Historical simulation since 1921

[Sberl]

Good morning everyone, I just started a little project I had in my thoughts since I got interested in baseball and history. I will use OOTP to simulate baseball season since 1921 to create an alternate universe and see how different things will be in the years coming.

I will update every half-season, if you are interested...I started tonight to simulate 1921.

I have to apologise in advance for some english mistakes (I live in Italy)...I hope you will understand.

YEAR WS CHAMPS RUNNER-UP
1921 St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees
1922 St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees
1923 New York Giants Cleveland Indians
1924 Cleveland Indians New york Giants

[Sberl]

First update, at the eve of 1921 World Series. It will be St. Louis Cardinals vs New York Yankees

AMERICAN LEAGUE

After a good start by Senators, soon the division became an affair between the White Sox and the Yankees. White Sox were in the lead until august, when the Yankees overcame them. Indians try to stay in the hunt, but they finish 9 game back.
Complete standings:
1) Yankees 95-59
2) White Sox 91-63
3) Indians 86-68
4) Red Sox 79-75
5) Tigers 74-80
6) Browns 71-83
7) Senators 66-88
8) Athletics 54-100

Talking about single players:
Batting avg: Ty Cobb dominated the year, .383 BA. Runners up: Sisler and Ruth, .370
HR: Babe 46 HR, runner up Meusel (NYY) with 19
RBI: again a match between Babe (128) and Meusel (121). Bentley (CWS) and Wood (CLE) tied at 106
OPS/WAR: monster season for Babe Ruth (1.199 OPS, 11.1 WAR!). OPS above 1000 also for Ty Cobb, but WAR was significantly lower (6.0)
Hits: Sisler dominates with 232 hits, runner-up Tobin (SLA) with 221 and Cobb (220)
Runs: Babe again, 146. Behind him, Bentley (CWS) with 114 and Baker (NYY) 113
SB: Bucky Harris (WS1) 37 , Sisler (SLA) 35
BB: always Babe Ruth, 125. Runner up: Schang (NYY) with 95

ERA: Herb Pennock (BOS) 2.43, followed by Cavet (CWS) with 2.88
WINS: Wilbur Cooper (CLE) with 20, Cavet (CWS) tied with Mays (NYY) at 19
K: Cavet wins 157, runner up Leonard (DET) with 154
On particular stats, Wilbur Cooper had 27 complete games, Pennock and Bush (both Red Sox) 4 shutouts each. FIP incoronates Wibur Cooper, 2.94

Next post will be about National League. If you have curiosity or want to know about particular players and so on...just ask.

[Sberl]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

In the National League the pennant race was almost decided by the start of september, with Cardinals 9 games ahead of New York Giants. But everyone knows that september is a strange month and the Giants were 1 game back on the last day of the season. They won their last game and the Cardinals were down by two in the bottom of the ninth...magic time, 4 runs scored and Cardinals head to the WS!

Complete standings:
1) Cardinals 89-65
2) Giants 88-66
3) Reds 81-73
4) Pirates 80-74
5) Robins 80-74
6) Cubs 69-85
7) Braves 67-87
8) Phillies 62-92

I won’t be so long as for AL for the stats (my previous post was deleted), but the BA was won by Twombly with .367 (CHC) while Roger Hornsby (STL) was the leader in HR (20), OPS (.978), WAR (9.3). RBI stat was won by High Pockets Kelly (118), SB by Max Carey (PIT, 44). In pitching, Spitting Bill Doak was oustanding with 22 Wins and a FIP under 3.00 (ERA 2.80). He was also the strikeout leader with 122 and the pitcher with most complete games in NL (26). ERA Leader was Rube Marquard (CIN) with 2.63

Talking about rookies, this was the first year in the real life for Cuyler (did not played in majors in OOTP) and Goslin (half-season played, very good stint).

Now I’m ready for WS....(next post will feature WS recap, curiosity and milestones, top season performances, awards)

[vrobx1]

Subscribed!

Historical alternate histories are my favorite!

Sent from my SM-J337VPP using Tapatalk

[Sberl]

And here we go...World Series!

Game 1: 34000 people came to Polo Ground to watch the opening game of 1921 World Series and baseball fans were not disappointed. It was a thrilling, sometimes sloppy, game decided by a 2 run single by Austin McHenry in the top of the ninth inning giving the Cardinals a 5-4 lead that was preseverd by Sherdel with a perfect inning and a save. Yankees struck first in the bottom of the 2nd, but Cards slowly bounced back tying the game in the 6th and gaining a 3-2 lead in the seventh thanks to defensive errors and base balls. In the bottom of the seventh Yanks regained the lead before the ninth inning meltdown. Player of the game Cardinals starter, Spittin Bill Doak → 8 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Normal game for Babe Ruth, 2/4 at the plate but his bloody defensive error was a key play in the game; great game for Jack Fournier with 2/2, 2 BB, 2 RBI

Game 2: blowout game, with Cardinals taking 2-0 lead in the Series thanks to a 11-2 win (18 hits to 6). Great game by Cardinals pitcher, Walker (9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 K, 4 BB), but MVP was Jack Fournier (¾, 3 RBI, 2 R) in a game where Cardinals lineup put on a show. On the home side, the only positive note is the solo shot by Babe Ruth; Yankees are now in a hole.

Game 3: another thrilling one. Down 2-0 in the Series, Yankees needed a win, which they got with a walk-off RBI double by Aaron Ward in the 9th. Scoring opened in the bottom of the 5th, with a 4-0 lead taken by the home team. In the 7th Cardinals bounce back, tying the game with an RBI single and a 3 run shot by Hornsby before the Yankees won it. Waite Hoyte grabbed the W and the MVP for the game (9.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 K, 2 BB), Cardinals starter was very good and punished by defensive mistakes (one of his own, one by Hornsby) while at bat we saw good performances by Ruth, Schang and Hawks for the home team, Hornsby for Cardinals.

More in the next post...after the 3 games at the Polo Grounds, we head to Sportsman Park with a 2-1 lead for the Cardinals.

[Sberl]

Game 4: in a crucial game for the series, Cardinals gave the nod to the rookie sensation Riviere, a solid performer through the regular season and he discovered the great Yankees offense. He was crushed, with 8 R on 9 H in 2.2 IP...game 4 goes south for Cardinals, who lose 11-5 and now series is tied at 2. Babe Ruth goes 2/5 with a HR and 3 RBI, Baker 3/5 with 3 runs scored, almost everyone in visitors lineup with 2 hits. On the mound, complete game for Harper, not sharp but he did not need a stellar game to get the win thanks to a wonderful bat show.

Game 5: and here come the Yankees. After a wonderful offensive show, in game 5 the main spot goes to pitching. Game 1 was not good for Shawkey, but he bounced back with a tremendous complete game (7 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K), silencing Card's bats and gaining a win thanks to RBI by Meusel and Schang. For Cardinals, there was another great game by Doak, who goes 8 IP with 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB and 7 K: they simply lacked offense.

Game 6: a Yankees win could put a serious threat to the trophy, but also in 1921 Cardinals never die. Following a 4 run first inning, they added security runs in 4th and 5th inning to setup a 7-3 lead which lasted to the end, despite a 2 run seventh inning by the visitors. Walker, Cardinals' starting pitcher, goes the distance but the main spot goes to the bats: Toporcer (MVP of the game) goes 2/3 with 3 RBI and a run scored, Hornsby, Fournier and McCarty (catcher, playing thanks to Mueller's injury in the first game of the series) with 2 hits each. Good game for Hawks and Meusel in Yankees lineup, bad start for Mays which fell 0-2 in the series.

Game 7: who got the first shot at the trophy? And the answer is...St Louis Cardinals. In a thrilling game, they won 6-5 after a wonderful 8th inning. With the score 4-3 for the Cardinals, Yankees score 2 and in the bottom of the inning Cardinals responded with 2 runs setting up the save for Sherdel. Haines, the starter, got the win while the MVP goes to Hornsby (2/3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB). Yankees really need his stars to wake up for coming back in the series (Babe Ruth a non factor in the last 3 games).

Game 8: we go back to the Polo Ground, and the home team needs a win to force game 9. But in another offensive game, Cardinals stole the decisive victory for the series with a 10-9 win, surviving a furious Yankees comeback in the 7th and 8th inning (10-3 the score before the 7th). The most important moment of the game was the 5 run 5th inning, with High and Jacobson the leaders for the visitors. Another very bad game for Babe Ruth (0/4) and Yankees pitching. The Win goes to the rookie Riviere, who tossed 6 IP of 3 run ball. Third save of the series for Sherdel, a decisive factor in Cardinals run to the Series.

WORLD SERIES MVP: Jack Fournier (14/33, 1 HR, 8 RBI)

Some curiosity about the season:

1 3 HR Game (Dave Robertson, Philadelphia Athletics)

1 6 Hit Game (Bobby Veach, Detroit Tigers)

1 Cycle (Babe Ruth)

3000 hits for Ty Cobb (Det), 2000 Hits for Clyde Milan (WAS), 1000 RBI for Tris Speaker (CLE) and 1000 runs scored for Harry Hooper (CHC). Best hitting streak --> George Sisler, 32.

In Negro Leagues, the title goes to The St. Louis Giants.



　



Next post...Awards, trade recap and other things...

[Zorro]

Good stuff.

[Sberl]

Originally Posted by vrobx1

Subscribed!

Historical alternate histories are my favorite!

Sent from my SM-J337VPP using Tapatalk

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the recaps

[Sberl]

Trade Recap 1921 season (hope you can see it)



No trades were important for pennant chase, but some significant moves were made (for example, Cleveland with Cooper did a great job)

And now the awards:
MVP
AL: Babe Ruth (unanimous)
NL: Roger Hornsby (unanimous)

CY YOUNG
AL: Herb Pennock (BOS)
NL: Bill Doak (STL)

ROOKIE
AL: Carl East (RF, BOS)
NL: Heinie C. Mueller (CF, STL)

MANAGER
AL: Miller Huggins (NYY)
NL: Branch Rickey (STL)

And now I think 1921 season is closed. Next stop...off-season (early trades were made and also some managerial changes)

Any suggestions or other hints are welcomed. Again, please excuse me if english is not always correct.

[Sberl]

Some off-season updates...

Managerial updates:
- Connie Mack fired from Philadelphia Athletics --> Hired Arturo Hernandez
- Bill Donovan (Manager) and Jerry Brooks (GM) fired from Philadelphia Phillies --> Hired Matt Richards (GM) and Dan Duprez (Manager)

Rookie draft (First round)



The first pick goes to the same team as in real life...there were three hall of famer in the first 3 picks, plus some more during the first round.

And before presenting 1922 season, here are the Hall of Fame inductees:
1) Cy Young (99.3%)
2) Christy Mathewson (99.3%)
3) Kid Nichols (98.3)
4) Nap Lajoie (98.3)
5) Mordecai Brown (83.2)

Ready to start 1922 season....

[Sberl]

1922 – Free Agency & Trades

We take a look at the principal moves by every team

- Boston Red Sox: the main move in off-season is a trade with the New York Giants, with LF Curt Walker heading to Boston in exchange of prospect Lance Richbourg and pitcher Bullet Joe Bush (potential win-win situation). There was another minor trade, but in the off-season the management focused on signing their prospects.

- Boston Braves: two major trades. The first one, with St. Louis Cardinals, sent starter Dana Filligim to Sportsman Park in exchange of two young prospects with average upside (Cliff Brady and Cliff Heathcote); the second one sent veteran pitcher Hippo Vaughn to Giants for CF Bill Cunningham and a prospect.

- Brooklyn Robins: very quiet winter for the Robins, only two FA signings and one of them is a kid. Some veteran releases, but they will be more or less the same team in 1922

- Chicago White Sox: a trade (acquired relief pitcher Elam Vangilder from St. Louis Browns for young player) and minor signings in FA

- Chicago Cubs: they made a risky move by sending to St. Louis Browns gold glover 3B Charlie Deal in exchange of Virgil Barnes, the young player involved in Browns/White Sox trade. Barnes has good potential, we will see how it works out

- Cincinnati Reds: a trade with Senators brought in city 29 year old relief pitcher Al Schacht (for a young catcher), also important was the FA signing of veteran pitcher Frank Miller.

- Cleveland Indians: many minor moves, lost veteran Frank Miller which was supposed to retire but opted to sign with Cincinnati

- Detroit Tigers: no moves (just loss of Catcher Ray Kennedy in the rule 5 draft)

- New York Yankees: many minor moves, but at the eve of Spring Training they signed potential star pitcher Art Decatur

- New York Giants: busy off-season due to trades, with Hippo Vaughn (P) and Bullet Joe Bush (P) coming to town.

- Philadelphia Athletics: there was a major move in Phila, because they sent Ferdie Schupp (average pitcher) to the other team in town for two prospects; they also acquired LF Al Wingo via Rule 5 draft (number 24 on prospect rankings)

- Philadelphia Phillies: the move we wrote some lines ago was the only significant one made

- Pittsburgh Pirates: no major moves

- St. Louis Browns: they were the off-season winners adding Charlie Deal from Chicago

- St. Louis Cardinals: not many moves by the Champ, they added a starter via trade (Dana Fillingim) and nothing else

- Washington Senators: gave away Schact in exchange of a young catcher and not much more

As you can see, there were many movements but very few with potential major impact on the teams involved.

And we take a look at the top 10 prospects for 1922:

1) 1B Gabby Hartnett (PHI)

2) CF Al Simmons (PHA)

3) CF Earle Combs (WAS)

4) SS Les Bell (CHC)

5) 2B Ray Blades (STL)

6) LF Bob Fothergill (STB)

7) SP Johnny Cooney (BOS B.)

8) SP Joe Shaute (BRO R.)

9) CF Kiki Cuyler (PIT)

10) SP Jake Hel (STL)

Talking about DL, the main name involved is Pete Alexander of the Giants, which will be out for another 2-3 months due to Torn Elbow ligament. In ST Triss Speaker (CLE) injured his ankle and will be out about 5 weeks (missing some time in the RS)

Preseason predictions: WS between Yankees and Giants

Let's play!

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by Sberl

I have to apologise in advance for some english mistakes (I live in Italy)...I hope you will understand.

Don't worry about it, amico. Your English is much better than my Italian

[Sberl]

Let's go on with 1922 season...

During the first month there were two oustanding teams: New York Giants and Chicago White Sox. The Giant went 13-3, while the White Sox 14-4. In AL, Indians, Red Sox and Yankees are close to the leaders while thegap is wider in the NL, with the Pirates and Cardinals 5 games back. As in 1921, Babe Ruth is leading in HR (six HR in April) and the duo Pennock/Cavet is leading in ERA. Interesting stats in NL, where we have two good hitting streaks (Carey, PIT, with 25 and Cy Williams, PHI, with 20) and High Pockets Kelli with 28 RBI in 18 games.

Both Giants and White Sox had a subpar month in May (16-15 Giants, 15-14White Sox) but while the Giants kept a 2 games lead to the Cardinals,in AL Yankees and Red Sox went up in front. MLB were struck by 2 bad injuries: Walter Johnson, star pitcher for the Senators, will be out for 8 months due to a partially torn UCL; Young Reds phenom, Pete Donohue will be out with the same injury. No major transactions.

Heading to the “dog days of summer”, in AL Yankees create a hole in the standings with 52-22 record July 1st, 6 games ahead of White Sox and Indians. Red Sox fell 15 games back. In NL there is a 3 team battle: Cardinals, Pirates and Giants (45-28, 44-30, 44-32). First trade of the season was a surprising one, with Cardinals shipping prospect Jim Bottomley and SS Specs Toporcer (one of the rising players in 1921 triumph) to the other side of the town (St. Louis Browns) for CF Baby Doll Jacobson

Talking about single stats, Babe Ruth led the league with 25 HR and a .411BA, leading Smoky Joe Wood (CLE) by 2 RBI. Also teammate Aaron Ward had a BA > .400 at midseason. On the mound, Waite Hoyit (NYY) is on a breakout season, with 13 wins and a 2.74 ERA. In NL nobody has a BA > 400 (1st Jack Smith, PHI, with .378) and the leader in HR/RBI is High Pockets Kelly (12/67). Once in a lifetime season, so far, in pitching for Paul Fittery (CHC), but as in 1921 is Bill Doak the better man on the mound so far.

Next post...1922 second half-season and final standings

[Reed]

Sberi, your English is better than my English!!! And English is the only language I know.

[Sberl]

July 1922 was a Yankees month: they gained a 10 and a half game lead on White Sox and a 12 game lead on Indians, a very deep hole. In NL Cardinals still leading with a 3 ½ game lead on Giants and a 8 game lead on Pirates.

With two months to play, Babe Ruth has 31 HR and 98 RBI while in NL the leader is High Pockets Kelly with 15 and 86. BA stand above .400 for Babe, the only one in baseball. Talking about pitching, in NL a Cardinals duo is leading with 15 wins (Doak and Meadows) while in AL we have Hoyt (NYY) and Sherry Smith (CWS) with the same total wins.

But July is also the hot month for trades...and we have some important ones:

1) NL Era leader was traded from Pittsburgh to Browns for LF Jack Tobin and recently acquired Spec Toporcer

2) The move above was only the first step for the Pirates, which acquired star pitcher Dutch Leonard from the Tigers giving up on number 3 prospect (and future hall of famer) Kiki Cuyler

3) A surprising move by the Yankees, which sent SP Carl Mays to White Sox for 1B Earl Sheely

4) As for the Pirates, the 3) move was a setup for the real player, which was SP Paul Fittery from the Cubs (they were robbed…). There were some other trades, but not involving great players…

August 1922 set up a pennant race in AL: Yankees lose 6 games on Indians, leading by 6 at the start of the last RS month while the White Sox dropped on third position, 15 and a half game back. In NL Cardinals dig a hole, leading the Giants by 9 games and Pirates by 13. The other great question of the last month will be Babe Ruth: can he hit 50 Hr? 41 on September 1st and BA above .400...a season for the ages.

Pennant race was struck by a schock retirement news: Jesse Haines, Cardinals' pitcher, suffered a damaged elbow ligament that forced him to call it a career. This was the only bad news, as Cardinals cruised to a back to back NL title with 97-57; also in AL there was a repeat, as the Yankees clinched easily the division with a 13 game lead on Indians…

And here we go again...World Series St. Louis Cardinals vs New York Yankees…

Next post: final standings and 1922 stats before starting the WS.

[Sberl]

AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS 1922

New York Yankees 99-55
Cleveland Indians 86-78
Chicago White Sox 84-70
Boston Red Sox 76-78
Washington Senators 71-83
St. Louis Browns 69-85
Detroit Tigers 67-87
Philadelphia Athletics 64-90

Most important stats:
AVG: Babe Ruth almost at .400 (.393), Walker (BOS) follows with .385 and last podium spot for Fothergill (STL B.)
HR: 48 for Babe, 31 for East (BOS), 25 for Heilmann (DET, he sat out 1921 season due to injury)
RBI: 157 RBI for Babe, 138 Wood (CLE) and 124 Heilmann (DET)
OBP: an astonishing .531 for Babe
HITS: 236 hits for Sisler (STL B.)
SB: Sisler with 39 leads the way
RUNS: 158 for Babe

At the plate simply a monster season by Babe...there are no other comments to write. 11.5 WAR, 223 OPS + (I don't see any rival for MVP)

ERA: Hoyt of NYY with 3.26, Smith (CWS) and Pennock (BOS) to follow
WINS: Coveleski (CLE), Pennock (BOS), Smith (CWS), tied at 22; Quinn (NYY) with 21 and Stewart (DET) with 20
K: Shawkey (NYY) with 123
FIP: Dutch H. Leonard leads with 3.65

NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS 1922

St. Louis Cardinals 97-57
New York Giants 94-60
Pittsburgh Pirates 86-68
Cincinnati Reds 79-75
Chicago Cubs 71-83
Boston Braves 66-88
Philadelphia Phillies 92-92
Brooklyn Robins 61-93

Most important stats:
AVG: Jack Smith (PHI) .389, McHenry (STL) .382
HR: High Pockets Kelly (NYG) with 30, Hornsby (STL) 24
RBI: Pockets Kelly 143, E. Smith (NYG) 110
HITS: 243 for Smith (PHI)
RUNS: 127 for Hornsby (STL) and Youngs (NYG)
SB: 30 for Carey (PIT)

On OPS+ and WAR the leader was agains Roger Hornsby (STL), but with numbers way worse than Babe in AL

ERA: Bill Spitting Doak leads with 2.58, 2nd place for Yellow Horse (PIT) and 3rd for the newly retired Haines (STL)
WINS: 21 wins for Doak, Ryan (NYG), 20 for Meadows (STL)
K: Bill Doak leads with 125
FIP: again Doak with 3.61, followed by teammate Haines

Babe set the new MLB record for Walks (150) and total bases (400), he is already the HR king of all time (197 and counting); Rip Collins of the Yankees set the all time saves in a season (16)

Milestones:
250 Wins for Pete Alexander
2500 Hits for Triss Speakers and Eddie Collins Sr (also 1000 RBI)
2000 Hits, 1000 RBI and 1000 Runs for Frank Baker

Next: 1922 World Series recap

NB: Triple Crown for Babe and Bill Doak

[italyprof]

Wonderful ! And another OOTP player that lives in Italy. Nice to see baseball catching on here.

[Sberl]

Game 1: after leading Cardinals to WS, Bill "Spittin" Doak led them to a great game 1 victory thanks to a complete game with 7 hits and 2 runs allowed (silencing Babe Ruth bat). But pitching can't win alone and the Cards put on an impressive offensive display with 11 runs on 12 hit. McHenry (he will die on november 1922 in real life due to brain tumor) was the leader with 3/3, 2 R, 2 RBI and a base on balls. Also great games for Niebergall, Lavan and Mueller.

Game 2: and here came the Yankees...this was everyone thought after the first half of 3rd inning, when New York scored 5 runs thanks to a 3 run triple by Meusel, an RBI by Baker and a Cardinals error. But the 4th and 8th inning seems to be a turning point in this series: 5 runs in the 4th and 5 in the 8th gave Cardinals a 9-5 win and a 2-0 lead in the series. Yankees errors and Cardinals clutch hits made the difference (2 mistakes by Babe Ruth)

Game 3: Yankees need a win...and they get it! A thrilling game, 4-3 the final score with a stop to a 9th inning comeback by St. Louis. The game was completely dominated by Yankees starter, Claude Thomas, who pitched a complete game with 7 hits and 1 ER (other 2 runs are on errors) overcoming a not brilliant offensive game

Game 4: slugfest in game 4 and this is Cardinals time. Yankees can't overcome own defensive errors (6!) and fell 13-7 in the game, down 3-1 in the Series. MVP was Merwin Jacobson with 3/5, 3 RBI and a HR in a unusual game where no starting pitcher went past 4th inning.

Game 5: and we have a back to back World Series Champions. Cardinals won game 5 5-3 to clinch the series, thanks again to a wonderful game by Bill Doak (9 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 K) and another impressive bat game by Jacobson (2/4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR).

World series MVP: Merwin Jacobson (STL - .429/.478/.810; 2 HR and 8 RBI) --> in real life at this time he was on International League; in OOTP he was signed with a minor league contract on 1921 and played two average season...but on WS he was on fire

In the Negro Leagues title went to Indianapolis ABCs

[Sberl]

1922 - OFFSEASON

We start the 1922 offseason recap with the draft, featuring Lou Gehrig
Pick 1: Brooklyn Robins - Mickey Cochrane (C) --> future hall of famer
Pick 2: Philadelphia Phillies - Lou Gehrig (1B) --> future hall of famer
Pick 3: Philadelphia Athletics - Hack Wilson (CF) --> future hall of famer
Pick 4: Boston*Braves - Chick Hafey (LF) --> future hall of famer
Pick 5: Detroit Tigers -*Showboat Fisher (RF)
Pick 6: St. Louis Browns - Bill*"Memphis Bill" Terry*(1B)*--> future hall of famer
Pick 7: Washington Senators - Heinie Manush (LF) --> future hall of famer
Pick 8: Chicago Cubs - Harvey "Gink" Hendrick (LF)
Pick 9: Boston Red Sox - Jimmie "Ace" Wilson (C)
Pick 10: Cincinnati Reds - Maurice "Comet" Archdeacon (CF)
Pick 11: Chicago White Sox - Dale Alexander (1B)
Pick 12: Pittsburgh Pirates -*Ripper Collins (CF)
Pick 13: Cleveland Indians - Mule Haas (RF)
Pick 14: Cleveland Indians - Taylor Douthit (RF)
Pick 15: New York*Giants - Johnny Schulte (C)
Pick 16: St. Louis Cardinals - BIll "Big Bill" Bagwell (RF)
Pick 17: New York Yankees - Pid Purdy (C)

All first round was about position players...Phillies drafted also the 17years old Red Ruffing, pitcher and future hall of famer.

AWARDS
MVP
American League: Babe Ruth (unanimous) - Runner up: Eddie Collins sr (CWS)
National League: Rogers Hornsby (unanimous) - Runner up: Earl S Smith (NYG)

CY YOUNG
American League: Sherry Smith (CWS)- Runner up: Herb Pennock (Red sox)
National League: Bill Doak (Unanimous) - Runner up: Lee Meadows (STL)

MANAGER:
American League: Miller Huggins (Yankees)
National League: Branch Rickey (STL)

ROOKIE
American League: Al Simmons (PHI Ath) - Runner up: Bob Fothergill (STB)
National League: Fred Haney (CIN) - Runner up: Gabby Hartnett (PHI)

And now...HALL OF FAME inductees are…
1) Honus Wagner (98.5)
2) Eddie Plank (95.6, SP)
3) Sam Crawford (85, P)
4) Ed Walsh (83.2, P)
5) Rube Waddell (75.5, P)

Next post....1923 season preview

[Sberl]

1923 – SEASON PREVIEW

BOSTON RED SOX: no great differences between last year's team and 1923; there was only one big move in the off-season, with the acquisition of veteran CF Cy Williams from Phillies for two prospects. Could be a great addiction, Williams was NL Center Fielder Platinum Stick award winner last year.

BOSTON BRAVES: busy off-season for the Braves, with 3 trades. The first one sent Pitcher Joe Oeschger to White Sox for 2 prospects; the second one sent prospect Tex Jeanes to Brooklyn for RP Clarence Mitchell and a prospect and the third one, the most important one, sent 1B Bunny Brief to Indians for two catcher prospect, one of them with a good potential (Luke Sewell)

BROOKLYN ROBINS: except for the Braves trade, it was a very quiet winter for the Robins. Could be another difficult year

CHICAGO WHITE SOX: they added a RP with the Braves trade and nothing more.

CHICAGO CUBS: they made only 1 significant move, sending SP Lefty York (3.8 WAR) to Yankees for two prospect, one with MLB chances (Dewey Metivier, RP)

CINCINNATI REDS: highlight move was getting 2B Roy Grimes from Pirates for veteran 1B Jake Daubert and a prospect.

CLEVELAND INDIANS: as wrote before, they get a good 1B (Bunny Brief) for prospects; they also released many fillers

DETROIT TIGERS: they got a starting pitcher, Ken Penner, from Rule 5 draft (PHA) and nothing else. They lose star pitcher Dutch Leonard for the season due to injury in ST

NEW YORK YANKEES: they added Lefty York for the mound, and they will be in the hunt for the first WS title in their history

NEW YORK GIANTS: near ST, they made the blockbuster deal acquiring Walter Johnson (SP) from Senators for catcher Frank Snyder and prospect General Crowder.

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS: not many moves, the big ones came from the draft. They lose in ST Slim Harriss, a young starting pitcher forced to retire due to elbow injury

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: they acquired a 1B from Cardinals in Rule 5 draft (Sam Covington) and sent Cy Williams to Boston

PITTSBURGH PIRATES: a trade with the Reds that won't impact in the season

ST. LOUIS BROWNS: as in the last offseason, they try to improve acquiring Tink Riviere (one phenom season and one so-so season with Cardinals) for a veteran RP, adding also a prospect.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: the back to back champs made a strange trade with the Browns and nothing else

WASHINGTON SENATORS: they lose their ace, but they gain a good catcher and potential good pitcher (General Crowder)

TOP PROSPECTS

1) Mickey Cochrane (C – Robins)
2) Lou Gehrig (RF – Phillies)
3) Hack Wilson (LF – Athletics)
4) Paul Warner (CF – Phillies)
5) Heinie Manush (RF, Senators)
6) Showboat Fisher (RF, Tigers)
7) Johnny Cooney (SP, Braves)
8) Al Yeargin (SP, Phillies)
9) Red Ruffing (SP, Phillies)
10) Harvey Hendrick (RF, Cubs)


And in the end Preseason Prediction says that WS will be between Indians and Giants. We will see...