The National League welcomes the American League

January 28th, 1901 marks the begrudging formation of the American League into a professional baseball league. With the entry of this new league, eight new teams were added, few of which still exist in their modern form.

A series of new rules were adopted before the season, some of which would be hard not to imagine as part of the game. First, foul balls are now to count as strikes, except after two strikes are called. Second, catchers must play within ten feet of the batter thereby creating what would look more like the current batters’ box. Third, a pitcher had to throw the ball within 20 seconds otherwise a ball will be called (pace of game rule anyone?). Fourth, players could be thrown out of the game for having a potty mouth at the discretion of the umpire.

Highlights & Records

Nap Lajoie of the Philadelphia Athletics hits .426, which is still the modern record for batting. Cy Young was the best pitcher of the 1901 season with 33 wins and an ERA of just 1.62.

Sources: Baseball Reference — Wikipedia 

National League

	W	L	%	GB
Pittsburgh Pirates	90	49	.647	–
Philadelphia Phillies	83	57	.593	7.5
Brooklyn Superbas	79	57	.581	9.5
St. Louis Cardinals	76	64	.543	14.5
Boston Beaneaters	69	69	.500	23.5
Chicago Orphans
New York Giants
Cincinnati Reds

American League