NEW YORK, NY. September 26, 1917 - With their team's away games now just a few miles away, Brooklyn fans are expected to fill about half of the seats here at the Bronx Oval Grounds today.
The Titans, who were known as the Tip-Tops during the 1914 and 1915 seasons, won just 73 games last year and finished in 7th place. This year, they crushed their competition, going 97-57 and finishing 11 games ahead of the second place Terriers.
The key to their success on offense? Getting on base. While the team average was .248, just one point above the league average, their on base average was .330, a whopping 29 points above the league average.
When it came to pitching, it was the same concept, just reversed. The team gave up just 260 walks over the entire season. The next best? Newark's 335. They held opposing team's to a .230 batting average, which was by far the best in the Columbia League.
The team is owned by Gus Duke, a 36-year-old real estate mogul, and is managed by Fletcher Rowley, a first-year manager in the UBA.
Mr. Rowley will likely send out these eight men to fight for the championship:
1. LF Tomas 'Jaybird' Sperry (.258, 21 Doubles, 7 Home Runs, 41 RBI, 49 SB)
2. 2B Mat Gough (.264, 21 Doubles, 8 Triples, 56 RBI, 31 SB)
3. RF Dick McGovern (.282, 31 Doubles, 9 Triples, 82 RBI, 36 SB)
4. SS Dummy Dell (.277, 26 Doubles, 15 Triples, 9 Home Runs, 103 RBI, 23 SB)
5. CF Pierre Fisk (.265, 19 Doubles, 13 Triples, 69 RBI, 28 SB)
6. C Bimm Sheffield (.237, 13 Doubles, 64 RBI)
7. 1B Oscar Spencer (.237, 5 Doubles, 6 Home Runs, 37 RBI, 19 SB)
8. 3B Swanee Bemis (.257, 7 Doubles, 45 RBI)
The following pitchers will start for Brooklyn on the mound:
1. RHP Thomas Moyer (21-13, 2.42 ERA, 161 K)
2. RHP Theo Murrell (24-13, 2.46 ERA, 199 K)
3. RHP Elijah McNaughton (23-15, 2.74 ERA, 80 K)
4. LHP Mather Edgar (17-10, 1.55 ERA, 188 K in Class A)
Games three, four, seven, and eight will be played at Washington Park in Brooklyn. The ballpark holds around 13,000 people.
LF: 300'
CF: 450'
RF: 335'
The Titans wear light gray uniforms with black socks and a black cap. A blue "B" adorns the chest, and a white "B" is located on the cap.
16.6.09
The 1917 Presidents Cup Series Preview: New York Gothams
NEW YORK, NY. September 26, 1917 - New York will host the first of nine possible games today, as the 6th Presidents Cup Series begins today. It will pit the United League's New York Gothams against the Columbia League's Brooklyn Titans.
The Gothams have struggled in recent years, but made the most of their financial advantage last off-season. They added pitcher Floyd Bennett (25-12, 2.08), second baseman Boots Groat (.294, 58 RBI), and Freeman Willis (.292, 59 RBI) and others, who really helped them reach 100 wins this season. In addition, they added veteran pitcher Whiter Upchurch through a trade in the middle of the season, and he helped out by going 10-5 with a 1.97 ERA in New York.
The New York club is owned by 57-year-old Charles White, founder of White Shipbuilders, Inc., and managed by baseball veteran Eli Gallaher, a 60-year-old who started his UBA career as the skipper of the Class B Grays of Washington. He's been with New York since the 1914 campaign.
Gallaher's lineup will look something like this:
1. 3B Jeremiah Mooney (.246, 8 Doubles, 5 Triples, 20 RBI, 41 SB)
2. C Tug Edward (.274, 25 Doubles, 59 RBI)
3. 2B Boots Groat (.294, 10 Doubles, 9 Triples, 58 RBI, 36 SB)
4. CF Max Clark (.266, 19 Doubles, 7 Triples, 60 RBI)
5. Hermann Howland (.246, 23 Doubles, 12 Home Runs, 69 RBI)
6. Olaf Newman (.243, 23 Doubles, 4 Home Runs, 59 RBI)
7. Freeman Willis (.292, 19 Doubles, 5 Home Runs, 59 RBI)
8. Alonzo Bird (.255, 7 Doubles)
The pitchers who will head out to the mound for the Gothams are:
1. LHP Ed Gale (23-11, .167 ERA, 262 K)
2. RHP Floyd Bennett (25-12, 2.08 ERA, 223 K)
3. RHP Perry Birch (24-13, 2.69 ERA, 151 K)
4. RHP Whitey Upchurch (17-16, 2.43 ERA, 207 K)
The first, second, fifth, six, and ninth games will be played in the Gothams home park, the Bronx Oval Grounds. The park will seat 12,300, but many thousands more are expected to arrive.
The Gothams will be wearing gray knickers and shirts with black sleeves and black socks. The socks have two orange stripes going around the calf, and an interlocking orange "N" and "Y" adorn the left side of the shirt. The same "NY" is on their cap.
The Gothams have struggled in recent years, but made the most of their financial advantage last off-season. They added pitcher Floyd Bennett (25-12, 2.08), second baseman Boots Groat (.294, 58 RBI), and Freeman Willis (.292, 59 RBI) and others, who really helped them reach 100 wins this season. In addition, they added veteran pitcher Whiter Upchurch through a trade in the middle of the season, and he helped out by going 10-5 with a 1.97 ERA in New York.
The New York club is owned by 57-year-old Charles White, founder of White Shipbuilders, Inc., and managed by baseball veteran Eli Gallaher, a 60-year-old who started his UBA career as the skipper of the Class B Grays of Washington. He's been with New York since the 1914 campaign.
Gallaher's lineup will look something like this:
1. 3B Jeremiah Mooney (.246, 8 Doubles, 5 Triples, 20 RBI, 41 SB)
2. C Tug Edward (.274, 25 Doubles, 59 RBI)
3. 2B Boots Groat (.294, 10 Doubles, 9 Triples, 58 RBI, 36 SB)
4. CF Max Clark (.266, 19 Doubles, 7 Triples, 60 RBI)
5. Hermann Howland (.246, 23 Doubles, 12 Home Runs, 69 RBI)
6. Olaf Newman (.243, 23 Doubles, 4 Home Runs, 59 RBI)
7. Freeman Willis (.292, 19 Doubles, 5 Home Runs, 59 RBI)
8. Alonzo Bird (.255, 7 Doubles)
The pitchers who will head out to the mound for the Gothams are:
1. LHP Ed Gale (23-11, .167 ERA, 262 K)
2. RHP Floyd Bennett (25-12, 2.08 ERA, 223 K)
3. RHP Perry Birch (24-13, 2.69 ERA, 151 K)
4. RHP Whitey Upchurch (17-16, 2.43 ERA, 207 K)
The first, second, fifth, six, and ninth games will be played in the Gothams home park, the Bronx Oval Grounds. The park will seat 12,300, but many thousands more are expected to arrive.
The Gothams will be wearing gray knickers and shirts with black sleeves and black socks. The socks have two orange stripes going around the calf, and an interlocking orange "N" and "Y" adorn the left side of the shirt. The same "NY" is on their cap.
14.6.09
1917 Regular Season Comes to a Close
NEW YORK, NY. September 25, 1917 - Every season gives us something to remember, and the 1917 campaign was no different. While the country began a war in Europe, baseball kept the United States running back home. It gave citizens a reminder of peaceful times. No one is really sure what will happen in the future, but baseball will always give us hope.
It was the second season of 154 games, and new records were established. You never know; One hundred years from now, our great grandsons may be discussing the amazing feats of Ephraim Weatherly and his 205 hits in the 1917 season. Or perhaps the 30 triples by Bob Mehan will stand the test of time. Maybe Mat Sterns' 34 shutouts will still be in the lead one hundred years from now. On the other hand, Lorenzo Dubois could go down as the pitcher who lost the most games in a single season (25).
While baseball as a whole brought us together in these tough times, it also created friendly rivalries. In a couple of days, the New York Gothams of Manhattan and the Titans of Brooklyn will face off ain a best-of-nine affair that could pit father against son or brother against brother as they watch the game at the park, wait to hear from friends about the game, or wait patiently for the New York Chronicle to arive at newstands.
Here are the final standings for the year, as well as the league leaders:
It was the second season of 154 games, and new records were established. You never know; One hundred years from now, our great grandsons may be discussing the amazing feats of Ephraim Weatherly and his 205 hits in the 1917 season. Or perhaps the 30 triples by Bob Mehan will stand the test of time. Maybe Mat Sterns' 34 shutouts will still be in the lead one hundred years from now. On the other hand, Lorenzo Dubois could go down as the pitcher who lost the most games in a single season (25).
While baseball as a whole brought us together in these tough times, it also created friendly rivalries. In a couple of days, the New York Gothams of Manhattan and the Titans of Brooklyn will face off ain a best-of-nine affair that could pit father against son or brother against brother as they watch the game at the park, wait to hear from friends about the game, or wait patiently for the New York Chronicle to arive at newstands.
Here are the final standings for the year, as well as the league leaders:
| United League Standings | |||||
| W | L | GB | G | ||
| New York | 100 | 54 | 154 | ||
| Chicago | 89 | 65 | 11 | 154 | |
| Detroit | 80 | 74 | 20 | 154 | |
| Reading | 79 | 75 | 21 | 154 | |
| Cleveland | 73 | 81 | 27 | 154 | |
| Washington | 72 | 82 | 28 | 154 | |
| Yonkers | 67 | 87 | 33 | 154 | |
| Boston | 56 | 98 | 44 | 154 | |
| Columbia League Standings | |||||
| W | L | GB | G | ||
| Brooklyn | 97 | 57 | 154 | ||
| St. Louis | 86 | 68 | 11 | 154 | |
| Baltimore | 75 | 79 | 22 | 154 | |
| Philadelphia | 74 | 80 | 23 | 154 | |
| Newark | 73 | 81 | 24 | 154 | |
| Chicago | 72 | 82 | 25 | 154 | |
| Kansas City | 70 | 84 | 27 | 154 | |
| Indiana | 69 | 85 | 28 | 154 | |
| League Leaders | |||||
| Batting Average | Dave Mulligan | 0.331 | STL | ||
| Doubles | E. Weatherly | 42 | KC | ||
| Triples | Bob Mehan | 30 | CHI (CL) | ||
| Home Runs | Hermann Howland | 12 | NY | ||
| Runs Batted In | Dummy Dell | 103 | BRK | ||
| Stolen Bases | R. Lawrence | 69 | KC | ||
| Earned Run Average | Ed Gale | 1.67 | NY | ||
| Wins | Jim Cornell | 27 | BRK | ||
| Strikeouts | Clay Cherry | 270 | BOS | ||
A Look at the 1918 Free Agent Class
NEW YORK, NY. September 20, 1917 - While nothing will ever really compare to last season, when players from the inaugural season hit five years of service time, free agency is still something to look forward to each season.
As this year winds down, let's take a look at some of the top players who are still without a contract for the 1918 season:
1. RF Snooks Mckay, 32-years-old.
Mckay, currently a member of the Detroit Wolverines, had a relatively disappointing season. It was his first season with an on-base-average of less than .300, and he hit just .244, a career low. His power did improve a bit, hitting 6 home runs, four more than his career best.
2. C Blondie Ledford, 29-years-old.
The left-handed hitting catcher, currently with the Chicago Orphans, is also having a down year. His walk numbers are way up, giving him a respectable .334 on-base-average, but his batting average is down to a career low .239.
3. SP Johny Beebe, 41-years-old.
Beebe, also a Chicago Orphan, is one of the older players in the league but is still doing excellent. His 19-15 record and 2.42 ERA make this season one of his best.
As this year winds down, let's take a look at some of the top players who are still without a contract for the 1918 season:
1. RF Snooks Mckay, 32-years-old.
Mckay, currently a member of the Detroit Wolverines, had a relatively disappointing season. It was his first season with an on-base-average of less than .300, and he hit just .244, a career low. His power did improve a bit, hitting 6 home runs, four more than his career best.
2. C Blondie Ledford, 29-years-old.
The left-handed hitting catcher, currently with the Chicago Orphans, is also having a down year. His walk numbers are way up, giving him a respectable .334 on-base-average, but his batting average is down to a career low .239.
3. SP Johny Beebe, 41-years-old.
Beebe, also a Chicago Orphan, is one of the older players in the league but is still doing excellent. His 19-15 record and 2.42 ERA make this season one of his best.
New York Fans Excited as Gothams and Titans Clinch
NEW YORK, NY. September 15, 1917 - Fans across all five boroughs of New York City celebrated yesterday as their two favorite teams, the New York Gothams of the United League, and the Brooklyn Titans of the Columbia League, clinched their spot in the 1917 Presidents Cup Series.
It is the first time that two teams from the same city will face off in the series.
It is the first time that two teams from the same city will face off in the series.
10.6.09
August's Top Players
NEW YORK, NY. September 2, 1917 - There's something about a young rookie winning the United League Player of the Month trophy that sends shock waves through the league. Such is the case with Doggie Overton, a 24-year-old starter for the Yonkers Knights.
In August, he topped off the month with a 6-1 mark and 1.46 ERA in 7 starts, tossed 61.2 innings, fanned 27 and held opposing teams to a .179 average.
This season Overton has gone 11-13 with an ERA of 3.36, posting 91 strikeouts in 211.2 innings.
--
Dick Mcgovern battered Columbia League pitchers all August and wound up taking home the Player of the Month Award.
"I've been around the United Baseball Association long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 28-year-old Mcgovern told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I may not take the field and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."
In 27 games, Mcgovern hit .374 with 1 home run, 19 RBIs and scored 21 runs.
This year Mcgovern is batting .282 with 148 hits and 2 home runs. He has scored 91 times and has batted in 66 runs.
In August, he topped off the month with a 6-1 mark and 1.46 ERA in 7 starts, tossed 61.2 innings, fanned 27 and held opposing teams to a .179 average.
This season Overton has gone 11-13 with an ERA of 3.36, posting 91 strikeouts in 211.2 innings.
--
Dick Mcgovern battered Columbia League pitchers all August and wound up taking home the Player of the Month Award.
"I've been around the United Baseball Association long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 28-year-old Mcgovern told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I may not take the field and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."
In 27 games, Mcgovern hit .374 with 1 home run, 19 RBIs and scored 21 runs.
This year Mcgovern is batting .282 with 148 hits and 2 home runs. He has scored 91 times and has batted in 66 runs.
8.6.09
New York, Brooklyn Top Standings
NEW YORK, NY. August 20, 1917 -
| United League Standings | |||||
| W | L | GB | G | ||
| New York | 78 | 45 | 123 | ||
| Chicago | 73 | 56 | 8 | 129 | |
| Detroit | 67 | 60 | 13 | 127 | |
| Reading | 67 | 60 | 13 | 127 | |
| Cleveland | 64 | 64 | 16.5 | 128 | |
| Washington | 52 | 70 | 25.5 | 122 | |
| Boston | 50 | 73 | 28 | 123 | |
| Yonkers | 49 | 72 | 28 | 121 | |
| Columbia League Standings | |||||
| W | L | GB | G | ||
| Brooklyn | 75 | 48 | 123 | ||
| St. Louis | 67 | 57 | 8.5 | 124 | |
| Philadelphia | 60 | 62 | 14.5 | 122 | |
| Kansas City | 59 | 63 | 15.5 | 122 | |
| Baltimore | 58 | 64 | 16.5 | 122 | |
| Newark | 59 | 65 | 16.5 | 124 | |
| Indiana | 59 | 68 | 18 | 127 | |
| Chicago | 58 | 68 | 18.5 | 126 | |
| League Leaders | |||||
| Batting Average | Elias Herrick | 0.340 | STL | ||
| Doubles | E. Weatherly | 38 | KC | ||
| Triples | Bob Mehan | 23 | CHI (CL) | ||
| Home Runs | Jiggs Moser | 12 | DET | ||
| Runs Batted In | Dummy Dell | 77 | BRK | ||
| Stolen Bases | R. Lawrence | 51 | KC | ||
| Earned Run Average | Ed Gale | 1.58 | NY | ||
| Wins | Earl Ebert | 21 | CHI (UL) | ||
| Strikeouts | Earl Ebert | 213 | CHI (UL) | ||
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