1916 BBW Replay - Pre-Season Preview

The 1915 season ended when the Boston Red Sox defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in five games to win the 1915 World Series. Between then and the start of the 1916 season, there was the usual amount of player churn: drops, acquisitions, and trades, but there were several significant occurrences worth mentioning in more detail:

In the fall of 1915, the Federal League announced it was folding. It had done well in 1914, but in 1915, attendance and revenues were down. The owners didn't see a recovery, so they decided to cut their losses, and the league was disbanded. The creation of the Federal League provided a salary boon for players, but with the end of the league, it effectively created a large free agent pool for which MLB teams could pick and choose.

 

On February 9, 1916, the NL owners voted down a proposal to increase the roster sizes from 21 to 22. This proposal was championed by New York, Chicago, and Boston. A counterproposal to limit the roster size to 20 was submitted by Cincinnati, but it was voted down as well.

 

On April 8, 1916, it was reported that Boston (AL) star outfielder Tris Speaker remained a holdout following team owner Joseph Lannin's salary offer of $9,000, well below Speaker's current salary of $18,500, a number that had been previously negotiated under the threat of Speaker potentially jumping to the Federal League. Perhaps in anticipation of trading Speaker, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Tillie Walker from the St. Louis Browns.

 

Then, on April 9, 1916, the news came out - the World Champion Boston Red Sox had traded Tris Speaker, their best player, to the Cleveland Indians in return for pitcher Sad Sam Jones, infielder Fred Thomas, and $50,000. When Speaker continued his holdout, asking for $10,000 of the purchase price, Commissioner Ban Johnson stepped in and got Speaker his money, and settled everything before the season started (April 12, 1916).

 

American League

 

Boston Red Sox (1915 Record: 101-50, Manager: Bill Carrigan)

 

After having stormed to the AL pennant and then the 1915 World Series in five games over the NL Representative Philadelphia Phillies, the 1916 Boston Red Sox clearly had their eye on repeating in 1916. But then, they suddenly found themselves without centerfielder Tris Speaker - Tillie Walker had been picked up in a pre-season trade, and while everyone agreed Walker was a fine player, no one thought he was a Speaker with the glove or with the bat.

 

Boston still maintained a strong team, even without Speaker. Harry Hooper and Duffy Lewis patrolled the corner outfield positions, while Dick Hoblitzell and Larry Gardner were solid in the infield at first and third base. Jack Barry and Everett Scott provided strong up-the-middle defense at second base and shortstop, and after having captured the 1915 World Series, there was little doubt that this veteran group was up to the task of repeating in 1916.

 

Pitching was a strength for the Red Sox in 1915 and looks to be just as strong heading into 1916 as well. Rube Foster and Ernie Shore both won nineteen games in 1915, and twenty-year-old lefty Babe Ruth was right behind them with eighteen wins. Dutch Leonard and Smoky Joe Wood chipped in with fifteen wins apiece, providing for a solid starting staff. Assuming everyone stays healthy and hoping that Wood's sore arm continues to improve, Boston should be in the pennant race again in 1916.

 

Detroit Tigers (1915 Record: 100-54, Manager: Hughie Jennings)

 

The Detroit Tigers put up a good run in 1915, but the pitching strength of the first-place Red Sox was just too much to overcome. No one doubts the Tigers' offensive powers, but Detroit will need to strengthen its pitching rotation if it hopes to secure a pennant in 1916.

 

Ty Cobb put up another Cobb-like performance last season when he led the league in batting average, hits, steals, and runs scored, plus a number of other statistical categories, thus remaining the most feared hitter in either league. Bobby  Veach had a strong season as he led the AL in doubles (40), and he tied for the RBI lead (112) with teammate Sam Crawford. Now at thirty-six years old, there are concerns that Crawford is hitting that eventual statistical downhill slide, but 1915 was another fine season for the future Hall-of-Famer.

 

Harry Coveleski, Hooks Dauss, and Jean Dubuc all had outstanding mound seasons in 1915, but even if they repeat in 1916, the Tigers are still going to need someone else to step up. Bernie Boland was the only other Tigers' pitcher to reach triple figures with innings pitched, so a fine Boland season would be helpful, but expect the Tigers to be perusing the Waiver Wire looking for pitcher help throughout the season.

 

Chicago White Sox (1915 Record: 93-61, Manager: Pants Rowland)

 

The White Sox historically relied on strong pitching, and 1915 was no exception. Chicago acquired second baseman Eddie Collins a few years ago, and is hoping that 1915 acquisition Joe Jackson can bounce back from a substandard season. The White Sox may not be ready to fully compete for the pennant in 1916, but they are definitely building up a team that will be ready to compete in the future.

 

Buck Weaver will move to third base in 1916, and Zeb Terry will be starting shortstop, a move the team thinks will strengthen both positions. Eddie Collins and Jack Fournier will anchor the right side of the infield, and Ray Schalk is already considered one of the premier catchers in the AL. Joe Jackson and Happy Felsch will be full-time on the outfield, while the White Sox can fill the remaining outfield position as they sort through several strong candidates.

 

Red Faber and Jim Scott both finished with twenty-four wins in the 1915 season, but they were well supplemented by Reb Russell, Joe Benz, and Eddie Cicotte. Chicago is confident that someone from the backend of that rotation will step up in 1916, meaning the White Sox could be a real problem for their pennant-chasing opponents. All-time great Ed Walsh will remain on the roster in 1916 to make a few targeted starts as needed, something that always delights the local fans.

 

Washington Nationals (1915 Record: 85-68, Manager: Clark Griffith)

 

Any team that has Walter Johnson at the front of their pitching rotation is not to be taken lightly, but even a team with Johnson still needs some help. The 1915 Nationals finished above .500 with an 85-58 record, but still found themselves 17.0 games behind first-place Boston, so despite a good season in 1915, they still have a lot to make up heading into the 1916 season.

 

Fleet-footed Clyde Milan still patrols center field for the Nationals, but first baseman Chick Gandil has been peddled off to Cleveland so that Joe Judge can take over the first base spot. The team also feels that Merito Acosta and Charlie Jamieson are worthy of outfield spots in this upcoming season, but that likely won't be resolved until after the season starts. Thirty-four-year-old George McBride has been Washington's starting shortstop since 1908 and looks to have that position nailed down for this coming season.

 

Behind Johnson, the Nationals have arranged a group of young pitchers such as Bert Gallia, Joe Boehling, Jim Shaw, and Harry Harper. If some of this group can progress, Washington has a chance to get a little closer to the pennant race. Washington manager Clark Griffith also has his eye on a twenty-six-year-old right-hander by the name of Sam Rice. The thought is that, if things go well, Rice will get an opportunity to move up into the rotation before the season is over.

 

New York Yankees (1915 Record: 69-83, Manager: Bill Donovan)

 

The Yankees have several solid players and the makings of a solid pitching staff, but continually having to face stronger foes while you are rebuilding your team is always a struggle. The Yankees are hoping that the acquisition of key players from the Federal League will help the team fill some weak spots, but, failing that, the Yankees will find themselves right back here next year in the same position.

 

Wally Pipp, Fritz Maisel, Roger Peckinpaugh, and Home Run Baker make a strong first-to-third infield, but their outfield is currently their weak point. There is speculation among the New York fans that several starters from the 1915 outfield may be gone before the halfway point of the upcoming season. Lee Magee, signed out of the Federal League, is expected to get a good look-see by manager Bill Donovan.

 

Ray Caldwell and Ray Fisher provide the Yankees starter with a solid front end to the rotation, and while New York is enamored of several young pitchers, they have yet to prove themselves. Look for Ray Keating, George Mogridge, and Bob Shawkey be allowed to get a steady spot in the 1916 rotation if the Yankees have any hope of moving into the top half of the AL standings.

 

St. Louis Browns (1915 Record: 63-91, Manager: Fielder Jones)

 

The Browns, now under the field management of Fielder Jones, who had replaced Branch Rickey after last season, have several young players in the pipeline, and while the youngsters may get a chance to help out on the big club, they may not be ready to make a difference yet.

 

Second baseman Del Pratt, third baseman thirty-five-year-old Jimmy Austin, and left fielder Burt Shotton, make up the core of the Browns lineup. Tillie Walker was sold off to Boston (AL) before the start of the 1916 season as St. Louis looked to open spots for rookies Jack Tobin and Baby Doll Jacobsen. Federal League signee outfielder Armando Marsans is expected to get at-bats as well in 1916.

 

Carl Weilman had the big season in 1915 for the Browns, and Jones is looking for Earl Hamilton, Ernie Koob, and  Federal League signees like Dave Davenport and 40-year-old veteran Eddie Plank to help lead the Browns. The other pitcher St. Louis is considering is a young George Sisler, although there is some discussion about moving Sisler to first base instead of being a pitcher.

 

Cleveland Indians (1915 Record: 57-95, Manager: Lee Fohl)

 

The fortunes of the 1916 Indians took a sudden and unexpected shift when they acquired outfielder Tris Speaker just a few days before the season opener. The Indians looked to be a second division team again in 1916, but with Speaker now in the fold and a few key pitching hopefuls now on board as well, the Indians might be able to be a real thorn in the side of their AL opponents.

 

With young Bill Wambsganss ready to hold down shortstop and Ray Chapman partnering with him at second base, newly acquired Chick Gandil at first, and veteran thirty-five-year-old Terry Turner at third, the Cleveland infield looks much more formidable. Jack Graney and Braggo Roth will flank Speaker in left and right field, and Steve O'Neill has proven to be a solid catcher.

 

Guy Morton and Willie Mitchell will need to repeat and improve on their somewhat limited success of 1915, and new acquisitions Jim Bagby Sr. and Stan Coveleski have the Cleveland fans hoping their starting rotation is ready to step up and perform at a much higher level.

 

Philadelphia Athletics (1915 Record: 43-109, Manager: Connie Mack)

 

The Philadelphia A's were in the World Series in 1914, but the club's financial situation required that Connie Mack sell off his valuable assets to help keep the ship afloat. While former A's stars are now scattered all over the AL, the Mackman collapsed into last place in 1915. 1916 doesn’t look much better as Mack is looking to rebuild his team, but as part of this, he is auditioning a lot of players (1915: 56, 1916: 50) to sort out players and see which ones actually can play at this level. This had worked before for Mack, and would do so again in the future, but as for now, it's pretty ugly.

 

41-year-old Nap Lajoie will be at second, Stuffy McInnis will be at first, and veterans Rube Oldring and Amos Strunk will patrol the outfield, so the As' do have a core of able players, but it is a long season, and just like in 1915, there will be plenty of comings and goings, making it hard to solidify a real starting lineup.

 

Bullet Joe Bush and Elmer Myers were the stalwarts  of the Phillies pitching staff. A total of twenty pitchers would eventually take the mound for the 1916 A's, all young, most of them signed right out of college, and sent out to the minors, never to return. It's gonna be a long season for Mack and the Athletics.

 

National League

 

Philadelphia Phillies (1915 Record: 90-62, Manager: Pat Moran)

 

When the NL formed in 1901, New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh had initially dominated the pennant races, but Boston's Miracle Braves broke through in 1914, and then in 1915, it was the Philadelphia Phillies turn to climb to the top of the NL standings. The Phillies return the same team and especially their pitching staff, so they appear to be the early favorite in the 1916 pennant race.

 

Phillies' right fielder Gavvy Cravath captured the Triple Crown in 1915 by leading the league in runs, homeruns, and RBI's, and Phil's fans are looking for him to repeat his performance in 1916 as well. First baseman Fred Luderus had a fine season as well, and Dave Bancroft played a fine shortstop. Third baseman Milt Stock and outfielder Dode Paskert are poised to step into the lineup and shore up a few loose spots in the Phillies' lineup.

 

The Phillies' pitching was highlighted by the outstanding season of Grover Alexander. Thirty-one wins, 1.22 ERA, twelve shutouts, thirty-six complete games, and 376 innings pitched might be hard to duplicate, but Alexander has shown no signs of slowing down. Alexander is ably abetted by Erskine Mayer and Quincy, IL native Al Demaree, plus young Eppa Rixey has shown considerable skills and he will get a full opportunity in 1916 to prove his talents.

 

Boston Braves (1915 Record: 83-69, Manager: George Stallings)

 

The Braves won the 1914 World Series, but we unable to capture the NL pennant in 1916 as they were held off by Grover Alexander and the Phillies. Anchored by strong pitching a solid up the middle defense, did finish in second place in 1915 and are looking to move up in 1916.

 

left fielder Sherry Magee is the big bat in the middle of the Boston offense, and Braves fans will be looking for him to do it again this upcoming season. Johnny Evers and Rabbit Maranville provide solid defense and second base and shortstop, and first baseman Ed Konetchy, picked up from the Federal League, should provide a solid upgrade at first base.

 

Dick Rudolph, Pat Ragan, and Tom Hughes are a strong front end of the rotation, with youngsters like Lefty Tyler, Art Nehf, and Dolf Luque crowding behind them as they look to make their mark as well. The Braves have a solid lineup, with several key replacements added, and they should find themselves in the middle of the NL pennant race this upcoming season.

 

Brooklyn Dodgers (1915 Record: 80-72, Manager: Wilbert Robinson)

 

The Dodgers improved from 1914 to 1915 by five games, but they were unable to overcome the overwhelming clubs in Boston and Philadelphia. Manager Wilbert Robinson wants to upgrade the right side of his infield, plus he has several pitching prospects that he wants to work into the rotation, and if so, the Dodgers could very well have an impact on the NL pennant race in 1916.

 

Left fielder Zack Wheat had a down season in 1915 and will need to bounce back if the Dodgers want to compete this year. It would also help if the other outfielders - Hi Myers and Casey Stengel - could put up a rebound season as well. First baseman Jake Daubert and second baseman George Cutshaw provide a strong right side of the infield, but the Dodgers are looking for shortstop Ivy Olson and Federal League pickup third baseman Mike Mowrey to the other side of the diamond.

 

Jeff Pfeffer and Sherry Smith will lead the pitching corps, with veterans Jack Coombs and Nap Rucker slated to fill in as necessary. The Dodgers are looking for pitchers like Larry Cheney, Rube Marquard, and Duster Mails to potentially take some of the pitching load as well.

 

Chicago Cubs (1915 Record: 73-80, Manager: Joe Tinker)

 

After having been a very competitive team in the NL for the past decade and a half, the Cubs suddenly find themselves looking a little long in the tooth and in need of a rebuild. As the Cubs look forward to 1916, they will also be looking forward to moving into their new ballpark, a remnant of the Federal League franchise based in Chicago.

 

First baseman Vic Saier and second baseman / third baseman Heinie Zimmerman provide a nice 1-2 punch from the infield, but new manager Joe Tinker will need to figure out the rest of the infield if the Cubs are going to complete. Long time Cubs star outfielder Frank "Wildfire" Schulte is showing signs of slowing down, but Cubs fans are hoping for a rebound season. Newcomers Max Flack and Les Mann, acquired from the Federal League, should provide a bump to the Chicago outfield.

 

Pitchers Hippo Vaughn, Jimmy Lavender, and George Pierce will need to repeat their 1915 performance, but the Cubs are going to require additional help in their rotation to make it through the long season. Claude Hendrix, another Federal League refugee, might help, plus thirty-nine-year-old Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, also signed from the Federal League, is back with the team that made him famous.

 

Pittsburgh Pirates (1915 Record: 73-81, Manager: Jimmy Callahan)

 

Similar to the Cubs, the Pirates have gone from powerhouse to the outhouse as the team has slowly aged over the past few seasons. Long-time manager Fred Clarke has been replaced by Jimmy Callahan, but rebuilds can take time, so the Pirates fans are not expecting much from the Pirates in 1916.

 

Forty-two-year-old Honus Wagner still covers the shortstop position, and despite his age, still provides solid defense and a dangerous bat for Pittsburgh. Centerfielder Max Carey led the league in stolen bases, and left fielder Bill Hinchman, the two providing quality offense for the Pirates, but after that, there is a big drop-off, and it is not clear that there is anybody in the pipeline ready to step up.

 

Babe Adams is still the king of the Pirates' hurlers, with young Al Mamaux giving Pittsburgh starters a strong 1-2 punch. Bob Harmon helped to round out the top three, but youngsters like Wilbur Cooper and Erv Kantlehner are going to have to step up and help if the Pirates want to improve this season.

 

St. Louis Cardinals (1915 Record: 72-81, Manager: Miller Huggins)

 

The 1915 St. Louis Cardinals regressed slightly from their 1914 finish, and as much as they would like to move up in 1916, it looks like another finish right around the .500 mark is in order. The Cardinals have several fine starting pitchers, but the remainder of the team needs a makeover before it will be able to compete for the NL pennant.

 

Manager Miller Huggins, now thirty-seven-years-old, is expected to cut back on his playing time at second base, but the Cardinals have a hot prospect named Rogers Hornsby they want to give playing time to. Frank Snyder is solid behind the plate, and Dots Miller can continue to hold down first. Right fielder Tom Long had a strong 1915 season, and young Jack Smith will be given a chance to take over center field.

 

Bill Doak, Slim Sallee, and Lee Meadows give the Cardinals a strong front end to their pitching rotation. Veteran hurler Red Ames was picked up from Cincinnati in early 1915, and he finished with a strong season for St. Louis, a welcome addition to the pitching staff.

 

Cincinnati Reds (1915 Record: 71-83, Manager: Buck Herzog)

 

The Reds have long been the doormat in the NL, and they would love nothing more than to be able to dig themselves out of this predicament. This doesn't happen overnight, and a team needs to get lucky sometimes as well.

 

Player Manager Buck Herzog and Heinie Groh have the left side of the infield settled at shortstop and third base, and recently acquired from the Federal League is first baseman Hal Chase. Earle "Greasy" Neale is penciled in to start on the Reds outfield this upcoming season, and the Reds fans have high hopes for Neale's success.

 

Fred Toney, Pete Schneider, and Clarence Mitchell will serve as the primary starting pitchers for the Reds in 1916, but beyond them, Cincinnati will require several pitchers to take a big step forward during this upcoming season.

 

New York Giants (1915 Record: 69-83, Manager: John McGraw)

 

The New York Giants finishing in last place in 1915 wasn't on anybody's bingo card, so this result was quite a surprise. The Giants ended the season in eighth place with sixty-nine victories, but Chicago finished in fourth place with only seventy-three wins, so manager John McGraw is confident his Giants will be able to claw their way back into the pennant race during the 1916 season.

 

The first thing McGraw did was sign Benny Kauff, the so-called "Ty Cobb of the Federal League." Kauff had led the Federal League in hitting in both of its seasons, so McGraw was happy to snatch up the best player for his own. No longer a young team, the Giants had plenty of experienced talent, as Larry Doyle and Art Fletcher provided strong up-the-middle defense at second base and shortstop. Young players like George J. Burns and George "High Pockets" Kelly will be given their chance to lift the team this season.

 

Besides Kauff, pitcher Fred Anderson was another Federal League acquisition, and he is looking to join the rotation of Jeff Tesreau, Pol Perritt, and Rube Benton. Thirty-five-year-old Christy Mathewson remains on the roster, but will be spotted starts as needed. The Giants also have their eyes on young Ferdie Schupp as a possible mid-season acquisition.