The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

As I mentioned above, The Babe's power swing deserted him almost completely in July. He still hit 367, his second-highest for the year, but only went deep four times for his lowest monthly SLG of the campaign. No such dramas for Mr Hornsby, who has made up a fair amount of ground in many of the metrics, most notably WAR, in which he trails by just 0.4.

The Sultan



The Rajah

[luckymann]

This is the last thing the Tribe need as they mount their first serious challenge for the AL Pennant.



Dick Whitworth is a handy enough type to slot into the rotation and their +7 Pythag shows there's plenty of game in this group, but still...

[luckymann]

Not quite the bedlam of last season down in AAA, but still a whole heap of homers being hit.

[luckymann]

... but this is fairly emblematic of the Cards' performance yet again this year: so much individual brilliance at their disposal, and yet they just don't seem to be able to put it all together as a team.



A side putting up these sorts of numbers simply shouldn't be as far behind us as they are year in, year out.





It is the proverbial mystery surrounded by a riddle wrapped up in an enigma.

[luckymann]

... while the pennant races are a bit of a fizzer this time around (thus no August recap), we've been busy to say the least.

Not his best start, far from his best season, but I'm sure he'll remember both fondly just because of this.




Late the previous week, our franchise's all-time wins leader - who is in the middle of one of his best seasons - reached a slightly less notable milestone.

[luckymann]

Fair to say Oliver has been on a bit of a tear...

[luckymann]

This could have huge ramifications in upcoming weeks.

[luckymann]

While this could have huge ramifications in the seasons to come.

[luckymann]

To highlight the dominance ourselves and the Browns are enjoying right now, our respective AAA clubs made it to the playoff, with our Wilkes-Barre boys getting the prize in 4.

[luckymann]

Not a lot to report, really. We clinch early and take our foot off the gas to finish 14-12 for September and the final game of the season in October. This means we miss the chance to better our own single-season wins record, which we fall one shy of with 103.




Just a fantastic all-round performance by the group this season. Few decisively outstanding individual results or league leaders, just everyone doing their thing really well.





IN the AL, the Browns do it even more easily than us, with the Indians a much-improved performance to finish runner-up, albeit some distance behind.




I'll cover this a bit more in the next post, but Babe Ruth earns himself just the 6th (4 hitting, 2 pitching) Triple Crown in the league's history and the first since 1909, while Rogers Hornsby is the NL batting champ.






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[luckymann]

The Sultan

The IRL 1922 season, as you most probably know, was a tumultuous one for the Babe. Disputes with both the Yankees brass and Judge Landis incurred numerous suspensions, which meant he only played 110 games.

The juxtaposition against his 1922 in this save couldn't be more stark, with him winning the AL Triple Crown, something he achieved just once (in 1924) IRL. It seems almost unfair that he misses out on beating Honus Wagner's single-season WAR record by just 0.03 points. All the same, it's his highest-ever and the future seasonal adjustments OOTP incorporates for some reason may well change the order.

His HR numbers were down on a pro-rata basis, but I expected that to be the case given all of the big NeL bats thrown into the mix with no adjustment made to LTMs. When you have guys like Cincinnati's Estevan Montalvo coming into the league and cracking 30+, well they have to come from somewhere. I'm completely OK with this, I believe the tradeoff of seeing these NeL guys in the top flight is worth such small individual sacrifices and have reconciled myself to the fact that Babe will probably only end up with 600ish dingers in his career. He has 170 so far, as opposed to the 197 he'd accumulated to this point in the historical.




The Rajah

A simply superb campaign for Rogers that sees him set or tie personal highs in hits (227), doubles (36), HR (28), RBI (122), runs scored (139), walks (78), total bases (365), all three slash averages (389/460/626) and every advanced metric save WAR. As with Babe, his HR total is well down - in Rajah's case a significant 33%, being 28 v 42 IRL - but outside of that the game has done a remarkable job of mirroring his performance in the historical season.

[luckymann]

Pittsburgh Pirates (101-53) v St. Louis Browns (99-55)

Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


PITTSBURGH PIRATES S+ PAGE

ST. LOUIS BROWNS S+ PAGE


And so this storied rivalry, which has come to resemble – and perhaps even surpass – that of the Yanks and Dodgers in the IRL 1940s and 50s, gets to write yet another chapter. This makes it five of the last six (and six of the last eight) World Series we have contested against each other, a stunning achievement for both franchises.

No doubt the McHenry injury hurts them and helps us. But only in a very minor way given the guys they have, most notably Sisler and Biz Mackey. And they have their full complement of pitchers this time around as well.

I am going with experience here, so McDonald will operate from the BP. No other changes. Perhaps the most challenging thing for us organisationally is how best to deploy Moore. He has been fantastic backing up Lundy, Traynor and Marcell, but in a short series like this that isn’t really needed. So we’ll have to figure out a way of getting him into games that benefits us the most.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh, October 4th 1922
Jose Leblanc (21-12, 3.64) v Joe Williams (18-8, 3.04)

Once again it is our pitching that will be the key in this series, as it has run hot and cold this year. We’re looking to Count to get us off on the right foot in that respect against the always-tough Smoky Joe Williams.

Things start poorly as Burns goes solo yard in the 1st but then Williams has to leave the game with a back injury. Juan Padron replaces him on the hill.

We tie it up in the 3rd on a throwing error by Hi Myers and then Williams gives us the lead with a two-out single. We add another run in the next on a Lundy hit and one more in the 5th on a double by Marcell.

Leblanc has settled right down after that early setback but gives up another solo shot with two out in the 9th before closing it out for a solid if unspectacular win.

Pirates 4, Browns 2
BOX SCORE


Game 2 in Pittsburgh, October 5th 1922
Walter Johnson (16-17, 4.25) v Urban Shocker (23-13, 4.00)
Pirates lead series 1-0

Well what a year of ups and downs for The Big Train, claiming win #400 but generally struggling and finishing the year with a losing record for just the third time in his legendary career. Shocker on the mound for them, who rarely puts in a bad one. Moore comes in at 2B for this one in place of Traynor.

That switch costs us early, as an errant throw by Dobie in the 2nd gifts them an unearned run, but we get it back on a two-out RBI single by Marcell in the 4th.

We waste a golden opportunity in the 5th after we get two in SP with none out and promptly leave them there and as is almost always the case, we pay for it as Train gets into trouble in the next and they tag him for 4 to take control and chase him off the mound.

We are lucky in the bottom half of that inning as an error gets us a run after we look to have come up short at the plate again.

Warner takes over in relief and we edge closer in the 8th on a run-scoring Charleston double, then get within a run on a Cobb groundout in the 9th. But Shocker holds his nerve and we come up short.

Browns 5, Pirates 4
BOX SCORE


Game 3 in St. Louis, October 7th 1922
Frank Lange (22-10, 3.81) v Wilbur Cooper (24-7, 2.36)
Series tied 1-1

Which Wilbur Cooper turns up today? – that is the $64k question. Hopefully the one that surprised so much on the upside this season and not the Ghost of Past Poor Playoff Performances.

We get the jump in this one as Williams knocks in two in the 1st with a single but Cooper starts shakily and only a fine play by Williams to nail one at home keeps a clean sheet. The defence comes to our rescue again in the next as Cobb does the same but Cooper is all over the place and they eventually tie the game on a 2-run double by Collins. Cooper then extends the inning with a dreadful error and they pounce, adding a third.

The hook is ready.

It comes out in the next as they extend their lead. McDonald enters the fray but gives up an RBI single to the rampaging Collins and it is 5-2.

The bats respond in the next. Cobb plates one with a single and another scores on a Marcell SF.

56 gives one of those back in the home half but Lundy cancels that run out with a run-scoring double in the next and a Traynor single ties it at 6.

Then McDonald implodes and they smash him about, scoring 3 to once again take hold of the game. More trouble in the next and I bring Comstock in. He looks to have gotten us out of the jam but Traynor’s defensive shortcomings come to bear as he drops an absolute sitter and it all goes to hell in a handbag. We make another error – our 4th of the game – and in the end they put up a crooked number to kill us off.

It finishes 15-6. A disgraceful performance, I hope they’ve got that out of their system.

Browns 15, Pirates 6
BOX SCORE


Game 4 in St. Louis, October 8th 1922
Joe Williams (0-0, 0.00) v Jose Leblanc (1-0, 2.00)
Browns lead series 2-1

Things have come unstuck for us already and it’ll be nigh on impossible for us to come back if we lose today. That puts Count’s notoriously unpredictable inconsistency under the sternest of tests. After his early Game 1 exit, Williams is fine to pitch in this one.

Our defence has been just atrocious in this series and it bodes ill when Cobb makes his third error and they go ahead with a run in the 3rd.

They add two more in the next as Collins is simply carving us up, and we finally get on the board in the 6th via a Cobb groundout.

In need of runs, I lift Leblanc in the 8th but we still trail by 2 entering the 9th.

We load the bases with and, with us down to our final out, Baker comes off the bench to tie the game with a 2-run single.
It goes into extra innings.

With us threatening in the 12th, Williams finally comes out. If there’s been a better money pitcher in this game their name does not come to mind quickly. Perhaps only Waddell was his equal or better.

That rally of ours comes to nought and they walk it off in the home half to take a 3-1 series lead.

Browns 4, Pirates 3 (12 innings)
BOX SCORE


Game 5 in St. Louis, October 9th 1922
Urban Shocker (1-0, 3.00) v Walter Johnson (0-1, 6.00)
Browns lead series 3-1

Desperate times etc as I switch out Charleston and Snyder, both of whom have had little impact, for O’Farrell and Mueller, who’ll play in RF with Cobb in CF.

We go ahead in the 1st on a Cobb single but this superb top of their order just carries on as they’ve done all year, all Series, scoring 3 on 3 hits. Johnson walks 5 before I yank him, unable to even make it through 2 as all of my earlier comments re our pitching come into full bloom.

McDonald on in relief and by the end of the 2nd it is all but over at 6-1.

He keeps them quiet but we never look like scoring until we get one in the 8th on a Mueller double.

They make sure of it with one in the home half and lock it down without incident to get their 2nd World Championship.

A hearty congratulations to the Browns franchise, they greatly outplayed us in every facet of the game This was the sort of beating you give an unruly stepchild after an unwarranted tantrum, one we thoroughly deserved—we were just plain dreadful.

Browns 7, Pirates 2
BOX SCORE



ST. LOUIS WINS SERIES 4-1
SERIES MVP: Jack Tobin (St. Louis)




S+ HOME

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[luckymann]

Full disclosure time.

To keep things fresh for myself and those of you reading along, I was on the cusp of taking a break from the Pirates, heading over to the AL to see if I could bring the A’s (my IRL team of choice) back to their glory days of the early seasons. Let the AI do its bidding with the Bucs and then go back like some returning hero a decade or so down the track.

Then I saw the Draft pool and all bets in this regard were off.

Instead, I’ll be implementing a slow but steady rebuild for our franchise to get us in the best possible shape to avoid any Murders taking place along the Row. This somewhat cryptic reference will, I am sure, become less so when you, too, see who is entering the league.

So it is business as usual for now, although don’t rule out entirely my taking this course of action at some stage in the future. We’ve a long way to go here; nearly 100 years.

We decide to part ways with Walter Johnson, despite him having two years left on his contract. There was both an opt-out and a team option in place for 1923, and we gave him the honour of opting out. Because it has been an honour to have the game’s greatest-ever pitcher at our club these past few years and to get to be part of his 400th win is something I’ll always treasure.

Frank Baker’s contract has not been renewed, and we thank him for all his years of service with the club. We do exercise the options on both Smoky Joe Wood and Ralph Comstock’s contracts. We pony up for another year with reliever Ed Warner.

The A’s are on the hunt for a new skipper after giving Jack O’Brien the heave-ho. Same goes with the Sens, who end their relationship with the great Connie Mack after 11 seasons and two Championships. John Schappert is also cut by the Phillies.

Zack Wheat, Sherry Magee, Larry Doyle and Heinie Zimmermann are the highest-profile players to hang up their hat. Ex-Pirates Nick Maddox, Possum Whitted and Ted Easterly are also calling time on their careers in the game.

[luckymann]

AL 1922 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1922 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY

No surprise in the Wagner-Lajoie selections, with Babe and Rajah winning unanimously. Detroit's Willis Flournoy is rewarded for his fine 25-14 campaign with the AL Waddell Medal, while Wilbur Cooper gets 15 of 16 first-place votes (mine went to Dave Brown of the Cubs...) to nab the NL gong. Joe Hauser of the A's and St. Louis gun Jim Bottomley win the RotY awards.

[luckymann]

Fearing the gap between our starting and backup OFs is too wide, I lock down FA Les Mann on a 3+2 deal.

Then, unhappy with Dick Lundy's one-dimensionality and the downward trend of his metrics over the past couple seasons, I make the following trade for a guy I've been eyeing off for some time now.

TRADE 1 OF 3 (12/01/16)

2B Lloyd Christenbury, P Vic Aldridge and P Jack Wisner traded to Boston (NL) for IF Pete Kilduff.

Lundy will start next year in AAA and stay there unless something goes dramatically wrong. In actual fact, Newt Allen is probably the first IF call-up if needed. Kilduff is a quality backup for Traynor, Moore and Marcell who will be used exactly how Dobie was last year – regular game time whenever the others need rest.

[luckymann]

Held on 12/20/1922.

A huge Draft this year in what should be another seminal year for the league. Two Marquee Players, with Lou Gehrig being the biggest name of all as yet another piece in the Murderers’ Row puzzle falls into place. I can't wait to see what sort of numbers the Iron Horse puts up with a full career in a world where ALS doesn't exist. Ted Lyons is the other Marquee and there are ten Legacies in all. Plenty of unattached talent (with Hack Wilson the pick) and a bunch of high-quality NeL players as well means all clubs should collect a couple of really handy types.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1923 season:

Boston Braves: Bob Smith (25.8; 349)
Chicago Cubs: Charlie Root (37.5; 632)
Chicago White Sox: Ted Lyons (70.5; 594) MARQUEE
Cincinnati Reds: Red Lucas (44.6; 257)
Detroit Tigers: Earl Whitehill (36.8; 325)
New York Giants: Bill Terry (56.5; 1721)
New York Yankees: Lou Gehrig (113.7; 2164) MARQUEE
Philadelphia Athletics: Rube Walberg (36.7; 412)
Philadelphia Phillies: Phil Collins (14.7; 265)
Washington Senators: Firpo Marberry (30.4; 470)

George Pipgras (10.8; 247) was also eligible for the Yankees, but Gehrig’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Guy Bush (19.1; 428) was also eligible for the Cubs, but Root’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Willie Kamm (35.5; 1171) was also eligible for the White Sox, but Lyons’ higher WAR makes him the selection.

There are 164 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 7 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1922 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. New York Yankees (604)
2. Chicago White Sox (500)
3. New York Giants (610)
4. Cincinnati Reds (558)
5. Chicago Cubs (519)
6. Detroit Tigers (513)
7. Philadelphia Athletics (422)
8. Washington Senators (448)
9. Boston Braves (346)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (373)
11. Boston Red Sox (396)
12. Brooklyn Robins (494)
13. Cleveland Indians (506)
14. St. Louis Cardinals (552; dice roll)
15. Pittsburgh Pirates (552; dice roll)
16. St. Louis Browns (604)

Rounds 2 thru 7

1. Boston Braves (346)
2. Philadelphia Phillies (373)
3. Boston Red Sox (396)
4. Philadelphia Athletics (422)
5. Washington Senators (448)
6. Brooklyn Robins (494)
7. Chicago White Sox (500)
8. Cleveland Indians (506)
9. Detroit Tigers (513)
10. Chicago Cubs (519)
11. St. Louis Cardinals (552; dice roll)
12. Pittsburgh Pirates (552; dice roll)
13. Cincinnati Reds (558)
14. St. Louis Browns (604)
15. New York Yankees (604)
16. New York Giants (610)


Given the fact I am instigating this “soft” rebuild, I go into this Draft with the longer-term in mind. It makes for some tough calls, but nothing ever truly worth having is easily got.

Here’s who we end up selecting:

1. P Willie Foster, 19

• The first of those tough calls involved my passing over Turkey Stearnes and Mule Suttles for Willie, the younger step-brother of the mighty Rube. With a passel of outfielders already at our club and locked up on long contracts but at that age where no real trade value for them remains (not to mention having just acquired Les Mann, not thinking either of these two would still be around), I just saw no way of making it work with either of those lads and felt our need for a robust procession of quality hurlers more pressing right now.

2. OF Walter Davis, 20

• Yes, I know this seems perverse in light of my comments above, but really there simply weren’t many other options we liked at this point. Worst case is that Walter – a handy type who also plays 1B – becomes trade bait. But I think he’s a good pickup all the same.

3. P Guy Bush, 21

• We really like Guy’s profile and believe he is a future lower-end rotation piece.

4. OF Vic Harris, 17

• A bit of a smoky who may just have a touch of blue sky about him. At just 17, we have plenty of time to find out if this is true or not.

5. 2B Jocko Conlon, 25
6. P Jim Brillheart, 19
7. C Dixie Parker, 27

• AAA filler Scout’s picks.

FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

For the third straight year it was all about the Big Apple as the Yanks and Giants won again. This time, however, the upstarts from the Bronx celebrated the move to their spanking new ballpark with their breakthrough Championship.

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (98-54)
NL CHAMPIONS: New York Giants (95-58)
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Giants 2


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. JACK FOURNIER, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 133 games, .351 average, 91 runs, 181 hits, 30 doubles, 13 triples, 22 home runs, 102 RBIs.
• A trade from St. Louis infuriated Fournier to the point that he initially refused to report to the Robins—but they were happy that he changed his mind.

2. FRANKIE FRISCH, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .348 average, 116 runs, 223 hits, 32 doubles, 12 home runs, 111 RBIs, 29 stolen bases.
• The Fordham Flash found fame and fortune as his fantastic feats fueled foes with fear.

3. ROGERS HORNSBY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 107 games, .384 average, 89 runs, 163 hits, 32 doubles, 10 triples, 17 home runs, 83 RBIs, .459 on-base percentage, .627 slugging percentage.
• Somehow, Hornsby managed to maintain his batting brilliance despite numerous knee injuries, a tabloid-soaked extramarital affair, a clubhouse scuffle with Branch Rickey and a season-ending suspension toward the end of the year.

4. PIE TRAYNOR, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .338 average, 108 runs, 208 hits, 19 triples, 12 home runs, 101 RBIs, 28 stolen bases.
• In his second full season, the 24-year-old third baseman led the NL in triples and reached double figures in home runs for the only time in his Hall-of-Fame career.

5. JIM BOTTOMLEY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .371 average, 194 hits, 34 doubles, 14 triples, 8 home runs, 94 RBIs.
• “Sunny Jim” was the primary reason the Cardinals decided to ship Jack Fournier to Brooklyn.

6. EDD ROUSH, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .351 average, 99 runs, 185 hits, 41 doubles, 18 triples, 6 home runs, 88 RBIs.
• Another spring, another holdout for the veteran Reds star. He demanded $25,000; the Reds said $15,000, take it or leave it. Roush took the $15k, and went on to top .350 for the third straight season.

7. CY WILLIAMS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 98 runs, 41 home runs, 114 RBIs, 59 walks.
• Williams’ prodigious year included 15 home runs in May (a monthly NL record that would hold for 30 years) and 26 within Baker Bowl’s cozy confines.

8. MAX CAREY, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .308 average, 120 runs, 188 hits, 32 doubles, 19 triples, 73 walks, 51 stolen bases.
• For the second straight year, Carey stole 51 bases while being caught infrequently (eight times).

9. ROSS YOUNGS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .336 average, 121 runs, 200 hits, 33 doubles, 12 triples, 87 RBIs, 73 walks.
• The amiable 26-year-old outfielder continued to prove his worth to the Giants.

10. IRISH MEUSEL, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .297 average, 102 runs, 14 triples, 19 home runs, 125 RBIs.
• Though he hit below .300 (and just barely) for the first time since 1918, Meusel remained a valuable asset to the Giants by leading the NL in RBIs.

AL Hitters

1. BABE RUTH, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .393 average, 151 runs, 205 hits, 45 doubles, 13 triples, 41 home runs, 130 RBIs, 170 walks, 93 strikeouts, 17 stolen bases, .545 slugging percentage, .764 slugging percentage.
• A year after off-the-field disruption from the commissioner’s office and the Yankees’ brass, Ruth fully re-focused on baseball and returned to his usual Herculean self—hitting a career-high .393 to go with all the power.

2. TRIS SPEAKER, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .380 average, 133 runs, 218 hits, 59 doubles, 11 triples, 17 home runs, 130 RBIs, 93 walks.
• The 35-year-old Spoke performed like he was 25—setting career highs in doubles, home runs and RBIs.

3. HENRY HEILMANN, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .403 average, 121 runs, 211 hits, 44 doubles, 11 triples, 18 home runs, 115 RBIs, 74 walks.
• An off-season insurance broker, Heilmann got in the way of a triple crown for Ruth—but made it up to the Bambino by selling him life insurance after the season. (Heilmann was the AL’s last .400 hitter until Ted Williams in 1941.)

4. KEN WILLIAMS, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .357 average, 106 runs, 198 hits, 37 doubles, 12 triples, 29 home runs, 91 RBIs, 79 walks, 18 stolen bases.
• It wasn’t quite the OMG effort of a year before—maybe not having George Sisler as protection in the lineup all season had something to do with it—but Williams still remained a potent all-around threat.

5. JOE SEWELL, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .353 average, 98 runs, 195 hits, 41 doubles, 10 triples, 109 RBIs, 98 walks, 12 strikeouts.
• The man who almost never struck out—his 12 Ks would actually be one of his higher totals—set career marks in walks, RBIs and batting average.

6. TY COBB, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .340 average, 103 runs, 189 hits, 40 doubles, 7 triples, 6 home runs, 88 RBIs, 66 walks.
• Managing his team to a second-place finish despite a thin pitching staff likely took total focus off Cobb’s own hitting game—but he still hit .340, not bad so far as 36-year olds go.

7. CHARLIE JAMIESON, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .345 average, 644 at-bats, 130 runs, 222 hits, 36 doubles, 12 triples, 80 walks, 19 stolen bases.
• Nicknamed Cuckoo, Jamieson drove opposing pitchers just that as he dazzled from the top of the Cleveland order.

8. EDDIE COLLINS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .360 average, 89 runs, 182 hits, 84 walks, 48 stolen bases.
• Also 36 years of age like Ty Cobb above, Collins had even better numbers and came off as a throwback to the Deadball Era—leading the league in steals for only the second time, while everyone else concentrated on mashing the baseball out of the park.

9. FRANK BROWER, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .285 average, 126 games, 77 runs, 16 home runs, 66 RBIs, 62 walks.
• Picked up from Washington, the left-handed power hitter was given everyday play by midsummer and certainly got into the groove, including a six-hit performance in one August contest.

10. JOE HARRIS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .335 average, 82 runs, 28 doubles, 11 triples, 13 home runs, 76 RBIs.
• In his second year back in the majors after holding out for a few seasons over money, Harris was the only Red Sock to reach double figures in both triples and home runs.

NL Pitchers

1. DOLF LUQUE, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 1.93 ERA, 27 wins, 8 losses, .771 win percentage, 6 shutouts, 322 innings.
• The Havana-born Luque, who lost 23 games in 1922, arguably put together the greatest performance by a Latin American hurler.

2. EPPA RIXEY, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.80 ERA, 20 wins, 15 losses, 309 innings.
• The last of three Cincinnati pitchers to reach 20 wins on the season; only one other team in the majors during the decade (New York Giants, 1920) had three 20-game winners on its roster.

3. PETE ALEXANDER, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.19 ERA, 22 wins, 12 losses, 305 innings, 30 walks.
• How much control did Alexander have to start the year? he didn’t walk a batter over his first 52 innings.

4. PETE DONOHUE, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.18 ERA, 23 wins, 14 losses, 27 complete games, 294.2 innings.
• Deprived of a 20-win campaign the year before due to a month’s absence (torn ligament), Donohue clocked in a full year and reached the milestone for the first of three times over the next four seasons.

5. JOHNNY MORRISON, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 3.49 ERA, 25 wins, 13 losses, 301.2 innings.
• The curveball extraordinaire reached a career apex in advance of a downturn fueled by alcohol.

6. BILL DOAK, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.26 ERA, 8 wins, 13 losses.
• The veteran right-hander underscored the hard luck he endured by tolerating a stretch of 10 straight winless starts, losing seven—with a 3.34 ERA.

7. VIC KEEN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.00 ERA, 12 wins, 8 losses.
• A hybrid starter/reliever, Keen was for the moment one of the better pitchers amid a young Cubs rotation once you got past veteran Pete Alexander.

8. ROSY RYAN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.49 ERA, 16 wins, 5 losses, .762 win percentage, 45 appearances, 15 starts.
• A strong reliever with the occasional spot start, Ryan brought his best stuff out of the pen with a 2.15 relief ERA.

9. BURLEIGH GRIMES, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 3.58 ERA, 21 wins, 18 losses, 38 starts, 33 complete games, 327 innings, 11 hit-by-pitches.
• The legal spitballing workhorse pushed his win total beyond 20 thanks to his dominance over the two NL’s two weakest clubs (the Braves and Phillies), against whom he had a combined 11-0 record.

10. JESSE HAINES, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.11 ERA, 20 wins, 13 losses, 266 innings.
• As if opponents were confounded enough by Haines because of his wicked curveball, he also added a knuckler in 1923 that helped him reach 20 wins.

AL Pitchers

1. URBAN SHOCKER, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.41 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 43 appearances, 277.1 innings.
• In a year where no AL pitcher truly dominated the numerical ranks, Shocker stood out as the season’s most complete package; it was his fourth straight year winning at least 20 games.

2. WAITE HOYT, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.02 ERA, 17 wins, 9 losses.
• Though three other Yankee pitchers won more games than Hoyt, no one on the rotation had a better ERA.

3. GEORGE UHLE, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.77 ERA, 26 wins, 16 losses, 54 appearances, 44 starts, 30 complete games, 357.2 innings.
• Uhle not only led the AL in wins, but also set an all-time mark for pitchers with 52 hits as he batted .361.

4. STAN COVELESKI, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 13 wins, 14 losses, 5 shutouts.
• Thanks to Stan Coveleski, the AL ERA title was won for the third straight year by a legal spitballer.

5. HOOKS DAUSS, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 3.62 ERA, 21 wins, 13 losses, 50 appearances, 39 starts, 316 innings.
• With everyone else on the Tigers’ staff failing the grade, the veteran Dauss became savior and reaped his last 20-win record.

6. RED FABER, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.41 ERA, 14 wins, 11 losses.
• A strong finish led to a positive year for the grandfathered spitballer; it might had been even stronger had he not missed virtually all of September.

7. HERB PENNOCK, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.13 ERA, 19 wins, 6 losses, .760 win percentage.
• Pennock became the latest Red Sox giveaway to shine in Yankee pinstripes.

8. JOE SHAUTE, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.51 ERA, 10 wins, 8 losses.
• The rookie reliever moved up to the rotation late in the year after Stan Coveleski bowed to injury in August, winning six of nine starts (going the distance in seven of them) with a 2.59 ERA.

9. HOWARD EHMKE, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.78 ERA, 20 wins, 17 losses, 39 starts, 28 complete games, 316.2 innings, 119 walks, 20 hit batsmen.
• Fans puzzled over what was more remarkable: That Ehmke won 20 games for the emaciated Red Sox, or that he wasn’t shipped off to the Yankees as a result.

10. SAD SAM JONES, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.63 ERA, 21 wins, 8 losses, .724 win percentage.
• Despite posting nearly the same ERA as the year before, Jones’ record jumped from 13-13 to 21-8. Reason: The Yankees gave him two more runs per start on average.

[luckymann]

No surprises here as Charles Bender and Sam Crawford join the Cooperstown Club.

[luckymann]

Another busy offseason in the trade market, with these the most notable:

• OF Billy Southworth: Cubs, 7 years / $61500
• C Hank Severeid: Senators, 5 years / $41400
• OF Cristobal Torriente: Red Sox, 4 years / $38000 (extension)
• P Walter Johnson: Giants, 4 years / $35200
• P Hod Eller: Red Sox, 4 years / $29300
• P Bill Steen: Yankees, 4 years / $28400
• P Frank Lange: Phillies, 3 years / $26300
• P Bill Drake: Senators, 3 years / $21900
• P Dick Whitworth: Braves, 3 years / $19200
• 2B Sam Bohne: Indians, 4 years / $16660 (extension)
• 2B Ray Browne: Browns, 4 years / $16660
• OF Alejandro Oms: Reds, 2 years / $14000
• CF Amos Strunk: Tigers, 2 years / $13200
• C Steve O’Neill: Reds, 2 years / $13200
• OF George Burns: Indians, 2 years / $11300
• 2B Joe Dugan: White Sox, 2 years / $8380
• P Eustaquio Pedroso: Browns, 3 years / $8200
• P Elmer Ponder: Giants, 3 year / $7260
• P Pete Alexander: Red Sox, 1 year / $2760

• CF Bernie Neis and 1B Frank Brazil from Red Sox to Browns for C Johnny Bassler
• P Jose Acosta, 1B Dick Burrus and SS Herm Merritt from Robins to Browns for 1B Robert Hudspeth
• OF Marty Callaghan from Indians to Braves for C Wally Schang
• 1B High Pockets Kelly from Red Sox to Robins for P Johnny Enzmann and 2B Heinie Scheer
• P Jake Northrop and OF Butch Weis from Athletics to Red Sox for OF Frank Brower
• SS Branch Russell from Yankees to White Sox for P Ed Rile
• OF Baby Doll Jacobson from Giants to Tigers for P Earl Gurley and C. Mickey O’Neil

ALL TRANSACTIONS



It is fair to say this year's Spring Training has not been kind to some clubs and players, most notably the Cubs, who lose gun OF Fred Nicholson for the entire year thanks to a broken kneecap. The Reds will be without pitcher Bullet Joe Bush for most of the year after he tears his rotator cuff, while Jose Mendez will miss about 6 weeks with a sprained ankle. Finally, the World Champs lose reliever Dixie Walker, a recent acquisition via a trade with the Red Sox, for the season after he, too, suffers a rotator cuff tear.

We, on the other hand, go 14-4, with only Garland Braxton picking up a slight niggle that won’t sideline him at all.

The experts are predicting a blanket finish in the AL with just 10 games covering first to last, while we just get the nod ahead of the Cards with a big gap to the rest. Hmmmm, interesting...

What is also interesting is that the Yanks have listed Babe Ruth as their OD starter. It appears they are going to try and utilise him both ways this season. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how that pans out.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS