side taking part in the 1982 World’s Fair tournament, Craig was spotted and subsequently recruited by Roger Smith, an assistant coach at the University of Alabama. Ship’s Tide team made it to the CWS in 1983, losing in the final to a Texas Longhorns squad that featured both Roger Clemens and Calvin Schiraldi. Dave Magadan was one of his teammates.

Not being a US citizen meant Ship was not subject to the amateur draft and free to sign with the team that made him the best offer. In late May 1984, not long after he had completed his Junior year at Alabama, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Ship for $90,000. He spent that season with Single-A Vero Beach in 1984, before jumping to Triple-A Albuquerque in 1985, where he batted .242 in 124 games.

A plague of injuries at the Dodgers in 1986 led to Ship being called up to the parent team and he made his major-league debut on June 22, becoming the first player trained in Australia to reach the majors. (There was one big-leaguer born in Australia before Shipley: Joe Quinn, who played from 1884 to 1901. Quinn, however, had moved to Dubuque, Iowa at the age of 11.) He only got a cup of coffee (3-for-27 with a double and 4 RBI in 12 games) that first time around before heading back to New Mexico. The Dodgers’ strength at Craig’s shortstop position, with Mariano Duncan and Dave Anderson established there and ahead of him on the depth chart, hindered his progress and when they acquired Glenn Hoffman from the Red Sox that problem only got worse. However, when some waiver-related technicalities delayed Hoffman’s arrival at the club, Ship got another call-up and remained at the club until season’s end, hitting .257 in 26 games.

Despite winning the award as the best rookie in camp at Spring Training the following year, Ship found himself back at Albuquerque once more. Unhappy with the move, he asked to be traded and the club obliged, sending him to the Mets. But with the New Yorkers also well-staffed at short and a couple of injuries affecting his play, the next three seasons were almost completely lost, with Ship playing just 4 games for the Mets in 1989 before being moved on again, this time to San Diego after the Padres picked him up in the minor-league draft.

After hitting .300 in 65 games at Las Vegas in the PCL, Ship made it back to the bigs in July 1991. He made the most of it this time, hitting .275 including his first MLB home run off Cincinnati’s Tom Browning, and would stay at the club for another three seasons. The last of those, the strike-shortened 1994 season, would turn out to be his best, with career highs in AB (240), hits (80), RBI (30) and WAR (1.0).

Ship was part of a huge 12-player trade with Houston in the 1994-5 offseason and hit .263 for the Astros before heading back to San Diego as a free agent on a one-year deal. Despite a hamstring injury that limited him to just 33 games and kept him off the playoff roster, he re-enlisted with the Padres in 1997. After hurting the hammy again in Spring Training, Craig was sidelined until May, but ended up appearing in 63 games and recording a career best 5 dingers.

Craig signed a minor-league deal with the Cards for the 1998 season but never played a game there. St. Louis traded him to Anaheim during Spring Training, where he shared time between 2B and 3B, hitting .259 with 2 HR and 17 RBI in 77 games. They turned out to be the last of his career, as – despite having re-upped with the Angels on a minor league deal – Ship announced his retirement just before the ’99 season began.

By no means was he done with the game. Since his playing days ended, Craig has forged a career as a highly-regarded talent evaluator. He was Theo Epstein’s special assistant when the Sox broke the Curse, and has also worked for the Expos (remember them?), Padres and Diamondbacks, in whose employ he remains at the time of writing. He has also remained heavily involved with the game back in Australia and was instrumental in the D-backs opening the 2014 season here in Sydney.

In the 35 years since Craig broke through, over 20 other Aussies have followed in his wake, and it is undoubtedly for this legacy he will most be remembered.

Craig has been in the FL since inception (although, truth be told, I only noticed him a couple of weeks ago, which precipitated his selection as the latest Spotlight Player), having been selected by the Reds in the 10thRound of the 1901 Draft. He has spent most of his time at Cedar Rapids, although he did spend a brief period at the parent club in 1902, hitting .350 with two doubles and 9 RBI in 16 games. At 34 he still has some years ahead of him, so hopefully he can make it up there.

Tempus effulgeo, Ship, you have shone oh so brightly on behalf of your countrymen! Good on ya, cobber!

BASEBALL REFERENCE PAGE

S+ PAGE

OOML POST

[luckymann]

Just a quick run through of where our Spotlight players are as season 1905 kicks off:

Ed Head spent the entire 1904 season at Shreveport, where he went 9-15 with an ERA of 3.40, and is back there again this year. His rating suggest his days in the bigs are over.

Otto Hess got just 3.1 innings of work at the Cards in 1904, and played the rest of the year for Houston in the PSL. I’m saddened to report that poor old Otto, who never seems to take a trick, has suffered an early-season injury playing back at Newark, and looks likely to miss some time.

Curt Roberts was cut by Wichita Falls at the end of last season and is a free agent at the time of writing.

Arnold Hauser remains at Wichita Falls, and has so far hit .239 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in 67 AB.

Rawmeat Bill Rodgers is at Reading but has yet to make an appearance in 1905.

Dave Rozema pitched the grand total of one-third of an inning for Detroit in ’04 and has begun this season at their PSL affiliate Fort Worth, where he has gone 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 8+ innings.

Dickey Kerr, Harry Lumley and Johnny Broaca each continue to prosper at the major league level and I’m sure you’ll see their names feature in the recaps throughout the year.

Craig Shipley has started his 1905 PSL campaign well, hitting .375 with 2 dingers and 4 ribsters for Cedar Rapids.

Cy Seymour and Ray Starr have hung up their cleats.

More updates later in the year.

OOML POST

[luckymann]

A BLANKET START IN BOTH LEAGUES WITH NO STRONG MOVES AS YET

5 TEAMS WITHIN 1 ½ GAMES OF THE LEAD IN THE AL

BEANEATERS 2 CLEAR IN THE NL.

Notable Performances

• April 14th: the A’s overcome 5 errors and a 4-run Boston 9th to tie the game, walking it off with a run in the home half for a 8-7 win. The Browns also make 5 errors and score 2 in the 11th to take a 5-3 lead away to the White Sox, only for the home team to score 3 in another walkoff win. The two sides play an even wilder game the following day, a 10-inning 14-13 win to the Sox (despite them committing six errors) in which the teams combine for 40 hits.
• April 17th: a couple of pitching gems against New York teams with the Beaneaters’ Carl Lundgren two-hitting the Giants and Tommy Hughes of Washington allowing just three hits and an unearned run in a 6-1 win over the Highlanders. Meanwhile, both Detroit LF Marty Keough and White Sox 2B Logan Forsythe rap out 5 hits in games against Cleveland and St. Louis.
• April 20th: 3 in the top 13th gets the White Sox past the Tigers, with William VanLandingham going the distance for the win.
• April 26th: shortstop Mickey Witek’s 5 hit game can’t stop the Phillies dropping a close one to the Beaneaters.
• May 1st: a three-hitter by Boston’s Chappie McFarland gets his side past the Giants 2-0.
• May 3rd: Despite giving up 10 hits, Washington’s Tommy Hughesgoes the distance in a 12-inning 1-0 win over the A’s.
• May 4th: RF Joel Youngblood has 4 hits including a homer and 5 RBI, but still his Tigers drop the game 12-7 to the Browns.
• May 8th: George Stone has 5 hits and scores 5 runs, while Hector Lopez knocks in 6, as the White Sox humble the Naps 15-3.
• May 15th: 3B Jack Rothrock has 5 hits and 2 RBI, but it is Turkey Stearns’ single in the 10th that earns the Naps a walkoff 11-10 win over the Sens.
• May 22nd: a rare 2-homer game by LF Frank Schulte powers the Highlanders to an 8-6 win over Detroit.
• May 23rd: a dandy of a game between the Sens and Sox sees Washington score a run in the top 9th to send it into extras tied at 3, then each team score a run in both the 10th and 11th, then Chicago walk it off 6-5 on a Harry Lumley single. 3B Red Smith and LF George Stone both have 4 hits for the home team, with Smith driving in 3.
• May 27th: a big game from SS Ian Desmond, who has 4 hits of which 3 are triples and both scores and knocks in 3 runs, helps the struggling Reds to a much-needed 15-6 win over Pittsburgh. Meanwhile Jeremy Bonderman shuts out Cleveland on 4 hits with 9 strikeouts as the Highlanders nip the Naps 1-0.
• May 29th: Highlanders pitcher Rick Langford allows just two hits over 9+ innings as his side sneaks past the A’s 3-2 in 10. Over in the NL, the Pirates take both games of a doubleheader against the Cards 3-2 in extra innings, the first in 12 and the second in 10.
• May 30th: Detroit CF Milt Cuyler has 5 hits and 2 RBI to power his side past the White Sox 8-4.
• May 31st: a big day for Gates Brown, as the Beaneaters left-fielder goes 4-for-5 with 3 doubles and 6 ribbies in a 14-5 win over the Phillies.

Feats and Streaks

• April 24th: AL PotW – Logan Forsythe (Chicago); NL – Carl Lundgren (Boston); PSLA – Deron Johnson (Waterloo); PSLN – Howie Schultz (Hazleton).
• May 1st: AL PotW – Kirk McCaskill (New York); NL – Gene Baker (St. Louis); PSLA – Eddie Moore (Shreveport); PSLN – George Stovall (Jersey City).
• May 8th: AL PotW – Joel Youngblood (Detroit); NL – Chuck Diering (St. Louis); PSLA – Craig Wilson (Shreveport); PSLN – Lenny Randle (Hazleton).
• May 15th: AL PotW – John Titus (Washington); NL – Bill Spiers (Boston); PSLA – Howie Shanks (Chattanooga); PSLN – Orlando Hernandez (Harrisburg).
• May 22nd: AL PotW – Milt Cuyler (Detroit); NL – Greg Gross (Chicago); PSLA – Claude Rossman (Joplin); PSLN – Buster Brown (Houston).
• May 29th: AL PotW – Frank Schulte (New York); NL – Ian Desmond (Cincinnati); PSLA – Hans Lobert (Chattanooga); PSLN – Simon Nicholls (Wichita Falls).

A’s CF Milt Thompson records a 32-game consecutive hit streak before being held to an ohfer by Cleveland. It is the equal-4th longest in FL history, but still well short of Bill Rodgers’ FL-best 41 games back in the league’s first season.

Transactions

None of note

Injuries

• April 15th: the Giants suffer an early blow when they lose 3B Pete Ward for 5 weeks with an ACL strain.
• April 22nd: biceps tendinitis will keep Detroit SP Ed Wells out of action for up to 3 months.
• May 4th: the Cards lose ace Jimmy Dygert for the year to a torn UCL. Things worsen for the club the following week when 2B Dan Shannon goes down for most of the season after suffering a fractured ankle, and hit crisis point a fortnight later when they lose talisman and rotation leader Harry Gumbert to elbow tendinitis for 6 weeks.
• May 19th: a bout of shoulder inflammation will put Cleveland CF Jim Lyttle on ice for 5-6 weeks.
• May 24th: Americans 2B Eric Young suffers a fractured ulna and will miss roughly 6 weeks.
• May 29th: the Pirates lose gun P / 1B Doc Crandall for the season after he fractures his elbow.

Monthly Awards – April

American League

Batter: George Stone, Chicago (.382 / 10 RBI / 12 R)

Pitcher: William VanLandingham, Chicago (4-0 / 2.79 / 19 K / 42 IP)

Rookie: Marty Keough, Detroit (.315 / 10 RBI)

National League

Batter: Jerry Browne, Boston (.368 / 8 RBI / 14 R)

Pitcher: Rube Manning, Brooklyn (3-1 / 2.00 / 7 K / 36 IP)

Rookie: Lefty Leifield, Chicago (2-2 / 1.95 / 17 K / 32 IP)

PostScript League American

Batter: Erv Dusak, Newark (.295 / 12 HR / 25 RBI / 21 R)

Pitcher: Mark Clark, Joplin (5-0 / 2.28 / 39 K / 51 IP)

PostScript League National

Batter: Alex McKinnon, Wichita Falls (.375 / 8 HR / 19 RBI / 17 R)

Pitcher: Wheezer Dell, Hazleton (5-2 / 2.45 / 4 SV / 28 K / 22 IP)


Monthly Awards – May

American League

Batter: Frank Schulte, New York (.441 / 3 HR / 11 RBI / 18 R)

Pitcher: William VanLandingham, Chicago (6-1 / 2.53 / 37 K / 64 IP)

Rookie: Marty Keough, Detroit (.371 / 12 RBI / 6 R)

National League

Batter: Norm Larker, Chicago (.398 / 2 HR / 16 RBI / 19 R)

Pitcher: Chappie McFarland, Boston (8-0 / 2.12 / 72 K / 36 IP)

Rookie: Lew Moren, New York (5-1 / 1.83 / 22 K / 54 IP)

PostScript League American

Batter: Hans Lobert, Chattanooga (.349 / 9 HR / 20 RBI / 24 R)

Pitcher: Pat Ragan, Joplin (3-0 / 1.18 / 60 K / 61 IP)

PostScript League National

Batter: Jack Lohrke, Reading (.343 / 10 HR / 24 RBI / 23 R)

Pitcher: Wei-Yin Chen, Hazleton (6-1 / 2.35 / 60 K / 46 IP)

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FL REPORTS HOME

OOML POST

[luckymann]

The annual Rookie Draft was held tonight once again, with some excellent talent up for grabs. A pitcher went at #2, the highest selection for a non-position player I can remember, with another going at #9. It was a pool rich in catching talent, with 4 backstops selected in the first 10.

Here are the Round 1 picks:

1 Cincinnati Reds: C Pat Collins, 20

2 Cleveland Naps: P Jumbo McGinnis, 26

3 New York Giants: RF Red Murray, 20

4 St. Louis Cardinals: RF Hi Myers, 18

5 Boston Americans: RF Beau Bell, 25

6 Philadelphia Athletics: C Mitch Meluskey, 22

7 Detroit Tigers: C Dick Dietz, 22

8 Philadelphia Phillies: C Pop Schriver, 18

9 Pittsburgh Pirates: P Tom Bradley, 20

10 St. Louis Browns: RF Johnny Moore, 24

11 Chicago White Sox: 1B Wayne Gross, 22

12 New York Highlanders: LF Doug Glanville, 23

13 Washington Senators: 1B Ken Harrelson, 19

14 Brooklyn Superbas: SS Bill Knockerbocker, 19

15 Boston Beaneaters: CF Gabe Kapler, 20

16 Chicago Cubs, LF Rob Deer, 21

As is tradition, I’ll report back in a while with how the signing process is going. Tempus effulgeo to one and all.

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Batting Average on Balls in Play – Qualified Batters / Active / Career

Batting Average on Balls in Play – Qualified Pitchers / Active / Career

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SOME CLEAR PATTERNS EMERGING IN BOTH LEAGUES AS WE HEAD INTO THE HEART OF THE SEASON

HIGHLANDERS MAKE A RUN FOR IT IN THE AL

BEANEATERS LEADING THE NL FROM THE CUBS

Notable Performances

• 1st: Detroit’s Doug Rau begins the new month well with a three-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over St. Louis. Washington’s Ernie Broglio also pitches a complete game shutout, allowing 5 hits in a 2-0 win over the Athletics.
• 2nd: a slugfest between the Tigers and Browns sees the two sides combine for an astonishing 39 hits, with Detroit eventually getting home 11-10 in 12 innings.
• 3rd: Cleveland 2B Tommy Harper goes yard twice and drives in 4 as the Naps scrape past the White Sox 7-6.
• 8th: Eric Show 2-hits the Browns and strikes out 8 as the Americans win 2-0.
• 9th: not a banner day for New York batters, as the Highlanders are shut out on 4 hits in a 3-0 loss to Cleveland and the Giants manage just 3 hits against Wayne Twitchell as they are whitewashed 7-0 by the Pirates.
• 13th: 3B Eric Soderholm has 4 hits including a triple and a homer, and drives in 6 runs to lead the Highlanders to an 11-6 win over the Browns.
• 15th: Cleveland scores 6 runs over the 8th and 9th in their game at Washington to take it into extra innings, then wins it in the 11th on a solo shot by CF Turkey Stearnes, his fourth hit of the game. They get another extra-inning win over the Sens two days later when they score 5 in the top 12th to win 8-4, with catcher Red Dooin going 5-for-5 with 4 ribbies and CF Willie Wilson also having a 5-hit game to make it 20 games in a row he’s hit safely.
• 18th: Boston starter Carl Lundgren overcomes a spot of wildness that sees him walk 8 to pitch a 3-hit shutout and lead his side to a 3-0 win over Cinci.
• 21st: the slumping White Sox snap a 6-game losing streak with a dramatic come-from-behind win over Boston in which they score 4 in the top 9th to record a 5-4 victory.
• 24th: Bill Parsons two-hits the Cubs while fanning 5 as the Cards win 4-0.

Feats and Streaks

• 5th: AL PotW – Milt Cuyler (Detroit); NL – Derek Jeter (New York); PSLA – Roy Leslie (Williamsport); PSLN – Simon Nicholls (Wichita Falls).
• 12th: AL PotW – Oscar Charleston (Boston); NL – Joe Ferguson (Cincinnati); PSLA – Ron Coomer (Shreveport); PSLN – Ryan Goins (Bridgeport).
• 19th: AL PotW – Eric Soderholm (New York); NL – Leon Durham (Boston); PSLA – Gerald Perry (Chattanooga); PSLN – Frank Roth (Reading).
• 26th: AL PotW – Willie Wilson (Cleveland); NL – Hobe Ferris (St. Louis); PSLA – Ron Coomer (Shreveport); PSLN – Simon Nicholls (Wichita Falls).

Injuries

• 3rd: a torn rotator cuff ends Cincinnati pitcher Big Jeff Pfeffer’s season early.
• 8th: the Beaneaters lose the services of pitcher Hank Johnson for the rest of the year thanks to a bout of shoulder inflammation.
• 18th: a hamstring strain will keep Cardinals pitcher Ken Forsch on ice for about 6 weeks.
• 25th: a massive blow for the Cubs when they lose gun shortstop Tom Tresh for most, if not all, of the season after he fractures a finger.

Monthly Awards

American League

Batter: George Stone, Chicago (.419 / 1 HR / 15 RBI / 20 R)

Pitcher: Rick Langford, New York (6-1 / 2.32 / 29 K / 62 IP)

Rookie: Mike Mowrey, St. Louis (.307 / 7 RBI)

National League

Batter: Leon Durham, Boston (.422 / 3 HR / 18 RBI / 22 R)

Pitcher:Lefty Leifield, Chicago (6-1 / 1.71 / 46 K / 63 IP)

Rookie: Lefty Leifield


PostScript League American

Batter: Gerald Perry, Chattanooga (.409 / 7 HR / 23 RBI / 25 R)

Pitcher: Cliff Curtis, Chattanooga (5-1 / 2.98 / 33 K / 45 IP)

PostScript League National

Batter: Simon Nicholls, Wichita Falls (.404 / 6 HR / 27 RBI / 28 R)

Pitcher: Brian Fisher, Reading (4-0 / 2.16 / 6 SV / 25 K / 17 IP)

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Weighted On Base Average for the month of June, 1905

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HIGHLANDERS IN TOTAL CONTROL OF THE AL AFTER ANOTHER BLISTERING MONTH

STILL PLENTY OF LIFE IN THE NL RACE WITH THREE CLUBS IN CONTENTION

Notable Performances

• 2nd: Chicago’s Elmer Stricklett 3-hits Detroit with 7 strikeouts in a 9-1 win for the Sox.
• 3rd: the Giants and Phillies play out a 19-inning classic. It’s 6-6 after regulation, then both sides score 3 in the 14th to prolong the marathon affair, before Philly finally wins it walkoff on an error by New York CF Red Murray, a somewhat anticlimactic end to a match of such high drama.
• 4th: a Fourth of July double-header between Cleveland and Chicago provides plenty of fireworks, with a total of 72 hits and 44 runs over the two games, both of which the White Sox win, 17-15 and 7-5. The other end of the spectrum over at Hilltop park, with Kirk McCaskill earning his 10th win of the season with a 3-hit shutout of the Sens in a 2-0 Highlanders win. New York go on to win 6 of 7 played consecutively against their nearest rivals in the AL, by the end of which they have stretched their lead to a whopping 11½ games.
• 12th: the Highlanders come back from an early 6-0 deficit, scoring 7 in the final two innings to nip the Tigers 8-7, taking their record for July to a phenomenal 14-2.
• 13th: in one of those results that can really lift a club, the Beaneaters score 2 in the bottom 9th to send their game against the Reds into extra innings, fall immediately behind again when they give up a run in the top 10th, then walk it off 10-9 in the home half on a 2-run single by Warren Cromartie.
• 17th: Detroit’s Milt Cuyler goes 3-for-5 with 2 triples and 5 RBI in an 8-3 win over the A’s.
• 19th: he doesn’t have such a great day on the mound, but Washington pitcher Ernie Broglio makes up for it at the plate with 5 hits including 2 doubles, driving in a run as Washington knocks off the Tigers by a thumping 19 to 6. Curt Motton also drives in 5 for the Sens.
• 26th: Brooklyn’s Jack Pfiester pitches a gem, two-hitting the Cards and fanning 5 in an 8-0 win.
• 27th: Ian Desmond goes 5-for-5 with a trip and 3 ribbies, but his Reds still lose 6-5 to New York.

Feats and Streaks

• 3rd: AL PotW – Dave Danforth (Detroit); NL – Bill Spiers (Boston); PSLA – Roy Leslie (Williamsport); PSLN – Howard Wakefield (Wichita Falls).
• 10th: AL PotW – Jim Lyttle (Cleveland); NL – Luis Melendez (Philadelphia); PSLA – Jimmy Ripple (Waterloo); PSLN – Jack Lohrke (Reading).
• 17th: AL PotW – George Stone (Chicago); NL – Jake Weimer (New York); PSLA – Bama Rowell (Chattanooga); PSLN – Mike Easler (Hazleton).
• 24th: AL PotW – Beau Bell (Boston); NL – Leon Durham (Boston); PSLA – Wally Roettger (Newark); PSLN – Pat Carney (Houston).
• 31st: AL PotW – Austin Jackson (Chicago); NL – Norm Larker (Chicago); PSLA – Charlie Hickman (Williamsport); PSLN – Alex McKinnon (Wichita Falls).

Transactions

• 2nd: the Senators and Highlanders shore up their rosters as 1B Ernie Courtney goes to New York with RP Warren Hacker moved across to Washington.
• 14th: the A’s send 3B Art Howe (love the IRL interplay!) and Adam Loewen to the Cubs, with a 5th round Draft pick included, for pitchers Oscar Jones and Brian Fisher.
• 22nd: the two St. Louis teams engage in one of the bigger trades of the year, with C Tucker Barnhart heading to the Browns and P Jim Hackett and 2B John Lowenstein off to the Cards.
• 25th: Boston offloads veteran outfielder Bunk Congalton to the A’s, getting pitcher Trevor Cahill and outfielder Reggie Williams in return.
• 26th: a trade between the Indians and Phillies sees OF Luke Scott sent to the Phillies for pitchers Dave Fleming and Dick Pole, along with catcher Fred Carisch.
• 30th: the death of Cardinals owner Victor Estrada after a long illness sees control of the franchise handed over to his son, Victor jr.

Injuries

• 9th: Cardinals shortstop Deivi Cruz is done for the season after suffering a torn ACL.
• 19th: the Cubs will be without gun hurler King Cole for the rest of this season and a good portion of the next courtesy of a torn UCL.
• 28th: A’s hurler Steve Cooke has his season ended early when he is forced to undergo radial nerve compression surgery.

Monthly Awards

American League

Batter: George Stone, Chicago (.382 / 1 HR / 21 RBI / 21 R)

Pitcher: Steve Cooke, Philadelphia (5-0 / 1.10 / 21 K / 49 IP)

Rookie: Beau Bell, Boston (.390 / 2 HR / 10 RBI / 11 R)


National League

Batter: Leon Durham, Boston (.370 / 5 HR / 28 RBI / 19 R)

Pitcher: Sam Streeter, Chicago (6-2 / 1.94 / 55 K / 74 IP)

Rookie: Frank LaPorte, New York (.308 / 15 RBI)


PostScript League American

Batter: Bama Rowell, Chattanooga (.398 / 7 HR / 27 RBI / 20 R)

Pitcher: Ben McDonald, Newark (5-0 / 1.54 / 49 K / 41 IP)


PostScript League National

Batter: Alex McKinnon, Wichita Falls (.327 / 7 HR / 21 RBI / 20 R)

Pitcher: Shawn Chacon, Wichita Falls (5-2 / 1.59 / 4 SV / 45 K / 39.2 IP)


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Fielding Independent Pitching, career