Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

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In typical fashion, the Boston run-support was limited in a Johnny Lush start. Despite this fact, Lush tossed a gem to lead the Boston Americans (82-57) to a 2 to 1 victory over the Washington Senators (71-68).

Johnny Lush (19-15) picked up the win by allowing just 1 unearned run on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7 in his 135-pitch outing; Game Score 85. Casey Pattern (8-15) had a solid pitching performance but was let down by his defense, as he permitted 2 unearned runs on 9 hits and 1 walk; Game Score 67.

The Americans offense was led by Frank Chance (2 for 4, RBI), Chick Stahl (1 for 3, Double, Sacrifice Bunt), and Dave Brain (2 for 4, Double). Casey Patten (1 for 3) and Mike Cross (1 for 3) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Johnny Lush (Season: #22 / Career: #22)

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Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher Frank Corridon (14-22) took home the National League Rookie of the Month award. In earning the honor, Corridon recorded a 5-3 record with a 1.51 ERA in 71 1/3 innings of play that generated 0.4 WAR.

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While it has been a season of ups and downs, St. Louis Browns pitcher Hooks Wiltse (13-20) had a terrific month that was rewarded with the American League Rookie of the Month award. Wiltse posted a 4-3 record with a 1.30 ERA in 62 1/3 innings of play that led to 0.9 WAR.

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Philadelphia Athletics All-Star Honus Wagner nabbed his 4th career American League Batter of the Month award by smashing the ball to the tune of a .345 average (39 for 113) with 6 Doubles, 2 Triples, 3 Homeruns, 11 Runs, 12 RBIs, 7 Walks, and 5 Stolen Bases for a slashline of .345/.393/.513 for 1.7 WAR.

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All-Star 2nd baseman Nap Lajoie took home his 9th career National League Batter of the Month award. The Cincinnati Reds superstar knocked the ball to a .342 batting average (41 for 120) with 9 Doubles, 2 Triples, 2 Homeruns, 18 Runs, 15 RBIs, 3 Walks, and 1 Stolen Base for a slashline of .342/.368/.500 for 1.6 WAR.

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In what has been a challenging year for Brooklyn Superbas pitcher Nick Altrock, things turned better for the aspiring ace as he took home his 1st career National League Pitcher of the Month after posting a 6-1 record with a 1.57 ERA in 63 innings of play.

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St. Louis Browns ace Weldon Henley was named the American League Pitcher of the Month after his tremendous month of pitching. In picking up his 1st career PofM award, Henley posted a 6-1 record with a 1.31 ERA in 62 inning of play.

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The August Player Development Report is out with little meaningful change to primary players. With that said, it is interesting that Johnny Lush continues to see some improvement on his stuff, though he did take a hit to his current movement rating.

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Not the way to end the regular season, as the Washington Senators (72-68) topped the Boston Americans (82-58) by an extra-inning score of 4 to 3. Despite the loss, the Americans take the American League crown and will now prepare for the World Series.

Spot starter Ed Poole (5-4) was given the opportunity to pitch the season finale and did not disappoint, as he picked up the win by limiting to 3 runs (2 earned runs) on 11 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 in 10 innings of play; Game Score 61. Sam Leever did not factor into the decision, as he permitted 3 earned runs on 9 hits in 7 innings of play; Game Score 51. Jose Ramos covered 1 inning is a scoreless effort before Oscar Jones (1-2) allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits and 2 walks in the loss.

The Senators offense was led by Kid Gleason (2 for 4, Double, 2 Runs, RBI, Walk), Duff Cooley (1 for 5, Double, Run), and Ed Poole (2 for 3, RBI, Sacrifice Bunt). In the loss, Danny Shay (2 for 4, 2 RBIs), Frank Chance (2 for 4, RBI), and Chick Stahl (1 for 3, 2 Runs, Walk) played well.

Player of the Game: Ed Poole

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The regular season is over and the 1904 World Series features a match-up of the Boston Americans (82-58) and the Brooklyn Superbas (76-64).

Both teams come into the Series having played roughly .500 ball the last 10-games. During the regular season, the Americans led the American League in runs scored on offense and fewest runs allowed on defense. The Superbas were almost as good, as they led the National League in fewest runs allowed and were 4th in offensive runs scored. This should be a great battle between teams who have speed, outstanding pitching, and able to put the ball in play.

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In a rather shocking decision, the Americans elected to start their #3 starter Jesse Tannehill. While this was a questionable move by the front office staff, it paid off as Tannehill led his Boston Americans (1-0) to a Game 1 victory over the Brooklyn Superbas (0-1) by a 4 to 3 score.

Jesse Tannehill (1-0) picked up the victory; limiting the opposition to 3 earned runs on 9 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman in his 135-pitch outing; Game Score 61. Bob Wicker (0-1) was tagged with the loss after he allowed 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks; Game Score 56.

Boston's offense was powered by Solly Hofman (2 for 4, 2 Triples, Run, Walk, Stolen Base), Jesse Tannehill (2 for 4, Double, RBI), and Bill Lange (1 for 5, Triple, Run, RBI). The Superbas were led by Jake Stahl (1 for 3, Triple, RBI, Walk, Stolen Base), George Stone (2 for 4, Double, Run), and Charlie Hemphill (2 for 4, Run, RBI, Walk).

Player of the Game: Jesse Tannehill (Season: #14 / Career: #72)

***To be clear, I simply messed up and did not intend to start Tannehill in this game. In fact, I struggled to even include him in the World Series rotation***

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What a crazy outcome in a game that saw Noodles Hahn dominate, the Boston offense pound the ball, and the Brooklyn defense fall completely apart. In securing the Game 2 victory, the Boston Americans (2-0) thumped the Brooklyn Superbas (0-2) by a score of 14 to 0.

Noodles Hahn (1-0) was locked in, as he scattered 2 hits and 2 walks in his 118-pitch complete game shutout; Game Score 82. Brooklyn starter Jack Powell (0-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings on account of serving up 8 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and 1 walk; Game Score 26. Wish Egan covered the next 3 innings but faced the same challenges as he permitted 6 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk. Doc Newton was called in for the final 1 2/3 innings and limited the damage to just 1 hit and 1 walk in his scoreless effort.

The Americans were on fire at the plate, led by Solly Hofman (4 for 6, Triple, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs), Kid Elberfeld (2 for 5, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs), Bill Lange (1 for 3, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, Sacrifice Fly), and Dave Brain (2 for 6, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs). George Stone (1 for 3, Double) and Art Devlin (1 for 4) accounted for the Superbas hits.

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #24 / Career: #85)

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While the Series shifted location cities, the Americans offense continued to fire on all cylinders. Here the Boston Americans (3-0) crushed the Brooklyn Superbas (0-3) by a 16 to 4 score.

Johnny Lush (1-0) picked up the win due to the backing of his teammates, as he allowed 4 earned runs on 8 hits, 3 hit batsmen, and 1 balk in his 168-pitch outing; Game Score 62. Bob Wicker (0-2) was tagged with the loss after he served up 9 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings of play; Game Score 8. Doc Newton tried to slow the damage but ended up in poor shape as he permitted 7 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits, 3 walks, and 2 hit batsmen.

There was no shortage of offense from the Americans, as Dave Brain (4 for 6, Triple, Homerun, 2 Runs, 5 RBIs, Stolen Base), Bill Lange (3 for 5, 2 Triples, 3 Runs, RBI, Walk, Stolen Base), Fred Clarke (2 for 5, Double, 2 Runs, 4 RBIs, Hit by Pitch), and Johnny Lush (2 for 4, Double, Run, 2 RBIs, Walk) had outstanding performances. The Superbas were led by Charlie Hemphill (3 for 5, Double, Triple, Run, RBI), Ed McFarland (2 for 4, Double, RBI), Jimmy Slagle (2 for 5, Triple, Run), and Jake Stahl (0 for 1, 2 Runs, 3 Hit by Pitch, and Stolen Base).

Player of the Game: Dave Brain (Season: #3 / Career: #8)

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It's a sweep! The Boston Americans (4-0) secured the 1904 World Series by topping the Brooklyn Superbas (0-4) by a 5 to 4 score before a record crowd of 9,519 fans.

Given how well he did the first time around, I gave the start to Jesse Tannehill (2-0) and he came through again. In earning the victory, Tannehill allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 1 hit batsman in his 110-pitch outing; Game Score 59. In a must win game, the Superbas turned to Bob Wicker (0-3) again, though it ended in the same result as his previous two starts; permitting 5 earned runs on 9 hits while striking out 4; Game Score 48.

At the plate, the Boston Americans were led by Solly Hofman (2 for 4, Triple, 2 Runs), Bill Lange (2 for 4, Double, 4 RBIs), and John Farrell (2 for 3, Run). Joe Tinker (3 for 4, Double, Triple, 3 RBIs), Art Devlin (1 for 3, Triple, Run, Walk), and Jake Stahl (1 for 3, Run, Hit by Pitch) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Jesse Tannehill (Season: #15 / Career: #73)

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What an odd series. From my initial "mistake" of starting Jesse Tannehill in Game 1, the back-to-back blowout games, and the surprising selection of Bob Wicker starting 3 of the 4 games for the Superbas, this was an exciting 1904 World Series. Boston 1B Solly Hofman was named the World Series MVP after he smashed the ball to the tune of a .500 batting average (10 for 20) with 5 Triples, 8 Runs, 5 RBIs, 1 Walk, and 2 Stolen Bases.

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Obviously winning the World Series helps hide the bumps and bruises of the season, but overall this was a great year for the team. Posting a record of 82-58 for the regular season, the Boston Americans enjoyed the best record in MLB. Much of their success was due to their incredible success at home; going 45-25 (.642%).

From an overall team production standpoint, Boston's offense led the AL in nearly every category; exception being homeruns (5th) and stolen bases (2nd). The team likewise fared well on the pitching/defensive side of things, as they led in many of the primary categories thought they struggled giving up the longball (7th). While there are a few changes to the team I see possibly happening in 1905, I am happy with the solid roster and hope to be able to compete for the World Series next year.

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Boston Americans player batting stats sorted by ABs and RC for the 1904 season. The trio of Fred Clarke (6.7 WAR), Frank Chance (6.6 WAR), and Bill Lange (6.3 WAR) anchored the team's offense. I would have liked to see a little more from Solly Hofman (though his World Series performance might be a sign of things to come) and Chick Stahl. I anticipate moving Homer Smoot into the lineup next year if he has a solid spring training.

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A look at how the Boston pitching staff did during the 1904 Season. The three attached snippets are sorted by IP, G, and P/G.

This was an outstanding season for Noodles Hahn and loved the rookie season output of Johnny Lush. Still don't know how he did it, but Sam Leever pitched far better than any of his metrics would have hinted to. He and Jesse Tannehill were dependable, though both may see less playing time next year. Ralph Caldwell has the making of something special and look forward to see what he can do in 1905.