1908 FOOL-H Season Thread
 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for fake historical baseball.

I'll run it in the morning, though. Otherwise, I'm going to rush through it because I'm tired.

SUCH a tease! :devil:

:banghead:

The Jets are 3-0. No :banghead: necessary.

The best part was he posted at 4:19 AM which WAS the morning...

(No worries DC, just picking on you)

When i read that post your talking about this morning i thought this exact same thing.

It was only 2am in my part of the world. But yes, indeed...that is the morning. :)

All righty then. Time to get this party a kickin'.

National League Names Rookie of Month
Friday, May 1st, 1908: A veritable toddler to the National League, Stuffy McInnis just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for April.

Over the past month the 17-year-old first baseman for Brooklyn hit .398 with 47 hits, 1 home run and 23 runs batted in. He also logged 6 walks and compiled a .429 on-base percentage.

AL Selects Rookie Star of the Month
Friday, May 1st, 1908: Amos Strunk is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest American League Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers.

In April the Detroit hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .376 average with 41 hits, no home runs and 24 RBIs.

NL Selects Ames April's Best Starter
Friday, May 1st, 1908: Veteran Red Ames put together quite a successful stretch in April for the Philadelphia Phillies, earning himself the National League Pitcher of the Month award.

Ames racked up a 6-0 record in 6 starts, posting a 1.69 ERA over 48 innings and striking out 26.

STANDINGS AS OF MAY 1, 1908

STANDINGS AS OF JUNE 1, 1908


LEAGUE LEADERS

St. Louis Newcomer May's #1 Rookie
Monday, June 1st, 1908: Youngster Bob Bescher emerged as the latest National League Rookie of the Month today. The young man from St. Louis deserved the honor, batting .347 with 1 home run and 10 RBI. Is the month of May a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Bescher enjoy the limelight.

In his season totals, Bescher has 4 home runs, .319 BA, .421 OBP, 21 RBIs and 50 runs scored. He has played in 55 games.
May's Top Rookie Named by AL
Monday, June 1st, 1908: Steve Evans's eyes seem to light up whenever he sees the baseball. The young Louisville center fielder has been hitting everything in sight for the better part of a month.

In May he was voted the Rookie of the Month Award.

During the month he hit .325 with 8 doubles, 1 triple and 1 home run. Evans also scored 16 times and drove in 8 runs.

For the year Evans is batting .344 with 76 hits and 1 home run. He has scored 41 times and driven in 17.
National League Selects #1 Starter in May
Monday, June 1st, 1908: Joe Corbett's been around the league long enough to appreciate the honor he received today. After going 4-2 in May, the 32-year-old Brooklyn hurler has been named National League Pitcher of the Month.

He fanned 21 in 57.2 innings, logged an ERA of 2.65 and allowed opponents to hit .256 against him.

So far this year Corbett has made 14 starts, tossed 92.1 innings, struck out 34 batters and walked 33. His record is 5-6 with a 4.00 ERA and he has limited opposing teams to a .283 batting average.

FOOL-H News: The All-Star Game Rosters Have Been Announced
Friday, July 3rd, 1908: How would you like to manage a team with more star players than you can play? It wouldn't be an easy chore. That's the dilemma facing the two managers at the annual FOOL-Historical All-Star classic -- how to get all the talented All-Stars in the game? But it's a joy for the fans -- to see all of their favorite stars on one field at the same time.

Here are the official All-Star rosters:

American:


SP E. Walsh (CHA)
SP O. Overall (DET)
SP H. Berger (BOS)
SP N. Hahn (DET)
MR L. Fiene (BAL)
SP H. Vaughn (BAL)
MR A. Puttmann (PHA)
MR S. Frock (WAS)
MR J. Williams (PHA)
SP I. Higginbotham (PHA)
CL T. Hughes (CHA)
MR T. Neuer (LOU)
SS H. Wagner (CHA)
RF T. Speaker (CHA)
1B T. Jordan (WAS)
LF J. Jackson (CHA)
CF S. Evans (LOU)
2B H. Zimmerman (NYY)
3B A. Devlin (BOS)
C G. Street (WAS)
C F. Chance (LOU)
SS J. McGraw (WAS)
RF M. Donlin (BAL)
RF S. Magee (PHA)
1B E. Konetchy (PHA)
CF H. Wolter (BOS)
2B L. Doyle (DET)
1B F. Luderus (DET)


National:


SP J. Chesbro (NYG)
SP P. Dowling (BSN)
SP W. Johnson (NYG)
SP C. Robitaille (BRO)
SP B. Keeley (CIN)
CL J. Bracken (BSN)
MR G. Disch (STL)
MR M. Manuel (PHI)
MR T. Barry (PHI)
MR B. Adams (NYG)
MR M. Cunningham (BRO)
CL H. Coveleski (STL)
C A. Wilson (PHI)
3B E. Lennox (BSN)
1B D. Gessler (NYG)
2B N. Lajoie (STL)
CF A. Shaw (PHI)
RF F. Schulte (BRO)
LF S. Strang (CIN)
SS G. Davis (BSN)
C E. McFarland (STL)
CF T. Cobb (NYG)
3B L. Gardner (NYG)
3B H. Lobert (CIN)
1B S. Hofman (STL)
LF B. Bescher (STL)
RF D. Murphy (PIT)
RF J. Sheckard (BSN)

STANDINGS AS OF JULY 3 , 1908

NL Rookie Hittin' on All Cylinders in July
Saturday, August 1st, 1908: The best National League rookie in July was Brooklyn's first baseman Stuffy McInnis.

He hit .398 with 41 hits, no home runs, 17 RBIs, and 18 runs scored. He also walked 7 times on his way to a .425 OBP.

This year McInnis has socked 175 hits in 453 at-bats for a .386 average with 2 home runs. He is getting on base at a .409 pace and his totals also include 85 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
Great Month Gets AL Top Rookie Trophy
Saturday, August 1st, 1908: Steve Evans earned July's Rookie of the Month honors in the American League for last month's performance. The boyish Louisville left fielder might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level.

Evans hit .379 with 2 home runs, 14 RBIs and 20 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award.

Evans is currently batting .369 with 7 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Cincinnati's Dineen Top Pitcher in July
Saturday, August 1st, 1908: The National League scribes have selected July's Pitcher of the Month and have awarded the honor to Bill Dineen of Cincinnati. He was outstanding on the hill last month and has the numbers to prove it -- a 5-0 record.

The Redlegs star performer made 6 starts with a 2.16 ERA and surrendered 48 hits in 50 innings. He struck out 18 and walked 13.

This season to date, Dineen has fashioned a 15-10 mark and 4.38 ERA in 183 innings. Opposing clubs are batting .291 against him and he has logged 68 strikeouts.

STANDINGS AS OF AUGUST 1, 1908

Only 2 All-Stars but hanging around the top of the division...

McInnis Voted August's Best NL Rookie
Tuesday, September 1st, 1908: Brooklyn's Stuffy McInnis picked up the Rookie of the Month honors for August in the National League.

Posting a .376 average last month, he collected 44 hits, no home runs, 19 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

In his 1908 season totals, McInnis has 2 home runs, .384 BA, .411 OBP, 104 RBIs and 85 runs scored.
August's Top Newcomer Picked by AL
Tuesday, September 1st, 1908: The American League's Rookie of the Month is Steve Evans of Louisville.

In August the left fielder ravaged pitchers for a .409 BA, 47 hits, 4 home runs, 19 RBIs, scored 29 runs and walked 24 times for a .528 on-base percentage.

This year Evans has collected a .378 batting average to date with 201 hits in 532 at-bats, 67 RBIs, 11 home runs and scored 113 times. He has played in 136 games.
Lake Named Top NL Hurler
Tuesday, September 1st, 1908: Joe Lake will be bringing August's National League Pitcher of the Month trophy home to Pittsburgh. He excelled all month long as he kept opposing hitters guessing, reaching and hoping.

Lake started 6 games, going 6-0 with 10 strikeouts in 46.2 innings as he compiled his 1.93 ERA.

This year Lake has posted a record of 17 wins and 6 losses with a 3.59 ERA. He has appeared in 29 games and struck out 62 in 225.2 innings.

McInnis looks like a beast. I'm loving the OBP.

STANDINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1908

Chicago M# 26
Boston M# 23
New York M #24
Philadelphia M #25

In other words, things are wide open.

STANDINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 7, 1908

Week's Premier Performer Honored by NL
Monday, September 14th, 1908: The #1 hitter in the National League was Cincinnati third baseman Homerun Baker. He was selected the Player of the Week.

During the week Baker banged out a .548 batting average (17-31), no home runs, 5 RBI and scored 8 runs.

For the season, Baker is hitting at a .348 clip with 5 home runs, 99 RBIs and has scored 94 runs. He has 217 hits, 41 walks and a .391 on-base percentage.
Star of the Week Honored in AL
Monday, September 14th, 1908: Speak softly and carry a big stick and you could win the American League Player of the Week Award just like John Hummel.

He really dazzled on the diamond this week with a .552 average to take home the trophy. The Louisville left fielder went 16-29, drove in 8 runs, scored 3 times and hit no home runs.

This season Hummel is batting .296 with 175 hits, 8 home runs, 99 RBIs, .340 OBP and has scored 79 runs.
Mullin Toys with Cincinnati
Saturday, September 12th, 1908: In an outstanding outing, George Mullin tamed Cincinnati on a 5-hit shutout. The Boston hurler went the distance, finishing with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks in the 10-0 win.

"He had a lot of first pitch strikes and kept us off balance with a lot of off-speed stuff," according to the Cincinnati manager. "We just didn't get too many balls squared up today."

This season Mullin has registered 19 wins and 10 losses in 37 starts with a 3.94 ERA.

STANDINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 14, 1908

Great Week for Pittsburgh's George Stone
Monday, September 21st, 1908: George Stone of Pittsburgh was a smashing success this week, winning the Player of the Week Award in the National League.

He hit everything the pitchers threw at him, hammering them for a .567 batting average, going 17 for 30 with no home runs, 2 RBIs and scoring 7 times.

In 154 games this year Stone has posted a .344 average and put up these numbers: 5 home runs, 76 RBIs and 88 runs scored.
AL Awards Player of the Week Trophy
Monday, September 21st, 1908: The American League has named its Top Player of the Week. The honor went to Bill Sweeney, third baseman of the Chicago Whales.

In an extraordinary hitting display, he belted out hits at a .619 pace to win the award. Sweeney went 13-21 for the week, totaled no home runs, 4 RBIs and scored 6 times.

A look at his season totals shows Sweeney with 4 home runs, .323 BA, .382 OBP, 107 RBIs and 90 runs scored.
Merkle Belts Bunch of Base Hits
Wednesday, September 16th, 1908: It was a big day with the bat for Fred Merkle of the Philadelphia Phillies at South End Grounds III as he bashed out hit after hit after hit to defeat Boston 17-4.

After the game he said, "Guys, it's just one game in a long season. I hit it hard and found some holes today. 5 hits in 6 tries. But my hits are not the big thing in the game. The victory is the important thing. That's the story."

At the end of the game Merkle had collected 5 hits in 6 at-bats and a small mention in the record book. He was happy. He had a big day with the bat. And the Phillies had won.

F. Merkle singled in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 1st, grounded out in the 3rd, hit a two-run single in the 4th, singled in the 5th and singled in the 7th.

Thus far in 1908 Merkle is hitting .353 with 7 home runs, 93 RBIs, 143 runs scored and has compiled a .409 OBP.

STANDINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 21, 1908

Boston and Chicago have a magic number of #9 in the AL, Philadelphia has dim hopes of a playoff spot and Washington would need a near miracle.

In the NL, things are still extremely wide open with four teams vying for two spots with just a week to go in the season.

Cobb Bashes 5 Base Hits
Monday, September 21st, 1908: Ty Cobb had an answer for everything the St. Louis Cardinals threw him today in the New York 9-6 triumph at Robison Field. He made good contact 5 times and 5 times he drilled the ball for a base hit.

The New York center fielder went 5 for 7 in the game to put his name in the record book.

Summing up his batting philosophy to BNN writers after the game, Cobb said, "I just see the ball and I hit it."

T. Cobb flied out in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 5th, singled in the 8th, hit an RBI double in the 9th, struck out in the 11th and hit a two-run double in the 13th.

So far this year Cobb is hitting .375 with 2 home runs.
5-Hit Barrage by Smoot
Monday, September 21st, 1908: Today Homer Smoot led the Detroit Tigers to a 17-4 win over the New York Yankees. He topped all hitters in the game with 5 hits in 6 at-bats.

H. Smoot singled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit a two-run home run off G. Winter in the 5th, singled in the 6th, hit a two-run triple in the 7th and flied out in the 8th.

So far this season Smoot is batting .303 with 8 home runs, 88 RBIs and 66 runs scored. He has 183 hits in 603 at-bats, 40 walks and a .353 OBP. Smoot has played in 155 games.
Great Week for Pittsburgh's George Stone
Monday, September 21st, 1908: George Stone of Pittsburgh was a smashing success this week, winning the Player of the Week Award in the National League.

He hit everything the pitchers threw at him, hammering them for a .567 batting average, going 17 for 30 with no home runs, 2 RBIs and scoring 7 times.

In 154 games this year Stone has posted a .344 average and put up these numbers: 5 home runs, 76 RBIs and 88 runs scored.

STANDINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 1908

Chicago has a magic number of 1 to clinch the AL Wild Card with Boston having secured a spot in the postseason.

In the NL, Cincinnati has a 2 game lead on Boston with 3 games to go for the NL Wild Card.

2-3 one run, 5-1 the next, 2-5 the next, I think I may get a heart attack watching these standings update.

9/27
Philadelphia 7, Chicago 1
Boston 7, Baltimore 1
Cincinnati 3, Chicago 2
Boston 13, New York 8

It's always fun when the races are this close. Looks like the Royal Giants will have to go back to the drawing board this off season though.

9/28
Chicago 15, Philadelphia 10
Boston 3, Baltimore 2 (11 innings)

Boston clinches the AL regular season title. Chicago clinches the wild card!

Woohoo!

9/28
New York 2, Boston 1
Chicago 11, Cincinnati 1

Boston's loss clinches the NL Wild Card for Cincinnati!

Cincinnati beat New York in a tiebreaker game to claim the NL regular season title.

1908 FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

Drats, just not enough gas in the tank there!

NL Batting Title Belongs to Lajoie
Thursday, October 1st, 1908: St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nap Lajoie put the final touch on a fine season by winning the 1908 National League batting crown. The 34-year-old hitter was a pitcher's nightmare, hitting .383. Lajoie rapped out 271 hits in 708 at-bats with 64 doubles, 9 triples and 6 home runs. In addition, he played in 162 games, scored 129 runs and batted in 128.
Wagner Is AL Swing King
Thursday, October 1st, 1908: Batting titles are tough to come by. It takes a lot of talent, hard work, consistency, few slumps, good health and a little luck. Honus Wagner of the Chicago Whales put it all together this year and led the American League with a .381 batting average (272-714). The Whales shortstop played in 162 games, ending the season with 59 doubles, 7 triples, 13 home runs, 168 runs and 100 runs batted in. "When you work hard, good things happen," Wagner explained to reporters after winning the coveted award. "Slumps happen to everyone, but you won't break out of one without hard work. I think that's one of the prime reasons for my success this season."

It's disappointing to finish under .500 but at least we were only 9.5 back of Cincinnati. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.

File is up, folks. Playoffs tomorrow night!

I knew the Redbirds wouldn't be in contention this year after failing to bring in suitable replacements for multiple FA's. The core of a good team is still here, so with a little luck in FA I might be back next year.

Congrats playoff teams.

Thanks DC.

i was not expecting to be last in the NL. sure hope there is some good rookies in the draft pool this year!

We got off to a slow start, but slowly crept up throughout the season. Can't wait for the playoffs!

Another miserable season...we suck.

Good news is our #1 pick SP Ray Collins was 39-3 in AAA with 10 shutouts. Our AAA was 106-24...that's just funny!