1911 Pre-Season Preview

 The 1910 season ended with Philadelphia (AL) and Chicago (NL) both winning their league comfortably as each team had more than 100 wins and both had a double-digit lead in the standings over their closest opponent. The young and upcoming A's won the World Series in five games over the perennial NL champion Cubs and both teams figure to be in the hunt in 1911 as well.

The big news In baseball heading into the 1911 season was the decision to use a new cork-center baseball (Note: the linked article says 2011 instead of 1911). It is one thing, in theory, to tweak a baseball as a way to attempt to meet a stated goal, but these decisions can often result in unexpected consequences. But without history to impact their thinking on the matter, the decision was made to try and introduce a little more offense into the game.

The back cover of the 1911
Spalding Baseball Guide

American League

Philadelphia Athletics:  (1910 Record: 102-48, Manager: Connie Mack)

 

The Athletics not only won the AL in 1910 but they did so in a convincing fashion and then they also went on to win the 1910 World Series in five games over Chicago. They are expected to repeat in 1911 as well, and why not? Mack has assembled a young and talented lineup with a few key veterans and they have the best pitching in the AL. No one doubts that they could maintain their position atop the AL for many years to come.

 

The infield: third baseman Frank Baker, shortstop Jack Barry, second baseman Eddie Colins and veteran first baseman Harry Davis, was already acclaimed as the best group in the game. Jack Coombs, Chief Bender and Eddie Plank led the mounds men as the A's ended the 1910 season with the best team ERA and they are expected to dominate again in 1911.

 

New York Highlanders (1910 Record: 88-63, Manager: George Stallings, Hal Chase)

 

New York went as far in 1910 as their pitching could take them but they still finished 14.5 games behind the powerful A's. Hal Chase is looking to invigorate his offense as they head into 1911 in hopes of reaching the top of the league, but that could be rough. Chase plays a fine first base, but much of the infield is still unsettled and while the outfield is adequate, it looks like the Highlanders pitchers - Russ Ford, Jack Quinn, Jack Warhop and young Hippo Vaughn - will have to carry the team again.

 

Detroit Tigers (1910 Record: 86-68, Manager: Hughie Jennings)

 

The Tigers already have two of the hardest hitters in the game in Sam Crawford and Ty Cobb and the prospect of a more lively baseball in 1911 definitely marks them as a contender for the AL crown. Donie Bush is well established as a premier shortstop but first base was a weak position for the Tigers in 1910 and looks to be a weakness heading into the new season as well. Detroit pitchers finished sixth in ERA in 1910 and faded late in the season. Bill Donovan, George Mullin, Ed Willett, and Ed Summers are all solid pitchers though and are hoping to bounce back in 1910. Ralph Works (a native of Payson, IL) might be a welcome addition to the Tigers rotation.

 

Boston Red Sox (1910 Record: 81-72, Manager: Patsy Donovan)

 

While the Red Sox had a good season in 1910 they still finished 22.5 games behind the A's. The Red Sox may have the best outfield threesome in baseball with Tris Speaker, Harry Hooper, and Duffy Lewis, all three age 23 in 1911. First baseman Jake Stahl and third baseman Larry Gardner anchor a solid infield, and Eddie Cicotte and Ray Collins will be back in 1911 to anchor the rotation. Young Smoky Joe Wood might be a fine addition to the starting staff.

 

Cleveland Naps (1910 Record: 71-81, Manager: Deacon McGuire)

 

43-year-old Cy Young finally started to show his age in 1910 and Addie Joss had elbow ligament issues, both of which relegated the Naps to a second division finish in the 1910 AL season. Nap Lajoie did hit .383 with 51 doubles and still covered second base at age 35, but the offense is going to need some help in the upcoming season for the Naps to reach the upper half of the standings. An outfielder by the name of Shoeless Joe Jackson is waiting in the wings and the Naps have high hopes for Jackson's big bat. Perhaps if Young and Joss can come back strong in 1911 there is some hope in Cleveland.

 

Chicago White Sox (1910 Record: 68-85, Manager: Hugh Duffy)

 

The White Sox attempted to go young in 1910 and it was a rough season. 1B Chick Gandil made his debut in 1910 but may need more seasoning before taking a full-time position on the field. Ed Walsh and Doc White both had outstanding seasons on the mound but could have used some offensive help along the way. Duffy may need to scramble his whole lineup in order to improve in the standings.

 

Washington Senators (1910 Record: 66-85, Manager: Jimmy McAleer)

 

The Senators finished in seventh place in 1910, but only one game behind Chicago and four games behind Cleveland and have thoughts about moving up in 1911. Young outfielders Clyde Milan and Jack Lelivelt will provide some punch but they know they are going to have to do something about first base. Walter Johnson  (still only 23 years of age in 1911) is going to need some help as well. Perhaps Bob Groom and Dixie Walker can take a big step forward in 1911 to help out with Johnson in the rotation.

 

St. Louis Browns (1910 Record: 47-107, Manager: Jack O'Connor)

 

St. Louis finished seventh in hitting (ahead of Chicago) in 1910 and was last in ERA and finished 20.5 games behind Washington in the standings. Shortstop Bobby Wallace held the infield together as best he could, but it looks like the Browns may otherwise decide to completely revamp the lineup in 1911. They did give a look-see to a lot of players during the 1910 season and even with Wallace taking the reins in 1911  that might be the Brown's fate again.

 

National League

 

Chicago Cubs (1910 Record: 104-50, Player/Manager: Frank Chance)

 

The Cubs were in the World Series in 1906, 1907, and 1908, fell behind Pittsburgh in 1909, but reclaimed the pennant in 1910 in a convincing fashion and they are looking to do it again in 1911. The Cubs featured an infield of Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker and Harry Steinfieldt and all had solid years in the field and at the plate. Outfielders Solly Hofman, Frank "Wildfire" Schulte, and veteran Jimmy Sheckard were among the best trio's in the NL, and both groups ably support Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, King Cole, and the other Chicago hurlers. There may be a little gray in the Cubs lineup but there is no reason to suspect they won't be in the thick of things in 1911.

 

New York Giants (1910 Record: 91-63, Manager: John McGraw)

 

The Giants have been building a powerful team for several years now but have had trouble getting over the hump and they think 1911 might be their year. McGraw has a young offense built on speed and aggressiveness and that combined with several key veterans made them a tough out. Their infield was solid all the way around as was their outfield plus McGraw has accumulated several key bench players should the need arise. After a strong season in 1910, the New Yorkers fully intend to overtake the Cubs in 1911.

 

The key for the 1911 Giants might be their pitching staff though as Christy Mathewson and Hooks Wiltse look to be ably abetted this season by youngsters Rube Marquard and Doc Crandall. McGraw got this group of hard chargers to play well in 1910 and they firmly have their eye set on the 1911 pennant.

 

Pittsburgh Pirates (1910 Record: 86-67, Player/Manager: Fred Clarke)

 

Since 1901 Fred Clarke had led the Pirates the most wins over the past decade, and to World Series appearances in 1903 and 1909. 1910 was another successful season, but the Cubs and Giants both easily topped the Pirates, and Clarke and the Pirates fully intend to be back in the hunt in 1911 though.

 

Any discussion of Pittsburgh begins with their all-time great shortstop, 37-yeard-old Honus Wagner. Tommy Leach and Chief Wilson led the outfielders with solid all-around play, and as 37-yeard-old Clarke starts cut back on his appearances they have high hopes for Max Carey to be able to step up. George Gibson caught 142 games in 1910, an unusually high number for catchers of any era (he caught 150(!) games in 1909) and provided a steady presence from behind the plate. Babe Adams and Howie Camnitz will anchor the pitchers, but they are going to need some additional mound help to move forward in 1911. They will also need to settle the first base position as well.

 

Philadelphia Phillies (1910 Record: 78-75, Player/Manager: Red Dooin)

 

Outfielder Sherry Magee may be one of the best-but-forgotten  players of this era and 1910 was another strong season. The Phillies had a settled line-up that performed well, but they are looking for Fred Luderus to step up and provide a little more pop from first base in 1911. Outfielder Johnny Bates had a strong season in 1910 but was traded to Cincinnati after the season as both teams were looking to fill some holes. Any hope for the 1911 Phillies relies on improving their pitching, and they feel they have a strong rookie candidate to add to the rotation in Pete Alexander.

 

Cincinnati Reds (1910 Record: 75-79, Manager: Clark Griffith)

 

Among the teams in the second half of the league the Reds were clearly the best, finishing 1910 a full eleven games ahead of sixth-place Brooklyn. Bob Bescher led the outfield crew and first baseman Dick Hoblitzell, in only his second full season, has shown to be the bright spots in the Reds lineup. Larry McLean, who, at 6'5" and ~230 pounds, is not only the largest catcher in baseball at the time but was also likely the largest player in general, has proven his value behind the plate. Harry Gaspar and George Suggs led the mound staff, but if the Reds are to improve in 1911 they will need further mound help from a group of promising youngsters - Art Fromme (And Quincy, IL native), Rube Benton, and Harry Coveleski.

 

Brooklyn Superbas (1910 Record: 64-90, Player/Manager: Bill Dahlen)

 

Outfielder Zack Wheat and first baseman Jake Daubert both had their first full season in 1910 and both proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with, but for the Superbas to be counted as a team to be reckoned with they are going to need several more players like these to provide much-needed assistance. Nap Rucker led the pitching staff, but he too is going to require assistance before Brooklyn can move up in the standings.

 

St. Louis Cardinals (1910 Record: 63-90, Player/Manager: Roger Bresnahan)

 

Similar to Brooklyn, with whom they almost tied in 1910, the Cardinals featured a few top-notch players, but the talent level dropped off pretty quickly after that. Ed Konetchy has proved himself to be one of the slickest fielders at first base, Veteran Miller Huggins helped to anchor the infield from second base, and third baseman and outfielder Steve Evans both provided a little pop as well. Roger Bresnahan is going to need to rebuild his pitching staff before the Cardinals do anything in 1911 though.

 

Boston Rustlers (1910 Record: 53-100, Manager: Fred Lake)

 

The 1900s have not been kind to the Boston National League franchise thus far, 1910 was no exception, and 1911 doesn't appear to be much different either. Buck Herzog has become a strong third baseman but most of the rest of the lineup is forgettable, and Boston is looking at a couple of strong pitching prospects (Lew Richie and Lefty Tyler) as they head into the new season. Regular franchise name changes (1910: Doves, 1911: Rustlers) haven't done much to change their luck either. Boston is committed to a youth movement for the upcoming season, so it will likely be a long, losing summer for new player/manager Fred Tenney in 1911.