Highlighted Year: Fred “Topsy” Hartsel, 1902

Outfielder, Philadelphia Athletics

Age: 28 (June 26)

1^st season with Athletics

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 5’5”    Weight: 155 

Prior to 1902:

An Ohio native, Tully Frederick Hartsel played football and baseball in school but turned down a chance to play football collegiately to instead play semipro baseball. Short and stocky, he was originally a middle infielder, but he was shifted to the outfield, due to his being left-handed, when he joined the Burlington Colts of the Class B Western Association in 1897. He appeared in 20 games and batted .282. He started the 1898 season with the Montgomery Senators of the Southern League but moved to Salem of the Ohio State League after the Southern League folded. That circuit also went out of business and Hartsel moved on again to Grand Rapids of the Inter-State League. There he hit .332 with 20 doubles, 11 triples, 107 runs scored, and 34 stolen bases in 101 games. He finished the year with the Louisville Colonels of the National League where he hit .324 with a .422 on-base percentage. He started the 1899 season with Louisville but was sold to Indianapolis of the Western League in June where he received the ironic and enduring nickname “Topsy” because of his fair-skinned, white-haired appearance, since the character Topsy in the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was black and a sportswriter remarked that Hartsel was “as light as Topsy is black”, which was considered very amusing at the time. The nickname stuck but Hartsel typically went by Fred in his everyday life. Hartsel remained with Indianapolis in 1900, on the eve of the Western League going major as the American League. He batted .301 with 86 runs scored, 11 doubles, 13 triples, 5 home runs, and 31 stolen bases. A dispute broke out between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Orphans (now Cubs) over which one had purchased Hartsel’s contract from Indianapolis. Hartsel played 19 games with the Reds and hit .328, but the Orphans succeeded in obtaining him for 1901, where he proceeded to have a breakout season as a major league player as he batted .335 with 25 doubles, 16 triples, 7 home runs, 54 RBIs, 41 stolen bases, and a .414 OBP. Hartsel jumped to the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League in 1902. Installed in the leadoff spot, he excelled thanks to his speed and excellent batting eye.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 137 games

LF – 137

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 643 [1]

At Bats – 545 [7]

Runs – 109 [1, tied with Dave Fultz]

Hits – 154 [17, tied with Jimmy Barrett]

Doubles – 20

Triples – 12 [6, tied with Bill Bradley, Socks Seybold & Elmer Flick]

Home Runs – 5 [17, tied with Jesse Burkett]

RBI – 58

Bases on Balls – 87 [1]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 26

Stolen Bases – 47 [1]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .283

OBP - .383 [13]

Slugging Pct. - .391

Total Bases – 213 [14, tied with Charlie Hemphill]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 3

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading plate appearances were +7 ahead of runner-up Jesse Burkett

League-leading bases on balls drawn were +11 ahead of runner-up Sammy Strang

League-leading stolen bases were +1 ahead of runner-up Sam Mertes

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 9, 3B – 3, HR- 3, RBI- 23, SB - 12, AVG - .239., OBP - .348

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Most hits, game – 3 on fourteen occasions

Longest hitting streak – 16 games

Most HR, game – 1 on five occasions

HR at home – 3

HR on road – 2

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Cleveland 7/21

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 268

Put Outs – 238

Assists – 18

Errors – 12

DP – 2

Pct. – .955

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The Athletics went 83-53 to win the AL pennant by 5 games over the St. Louis Browns while leading the league in runs scored (775), hits (1392), and fewest batting strikeouts (288). The A’s, initially hindered by the ongoing litigation with the NL’s Phillies over players who jumped to the AL club, entered July with only a 27-26 record, but within striking range of first place. The arrival of star LHP Rube Waddell and second baseman Danny Murphy in July fueled a surge that had them in first place to stay on August 15. A 20-5 stretch in September nailed down the first pennant in the young franchise’s history.

Aftermath of 1902:

Limited to 98 games in 1903 due to injuries, Hartsel remained productive, hitting .311 with 19 doubles, 14 triples, 5 home runs, 26 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, a .391 OBP, and a .477 slugging percentage. Fully recovered in 1904, Hartsel’s average dropped to .253 although his OBP was a healthy .347 thanks to his drawing 75 walks. The A’s returned to the top of the AL in 1905 and the diminutive Hartsel led the league in walks drawn (121) and OBP (.409) while hitting .275 with 22 doubles, 8 triples, and 37 stolen bases. In the World Series loss to the New York Giants in five games, he accounted for four hits against dominant New York pitching. Still adept at drawing walks, he continued to lead the AL in 1906, ‘07 and ’08, with 88, 106, and 93 respectively. While he hit only .255 in 1906, his OBP was a healthy .363. Correspondingly in 1907, Hartsel batted .280 with a league-leading .405 OBP. In 1908 his batting average was .243 but with a .371 OBP. As he reached his mid-30s in 1909 he was no longer able to play as regularly but he remained useful with a .381 OBP in 83 games. As a part-time player who helped with coaching and preparing scouting reports, he remained a significant part of the pennant-winning A’s teams in 1910 and 1911. His major league playing career ended following the latter season as he was purchased by the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association where he finished his career. For his major league career, Hartsel batted .276 with 1336 hits that included 182 doubles, 92 triples, and 31 home runs. He scored 826 runs and compiled 341 RBIs, 247 stolen bases, a .384 OBP, and a .370 slugging percentage while drawing 837 walks, a category in which he led the AL four times. With the Athletics he batted .266 with 1087 hits, 686 runs scored, 154 doubles, 74 triples, 21 home runs, 266 RBIs, 196 stolen bases, 733 walks drawn, and a .379 OBP. He appeared in six World Series games and hit .227 with five hits and four stolen bases. Hartsel later became active in promoting amateur baseball in Toledo and died at age 70 in 1944. 

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20), pitching wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10), or have been participants in the annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Noodles Hahn, 1902

Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

Age: 23 (April 29)

4^th season with Reds

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 160 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Hahn picked up his nickname “Noodles” in his youth as a result of his mother’s chicken noodle soup, which he either repeatedly expressed a particular liking for, brought to his father for lunch each day at a nearby piano factory, or delivered to a poor neighbor. Whatever the reason, the nickname stuck. At age 16 he joined a Southern Association team that moved from Chattanooga to Mobile during the 1895 season. Staying on with Mobile in 1896, he produced a 7-4 record with a 1.44 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 112.2 innings pitched. In 1897 he joined Detroit of the Western Association and went 17-16 with a 2.82 ERA, 31 complete games, and 144 strikeouts over 313 innings. Splitting 1898 between Detroit and St. Paul he had a mediocre season, going 12-20 with 28 complete games and 144 strikeouts in 266 innings. Recommended to the Reds by St. Paul owner Charles Comiskey, he pitched well in spring training and made the club. With an effective, if not overpowering, fastball and good control, he put together a 23-8 record in 1899 while leading the NL with 145 strikeouts and posting a 2.68 ERA. Hahn ran into difficulty coming to terms on a contract with the Reds for 1900 but settled and produced a 16-20 record for the 62-77 Reds along with a 3.27 ERA and again led the NL in strikeouts with 132. Along the way he pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies, one of the league’s best-hitting teams. Hahn was again successful in 1901, producing a 22-19 tally for the last-place Reds, along with a 2.71 ERA and 239 strikeouts, once again a league-leading total that included a then-record 16 in a game against the Boston Beaneaters (now Atlanta Braves). He also topped the NL with 41 complete games and 375.1 innings pitched.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 37 games

P – 36, 1B – 1, CF – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 36 [5, tied with Roy Evans, Mike O’Neill & Doc White]

Games Started – 36 [4]

Complete Games – 35 [3]

Wins – 23 [4, tied with Jack Taylor]

Losses – 12 [19, tied with Bob Wicker]

PCT - .657 [8]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 6 [5]

Innings Pitched – 321 [4]

Hits – 282 [6, tied with Bill Duggleby]

Runs – 97 [19]

Earned Runs – 63 [20, tied with Clarence Currie]

Home Runs – 2 [13, tied with eleven others]

Bases on Balls – 58 [17, tied with John Malarkey]

Strikeouts – 142 [6]

ERA – 1.77 [2]

Hit Batters – 6

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 6 [10, tied with four others]

Midseason Snapshot: 7-9, ERA - 1.64, SO – 66 in 148 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 8 (in 9 IP) vs. Bos. Beaneaters 8/16

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 4 (in 9 IP) vs. Brooklyn 5/25, (in 9 IP) vs. Pittsburgh 7/13

Batting

PA – 130, AB – 119, R – 10, H – 22, 2B – 3, 3B – 3, HR – 0, RBI – 9, BB – 10, SO – 31, SB – 2, CS – N/A, AVG - .185, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 92

Put Outs – 14

Assists – 69

Errors – 9

DP – 1

Pct. - .902

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The Reds went 70-70 to finish fourth in the NL, 33.5 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds started off slowly and were in the NL cellar at 13-22 by the end of May. After rising to sixth in June they posted winning records in July, August, and September and were 69-68 entering their last three games in October in which they went 1-2 at Pittsburgh to break even for the year.

Aftermath of 1902:

Resisting an offer to jump to the rival American League, Hahn signed a $4200 contract to stay with the Reds, making him the team’s highest-paid player. He was 22-12 in 1903 with a 2.52 ERA, 34 complete games, and 127 strikeouts. Showing signs of slippage in 1904, he posted a 16-18 tally with a still outstanding 2.06 ERA, 33 complete games among his 297.2 innings, and 98 strikeouts. A sore arm that diminished his fastball limited Hahn to 77 innings and a 5-3 mark with a 2.81 ERA in 1905, and the Reds released him in August. After pitching semiprofessionally for the remainder of ’05, he caught on with the AL’s New York Highlanders in 1906. He appeared in just six games before requesting his release and deciding to end his major league career. For that career, he compiled a 130-94 record with a 2.55 ERA, 212 complete games, 25 shutouts, and 917 strikeouts over 2029.1 innings. Nearly all of his production came with the Reds. Having attended Cincinnati Veterinary College during his playing days, he became a veterinary inspector for the US government in Cincinnati for over 30 years. He appeared semiprofessionally on the side for a time and also regularly pitched batting practice for the Reds at Crosley Field until he was well into his 60s. He also had a reputation as a skillful pianist. Moving to North Carolina after retiring from his government job, he died at age 80 in 1960.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20), pitching wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10), or have been participants in the annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Charlie “Togie” Pittinger, 1902

Pitcher, Boston Beaneaters

Age: 30

3^rd season with Beaneaters

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 175 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, Charles Pittinger played semipro baseball where he demonstrated an outstanding fastball in addition to bouts of wildness. He also developed an effective curve. In 1895 he pitched in the Cumberland Valley League with Martinsburg and Carlisle. Signing with Roanoke of the Virginia League in 1896 he was released after one appearance and he returned to the Cumberland Valley League with the Chambersburg Maroons where he posted a 5-7 record and 2.91 ERA with 10 complete games and 44 strikeouts over 99 innings pitched. Late in August he joined Milton of the Central Pennsylvania League where he finished out the year. Starting 1897 with a town team in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Pittinger excelled and moved on to Brockton of the New England League where he produced a 14-4 tally and 1.01 ERA with 16 complete games and 52 strikeouts over 170 innings. Signed by the Beaneaters for 1898, during spring training he was notified of his wife’s illness and went home to care for her and their daughters. Farmed out to Brockton, Pittinger went 6-0 in seven appearances and returned to Boston, where he went unused before joining a semipro team in August. Requesting that the Beaneaters trade or release him, the club turned down offers for him and he was sent to the Springfield Ponies of the Eastern League in 1899, where he compiled a 9-5 record before leaving the team for the remainder of the season due to another apparent episode of bad health on the part of his wife. He stuck with Boston in 1900 and although the pattern of family illness again caused his departure from the club, he returned in June and was sent down to Worcester of the Eastern League where he went 13-5 with 18 complete games. Returning to the Beaneaters in September he experienced difficulties and finished with a major league record of 2-9 with a 5.13 ERA. Actively shopped in the offseason, Pittinger returned to Boston in 1901 and showed improvement as he compiled a 13-16 tally for the fifth-place club with a 3.01 ERA, 27 complete games, and 129 strikeouts over 281.1 innings. Along the way he suffered a scare when hit in the head by a batted ball in a game against Brooklyn. Although he lost consciousness, he was back in action a few days later. Having received overtures from the American League, he signed a contract with the Beaneaters for 1902. Despite an imposing physique and apart from his nickname of “Togie”, he was regularly mocked in the press for his appearance and called “Horse Face” and “Dog Face”.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 46 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 46 [2]

Games Started – 40 [2]

Complete Games – 36 [2]

Wins – 27 [2, tied with Vic Willis]

Losses – 16 [8, tied with Bill Phillips, Pop Williams & Henry Thielman]

PCT - .628 [9]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 7 [4]

Innings Pitched – 389.1 [2]

Hits – 360 [2]

Runs – 139 [4]

Earned Runs – 109 [2]

Home Runs – 4 [3, tied with Frank Kitson, Mal Eason & Luther Taylor]

Bases on Balls – 128 [1]

Strikeouts – 174 [3]

ERA – 2.52 [17]

Hit Batters – 16 [3]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 6 [10, tied with four others]

League-leading bases on balls issued were +17 ahead of runner-up Bill Donovan

Midseason Snapshot: 11-8, ERA - 3.15, SO - 78 in 168.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 9 IP) vs. St. Louis Cardinals 9/10

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 1 (in 9 IP) vs. Pittsburgh 6/14

Batting

PA – 153, AB – 147, R – 6, H – 20, 2B – 1, 3B – 1, HR – 0, RBI – 10, BB – 1, SO – 56, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .136, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 4, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 109

Put Outs – 20

Assists – 83

Errors – 6

DP – 2

Pct. - .945

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The Beaneaters (aka Nationals) went 73-64 to finish third in the NL, 30.5 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The pitching staff led the league in saves (4, tied with St. Louis Cardinals) & bases on balls issued (372). The slow-starting Beaneaters finished May in fourth place at 15-19 before rallying in June and July to advance to third at 42-37. A lesser performance in August and September, during which Pittinger went 7-7, locked the club into its third-place finish.

Aftermath of 1902:

Strongly pursued by American League clubs during the 1902 season, Pittinger signed a two-year contract with the Beaneaters at $4000 per year. Prior to 1903 spring training, he injured his arm while practicing with the Dickinson College baseball team and went on to post a disappointing 18-22 record and 3.48 ERA with 35 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 140 strikeouts over 351.2 innings while also leading the league with his 22 losses and in hits allowed (396), home runs allowed (12), and walks issued (143), while also unleashing 14 wild pitches. Furthermore, off the field in a family tragedy, Pittinger’s oldest daughter died. With the Beaneaters disappointed in Pittinger’s pitching performance, he returned in 1904 and had a marginally better season as he compiled a 15-21 tally and 2.66 ERA with 35 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 146 strikeouts over 335.1 innings although he still topped the circuit in walks issued (144). In the offseason, his relationship with the Beaneaters having soured beyond repair, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. On the field with the Phillies in 1905, Pittinger had a fine season, tying for the most pitching appearances in the NL with 46 and posting a 23-14 record with a 3.09 ERA, 29 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 136 strikeouts over 337.1 innings. Off the field there was another tragedy as his wife died from a heart ailment. He held out in 1906 and missed spring training and further lost time due to health problems on his way to a disappointing 8-10 tally and 3.40 ERA in only 20 appearances. Initially refusing to sign with the Phillies for 1907, Pittinger threatened to jump to the Tri-State League but finally reported to the Phillies and went 9-5 with a 3.00 ERA until the effects of diabetes caused him to leave the club and ended his career at age 35.For his major league career he produced a 115-113 record with a 3.10 ERA, 187 complete games, 23 shutouts, and 832 strikeouts and 734 walks over 2040.2 innings. With Boston he went 75-84 with a 3.08 ERA, 141 complete games, 16 shutouts, and 616 strikeouts and 545 walks over 1471.2 innings. Following his playing career he operated a restaurant and grocery store in Carlisle, Pennsylvnia prior to his death from the effects of diabetes in 1909 at age 37, his short life having been mired in tragedy and controversy. 

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Doc White, 1902

Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Age:  23 (April 9)

2^nd season with Phillies

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 150 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Washington, DC, G. Harris White was the son of a prominent businessman and began studying at Georgetown University in 1897 where he joined the baseball team as a pitcher and outfielder. In an 1899 game against Holy Cross, he struck out the first nine batters he faced. While working toward a degree in dentistry, White played semi-pro ball in 1900. With his performance catching the interest of the Phillies, he signed in 1901 and as a rookie that year posted a 14-13 record and 3.19 ERA with 22 complete games and 132 strikeouts over 236.2 innings. In the offseason he completed his studies and received a degree in dentistry in 1902.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 61 games

P – 36, LF – 17, PH – 6, RF – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 36 [5, tied with Roy Evans, Noodles Hahn & Mike O’Neill]

Games Started – 35 [5]

Complete Games – 34 [4, tied with Jack Taylor]

Wins – 16 [10, tied with Bill Phillips, Mike O’Neill & Ed Doheny]

Losses – 20 [2, tied with Vic Willis]

PCT - .444

Saves – 1 [5, tied with eleven others]

Shutouts – 3 [11, tied with four others]

Innings Pitched – 306 [5]

Hits – 277 [8, tied with Roy Evans]

Runs – 126 [8]

Earned Runs – 86 [9]

Home Runs – 3 [7, tied with five others]

Bases on Balls – 72 [10]

Strikeouts – 185 [2]

ERA – 2.53 [18, tied with Ed Doheny]

Hit Batters – 13 [8]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 7 [7, tied with Luther Taylor & Bill Donovan]

Midseason Snapshot: 8-10, ERA – 2.71, SO - 86 in 153 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 11 (in 9 IP) vs. Chi. Cubs 9/1

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) vs. Brooklyn 10/2

Batting

PA – 200, AB – 179, R – 17, H – 47, 2B – 3, 3B – 1, HR – 1, RBI – 15, BB – 11, SO – 23, SB – 5, CS – N/A, AVG - .263, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 9, SF – N/A

Fielding (P)

Chances – 101

Put Outs – 11

Assists – 83

Errors – 7

DP – 0

Pct. - .931

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The Phillies went 56-81 to finish seventh in the NL, 46 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. Having suffered further defections to the American League, the Phillies, following a 5-1 start, struggled during May and after climbing to 28-31 by the end of June, suffered through a difficult July and August to settle into seventh place to stay.

Aftermath of 1902:

After opening his dental office in Washington in the offseason, White became the subject of a bidding war between American League teams. He was awarded to the Chicago White Sox in 1903, following the peace agreement between the NL and AL. His 1903 record was 17-16 with a 2.13 ERA, 29 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 114 strikeouts over 300 innings pitched. His willingness to throw inside to hitters led to 14 hit batters Respected for his education he soon earned the nickname “Doc” as a result of his off-field profession. His best pitch proved to be a “drop ball” (sinker) that broke sharply downward as it crossed the plate which supplemented his good fastball and overall effective control. The White Sox contended in 1904 and White contributed what was then a record with five consecutive shutouts on his way to a 16-12 tally and 1.78 ERA with 23 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 115 strikeouts over 228 innings. Intelligent and articulate, he became a favorite subject for interviewers. He was outstanding again in 1905 as he produced a 17-13 record, 1.76 ERA, 25 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 120 strikeouts over 260.1 innings. The White Sox won the AL pennant in 1906, primarily due to their pitching and fielding, and White contributed a league-leading 1.52 ERA to go with a 16-6 tally, 20 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 95 strikeouts over 219.1 innings, although he was hindered by illness and a tired arm late in the season. In the World Series upset of the cross-town Cubs, he lasted only three innings in a Game 2 loss but relieved effectively to save Game 5 and started and went the distance in winning the decisive Game 6. In 1907 White tied for the league lead in wins with his 27-13 record and had a 2.26 ERA with 24 complete games, 6 shutouts, and 141 strikeouts over 291 innings while walking only 38 batters to average 1.2 walks per nine innings. With the White Sox involved in a tight pennant race in 1908, White produced an 18-13 tally and 2.55 ERA with 24 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 126 strikeouts over 296 innings. He appeared in only 24 games in 1909 as he began to show signs of wear from his heavy work load. He remained effective as he posted an 11-9 record and 1.72 ERA. His effectiveness began to diminish thereafter and, although he stayed with the White Sox until 1913, he produced only one more winning tally. He left the major leagues after pitching in only 19 games in 1913, although he played in the Pacific Coast League in 1914 and ’15. For his major league career, White produced a 189-156 record with a 2.39 ERA, 262 complete games, 45 shutouts, and 1384 strikeouts over 3041 innings. With the Phillies he went 30-33 with a 2.82 ERA, 56 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 317 strikeouts over 542.2 innings. His only postseason appearances came in the 1906 World Series with the White Sox, and in three games he went 1-1 with a save, a 1.80 ERA, and 4 strikeouts over 15 innings. His record for consecutive shutouts lasted until 1968. Active in his church, he played the piano and directed the choir. He later toured while performing spirituals and popular songs of the time. White also collaborated with writer Ring Lardner, composing music for song lyrics Lardner wrote. White also became a minor league manager and coached baseball and taught physical education at his former high school in Washington. He was a college pitching coach until retiring at 70 in 1949. A devoted gardener, he won prizes for his roses in local competions. White died in 1969 at age 89, several months after sending a congratulatory telegram to Dodgers RHP Don Drysdale, who broke his record for consecutive shutouts.     

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Dave Fultz, 1902

Outfielder, Philadelphia Athletics

 Age:  27 (May 29)

2^nd season with Athletics

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Staunton, Virginia, Fultz was a member of a prominent family and received his high school education at Staunton Military Academy where he participated in football and baseball as well as track. He moved on to Brown University in 1894 and was an All-American in football and baseball in 1896 and ’97. As a halfback on the football team, Fultz set long-standing school records by scoring 31 touchdowns and 186 points. A second baseman on the baseball team, he captained the squad that won the 1896 national championship. Fultz played professional baseball and football after graduating from Brown while pursuing a law degree at Columbia University. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1898 and batted .182 over 19 games before leaving to become the football coach at the University of Missouri. Returning to the Phillies in 1899, he appeared in only two games and was released in July. Unwilling to play on Sundays became a sticking point in joining another team but he signed with the NL’s Baltimore Orioles and primarily playing at third base and in the outfield over the course of 57 games, Fultz hit .295 with 18 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, and a .342 on-base percentage. In 1900 he joined Milwaukee of the American League, which was not yet a major league. Primarily appearing at second base and shortstop, Fultz batted .298 with 16 doubles, 13 triples, and 4 home runs. In 1901 he followed Connie Mack, who had been general manager in Milwaukee, to the Philadelphia Athletics, a new AL club in what was now a major league. Moved to center field due to the acquisition of star second baseman Nap Lajoie, Fultz hit .292 with 17 doubles, 9 triples, 52 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and a .334 OBP. With great speed, Fultz was an excellent base stealer and bunter. A patient hitter he also drew many walks. Defensively he covered center field very well. In addition to not playing on Sundays, he didn’t smoke, drink, or swear, and was esteemed by Mack for his good character.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 129 games

CF – 114, 2B – 16

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 605 [7]

At Bats – 506 [19]

Runs – 109 [1, tied with Topsy Hartsel]

Hits – 153 [19]

Doubles – 20

Triples – 5

Home Runs – 1

RBI – 49

Bases on Balls – 62 [6, tied with Ed Delahanty]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 33 [18, tied with Elmer Flick & Charlie Hemphill]

Stolen Bases – 44 [3]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .302

OBP - .381 [14]

Slugging Pct. - .368

Total Bases – 186

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 35 [1]

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading sac hits were +11 ahead of runner-up Danny Green

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 9, HR – 1, RBI – 20, AVG - .300, OBP - .366

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) vs. Baltimore 5/7, (in 6 AB) vs. Cleveland 5/24 – 11 innings

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

HR at home – 1

HR on road – 0

Most home runs, game – 1 (in 4 AB) vs. St. Louis Browns 6/2

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 vs. St. Louis Browns 6/2, vs. St. Louis Browns 8/22, vs. Washington 9/17

Pinch-hitting – N/A

Fielding (OF)

Chances – 259

Put Outs – 231

Assists – 18

Errors – 10

DP – 1

Pct. – .961

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The Athletics went 83-53 to win the AL pennant by 5 games over the St. Louis Browns while leading the league in runs scored (775), hits (1392),, and fewest batting strikeouts (288). The A’s, initially hindered by the ongoing litigation with the NL’s Phillies over players who jumped to the AL club, entered July with only a 27-26 record, but within striking range of first place. The arrival of star LHP Rube Waddell and second baseman Danny Murphy in July fueled a surge that had them in first place to stay on August 15. A 20-5 stretch in September nailed down the first pennant in the young franchise’s history.

Aftermath of 1902:

Fultz sought to jump back to the National League in 1903, but following negotiations with Brooklyn and the New York Giants, he ended up being assigned to the AL’s New York Highlanders (now Yankees). In 1903, persistent leg soreness from his years of playing football limited him to 79 games and a .224 average with 13 extra-base hits and a .295 OBP. His defense suffered, too, but he returned to the Highlanders in 1904 and batted .274 with 17 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, and a .324 OBP. Following his receiving a law degree and passing the New York bar, Fultz stated that 1905 would be his last season as a player. In his final season, dealing with persistent knee pain, he hit .232 with 13 doubles, 3 triples, 42 RBIs, 44 stolen bases, and a .308 OBP. Defensively, he finished fourth among AL center fielders with 253 putouts. For his major league career Fultz batted .271 with 648 hits that included 84 doubles, 26 triples, and 3 home runs. He scored 369 runs and compiled 223 RBIs, 189 stolen bases, and a .332 OBP. With the Athletics he batted .297 with 204 runs scored, 317 hits, 37 doubles, 14 triples, one home run, 101 RBIs, 80 stolen bases, and a .357 OBP. Efforts to lure him back to the playing field failed. Following his playing career, he remained active with his law practice in New York and was a collegiate baseball coach. He became active in the movement to create a players’ union (which ultimately failed to take hold at that time). Fultz also served as president of the rival Federal League in 1914-15, cementing his reputation among major league owners as a radical outcast. Following service in the Aviation Corps near the end of World War I, Fultz became president of the International League, one of the top minor league circuits. Ousted late in 1920, he continued with his legal practice until retiring in 1947.He died in 1959 at age 84.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Frank Kitson, 1902

Pitcher, Brooklyn Superbas

Age:  33 (Sept. 11)

3^rd season with Superbas

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 165 

Prior to 1902:

A native of southwestern Michigan, Kitson got his start in baseball pitching for country teams in Allegan County. Pitching for the Muskegon team in the Grand Rapids Western League, he was part of a locally outstanding battery with catcher Ernest Krueger, who was a local contractor with a powerful throwing arm. Moving on to minor league clubs in 1895, ’96, and ’97, Kitson joined the Baltimore Orioles of the National League in 1898 where he saw action in the outfield due to his good hitting, with poor results, as well as on the mound. In 17 pitching appearances, of which 13 were starts, he produced an 8-5 record and 3.24 ERA with 32 strikeouts over 119.1 innings. He also batted .314 with four extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. A raw talent and lacking pitching finesse and poor at fielding his position when he joined the Orioles, he benefited from the tutelage of manager Ned Hanlon, who improved his technique. Kitson broke out in 1899 with a 22-16 tally and 2.78 ERA with 34 complete games and 75 strikeouts over 326.2 innings. With the National League shedding teams prior to the 1900 season, Baltimore was expelled and Kitson joined several of his teammates with Brooklyn, where he was reunited with manager Hanlon. While he tended to struggle when pitching at his home park, Kitson produced a 15-13 record for the pennant-winning Superbas, along with a 4.19 ERA, 21 complete games, and 55 strikeouts over 253.1 innings. The club slipped to third place in 1901 but Kitson had a better performance with a 19-11 tally and 2.98 ERA, 26 complete games, and 127 strikeouts over 280.2 innings.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 40 games

P – 32, PH – 8

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 32 [14, tied with Pop Williams]

Games Started – 31 [13]

Complete Games – 29 [10, tied with Mike O’Neill & Deacon Phillippe]

Wins – 19 [8]

Losses – 13 [16, tied with Chick Fraser & Mel Eason]

PCT - .594 [12]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 3 [11, tied with four others]

Innings Pitched – 268.2 [14]

Hits – 258 [15]

Runs – 102 [17]

Earned Runs – 83 [11]

Home Runs – 4 [3, tied with Togie Pittinger, Mal Eason & Luther Taylor]

Bases on Balls – 49

Strikeouts – 114 [9]

ERA – 2.78

Hit Batters – 7

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4 [16, tied with seven others]

Midseason Snapshot: 9-9, ERA - 2.89, SO - 54 in 146.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 9 IP) at NY Giants 7/25

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 9 IP) at NY Giants 9/29, (in 8 IP) at Phila. Phillies 4/22

Batting

PA – 122, AB – 117, R – 10, H – 32, 2B – 3, 3B – 4, HR – 1, RBI – 11, BB – 3, SO – 12, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .274, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 1, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 80

Put Outs – 7

Assists – 70

Errors – 3

DP – 1

Pct. - .963

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The Superbas went 75-63 to finish second in the NL, 27.5 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The pitching staff led the league in fewest hits allowed (1113). The Superbas got off to a slow start and were 17-19 at the end of May, including a 1-3 performance in a series at Pittsburgh. Things picked up in June and July but after rising to second place, there was no chance of catching the dominant Pirates the rest of the way.

Aftermath of 1902:

In the offseason, Kitson jumped to the Detroit Tigers of the American League, moving before the National and American Leagues reached an accord that ended the player-jumping. With the Tigers in 1903, he compiled a 15-16 record for the fifth-place club, and a 2.58 ERA with 28 complete games and 102 strikeouts over 257.2 innings. Detroit dropped to seventh in 1904 and Kitson’s tally was 9-13 with a respectable 3.07 ERA, 18 complete games, and 69 strikeouts over 199.2 innings. Appreciated for his enthusiasm and clean play, he spent one more season with the Tigers in 1905, producing a 12-14 record and 3.47 ERA with 21 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 78 strikeouts over 225.2 innings. In the offseason he was traded to the Washington Senators. In 1906 he went 6-14 with a 3.65 ERA, 15 complete games, and 59 strikeouts over 197 innings. He split the 1907 season between Washington and the New York Highlanders, compiling a combined tally of 4-3 in 17 total appearances. He finished up with the Kansas City Blues of the American Association and concluded his career at age 38. For his major league career, Kitson compiled a 129-118 record with a 3.17 ERA, 211 complete games, 19 shutouts, 7 saves, and 736 strikeouts over 2221.2 innings. With Brooklyn he went 53-37 with a 3.30 ERA, 76 complete games, 10 shutouts, 6 saves, and 296 strikeouts over 802.2 innings. As a batter he hit .240 with 28 doubles, 17 triples, 4 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .273 on-base percentage. Following his playing career he returned to Michigan and operated a farm where his health began to fail until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1930 at age 60.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Sam Crawford, 1902

Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds

Age:  22 (April 18)

4^th season with Reds

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Wahoo, Nebraska (hence his nickname “Wahoo Sam”), Crawford ended his formal schooling in fifth grade to apprentice as a barber. He also demonstrated baseball skill early on while playing sandlot ball. After joining a touring team he played for the local Killian Brothers club. In 1898 he played semipro ball while barbering in two small towns in Nebraska. Recommended to the Canadian League team in Chatham, Ontario in 1899, Crawford batted .370 in 43 games before moving on to Columbus and Grand Rapids in the Western League and hit .328 with 13 triples and 5 home runs in 60 games. The Reds purchased his contract and the 19-year-old outfielder appeared in 31 games and batted .307 with 11 extra-base hits, 20 RBIs, a .318 on-base percentage, and a .465 slugging percentage. In his first full major league season in 1900 he hit .260 with 15 doubles, 15 triples, 7 home runs, 59 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, a .314 OBP, and a .429 slugging percentage. Solidly built and strong, he quickly developed into a highly regarded power hitter within the context of the times. In 1901 with a last-place club he led the league with 16 home runs while batting .330 with 20 doubles, 16 triples, 104 RBIs, a .378 OBP, and a .524 slugging percentage.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 140 games

RF – 134, LF – 7

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 611 [5]

At Bats – 555 [4]

Runs – 92 [5]

Hits – 185 [3]

Doubles – 18 [19, tied with Fred Tenney & Tommy Corcoran]

Triples – 22 [1, tied with Tommy Leach]

Home Runs – 3 [5, tied with seven others]

RBI – 78 [3]

Bases on Balls – 47 [8]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 40

Stolen Bases – 16

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .333 [2, tied with Willie Keeler]

OBP - .386 [6, tied with Jimmy Slagle]

Slugging Pct. - .461 [2]

Total Bases – 256 [1]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 1

Sac Hits – 6

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading total bases were +9 ahead of runner-up Honus Wagner

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 10, 3B – 10, HR – 0, RBI – 38, AVG - .326, OBP - .376, SLG – .435

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) vs. St. Louis Cardinals 6/22, (in 5 AB) at Chi. Cubs 7/27, (in 5 AB) vs. Brooklyn 8/20, (in 5 AB) vs. St. Louis Cardinals 8/29

Longest hitting streak – 18 games

HR at home – 0

HR on road – 3

Most home runs, game – 1 (in 4 AB) at St. Louis Cardinals 7/20, (in 5 AB) at St. Louis Cardinals 7/21, (in 4 AB) at NY Giants 9/5

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 on eight occasions

Fielding

Chances – 249

Put Outs – 208

Assists – 24

Errors – 17

DP – 5

Pct. - .932

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The Reds went 70-70 to finish fourth in the NL, 33.5 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds started off slowly and were in the NL cellar at 13-22 by the end of May. After rising to sixth in June they posted winning records in July, August, and September and were 69-68 entering their last three games in October in which they went 1-2 at Pittsburgh to break even for the year.

Aftermath of 1902:

In 1903 Crawford jumped to the Detroit Tigers of the American League and led the AL with 25 triples to go along with 23 doubles, 4 home runs, 89 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, a .335 average, a .366 OBP, and a .489 slugging percentage. He performed well defensively as he split his time between right and left field, although his lack of speed hindered his ability to cover much ground. His production dropped in 1904, but he regained his consistency in making contact in 1905 as he hit .297 with 6 home runs, 75 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, a .357 OBP, and a .430 slugging percentage. The arrival of Ty Cobb in 1906 brought a player who would take over in center field and overshadow right fielder Crawford over the next decade. In contrast to Cobb’s brashness and aggressiveness, “Wahoo Sam” was highly respected for his integrity and gentlemanly disposition. Despite his lack of formal education, he came also to be known as well-read and articulate. And he remained an outstanding hitter in 1906 batting .295 with 25 doubles, 16 triples, 2 home runs, 66 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, and a .341 OBP. The Tigers won the AL pennant in 1907 and Crawford contributed by leading the league with 102 runs scored while hitting .323 with 34 doubles, 17 triples, 4 home runs, 81 RBIs, a .366 OBP, and a .460 slugging percentage. In the World Series loss to the Chicago Cubs he hit .238. The Tigers repeated as AL champs in 1908 and Crawford again scored 102 runs while batting .311 with 33 doubles, 16 triples, a league-leading 7 home runs, a .355 OBP, and a .457 slugging percentage. Detroit again lost to the Cubs in the World Series, and again Crawford hit .238. The Tigers topped the AL again in 1909 and Crawford led the circuit with 35 doubles while batting .314 with 14 triples, 6 home runs, 97 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, a .366 OBP, and a .452 slugging percentage. The club fell to Pittsburgh in the World Series although Crawford contributed a home run and 4 RBIs. The Tigers dropped to third in 1910 although “Wahoo Sam” led the league in triples (19) and RBIs (120) while hitting .289 with 26 doubles, 5 home runs, a .332 OBP, and a .423 slugging percentage. His production remained solid in 1911 as he batted .378 with 36 doubles, 14 triples, 7 home runs, 115 RBIs, 37 stolen bases, a .438 OBP, and a .526 slugging percentage. He tied for fourteenth in AL Chalmers Award voting for league MVP, well behind his teammate, Cobb, who won the award. In 1912 the durable and consistent Crawford hit .325 with 30 doubles, 21 triples, 4 home runs, 109 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .373 OBP, and a .470 slugging percentage for the sixth-place Tigers. He again tied for fourteenth in AL MVP balloting. “Wahoo Sam” topped the AL in triples (23) and total bases (298) in 1913 while batting .317 with 32 doubles, 9 home runs, 83 RBIs, a .371 OBP, and a .489 slugging percentage. Detroit again finished in sixth and for the third straight year, Crawford tied for fourteenth in league Chalmers Award balloting. He rose to second in 1914 after topping the AL in triples (26) and RBIs (104) while hitting .314 with 22 doubles, 8 home runs, a .388 OBP, and a .483 slugging percentage. After a decent 1916 season, Crawford’s performance dropped off drastically at age 37 in 1917, after which he was released by the Tigers, which ended his major league career. He went on to play four seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League, topping that circuit with 239 hits in 1919 and 21 triples in 1920. For his major league career he batted .309 with 2961 hits that included 458 doubles, 309 triples, and 97 home runs. Crawford scored 1391 runs and compiled 1523 RBIs, 367 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and a .452 slugging percentage. With the Reds he batted .312 with 276 runs scored, 495 hits, 56 doubles, 60 triples, 27 home runs, 261 RBIs, 49 stolen bases, a .361 OBP, and a .474 slugging percentage. His overall career total of 309 triples remains the NL/AL record. He led either the NL or AL in triples six times, and the AL in RBIs on three occasions. Appearing in 17 World Series games, he hit .243 with 5 doubles, one home run, and 8 RBIs. While Crawford and Cobb had an uneasy relationship, Cobb speculated that his long-time teammate would have had 40-home run seasons during the era of the livelier ball. Following his playing career Crawford was a successful head baseball coach at USC and also worked as a Pacific Coast League umpire. Quiet and reclusive in retirement, he explained in his laconic way to an interviewer why he didn’t have a phone by saying “I never was for telephones. Just don’t like them, that’s all. Anybody wants to talk to you, they can come to see you. I do have a television…but I never turn it on. I’d rather read a book.” Crawford was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957, 11 years before his death in 1968 at age 88.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20), pitching wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10), or have been participants in the annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Jack Taylor, 1902

Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Age: 28

4^th season with Orphans/Cubs

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 

Prior to 1902:

A native of southeastern Ohio, Taylor began pitching for semipro teams in Marietta, Ohio and Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1897, he joined Milwaukee of the Western League where he produced an 8-7 record and 2.54 ERA during a season cut short by a broken arm. Still with Milwaukee in 1898, Taylor posted a 28-13 tally with 40 complete games. Joining the NL’s Chicago Orphans in September, he went 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA. Taylor’s performance with the 75-73 Orphans in 1899 produced a less impressive 18-21 record with a 3.76 ERA, 39 complete games, and 67 strikeouts over 354.2 innings. Throwing a variety of pitches from a sidearm motion, most notably a fastball, he pitched well for a woeful Chicago club that tied for fifth in 1900 and finished with a 10-17 mark, a 2.55 ERA, 25 complete games, and 57 strikeouts over 222.1 innings. The club placed sixth in 1901 but Taylor improved his record to 13-19 with a 3.36 ERA, 30 complete games, and 68 strikeouts over 275.2 innings pitched. With the rebuilding Orphans becoming known (then and ever after) as the Cubs in 1902, Taylor had an outstanding season.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 56 games

P – 37, 3B – 12, RF – 3, 1B – 2, 2B – 1, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 37 [4]

Games Started – 34 – [6]

Complete Games – 34 [4, tied with Doc White]

Wins – 23 [4, tied with Noodles Hahn]

Losses – 11

PCT - .676 [7]

Saves – 1 [5, tied with eleven others]

Shutouts – 8 [1, tied with Jack Chesbro & Christy Mathewson]

Innings Pitched – 333.2 [3]

Hits – 273 [10]

Runs – 86

Earned Runs – 48

Home Runs – 2 [13, tied with eleven others]

Bases on Balls – 45

Strikeouts – 88 [16, tied with Ed Doheny]

ERA – 1.29 [1]

Hit Batters – 12 [9, tied with Mal Eason, Mike O’Neill & Bill Duggleby]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 10 [4]

League-leading ERA was -0.48 lower than runner-up Noodles Hahn

Midseason Snapshot: 13-6, ERA – 1.06, SO – 56 in 194.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 8 (in 9 IP) vs. Bos. Beaneaters 5/20

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) vs. NY Giants 5/7

Batting

PA – 207, AB – 189, R – 18, H – 44, 2B – 6, 3B – 1, HR – 0, RBI – 18, BB – 8, SO – 23, SB – 6, CS – N/A, AVG - .233, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 9, SF – N/A

Fielding (P)

Chances – 127

Put Outs – 15

Assists – 106

Errors – 6

DP – 3

Pct. - .953

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The Cubs went 68-69 to finish fifth in the NL, 34 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The pitching staff led the league in ERA (2.19) and complete games (134). The Cubs started well and were in second place with a 23-12 record by the end of May following a split of a doubleheader with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The club dropped off the pace in the summer. A six-game August win streak was followed by an eight-game losing streak which knocked them down to fourth, and they were unable to finish in the first division while Pittsburgh ran away from the pack. 

Aftermath of 1902:

Taylor went on to another fine season in 1903, producing a 21-14 record and a 2.45 ERA, again completing all his starts (33), and recording 83 strikeouts over 312.1 innings. In the postseason City Series against the American League’s White Sox he started and easily won the first game but lost three other starts, which led to charges of his having been paid off by gamblers to throw the games. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals along with catcher/first baseman Larry McLean for RHP Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and catcher Jack O’Neill. Taylor co-led the NL with 39 complete games to go with a 20-19 record and a 2.22 ERA with 103 strikeouts over 352 innings. Following the 1904 season, Taylor was called before baseball’s ruling National Commission which was investigating the game-throwing charge coming out of the 1903 Chicago City Series due to his allegedly having been overheard saying that he was paid $500 to lose. Following his testimony that he had been out drinking and gambling the night before the game in question, he was acquitted on the charge of throwing games but was fined $300 for bad conduct. Together with allegations of having thrown a game against Pittsburgh during the 1904 season, his reputation was further sullied. He did pitch again for the Cardinals in 1905 and went 15-21 with a 3.44 ERA and 102 strikeouts over 309 innings pitched. He started 34 games and completed them all once again. Off to an 8-9 start in 1906, Taylor was dealt back to the Cubs. He performed excellently for the pennant-winning club and finished with a combined tally of 20-12 with a 1.99 ERA. His complete games streak ended at 187 in August when he was finally relieved during a loss to the New York Giants. He ended up with 32 complete games for the year and struck out 61 batters over 302.1 innings. He played one more season with the Cubs in 1907 in which he posted a 7-5 record and 3.29 ERA. For his major league career, Taylor produced a 152-139 record and 2.65 ERA with 279 complete games, 20 shutouts, and 662 strikeouts over 2626 innings. With the Cubs he was 109-90 with a 2.65 ERA, 189 complete games, 14 shutouts, and 430 strikeouts over 1810 innings. Taylor did not appear in World Series play. Following his major league career, he went on to pitch in the minors with six different teams, winding up his playing career in 1913. The one time “iron man” pitcher became a coal miner and died at age 64 in 1938.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who don’t otherwise qualify but received MVP votes or were contributors to teams that reached the postseason.