Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

There was little doubt whether Boston Beaneaters skipper Dennis Lambert would take home his 3rd consecutive National League Manager of the Year award. After leading his team to back-to-back World Series championships, there is none better than Lambert!

[OmahaBaseball]

A quick off-season Stat Blast concerning which rookie pitcher was the most dominant in limiting opponents OPS during the 1903 season.

[OmahaBaseball]

As the off-season purge continues, the Washington Senators parted ways with starting shortstop Bobby Wallace (combined 5.7 WAR last 2 seasons) in a deal to the Boston Beaneaters in return for 22-year old shortstop George McBride, 24-year old catcher Red Dooin, and a 4th round selection (63rd overall pick) in the upcoming draft.

[OmahaBaseball]

A interesting story line from the game that I thought I would share. Way to go Red; you saved the day!

***The real Phillip "Red" Ehert pitched for 11 seasons from 1888 to 1898; accumulating 139 wins and 20.8 WAR. Found this interesting quote:

"Red Ehret is considered by all the ball players to be one of the best pitchers that ever went on the rubber, but he has been greatly handicapped by slanderous reports. If all the reports flying around about Ehret are true he is the hardest drinker in the country, exceeding even old Pete Browning. . . Ehret is so discouraged by these reports . . ." - Sporting Life, October 3, 1893

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[OmahaBaseball]

The draft is right around the corner and a preview of the projected top-10 list is out. I disagree with Lumley going 1st overall -- the Giants would be foolish to pass of Ed Walsh. The Boston Americans have the 6th overall pick and really hope that Smith or Wiltse are still available when my turn comes up, as I really need to strengthen the rotation.

[OmahaBaseball]

Well, the Giants did the right thing and selected Ed Walsh with the #1 overall selection in the 1903 draft. I really think he is going to be a beast in the league and quickly become one of the dominant pitchers. Really disappointed to see Frank Smith go at #2 overall; would love to have had him on the team.

My plan to select one of the top-tier pitchers though didn't pan out, as there was a run on pitching (4 of the first 5 picks). While I still did go with a starting pitcher, I took a gamble on Johnny Lush who was not on my top 3 list, but who I am hoping can develop quickly to get him into the majors. With the 12th pick, I went with reliever Ralph Caldwell who has outstanding ratings but no stamina. I am hoping he can develop the ability to go at least 6 innings through minor-league work.

My remaining selections were Joe Cassidy (shortstop, 2nd round, 28th overall), Ernie Groth (relief pitcher, 3rd round, 44th overall), Orth Collins (outfielder, 4th round, 60th overall), Andy Sullivan (shortstop, 5th round, 76th overall), and Bill Carney (outfielder, 6th round, 92nd overall). My remaining picks for the subsequent rounds had either been previously traded away or not used.

Now the fun part of trying to sign my draft picks so that they don't go off to college...

[OmahaBaseball]

The 1903 player draft signing period is over. The Boston Americans were able to sign all of their picks, though the price was driven up on several players. Overall, there were only 2 players from the entire draft who did not sign.

[OmahaBaseball]

As the 1904 preseason fast approaches, a quick look at which teams gained (or lost) WAR. Boston and Washington pulling up the bottom as both teams traded aware contributing starters for youth (and hope).

[OmahaBaseball]

Received news from Boston American's owner Kevin Kunz that the team budget is increasing 17% (extra $48,000) for the upcoming season.

[OmahaBaseball]

A little belated, but the American League and National League Playoff MVP's were announced.

For the American League, Harry Davis took home honors by batting .345 (10 for 29) with a Double, Triple, Homerun, 4 Runs, 5 RBIs, and 3 walks for a slashline of .345/.406/.552 that created 0.5 WAR.

The National League winner is Jimmy Sebring on account of his .424 batting average (14 for 33) with 3 Doubles, Triple, Homerun, 5 Runs, 5 RBIs, Walk, and 7 Stolen Bases for a slashline of .424/.441/.667 that resulted in 0.8 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Cincinnati Reds continue to embrace the "Win Now" mentality, as they traded away 24-year old 3rd baseman Charles Moran (former 3rd round draft selection) to the Chicago White Sox in return for veteran 1st baseman John Anderson (coming off a 2 WAR season).

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston Americans head scout Dave Radovanovic filed a scouting discovery report on pitcher Manuel Paiz. The 16-year old pitcher from the Dominican Republic has to hope that time, training, and luck works in his favor if he is to ever make it to the Majors.

[OmahaBaseball]

Over the last few years, Boston has struggled with production at first base. In an effort to mix things up, the Americans sent former starting 1st-baseman Jiggs Donahue, pitcher John Gilroy, and two (2) future draft picks to the St. Louis Cardinals in return for 1st-baseman Solly Hofman, and minor-league relief pitchers Percy Coleman and Tom Fisher. While Hofman is unproven, he continues the youth movement and should be, if my scout is correct, a defensive improvement. Fan reaction to losing Donahue was "not happy" and the overall fan interest "decreases noticeably." YIKES!

[OmahaBaseball]

With the start of the 1904 spring training, the latest Preseason Predictions are out for the National League. Interesting to see the Reds tagged for the top spot. They have been aggressive with their "Win Now" approach, but the Beaneaters have dominated for so long it is difficult to see anyone else there. The predictions clearly believe that Cy Young still has something left in the tank and, if true, will make my decision to trade him look rather foolish. It will be fun to see how Red Ames develops this year. He put up a monster season in his rookie effort and, if things hold true to form, is poised to be the NL's dominant pitching ace.

[OmahaBaseball]

Don't want to place too much hope in the predication, but Boston is setting up for what looks like a fine season. Calling it now, no way that Noodles Hahn posts a 26-8 record with a sub 1.50 ERA. It will be interesting to see how Cleveland's Harry Lumley performs. Based on the predication, he is going to be a special player.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston Beaneaters outfielder Jimmy Ryan might be "long in the tooth," but he isn't ready to call it quits. While his 1903 season was a step back from the previous season, Ryan believes he still has something left in the tank and is looking to take his team back to the World Series.

[OmahaBaseball]

Seems like an odd trade for both clubs. While the Senators bring youth into the starting lineup with Danny Hoffman, they do so at the expense of having to part with their starting catcher Heinie Peitz who had put up an average of 3+ WAR over the prior three seasons. For the Cubs, they addition of Peitz is a slight improvement at catcher, but at the cost of quality outfield depth.

[OmahaBaseball]

Spring training games have begun, with the Washington Senators taking on the Boston Americans. Willie Garoni took the mound for Boston in what will likely be a test period to see if he can crack the starting rotation this year. His outing was not particular great but there was enough there to hope for continued improvement. At the plate, Jack Hayden, Homer Smoot, and Harry Truby played well. If Smoot can play well this Spring, it is possible that it will compel the front office to move on from either Lange or Stahl in order to open up an outfield spot.

[OmahaBaseball]

A rough outing by Noodles Hahn, but the Boston Americans topped the Detroit Tigers by a score of 10-4. Newly acquired 1st-baseman Solly Hofman had a fine day, smashing a 2-run blast on his way to a 1 for 2, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs day. Jack Hayden had another solid day as a backup outfielder.

[OmahaBaseball]

A look back at the first 3 seasons of MLB history shows that the all-time saves leader is Chicago Cubs closer Bill Reidy with 15. In his career, Reidy has already won the AL Fireman of the Year once and finished 2nd twice.