1901 American League All-Star Team

11^th Time All-Star-The American League debuted this season and pilfered stars Cy Young and Nap Lajoie from the National League, among others. It started as the Northwestern League and eventually just the Western League. According to Wikipedia, “Along with Ban Johnson, Charles Comiskey purchased the Western League in 1892.

“Johnson hoped to clean up the sport of baseball by purchasing the league, including allowing umpires to suspend players who used profanity and disputed calls. Johnson hoped to use his league as an example of a well-run league that was organized, profitable, entertaining and appealing…The first signs that the Western League could become a major league appeared when the league began to attract many high caliber players and managers, and attendance ratings continued to climb.”

It became the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs before the 1900 season. Wikipedia continues, “At the time of the name change, the National League was struggling in attendance, while in comparison, the American League had a zero tolerance for foul language and behavior, bolstering attendance because of its image.”

This season it was finally considered a Major League and, again according to Wikipedia, “The AL lured many stars of the time due to the fact that they didn’t have a maximum salary, unlike the National League. Notably, Nap Lajoie was signed by Connie Mack to a $6,000 contract ($3,600 over the National League’s maximum salary), $173 thousand in today’s standards. Over the early years of the American League, they drew far more attendance to their games than the National League.”

And of course the league drew Cy Young. There’s no need to tell you about his season. Look at those stats above.

P-Clark Griffith, Chicago White Sox, 31 Years Old

1894 1895 1897 1898 1899 1900

24-7, 2.67 ERA, 67 K, .303, 2 HR, 14 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No as player, yes as pioneer/executive

Ron’s: Yes

Led in:

Win-Loss %-.774

Shutouts-5 (2^nd Time)

7^th Time All-Star-As mentioned in Griffith’s 1900 blurb, he was one of the main orchestrators of luring National League players to this newly formed league. After pitching for the NL Chicago squad for eight years, he jumped to the American League version in the Windy City. He didn’t slow down a bit, finishing third in WAR (7.2), behind Boston pitcher Cy Young (12.6) and Philadelphia second baseman Nap Lajoie (8.4); fourth in WAR for Pitchers (5.7); fourth in ERA (2.67); and fourth in Adjusted ERA+ (131). There’s a good chance this is his last All-Star team.

As if that wasn’t enough, The Old Fox, led the White Sox to the first AL title, guiding the team to a 83-53 record, four games ahead of Boston. Led by a consistent lineup, they were the league’s second best hitting team, while Griffith himself helped Chicago be the second best pitching team. For this first year in this new league, the White Sox had the whole package.

Griffith’s Hall of Fame page certainly shows the respect he had from players in his time, saying, “’I will hand it unreservedly to [Christy] Mathewson as one of the greatest pitchers who ever lived,’ White Sox pitcher Jimmy Callahan later said. ‘But I think that old Clark Griffith, in his prime, was cagier; a more crafty, if not a more brainy, proposition.’”

Something needs to be pointed out here. The American League had many good players, but it wasn’t as deep as the National League at this time. That’s why good players from the National League – like Cy Young, Nap Lajoie, and Griffith – ended up having phenomenal seasons in the first year of the AL.

P-Joe McGinnity, Baltimore Orioles, 30 Years Old

1899 1900

26-20, 3.56 ERA, 75 K, .209, 0 HR, 6 RBI

Hall of Fames:
ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: Yes

Ron’s: No (Would require three more All-Star seasons. 99 percent chance)

Led in:

Games Pitched-48

Innings Pitched-382 (2^nd Time)

Games Started-43

Complete Games-39

Hits Allowed-412

Earned Runs Allowed-151

Batters Faced-1,631

Def. Games as P-48

3^rd Time All-Star-Iron Man moved from Brooklyn of the National League to the American League Baltimore Orioles, but still did McGinnity things, tossing lots of innings and completing almost every game. He tied for third in WAR with Chicago pitcher Clark Griffith (7.2), behind Boston pitcher Cy Young (12.6) and Philadelphia second baseman Nap Lajoie (8.4); second in WAR for Pitchers (7.6), trailing Young (12.6); and led in innings pitched (382). At 30-years-old, McGinnity is going to start falling off a little, but not enough to hurt his Hall of Fame chances.

Wikipedia says of McGinnity’s first AL season: “With the formation of the American League (AL) as a competitor to the NL, and rumors that the AL’s Detroit Tigers were interested in McGinnity, Brooklyn offered McGinnity a $5,000 contract ($138,404 in current dollar terms) to stay with Brooklyn. McGinnity considered retiring from baseball, but ultimately jumped to the AL, signing with the Baltimore Orioles of the AL before the 1901 season. He received a salary of $2,800 ($77,506 in current dollar terms), choosing less money in an upstart league for the chance to be reunited with McGraw, who was player-manager and part-owner of the Orioles.

“Fighting continued to erupt in games McGraw managed. During a brawl that erupted during a game against the Detroit Tigers on August 21, 1901, McGinnity spat on umpire Tom Connolly. McGinnity was arrested for the incident and permanently suspended by AL president Ban Johnson, who wanted there to be no fighting in AL games. Johnson later cut the suspension down to 12 days after McGinnity apologized.”

P-Roscoe Miller, Detroit Tigers, 24 Years Old

23-13, 2.95 ERA, 79 K, .208, 0 HR, 14 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 43 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

Led in:

Home Runs per 9 IP-0.027

Assists as P-112

1^st Time All-Star-Roscoe Clyde “Roxy” or “Rubberlegs” Miller was born on December 2, 1876 in Greenville, IN. Unlike the previous three pitchers on this list, who all had great success in the National League, Miller’s first Major League season was this one in the American League. It would also be his last success. This season, Roxy finished fifth in WAR (7.0); third in WAR for Pitchers (7.1), behind Boston’s Cy Young and Baltimore’s Joe McGinnity; third in innings pitched (332), trailing McGinnity (382) and Young (371 1/3); eighth in ERA (2.95); and fifth in Adjusted ERA+ (130).

As for the Tigers’ first year, George Stallings led them to a third place 74-61 record, 13 games out of first. They finished third in ERA+, led by the great rookie season of Rubberlegs Miller.

So you and I are thinking, here’s a 24-year-old who had an impressive rookie year, he’s only got greatness ahead. You and I would be wrong. After this 23-13 season, Miller pitched three more seasons with a combined record of 16-32 and an 84 ERA+. He finished his career pitching for Detroit (1902), the Giants (1902-03), and Pittsburgh (1904).

It was possibly an injury which ended his Major League hopes. Wikipedia says, “In 1904, Miller sprained his wrist in a carriage accident. Miller was riding with 14 Pittsburgh Pirates players when the rear wheel suddenly collapsed. Several players, including Miller and Kitty Bransfield, were injured when the frightened horses bolted and dragged the carriage on its side. (Arthur Hittner, ‘Honus Wagner: The

Life of Baseball’s Flying Dutchman’ (1996), p. 137.”

P-Eddie Plank, Philadelphia Athletics, 25 Years Old

17-13, 3.31 ERA, 90 K, .182, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: Yes

Ron’s: No (Would require three more All-Star seasons. Definitely)

Led in:

Wild Pitches-13

1^st Time All-Star-Edward Stewart “Gettysburg Eddie” Plank was born on August 31, 1875 in Gettysburg, PA, just 12 years after a famous battle was fought there. When you’re born in a town that famous, of course it becomes your nickname. Plank started his dazzling Major League career in the same year as the American League started its long run. He finished eighth in WAR (5.1), fifth in WAR for Pitchers (5.3), 10^th in ERA (3.31), and 10^th in Adjusted ERA+ (114). Plank’s got many better seasons ahead.

The start of the AL also started one of the most incredible streaks of all-time as Connie Mack managed the A’s for the first of 50 consecutive years he would do so. They finished fourth with a 74-62 record, nine games out of first. With Plank they had decent pitching and with Nap Lajoie, they had good hitting, but they didn’t have enough of either to put them over the top.

Wikipedia says of his debut season, “Plank signed with the Richmond Colts of the Virginia League, a minor league. The league folded before Plank could pitch for the Colts. Foreman recommended Plank to Connie Mack, the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, and Mack signed Plank to a contract.

“Plank made his major league debut for the Athletics on May 13, 1901. As a rookie, Plank pitched to a 17-13 win–loss record with a 3.31 earned run average (ERA) and 28 complete games in 32 games started.” He’s certainly in the running for the greatest left-handed pitcher of all-time.

P-Earl Moore, Cleveland Blues, 23 Years Old

16-14, 2.90 ERA, 99 K, .162, 0 HR, 6 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 11 more seasons. 27 percent chance)

1^st Time All-Star-Alonzo Earl “Crossfire” or “Big Ebbie” or “Steam Engine in Boots” Moore was born on July 29, 1877 in Pickerington, OH. The six-foot, 195 pound righthander was off to a good start, but would have an up-and-down career. This season, Moore finished sixth in WAR for Pitchers (4.9), seventh in ERA (2.90), and eighth in Adjusted ERA+ (123).

The Cleveland Blues, who will eventually be the modern-day Indians, started as a seventh-place 54-82 team managed by Jimmy McAleer. He would go to the Browns starting in 1902 and have a longer, more successful career there. Cleveland had some of the worst hitting and, outside of Moore, the worst pitching in the league.

SABR speaks of his debut and pitching style, saying, “After his home debut–a 6–3 victory over Milwaukee–the Cleveland Plain Dealer remarked that ‘he showed wonderful speed–almost up to the quality possessed by Cy Young in his best days, and fairly good control.’ The Ohioan often relied on his fast ball against opponents, but he mixed in some ‘speedy benders,’ too. Perhaps most aggravating to hitters was Moore’s signature ‘crossfire’ pitching technique. In this unusual delivery, Moore cleverly toed the side edges of the rubber and, augmenting his wide mound position with a sidearm throwing motion, hurled pitches plateward at puzzling angles. Earl lamented his peers’ reluctance to try the method: ‘They rely on curves and changes of pace. Both are essential to success, but how much better they might succeed if they would only change from one side of the pitcher’s plate to the other. That is what constitutes the crossfire, in addition to the ability to stand with one foot on the extreme corner of the plate and step out and deliver the ball at the same time.’”

P-Jimmy Callahan, Chicago White Sox, 27 Years Old

15-8, 2.42 ERA, 70 K, .331, 1 HR, 19 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 11 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

Led in:

Range Factor/9 Inn as P-4.27

1^st Time All-Star-James Joseph “Jimmy” or “Nixey” Callahan was born on March 18, 1874 in Fitchburg, MA. Standing at five-foot-10 and weighing in at 180 pounds, the righthander started as a pitcher for Philadelphia in 1894. When Nixey came back to the National League in 1897, he was a second baseman with Chicago. In 1898, Callahan moved back to the mound, where he would remain until 1903. In 1903, he moved to third base, the next season he moved to the outfield, where he would remain until he finished his career in 1913.

This season was his best season ever, as Callahan finished second in ERA (2.42), second in WHIP (1.138), second in hits per 9 IP (8.150), and second in Adjusted ERA+ (144). His pitching would get worse over the next two seasons, which explained his move to being a position player.

Wikipedia has some of his career highlights, stating, “On September 20, 1902, Callahan pitched the first no-hitter in American League history. Also, he is the only pitcher to have collected five hits in a game three times. (June 29, 1897; May 18, 1902; and May 18, 1903).

“Only two years earlier, in the other extreme of his career, he gave up 48 hits in two consecutive starts in 1900, yielding 23 on September 11 and 25 in the game before.” Another incredible thing about his 1901 season is he compiled all of these accomplishments while missing the first few weeks of the seasons with a broken bone in his forearm.

P-Ed Siever, Detroit Tigers, 26 Years Old

18-14, 3.24 ERA, 85 K, .168, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 15 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

1^st Time All-Star-Edward Tilden “Ed” Siever was born on April 2, 1875 in Goddard, KS. This was his first Major League season and he had a good one, though he did finish third in errors committed on the mound with nine. He has some better seasons ahead, though his career would be short.

Wikipedia tells about his pre-Major League career, stating, “Siever began his professional baseball career with the London Cockneys in 1899 and 1900. He compiled a 14-8 record in 1899 and helped lead the Cockneys to the Canadian League pennant.

“In 1900, he joined the Detroit Tigers, then a minor league club, compiling a 6-5 record with a 3.97 earned run average (ERA). He was described by a writer in the Detroit Free Press as having ‘a great pitching arm and a physique as strong as a young lion.’

“In 1901, the American League became a major league. In the Tigers’ inaugural season as a major league club, Siever and Roscoe Miller were the team’s leading pitchers. Siever appeared in 38 games, 33 as a starter, compiled an 18-14 record and a 3.24 ERA with 30 complete games and 85 strikeouts in 288-2/3 innings pitched.”

A website called Baseball Guru has an article called “Did All of Ty Cobb’s Team Mates Hate Him?” According to that article, Ed Siever was in anti-Cobb camp and was released from the team because of it? It’s a pretty good article with an explanation, if not excusal, of the Georgia Peach’s surliness.

P-Harry Howell, Baltimore Orioles, 24 Years Old

14-21, 3.67 ERA, 93 K, .218, 2 HR, 26 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require eight more All-Star seasons. 38 percent chance)

1^st Time All-Star-Harry Taylor Howell was born on November 14, 1876 in Brooklyn, NY. He stood at five-foot-nine, but no weight is given for him at Baseball Reference. He had the advantage of pitching during the Deadball Era, so his stats might not overrate his talent a bit. He started for Brooklyn in 1898, moved to Baltimore in 1899, and then was part of a championship team for Brooklyn in 1900. He then jumped to the American League where he finished third in losses with 21 and third in errors committed as a pitcher with nine. He has better seasons ahead.

According to SABR, Howell was “the fourth child of Edward and Helen Howell. Harry learned the baseball craft on the sandlots of Brooklyn, and was employed as a plumber when the Meriden Bulldogs of the Connecticut League signed him for the 1898 season. Unofficially, Howell ran up an 18-13 twirling record in addition to a .209 batting mark as an extra outfielder for the defending champion Bulldogs.

“Playing for John McGraw again [in 1901], Howell displayed his versatility, hurling 294 2/3 innings, and also appearing at first, second, shortstop and in all three outfield positions, batting .218 with two home runs and 26 RBI.”

Howell was also part of forfeited game this season, according to a book, Forfeits and Successfully Protested Games in Major League Baseball: A Complete Record, 1871-2013, which says, “After Orioles player-manager John McGraw and pitcher Harry Howell were ejected for arguing, practically the entire Baltimore team charged [umpire Jack] Sheridan and Mike Donlin threw a bat at him from behind, fortunately missing his target. When Baltimore refused to take the field and resume play in the prescribed time, Sheridan forfeited the game to Detroit.”

P-Bill Carrick, Washington Senators, 27 Years Old

14-22, 3.75 ERA, 70 K, .159, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Hall of Fames:
ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 103 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

1^st Time All-Star-William Martin “Doughnut Bill” Carrick was born on September 5, 1873 in Erie, PA. The five-foot-10, 150 pound rightie started with the Giants in 1898 before jumping to the American League this season where he had his best season ever, though at one point during the season, he lost 17 consecutive decisions. He’d pitch one more year for the Senators before calling it quits in the Major Leagues.

Jim Manning manned the Senators in his only year of managing. (Man, that’s too many mans). They finished sixth, 20-and-a-half games out of first. Washington was among the worst hitting and pitching teams in the league in its inaugural season.

DC Baseball History has a bit on Washington’s start in the new league, saying, “The Washington Senators played their first game of the newly formed American League. The Senators visited the Philadelphia Athletics at Columbia Park in Philadelphia. Before the game the over flowing crowd of 10,547 people were entertained by the First Regiment Band. After the band played Philadelphia’s Mayor Samuel Ashbridge threw out the first pitch.

“After all of the pre-game hoopla the Washington Senators behind the fine pitching of Bill Carrick went on to beat Chick Fraser and the Philadelphia Athletics by the score of 5-1.”

With my skimpy amount of research, I was unable to dig up why Carrick had the nickname “Doughnut.” What I do know is he finished his career with a 63-89 record, 4.14 ERA, and 88 ERA+. Still, he had the first win for this franchise, which will someday be the Twins.

C-Boileryard Clarke, Washington Senators, 32 Years Old

.280, 3 HR, 54 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 58 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

1^st Time All-Star-William Jones “Boileryard” Clarke was born on October 18, 1868 in New York, NY. He started as a catcher for Baltimore from 1893-98, being part of three championship teams. Clarke then moved to Boston in 1899 and 1900 and jumped to the American League this season. Boileryard was always better at the defensive end of the game than at the bat and this season caught 107 games, second in the league for backstops. He was also third in putouts as C (358), second in assists as C (122), third in errors committed as C (24), second in double plays turned as C (11), second in stolen bases allowed as C (131), second in caught stealing as C (108), and third in fielding % as C (.952).

About that nickname, Wikipedia says, “He moved to New Mexico in his early childhood, was raised in Indian territory, and studied civil engineering in Santa Fe at Brothers College. He began his professional career in the Three-I League in 1889, and made his debut for the Orioles on May 1, 1893. He said that his nickname, ‘Boileryard’, was given to him because of his voice, explaining, ‘I had a terrible voice which you could hear all over the diamond.’

“During his major league career, he also assisted the Princeton University baseball team as a coach from 1897 to 1901.” So many times I’ve wanted to see these players I’m writing about and now I want to hear them, especially Boileryard’s amazing voice.

Photo of Ossee Schrecongost

C-Ossee Schrecongost, Boston Americans, 26 Years Old

.304, 0 HR, 38 RBI

Led in:

Errors Committed as C-30

1st Time All-Star-Bill Nowlin of SABR writes, “Osee Freeman Schrecongost is an unusual name, though his surname was not uncommon, particularly in Pennsylvania in his day. With a brother two years older named Harry and a sister two years younger named Annie, one might wonder today where the Osee came from. There have been numerous spellings of his name, both first and last, and the spellings differ on some records of the day. He was born on April 11, 1875, in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a Clarion County borough about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Two years later he was baptized in Mt. Lebanon (under 10 miles from Pittsburgh in a southwesterly direction) and is listed in the baptismal records of the Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church as Osie Freeman Schreckengost.

“Schreck joined that new American League in 1901, signing on early with the Boston Americans (manager Jimmy Collins, a Buffalo-area native, knew of his work), but destined from the start to be backup catcher behind Lou Criger. On March 4 it was reported that he would break his contract with St. Louis and jump to the new league to play for Boston.22 Acknowledging that he was a hitting catcher, the April 14 Boston Journal ran a trick photograph showing two overlapping images of Schrecongost both batting and catching at the same time.

“In fact, he performed admirably, appearing in 86 games – ten more than Criger – and hitting for a .304 average, exceptional for a catcher in those days and well above the .278 team average. Criger was surer on defense, however, and – no small consideration – was Cy Young’s favorite catcher. Cy Young was 33-10 that year, and if he wanted a personal catcher, that was fine with manager Jimmy Collins. All three – Schreck, Criger, and Young – had been on the Perfectos in 1899, and the latter two played for St. Louis in 1900 while Schreck was in Buffalo. Charlie Hemphill was the fourth St. Louis player to jump leagues and come to Boston.

“Scheck did take part in the first triple play in franchise history, on August 7, 1901, at Baltimore, a 1-5-2-6-1 affair.”

1B-Buck Freeman, Boston Americans, 29 Years Old

.339, 12 HR, 114 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 12 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

Led in:

Errors Committed as 1B-36

1^st Time All-Star-John Frank “Buck” Freeman was born on October 30, 1871 in Catasauqua, PA. He started as a 19-year-old playing one game for the American Association Washington Statesmen. Freeman then didn’t play Major League ball again until he was 26 and joined the National League Washington Senators. In 1899 for the Senators, he launched 25 homers, but didn’t make the All-Star team because his outfield defense was horrendous. In 1900, he moved to Boston and then this season jumped to the American League.

Along with the categories listed above, Freeman finished third in Offensive WAR (4.8), third in batting average (.339), second in slugging (.520), second in on-base plus slugging (.920), second in homers (12), second in runs batted in (114), second in adjusted OPS+ (155), third in runs created (100), second in adjusted batting runs (36), second in adjusted batting wins (3.5), second in offensive win % (.750), second in power-speed # (14.1), third in AB per HR (40.8), and third in defensive games as 1B (128). In many of those offensive categories, he would finish second behind the same man, Nap Lajoie.

Freeman was again one of those players who played in the wrong era for his skill set. He was a home run hitter in the dead ball era and would end up with 82 for his career. If he played later in the 20^th Century, he could easily be a 40 or 50 home run hitter regularly. This is what I like about doing this All-Star team. I’m not comparing Freeman against Ken Griffey, Jr., I’m comparing him against his peers.

1B-John Anderson, Milwaukee Brewers, 27 Years Old

.330, 8 HR, 99 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 10 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

Led in:

Double Plays Turned as 1B-81

Fielding % as 1B-.982

1^st Time All-Star-“Honest John” Joseph Anderson was born on December 14, 1873 in Sarpsborg, Norway. The six-foot-two, 180 pound Norwegian started for Brooklyn from 1894-98, moved to Washington in 1898, then back to Brooklyn the same year. Anderson then was part of Brooklyn’s championship team in 1899. He didn’t play Major League ball in 1900, but with the formation of the American League came back this season for the Brewers.

Anderson was the only All-Star player for the Brewers, who brought up the rear in the inaugural American League season. Hugh Duffy coached for his first time ever and his team finished with a 48-89 record, 35-and-a-half games out of first place. They were the league’s worst hitting team and second worst pitching team and it showed. This was the only year for the Brewers as they would become the St. Louis Browns in 1902.

Besides the categories listed above, Honest John finished third in Games Played (138), third in At Bats (576), second in Hits (190), third in Total Bases (274), second in Doubles (46), third in Runs Batted In (99), third in Extra Base Hits (61), third in Power-Speed # (13.0), second in Putouts (1,350), third in Putouts as 1B (1,310), third in Assists as 1B (66), third in Range Factor/9 Inn as 1B (11.24), and third in Range Factor/Game as 1B (11.01).

Anderson was the first of three Norwegian born Major League baseball players. The others were Arndt Jorgens (1929-39) and Jimmy Wiggs (1903, 1905-06). I’m surprised there are that many.

2B-Nap Lajoie, Philadelphia Athletics, 26 Years Old

1897 1900

.426, 14 HR, 125 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: Yes

Ron’s: Yes

Led in:

1901 AL Triple Crown

WAR Position Players-8.4

Offensive WAR-8.4

Batting Average-.426

On-Base %-.463

Slugging %-.643 (2^nd Time)

On-Base Plus Slugging-1.106

Runs Scored-145

Hits-232

Total Bases-350 (2^nd Time)

Doubles-48 (2^nd Time)

Home Runs-14

Runs Batted In-125 (2^nd Time)

Singles-156

Adjusted OPS+-198

Runs Created-158

Adj. Batting Runs-73

Adj. Batting Wins-7.1

Extra Base Hits-76 (2^nd Time)

Times on Base-269

Offensive Win %-.885

Power-Speed #-18.4

Putouts as 2B-395 (2^nd Time)

Range Factor/9 Inn as 2B-6.58 (2^nd Time)

Range Factor/Game as 2B-6.52 (2^nd Time)

Fielding % as 2B-.960 (2^nd Time)

3^rd Time All-Star-There’s a formula for having an incredible season. Take a player from a great league and move him to a mediocre one. That’s why Cy Young and Nap Lajoie dominated the American League this season. His .426 batting average is still the highest ever in Junior League. The AL would start getting better, but this year, it’s still not up to National League snuff. But that shouldn’t take away from what Larry did this season or what Fred Dunlap did in the Union Association in 1884. They proved their greatness by dominating their respective opponents.

Wikipedia agrees with me, saying, “Author Robert Kelly writes: ‘The .422 batting average of Lajoie still stands as an AL record. To some degree, however, it is tainted. The 1901 season was the first for the AL and the level of competition was presumably evolving. Such questions, however, in no way cast doubt on the extraordinary batting ability of the second baseman.’”

For Lajoie, along with that long list of categories in which he led, he finished second in WAR (8.4), third in Hit by Pitch (13), third in AB per SO (60.4), and second in AB per HR (38.9). Runs Batted In were not an official category as of yet, so the Triple Crown he won wasn’t lauded as it would be nowadays.

Lajoie’s Hall of Fame page says of him, “Napoleon Lajoie, hitter extraordinaire, sublime fielder, manager and executive, has been described as ‘the first superstar in American League history.’ And indeed, to concentrate on his hitting or his fielding is to miss his all-around talent as a player.”

2B-Jimmy Williams, Baltimore Orioles, 24 Years Old

1899

.317, 7 HR, 96 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require eight more All-Star seasons. 38 percent chance)

Led in:

Triples-21 (2^nd Time)

2^nd Time All-Star-Williams jumped from Pittsburgh to the American League this season and also jumped from third to second base. He led the league in triples, meaning the second basemen of the AL hit for the cycle in the hit categories, with Nap Lajoie leading in singles, doubles, and homers. He also finished third in runs scored (113), putouts as 2B (339), assists as 2B (412), and range factor/9 Inn as 2B (6.01). His season only looks weak in comparison to the great Lajoie.

SABR has a great story on how he got to the AL, stating, “In late March 1901 Williams boarded a train in Denver bound for Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Pirates spring training camp. He never made it because the shrewd and persuasive John McGraw, manager of the Baltimore Orioles of the American League, staking its claim at major league status for the first time, was on a talent safari. He ‘kidnapped’ the amiable Williams (and soon Cardinal Mike Donlin) and talked him into ‘jumping’ his Pittsburgh contract to sign with the Orioles. Smoke City native Mrs. Williams was astounded when the telegram reached her that said her husband was in Baltimore. Lawsuits were planned and shortstop-friend Fred ‘Bones’ Ely wanted to spend his own money to go retrieve Williams. Dreyfuss and Williams finally did get together for one ‘last chance’ contract discussion before his league change became official. Some fans thought Jimmy had backstabbed Dreyfuss since Williams received all of his 1900 salary despite his injury and some Mt. Clemens rehab time, which was suggested by Ely.” Read the whole thing, there’s a lot about his outstanding minor league career.

Photo of Sam Mertes

2B-Sam Mertes, Chicago White Sox, 28 Years Old

.277, 5 HR, 98 RBI

1st Time All-Star-Stephen V. Rice of SABR writes, “Samuel Blair Mertes (pronounced MUR-teez) was born on August 6, 1872, in San Francisco. His parents were Peter Mertes, of German descent, and Mary A. McCloy, of Scottish descent. Peter was a seaman, laborer, and newspaper carrier; he died when Sam was 5 years old. Box scores in San Francisco newspapers show that “Mertes” (Sam and his brothers) played on local teams from 1890 to 1893. Sam was 5-feet-10 and weighed 185 pounds. He was a right-handed batter and thrower.

“In 1900 Mertes batted .295 for the Orphans and stole 38 bases. He played in 127 games, including 33 games at first base, filling in for the injured John Ganzel. Mertes’ hitting at Boston on June 8 and 9 was exceptional, with three home runs and two doubles in two games. He led off the game on June 8 by sending the first pitch from Bill Dinneen over the left-field fence and “into the cab of a passing [train] engine.”He hit a second homer off Dinneen in the seventh inning with two men on base. The next day Mertes led off the game with an opposite-field home run off Ted Lewis.

“In 1901 Mertes jumped to Comiskey’s Chicago White Sox in the newly formed American League, and on April 24 he played in the league’s first game and scored two runs in Chicago’s 8-2 victory over Cleveland. On May 23 he hit a three-run homer off Philadelphia rookie Eddie Plank. Mertes batted .277 and drove in 98 runs in 137 games, and helped the White Sox win the AL pennant. His 46 stolen bases ranked second in the league. He played second base throughout the season and recorded the second highest fielding percentage among AL second basemen. There was some controversy during the season: In Washington on August 19, Mertes “made an attack” on umpire John Haskell which required police intervention, and in Boston on September 24, he was ejected in the first inning when he told umpire Tommy Connolly to “umpire right.””

3B-Jimmy Collins, Boston Americans, 31 Years Old

1897 1898

.332, 6 HR, 94 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: Yes

Ron’s: No (Would require three more All-Star seasons. 99 percent chance)

Led in:

Defensive WAR-1.9 (2^nd Time)

Def. Games as 3B-138 (4^th Time)

Assists as 3B-328 (4^th Time)

Range Factor/9 Inn as 3B-3.95 (3^rd Time)

Range Factor/Game as 3B-3.85 (3^rd Time)

3^rd Time All-Star-After moving from the Boston Beaneaters to the Boston Americans, Collins had his best season ever and also was the first manager of a team which would someday be the Red Sox. He finished second in WAR Position Players (6.7), second in Offensive WAR (5.2), third in games played (138), third in hits (187), second in total bases (279), third in doubles (42), second in runs created (103), second in extra base hits (64), second in putouts as 3B (203), second in errors committed as 3B (50), and third in double plays turned as 3B (24), along with the categories in which he led.

Meanwhile, as a skipper, Collins led Boston to a second place 79-57 record, four games behind the White Sox. Led by Cy Young, the Americans had the best pitching in the league and led by the player-manager himself, Boston was the third best hitting team in the AL’s inaugural season.

I wrote in Collins’ 1898 blurb, he always kept his eye on his pocketbook and the formation of the AL opened up more opportunities for money for the third baseman. Wikipedia says, “Following the 1900 season, Collins, who was by now regarded as the best third baseman in the game, was offered the manager‘s job with the Boston Americans of the new American League. He accepted the job, which came with a salary of $5,500, a $3,500 signing bonus, and a cut of the team’s profits, despite efforts by Beaneaters owner Arthur Soden to keep him. The two traded accusations in the press, and Collins went further, accusing National League owners of conspiring to hold down salaries, stating ‘I would not go back now if they offered me the whole outfit.’”

3B-Fred Hartman, Chicago White Sox, 36 Years Old

.309, 3 HR, 89 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 41 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

1^st Time All-Star-Frederick Orrin “Fred” or “Dutch” Hartman was born on April 21, 1865 in Allegheny, PA. The five-foot-six, 170 pound third baseman started with Pittsburgh in 1894, didn’t play in 1895 or 1896, played for St. Louis in 1897, moved to the Giants in 1898-99, didn’t play in 1900, and then ended up with the American League champion White Sox this season. He finished third in Errors Committed as 3B (49), but his hitting, along with being in a weaker league helped him make the All-Star team in his best season ever. In 1902, he went back to the National League, finishing off his career with St. Louis.

A book by Ted Leavengood, called Clark Griffith: The Old Fox of Washington Baseball says Hartman was chosen specifically by the Chicago manager. It states, “Clark Griffith’s team was the best stocked of any team carrying forward for 1901, and he handpicked four National Leaguers who he believed would bring with them the kind of baseball Griffith liked.

“The infield was defensively strong with Frank Isbell at first, Fred Hartman at third and Frank Shugart at short. Shugart and Hartman had considerable National League experience. Their defensive skills in many respects outweighed their hitting. They were not sluggers, but pesky hitters who were fast and frequently got on base. Adding National Leaguer Sam Mertes to the infield plugged the hole left by the departure of 1900 captain, Dick Padden, who moved back to the National League with St. Louis.” The Old Fox made the right choices as they won the AL crown.

3B-John McGraw, Baltimore Orioles, 28 Years Old

1893 1895 1898 1899 1900

.349, 0 HR, 28 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No. (Yes as manager)

Ron’s: No (Would require one more All-Star season. Most likely not)

Led in:

Hit by Pitch-14

6^th Time All-Star-One of the catalysts in the formation of the new American League, McGraw, would ironically only be in the league for two seasons. He made the All-Star team this season despite playing in only 73 games and though Mugsy would play through 1907, he’d never play more than 55 games again. This season, McGraw finished third in Adj. Batting Runs (31) and third in Adj. Batting Wins (3.0), despite playing only half of his team’s games. He is an underrated player, with his fame coming as a skipper.

Speaking of managing, his Orioles finished fifth with a 68-65 record, 13-and-a-half games out of first. As with so many teams McGraw was part of, the hitting, led by Mike Donlin was the best in the league, but the pitching lacked just enough to keep Baltimore out of the running.

Since this is most likely McGraw’s last All-Star team, here’s some tidbits from Wikipedia: “In 1923, only nine years before he retired, McGraw reflected on his life inside the game he loved in his memoir My Thirty Years in Baseball. He stepped down as manager of the New York Giants in the middle of the 1932 season. He was reactivated briefly when he accepted the invitation to manage the National League team in the 1933 All-Star Game.

“Less than two years after retiring, McGraw died of uremic poisoning^[28] at age 60 and is interred in New Cathedral (Roman Catholic) Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

“Connie Mack would surpass McGraw’s major league victory total just months later. After McGraw’s death, his wife found, among his personal belongings, a list of all the black players he wanted to sign over the years.”

SS-Freddy Parent, Boston Americans, 25 Years Old

.306, 4 HR, 59 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require eight more All-Star seasons. 75 percent chance)

Led in:

Def. Games as SS-138

1^st Time All-Star-Alfred Joseph “Freddy” Parent was born on November 11, 1875 in Biddeford, ME. The five-foot-seven, 154 pound shortstop started by playing for two games for St. Louis in 1899, then not playing in the Major Leagues in 1900. With the formation of the American League, a spot opened up for the diminutive Parent and he’d be a good shortstop for the next few years.

This season, along with leading the league in games played as a shortstop, Parent finished third in WAR Position Players (6.4), second in Defensive WAR (1.8), third in games played (138), second in sacrifice hits (21), second in Assists as SS (446), third in Double Plays Turned as SS (52), and third in Fielding % as SS (.918). It would be his defense which would bring him fame over the years.

Baseball Reference says of him, “Freddy Parent was an instant hit in Boston, as a solid fielder and dependable batter, who could slap the ball to all fields and was an outstanding bunter, but who also collected his share of extra base hits. He was also an excellent baserunner, and during his first few seasons, an ironman who never missed a game. This would change later in his career, after a few beanings sustained because of his tendency to crowd the plate began to cut into his playing time.”

Also, there’s this personal tidbit from SABR: “Parent married the former Fidelia LaFlamme in 1896 and they had one child, Fred Jr. His ‘proposal’ to the 16 year-old Fidelia included a conditional baseball provision: ‘I want to marry you, but I do not want to work in the mill. Okay?’ The young Fidelia, aware of his baseball desire and potential, replied ‘yes.’ Thus began a 67-year relationship.”

SS-Kid Elberfeld, Detroit Tigers, 26 Years Old

.308, 3 HR, 76 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require nine more All-Star seasons. 44 percent chance)

Led in:

Putouts as SS-332

Double Plays Turned as SS-62

Range Factor/9 Inn as SS-6.24

Range Factor/Game as SS-6.14

1^st Time All-Star-Norman Arthur “The Tabasco Kid” Elberfeld was born on April 13, 1875 in Pomeroy, OH. The five-foot-seven, 158 pound defensive whiz started his career with Philadelphia in 1898, before playing for Cincinnati in 1899. After not playing in the Major Leagues in 1900, Detroit picked him up as a shortstop, where he showed great range and a decent bat. Elberfeld finished first in the categories above and second in Errors Committed (76), third in Def. Games as SS (121), third in Assists as SS (411), and second in Errors Committed as SS (76). He would get a little Hall of Fame interest.

Oh, and he had a temper, as Wikipedia explains, “Elberfeld was given the nickname ‘The Tabasco Kid’ because of his fiery temper. He was known for his ferocious verbal, and sometimes physical, assaults on umpires. On one occasion, while in the minors, Elberfeld threw a lump of mud into the umpire’s open mouth. Later in his career, Elberfeld assaulted umpire Silk O’Loughlin and had to be forcibly removed by police; Elberfeld was suspended for just 8 games. Although records were not kept, it was said that Elberfeld was thrown out of more games than any other player of his era.”

More from Wiki: “Prior to the 1900 season, the Reds sent Elberfeld back to Detroit, then still part of the Western League. Elberfeld remained with Detroit when they joined the newly formed American League in 1901. He was the Tigers’ starting shortstop during their first two seasons as a Major League team. In the team’s debut, on April 25, 1901, the Tigers committed 7 errors, including 3 by Elberfeld. Later in the season, Elberfeld had 12 assists in a game on September 2, 1901.”

LF-Mike Donlin, Baltimore Orioles, 23 Years Old

.340, 5 HR, 67 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require 10 more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

Led in:

Range Factor/Game as OF-2.58

1^st Time All-Star-Michael Joseph “Turkey Mike” Donlin was born on May 30, 1878 in Peoria, IL. The five-foot-nine, 170 pound outfielder started with St. Louis in 1899-90, before coming to John McGraw’s Orioles this season. He was constantly injured and very rarely played a full season. Even in this All-Star year, he played only 121 games. Turkey Mike finished sixth in WAR Position Players (4.3), 10^th in Offensive WAR (3.8), second in batting average (.340), third in on-base percentage (.409), eighth in slugging % (.475), 10^th in stolen bases (33), and fifth in Adjusted OPS+ (140). He has better seasons ahead.

Wikipedia says he was “A controversial character – Donlin, also known as ‘Turkey Mike’ for his unique strut – his entertaining personality, flamboyant style of dress, and prodigious talent as a hitter caused him to be lionized as ‘the baseball idol of Manhattan.’ However, alcoholism led to friction with club officials and incarceration. Donlin attempted to leverage his popularity as an athlete to launch a career in Broadway theatre where he met and married Vaudeville comedian Mabel Hite in 1906. Together, they performed in the baseball-themed play Stealing Home for about three years.”

After the season, Wikipedia says, “But in March of 1902, he was sentenced to six months in prison for his actions during a drinking binge and was promptly released by the Orioles.” Throughout baseball history there have been those players who seem to be better at making headlines than the actual game itself. Donlin’s batting average and off-field activities would get him Hall of Fame interest.

CF-Chick Stahl, Boston Americans, 28 Years Old

1899

.303, 6 HR, 72 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require eight more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

2^nd Time All-Star-After Stahl made the All-Star team with the National League version of Boston in 1899, he played with it again in 1900, before staying in Beantown with the American League team this year and making his second All-Star team. Stahl finished sixth in WAR Position Players (4.3), 10^th in Adjusted OPS+ (127), third in sacrifices (20), and third in fielding % as OF (.957). His career will be shortened by a tragedy coming down the road, but we’ll get to that at a later time.

According to a website Wahoo Sam, Stahl was almost murdered before the 1902 season began. It says, “On an unusually warm January evening in 1902, Chick was taking a stroll with a female friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As Stahl navigated the streets of his hometown there were another set of footsteps not far behind him. They belonged to Lulu Ortmann, a pretty young woman who was carrying a revolver in her waistcoat. She intended to shoot Stahl at close range. Chick knew Lulu, and Lulu knew Chick – they had been lovers. But Chick had found a new girl to fancy and casually brushed Lulu aside. Spurned, Ms. Ortmann was planning to exact the revenge of a heartbroken lover. But Lulu’s best friend, tipped off of the plan, went to the Fort Wayne police, and before Lulu could rip a hole in Chick’s chest she was subdued. Stahl was shaken, but it was a testament to his charm and icy nerve that he was able to calm his new lady friend and keep that relationship going for some months before he moved on to another.”

CF-Dummy Hoy, Chicago White Sox, 39 Years Old

1888 1890 1891

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require six more All-Star seasons. Impossible)

Led in:

Bases on Balls-86 (2^nd Time)

Hit by Pitch-14

Oldest-39 Years Old

4^th Time All-Star-It’s been 10 years since the deaf Hoy made his last All-Star team. This is his fourth time on this list in his fourth different league. In 1892-93, Hoy played for Washington, then moved to Cincinnati (1894-97) and Louisville (1898-99). He didn’t play Major League ball in 1900, before the formation of the American League opened up a spot for him with the league champion White Sox, his only time on a league-winning team.

Hoy had his best season ever, finishing eighth in WAR Position Players (4.2), ninth in Offensive WAR (3.9), fourth in on-base percentage (.407), third in plate appearances (641), second in times on base (255), third in double plays turned as an outfielder (6), and second in fielding percentage as an outfielder (.958). Hoy’s specialty was always getting on base and he would up with a .386 lifetime on-base percentage. While he’s not deserving of the Hall of Fame, he was still a heck of a ballplayer.

His deafness has led to a recent film, according to Wikipedia, which says, “In 2008, the Documentary Channel aired the biography Dummy Hoy: A Deaf Hero (aka: I See the Crowd Roar). The documentary, using photographs of Hoy and actors to recreate certain events, chronicled the highlights of Hoy’s life and his contributions to baseball; Hoy was portrayed by Ryan Lane.”

Also, “Upon his death in 1961 at the age of 99, Hoy was the longest-lived former MLB player ever. (In 1973, Ralph Miller broke Hoy’s ‘record’ by becoming the first ex-major leaguer to reach the age of 100. Altogether, 13 former big league ballplayers have become centenarians, the oldest being Chet Hoff, who was 107 when he died in 1998.)”

RF-Fielder Jones, Chicago White Sox, 29 Years Old

.311, 2 HR, 65 RBI

Hall of Fames:

ONEHOF: No

Cooperstown: No

Ron’s: No (Would require six more All-Star seasons. 66 percent chance)

1^st Time All-Star-Fielder Allision Jones was born on August 13, 1871 in Shinglehouse, PA and how many of you are shocked like I am that Fielder is his real name and not a nickname! The five-foot-11, 180 pound outfielder started for Brooklyn from 1896-1900 and was part of two pennant-winning teams. Jones then won his third pennant this year with the White Sox. For Chicago, he finished second in on-base percentage (.412), second in runs scored (120), second in bases on balls (84), third in stolen bases (38), third in singles (141), and third in times on base (252). He would wind up with a good career and get some Hall of Fame interest.

Many leagues had taken on the National League juggernaut since the NL’s beginning in 1876. The American Association (1882-91) gave it the best shot, while the Union Association (1884) and Players League (1890) lasted just one season. It wouldn’t have been impossible to think the American League would do the same thing — take a run at the National League, but end up failing. But here we are in 2017 and both leagues are thriving. The American League is still the weaker league in 1901, but that is going to quickly change and in just two seasons, the two leagues are going to battle each other in the first official World Series. It’s important to note that Cy Young and Nap Lajoie had dominant seasons, but it’s because they were already great players coming to a watered-down league.

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1901 American League All-Star Team

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