Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

No surprise here, as Cincinnati Reds 2nd baseman Nap Lajoie took home the National League Batter of the Month award for June 1902. For the month, Lajoie batted .408 (40 for 98) with 9 Doubles, 3 Triples, 3 Home Runs, 14 Runs, 20 RBIs, and 6 Walks to finish with a slash line of .408/.439/.653 for a 214 OPS+ and 1.9 WAR. This is the 4th time that Lajoie has won the award in his career.

[OmahaBaseball]

The American League Batter of the Month honor was awarded to Boston American outfielder Chick Stahl. In picking up the award, Stahl went 40 for 98 (.408 batting average) with 6 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Home Run, 17 Runs, 18 RBIs, 7 Walks, and 6 Stolen Bases for a slash line of .408/.443/.520 -- 179 OPS+ and 1.4 WAR. This is the 2nd time that Stahl has won Batter of the Month honors

[OmahaBaseball]

When the Boston Americans traded for Sam Leever in the offseason, he was viewed as slight upgrade to Fred Klobedanz but still slotted in at the 4th spot in the rotation. Not only has Leever exceeded team expectations, he is proving that it is never too late to shine.

For his June 1902 efforts, Leever was named the American League Pitcher of the Month. His stats included a 6-0 record, with an 1.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 309 ERA+, and 1.2 WAR in 54.0 innings of play. This is the first monthly award that he has earned.

[OmahaBaseball]

The June 1902 National League Pitcher of the Month award went to Cincinnati Reds hurler Jack Harper. In earning the award, Harper went 5-2 in 59 1/3 innings of play, with a 1.97 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 157 ERA+, and 1.2 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

The June 1902 Rookie of the Month for the respective leagues were announced, with St. Louis Browns ace Andy Coakley picking up American League honors and Chicago Orphans pitcher Bob Rhodes grabbing the National League award. Coakley went 5-1 with a 1.36 ERA, 223 ERA+, and 1.0 WAR while Rhoades went 5-1 with a 2.04 ERA, 149 ERA+, and 1.2 WAR on the month.

[OmahaBaseball]

The month of July is here and for teams that have little chance of making the playoffs, the trading season has begun. The bottom teams in the American League standings reached agreement to swap two players each. The Athletics parted with pitcher Bock Baker (#73 ranked prospect; 3-1 with 4 saves and 0.96 ERA at Double A) and Dave Williams (#69 ranked prospect; 2-3 with 9 saves and 1.44 ERA at Double A) to the White Sox. In return, they received veteran pitcher Jim Sullivan (3-3, 2.87 ERA at Triple A) and Lave Winham (#14 ranked prospect; 5-10 with 3.28 ERA and 1.5 WAR in 26 games / 21 starts at the MLB level).

[OmahaBaseball]

For most teams, a 15-10 record would be a good month, yet for the Boston Americans it is a step back in light how they have played this year. Despite the "off" month, the Americans maintain a comfortable 10 game lead in the American League over the Baltimore Orioles. Barring a serious meltdown, the likelihood that Boston makes it to the playoffs remains high.

[OmahaBaseball]

A closer look at how the Boston Americans rank relative to the opposition in the major categories. On the offensive side of things, the Americans hit the ball well and get on base, yet they don't have much power in the lineup. On the mound, have a dominant starting rotation, but the bullpen is rather suspect. Not a lot of power pitchers and are somewhat prone to giving up the long-ball.

[OmahaBaseball]

Overall, I am happy with the offensive production for the month. Chick Stahl (21.3 Runs Created, .408 batting average, 182 wRC+) and Fred Clarke (2.1 WAR, 17 Runs, .131 ISO) were really dialed in at the plate. I need to figure out how to get Homer Smoot some playing time (possibly at 1st base) and thinking about moving Jesse Hoffmeister into the starting lineup at 3rd base over Dave Brain.

[OmahaBaseball]

An interesting month of starting pitching. Sam Leever and Cy Young went a combined 11-0, yet the "aces" of the team of Noodles Hahn and Jesse Tannehill had a combined 4-9 record. Tannehill is throwing far too many pitches per outing (130.3) yet is not getting the strikeouts (1.72 per 9 innings). Also concerned that Hahn and Tannehill are allowing far too many runners on base (10.59 and 11.78 respectively) each outing.

[OmahaBaseball]

What a fun (but stressful) game. Tied 3 to 3 heading into the 9th inning, the Boston Americans (59-24) put up 6 runs on the scoreboard to "cruise" to a 9 to 3 win over the Baltimore Orioles (48-35). That 9th inning was special for Boston, with multiple achievements unlocked.

Picking up the win was Noodles Hahn (13-8) who allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk to finish with a Game Score of 67. Ed Murphy (8-10) was tagged with the loss after giving up 9 earned runs on 14 hits and 8 walks (YIKES) in 8 innings of play; Game Score of 12. The 8 walks tied a Baltimore team record for free passes in a regular season game.

With 15 hits and 8 walks on the day, good things were happening for the American's hitters. The gamble to give rookie Homer Smoot (drafted as 13th overall pick) playing time at 1st base really paid off, as Smoot went 3 for 5 with 2 Doubles, 1 Run, and 3 RBIs -- I can live with the 1 error he committed at 1st base. Also having a nice day at the plate were Dave Brain (2 for 3, Double, 1 Run), Frank Chance (2 for 3, Double, 2 Runs, 2 Walks), and Chick Stahl (2 for 4, 1 Run, 2 Walks). Lave Cross (2 for 4, Triple, 1 Run, 1 RBI) and Barry McCormick (1 for 4, Home Run, 1 Run, 2 RBIs) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #14 / Career: #39)

[OmahaBaseball]

It is open season for teams to sign the listed international free agents. Rumors circulating around the Boston Americans front office is that the team will likely make a run at 16-year old 1st baseman Roberto Rivero. At 6'0", 190 pounds, Rivero has the frame to add some additional muscle and hopefully the work ethic to improve his defensive skills. If that doesn't pan out, the team may look at the young arms of Salvador Bautista or Jorge Carrillo.

[OmahaBaseball]

Travel to the Windy City did not hamper Boston's effort, as the Americans (60-24) topped the Chicago White Sox (33-51) by a score of 5 to 3.

Cy Young (16-3) picked up another win, limiting the opposition to 3 earned runs on 12 hits to finish with a Game Score of 52. Not the prettiest outing and a little concerning that his ground outs to fly outs was 6-19, but Cy got the job done! Brickyard Kennedy (9-12) was burdened with the loss, allowing 5 earned runs on 15 hits and 1 walk; Game Score of 39.

Several nice batting performances by Boston hitters, with Chick Stahl (2 for 3, Double, 2 Runs, 1 Walk, 1 Stolen Base), Bill Lange (3 for 5, Double, 1 Run, Stolen Base), John Farrell (3 for 4, 1 Run, 1 RBI), and Jiggs Donahue (2 for 4, Double, 1 RBI) playing great. For the home team, John Anderson (3 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 Stolen Base), Lew Ritter (2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 Stolen Base), and Harry Bay (2 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 Stolen Base) did their best to keep the game close.

Player of the Game: Cy Young (Season: #11 / Career: #28)

[OmahaBaseball]

The Chicago White Sox (34-51) jumped out to an early lead and were able to fend off a Boston Americans (60-25) comeback to prevail by a 5 to 4 score.

Fred Glade (13-14) grabbed the win by limiting the opposition to 4 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 7 walks for a Game Score of 58. Jesse Tannehill (14-8) was tagged with the loss after allowing 5 earned runs on 9 hits and 1 wild pitch; Game Score of 47. This marked Tannehill's 4th consecutive loss and 7th in his last 9 starts -- not looking too good right now.

At the plate, Chicago got solid contributions from John Dobbs (3 for 4, 2 Runs, 2 Stolen Bases), Duke Farrell (2 for 4, Double, 1 Run, 1 RBI), and Henry Krug (1 for 4, Triple, 1 RBI). Boston was limited in offense, with Kid Elberfeld (1 for 2, 2 RBIs, 1 Walk) being the primary contributor.

Player of the Game: Fred Glade

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Chicago Orphans catcher Klondike Douglass continues to smack the ball to all fields; running his consecutive games hit streak to 25.

[OmahaBaseball]

Back-to-Back losses for the visiting team, as the Chicago White Sox (35-51) topped the Boston Americans (60-26) by a score of 4 to 3. Bill Carrick (8-13) picked up the victory, allowing 3 earned runs on 11 hits, 3 walks, and 1 wild pitch on 142 pitches; Game Score of 54. Sam Leever (15-4) got hit with the loss after serving up 4 earned runs on 8 hits, 2 walks, and 1 hit batsman; Game Score of 52.

At the plate, John Anderson (3 for 4, 1 Run), Mike Grady (1 for 3, Double, 1 RBI), and John Dobbs (1 for 3, 1 Run, 1 Walk, 2 Stolen Bases) contributed in the win. Frank Chance (3 for 5, Double), Kid Elberfeld (3 for 4), and Cozy Dolan (1 for 1, Double, 2 RBIs) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Bill Carrick

[OmahaBaseball]

What a crazy way to end the game. Trailing by a score of 5 to 4 in the bottom of the 11th inning, Boston (61-26) smacked 3 consecutive singles to load the bases for pinch-hitter Danny Shay. On a 2-2 pitch, Shay was drilled in the back to force in the tying run. Two batters later on a 2-1 count, a passed ball brought in Kid Elberfeld from 3rd base and the home team topped the Philadelphia Athletics (36-51) by a score of 6 to 5.

Noodles Hahn (14-8) secured the victory by allowing 5 earned runs on 14 hits and 1 walk in 11 innings (143 pitches); Game Score of 52. Philadelphia starter Buttons Briggs did not factor into the decision, after giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on 11 hits, 3 walks, 1 hit batsman on 121 pitches in 10 innings of play; Game Score of 53. Bill Reidy (0-2) was tagged with the loss after blowing the save opportunity when he allowed 1 unearned run on 2 hits.

Boston's offense was led by Kid Elberfeld (3 for 4, Triple, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, 1 Walk) and Fred Clarke (2 for 5, Double, 1 RBI). The Athletics were led by Socks Seybold (2 for 4, 2 Doubles, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, 1 Walk), Honus Wagner (3 for 5, Double, 1 Run, 1 RBI), and Tommy Corcoran (3 for 5, Double, 1 Run, 1 RBI).

Player of the Game: Kid Elberfeld (Season: #1 / Career: #4)

[OmahaBaseball]

Before a home crowd of 5,065 fans, a solid pitching performance from Cy Young gave the Boston Americans (62-26) a 5 to1 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics (36-52).

Young (17-3) kept the opposition off balance all day, allowing just 1 earned run on 10 hits to finish with a Game Score of 66. The recently acquired Lave Winham (1-1 / 6-11 overall) allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 11 hits; Game Score of 47.

The Boston hitting attack was led by Fred Clarke (2 for 4, Triple, Double, 1 Run), Kid Elberfeld (2 for 4, Triple, 1 Run, 1 RBI), and Bill Lange (3 for 4, 1 RBI). The Athletics were led by Mike Kelley (2 for 5, 1 Run), Honus Wagner (2 for 5), and George Davis (1 for 4, Double, 1 RBI).

Player of the Game: Cy Young (Season: #12 / Career: #29)

[OmahaBaseball]

The Boston Americans maintain the top spot in the latest power rankings, though the Boston Beaneaters have closed the gap. The Philadelphia Phillies continue to comfortably hold down the last spot.

[OmahaBaseball]

The National League Player of the Week award was given to New York Giants outfielder Elmer Flick. On the week, Flick went 12 for 30 (.400 batting average) with 1 Double, 3 Triples, 1 Home Run, 4 Runs and 8 RBIs for a slash line of .400/.438/.733; 241 OPS+ and 0.6 WAR. This is the 3rd time in Flick's career that he has earned PofW honors.