Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

A fine month of pitching month for New York Highlanders Addie Joss. In picking up his first American League Pitcher of the Month award, Joss had a 5-2 record and a 1.85 ERA in 73 innings of play. Posting 1.7 WAR and 2.3 WPA helped secure the award.

[OmahaBaseball]

The season has not been kind to Jack Powell, but the Brooklyn Superbas pitcher strung a solid month of June together to take home his 2nd career National League Pitcher of the Month award. With a 5-2 record and a 1.60 ERA in 62 innings of play, Powell may have finally found his grove.

[OmahaBaseball]

Players throughout Major League Baseball speak highly of Big Ed Delahanty's professionalism and skills. While Father Time may be trying to slow him down, judging by his June performance, Delahanty appears to still be a few steps ahead. In earning his 3rd career American League Batter of the Month award, Big Ed swatted the ball to the tune of a .370 batting average (37 for 100), with 14 Doubles, 2 Triples, 16 Runs, 22 RBIs, and 10 Walks for a slash line of .370/.430/.550 that generated 1.5 WAR and 1.21 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

Arguably the best hitter in baseball, it is never a surprise when Cincinnati Reds 2nd-baseman Nap Lajoie wins an award. Here, Lajoie took home his 6th career National League Batter of the Month award by going 40 for 117 (.342 batting average) with 10 Doubles, 2 Triples, 1 Homerun, 26 Runs, 19 RBIs, and 3 Walks for a slash line of .342/.369/.487 which generated 1.3 WAR and 0.63 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

A snapshot of the American League standings heading into the Dog Says of Summer. The Athletics and Highlanders remain in a tight race at the top of the standings, while the Naps and the Americans sit 7 games back.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Chicago Cubs sit atop the National League standings with a 5 game lead over the Cardinals, Pirates, and Superbas. The Giants sit comfortably in last place.

[OmahaBaseball]

The American League batting statistical leaders through June 30th. Big Ed Delahanty is having a great so far and is setting himself up nicely for post-season awards. It will be fun to watch the WAR race, as Cy Seymour and Doc Gessler are currently tied with Delahanty close behind. Unlike last season, very few Boston American players on the leader board and I am really not loving the fact that Frank Chance leads the AL in times caught stealing.

[OmahaBaseball]

A look at the pitching talent in the American League. While there are several fine pitchers in the league, the best of the bunch is a race between Rube Waddell, Mordecai Brown, and Christy Mathewson. Boston Americans closer Jose Ramos leads the AL in shutdowns with 4, and is tied for the lead in saves with 2. Unfortunately, Cy Young is tied for the AL lead in losses with 13. Lastly, I really hate seeing Jake Weimer on the Naps; still upset that he was selected before my pick came up.

[OmahaBaseball]

A snapshot of the National League statistical leaders. Nap Lajoie and Buck Freeman are quite the hitting tandem for the Reds. It will be interesting to see who takes home the MVP award this year.

[OmahaBaseball]

The National League statistical leaders in the various pitching categories. At this point in the season, feels like Philadelphia Phillies ace Red Ames is running away with the top pitching award.

[OmahaBaseball]

Batting stats for the Boston American players, sorted by "at bats." A significant change from last year, with several players struggling at the plate. Specifically, Dave Brain and Jesse Hoffmeister are not adding value at the third-base position. Also not getting much production from Jiggs Donahue at the first-base position. Despite his team-leading 3.8 WAR, Bill Lange is having a down batting year.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston American pitching stats sorted by innings pitched. Noodles Hahn and Jesse Tannehill are having a good year. Sam Leever has bounced back from a rough start, and Cy Young is getting roughed up a lot lately. I know it is small sample size, but I had hoped for a better showing from Jose Ramos.

[OmahaBaseball]

Nice to finish the month with a winning record, though it is proving difficult to close the gap with the AL leaders. On the offensive side of things, batting stats are middle of the road, but base running is a nice positive to have. Pitching has been solid and overall happy with how the rotation is performing. If I cannot make up ground for a serious push for playoff spot, I will look to trade several players in an effort to gear up for next year.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Cleveland Naps (44-39) were the better team today, as they shutout the Boston Americans (43-40) by a score of 3 to 0 to take sole possession of 3rd place in the American League standings.

Kid Nichols (10-10) picked up the win, scattering 8 hits in his 131 pitch shutout victory; Game Score 75. Noodles Hahn (9-9) was saddled with the loss after allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks on a total of 99 pitches tossed; Game Score 55.

The Naps were led at the plate by Ed Delahanty (1 for 3, Homerun, 2 Runs, RBI, Walk) and George Van Haltren (2 for 3, Double, Walk). Bill Lange (2 for 4, Double) led the Americans' efforts.

Player of the Game: Kid Nichols

[OmahaBaseball]

The list of international free agents is out, with a heavy emphasis on batting. I have asked my lead scout to look at each player but, as of now, no one really jumps out at me at the current asking prices.

[OmahaBaseball]

An exciting extra-innings game for the 5,296 fans in attendance, as the Boston Americans (44-40) topped the New York Highlanders (50-34) by a score of 3 to 2. Despite the win, Boston remains in 4th place in the American League standings; 7 games behind the Philadelphia Athletics.

The Americans sent Jesse Tannehill (13-8) to the mound, and he performed well keeping the opposition in check. On the day, Tannehill allowed 2 earned runs on 9 hits and 2 walks (139 total pitches) to finish with a Game Score of 69. Taking the loss was Wiley Piatt (14-6) who gave up 3 earned runs on 12 hits and 2 hit batsmen; Game Score 55.

Boston's batting success was spread across the lineup, with contributions coming from Bill Lange (2 for 5, Double, Run, RBI, Stolen Base), Frank Chance (2 for 5, Double), and Jesse Tannehill (2 for 4). The Highlanders received help from Jimmy Bannon (3 for 4, Run) and Harry Davis (2 for 4, 2 Doubles, Run, RBI).

Player of the Game: Jesse Tannehill (Season: #13 / Career: #53)

[OmahaBaseball]

Another extra-innings game, but this time the New York Highlanders (51-34) were able to push across the winning run in the top of the 13th inning to beat the Boston Americans (44-41) by a score of 5 to 4.

Christy Mathewson (13-10) went the distance to pick up the win, allowing 4 earned runs on 12 hits, 3 walks, and 2 wild pitches on a total of 198 pitches thrown to finish with a Game Score of 66. Sam Leever got the nod to start for the Americans but did not factor into the decision, allowing 4 earned runs on 11 hits and 2 walks in 9 innings of play; Game Score 52. Closer Jose Ramos pitched 2 scoreless innings before turning the ball over to Al Orth (0-1) who was tagged with the loss after allowing 1 unearned run on 2 hits and 1 walk.

The Highlanders smacked 13 hits and drew 3 walks, led by Jimmy Bannon (3 for 6, 2 Runs, 2 Stolen Bases), Jesse Burkett (2 for 4, Double, 2 RBIs), Roy Thomas (2 for 4, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, Stolen Base), and Marty Bergen (2 for 6, RBI). The Boston hitting-attack was helped by Chick Stahl (2 for 5, Double, Run, Walk), Jiggs Donahue (2 for 6, Run), Danny Shay (2 for 2, RBI), and Bill Lange (1 for 4, Run, 2 Walks, 2 Stolen Bases).

Player of the Game: Christy Mathewson

[OmahaBaseball]

A masterful game pitched by Washington Senators ace Rube Waddell, as the dominating lefty topped the St. Louis Browns with a 1-hit shutout. Waddell struck out 9 and walked 1 on his way to a Game Score of 93.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Cincinnati Reds quickly locked up international free agent Yos'hitaka Sato, reaching a deal with the promising youngster for a $2,020 signing bonus.

***Interesting that the forum message board is editing the name of a fictious player which forces me to come up with a work around edit.

[OmahaBaseball]

A great way to finish the 3-game series, as the 6,359 hometown fans watched their beloved Boston Americans (45-41) jump out to an early 4 to 0 lead and cruise to a 5 to 1 victory over the New York Highlanders (51-35).

Cy Young (7-13) earned the win, allowing just 1 earned run on 8 hits and 1 walk (112 total pitches); Game Score 68. Addie Joss (14-8) took the loss after surrendering 5 runs (3 earned).

At the plate, John Farrell (2 for 4, Triple, Run, RBI), Jiggs Donahue (2 for 4, RBI, Stolen Base), and Fred Clarke (2 for 3, Run, RBI, Walk) contributed in the win, while the Highlanders received batting help from Jesse Burkett (3 for 4, Double, Run), Addie Joss (2 for 3), and Emil Frisk (1 for 1, RBI).

Player of the Game: Cy Young (Season: #6 / Career: #38)