1901 Season


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

WL%GB
Pittsburgh Pirates9049.647
Philadelphia Phillies8357.5937.5
Brooklyn Superbas7957.5819.5
St. Louis Cardinals7664.54314.5
Boston Beaneaters6969.50023.5
Chicago Orphans
New York Giants
Cincinnati Reds

American League

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 pitch of the 1901 season with 33 wins and an ERA of just 1.62.

Sources: Baseball ReferenceWikipedia 

 

National League

  W L 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 20.5
Chicago Orphans 53 86 .381 37.0
New York Giants 52 85 .380 37.0
Cincinnati Reds 52 87 .374 38.0

American League

  W L W-L% GB
Chicago White Sox 83 53 .610
Boston Americans 79 57 .581 4.0
Detroit Tigers 74 61 .548 8.5
Philadelphia Athletics 74 62 .544 9.0
Baltimore Orioles 68 65 .511 13.5
Washington Senators 61 72 .459 20.5
Cleveland Blues 54 82 .397 29.0
Milwaukee Brewers 48 89 .350 35.5