Chicago Black Sox (1919-1931)

[mbanghar]

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Pantless Black Sox Get Two Sheds

December 17, 1918
by Ring Lardner
Four years ago this day, Charles Comiskey hired the unknown Pants Rowland to manage the Chicago American League ball club. Rowland led the team to a World Series title in 1917, but last year's club fell well below expectations. The team managed to win only 57 games, and finished sixth in the American League. What was worse to penny pinching Comiskey was the fact that team had the third highest payroll of any club while stumbling to that sixth place finish.

Comiskey has gone through the garbage heap again to dig up the new manager of his Black Sox. Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson, a former pitcher of the Philadelphia Phillies, is an odd choice and an odd man. Two Sheds was impressive enough for Comiskey to hire, but is already known by his players and the media for his many eccentricities. Most notable amongst these is his absolute refusal to allow his picture to be taken. It has yet to be seen whether or not these oddities apply to his baseball thinking.

Comiskey confirmed that Two Shed Jackson would be in charge of not only on the field game management but all player decisions. Two Sheds has been given several commands to accomplish over the course of the 1919 season. Payroll needs to be cut, and malcontent players like 1B Chick Gandil need to be shipped out. The team also needs to finish much higher than their sixth place finish, and at least contend for an American League Pennant.

One wonders how long the oddity of Two Sheds will last with Comiskey's Black Sox with these conflicting goals.

[mbanghar]

Dynasty Overview
This is my first dynasty, and I chose to find out what would have happened if the Black Sox hadn't thrown the 1919 World Series. The team had fired their previous manager, Pants Rowland, and hired Kid Gleason as manager. This is where I inserted my fictional creation of Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson as manager, and my dynasty diverges with history.

This post is probably going to be one of he few posts that advances the dynasty that is written in this format. All the other posts will continue to utilize the historical sports writer Ring Lardner as the author of articles covering the team. Lardner covered the team during the 1919 season, and was known for his use of humor when writing about sports. **I have already changed the format of my dynasty writing once, and another change is going to occur with my posts before the 1920 World Series. The Lardner voice was used for the whole of the 1919 season, but this being my first dynasty I felt I had liscense to try different approaches in telling the story of my team.**

I'm using BM 09 to run this dynasty at mogul rating. I am only using historical rookies. I will run 2 weeks at a time, and post updates after each sim.


Goal
The sim is going to last from 1919 to 1931, the year Charles Comiskey dies. The idea is to try to make the Black Sox period something special that makes the team keep the Black Sock nickname. To do that I am going to need to win at least one World Series, and appear in more than one of the 12 year period.


Rules
I am not allowed:

to have a payroll in the top half of baseball
to iniate more than 5 trades
to sign more than 5 players in an offseason


I will get fired as managers:

if I have three seasons below .500(No manager lasted longer than 5 years under Charles Comiskey)
if I lose a World Series with 8 or more unhappy players(If that happens then the Black Sox threw that World Series)
if the Black Sox don't make a profit(Comiskey primary motivation was making money)

[mbanghar]

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Two Sheds Dumps Chick for Babe

April 1, 1919

By Ring Lardner

Two Sheds Jackson acquired Babe Ruth today. In doing so he accomplsihed two goals by making an unprecedented ten player trade. The Black Sox got rid of unhappy 1B Chick Gandil, and also brought the payroll down to 8th highest in the majors. This also gives the Black Sox an unparalleled 3-4 hitter combination in Babe and Shoeless Joe.

The cost of this trade was incredibly high however. Shipped to the Bosotn Red Sox along with malcontent Chick Gandil was star CF Happy Felsch and 2B Eddie Collins. Also going were top prospects like RP Rusty Pence and starting 3B Fred McMullin. All told 9 Sox switched their stocking colors to red for the Babe. What makes this particularly stinging is that rumors continue to swirl that the Red Sox were willing to settle for merely cash in exchange for last year's home run champ. Uncofirmed reports have it that Comiskey quashed this deal, and made Jackson trade the nine players instead of exchanging a single dollar for the Babe.

This one trade allowed the Black Sox to open roster spots for young and upcoming players like 19 year old rookies 3B Willie Kamm, CF Jocko Conlon, and 24 year old SS Swede Risberg. 2B Eddie Collins is really going to be missed, but Buck Weaver is going to move over to 2B to fill the gap. Two Sheds Jackson also announced the signing of two FA pitchers in 29 year old righty Mike Peltier and 28 year old righty Stew Scruggs. Scruggs is starting off the year as a mop up pitcher and Peltier is going to be a short reliever.

Opening Day is tomorrow, and the Black Sox open the season up at Washington to face the Senators. The manager, lineup, and pitching staff have all been overhauled since last year. Now we wait to see if the Babe can deliver.


Opening Day Roster 1919
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[PotatoOfCouch13]

Wow, you traded a few of the 'Black Sox' for Babe Ruth, and now have the dream pairing of Jackson and Ruth.

Blockbuster start! I'll be reading!

BTW, how did you get the nickname of "Two Sheds"?

[mbanghar]

Thanks for the feedback. Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson is actually a reference to a Monty Python sketch. I had a hard time coming up with a name for the manager that would represent me, but as I was walking my dog the memory of that sketch came back to me. And I thought it was a good name consider the propensity for nicknames in the era like my predecessor in the dynasty who was Pants Rowland.

[mbanghar]

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Offensive Black Sox

April 15, 1919

By Ring Lardner

The Black Sox are part of a league wide trend. The Sox are scoring runs at unheard of rate. The unfortunate part is that for all of the amazing amounts of runs scored, the pitching staff has given up more, one more to be precise.

The season started off promisingly. The Black Sox came back against the hapless Washington Senators with 3 runs in the eight and ninth inning to squeak out a 706 win on opening day. They followed that up with a commanding performance by Lefty Williams who held the Senators to two runs over 9 innings in a 7-2 win. The Senators savlaged a game against the Black Sox taking the last game 6-3 scoring five unanswered runs in their last three innings.

Black Sox came home to a 9-6 defeat at the hands of the Yankees. The Yankees struck for eight runs in the first and cruised to an easy victory for the Black Sox second defeat. "Knuckles" Eddie Cicotte went the distance in game 2 to help the Sox cruise to an easy 11-4 victory. The rubber match of the series presented the high point of the young season, and the clipping above for the scrap book. The Black Sox jumped out to a 9-0 lead and hung on for a 13-10 victory and a share of first place. It wouldn't last long.

The Black Sox then traveled to Cleveland to face the tough Indians club for the first time this year. They ended up getting swept out of Cleveland by the scores of 11-9, 11-6, and 13-12. The Indians roughed up Knuckles Cicotte for 9 earned runs over 7 and 2/3 innings and Lefty Williams for 9 earned runs over 4 innings in the sweep. The lone bright spot was the continued hitting of recently acquired Black Sock Babe Ruth who hit his league leading sixth homerun in the dismal series finale.


Homecooking did not help the ills of the Chicago club, however. The Red Sox came into town and handed the club two more defeats. The series opening saw the Black Sox even their record to 5-5. The Black Sox went into the ninth leading 5-3. The Red Sox tied it with two in the bottom, but Swede Risberg hit a walkoff 2 run homerun in the ninth to even the Black Sox record. Boston took the next two games with wins of 7-3 and 9-8. Eddie Cicotte had his second subpar outing in row in the series finale. He gave up 7 earned runs in 7 innings, and that raised his era to 6.82. Knucles sadly maintained his ace status with that era as it was the best out of the bunch. Black Sox pitcher averaged 7.18 earned runs per nine innings. That is just slightly higher than the league average of 7.01.


Around Baseball
The big story around baseball has been how much scoring has been up this season. The Brooklyn Robins currently have the best ERA of any staff at 2.89. The next closests is the New York Giants at 4.40. The lowest amongst American League clubs is the Boston Red Sox who have an ERA of 5.66.

Accomplishments during this sim are SS Rogers Hornsby of the St. Louis Cardinals and RF sam Rice for the Washington Senators hitting for the cycle. Hornsby hit for the cycle on April 6, 1919 going 4 for 6, and Rice went 5 for 6 on April 14.
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[CatKnight]

This isn't a criticism, mind. You should do whatever you want...but your comment about 'keeping' the Black Sox name puzzled me a little. You realize 'Black Sox' was NEVER the official name? It was the nickname given to the team, and nine players specifically, who threw the 1919 Series. If your team doesn't throw the Series, then why the name change?

[mbanghar]

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Two Sheds Gets Two Aces

April 15, 1919
by Ring Lardner
A rare cross town trade has occurred. The Cubs and the Black Sox have completed a seven player trade. Yet again the Black Sox are getting only one player back in this megadeal, but again the player that the Sox got is a dandy. This time it is former Cub ace Hippo Vaughn. Vaughn has struggled with most of the starters this year, but his struggles has resulted ina 4.91 ERA that is still two runs lower than the Black Sox ace.

The Black Sox again had to part with some good players to get the deal done. The trade included players like LF Nemo Leibold and SP Pat Ragan. The eccen-tric Two Sheds Jackson has managed yet again to add a star caliber player and cut payroll at the same time. Maybe Comiskey knew something when he hired this guy after all.

[mbanghar]

This isn't a criticism, mind. You should do whatever you want...but your comment about 'keeping' the Black Sox name puzzled me a little. You realize 'Black Sox' was NEVER the official name? It was the nickname given to the team, and nine players specifically, who threw the 1919 Series. If your team doesn't throw the Series, then why the name change?
Well the orgin of the Black Sox name has been disputed for a while. Some sources state that the Black Sox name was used prior to the series being thrown before 1919 series. The old story being that the Black Sox name came from Comiskey's refusal to laundry the players' uniforms.

The reason I state this as a goal is because the whole idea about this dynasty was to prevent the downward spiral that the White Sox went into after the banning of the eight players. The team wouldn't appear in a World Series from 1917 to 1959, at the time one of the longest pennant droughts in baseball history.

The "keeping" the name thing was my way to allude to this erased real history in my dynasty. While the Black Sox were never the official name of the team, Team names changed frequently during this period, and if the Black Sox name was associated with a golden age in franchise history I don't think it would be inconceivable to see the Black Sox nickname become official. But I fully admit I am stretching a bit to try to make this more interesting.

[CatKnight]

Fair enough. Looks great so far!

[mbanghar]

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Two more weeks, 3 more games behind
Indians Continue Their Black Sock Domination

April 29, 1919

By Ring Lardner

The Black Sox continue to own the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators. The week started with the Sox out in New York on a sour note. A Willie Kamm error allowed 2 unearned runs in the ninth to complete the Yankees 5 run inning to come back and nab the 12-11 victory in the series opening. Knucles pitched well enough to get his third victory of the season to even the series at one a piece in a 13-6 win. An eight inning run was the difference in the series finale that went the Black Sox way 5-4.

Coming home to face the Senators is a welcome sight usually, but the Senators roughed up righty reliever Charlie Robertson for 5 runs over 2 innings to take the opener 14-9. Newly acquired Hippo Vaughn showed his worth with a commanding complete game performance allowing only one earned run and striking out 5 in a 5-1 win. Cicotte won his second straight decision with a complete game as well. Knuckles allowed 5 runs, but struck out eight as the Black Sox improved to 8-4 on the year against the Yankees and Senators.

The battle of Sox was again controlled by the Red variety. The first game was a sloppy affair with two costly errors by 2B Buck Weaver and CF Jocko Conlan that lead to 3 of the 4 runs be unearned in the 4-2 loss. The Red ones did it again the next day pounding Hippo for six earned runs over 7 innings for his first defeat of the season. Ruth's major league leading ninth Home Run was one of the few bright spots in that 9-2 drubbing at Fenway. The Babe was able to enjoy at least one day of his return to Fenway, though it appeared at first that Black Sox would get swept out of town. Black Sox were up comfortably in ninth 8-1 with Knuckles on the mound working towards his third complete game in a row. The lead was built up by a pair of run scoring doubles by Shoeless Joe, and the Babes 10th Home Run on the season. The wheels then fell completely off in the bottom of the ninth with the Red Sox scoring 7 times in the bottom of the nith to tie the game and send it into extras. All the runs were charged to Knucles' tab as he was only able to get one out in the inning. Little used CF Maurice Archdeacon was able to break the tie in the 10th with a pinch hit single for the Black Sox second win in as many series against the Boston club.

The Indians continued their dominance of the Black Sox. This time at Comiskey field. The Indians won 10-1, 11-10 and lost for the first time against the Black Sox 11-10. The Black Sox first win against the Tribe is this sim's scrapbook clipping above. The Black Sox have yet to be able to keep the Indians under 10 runs this whole season as they fell to 1-5 this year against the second place Indians.

The Road doesn't get any easier the next couple of weeks as the Black Sox travel to Detroit for their first look at the first place Tigers. The rest of the period is filled up with series against the Red Sox, Athletics, and Senators.


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Around Baseball


A lot of people are starting to talk about Detroit's 24 year old right fielder Harry Heilmann as the next big thing. The young lad nicknamed Slug has hit safely in all 24 games so far this season. If that wasn't enough to get the Tiger faithful buzzing about Slug he hit for the cycle, twice in one series. Slug definitely made believers out of the St. Louis Browns who had front run seats to his 9 for 14 performance in the series with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 homeruns. Heilmann's numbers weren't the most important thing for him, but rather the 3 Ws the club picked up against the subpar Browns.
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[mbanghar]

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Two Sheds Jackson Fearing Loss of Sheds
makes two more deseprate trades

April 29, 1919

By Ring Lardner

Two Sheds Jackson has been a man of action in the first month of the season. Making his third and fourth trade of the season before the ending of April, the Black Sox acquired SP Joe Wood and CF Hack Wilson. Are these moves going to turn a middling team into a Pennant contender, or are these the actions of a man desperate not to become known as No Sheds?

Acquiring SP Joe Wood is a prime example of if you can't beat them, join them. Joe Wood was the ace of the Cleveland Indians staff that had tormented the Black Sox so much this year. The 29 year old righty is a flame thrower who also features in excellent changeup and curveball. Important for the Black Sox is that he is locked up for another year after
this season at the rate of 8,200. That gives the Black Sox some leverage with Lefty Williams who is the only starter not signed for next season.

Hack Wilson is a little used CF from the New York Giants. The 19 year old CF proejects to be a middle of the order hitter that might be used to breakup the lefty sluggers of Babe and Shoeless Joe. For now he is going to split time with prized CF prospect Jocko Conlan, also 19, in a platoon. Hack was upset with his playing time in New York, and it is unclear yet if he is going to be happy just splitting time in CF with Jocko.

These trades are starting to add up, and there aren't many more pieces left for Two Sheds Jackson later on before the trade deadline. All told Two sheds has traded 30 players to acquire 4. The biggest loss in the two trades was 20 year old LF prospect Bibb Falk. Falk looks to a big time left handed RBI bat in a corner outfield spot for years to come. The Black Sox have both of those positions locked up for the next decade or so with Shoeless Joe and Babe Ruth, which makes the loss at bit more bareable. Two Sheds doesn't have any more Bibb Falks left to trade for the last piece if this team does get close. These are likely the Black Sox of 1919 rigth now in Chicago.

[Überpöster]

look at those era's lol

[reflections]

No offense but it would be highly unlikely that so many "Blockbuster" type trades would of been made by one team. Sounds like you are taking advantage of the AI a bit. Hack Wilson, Joe Wood (Who considering where there are in the standings probably wouldn't be trading him), Hippo Vaughn and the Babe all in the first month of the season. That would be crazy.
But looking at the ERA's it does look like the offense for 1918 is crazy. Good luck.

[mbanghar]

look at those era's lol
Yea I don't get it myself. I know that 1919 is considered the end of the deadball era, but geez those are some ridiculous numbers. I was really worried about it, but every two week sim period the eras have been dropping by a half run to a run league wide. I think by the end of the year the numbers shouldn't be nearly as Ken Griffey Baseball as they are now.

[mbanghar]

No offense but it would be highly unlikely that so many "Blockbuster" type trades would of been made by one team. Sounds like you are taking advantage of the AI a bit. Hack Wilson, Joe Wood (Who considering where there are in the standings probably wouldn't be trading him), Hippo Vaughn and the Babe all in the first month of the season. That would be crazy.
But looking at the ERA's it does look like the offense for 1918 is crazy. Good luck.True some of the deals, well really all of them, are unrealistic. I tried to limit taking advantage of the AI by placing a limiting the number of trades I make. Perhaps I should lower the number from 5 to 3 for next year.

[jcbarr]

Perhaps you should just make realistic trades...:)

Also I know that it is very easy to take advantage of the AI already, because for the most part we all know who is going to be good and great that is coming up through the years. We as a player, already have an advantage. It is very rare that most players don't at least turn in to something close to what they were IRL.

As for the ERAs, I wouldn't worry about them. They will work themselves out over the course of the year.

[mbanghar]

True about the realistic trades. I will defend the Hack Wilson and Babe Ruth deals, but Hippo and Wood were taking advantage of the AI. I already am not going to make any more trades till right before the deadline, if there is something logical out there. Definitely some solid points about trading, and something to think about for the rest of the dynasty and future ones.

I am also not that worried about the ERAs. As I mentioned they are already dropping, the next update post will show that. I think it is a small sample size more than anything at the beginning given how few teams there are in the league and therefore few games each day.

[mbanghar]

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Sox Sweep and Swept Back Into Contention
Sox go 8-4, Remain in 4th but only 5.5 out

May 13, 1919

By Ring Lardner

The much anticipated showdown with the league leading Detroit Tigers was Two Shed's finest hour in the young season. The Black Sox trounced the Tigers 12-2 behind newly acquired Joe Wood's complete game. Wood would later find out that day that he had stretched an ankle ligament and would be out for two weeks. The Black Sox won 5-3 with a Hippo Vaughn complete game, and the finale a 2-1 squeaker that was Eddie Cicotte best performance of the year. Knuckles Cicotte held Slug Heilmann hitless for the first time this year, ending the young sluggers hit streak at 26 games to start out the year.

The good times wouldn't last long for the Black Sox as they got swept out of Boston in their second trip to Fenway. Lefty Williams was outdueled by Carl Mays 5-2 in the opener. Ray Caldwell shut down the Black Sox for the second straight day only allowing a run in 9 innings for a 6-1 win. Former Black Sox Red Faber bested Hippo Vaughn in the finale. Faber allowed 3 unearned runs. A tough series for the whole club, but particularly the Babe. In his second return to Fenway he managed only 1 hit in 12 ABs during the series dropping his batting average from .418 to .385.

COmiskey Field was home to a successful homestand against the Athletics and Senators. The Black Sox took two of three from the A's. The Black Sox won the first and last game by scores 6-5 and 7-6. The middle game was lost 8-5. Solid pitching from Eddie Cicotte would be the difference in the first game, but the series win game at a price. Cicotte suffered from a sprained finger that would keep him out for at least two weeks. Also Jocko Conlan suffered a bone spur that kept him out of the lineup for five days. Creating an interesting situation that allowed the somewhat unhappy Hack Wilson to play full time for a series.

The Black Sox personal punching bags, the Washington Senators obliged them with three more Black Sox wins. Ruth hit three more Home Runs in the series to bring his majors leading total 15 along with the RBI lead at 47. The Sox went onto to win 5-2, 8-2, and 5-3. Hack Wilson went 4-12 in the series, and his earned the starting CF job for the moment. Jocko Conlan was furious upon hearing this. "How can they do this? I come up here and have done nothing but hit. My average is .297," comment Jocko. When asked if the fact that he had committed a team high nine errors might have contributed to the decision he replied, "I'm sure that had nothing to do with the decision since CF is not a position where defense is important, and really how can you replace me with a guy named Hack. I mean seriously your name is Hack. What's the deal with that?" For his part Hack is remaining quiet at the moment, though unconfirmed reports have mentioned that Hack demanded the trade out of New York for more playing time. This mid season position battle should be fun to watch.

The Black Sox travel to St. Louis to play the fifth place Browns and then move onto New York to face the nearly last Yankees. Then back home to try to solve the Indians and three more against the league leading Red Sox.


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Around Baseball
Slug Heilmann's 26 game hitting streak was the talk of Detroit, but it wasn't the longest hitting streak to start out the 1919 season. Two players tied for that honor with 30 game hitting streaks. The legendary Tris Speaker who in that same game scored his 1000th run, and the relatively unknown Earle Combs. Combs is a 19 year old rookie CF for the New York Yankees. When asked about it Combs said, "It is just an honor to be mentioned with the best CF of our time." Earle "the Kentucky Colonel" Combs should enjoy his moment though if he keeps playing like this he just might have a few more moments like it.
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[RedsoxRockies]

only two AL teams have ERA's under five... Thats more offense than modern times. Also, The NL has an ERA almost a whole run lower, but still very high. I think you should use simulation settings and toy with them a bit

[mbanghar]

only two AL teams have ERA's under five... Thats more offense than modern times. Also, The NL has an ERA almost a whole run lower, but still very high. I think you should use simulation settings and toy with them a bit
I noticed this problem early on, but was hoping that it was just an issue of sample size. Unfortunately after running ten seasons I see that problem repeats itself each time, and in fact gets worse. The AL averages around a 4.75 ERA in the 1919 season, and by the mid 1920s that climbs up to 4.85. The NL starts off better at around 4.15 in 1919, but then it starts to climb as well to settle in the 4.55 range. The AL and NL ERA in 1919 was 3.22 and 2.91. The high ERA in each league during the dynasty time frame is 4.64 and4.97, but most years varied from 3.8 to 4.3.

So that leaves me in an interesting spot. I see two main options. I can plow ahead and ignore the wacky stats or I can start over after having done tests on how to adjust the simulation settings. Each plan has advantages, and I am not sure what to do. Thoughts?

[RedsoxRockies]

do what you want. If you dont mind the stats being sorta funky, keep going. If you feel like starting over, do that. Either way, you have done a good job, and it is nice to see you trying to overcome this problem

[JeepGuy63]

In my own game, starting in 1969, the ERAs were very high at the start of the season but leveled out by the end. I imagine as the season wears on, with tired players, injuries and called up minor leaguers, those factor into the statistical dump, reducing ERAs enough to bring those super high ones from the beginning of the season down to respectable levels.

I say forge ahead with what you are doing unless you want to mess with the settings and start over. I like what you are doing, minus the big blockbuster trades - 30 guys for 4 seems a bit much to me but it is your game.

[mbanghar]

Okay I've done a bunch of sims, and I think I found some settings that bring the stats more in line with what happened during the 20s. The ERAs on average are going to be a little bit higher, and the power numbers are going to be a little down. But everything is actually in the ballpark of what happened during the period. The real good news is that after running it from the point I'm at the sim results in the numbers actually ended up just a bit higher than the average year in the 1920s. So I'm happy to report that the dynasty will continue, and the freakish offensive output should really start to flatten out to more what is expected.

Thanks for all the comments, both about what you like and don't like. I'm thinking that I am going to have to follow the Joe Wood Rule, and that is don't make a trade if I wouldn't do it from the other side. Also by the rules of the dynasty I am only allowed to start one more trade anyways. So that will be it for blockbusters this year.

Another update should be coming soon under the old settings, and then I will start running the dynasty under the new settings.

[RedsoxRockies]

maybe u should edit some pitchers in the league to make it more pitching friendly. I have also found that Mogul raises offensive levels

[mbanghar]

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Sox Win Eight Straight But Fall to Six Games Back
Indians and Red Sox continue to dominate Black Sox

May 27, 1919

By Ring Lardner

The Black Sox came into St. Louis riding a 4 game winning streak. A seven run fifth inning combined with John Sullivan's 8 innings of 2 run ball extended the streak to 5. The Babe's 16th Home Run was the difference in a 4-3 win. Joe Wood was shaky early on in the series finale giving up 3 runs in the first inning, but he settled down to only allow a single run while going the distance. The Black Sox Offense managed 6 runs for the second sweep in a row, and left St. Louis on a 7 game winning streak.

The Black Sox made it eight in a row with a 9-3 drubbing of New York. John Sullivan picked up his second win in a row filling in for the injuried Cicotte. Sullivan eight innings dropped his season ERA down to 3.00. The winning streak was snapped by a shaky start by Hippo Vaughn who gave up 8 runs in the first five innings. THe Black Sox were in the game, but just gave up too many runs to win their ninth in a row as they dropped the ball game 9-7. The Black Sox reached their high water mark for the season, 24-18, the following game with a 9-8 win. Shaky pitching at the end of the ballgame almost overshadowed 2B Buck Weaver's 4 for 4 day including a double, run, and rbi.

Coming home to face the Indians has never been a good thing for the Black Sox so far this year, but it seemed at first that the Black Sox were finally going to shake the Tribe. The first game was John Sullivan's third consecutive win. Two Sheds Jackson had moved the reliever into the rotation originally just to fill the void left by the injury to Knuckles Cicotte, but Sullivan remained in the rotation because of three straight eight inning plus wins. Hippo Vaughn continued his struggles in the following start, and the Idians cruised to an easy 7-4 victory that was not as close as the score indicates. A couple of errors and a lackluster offense doomed the Sox to another series loss to the Indians. Joe Wood gave up 5 runs, only 3 earned, over 9 innings, but the Black Sox were caught stealing 3 times and Buck Weaver grounded into two double plays in the 5-1 loss.

The Red Sox extended the losing streak to three with a 7-3 victory over the Black Sox. The Black Sox were done in by a big sixth inning by the Red Sox greatly aided by a Swede RIsberg error. The Black Sox roughed up two former Black Sox in a 10-7 win. Red Faber and Reb Russel were traded along with star 2B Eddie Collins for Babe Ruth. Faber gave up 7 earned runs in 3 and 2/3 innings. This was the shortest outing for the year for Faber whose ERA jumped to 3.84 after the game. Reb Russell pitched the final two innings giving up 2 more runs. Hippo pitched the final game of the series, and pitched much better than his previous outings but still came up short. Vaughn gave up 3 runs in fifth to give up the lead and the game. The Babe tried to carry the offense driving in the only two runs the Black Sox would score with a double and American League leading Home Run number 17. Red Sox ace Carl Mays was simply too much that day for the rest of the club which managed only four hits all told.

The schedule ahead gets a little easier for the Black Sox who get to travel to St. Louis and Washington. They come home to face the Atheltics and travel back to Detroit. This should give the Black Sox a chance to improve their record and hopefully pick up games on league leading Boston. Jocko Conlan spent the past two weeks glued to the bench, and was not allowed to talk to reporters.


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Around Baseball
Ty Cobb broke Willie Keeler's hitting streak record. Willie Keeler, back in '97, started the season off with 44 games with a hit. Ty Cobb managed to hit safely in 47 games. The streak was finally broken while playing the Washington Senators on May 25. Cobb managed to walk once, but was fanned in each of his three ABs by Washington hurler Harry Harper. Harper only managed those three strike outs in his four innings of work in a losing effort against the Tigers.
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[mbanghar]

1919 Amateur Draft
June 5, 1919
1st Round-7th Overall Pick
Black Sox selected:
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Despite the crowded Black Sox OF, the team took the best available player in Manush. Two Sheds Jackson mentioned that a move to 1B might be option to fast track Manush to the big league level.

2nd Round-23rd Overall Pick
Black Sox selected:
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Fidegty Phil hopefully can develop into another inning eating starter because despite the name power of the current Black Sox staff there are some big holes in the rotation. Phil Collins was unhappy getting selected by the Black Sox, well aware of Charles Comiskey refusal to pay top dollar for prospects. He won't be called upon for a while so hopefully Collins accepts being a Black Sox before he is needed on the big league roster.

3rd Round-39th Overall Pick
Black Sox selected:
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Two Sheds Jackson was very pleased to be able to select Hook Todt in the third round. As mentioned above the franchise feels that it has a bit of a hole at 1B. Earl Sheely has performed adrimarbly, but the franchise really was set back when Chick Gandil didn't turn out to be the player they thought he would be. Todt will most likely start out in rookie ball, but if Manush doesn't take to 1B don't be surprised to see Hook start moving up the ladder quick.

4th Round-55th Overall Pick
Black Sox selected:
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Les Bells is an unheralded 3B prospect. He is a bit of a project player for the Black Sox. He should get looks at various spots around the infield, as he is most likely being groomed to be a utility player.

5th Round-71st Overall Pick
Black Sox selected:
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Twitches is another corner OF that continues to prove that Two Sheds has insisted on a best available player policy and not draft based upon need. Porter can play both corner OF spots, though is a natural RF. Porter was another player not happy to be selected the Black Sox.

6th Round-87th Overall Pick
Black Sox selected:
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Everything you read above about Porter can be applied to Coleman. The only differences being that Coleman likes the Black Sox franchise and that he is slightly less talented.

Other Notable Picks
1st Round-9th Overall Pick: New York Yankees took starting pitcher Guy Bush.
1st Round-10th Overall Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates took CF Fred Schulte.
1st Round-12thOverall Pick: New York Giants took starting pitcher Flint Rhem.

Kind of light draft class in 1919, but I am looking forward to some of the drafts coming up for the 1920s.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Congratulations to Cobb! The farthest I've gotten a hitting streak is about 30 games, so to put together a 47-gamer is extraordinary in my book!

I was just going to say...how are those outfield draftees going to break into the lineup with Ruth and Jackson occupying those spots for the next 10+ years?

LOL at Phil Collins :D

[mbanghar]

Congratulations to Cobb! The farthest I've gotten a hitting streak is about 30 games, so to put together a 47-gamer is extraordinary in my book!

I was just going to say...how are those outfield draftees going to break into the lineup with Ruth and Jackson occupying those spots for the next 10+ years?

LOL at Phil Collins :D
Cobb's hitting streak was very impressive. I've been lucky with a lot of interesting happenings like long hitting streaks, and players hitting career milestones. To be honest that stuff has been a lot more interesting than my blah season so far.

It hasn't been mentioned yet, but it will be a lot more as the deadline approaches, is that Ruth's contract expires at the end of the 1919 season. I am sure I will resign, but I don't know if I can keep him and Shoeless Joe with a bottom half payroll.

[mbanghar]

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Same Ole Sox
Same Story, Different Week

June 10, 1919

By Ring Lardner

The Black Sox started the past couple of weeks on a sour note, when it was learned that underachieving starter Hippo Vaughn would be out for two weeks. This meant that fellow underachieving pitcher Lefty Williams would move out of the bullpen, and back into the rotation. Two Sheds Jackson really has yet to have a consistent rotation with every starter except Lefty Williams have been sidelined for at least two weeks during the first couple of months. The loss wasn't felt by the St. Louis Browns. THe Black Sox opened the series with a 4-3 squeaker. The game had to be settled in the tenth inning with Hack Wilson scoring the go ahead run. Shoddy defense continues to plague the Black Sox as errors by Willie Kamm and Buck Weaver allowed two unearned runs to score on ace Joe Wood. Wood went the distance in collecting another complete game win. Knuckles Cicotte loves facing the Browns as he also went the distance giving up only one earned run in the Sox 7-1 drubbing in game 2. Lefty Williams got himself in back in the good graces of Two Shed with his complete game shutout to complete the sweep with a 7-0 victory on getaway day.

Washington turned the tables on the Black Sox on their arrival to Washington. John Sullivan's streak of 8 inning plus pitching performances was snapped with his early exit after 6 giving up 5 runs. The game was tied heading in the bottom of the tenth. Reliever Mike Peltier only managed to get one out before the Senators were able to scratch across the winning run to stop the Sox winning streak at 3. A disappointing way to end the month of May, but a solid month overall. The Black Sox managed to go 17-10, and work their way back into contention after the sub 500 April.

To start off June, the Black Sox got more than they could handle from legend Walter Johnson. Johnson powered through the Sox lineup only allowing a single run over nine innings. Joe Wood lost the duel in the 5-1 loss. The finale found the Black Sox in the unusual position of having to win to avoiding being swept by lowly Washington. Eddie Cicotte pitched another complete game win giving up four runs. Swede Risberg's two doubles and 3 RBIs would be the offensive story of the day as the Black Sox escaped Washington with a 6-4 win.

The Philadelphia Atheltics were suppose to be a team that the Black Sox could grab some easy wins, and move back into contention. The A's were not informed of this as they took advantage of more poor defense from Buck Weaver, who is in a contract year, and little used LF Roy Elsh, who was filling in for the slightly knicked up Shoeless Joe. Those two unearned runs spoiled Lefty Williams fine day and bid to rejoin the rotation full time. The Black Sox would grab a run in the eighth to make it close, but never got the tying run into scoring position in their 3-2 loss in the series opener. TO add injury to insult, starting 1B Earl Sheely suffered a strained shoulder that is going to have him sidelined for five weeks. Joe Wood did it all in the middle game of the set. He pitched a complete game, gutting through an afternoon where he didn't have his best stuff for a win. He also drove in 3 runs in the big 7 run sixth inning that cracked the game open for the Black Sox. Sox went onto to win 9-5. Shoeless Joe returned in the rubber match, and went 1 for with 2 runs scored and driven in. Hack Wilson hit a big 3 run Homerun as well. Relief pitcher Charlie Robertson coughed up the winning run in the top of the ninth. After walking one, Robertson gave up a double to Tilly Walker to drive in the batter he walked.

The Black Sox had to go back on the road to Detroit suffering another heartbreaking series loss. Lefty was not sharp in the series opener. He gave up all seven runs scored in six innings. Buck Weaver drove in the Babe, who has been stuck on 17 homeruns for a few weeks now, for the Black Sox only run. The Black Sox only managed four singles and four walks against Howard Ehmke. The Black Sox went down 4 to 5 heading into the top the of the eighth, but managed to scratch across single tallies in each of the last two innings for a hard earned win. Sullivan started the game lasting 7 innings and giving up all five runs. Dave Danforth and Mike Peltier each pitched a scoreless inning to get the win and save respectively. A big offensive day from Babe, Ray Schalk, Hack Wilson, and even Joe Wood led the way for an easy complete game victory for the Black Sox ace. Ruth went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles scoring twice and driving two in. The second double Ruth just missed homerun number 18, and is starting to show signs of coming out his minislump. Ray Schalk added three hits, Hack Wilson added another two, and Joe Wood chipped in with another two including his third double of the season. All this added up to 9-5 win to take their second straight series against the Tigers. The Black Sox are 5-1 this year in Detroit.

The upcoming schedule is features the first four game series of the year, but begins at home with the Browns. The Sox then have to travel to Cleveland and face the very tough Indians. Then it is back home for four against the Athletics and then back on the road to face league leading Boston for a chance to pick up some ground head to head. Two Sheds announced that the team is going to promote first round draft pick Heinie Manush to try out a 1B to see what the club has in him. Two Sheds was questioned about bringing up a 17 year old rookie one week after being drafted to play a position he never has in the past. The response was, "With Joe and Babe if he wants to play for the Sox he is going to have learn to play first sometime. Why not now when their is an opening due to injury?" Heinie's first start will be against the Browns where he will bat eighth.


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Around Baseball
The big news around baseball was Cubs right handed hurler Pete Alexander got his 200th win on May 29th. Alexander threw a complete game against the Boston Braves, only surrendered one earned run. He struck out four while not allowing a walk. The Cubs pounded the Braves pitching to make it a laugher, and allowed Alexander to enjoy reaching win number 200. Alexander currently is second amongst active pitchers in career wins. Only Walter Johnson has more. Here is the current top ten active pitchers in wins.


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Three trades also occurred. The TIgers acquired 27 year old rookie pitcher Jack Scott from the Boston Braves. The Braves got in return three pitchers Jim Walsh, Slicker Parks, and Jim Walkup. None of those pitchers have spent any time in the majors, and apart from having great names I doubt we will hear from them again. Scott is an inconsistent right hander who has been little used out of the Boston bullpen and appears to be suffering a similar fate in the Detroit bullpen.

The Indians made a bigger trade the next day acquiring Grunting Jim Shaw from Washington to bolster their push for the pennant. The 25 year old righty had struggled in Washington with a 5.59 ERA, but is sixth in strikeouts in the American League with 46. Shaw features in overpowering fastball in the mid to upper 90s along with a decent scuff ball and okay out shoot. The Indians moved pitchers Sarge Connally, Hap Collard, and Bernie Henderson. The Indians got a great deal here if Grunting Jim can return to form.

The last trade that was made the past two weeks was a swap of pitchers between the two Philadelphia franchises. The Atheltics swapped the established 25 year old lefty Walt Kinney, who has been great out of the bullpen with a 2.25 ERA, for the right handed relief prospect Russ Miller. The Phillies are 9 and half games out, but this move strengthens in already solid pen featuring righties Milt Watson and Elmer Jacobs.

[jcbarr]

Anyone else notice that every graphic posted in this thread is broken?

[mbanghar]

Anyone else notice that every graphic posted in this thread is broken?

Hmm, can't figure that one out because the graphics appear for me, but that doesn't mean that links aren't broken. Interested to see if that happens to other people.

[RedsoxRockies]

no?

[CatKnight]

Graphics are fine.

[filihok]

Graphics are fine.

Dude, great photos...mind if i asked where you got those?

[mbanghar]

Dude, great photos...mind if i asked where you got those?

If you are talking to me, can't tell for sure since you are quoting CatKnight, most of the photos are a mod that you can find here http://forum.sportsmogul.com/showthread.php?t=118963. It is really well done, and really helps make the historical sims more lifelike. That is why I include as many pictures as I do.

[mbanghar]

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Black Sox Move Up to Third Place
Fall Another Game Back from Red Sox
by Ring Lardner

The Black Sox struggled at home against the St. Louis Browns. The Black Sox were shut out in the first game 2-0 by Brown pitcher by Carl Weilman. The Black Sox only scratched one run out in the second game, but Lefty Williams finally is starting to return form with a complete game shutout. The Browns roughed up swingman Cy Twombly as they built up a 6-1 lead. The Black Sox would strike for 4 in the ninth, but fell short in dropping the series finale 6-5.

Joe Wood was again dominant in the series opener against the Indians. The Black Sox offense snapped back to life pounding Tribe pitching for 11 runs, and Wood went the distance in an 11-2 win. The middle game was an exciting contest with both starters pitching one run ball through eight innings. In the top of the ninth, Buck Weaver drove in OF Roy Elsh with the infield drawn in to give the Black Sox a 2-1 lead. Cicotte went back out in to finish the ninth. Tris Speaker doubled to lead off the inning. Catcher Roy Schalk dropped a called third strike, and let Charlie Jamieson reach base. A sacrifice bunt moved Jamieson to second and allowed Speaker to tie the ball game. Then Elmer Smith pinch hit and drove Jamieson with a single to win the game for the Indians 3-2. The Black Sox managed to win the series with a 4-3 win. Lefty was dominate again allowing only 2 runs in eight quality innings. Rookie Manush was the other big story going 3 for 4 and raising his batting average to .388 after his surprise callup.

The 4 game series against the Athletics did not disappoint anyone, except perhaps a Philadelphia club getting used to disappointments. John Sullivan pitched seven strong innings. David Danforth coughed up 3 runs in the final two innings to allow the Athletics tie it 7-7 after 9. In the bottom of the tenth Swede Risberg doubled to lead off the inning, and Ray Schalk came through yet again to drive him in to win the game 8-7. The second game was a bargain for the fans. The game turned into a marathon contest lasting 20 innings. Joe Wood pitched half the game only yielding two runs, but failed to factor into the decision. The Black Sox weren't able to take advantage of the 4 errors that the Atheltics made. Dickey Kerr was the losing pitcher after pitching 3 and a third innings. The Black Sox won the third game int he four game set 7 to 6 for the first time in regulation. Dickey Kerr won the game with another 3 innings. This time Kerr didn't yield a run. The series finale featured Lefty Williams tossing another 8 innings for his sixth win. The Black Sox struck for 3 in the sixth to win the game 7-6. The series win pushed the Black Sox to eight above 500, but the Sox lost another starter as Lefty Williams was also lost for two weeks.

The Red Sox trounced the Black Sox in the first game of the series. The Black Sox scored a single tally in the second. While, the Red Sox roughed up Hippo Vaughn for 7 earned runs and Cy Twombly for 5 earned runs as the Red Sox won 15 to 1. The Black Sox lost a heartbreaker in game 2. They were up 7-6 in the ninth inning with their closer Mike Peltier on the mound. Peltier gave up 2 runs to lose the second game in the row. Hack Wilson hit his second home run of the year was the bright spot in the game. The Black Sox won the finale 7-6. Dickey Kerr picked up his fourth win in relief, and allowed the Black Sox to claw back to 7 games out of first place.

The schedule ahead provides the Black Sox a chance to pick up some wins. They start out with three at home against Washington and then four with Detroit. The Black Sox then travel to Washington and Philadelphia. The Black Sox need to pick up a few games before the All-Star Break that is fast approaching
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[mbanghar]

Chicago Black Sox at the halfway point
1919 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Cicotte, Eddie CHW 129.0 5.09 16 16 7 3 0 61 37 13.67
Danforth, Dave CHW 17.2 6.11 15 0 2 0 0 7 7 16.81
Kerr, Dickey CHW 20.1 1.77 11 0 4 2 2 4 8 14.16
Lyons, Ted CHW 13.2 5.27 7 0 1 1 0 6 4 15.80
McGuire, Tom CHW 21.2 7.06 3 3 0 1 0 13 21 20.77
Peltier, Mike CHW 22.2 3.97 20 0 2 3 6 5 9 13.10
Robertson, Charlie CHW 22.0 4.09 6 1 1 1 0 8 13 16.77
Shellenback, Frank CHW 62.1 6.93 9 9 3 4 0 23 38 17.47
Sullivan, John CHW 55.2 3.88 13 6 3 2 2 22 26 14.23
Twombly, Cy CHW 7.0 9.00 2 1 0 1 0 1 8 27.00
Vaughn, Hippo CHW 103.1 6.18 14 14 5 6 0 55 51 16.11
Williams, Lefty CHW 108.2 4.64 15 15 6 7 0 37 56 16.48
Wood, Joe CHW 119.1 3.32 14 14 8 2 0 85 30 12.14

1919 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Bratschi, Fred CHW 9 .375 16 6 2 0 0 2 1 1 0 3 6 .500 .421
Bubser, Hal CHW 20 .235 34 8 1 0 0 3 3 0 0 1 6 .265 .297
Cicotte, Eddie CHW 16 .233 43 10 0 0 0 6 7 0 0 6 3 .233 .327
Conlan, Jocko CHW 35 .295 139 41 11 1 1 17 12 3 1 28 12 .410 .367
Danforth, Dave CHW 15 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Elsh, Roy CHW 39 .284 102 29 7 1 0 4 9 1 0 15 15 .373 .318
Fonseca, Lew CHW 15 .318 22 7 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 .455 .318
Jackson, Joe CHW 55 .355 220 78 21 2 3 30 17 1 5 49 39 .509 .434
Jenkins, Joe CHW 6 .143 14 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 .214 .250
Kamm, Willie CHW 73 .270 282 76 14 7 0 31 24 2 5 39 50 .369 .341
Kerr, Dickey CHW 11 .200 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .200 .200
Leifer, Elmer CHW 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Lyons, Ted CHW 7 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Manush, Heinie CHW 13 .348 46 16 3 1 0 3 2 0 0 4 5 .457 .388
McGuire, Tom CHW 3 .286 7 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 .286 .286
Peltier, Mike CHW 20 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Risberg, Swede CHW 72 .278 295 82 17 5 2 29 24 7 5 54 43 .390 .334
Robertson, Charlie CHW 6 .000 8 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 .000 .000
Ruth, Babe CHW 67 .348 250 87 24 5 17 55 33 5 1 72 64 .688 .461
Schalk, Ray CHW 69 .326 261 85 22 1 1 39 25 6 3 39 46 .429 .415
Sheely, Earl CHW 55 .286 210 60 12 2 0 21 22 1 2 33 35 .362 .353
Shellenback, Frank CHW 9 .211 19 4 1 0 0 2 5 0 0 3 3 .263 .286
Sullivan, John CHW 13 .368 19 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 .421 .368
Twombly, Cy CHW 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Vaughn, Hippo CHW 14 .167 36 6 1 0 0 2 10 0 0 1 5 .194 .211
Weaver, Buck CHW 73 .303 284 86 10 3 1 16 30 5 6 43 35 .370 .345
Wilson, Hack CHW 49 .237 173 41 6 0 2 26 13 3 2 23 22 .306 .333
Williams, Lefty CHW 15 .229 35 8 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 3 4 .257 .250
Wood, Joe CHW 14 .250 48 12 3 2 0 1 9 0 1 9 9 .396 .260

[mbanghar]

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Black Sox Keep Winning
but keeping losing ground to Boston, now 8.5 back
by Ring Lardner

July 8, 1919-The Sox continued their stretch of 23 straight games with 3 at home against Washington. The Sox roughed up Washington ace Walter Johnson for an easy eight to two win. Shoeless Joe was the offensive hero ending up a double short of the cycle while driving in 2. Hippo Vaughn pitched the whole wway yielding only 2 earned runs. Young Dominic Mulrenan who was called up to take the place of the injuried John Sullivan dazzled for eight innings earning his first big league win. Shoeless Joe went deep for the second game in a row, and Hack Wilson joined him as the Black Sox routed the Senators 9-3. The series finale was another easy Sox win to 8-5. P Doc Ayers was touched for 6 runs in 4 innings in his final game with the Senators. A few days later Ayers was traded to the Brooklyn Robins for relievers Joe Bradshaw and Nelson Greene. Rookie Heinie Manush continues to hit as he maintained his average above .300 and scored two runs in the game.

The winning streak continued against Detroit. Cicotte was masterful in only two runs over nine innings in grabbing his eighth win of the season. Hack Wilson doubled and drove in two in the 3-2 win. Cy Twombly, the replacement for Lefty Williams, wasn't nearly as sharp as Dominic Mulrenan. The Tigers tagged 7 earned runs off of him in 6 innings, and the Sox couldn't score enough to catch up losing 9-6 to snap the team's 5 game winning streak. Dominic Mulrenan suffered a similar fate as Cy Twombly in his second start. The Tigers got six runs off the Mulrenan and Tiger pitcher Dutch Leonard managed to keep the Sox off the board in an 8-0 loss. The series final was equally forgettable. Due to the pitching injuries and the stretch of games in a row the Sox were forced to use bullpen pitcher Roy Wilkinson. Wilkson didn't survive much past the fifth, but the game was decided in the second inning when the Tigers got 7 runs on their way to 10-2 win to end the four game set. That ended the month of June on a down note. The Black Sox were 15-13 during the month, and managed to move into third place. However, they are farther away from the pennant at the end of the month then they were at the start.

The Sox headed out immediatedly after the loss to Washington. The Sox played in a thrilling high scoring affair. They managed to hang onto a 11-10 victory powered by 17 hits and 3 Senators' errors. The following day didn't cool the Sox offense as they scored 8 runs, but this time Hippo Vaughn pitched wonderfully to make their 22 game in a row an easy 8-3 win. The finale featured a tight contest again. Dominic Mulrenan was just good enough to get the win, but not much better than that. Hack Wilson broke a 5 all tie in the top of the sixth to give the Sox another sweep of the Senators.

The off day brought the exciting news that another trade had been completed. The St. Louis Browns, out of playoff contention and an eye towards 1920, contacted the Black Sox about acquiring veteran workhorse Urban Shocker. The Black Sox jumped at the chance. The cost was young fill in starters Dominic Mulrenan and Cy Twombly. Two Sheds noted that both had performed well for the Black Sox, but both really needed more time in the minors. The St. Louis Browns agreed with Two Sheds assessment sending each to AA. Shocker is an accomplished pitcher who features five different pitches. Urban has a bit inconsistent this year with a 6-7 record and a 4.13 ERA, but the Black Sox definitely needed a veteran presence on their staff. Two Sheds admitted that the club as another injury away from having to call up recently drafted Phil Collins, and that it wasn't in the club's or the players best interest for that to happen this year.

The Black Sox headed to Philadelphia looking to make up ground before the All-Star Break. Joe Wood and company meant business in the series opener winning 10-1. The Atheltics turned the tables on the Black Sox in Urban Shocker's Black Sox debut. The A's won on a big 6 run fifth inning. Four of the runs were unearned on yet another Black Sox error. The Atheltics took advantage and ended Shocker's day after just five innings and a loss 8-3. Heinie Manush hit his first career homerun in the loss, a two run shot to give the Black Sox the lead in the top of the second. The series finale featured a pitcher's duel between John Sullivan and Win Noyes. Noyes was slightly better and got the win in a 4-2 contest.

The Sox head into the All-Star Break down 8.5 games and their pennant hopes fading fast. The club has played a lot better since their slow April start, but to get back into the pennant race they are going to need a prolong winning streak after the All-Star game. The Sox start out on the road in St. Louis, but then come home for an 11 game homestand against the Tigers, Browns, and Indians. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and Two Sheds Jackson is going to have to make some very tough choices. The Sox have players with contracts that expire at the end of the year like RF Babe Ruth, 2B Buck Weaver, and SP Lefty Williams. The Sox are not likely to bring back all three next year so who stays after the trade deadline will be interesting.


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Around Baseball
All Star rosters were announced. AL Manager Ed Barrow's starting lineup is as followed:
C Wally Schang-Boston
1b Joe Judge-Washington
2b Eddie Collins-Boston
3B Fred Baker-New York
SS Ray Chapman-Cleveland
LF Babe Ruth-Chicago
CF Ty Cobb-Detroit
RF Harry Heilmann-Detroit
SP Walter Johnson-Washington

NL Manager Fred Mitchell's starting lineup is as followed:
C Ivey Wingo-Cincinnati
1B Fred Merckle-Chicago
2B Larry Doyle-New York
3B Milt Stock-St. Louis
SS Roger Hornsby-St. Louis
LF Zack Wheat-Brooklyn
CF Max Carey-Pittsburgh
RF Cy Williams-Philadelphia
SP Pol Perritt-New York

[mbanghar]

1919 All Star Break


1919 Home Run Showdown

FIRST ROUND (10 Outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
Babe Ruth (CHW) 8
Harry Heilmann (DET) 3
Rogers Hornsby (STL) 3
Joe Judge (WSH) 2
Ty Cobb (DET) 1
Cy Williams (PHI) 1
Ken Williams (SLB) 1
Fred Merkle (CHC) 1
Casey Stengel (PIT) 1
Larry Doyle (NYG) 1

SECOND ROUND (5 Outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
Babe Ruth (CHW) 7
Harry Heilmann (DET) 2
Rogers Hornsby (STL) 1
Joe Judge (WSH) 1

FINAL ROUND (5 Outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
BABE RUTH (CHW) 2
Harry Heilmann (DET) 1

WINNER: Babe Ruth
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American League at National League
July 10, 1919

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
American League (AL) 2 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 6 10 0
National League (NL) 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 7 1

ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
E. Collins (2B) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .404
B. Weaver (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
J. Judge (1B) 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 .359
H. Heilmann (RF) 5 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 .392
B. Ruth (LF) 5 3 0 3 2 4 0 0 .339
T. Cobb (CF) 4 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .386
F. Baker (3B) 4 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 .314
W. Schang (C) 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 .339
R. Chapman (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
T. Speaker (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .383
K. Williams (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .367
R. Schalk (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .307
S. O'Neill (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .327
TOTALS 37 10 3 6 2 5 5 0

2B: T. Cobb, B. Ruth, H. Heilmann
HR: B. Ruth 2
GIDP: B. Ruth

ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
W. Johnson 1.0 1 1 0 2 2 0 20 2.63
S. Coveleski 4.0 3 0 0 1 1 2 49 3.02
C. Mays 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 22 2.35
B. Grevell 1.0 0 4 0 1 1 0 25 1.54
C. Blethen 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 0.00
TOTALS 9.0 7 5 0 4 4 2 126

ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
M. Carey (CF) 4 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .364
M. Stock (3B) 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .345
Z. Wheat (LF) 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 .342
R. Hornsby (SS) 3 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 .309
C. Williams (RF) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .320
F. Merkle (1B) 3 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 .346
L. Doyle (2B) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .328
I. Wingo (C) 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .304
S. Magee (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
C. Hollocher (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .332
H. Zimmerman (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .328
F. Snyder (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
TOTALS 33 7 5 4 0 3 2 1

2B: F. Merkle
3B: R. Hornsby
GIDP: L. Doyle

ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
P. Perritt 2.0 3 1 1 2 2 1 40 2.35
B. Adams 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 2.90
C. Hendrix 2.0 3 2 0 2 1 1 49 2.80
F. Toney 2.0 2 0 1 2 2 2 30 2.89
J. Jones 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 30 3.49
TOTALS 9.0 10 3 2 6 5 5 160

WP: S. Coveleski
LP: C. Hendrix
SV: C. Blethen

[dannymac910]

How do you view the Hom-Run Derby?

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

How do you view the Hom-Run Derby?

You can't watch the HR Derby or the AS Game in PBP, if thats what you mean. You can click it on the schedule after its done to view the round-by-round results and boxscore/recap though.

[dannymac910]

You can't watch the HR Derby or the AS Game in PBP, if thats what you mean. You can click it on the schedule after its done to view the round-by-round results and boxscore/recap though.
Thanks.

[mbanghar]

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Red Hot Black Sox Move Into Second Place
Unforunately so are the Red Sox
by Ring Lardner

July 22, 1919-The Black Sox continued on the road to St. Louis following Babe Ruth's epic performance over the All Star break. Not only did Ruth win the Home Run Showdown beating Slug Heilmann, but he also hit two homeruns in the All Star Game to be named the game's most valuable player. The opening game featured 8 runs by the Black Sox offense in the first two innings. Heine Manush continued his surprising rookie season with his second homerun and five rbis. The Browns would make it interesting with 6 runs in the ninth, but Robertson finally managed to get the last out for Cicotte's ninth win, 8-7. The middle of the order did the damage in the second game. The 4-5-6 hitters went 8 for 15 and scoring 3 runs and driving in 2. Joe Wood struggled , but rookie Dickey Kerr came on to pitch a couple innings to get the win. John Sullivan got his third save since being moved back into the bullpen. The Black Sox win the game 7-4. The series finale featured 8 innings of a pitcher's duel. Urban Shocker and Bert Gallia each gave up a single run over 8 innings. Gallia was taken off in the ninth, and the Black Sox struck for 5 runs. Highlighted by the Babe's 20th home run. Ruth is now only four homeruns away from equaling Gavvy Cravath's single season record of 24 homeruns set in 1915. Ruth has two months to break Cravath's record.

The Black Sox came back home to face the Tigers riding a three game winning streak. Lefty Williams pitched a complete game only yielding a run. The Black Sox scored 6 runs and won easily 6-1. The Black Sox suffered a big time loss off the field. Following the game it was learned that Lefty Williams had suffered a broken hip, and is done for the year.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/15.gifThe Black Sox have to play on without Lefty, but the early results were positive. The Tigers and Black Sox played to a 2-2 tie through nine innings. Cicotte with yet another quality start pitching 9 innings, but did not factor in the decision. The Black Sox were able to scratch across the winning run off a Hack Wilson single driving in Shoeless Joe who had led off the inning with a double. The series finale was yet another exciting contest between these two rivals. The Black Sox were down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Joe Jackson singled with one out. Ruth and Wilson walked to load the bases. Heinie Manush grounded out to drive in one run. Buck Weaver singled with two outs to drive in the tying run. The game went into the tenth, and Joe Jackson doubled home Swede Risberg to give the Black Sox their sixth straight win.

St. Louis came to Chicago. Urban Shocker pitched another complete game win 5-2. Hack Wilson's sixth homerun was the offensive highlight to drive in three runs. Eddie Cicotte struggled in the middle game. The veteran righty only managed to make it through four innings as the defense failed him in his fourth loss of the season. The Black Sox made it close, but never got the tying run in scoring position in their 5-4 loss snapping the seven game winning streak. The Black Sox outhit the Browns 10-8 in the series finale. Amazingly all 10 hits were singles, but it turned out to be enough as the Black Sox won their eighth game in their last nine 5-3. Unfortunately the Red Sox matched the Black Sox win for win as the Sox remain eight games out of the league lead.

The Black Sox have four more games at home against Cleveland before heading out for a 10 game road trip. The road trip features three games at Philadelphia, four games at New York, and 3 at Detroit.

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[PotatoOfCouch13]

Babe Ruth winning a home run contest? That's the most preposterous thing I've ever heard! No wonder this is a game! :D

Now that you've set yourself up in second place, you have only one team to focus on, and head-to-head matchups are the best way to make up ground. How many games do you have against the Red Sox this year?

[mbanghar]

Trade Deadline Passes
Many New Faces in New Places

August 1, 1919-12 trades occurred between July 18th and the trade deadline on July 31st. To summarize the American League leaders of Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland along with the National League leaders of Chicago, New York, and St. Louis loaded up for their playoff runs from the weaker ballclubs. Many all-stars and big name players traded hands. Here is a quick breakdown of all the moves.

July 18-St. Louis Browns trade SP Bert Gallia (Age 27, 82) to the Clevenland Indians for C Ginger Shinault (Age 26, 63/75), C Frank McCrea (Age 22, 63/73), 3B Elmer Yoter (Age 19, 59/78)
The Indians add another SP to the rotation. Gallia is slotted into the fourth spot in the rotation. The list of prospects that were given up seem very light as Cleveland seems the clear winner in the deal. The Browns have dealt two of their under 30 starters so far this year, and the returns have not been great for the quality given up.

July 18-New York Yankees trade 1B Wally Pipp (Age 26, 85), 3B Frank Baker (Age 33, 82), SP Dan MacDonald (Age 28, 74/75), SP Shaun Marmol (Age 29, 76/77), 2B Del Pratt (Age 31, 81) to the Brooklyn Robins for C Zack Taylor (Age 21, 64/79), RP Tom Long (Age 21, 67/81), Del Bissonette (Age 19, 71/82)
This trade was the hardest to understand out of all the moves made. It was expected that the Yankees would trade Wally Pipp because his contract is up at the end of the year, and it also isn't surprising that they traded two over 30 players. However, I can't say I have ever seen a trade where a team gave up two all-stars and three other prospects for three prospects. The Yankees could definitely have done better. C Zack Taylor is the most interesting of the prospects, but the cost was way too high. The Robins added a ton of offense to match their pitching.

July 20-St. Louis Browns trade SP Carl Weilman (Age 29, 81) to New York Giants for CF Raplh Shinners (Age 23, 71/82)
Yet another Brown pitcher is traded. This trade though has been the best one made by the Browns. Shinners is a nice prospect, and gives the Browns something to build on. Weilman has been used mostly out of the bullpen, and likely will fill a similar role in New York. Smacks a bit of making a move just to make a move.

July 21-Boston Red Sox trade LF Ernie Neitzke (Age 24, 69/82) for New York Yankees SP George Mogridge (Age 30, 84)
That sound you just heard was the collective hearts of Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit breaking. Mogridge adds yet another solid starter to Boston's rotation. Boston has ace Carl Mays (91), Ray Caldwell (87), Sam Jones (85), injuried but soon to return Red Faber (91) and Joe Bush (89). The Yankees do much better in this deal to land Neitzke a legitimate prospect in return for the veteran righty. The Yankees will have a really young team next season.

July 22-Chicago Black Sox trade 2B Buck Weaver (Age 28, 80), SP Hippo Vaughn (Age 31, 88) to Pittsburgh Pirates for Max Carey (Age 29, 86), SP Babe Adams (Age 37, 78)
The Black Sox had to answer the Red Sox trade to land Mogridge. Adams is a veteran pitcher who has had a solid year. Max Carey provides the Black Sox with a real leadoff hitter. The switch hitting Carey plays a great CF, but the question then becomes what to do with CF Hack Wilson. 1B would be an option but 17 year old rookie Heinie Manush has been a revelation at that spot. Two Sheds has said that he plans to try Wilson at 3B to keep his bat in the lineup, but that has yet to be confirmed. The Pirates get Buck Weaver who fills their huge need for a 3B, and Hippo Vaughn gives them a younger pitcher that is under their control for next year.

July 22-Cincinnati Reds trade RP Pedro Dilbut (Age 26, 66/76), SP Lefty Clarke (Age 23, 65/75), RP Herb McQuaid (Age 20, 66/76) to St. Louis Browns for LF Ken Williams (Age 29, 84)
St. Louis Browns continue to trade anything of value. As usual the Browns get a bunch of middling prospects for a solid OF. Williams is going to hit cleanup for the Reds. Williams is currently third in the majors with 12 HRs. Big win for the Reds in landing the 29 year old who they control through 1920 and is only making the league minimum $800.

July 26-Washington Senators trade RF Sam Rice (Age 29, 86) to New York Giants for SP Dinty Gearin (Age 21, 66/80), RP Mike Cvengros (Age 18, 66/80)
Giants add a big time bat in Sam Rice for minimal loss. Gearin and Cvengros are decent pitching prospects, but neither really have wow potential. Washington didn't do as bad as some franchises in this trade though.

July 26-Chicago Cubs trade LF Art Jahn (Age 23, 68/84), CF Mandy Brooks (Age 21, 68/80) to the St. Louis Browns for RF Baby Doll Johnson (Age 28, 86/92)
Somebody please stop the St. Louis Browns. Jahn and Brooks are interesting OF prospects, but there was no reason to trade Johnson. Johnson was under the team's control for another season, and the only reason to move a player of his caliber is if another team is willing to overpay for his services. The Cubs clearly didn't overpay as they were able to add a young solid corner OF to their already solid team.

July 28-St. Louis Cardinals trade RP Pea Ridge Day (Age 19, 65/79) to the St. Louis Browns for SP Rasty Wright (Age 23, 76/80)
Okay it stopped being funny. The Browns trade yet another player they don't have to for less than they are worth, but what's new. At least the talent is staying in St. Louis this time.

July 30-Pittsburgh Pirates trade SP Hippo Vaughn (Age 31, 88) to the Chicago Cubs for RF Harry Rice (Age 17, 62/82), 3B Buster Chatham (Age 17, 55/88), RP Joe Jaeger (Age 24, 67/79)
Hippo's two month exile from the Cubs is ended after he is traded for the third time this season. I actually like this deal for both sides. Hippo was overpaid and underachieving so far, and the Pirates weren't going anywhere this year. The Pirates turned him into three prospects that they can develop. The Cubs reacquired one of the better lefties in the game. Sure he isn't pitching like he has in the past, but there have been signs of him returning to form. And the Cubs come out way ahead compared to what they got from the Black Sox when they traded him in mid April.

July 31-Boston Red Sox trade CF Dick Reichle (Age 22, 70/82), 2B Mike Herrea (Age 21, 68/79), 1B John Perrin (Age 21, 67/80) to the Philadelphia Phillies for SP Eppa Rixey (Age 28, 89)
Son of a ******. The Red Sox have by far the deepest rotation in baseball with 7 starting pitchers with ERAs ranging from 2.34 to 4.20, and six of them with at least nine wins. The best team in baseball is serious about defending their world championship. The Phillies get what seems to be the standard price of three prospects that range from good to eh.

July 31-St. Louis Cardinals trade RP Will Koenigsmark (Age 23, 72/82), RP Oscar Tuero (Age 20, 67/79), RP George Scott (Age 23, 67/78), RP Fred Wigington (Age 21, 66/77) to the Philadelphia Phillies for CF Cy Williams (Age 31, 90)
St. Louis turns four relief prospects into one of the better CFs in baseball. Not a bad deal for the Cardinals. Williams was the biggest prize of all the trades. Williams plays a solid CF, and currently leads the National League with 18 homeruns. The Phillies save some cash, have a deeper bullpen and that is about it.

Whew...

[mbanghar]

Now that you've set yourself up in second place, you have only one team to focus on, and head-to-head matchups are the best way to make up ground. How many games do you have against the Red Sox this year?
Unfortunately I only have nine remaining games with the Red Sox. The Red Sox need to cool off, and my club has to stay red hot. But as you can now see the Red Sox pitching staff is ridiculous. However, the final three games of the year is at Boston, so if I can get close it could be a very interesting season after all.

[mbanghar]

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Black Sox Finish Red Hot July
but stumble to start August, fall another game back
by Ring Lardner
August 5, 1919-The Black Sox wrapped up their homestand with four against the dreaded Indians. Jocko Conlan got a rare start in CF. The starts are likely to become even more rarer sense the acquisition of switch hitting speedster Max Carey. Conlan went 0 for 4, and the rest of the lineup didn't do much better. Babe Adams lost his Black Sox debut as the Indians won 4-0 to start out the series. The Black Sox returned the favor to the Indians the next day by roughing up their newly acquired start Bert Gallia. Gallia didn't make it into the fourth as Shoeless Joe, Manush, and new starting 2B Lew Fonseca all collected 3 hits in Urban Shockers' 9-1 complete game win. Cicotte struggled in the next game, but managed to gut through six innings for his eleventh win. Cicotte helped his own cause with two hits and two runs in the 8-6 win. The series finale featured another complete game win by Joe Wood as the Black Sox finally solved the Cleveland Indians. Shoeless Joe collected another three hits to raise his season average to .368, but SS Swede Risberg was the unlikely offensive hero. Swede collected 3 hits and 3 RBIs in the Sox 7-2 win.

The Black Sox went to Philadelphia giving Babe Adams a mulligan on his first Chicago start, but Adams again failed to deliver going only four innings. He allowed four earned runs to earn his second loss, but the deciding run was allowed as a result of 3 errors that the Black Sox made. Urban Shocker was again solid in the middle game pitching a nine inning shutout. The Black Sox with a 10 run 4th inning won 14-0, but the joy was short lived for the Chicago club. The A's returned the favor handing Eddie Cicotte his fifth loss on the year during his shortest outing. Cicotte only last two innings as the A's pounded the Black Sox 15-4 to win the series. Lew Fonseca is doing his best to make the Black Sox fans forget fan favorite Buck Weaver. Fonseca hit safely in the first seven games since been the full time starter at second. Unforunately the hot hitting of Fonseca and Hack Wilson weren't enough though as the Black Sox dropped their second straight series against the lowly Atheltics.

A trip to New York though cured what was ailing the Black Sox. Joe Wood shut down the depleted Yankee offense after the two run first inning, and the Black Sox were able to pull ahead with single tallies in the sixth and seventh and two in the eighth to pull ahead. The Sox won 4-2 with every starter except Fonseca getting a hit. Babe Adams finally pitched like the Black Sox were hoping in the second game. Adams pitched a complete game shut out, and erased some of the doubts about his 37 yeard old right arm. The old man on the staff looked dominant, but the Yankees lineup is very inexperienced featuring six rookies and an average age just under 24. The last game of July featured the surprisingly rejuvenated spitball artist Urban Shocker. Shocker pitched 8 strong innings that allowed the Black Sox to hang close until a costly seventh inning error allowed the Sox three runs to win the series and the July finale 3-2. Two Sheds' club went 19-6 during July. The Black Sox red hot July moved the Sox from fourth to second place, but unable to gain any ground on the first place Red Sox.

The Sox had one more against the rebuilding Yankees, and it allowed another struggling Black Sox pitcher to gain a win. Veteran Eddie Cicotte went 7 strong innings to grab win number 12. Cicotte has a fine record, but the era is two runs higher than his career average right now. Lew Fonseca went 4 for 4 scored a run and drove one in. Max Carey also got going finally for the Sox with two hits, one run, and two stolen bases. Black Sox completed the four game sweep of the Yanks 3-2.

The Sox headed to Detroit to face the Tigers for three more before they get a seven game homestand. Both starters, Joe Wood and Howard Emhke, were shaky, but Detroit won the battle of the bullpens 7-6 to take the series opener. Adams showed he could dominant solid lineups in the middle set. He and Charlie Robertson combined on a 7 hit shutout. Homeruns by Shoeless Joe and Heinie Manush hit homeruns and had a combined 7 hits, 5 runs, and 3 runs driven in. Manush continues to impress. Besides his third homerun of the year, the 17 year old rookie is hitting .341 and his driven in 33 runs in 46 game and really solidified the lower part of the order as he has settled nicely into the sixth spot in the lineup providing fellow rookie Hack Wilson protection. The finale was a tough one to lose. Shocker gutted through five tough innings giving up five runs, but the Black Sox managed to score 6 in the 7th to take the lead 10-8. With Dickey Kerr on the mound, the Black Sox defense unraveled in the eighth. Hack Wilson has really struggled since moving to hot corner. His seventh error in 13 games allowed unearned runs to score as the Tigers took the series, and the Black Sox fell another game behind the Red Sox. After the game Two Sheds defended his move to have two OFs manning the corners of the infield by pointing out that they have outhit their mistakes this year, but that is little comfort to the Black Sox faithful as they lost 13-10 in a game they should have won.

The Black Sox come home for seven games to face the hapless Yankees and Browns before heading on the road for three at Philadelphia. Then four more at home against Detroit before the huge Boston series. The Black Sox are 9 games out of first place, and have exactly nine games left against the Red Sox. The Black Sox still control their fate, but it is a long shot to say the least.


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[JeepGuy63]

There's alot of baseball left but 9 games is alot to make up, especially against that pitching staff.

[mbanghar]

There's alot of baseball left but 9 games is alot to make up, especially against that pitching staff.
Tell me about it, but any guilt about some of those deals I made earlier was gone after I saw the moves that the computer made. The fact that they can throw solid starters as relievers. Oh well, we control our own fate technically, but it's a real long shot. After the next update is the first of the last three Boston series. I will be doing game by game updates of the Boston series as long as I am in it.

[mbanghar]

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Black Sox Wearing Down in Stretch of 32 Straight Games
by Ring Lardner
August 19, 1919-Facing the Yankees at home should have given the Black Sox a chance to pick up some games. However, Cicotte struggled and the team lost 7-5. The Red Sox beat the Tigers 13-9 to extend their lead to 10 games. The Black Sox came back with a vegenance against the Yankees with an 18-1 pounding. Every starter got a hit including the pitcher Joe Wood, and only C Roy Schalk had just one hit. The Red Sox maintained their 10 game lead with an 8-4 win over the Tigers. Last game of the series saw the Black Sox scratch out a 5-4 with a seventh inning tally off a Max Carey solo shot. The Red Sox just kept winning with a 7-2 victory over Detroit.

Down 10 games, the Black Sox beat the Browns at home 11-10. The game was tied at 10 in the eighth, but the Black Sox managed to get the winning run and hang onto an 11-10 win. The Red Sox lost 8-4 to the Tigers to reduce the lead to 9 games. The Browns won 12-4 after yet another shaky outing from Eddie Cicotte. The Red Sox picked the game back up pounding the A's 10-2. Joe Wood let down the Black Sox faithful for just the third time this year. The Browns got an easy 7-2 win, and the Black Sox lost another game to Red Sox as they won 8-7 over the Athletics. The Black Sox down 11 dug deep, and managed to beat the lowly Browns to salvage a split in the series. Manush hit his fourth homerun and Babe Adams was solid as the Black Sox won 8-2. The Red sox kept their full 11 game lead with a 2-1 win over the Atheltics.

The Black Sox traveled to Philadelphia now down 11 games. Urban Shocker only managed to last six innings, but got no help from the offense. The Black Sox went down to Atheltics yet again 6-1. The Red Sox built up a 12 game lead with a 9-3 win over the Yankees. Before the second game, Two Sheds Jackson hinted that Eddie Cicotte's spot in the rotation might be in jeopardy. Cicotte responded by going eight innings and only allowed an unearned run. Powered by Hack Wilson's seventh homerun the club won 5-2. The Yankees beat the Red Sox 5-2 to bring the Black Sox to 11 down. Back to back 3 run innings in the fifth and sixth would provide Joe Wood all the offense he would need in getting lucky win number 13. The Yankees win again, 4-2. The Red Sox lead is down to 10 games.

The Black Sox returned home with 11 games left before the next off day. The foe was the Tigers who were now virtually eliminated from the pennant, but would relish to play spoilers for the Black Sox. The Tigers came out swinging torching Babe Adams for 8 runs in an inning and a third. Babe Ruth's 22nd homerun wasn't enough to prevent the 10-4 loss, but the Yankees upset the Red Sox yet again 2-1. The Red Sox remained at 10 games. The Black Sox managed a 6-5 win. Urban Shocker didn't get the win, but pitched well and drove in two runs to help the Sox get another win. The Red Sox, now on the road, beat Washington 7-6 to keep their ten game cushion. The Black Sox took 10 innings to beat the Tigers 4-3. Cicotte again went 8 strong innings after being threatened with being demoted to the bullpen. The Red Sox again beat the Senators. The 4-3 win kept the lead at 10 games with one game before the big showdown between 1-2 in the American League. Joe Wood came out and pitched a complete game shutout to earn his 14th win on the year. Catcher Ray Schalk's first inning run would provide the difference but Shoeless Joe's three hits and two triples made it an easy 7-0 win. The Red Sox took a 3-2 lead into the ninth as Joe Bush tried to polish off a complete game win, but the Senators rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth. The Black Sox were back within 9 games heading into the first of the last nine games against the Red Sox. The Black Sox still controlled their own fate.


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[mbanghar]

Red Sox at Black Sox Preview
Pitching Matchups
August 19-Boston Red Sox RSP Carl Mays (17-4 2.49 ERA) vs. Chicago Black Sox RSP Babe Adams (12-7 3.12 ERA)
The Red Sox send their ace and possible best pitcher in the American League matches up against the Black Sox newly aquired veteran #2 starter. Mays features a fastball and a curveball. He works in the 87-89 mph range, but gets a ton of groundballs at an eye popping 44% rate. Babe Adams is also a fastball, curveball pitcher. He also sits in the 87-89 mph range, and gets groudballs at a good rate, 30%.

August 20-Boston Red Sox RSP Joe Bush (9-9 3.96 ERA) vs. Chicago Black Sox RSP Urban Shocker (11-9 3.90)
Joe Bush is a three pitch pitchers who uses a fastball, changeup, and curveball effectively. He usually pitchers in the 87-89 mph range, but profiles much more like a typically curveball pitcher. He will occasionally hang the breaking ball which results in more flyballs. He gets groundballs at a 27% rate. Urban Shocker has five pitches, but he likes to improvise on the mound. He has confirmed that he throws a fastball, curveball, his trademark spitball, a slow ball, and a slow spitter. He like all the pitchers so far top at 89 mph. He gets groundballs a third of the time. Bush is going to be pitching on only 3 days rest.

August 21-Boston Red Sox RSP Ray Caldwell (16-4 3.87 ERA) vs. Chicago Black Sox RSP Eddie Cicotte (13-6 4.79 ERA)
Caldwell is a two pitch pitcher. He throws a fastball and a spitball. He tends to get the most flyballs out of any pitcher in the series. He only manages to get groundballs 21% of the time. He also tops out at 89 mph. Knuckles with strong performances and his veteran status earned the start in the finale, which Two Sheds thought strongly about giving to surprising rookie lefty John Sullivan. Going with Cicotte though makes the bullpens a lot stronger adding the flame throwing lefty to the bullpen for the weekend series. Cicotte features a curveball and knuckleball to go along with the fastball that maxes out at 89 mph. Groundballs are 27% of the time for the right handed veteran.

Analysis-The Red Sox have this one on paper. The Red Sox are rolling out their 1-2-3 starters versus the Black Sox 2-3-4. The Red Sox also have a better staff statisically speaking. The Red Sox lead the majors in ERA with a sparkling 3.45 versus the Black Sox 4.61. The first game is the most lopsided, but don't count out the crafty veteran Adams. Joe Bush versus Urban Shocker is the only matchup that might rate as an edge for the Black Sox. The short rest should benefit the Black Sox hitters. The Black Sox have their work cut out for them.

Next up, analyzing the lineups for each club.

[mbanghar]

1919 Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Black Sox Preview
Lineup Breakdown

Catcher- Boston Red Sox Wally Schang (Bats:S .321 avg, 3 HRs, 67 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Ray Schalk (Bats:R .308 avg, 2 HRs, 59 RBIs)
Matchup of All Stars. Schang was voted the AL starter, and Schalk was chosen as a reserve. Both are plus defenders at the position, and have hit extremely well so far this year. Schalk has been slightly better at throwing out basestealers with a 52% to 47%, but Schang has been the better player this year.
Edge-Boston

First Base-Boston Red Sox Stuffy McInnis (Bats:R .366 avg, 1 HR, 88 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Heinie Manush (Bats:L .325 avg, 4 HRs, 43 RBIs)
McInnis at age 28 has had a fine year at 1B. He is hitting .366 on the year, but has very little power. Manush was drafted 7th overall this year, and has come straight up to produce a .325 avg with 4 HRs. Manush's 4 HRs have come in half the games. Both, surprisingly have been good defenders at 1B. McInnis has always been known as a good defender, but Manush had played LF before being drafted. Manush has slightly less range than McInnis, but has been as surehanded. McInnis was slected as a reserve in the all star.
Edge-Chicago

Second Base-Boston Red Sox Eddie Collins (Bats:L .373, 2 HRs, 84 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Lew Fonseca (Bats:R .368 avg, 2 HRs, 30 RBIs)
The big news in the offseason was the fact that the Boston Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Chicago Black Sox. What many forgot is that along with eight other players is that the Boston Red Sox got a former MVP in Eddie Collins in return. Collins currently leads the majors in batting average. He was voted the AL starter at 2B. Fonseca is the second starter at 2B for the Black Sox. The rookie was given the job after Buck Weaver was traded, along with P Hippo Vaughn, to get CF Max Carey and SP Babe Adams. Fonsece has looked good in the short amount of time he has played but his 136 ABs is only 17 more than the number of games that Eddie Collins has played in this year at 119. Fonseca might be the real deal, but we already know that Eddie Collins is.
Edge-Boston

Shortstop-Boston Red Sox Everett Scott (Bats:R .326 avg, 0 HR, 64 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Swede Risberg (Bats:R .273 avg, 2 HRs, 64 RBIs)
Scott is yet another Red Sox starter who is hitting higher than 300. He has no power, but he has contributed to the Red Sox success. The Black Sox Swede Risberg is the weakest link in the Black Sox offense. Despite having more homeruns, Swede has less power as shown by the gap in slugging percentage, .369 to .402. Scott is the better defender between the two. He is more surehanded and has better range than Swede Risberg.
Edge-Boston

Third Base-Boston Red Sox Fred McMullin (Bats:R .301 avg, 1 HR, 48 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Hack Wilson (Bats:R .274 avg, 7 HR, 69 RBIs)
This one is a real tough call. Hack Wilson is vastly the better offensive player, but Fred McMullin is vastly the better defensive player. Lets start with offense. Wilson is a force in the middle of the lineup. He doesn't hit for average, yet, but his 7 HRs in 95 games is impressive. McMullin, also traded from the Black Sox for Ruth, has hit for a surprisingly high average, nearly 30 points higher than career average. Has virtually no power though as shown by his .372 slugging percentage. Now defense is a completely different story. Hack Wilson plays like a man out of position, which he is. He was moved to the hot corner by the eccentric Two Sheds Jackson to get as much offense in the lineup after Max Carey was acquired. Wilson's .885 fielding percentage is brutal, but he has good range whish isn't too surprising considering he is a natural CF. McMullin is a solid defender. Not spectuclar, but he looks that way when compared with Hack. At the end of the day, Wilson out hits his mistakes and is more valuable than McMullin.
Edge-Chicago

Left Field-Boston Red Sox Frank Gilhooley (Bats:L .300 avg, 1 HR, 40 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson (Bats:L .368 avg, 7 HR, 73 RBIs)
Gilhooley has been a catalyst for the potent Red Sox offense. To go along with the 300 average, he has swiped 14 bags. Gilhooley plays a solid LF as well. Shoeless Joe is a legend. His .368 average leads the team, and he hits for power. He has slugged .539 percentage to go along with the 7 homeruns. Shoeless Joe's covers more ground than Gilhooley and makes all the plays.
Edge-Chicago

Center Field-Boston Red Sox Amos Strunk (Bats:L .313 avg, 1 HR, 62 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Max Carey (Bats:S .321 avg, 2 HRs, 49 RBIs)
Strunk has had another solid year in center for the Red Sox. Strunk has excellent speed to go along with hitting for a high average. Carey was brought in from Pittsburgh to be a top of the lineup catalyst. When Carey is on top of his game there are few better. Carey was hitting .348 with 30 stolen bases in Pittsburgh, but he has struggled to adjust to the American League. Carey has hit .233 with 3 stolen bases. On defense, Carey has more range, but Strunk is more surehanded. They both rate as plus defenders at a premium defensive position.
Edge-Boston

Right Field-Boston Red Sox Harry Hooper (Bats:L .305 avg, 6 HRs, 77 RBIs) vs. Chicago Black Sox Babe Ruth (Bats:L .316 avg, 22 HRs, 96 RBI)
Hooper is a quality right fielder. He hits for power with a good average. Ruth just does everything that Hooper does better. He hits for a higher average and much, much more power. Ruth is two homeruns from tying the single season homerun record. Both are excellent defenders in right field. Hooper has the stronger, more accurate arm.
Edge-Chicago

Final Analysis-The Red Sox are better on paper, but the Black Sox desperately need these games. The Black Sox have to win this series, and in all probablity need to take all three at home. The Black Sox get two more cracks at the Red Sox after this year, one in Chicago and one at Boston. There are only 24 games left and the Black Sox need to pick up 9 games before the schedule is up. With all that in mind this ought to be quite a series.

[mbanghar]

Amazing game was just going to post the box score, but figured you guys should read the play by play for yourselves, if you want:

Boston Red Sox at Chicago Black Sox
August 19, 1919

TOP OF THE FIRST
Babe Adams takes the mound for the Black Sox.
Frank Gilhooley grounded to first. <--->
Wally Schang grounded to first base. <--->
Eddie Collins walked. <--1>
Eddie Collins stole second. <-2->
Harry Hooper flied out to center. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Carl Mays takes the mound for the Red Sox.
Jocko Conlan tripled in the right field gap. <3-->
Jocko Conlan went for an extra base and was thrown out at home. <--->
Joe Jackson doubled down the left field line. <-2->
Joe Jackson was caught stealing third. <--->
Babe Ruth walked. <--1>
Hack Wilson flied out to right. <--1>
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
Stuffy McInnis popped up foul down the first base line. <--->
Amos Strunk lined out to right. <--->
Everett Scott grounded to the second baseman. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Heinie Manush singled to right. <--1>
Lew Fonseca popped up to the pitcher. <--1>
Ray Morehart singled back through the middle. <-21>
Joe Jenkins singled up the middle, scoring a run. <-21>
Babe Adams lined out to right. <-21>
Ray Morehart tagged up and reached third. <3-1>
Jocko Conlan flied out to center. <3-1>
1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the second, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
Fred McMullin flied out to right. <--->
Carl Mays popped up to second. <--->
Frank Gilhooley grounded to short. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Boston trails 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Joe Jackson flied out to right. <--->
Babe Ruth grounded to short. <--->
Hack Wilson walked. <--1>
Heinie Manush flied out to left. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the third, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Wally Schang grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Eddie Collins lined out to right field. <--->
Harry Hooper popped up to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Boston trails 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Lew Fonseca flied out to left. <--->
Ray Morehart flied out to center. <--->
Joe Jenkins walked. <--1>
Babe Adams singled through the left side. <-21>
Jocko Conlan popped up to second. <-21>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Stuffy McInnis flied out to center. <--->
Amos Strunk singled to left field. <--1>
Everett Scott flied out to center. <--1>
Fred McMullin flied out to left. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Boston trails 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Joe Jackson grounded to second. <--->
Babe Ruth walked. <--1>
Hack Wilson popped up to the second baseman. <--1>
Heinie Manush reached second on a throwing error by the third baseman. <32->
Lew Fonseca struck out. <32->
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Carl Mays reached first on a throwing error by the shortstop. <--1>
Frank Gilhooley bunts for a base hit down the first base line. <-21>
Wally Schang struck out. <-21>
Eddie Collins grounded to first, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Harry Hooper homered over the left field fence for three RBIs. <--->
Stuffy McInnis reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman. <--1>
Amos Strunk singled to left field, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Everett Scott struck out. <3-1>
3 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Boston leads 3 to 1.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Ray Morehart grounded to short. <--->
Joe Jenkins singled to left field. <--1>
Babe Adams laid down a sacrifice bunt to first. <-2->
Jocko Conlan walked. <-21>
Joe Jackson singled down the left field line, scoring a run. <3-1>
Babe Ruth walked. <321>
Hack Wilson grounded to short. <321>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 3 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Chicago trails 3 to 2.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Fred McMullin popped up to short. <--->
Carl Mays singled through the right side. <--1>
Frank Gilhooley laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. <-2->
Wally Schang lined out to left field. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Boston leads 3 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Heinie Manush singled to left. <--1>
Heinie Manush went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Lew Fonseca grounded to second. <3-->
The Red Sox brought the infield in.
Ray Morehart struck out. <3-->
Max Carey pinch hit for Joe Jenkins. <3-->
Max Carey grounded to third. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Chicago trails 3 to 2.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
John Sullivan came in to pitch for the Black Sox. <--->
Ray Schalk came in to play Catcher. <--->
Eddie Collins walked. <--1>
Harry Hooper laid down a sacrifice bunt to the catcher. <-2->
Stuffy McInnis flied out to center. <-2->
Amos Strunk lined out to the shortstop. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Boston leads 3 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Earl Sheely pinch hit for John Sullivan. <--->
Ossie Vitt came in to play Third Base. <--->
Earl Sheely singled to right. <--1>
Jocko Conlan laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. <-2->
Joe Jackson singled to left, scoring a run. <--1>
Sam Jones came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--1>
Babe Ruth grounded to short. <-2->
Hack Wilson grounded to short. <-2->
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, the game is tied at 3.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Ted Lyons came in to pitch for the Black Sox. <--->
Everett Scott flied out to right field. <--->
Ossie Vitt grounded to second. <--->
Ray Grimes pinch hit for Sam Jones. <--->
Ray Grimes singled down the right field line. <--1>
Frank Gilhooley grounded to first. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, the game is tied at 3.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Reb Russell came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--->
Heinie Manush singled through the right side. <--1>
Lew Fonseca laid down a sacrifice bunt to first. <-2->
Ray Morehart flied out to right. <-2->
Ray Schalk lined out to short. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the ninth, the game is tied at 3.

TOP OF THE TENTH
Wally Schang popped up to the second baseman. <--->
Eddie Collins reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman. <--1>
Harry Hooper laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. <-2->
Stuffy McInnis walked. <-21>
Amos Strunk reached second on a throwing error by the third baseman - a run scored. <32->
Everett Scott singled down the third base line for two RBIs. <--1>
Ossie Vitt popped up to short. <--1>
3 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the tenth, Boston leads 6 to 3.

BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
Fred Bratschi pinch hit for Ted Lyons. <--->
Fred Bratschi doubled down the left field line. <-2->
Jocko Conlan singled up the middle. <3-1>
Joe Jackson singled to left, scoring a run. <-21>
Babe Ruth singled to left, scoring a run. <-21>
Hack Wilson grounded to first base, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Heinie Manush reached second on a throwing error by the third baseman - a run scored. <32->
Lew Fonseca flied out to right. <32->
Ray Morehart flied out to right field. <32->
3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the tenth, the game is tied at 6.

TOP OF THE ELEVENTH
Dickey Kerr came in to pitch for the Black Sox. <--->
Eddie Murphy pinch hit for Reb Russell. <--->
Eddie Murphy popped up to third. <--->
Frank Gilhooley grounded to short. <--->
Wally Schang singled back through the middle. <--1>
Eddie Collins doubled down the right field line. <32->
Wally Schang went for an extra base and reached home, scoring a run. <-2->
Harry Hooper walked. <-21>
Stuffy McInnis singled down the left field line, scoring a run. <3-1>
Amos Strunk grounded to second. <3-1>
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the eleventh, Boston leads 8 to 6.

BOTTOM OF THE ELEVENTH
Hal Deviney came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--->
Ray Schalk flied out to center. <--->
Dickey Kerr lined out to right. <--->
Jocko Conlan grounded to second. <--->

RED SOX WIN: 8-6

[mbanghar]

Had multiple chances to win it against their ace, and shoddy defense by Hack Wilson cost me again. It is becoming hard to justify leaving him at the hot corner, but I really need his bat in the lineup. The first inning was tough as well since Jocko Conlan hit a triple but was thrown out trying to stretch it into an inside the park homerun. That was followed up with a double by Shoeless Joe. Jackson tried to steal third, but was thrown out at third. The Black Sox gave up two outs before Ruth had a chance to swing the bat. Tough, tough loss.

Boston Red Sox at Chicago Black Sox
August 19, 1919

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Red Sox (BOS) 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 8 10 2
Black Sox (CHW) 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 6 16 4

BOSTON ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
F. Gilhooley (LF) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
W. Schang (C) 6 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 .319
E. Collins (2B) 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 .372
H. Hooper (RF) 3 1 1 1 1 3 0 0 .305
S. McInnis (1B) 5 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 .364
A. Strunk (CF) 6 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .314
E. Scott (SS) 5 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 .325
F. McMullin (3B) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
O. Vitt (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
C. Mays (P) 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .221
S. Jones (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .150
R. Grimes (P) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .446
R. Russell (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
E. Murphy (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .260
H. Deviney (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 44 10 4 8 1 7 2 1

2B: E. Collins (25)
HR: H. Hooper (7)

BOSTON ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
C. Mays 7.1 11 6 0 3 3 2 112 2.54
S. Jones 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2.50
R. Russell 2.0 5 0 0 3 2 0 39 4.06
H. Deviney 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1.74
TOTALS 11.0 16 6 0 6 5 2 164

CHICAGO ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
J. Conlan (CF) 5 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .281
J. Jackson (LF) 6 4 0 1 0 3 0 0 .372
B. Ruth (RF) 3 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 .316
H. Wilson (3B) 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .271
H. Manush (1B) 6 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .329
L. Fonseca (SS) 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .355
R. Morehart (2B) 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .300
J. Jenkins (C) 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 .250
M. Carey (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .320
R. Schalk (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .307
B. Adams (P) 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .188
J. Sullivan (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318
E. Sheely (P) 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .287
T. Lyons (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
F. Bratschi (P) 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .429
D. Kerr (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
TOTALS 46 16 6 6 0 5 2 0

2B: F. Bratschi (5), J. Jackson (35), H. Manush (16)
3B: J. Conlan (2)
CS: J. Jackson

[JeepGuy63]

It's a tough one to lose but it is only the first and against their top ace, if not the best pitcher in the league.

[mbanghar]

Re Jeep Guy: I think it wasn't the fact that I lost, but the fact that I probably should've won that game. But it hardly ends my season.


Boston Red Sox at Chicago Black Sox
August 20, 1919

TOP OF THE FIRST
Urban Shocker takes the mound for the Black Sox.
Frank Gilhooley popped up to second. <--->
Amos Strunk popped up to second. <--->
Stuffy McInnis reached second on a throwing error by the third baseman. <-2->
Harry Hooper grounded to second. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Ray Caldwell takes the mound for the Red Sox.
Max Carey walked. <--1>
Ray Schalk grounded to first base. <-2->
Joe Jackson singled to center, scoring a run. <--1>
Joe Jackson was caught stealing second. <--->
Babe Ruth flied out to right. <--->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the first, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
Wally Schang walked. <--1>
Everett Scott popped up foul down the third base line. <--1>
Fred McMullin singled through the left side. <-21>
Ossie Vitt lined out to center. <-21>
Ray Caldwell flied out to center field. <-21>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the second, Boston trails 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Hack Wilson lined out to right. <--->
Heinie Manush popped up to short. <--->
Lew Fonseca walked. <--1>
Swede Risberg lined out to left. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
Frank Gilhooley grounded to third. <--->
Amos Strunk flied out to left field. <--->
Stuffy McInnis grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Boston trails 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Urban Shocker singled to center. <--1>
Max Carey flied out to center field. <--1>
Ray Schalk grounded to the shortstop, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Ray Schalk stole second. <-2->
Joe Jackson walked. <-21>
Babe Ruth flied out to left. <-21>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the third, Chicago leads 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Harry Hooper struck out. <--->
Wally Schang struck out. <--->
Everett Scott walked. <--1>
Everett Scott was caught stealing second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Boston trails 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Hack Wilson walked. <--1>
Heinie Manush grounded to second. <-2->
Wally Schang allowed a passed ball. <3-->
Lew Fonseca flied out to left. <3-->
Hack Wilson tagged up and reached home, scoring a run. <--->
Swede Risberg flied out to center. <--->
1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Chicago leads 2 to 0.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Fred McMullin grounded to first. <--->
Ossie Vitt flied out to left. <--->
Ray Caldwell flied out to right. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Boston trails 2 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Urban Shocker singled to center field. <--1>
Urban Shocker went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Max Carey singled to right, scoring a run. <--1>
Max Carey went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Ray Schalk lined out to left field. <-2->
Joe Jackson lined out to center. <-2->
Max Carey tagged up and reached third. <3-->
Babe Ruth struck out. <3-->
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Chicago leads 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Frank Gilhooley flied out to center. <--->
Amos Strunk lined out to center. <--->
Stuffy McInnis grounded to first. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Boston trails 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Hack Wilson grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Heinie Manush grounded to second. <--->
Lew Fonseca grounded to the second baseman. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Chicago leads 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Earl Sheely came in to play First Base. <--->
Harry Hooper grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Wally Schang dribbled weakly in front of home plate. <--->
Everett Scott singled back through the middle. <--1>
Fred McMullin singled through the right side. <-21>
Eddie Collins pinch hit for Ossie Vitt. <-21>
Eddie Collins grounded to the pitcher. <-21>
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Boston trails 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Swede Risberg flied out to center. <--->
Urban Shocker popped up behind home plate. <--->
Max Carey struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Chicago leads 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Eddie Murphy pinch hit for Ray Caldwell. <--->
Eddie Murphy flied out to center. <--->
Frank Gilhooley popped up to short. <--->
Amos Strunk reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman. <--1>
Stuffy McInnis lined out to right. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Boston trails 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Sam Jones came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--->
Ray Schalk was hit by a pitch. <--1>
Joe Jackson singled to center. <-21>
Babe Ruth hit an infield single to short. <321>
Hack Wilson hit an infield single to the shortstop, scoring a run. <321>
Earl Sheely grounded to second, scoring a run. <32->
Sam Jones threw a wild pitch - a run scored. <3-->
Lew Fonseca grounded to first base. <3-->
Swede Risberg flied out to left. <3-->
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, Chicago leads 6 to 0.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Harry Hooper grounded to second. <--->
Wally Schang struck out. <--->
Everett Scott flied out to left. <--->

BLACK SOX WIN: 6-0

[mbanghar]

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/18.gif

Easy win, as Shocker was dominant. Ruth just missed a homerun in his first two at bats, but a nice win to move back to 9 back.


Boston Red Sox at Chicago Black Sox
August 20, 1919

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Red Sox (BOS) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Black Sox (CHW) 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 x 6 7 2

BOSTON ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
F. Gilhooley (LF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
A. Strunk (CF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
S. McInnis (1B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .361
H. Hooper (RF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .303
W. Schang (C) 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 .317
E. Scott (SS) 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .325
F. McMullin (3B) 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .302
O. Vitt (2B) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
E. Collins (2B) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .371
R. Caldwell (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .213
E. Murphy (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257
S. Jones (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .150
TOTALS 31 3 2 0 0 0 3 0

CS: E. Scott

BOSTON ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
R. Caldwell 7.0 4 4 0 3 3 2 104 3.87
S. Jones 1.0 3 0 0 3 3 0 21 2.82
TOTALS 8.0 7 4 0 6 6 2 125

CHICAGO ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
M. Carey (CF) 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 .320
R. Schalk (C) 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 .305
J. Jackson (LF) 3 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 .374
B. Ruth (RF) 4 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 .315
H. Wilson (3B) 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 .271
H. Manush (1B) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .325
E. Sheely (P) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .286
L. Fonseca (2B) 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .350
S. Risberg (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .271
U. Shocker (P) 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .286
TOTALS 29 7 4 6 0 5 2 1

2B: M. Carey (30), U. Shocker (5)
HBP: R. Schalk
CS: J. Jackson

CHICAGO ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
U. Shocker 9.0 3 2 0 0 0 3 94 3.74
TOTALS 9.0 3 2 0 0 0 3 94

WP: U. Shocker (12-9)
LP: R. Caldwell (16-5)

Temperature: 67F
Wind: 4 MPH (in from right)
Attendance: 28,800
Time: 2:23

[mbanghar]

Boston Red Sox at Chicago Black Sox
August 21, 1919

TOP OF THE FIRST
Eddie Cicotte takes the mound for the Black Sox.
Eddie Collins singled to right field. <--1>
Eddie Collins stole second. <-2->
Amos Strunk grounded to short. <3-->
Stuffy McInnis struck out. <3-->
Harry Hooper singled up the middle, scoring a run. <--1>
Wally Schang walked. <-21>
Everett Scott singled up the middle, scoring a run. <-21>
Frank Gilhooley walked. <321>
Fred McMullin struck out. <321>
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 3 left on base.
In the middle of the first, Boston leads 2 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Red Faber takes the mound for the Red Sox.
Max Carey singled into right field. <--1>
Ray Schalk flied out to center field. <--1>
Joe Jackson grounded to third. <-2->
Babe Ruth grounded to second. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the first, Chicago trails 2 to 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
Red Faber struck out. <--->
Eddie Collins singled up the middle. <--1>
Amos Strunk grounded to second. <-2->
Stuffy McInnis singled to center, scoring a run. <--1>
Harry Hooper homered over the right field fence for two RBIs. <--->
Wally Schang struck out. <--->
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, Boston leads 5 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Hack Wilson popped up to the second baseman. <--->
Heinie Manush struck out. <--->
Lew Fonseca struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the second, Chicago trails 5 to 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
Everett Scott struck out. <--->
Frank Gilhooley singled up the middle. <--1>
Fred McMullin popped up to the pitcher. <--1>
Eddie Cicotte threw a wild pitch. <-2->
Red Faber struck out. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Boston leads 5 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Swede Risberg popped up to first. <--->
Earl Sheely pinch hit for Eddie Cicotte. <--->
Earl Sheely walked. <--1>
Max Carey singled down the first base line. <-21>
Ray Schalk grounded to third, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Joe Jackson grounded to first. <3-1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the third, Chicago trails 5 to 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Frank Shellenback came in to pitch for the Black Sox. <--->
Eddie Collins lined out to right. <--->
Amos Strunk struck out. <--->
Stuffy McInnis grounded to short. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Boston leads 5 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Babe Ruth walked. <--1>
Hack Wilson flied out to center field. <--1>
Heinie Manush doubled to deep right field. <32->
Lew Fonseca singled to left field for two RBIs. <--1>
Swede Risberg flied out to center. <--1>
Lew Fonseca stole second. <-2->
Frank Shellenback flied out to center field. <-2->
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Chicago trails 5 to 2.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Harry Hooper walked. <--1>
Wally Schang lined out to center. <--1>
Everett Scott doubled down the right field line, scoring a run. <-2->
Frank Gilhooley flied out to center. <-2->
Fred McMullin flied out to center. <-2->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Boston leads 6 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Max Carey hit an infield single to the third baseman. <--1>
Ray Schalk grounded back to the pitcher, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Joe Jackson lined out to right. <--1>
Babe Ruth homered over the right field fence for two RBIs. <--->
Hack Wilson struck out. <--->
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Chicago trails 6 to 4.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Eddie Murphy pinch hit for Red Faber. <--->
Eddie Murphy singled to right. <--1>
Eddie Collins walked. <-21>
Amos Strunk lined out to right. <-21>
Eddie Collins was doubled off first. <-2->
Stuffy McInnis singled to right, scoring a run. <--1>
Harry Hooper flied out to center. <--1>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Boston leads 7 to 4.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Reb Russell came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--->
Heinie Manush singled to center. <--1>
Lew Fonseca flied out to left. <--1>
Swede Risberg reached first on a fielding error by the second baseman. <-21>
Frank Shellenback flied out to center. <-21>
Max Carey singled to left, scoring a run. <3-1>
Fred Bratschi pinch hit for Ray Schalk. <3-1>
Wally Schang allowed a passed ball - a run scored. <-2->
Fred Bratschi walked. <-21>
Joe Jackson grounded to the pitcher. <-21>
2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Chicago trails 7 to 6.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Joe Jenkins came in to play Catcher. <--->
Wally Schang walked. <--1>
Everett Scott laid down a sacrifice bunt to the third baseman. <-2->
Frank Gilhooley popped up foul down the third base line. <-2->
Fred McMullin grounded to the pitcher. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Boston leads 7 to 6.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Babe Ruth singled to right. <--1>
Hack Wilson grounded back to the pitcher, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Heinie Manush grounded to third, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Heinie Manush stole second. <-2->
Lew Fonseca popped up foul down the third base line. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Chicago trails 7 to 6.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
John Sullivan came in to pitch for the Black Sox. <--->
Ray Grimes pinch hit for Reb Russell. <--->
Ray Grimes grounded to second. <--->
Eddie Collins singled to left field. <--1>
Joe Jenkins allowed a passed ball. <-2->
Amos Strunk was hit by a pitch. <-21>
Stuffy McInnis flied out to left. <-21>
Harry Hooper reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman. <321>
Wally Schang popped up to the first baseman in foul ground. <321>
0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, and 3 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Boston leads 7 to 6.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Sam Jones came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--->
Ossie Vitt came in to play Second Base. <--->
Swede Risberg singled through the right side. <--1>
Swede Risberg went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Willie Kamm pinch hit for John Sullivan. <-2->
Willie Kamm popped up behind home plate. <-2->
Swede Risberg stole third. <3-->
The Red Sox brought the infield in.
Max Carey grounded to the second baseman, scoring a run. <--->
Joe Jenkins flied out to center. <--->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, the game is tied at 7.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Charlie Robertson came in to pitch for the Black Sox. <--->
Everett Scott singled back through the middle. <--1>
Frank Gilhooley laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. <-2->
Fred McMullin popped up to short. <-2->
Chick Gandil pinch hit for Sam Jones. <-2->
Chick Gandil walked. <-21>
Ossie Vitt doubled down the first base line for two RBIs. <-2->
Amos Strunk singled to right field, scoring a run. <--1>
Amos Strunk advanced on the error by Babe Ruth. <-2->
Stuffy McInnis grounded to short. <-2->
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, Boston leads 10 to 7.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Hal Deviney came in to pitch for the Red Sox. <--->
Joe Jackson doubled to right. <-2->
Joe Jackson advanced on the error by Harry Hooper. <3-->
Babe Ruth grounded to first, scoring a run. <--->
Hack Wilson flied out to right field. <--->
Heinie Manush grounded to the pitcher. <--->

RED SOX WIN: 10-8

[mbanghar]

Another heartbreaker, I decided to go with Cicotte, and regretted it as he made it through two innings. I could have gone with Wood on short rest, but figured Cicotte had been going good and his numbers were slighty better against the Red Sox. None of the starters I have really had good numbers against the Red Sox. To top it all off I lost Babe Adams for two weeks. Anyways 10 games back with 21 games left, that would be quite a miracle.


Boston Red Sox at Chicago Black Sox
August 21, 1919

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Red Sox (BOS) 2 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 10 14 2
Black Sox (CHW) 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 1 1 8 11 2

BOSTON ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
E. Collins (2B) 4 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 .374
O. Vitt (P) 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 .292
A. Strunk (CF) 5 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .309
S. McInnis (1B) 6 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .361
H. Hooper (RF) 4 2 1 3 1 3 0 0 .304
W. Schang (C) 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 .315
E. Scott (SS) 4 3 0 1 0 2 1 0 .329
F. Gilhooley (LF) 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .296
F. McMullin (3B) 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .298
R. Faber (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 .207
E. Murphy (P) 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .264
R. Russell (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
R. Grimes (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .440
S. Jones (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .150
C. Gandil (P) 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 .440
H. Deviney (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 39 14 6 10 1 10 7 1

2B: E. Scott (20), O. Vitt (4)
HR: H. Hooper (8)
HBP: A. Strunk

BOSTON ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
R. Faber 5.0 6 2 1 4 4 3 86 3.14
R. Russell 2.0 3 1 0 2 0 0 33 3.95
S. Jones 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 9 2.90
H. Deviney 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 13 2.38
TOTALS 9.0 11 3 1 8 6 3 141

CHICAGO ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
M. Carey (CF) 5 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 .325
R. Schalk (C) 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .303
F. Bratschi (P) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .429
J. Jenkins (C) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238
J. Jackson (LF) 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .372
B. Ruth (RF) 4 2 1 2 1 3 0 0 .317
H. Wilson (3B) 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .268
H. Manush (1B) 5 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 .327
L. Fonseca (2B) 4 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 .347
S. Risberg (SS) 4 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 .270
E. Cicotte (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .239
E. Sheely (P) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .286
F. Shellenback (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
J. Sullivan (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318
W. Kamm (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
C. Robertson (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 39 11 3 8 1 7 3 3

2B: J. Jackson (36), S. Risberg (27), H. Manush (17)
HR: B. Ruth (23)

CHICAGO ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
E. Cicotte 3.0 7 2 1 5 5 6 67 4.94
F. Shellenback 4.0 3 3 0 2 2 1 67 7.11
J. Sullivan 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 23 3.78
C. Robertson 1.0 3 1 0 3 3 0 21 4.98
TOTALS 9.0 14 6 1 10 10 7 178

WP: S. Jones (6-4)
LP: C. Robertson (2-2)
SV: H. Deviney (10)

Temperature: 68F
Wind: 2 MPH (out to right)
Attendance: 28,800
Time: 3:21

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Oof.

[mbanghar]

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Up and Down Season Finally Ends for the Black Sox
by Ring Lardner
September 22, 1919-The Black Sox season ended today with a 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The game was yet another game that the Black Sox could have won, but two errors and poor pitching turned another victory into defeat. The game was symbolic of the Black Sox entire season. The Black Sox started off slow, but came back to play hard in the middle only to blow it all in the end.

The Black Sox were in fourth place with a 44-36 record at the start of July. The club went 19-6 to leapfrog ahead of Detroit and Cleveland to move into second place. Chicago went into the final 24 games down nine games with nine against Boston. The Black Sox managed to win only four games against the Red Sox and 11 more against the rest of the schedule to finish with an 89-55 record on the year. The Black Sox ended up with the third best record in baseball, but at the end of the year it amounts to the same as finishing in last place.

Highlights of the year:
3. Rookie Heinie Manush as a 17 year old in the majors hit .314 on the year with 5 HRs. He added a left handed bat to the lower part of the order that balanced what was a right handed dominant lineup.

2. Joe Wood and Urban Shocker acquired in trades. These were two moves that paid off big time for the Black Sox. Wood went 16-6 with a 3.09 ERA once he put on the Black Stockings, and Urban Shocker went 8-3 with a 3.11 ERA. Pitchers really struggled for the Black Sox at the start of the year. Veteran Eddie Cicotte was suppose to be the ace, but he faltered so badly that he ended up in the bullpen for part of the year. Wood and Shocker give the Black Sox a dominant 1-2 front end of the rotation that matches up with any combination in the league, and with both at age 29 they should remain at that level for a while.

1. The Babe was the Babe. Ruth broke the single season homerun record on September 19 against the Philadelphia Atheltics. The record is now 26 homeruns in a single season. Ruth is the premier power hitter in the game right now, and single handedly makes the Black Sox offense feared.

Lowlights of the season:
3. The third base experiment for Hack Wilson was a failure. Two Sheds Jackson took full responsbility for the lackluster fielding, but creates a serious problem. The Black Sox have young Willie Kam who has a solid glove and decent eye at the plate, but that is about it to plug in at third base. The outfield is set for the foreseeable future with Jackson, Carey, and Ruth. Wilson is going to get a chance to redeem himself, and with a spring training to work out at the hot corner he should improve. But honestly it would be hard to be as bad as he was last season. In 58 games he made 37 errors that resulted in an .808 fielding percentage.

2. Starting out 12-13 in the month of April. The old saying is you can't win championships in April, but you can definitely lose them. The Black Sox did not lose the season because of a poor April, but it certainly didn't help. The Black Sox started the year 5-8, and rallied to finish a single game under .500 in the month of April. The games behind that the Black Sox were never made up at any point, and getting off to a fast start is a must next season.

1. What happened to Knucles Cicotte? Eddie Cicotte had been steady Eddie for the Black Sox. He had a career ERA of 2.54 heading into the season. For most of the year Knuckles ERA was above 5. He managed to bring it down to an atrocious 4.82. Cicotte's poor performance caused the Black Sox to go out and get the over the hill Babe Adams, who also failed once he got here. One can't help but think that if Cicotte had performed like in years past that the Black Sox could have been at least 5 games better if not more.



Final Stats:
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[mbanghar]

Final Statistical Leaders

AL Batting
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AL Pitching
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NL Batting
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NL Pitching
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[PotatoOfCouch13]

Just one thing:

For the pitching leaders pictures, you have "strikeouts". That is for hitters. If you want to show pitching strikeouts, click the "Strikeouts Pitched" tab just below it.

Successful season, hopefully the Bambino will stick around for years to come.

[mbanghar]

Re PotatoofCoach:Fixed the problem. I knew that, but was trying to do it fast this morning. Thanks for catchng the error.

***
Boston Red Sox Sweep Giants for Back to Back Championships

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[PotatoOfCouch13]

Well...that was...dominating...

At least you finished second to an outstanding team! There's really no shame in that.

[mbanghar]

1919 Offseason
October 13, 1919-I waited nervously outside Mr. Comiskey's office. My club, nicknamed by writers in the town like Ring Lardner, the Black Sox because of the dirty socks my players wore had finished in second place. The club had improved by 22 games from 1918, but still I was worried about my future. At the beginning of the year Comi and I had agreed to meet on November 1st to discuss the past season and plan for next year. However, Mr. Comiskey had me summoned over two weeks earlier than planned to meet today, Friday the 13th.

I had to a right to be nervous. My predecessor, Pants Rowland, had won the world series two years ago, but his first losing season resulted in him losing his job. I was a washed up Federal League pitcher, best known for being part of the Kansas City Packers collapse in later August of 1915. Comiskey had hired me when the Federal League folded after 1915 when no one else would. Comiskey didn't want me to pitch for his club, though. He hired me to scout the former Federal League players, and make suggestions as to who his White Sox should sign. Three years later, Comiskey had saved me from obscurity by naming me manager and giving me complete control over the roster.

As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't help but think how Comiskey had plucked me from obscurity, at best though perhaps infamy at the time, and how easy it would be for him to send me back. I remembered hearing that the Sacramento Solons in the Pacific Coast League had removed their manager. While thinking about how nice the weather would be out in California, the deafening silence was finally broken when Mr. Comiskey's secretary informed me that Comiskey would see me now.

Walking into the large office, the first thing I noticed was that Mr. Comiskey did not look happy. "Have a seat, Two Sheds." I quickly sat in the chair directly opposite Mr. Comiskey sitting at the large oak desk. Preparing for the first I waited anxiously for Comi's next words. "You're probably wondering why I called you in a fortnight earlier then planned. Let me ease your mind a bit, by telling you that I think the club did a fine job getting 89 wins, and that I want you to continue to run my ballclub." He revealed to me that the ballclub had sellouts almost every game, I already knew that having been to all the game. Comiskey was looking forward to next season to get a crack at those pesky Red Sox who had won the world series now four out of the last five years.

Feeling more comfortable, with thoughts of California fading fast, I felt bold enough to ask why Comiskey had called the meeting so early. "I needed to inform you that there are some big changes coming."

"More changes? Bigger then the first draft this year?"

"Much bigger. Ban Johnson, the fool, has given the league to the players!" Comiskey explained how the Supreme Court had ruled earlier in the week that the reserve clause was unconstitutional. This had been set in motion by the American Federation of Labor leader Samuel Gompers took up the cause of the professional ball player. Gompers wanted legitimacy from the courts and the publicity from supporting atheltes. Ban Johnson, the American League President, and at the time National League President, John K. Tener, picked the lawyers to represent the owners. The Supreme Court shocked almost everyone agreeing with the Gompers led players that the free market was a fundamental constitutional right.

Comiskey went on to explain that after meeting with the Supreme Court, Johnson and now National League President, John A. Heydler had devised a complicated set of rules on who was and how players could become what was been called free agents. The rules were complicated, but the final outcome was that the following Sox were free agents, pitchers Leefty Williams, Babe Adams, Mike Peltier, Dave Danforth and most importantly Babe Ruth!

Comiskey was furious at the decision because he knew that players could demand more money and use the owners against each other to get it. His initial demand was that we refuse to sign any of these so called free agents as he called them. My earlier feelings of elation about keeping my job were fading fast as I saw star players like Ruth, Williams, and Adams walking out the door. I had to think fast. I spent the next hour convincing Comi how this free agent thing could work out in his favor. After many tense moments, at one point I thought I had talked myself back out of the job, Comi agreed with my plan.

My plan was straight forward enough. I resign the free agents we need next year. After negoitating with Comiskey, it was decided that Ruth, Williams and Peltier would be retained for next year. He would raise ticket prices a penny to help cover the added cost, and with his permission I could sign any free agent I wanted in the free agent period which began today. Comiskey should me a list of players that were set to become free agents that day. I saw one name that jumped out right away. It was a little used shortstop on the Philadelphia Atheltics named Joe Dugan. Dugan was a high energy player. He hadn't hit much in the big leagues yet, but he was a slick fielding shortstop. I couldn't think of a better target. Dugan accomplished two things for the ball club right away, improved team defense and added depth to the bench. Dugan would require Hack Wilson to cover less ground at third, and would push Swede Risberg to a utility role to strengthen a very thin bench. Comiskey gave me the go ahead to sign Joe Dugan.

The last bit of news was good to hear as well. Comiskey informed me that the league had decided against banning the spitball and scuffball. The move was contemplated before the year began to increase offense, but last year was a record setting year for runs scored. This was great news since my number 2 starter, Urban Shocker, really relied on his spitball to be effective.

The meeting finally ended after four hours. I was still the manager of the Chicago American League ballclub for another year.

[mbanghar]

1919 Offseason Review (Part 2)
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Resigning Babe Ruth was made all the more critical after he won the AL MVP. The negotiations resulted in a five year deal for the surprisingly low cost of $28,800. A new invention in contract negotiations is the no trade clause, and the Bambino demanded it. Despite my reluctance to give it to any player, I knew that I had nothing to stand on in this one. Bottom line Ruth is going to be the Right Fielder for Chicago till 1924 at the very least, and that means that my current outfield is locked up to 1922 with Shoeless Joe's and Max Carey's contracts running out in three years.


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My big free agent target didn't come cheap. I might regret giving Dugan that much money, but I realy like the extra defense he provides. Also if not this year in the near future, he should hit for a decent average. If he continues to hit low .200s the deal could be a big bust for the amount I am paying a slick defending no hitting shortstop.


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This move was a surprise for me. I was looking to acquire a starting pitcher to fill the void left by fan favorite Babe Adams. I put the three players in this deal on the trading block, and was surprised with the offer that the Red Sox made. They offered back 2B Eddie Collins. Collins had a monster year for the Red Sox hitting third for most of the year and then leadoff. Collins hit well over 400 for most of the year, but faded a bit towards the end. The chance to reacquire Collins was too much to pass up, even if it left my pitching a little thin. Adding Collins adds another top of the order hitter to pair with Max Carey that makes my 1-5 spots in the lineup very dangerous. The move also strengthens the bench since last year's starter Lew Fonseca will now also be on the bench with Swede.


Other Moves
that didn't make the headlines
Released SP Babe Adams/Signed SP Lefty Williams to a 1 year extension at $9,400-These moves really coincide with each other. Each pitcher's contract was up at the end of the year, and each wanted about the same amount of money. THe problem was that with the money Ruth and Dugan got there was room in the budget for only one of their salary. It was a tough choice with Adams having the much better year last year, but Williams being 12 years younger. I decided to go with youth in the deal, and hope that the hip injury last year didn't derail his career too much.

RP Mike Peltier resigned to a two year extension at $3000-Peltier was solid in relief last year. His 3.45 ERA show that along with his 11 saves. He split closing duties with the disgruntled Dickey Kerr. If Kerr becomes too much of a disraction, then Peltier could be used as the closer. He also has enough endurance to fill in as a starter which adds to his value.

C Pinch Thomas signed to a 2 year $900 contract-This move was under appreciated by the papers, but really fits nicely with the overhaul of my bench. Thomas is a veteran, good catch and throw backup catcher to pair with Ray Schalk. Thomas also adds another left handed stick to the bench. He isn't going to hit a ton, but he isn't helpless at the plate. His price was right, and should really help make the club stronger.


Opening Day Roster
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[mbanghar]

May 1, 1920

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The first month of the season presented many interesting challenges. The offense started off slowly. For the first two weeks of the season half of the lineup was hitting around .200 and only one homerun. Babe Ruth was hitting .244, Hack Wilson was hitting .239, Heinie Manush was hitting .185, and newly acquired SS Joe Dugan was hitting .140.

The offense exploded in the final two weeks with Shoeless Joe Jackson, Babe Ruth, and Hack Wilson racking up big hits. The trio combined for seven homeruns during that stretch. Ruth has hit .359 during the stretch, and Hack Wilson has hit .349. More encouraging has been the different ways in which this club can hurt their opponents. Eddie Collins has twice as many stolen bases as anyone in the American League with 12. At least twice in the young season, he has stolen second and third in the same inning to score runs. The combination of speed with Collins and Carey at the top has turned a good offense into the best offense in the big leagues.

Heinie Manush suffered a big injury at the half way point of the month. He suffered a stretch knee ligament that resulted in him being lost for a month. Earl Sheeley has filled in decently at 1B. Manush was struggling big time at the time of the injury so the offensive output has increased at 1B, but the club really could use his left handed power at the bottom of the lineup.


1920 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Schalk, Ray CHW 25 .340 97 33 5 0 0 13 11 2 2 14 11 .392 .420
Ruth, Babe CHW 25 .330 91 30 4 1 3 24 8 1 0 21 22 .495 .462
Dugan, Joe CHW 25 .245 94 23 8 1 0 3 10 0 0 10 12 .351 .270
Jackson, Joe CHW 25 .425 106 45 9 2 3 10 12 2 3 26 21 .632 .479
Wilson, Hack CHW 25 .307 101 31 10 2 2 9 7 0 0 13 23 .505 .357
Carey, Max CHW 25 .264 106 28 6 2 0 15 19 1 0 20 12 .358 .361
Collins, Eddie CHW 24 .301 103 31 6 0 0 15 5 12 2 20 6 .359 .390
Sheely, Earl CHW 18 .294 51 15 2 0 0 11 4 1 0 10 8 .333 .419
Manush, Heinie CHW 13 .206 34 7 1 1 0 6 1 0 0 1 7 .294 .302
Bratschi, Fred CHW 10 .300 10 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 .300 .300
Fonseca, Lew CHW 8 .308 13 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 .538 .308
Hodge, Shovel CHW 8 .667 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .667 .667
Risberg, Swede CHW 7 .267 15 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .333 .267
Williams, Lefty CHW 7 .176 17 3 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 1 .235 .222
Lyons, Ted CHW 7 .067 15 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 .067 .067
Cicotte, Eddie CHW 7 .077 13 1 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 .077 .200
Thomas, Tommy CHW 5 .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Shocker, Urban CHW 4 .333 6 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 .333 .333
Sullivan, John CHW 4 1.000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 1.000
Thomas, Pinch CHW 2 .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Wood, Joe CHW 2 .400 5 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 3 2 .400 .571
Conlan, Jocko CHW 1 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1.000
Peltier, Mike CHW 1 .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
McGuire, Tom CHW 1 .500 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .500 .500
As expected the pitching has been less than stellar. Joe Wood struggled in his first outing of the year, and then was hurt for three weeks. He came back, and pitched in a game on April 25th going 8 innings only allowing one earned run. However, he hurt his elbow and was out for just 6 days. If Joe Wood, can't be counted on to be healthy this club is going to have problems.

Urban Shocker suffered a similar fate. Shocker pitched in three games, never lasting more than 6 and a third innings. He suffered a foot stress fracture after the third start and was lost for two weeks. Shocker came back on April 30th, but didn't make it past the second inning giving up 7 earned runs.

Eddie Cicotte has pitched well as an injury fill in, a far cry from the ace status he had at the beginning of 1919. Cicotte's 4.15 ERA leads the team of underachieving starters. 19 year old Ted Lyons has been pressed into the starting role due to the injuries and his performed well going 4-0 with a 4.52 ERA.

The bullpen has been spectuclar. 20 year old righty Tommy Thomas has yet to give up a run in 8.1 innings. Closer Dickey Kerr has a 1.17 ERA with 5 saves.

1920 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Williams, Lefty CHW 48.0 4.31 7 7 4 2 0 11 21 14.06
Cicotte, Eddie CHW 43.1 4.15 7 6 2 3 0 17 26 13.50
Lyons, Ted CHW 39.2 4.54 7 4 4 0 0 6 14 14.29
Shocker, Urban CHW 17.1 8.83 4 4 1 2 0 5 6 22.33
Wood, Joe CHW 16.2 3.24 2 2 1 1 0 11 2 10.80
Hodge, Shovel CHW 13.1 2.70 8 0 1 1 0 7 8 14.85
Thomas, Tommy CHW 8.1 0.00 5 0 0 0 0 2 5 9.72
Kerr, Dickey CHW 7.2 1.17 6 0 0 0 5 1 3 7.04
Sullivan, John CHW 6.2 5.40 4 0 0 0 0 1 7 20.25
Heath, Spencer CHW 6.0 3.00 3 0 2 0 0 5 1 7.50
Peltier, Mike CHW 6.0 6.00 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 13.50
McGuire, Tom CHW 4.2 5.79 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 11.57
Cox, Ernie CHW 4.0 2.25 2 0 0 0 1 3 1 11.25

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Whenever I hear of Samuel Gompers, I immediately think of Dave Barry. :D

Hopefully you can extend your lead in May, June, July, August, and finish the job in September.

[canadianman30]

1920 Real World History
------------------
January 9 - Thousands of onlookers watch as "The Human Fly" George Polley, climbs the New York Woolworth Building. He has reached the 30th floor when a policeman arrests him for climbing without a permit.
January 12 - A plan developed by Charles Ebbets many years ago is finally adopted: the annual drafting of players from the minor leagues will be done in inverse order to the teams' final standings.
January 16 - Prohibition begins in the United States with the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution coming into effect
January 19 - The United States Senate votes against joining the League of Nations.
February 1 - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police begin operations
February 9 - The Joint Rules Committee bans all foreign substances or other alterations to the ball by pitchers, including saliva, resin, talcum powder, paraffin, and the shine and emery ball. A pitcher caught cheating will be suspended for 10 days. The American League allows each club to name just two pitchers who will be allowed to use the pitch for one more season. The National League allows each club to name all its spitball pitchers. No pitchers other than those designated will be permitted to use it, and none at all after 1920. Other rules changes: the adoption of writer Fred Lieb's proposal that a game-winning home run with men on base be counted as a home run even if its run is not needed to win the game. Also, everything that happens in a protested game will go in the records
February 14 - The League of Women Voters is founded in Chicago.
February 17 -A woman named Anna Anderson tries to commit suicide in Berlin and is taken to mental hospital, where she claims she is Anastasia
February 24 - Adolf Hitler presents his National Socialist program in Munich
March 12 - In a spring training match between the Yankees and Giants, a sweeping inside curve ball by Yankees' Hal Coogan beans Flint Sanders striking the Giants' RF behind the ear and flattening him. Sanders revives 10 minutes later but soon loses the ability to speak. Taken to the hospital with a skull fracture and a blood clot on his brain, Sanders will recover slowly and return to play in mid-April.
March 19 - US Congress refuses to ratify Versailles Treaty.
April 1 - The Ottawa Senators win their 3rd Stanley Cup, defeating the Seattle Metropolitans 3 games to 2
May 2 - The first game of the Negro National League baseball is played in Indianapolis, Indiana.
May 16 - Joan of Arc is canonised. Over 30,000 people attend the ceremony in Rome, including 140 descendants of Joan of Arc's family. Pope Benedict XV presided over the rite, for which the interior of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was richly decorated.
May 20 - Requested by Cubs officials, policemen disguised as soldiers, farmers, and bootblacks raid the bleachers and arrest 24 fans for gambling. Meanwhile, Croak Madison nips the Giants 5-4.
May 29 - The Snorkel is invented in Greenland.

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1920 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Wood, Joe CHW 85.2 2.94 10 10 9 1 0 64 21 10.51
Lyons, Ted CHW 82.1 4.37 13 10 7 2 0 15 25 13.77
Williams, Lefty CHW 71.2 5.15 11 11 4 6 0 19 34 15.20
Shocker, Urban CHW 68.1 4.87 12 12 5 5 0 23 13 13.17
Cicotte, Eddie CHW 53.1 4.56 10 7 2 4 0 23 32 14.01
Hodge, Shovel CHW 22.2 1.99 12 0 3 1 0 9 13 12.31
Peltier, Mike CHW 16.0 5.63 4 1 1 0 0 0 6 15.19
Heath, Spencer CHW 15.0 4.80 10 0 2 0 0 7 11 15.60
Thomas, Tommy CHW 14.0 2.57 10 0 0 0 0 3 8 12.21
Kerr, Dickey CHW 11.2 0.77 11 0 0 0 9 1 4 7.71
Cox, Ernie CHW 9.2 1.86 6 0 0 0 1 4 3 13.97
Sullivan, John CHW 6.2 5.40 4 0 0 0 0 1 7 20.25
McGuire, Tom CHW 4.2 5.79 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 11.57
The story of the month of May was Smoky Joe Woods. Woods started 8 games during the month of May, and he won 8 games during the stretch going at least 8 innings in each win. Joe Wood now has a record of 9-1, and leads the American League in both wins and strikeouts. The problem that the Black Sox had was winning games not started by Joe Wood. The Black Sox went a very average 9-10 in those games. The bullpen has been outstanding though. The group is led by closer Dickey Kerr with a sparkling 0.77 ERA and 9 saves which leads the American League as well.


1920 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Schalk, Ray CHW 52 .267 206 55 14 1 0 24 22 4 4 32 22 .345 .340
Ruth, Babe CHW 52 .344 195 67 14 2 7 44 14 3 0 39 58 .544 .457
Jackson, Joe CHW 52 .411 219 90 20 6 4 19 16 7 6 50 46 .612 .458
Wilson, Hack CHW 52 .305 213 65 15 6 7 21 15 2 0 32 48 .531 .360
Carey, Max CHW 52 .273 216 59 13 4 0 36 33 5 1 45 30 .370 .379
Dugan, Joe CHW 51 .299 197 59 13 2 0 7 19 1 0 23 33 .386 .319
Collins, Eddie CHW 50 .307 215 66 16 1 1 32 16 18 2 49 20 .405 .397
Sheely, Earl CHW 44 .291 127 37 6 0 1 17 8 1 0 26 19 .362 .372
Manush, Heinie CHW 23 .296 71 21 3 1 0 7 3 1 0 7 11 .366 .341
Bratschi, Fred CHW 22 .318 22 7 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 4 .500 .318
Fonseca, Lew CHW 16 .318 22 7 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 3 3 .545 .318
Lyons, Ted CHW 13 .242 33 8 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 10 .273 .242
Shocker, Urban CHW 12 .227 22 5 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2 2 .227 .261
Hodge, Shovel CHW 12 .750 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .750 .750
Risberg, Swede CHW 11 .231 26 6 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 3 1 .308 .259
Williams, Lefty CHW 11 .136 22 3 1 0 0 2 6 0 0 1 1 .182 .208
Wood, Joe CHW 10 .429 28 12 1 0 0 8 5 0 0 9 5 .464 .556
Cicotte, Eddie CHW 10 .067 15 1 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 .067 .176
Thomas, Tommy CHW 10 .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Conlan, Jocko CHW 4 .333 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .333 .500
Thomas, Pinch CHW 4 .000 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Peltier, Mike CHW 4 .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Sullivan, John CHW 4 1.000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 1.000
Young, Ralph CHW 2 .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
McGuire, Tom CHW 1 .500 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .500 .500

The offense has done its part as well. Joe Jackson has been the biggest story of the year. The 30 year old left fielder is leading the league in hitting with a .411 batting average. 2B Eddie Collins expanded his lead in the stolen base category with 18 now on the year. The longball has been a definite part of the offense. The Black Sox ended May with the top 3 homerun hitters in the league. Hack Wilson and Babe Ruth were tied with 7 HRs and Joe Jackson had 4.

The Black Sox ended the month of May in the same position as April. The club has remained in first place the entire month. The draft is only a few days away. Chicago is unlikely to land the top talents with their 14th overall pick. So another Heinie Manush is unlikely this year.

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1920 Draft Review


Chicago Black Sox Pick 1st round-14th overall

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Cantwell is another arm to add to the system. Cantwell is a solid prospect, and a good pick at 14. However, the pick lacks the sizzle of last year's draft pick of Heinie Manush, who contributed to big league ballclub within two weeks of being drafted. Cantwell doesn't throw hard, but has a curveball and knuckleball to compliment his sinking two-seamer. Cantwell joins Phil Collins as being the most promising arms in the Black Sox farm system.
[CENTER]Chicago Black Sox Pick 2nd Round-30th overall
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Orsatti is an interesting prospect. He plays a decent center field, and has the tools to be an all around solid hitter. He doesn't have terrific power or speed, but could develop into a very solid CF. He has time to develop with Max Carey firmly entrenched at CF for the next couple of seasons.

Chicago Black Sox 3rd Round-46th overall
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Hard throwing righty reliever Potty Squires was taken 3rd by the club. Squires features a fastball and a curveball. He has a ways to go, but if he develops he could be another power arm to add to the bullpen.

Chicago Black Sox 4th Round-62nd overall
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Homer Peel provides another great name in the Black Sox system, but not much value. He is a terrible defensive outfielder. He doesn't look to be a great offensive player. He is behind many others at a position that is currently patrolled by Shoeless Joe Jackson. Peel upside for the club is a bench player in a few years, maybe an injury fill in starter.

Chicago Black Sox 5th Round-78th overall
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Sphorer is a right handed catching prospect. The Black Sox are loaded at catching throughout the system. Sphorer isn't a liability behind the plate, but there are definitely better catch and throw guys behind the plate. Sphorer handles the pitching staff well, and should hit enough to make a valuable backup backstop.

Chicago Black Sox 6th Round-94th overall
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The Black Sox added another catcher. Young is a switch hitter. He is a better defender, and has a better eye than the earlier pick of Sphorer. He doesn't make as much contact or hit for as much power as Sphorer though. It will be an interesting battle between these two for the backup catcher job in a few years.
Other Notable Picks
1st Overall Pick-Boston Braves take P Bill Hallahan (74/94)
2nd Overall Pick-St. Louis Browns take P Pat Malone (74/90)
3rd Overall Pick-Philadelphia Atheltics pick LF Al Simmons (71/93)
2nd Round-18th Overall Pick-St. Louis Browns take P Ray Benge (67/86)

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June 5, 1920-The draft had just been completed when I recieved word that COmiskey wanted to see me again. I was confused to say the least. I thought the draft had gone well with us being able to nab a top pitching prospect with our first pick and the ball club with the best record in baseball. I didn't have to wait long to figure out what was on Comi's mind.

"Why is this team losing money?!" It was more rhetorical than an actual question, and before I even had a chance to respond. I was leaving the large office with the command to slash payroll. I needed to cut at least 20,00 dollars out of the payrollm but have a competitive club after I was done. This wasn't going to be easy.


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The first move was obvouis, find some team to take Cicotte's contract off my hands. Eddie hadn't lived up to his usual excellent production since I had arrived into town. The 35 year old righty had been relegated to mopup duty, and was making over 10,000 a year. I put him on the trading block, and had to contain my glee when the New York Yankees offered their first round draft pick last year, pitcher Guy Bush. The 18 year old righty gives us three top flight pitching prospects in a system that was devoid of high end pitching talent.


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The second big move was to put up young Lefty Williams and reliever Mike Peltier on the block. The Washington Senators were interested, and offered lefty starter Tom Zachary in return. Zachary gives us a cheap starter that might develop into a front end of the rotation. As it stands he takes over the fourth spot in the rotation and makes the league minimum.

I moved SS Swede Risberg and 2B Ralph Young in seperate deals to net a couple more bullpen arms. When it was all said and done the payroll had been cut by $25,000, and I had a roster that was abotu as talented as when I started. The roster wasn't nearly as deep as it was before, and I have to hope that I don't suffer a number of injuries because that could expose the weaker bench players I have now.

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June started off well enough. A come from behind win as Hack Wilson hit 2 HRs. The 3 runs at the top of the ninth allowed us to increase our lead to 5 games. Then the wheels fell off.

We lost the next two series against the Indians and the Red Sox. The order came down to cut salary following the Indians series. My fears following the trades I had made came true almost instantly. After Boston beat us 2 out of 3, it was learned that star third sacker Hack Wilson had pulled his groin and was lost for 2 weeks. Not a horrific loss since that meant even younger Willie Kamm would get some playing time. Then the news I couldn't bear to hear, Joe Wood suffered a foot stress facture on our off day and would also be out two weeks.

We responded well by taking 2 out of 3 from St. Louis. The wins came behind strong pitching from Ted Lyons and Urban Shocker who tried to pick up the slack left by the huge hole left by Smoky Joe. The injury bug continued to bite us though, and Hack Wilson's replacement came down with a broken wrist. Now the backup third baseman was also gone for two weeks.

Things went from bad to worse as the most effective starter behind Joe Wood, Ted Lyon got bite by the injury bug. He strained his neck on a non throwing day. I thought perhaps it could have been watching all the hits that the Indians had that day. The rest of the month wasn't much better as I had to piece together lineups. The starters I had left were getting overworked due to the injuries and the stretch of 23 consecutive games we were in. Ruth and Schalk had to take numerous days off for breathers which only made a weakened lineup that much worse. Joe Jackson and Eddie Collins both suffered stinger injuries that forced them on the bench for a few days as well. One game featured only Max Carey, Babe Ruth, and Heinie Manush as starters from opening day.

During the rough stretch, we actual fell out of first place. This lasted for five days, and they were the most nerving wrecking days of the season so far. However, the Sox got Hack Wilson, Joe Wood, Ted Lyons, and Willie Kamm back at the end of June. The club ended June winning 7 out of their last 8 and regained our hold on first place. Prior to that 7-1 stretch, however, the club had been a horrific 7-13.


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1920 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Carey, Max CHW 74 .277 311 86 19 6 0 47 39 8 1 64 39 .376 .374
Jackson, Joe CHW 75 .387 310 120 24 7 4 30 23 12 6 73 59 .548 .444
Schalk, Ray CHW 79 .271 299 81 17 1 1 38 28 7 6 46 35 .344 .349
Collins, Eddie CHW 72 .308 295 91 20 3 1 44 21 18 5 65 28 .407 .398
Ruth, Babe CHW 80 .356 289 103 23 5 12 61 23 3 0 54 89 .595 .464
Dugan, Joe CHW 73 .285 284 81 18 2 1 13 29 3 0 33 40 .373 .314
Wilson, Hack CHW 65 .319 260 83 22 6 9 28 17 3 0 45 55 .554 .379
Manush, Heinie CHW 51 .293 191 56 11 3 1 9 10 2 0 20 34 .398 .319
Sheely, Earl CHW 63 .315 143 45 8 0 1 20 8 1 0 31 22 .392 .400
Fonseca, Lew CHW 33 .293 75 22 7 1 0 2 5 1 0 8 13 .413 .321
Bratschi, Fred CHW 35 .283 60 17 5 0 1 3 6 0 1 5 11 .417 .328
Lyons, Ted CHW 17 .244 45 11 2 0 0 1 3 0 0 6 12 .289 .261
Conlan, Jocko CHW 16 .273 44 12 4 0 0 3 8 0 0 8 5 .364 .333
Zachary, Tom CHW 20 .233 43 10 2 0 0 3 9 0 0 5 7 .279 .283
McClellan, Harvey CHW 12 .268 41 11 3 1 0 6 4 0 0 6 3 .390 .362
Shocker, Urban CHW 19 .231 39 9 2 0 0 1 7 0 0 2 4 .282 .250
Wood, Joe CHW 13 .412 34 14 2 0 0 11 5 0 0 10 5 .471 .556
Thomas, Pinch CHW 13 .167 24 4 2 0 0 2 3 0 0 2 1 .250 .231
Kamm, Willie CHW 5 .133 15 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 3 .133 .235
Leifer, Elmer CHW 6 .286 14 4 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 1 3 .286 .333
Glazner, Whitey CHW 10 .000 12 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 1 1 .000 .077
Kerr, Dickey CHW 14 .400 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .400 .400
Thomas, Tommy CHW 19 .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Sullivan, John CHW 9 .500 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 .500 .600
Hodge, Shovel CHW 22 .750 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .750 .750
McGuire, Tom CHW 2 .500 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .500 .500
Heath, Spencer CHW 17 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 .000 .000
McWeeny, Doug CHW 1 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Biemiller, Harry CHW 6 .000 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1.000

1920 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Zachary, Tom CHW 138.2 4.28 20 20 6 9 0 41 33 12.14
Lyons, Ted CHW 116.1 3.71 17 14 9 4 0 22 35 12.84
Shocker, Urban CHW 113.1 5.32 19 19 7 7 0 40 26 13.02
Wood, Joe CHW 109.0 3.22 13 13 10 1 0 76 30 11.06
Glazner, Whitey CHW 37.2 5.26 10 3 2 1 0 11 20 16.73
Hodge, Shovel CHW 34.0 2.91 22 0 5 2 1 14 19 12.71
Thomas, Tommy CHW 26.2 4.39 19 0 0 2 0 6 14 14.85
Heath, Spencer CHW 26.2 3.71 17 0 3 1 0 12 16 14.85
Kerr, Dickey CHW 25.2 5.26 14 3 0 0 9 5 17 15.43
Cox, Ernie CHW 24.2 2.92 16 0 0 0 1 13 12 14.59
Sullivan, John CHW 20.2 2.18 9 1 3 0 0 10 12 12.63
Biemiller, Harry CHW 9.1 6.75 6 0 0 1 0 4 4 14.46
McGuire, Tom CHW 8.1 6.48 2 2 0 1 0 4 5 19.44
McWeeny, Doug CHW 3.1 8.10 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 16.20

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1920 All Star Break

Hack Wilson New Home Run King!

1920 Home Run Showdown

FIRST ROUND (10 Outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
Hack Wilson (CHW) 7
Babe Ruth (CHW) 6
Harry Heilmann (DET) 5
Cy Williams (STL) 4
Rogers Hornsby (STL) 3
Austin McHenry (PIT) 2
George Burns (PHA) 2
Elmer Smith (BSN) 1
Braggo Roth (CLE) 1
Russ Wrightstone (PHI) 1

SECOND ROUND (5 Outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
Babe Ruth (CHW) 7
Hack Wilson (CHW) 3
Cy Williams (STL) 2
Harry Heilmann (DET) 1

FINAL ROUND (5 Outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
HACK WILSON (CHW) 2
Babe Ruth (CHW) 1

WINNER: Hack Wilson
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National League at American League
July 10, 1920

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
National League (NL) 0 1 0 0 3 1 2 0 0 7 16 2
American League (AL) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 3

ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
R. Youngs (CF) 6 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .325
E. Smith (RF) 3 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 .324
A. McHenry (LF) 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .347
R. Hornsby (SS) 5 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .361
G. Hartnett (C) 5 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .319
R. Wrightstone (3B) 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .310
E. Konetchy (1B) 5 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 .287
B. Weaver (2B) 5 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 .325
R. Maranville (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
B. Herzog (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .298
TOTALS 41 16 4 7 0 3 3 0

2B: E. Konetchy 2, R. Youngs
HBP: R. Maranville
GIDP: R. Wrightstone

ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
P. Alexander 1.0 2 0 0 1 1 0 19 2.58
D. Rudolph 2.0 1 2 0 1 0 2 40 2.89
E. Jacobs 3.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 43 2.81
J. Jaeger 1.0 1 1 0 0 0 1 23 2.40
J. Roberts 2.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 33 1.42
TOTALS 9.0 6 5 0 2 1 3 158

ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
E. Collins (2B) 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .312
J. Jackson (LF) 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .392
H. Heilmann (CF) 3 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 .411
B. Ruth (RF) 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 .360
H. Wilson (3B) 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 .295
G. Burns (1B) 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .330
J. Tobin (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .350
J. Dugan (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .297
R. Schalk (C) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
T. Speaker (P) 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .372
E. Combs (P) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .315
E. Murphy (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .365
E. Ainsmith (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .305
TOTALS 35 6 5 2 0 2 3 1

2B: H. Heilmann
3B: J. Jackson

ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
W. Johnson 2.2 4 1 0 1 1 2 51 3.70
E. Rixey 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3.70
J. Wood 1.0 2 1 0 0 0 0 21 3.10
T. MacGugan 1.0 3 1 0 3 0 1 32 2.91
D. MacDonald 1.0 1 1 0 1 1 0 13 2.35
D. Kerr 1.0 5 0 0 2 1 0 23 5.06
L. Drake 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 27 4.15
TOTALS 9.0 16 4 0 7 3 4 169

Ed Barrow was again the manager of the American League club. He didn't like the fact that my club had 6 starters in the lineup and two more pitchers on the roster. The time off was good because of having just finished the toughest stretch of the season.

I got to watch the All-Star Game from the stands like a fan. I didn't mind because I got a chance to look at what was going on in the National League, and Fenway was a nice ballpark. The eight year old ballpark still smelled new as far as I was concerned. First impressions of the NL, that Roger Hornsby guy is really, really good. I wish I had a shortstop that could hit like that, but there is no way that St. Louis would let go a 24 year old hitter like that, is there? The only other player that really caught my eye was a 27 year old righty pitcher from the Phillies named Elmer Jacobs. He pitched three innings in the game, and I got to see what he threw pretty well. His fastball was okay, seen better but was good enough to get by in the bigs. He had an out shoot that he could show hitters to give a different look, but what made him stand out was his hard curve. I glanced at the standings, the Phillies were 8.5 games back. Hmm, something to keep an eye I thought.

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http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/42.gif The day after the all star break I was feeling great about my ballclub. The team had just won four straight games to pad our lead in the American League, and I had just watched eight players on my club play for the American League. I couldn't help but think that it might be my turn to manage the American League club next year, but that really was getting ahead of myself.

My team had suffered a lot of injuries, and the worst ones were to my ace pitcher Joe Wood. During the first half, Smoky Joe had missed 5 weeks due to two injuries. I couldn't afford to count on just the starters I had. I caught up to the Phillies manager before I left the All-Star Game. I asked him about his pitcher Elmer Jacobs. I was told he was available since the club wasn't going anywhere and his contract was up at the end of the year. The price was SPs Tom McGuire and Harry Biemiller. I got another arm back in the deal, a 26 year old righty named Frank Woodward. Woodward had a good fastball and spitball, but lacked control. I figure I could stash him in AAA to let him develop and see what I have next year in spring training.

The good feelings wouldn't last as my team continued to be snake bitten by the injury bug. This time it was Shoeless Joe who went down. After the second game after the break we lost Joe for 3 weeks. Another two days went by and we lost Smoky Joe again for 2 weeks. The club fought on and managed to hold it together for a week after that. The team actually won four in a row, including a sweep of the hapless St. Louis Browns. The team was 11-4 and had built up a commanding 7 game lead.

Then Joe Dugan went down for a couple of weeks. The scrappy, good glove shortstop seems to have been the final straw that broke the camel's back. The Black Sox ended the month going 3-8, counting the last game in a four game sweep by the Yankees on August 1st. The Yankees with that sweep climbed out of third place 5 games back to second place 1.5 games back. The Yankees have 9 games left against my club, all at Comiskey. The Yankee series was particularly demoralizing though. The Yanks outscored us 43 to 26 in the four games. Joe Wood came to pitch in the final game, but showed the signs of rust only lasting 3 innings giving up 5 runs.

During the tough stretch before the trade deadline, the Cincinnati Reds approached me twice about acquiring SPs. I accepted both their deals and added SP Deutch Reuther and Herb Pennock. Deutch Reuther was a great pickup since he slots in as the 3rd or 4th starter behind Joe Wood, Elmer Jacobs, and possibly Ted Lyons. Reuther is a hard throwing lefty who relies on his fastball to get outs. Pennock goes into the bullpen as a middle reliever, but will be the first guy to go into the rotation if there is an injury. Pennock is a lefty who has five solid pitches. He has good movement and decent control for his age. The two lefties really solidify the questionable pitching staff of my club.


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Update coming soon. Sorry to the readers for the delay in the updates, but a couple of things have happened. Was gone for a weekend around the fourth, and more importantly I lost the last updates worth of games due to not saving with a power outage. I tried to recreate the results as best I could, but obvouisly I will have to repost the last month with the new outcomes.

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The day after the all star break I was feeling great about my ballclub. The team had just won four straight games to pad our lead in the American League, and I had just watched eight players on my club play for the American League. I couldn't help but think that it might be my turn to manage the American League club next year, but that really was getting ahead of myself.

My team had suffered a lot of injuries, and the worst ones were to my ace pitcher Joe Wood. During the first half, Smoky Joe had missed 5 weeks due to two injuries. I couldn't afford to count on just the starters I had. I caught up to the Phillies manager before I left the All-Star Game. I asked him about his pitcher Elmer Jacobs. I was told he was available since the club wasn't going anywhere and his contract was up at the end of the year. The price was SPs Tom McGuire and Harry Biemiller. I got another arm back in the deal, a 26 year old righty named Frank Woodward. Woodward had a good fastball and spitball, but lacked control. I figure I could stash him in AAA to let him develop and see what I have next year in spring training.

The good feelings wouldn't last as my team continued to be snake bitten by the injury bug. This time it was Shoeless Joe who went down. After the second game after the break we lost Joe for 3 weeks. The road trip after the all star break was successful even without Shoeless Joe as we took 2 out of 3 from St. Louis.

The team came home for a long 10 game homestand. The team managed to going 8-2 during the stretch to build up an impressive 7 game lead in the American League. My good feelings started to return. Smoky Joe was spectuclar during the homestand pitching three complete game wins giving up a combined 3 earned runs. Elmer Jacobs had performed well since moving to the American League as well going 1-2 with a 3.94 ERA.

We ended July on the road in the middle of a brutal stretch of 38 consecutive games. The team lost a tough series to the Indians, but managed to split with the third place Yankees. The Black Sox lost the game on August 1st against the Yankees to settle for a split. The club lost CF Max Carey for two weeks after the game. Shoeless Joe was expected back in two days, but we have to start the Red Sox series minus two starting OFs.

During the tough stretch before the trade deadline, the Cincinnati Reds approached me twice about acquiring SPs. I accepted both their deals and added SP Deutch Reuther and Herb Pennock. Deutch Reuther was a great pickup since he slots in as the 3rd or 4th starter behind Joe Wood, Elmer Jacobs, and possibly Ted Lyons. Reuther is a hard throwing lefty who relies on his fastball to get outs. Pennock goes into the bullpen as a middle reliever, but will be the first guy to go into the rotation if there is an injury. Pennock is a lefty who has five solid pitches. He has good movement and decent control for his age. The two lefties really solidify the questionable pitching staff of my club.


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I just realized it has been nearly a week since an update in this dynasty. I have just been taking such an active role in the Multiplayer Dynasty, that I have unfortunately been neglecting Two Sheds Jackson. Anyways, I have finished the sim, and will be posting an update later tonight.

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it is hard to ever feel bad about a month were your club wins 19 games, but I had to look back at the calendar to remind me how good the month really had been. Before I reflected back on what had happened during this eventful August, I allowed myself to glance at the standings. My Black Sox, as Ring Lardner had dubbed them two years ago, were 84-52 on September 2. That gave us a healthy 9 game lead over the second place Yankees. We had had just one day off the whole month, and we would only get one more day off for the rest of the regular season. That 9 game lead would allow me to rest some guys down the stretch, and start thinking about getting my rotation in order for the Series. World Series, I had finally allowed myself to think about the fact that my team barring a catastrophic collapse would be playing in it again this year. I looked over at the NL. New York Giants were the NL leaders with a 78-58 record. Guess that is who we will probably get to play though the St. Louis Cardinals are only five back, and the Cubs weren't dead either 7 back. The Cubs actually would scare me more then the Cardinals or Giants in a short series with the pitchers they have. Pete Alexander, a rejuvanated Hippo Vaughn, and Tyler Lefty had the potential to shut down my club's potent offense.

Well I guess I ought to explain what had been weighing on my mind during the month. Injuries were doing everything they could to slow down my American League leading club. 11 days after the trade deadline passed, I lost my number 2 started Ted Lyons for the rest of the season with a broken leg. 12 days later, I lost another pitcher, Urban Shocker and another six days later I lost Jumping Joe Dugan. Fortunately the last two were only out for three weeks each, which meant they would be ready right before the series.

There were a lot of good things going on with my club. You could see that when you looked at the leaderboards in most categories. Babe Ruth had broken his own single season home run record. Babe had hit his 27th homerun of the year, and he has the entire month of September to add to his record setting total. Ruth also led the league in RBIs with 123. He was just 15 RBIs away from breaking Slug Heilmann's mark of 138 set last year. Along with Babe, Hack Wilson is becoming known for his home run prowess as well. Hack has already hit 21 home runs becoming just the fifth player ever to hit 20 or more home runs in a single season. The other big success story on the team was ace Smoky Joe Wood. Joe had to be the odds on favorite for the Cy Young award. After all his 2.79 ERA and 152 strikeouts led the league and his 17 wins was one behind Walter Johnson's 18 for the leagye lead.

If we didn't lose another big cog to injury, I think we can win it, but that seems to be a big if at this point.


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1920 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Bratschi, Fred CHW 60 .302 116 35 7 0 2 11 10 1 1 18 23 .414 .367
Carey, Max CHW 102 .274 419 115 26 8 0 67 47 13 6 87 53 .375 .375
Collins, Eddie CHW 124 .319 458 146 27 6 1 61 30 25 11 93 48 .410 .399
Conlan, Jocko CHW 55 .258 190 49 12 1 0 22 21 5 0 34 31 .332 .336
Cox, Ernie CHW 33 .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Dugan, Joe CHW 114 .300 443 133 30 4 2 25 45 4 0 57 64 .400 .336
Elsh, Roy CHW 1 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1.000
Fonseca, Lew CHW 72 .266 173 46 10 4 0 4 16 1 0 16 26 .370 .291
Glazner, Whitey CHW 11 .000 16 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 0 1 1 .000 .059
Heath, Spencer CHW 21 .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 .000 .000
Hodge, Shovel CHW 38 .800 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 .800 .800
Jackson, Joe CHW 108 .369 450 166 32 8 9 41 32 14 8 94 83 .536 .426
Jacobs, Elmer CHW 24 .189 53 10 0 0 0 3 9 0 0 7 2 .189 .232
Kamm, Willie CHW 11 .143 21 3 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 1 4 .143 .217
Kerr, Dickey CHW 26 .333 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333 .333
Leifer, Elmer CHW 6 .286 14 4 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 1 3 .286 .333
Lyons, Ted CHW 27 .243 70 17 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 6 14 .286 .254
Mallonee, Jule CHW 13 .288 52 15 3 0 0 3 3 0 0 11 8 .346 .327
Manush, Heinie CHW 93 .280 347 97 23 8 4 17 17 4 2 50 56 .427 .309
McClellan, Harvey CHW 29 .250 88 22 6 1 0 12 11 0 3 13 7 .341 .340
McWeeny, Doug CHW 1 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Pennock, Herb CHW 35 .261 23 6 4 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 3 .435 .292
Ruether, Dutch CHW 30 .250 32 8 3 0 0 4 3 0 0 5 7 .344 .324
Ruth, Babe CHW 136 .350 477 167 37 9 27 93 43 4 1 90 147 .635 .453
Schalk, Ray CHW 128 .276 471 130 23 2 2 58 44 7 7 75 52 .346 .354
Sheely, Earl CHW 102 .333 225 75 13 0 1 30 11 2 0 47 35 .404 .412
Shocker, Urban CHW 29 .274 62 17 3 0 0 3 8 0 0 2 8 .323 .308
Sullivan, John CHW 14 .250 8 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 .250 .333
Thomas, Pinch CHW 28 .233 60 14 2 0 0 7 8 0 0 9 6 .267 .319
Thomas, Tommy CHW 21 .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Wilson, Hack CHW 121 .291 485 141 31 6 21 58 29 4 2 85 101 .509 .364
Wood, Joe CHW 27 .304 79 24 4 0 0 17 8 2 0 20 9 .354 .427
Woodward, Frank CHW 15 .250 8 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 .375 .250
Zachary, Tom CHW 21 .244 45 11 2 0 0 3 9 0 0 6 7 .289 .292


1920 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Cox, Ernie CHW 50.2 4.44 33 0 2 1 2 23 25 15.63
Glazner, Whitey CHW 44.1 5.48 11 4 3 1 0 15 22 16.44
Heath, Spencer CHW 33.2 5.08 21 0 3 1 0 16 21 16.57
Hodge, Shovel CHW 55.1 4.07 38 0 7 6 2 16 27 12.85
Jacobs, Elmer CHW 165.0 2.84 24 24 11 6 0 51 47 10.53
Kerr, Dickey CHW 39.0 3.92 26 3 4 1 15 6 23 13.85
Lyons, Ted CHW 185.2 3.78 27 24 14 6 0 44 50 12.60
McWeeny, Doug CHW 3.1 8.10 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 16.20
Pennock, Herb CHW 92.1 3.41 35 5 2 3 3 34 24 13.26
Ruether, Dutch CHW 125.2 4.37 30 16 6 8 2 43 57 14.18
Shocker, Urban CHW 182.0 4.50 29 29 13 8 0 60 50 12.76
Sullivan, John CHW 36.0 2.50 14 2 4 1 0 16 24 14.00
Thomas, Tommy CHW 30.2 5.28 21 0 0 2 0 9 17 15.85
Wood, Joe CHW 225.2 2.79 27 27 18 4 0 152 67 10.61
Woodward, Frank CHW 30.1 6.23 15 0 1 0 0 9 20 15.73
Zachary, Tom CHW 143.2 4.45 21 21 6 9 0 43 36 12.53

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http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/7-1.jpg

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I never thought managing with a 9 game lead would be stressful. The team managed to continue to play well over .600 ball during the month, but the age old question kept rearing its ugly head. How much do I rest guys down the stretch. After we clinched on September 10th, I sat Ruth down for a week. Ruth was not happy to say the least. Ruth had hit his record setting 29th homerun on the 7th. He played in 9 more games and failed to add to his total. Needless to say I was blamed for not letting him become the first player to hit 30 home runs in a season.

Smoky Joe was more happy then Ruth despite only pitching four times in September. His two starts after we clinched got him wins number 20 and 21. That gave him the league lead on wins, strikeout and ERA. That ought to guarantee him the Cy Young at least. And despite Ruth's temper his season was good enough to warrant his second straight MYP award.

The good thing about clinching on the tenth meant I had some time to think about the NL champion Giants. The Giants were unlike all the NL teams in that they won on good offense for NL standards. The Giants averaged 4.5 runs a game, nothing like our 6 runs a game but good enough for second place in the NL. Giants' pitching was fifth best in the NL. They are going to be tough, but homefield advantage helps.


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Final Batting

1920 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Bischoff, John CHW 2 .000 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .000 1.000
Bratschi, Fred CHW 74 .289 142 41 7 0 2 15 14 3 1 21 23 .380 .365
Bubser, Hal CHW 7 .118 17 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 .118 .167
Carey, Max CHW 120 .294 497 146 30 10 0 75 55 15 7 101 62 .394 .389
Collins, Eddie CHW 135 .314 500 157 29 6 1 71 35 26 11 104 54 .402 .400
Conlan, Jocko CHW 55 .258 190 49 12 1 0 22 21 5 0 34 31 .332 .336
Cox, Ernie CHW 36 .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Dugan, Joe CHW 115 .300 447 134 30 4 2 25 45 4 0 57 64 .398 .335
Elsh, Roy CHW 7 .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .200
Fonseca, Lew CHW 85 .273 205 56 13 6 1 8 19 1 1 24 29 .410 .307
Glazner, Whitey CHW 15 .160 25 4 2 0 0 1 8 0 0 3 4 .240 .192
Heath, Spencer CHW 22 .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 .000 .000
Hodge, Shovel CHW 43 .800 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 .800 .800
Jackson, Joe CHW 126 .371 523 194 34 9 10 46 41 15 10 102 96 .528 .425
Jacobs, Elmer CHW 25 .185 54 10 0 0 0 3 10 0 0 7 2 .185 .228
Kamm, Willie CHW 12 .143 21 3 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 1 4 .143 .250
Kerr, Dickey CHW 29 .333 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333 .333
Leifer, Elmer CHW 11 .294 17 5 1 0 0 3 3 0 0 3 4 .353 .348
Lyons, Ted CHW 27 .243 70 17 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 6 14 .286 .254
Mallonee, Jule CHW 13 .288 52 15 3 0 0 3 3 0 0 11 8 .346 .327
Manush, Heinie CHW 101 .283 357 101 23 8 4 17 18 4 2 50 58 .426 .312
McClellan, Harvey CHW 45 .268 149 40 10 2 0 14 15 1 3 20 11 .362 .331
McWeeny, Doug CHW 1 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Pennock, Herb CHW 39 .258 31 8 4 0 0 2 3 0 0 2 4 .387 .303
Ruether, Dutch CHW 33 .300 40 12 3 0 0 5 5 0 0 6 12 .375 .370
Ruth, Babe CHW 149 .351 515 181 42 9 29 115 48 4 1 100 160 .637 .465
Schalk, Ray CHW 146 .274 541 148 29 3 2 64 48 7 7 87 62 .349 .350
Sheely, Earl CHW 115 .342 278 95 16 3 3 36 16 2 0 58 48 .453 .418
Shocker, Urban CHW 31 .262 65 17 3 0 0 3 8 0 0 2 8 .308 .294
Sullivan, John CHW 18 .273 11 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 .364 .333
Thomas, Pinch CHW 28 .233 60 14 2 0 0 7 8 0 0 9 6 .267 .319
Thomas, Tommy CHW 21 .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 .000 .000
Wilson, Hack CHW 139 .281 559 157 34 6 22 66 32 4 2 93 113 .481 .354
Wood, Joe CHW 31 .293 92 27 6 0 0 17 8 2 0 23 12 .359 .404
Woodward, Frank CHW 17 .250 8 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 .375 .250
Zachary, Tom CHW 26 .255 47 12 2 0 0 3 9 0 0 7 8 .298 .300

Final Pitching

1920 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Cox, Ernie CHW 57.1 4.40 36 0 2 2 2 25 27 14.76
Glazner, Whitey CHW 69.0 4.70 15 8 5 2 0 25 28 16.17
Heath, Spencer CHW 35.2 4.79 22 0 3 1 0 18 22 16.15
Hodge, Shovel CHW 63.2 3.68 43 0 9 7 2 18 29 12.58
Jacobs, Elmer CHW 169.0 2.98 25 25 11 6 0 51 54 10.86
Kerr, Dickey CHW 42.1 3.61 29 3 5 1 17 7 23 13.61
Lyons, Ted CHW 185.2 3.78 27 24 14 6 0 44 50 12.60
McWeeny, Doug CHW 3.1 8.10 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 16.20
Pennock, Herb CHW 123.1 3.06 39 9 4 4 3 43 28 11.89
Ruether, Dutch CHW 143.1 4.52 33 19 8 9 2 48 65 14.57
Shocker, Urban CHW 196.0 4.45 31 31 13 9 0 64 51 12.49
Sullivan, John CHW 46.2 2.12 18 2 4 1 0 21 30 14.08
Thomas, Tommy CHW 30.2 5.28 21 0 0 2 0 9 17 15.85
Wood, Joe CHW 254.1 2.83 31 31 21 4 0 168 75 10.72
Woodward, Frank CHW 33.1 5.67 17 0 1 0 0 10 22 15.39
Zachary, Tom CHW 152.2 4.19 26 21 6 9 1 46 37 12.14

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1920 Leaderboards

AL Batting
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/8-1.jpg

NL Batting
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/9-1.jpg

AL Pitching
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/10-1.jpg

NL Pitching
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/mbanghar/11-1.jpg