1901 Detroit Tigers season
Encyclopedia
The 1901 Detroit Tigers
season was the Tigers' first in Major League Baseball
. The team was a charter member of the American League
, which was originally formed as the minor-league Western League, of which it had also been a charter member. The Tigers finished in third place with a record or 74-61, eight-and-a-half games behind the Chicago White Stockings
. Most of Detroit's home games were played at Bennett Park
, with Sunday games played at Burns Park due to Detroit's blue laws
.
(23-13) led the team in wins and was the Tigers' first 20-game winner. His performance headlined a strong pitching staff that had the third lowest ERA
(3.30) in the American League. Joe Yeager
had an ERA of 2.61, for the second best Adjusted ERA+
in the AL, behind Cy Young
. The offense was not as strong however, scoring 741 runs -- fifth among the eight teams in the league. The team's best hitters were shortstop Kid Elberfeld
(.308 average) and center fielder Jimmy Barrett
(.293 average; 110 runs).
game on April 24, 1901. A standing room only crowd was anticipated at Bennett Park, but the Tigers' inaugural American League game was postponed due to weather. The following day, in front of 10,023 fans, the Tigers entered the ninth inning trailing the Milwaukee Brewers
13–4. Third basemen Doc Casey
started the ninth-inning rally with a ground rule double
. The Tigers continued the rally to eventually reduce their deficit to one run. Now only down one run, 13–12, with two runners on base and two out, Tiger Frank "Pop" Dillon
hit a two-run double against reliever Bert Husting
to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 14–13.
. In order to avoid running afoul of this stricture, owner James D. Burns
built a ballpark on his own property in Springwells Township, Michigan
just outside the Detroit city limits. Named Burns Park, the Tigers would play their Sunday home games there for the 1901 and 1902 seasons
.
Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
season was the Tigers' first in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The team was a charter member of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, which was originally formed as the minor-league Western League, of which it had also been a charter member. The Tigers finished in third place with a record or 74-61, eight-and-a-half games behind the Chicago White Stockings
1901 Chicago White Stockings season
The Chicago White Stockings season was their first season as a major league team, and their second season in Chicago. It was also the inaugural season of American League as a major league....
. Most of Detroit's home games were played at Bennett Park
Bennett Park
Bennett Park was a ballpark, named after Charlie Bennett, that formerly existed in Detroit, Michigan, at Michigan and Trumbull. It was home to the Detroit Tigers. The ballclub began play here in the minor Western League with a 17-2 win over the Columbus Senators on April 28, 1896. That league was...
, with Sunday games played at Burns Park due to Detroit's blue laws
Blue Laws
The Blue Laws of the Colony of Connecticut, as distinct from the generic term "blue law" that refers to any laws regulating activities on Sunday, were the initial statutes set up by the Gov. Theophilus Eaton with the assistance of the Rev. John Cotton in 1655 for the Colony of New Haven, now part...
.
Regular season
Roscoe MillerRoscoe Miller
Roscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played parts of four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average and 198 strikeouts...
(23-13) led the team in wins and was the Tigers' first 20-game winner. His performance headlined a strong pitching staff that had the third lowest ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(3.30) in the American League. Joe Yeager
Joe Yeager
Joseph Francis Yeager , nicknamed "Little Joe," was a Major League Baseball player who played 10 seasons with the Brooklyn Superbas , Detroit Tigers , New York Highlanders , and St. Louis Browns...
had an ERA of 2.61, for the second best Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
in the AL, behind Cy Young
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 22-year baseball career , he pitched for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937...
. The offense was not as strong however, scoring 741 runs -- fifth among the eight teams in the league. The team's best hitters were shortstop Kid Elberfeld
Kid Elberfeld
Norman Arthur "Kid" Elberfeld , nicknamed "The Tabasco Kid," was a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , New York Highlanders , Washington Senators , and Brooklyn Robins...
(.308 average) and center fielder Jimmy Barrett
Jimmy Barrett
James Erigena Barrett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. A native of Athol, Massachusetts, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , and Boston Red Sox...
(.293 average; 110 runs).
Opening day
After years in the Western League, the Tigers were scheduled to take the field for their first official American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
game on April 24, 1901. A standing room only crowd was anticipated at Bennett Park, but the Tigers' inaugural American League game was postponed due to weather. The following day, in front of 10,023 fans, the Tigers entered the ninth inning trailing the Milwaukee Brewers
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
13–4. Third basemen Doc Casey
Doc Casey
James Patrick "Doc" Casey was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he was a switch hitter that threw right-handed....
started the ninth-inning rally with a ground rule double
Ground rule double
In baseball, a ground rule double is an award of two bases from the time of pitch to all baserunners including the batter-runner as a result of the ball leaving play after being hit fairly and leaving the field under a condition of the ground rules in effect at the field where the game is being...
. The Tigers continued the rally to eventually reduce their deficit to one run. Now only down one run, 13–12, with two runners on base and two out, Tiger Frank "Pop" Dillon
Pop Dillon
Frank Edward "Pop" Dillon was a Major League Baseball first baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates , Detroit Tigers , Baltimore Orioles , and Brooklyn Superbas...
hit a two-run double against reliever Bert Husting
Bert Husting
Berthold Juneau Husting [Pete] was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four different teams between 1900 and 1902. Listed at 5' 10.5", 185 lb., Husting batted and threw right-handed...
to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 14–13.
Burns Park
The Tigers had played their games at Bennett Park since 1896, but the graduation to a major league meant that there would now be games scheduled on Sundays, which was forbidden by Detroit's blue lawsBlue Laws
The Blue Laws of the Colony of Connecticut, as distinct from the generic term "blue law" that refers to any laws regulating activities on Sunday, were the initial statutes set up by the Gov. Theophilus Eaton with the assistance of the Rev. John Cotton in 1655 for the Colony of New Haven, now part...
. In order to avoid running afoul of this stricture, owner James D. Burns
James D. Burns
James D. Burns was an American businessman, sheriff, delegate, and owner of the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball....
built a ballpark on his own property in Springwells Township, Michigan
Springwells Township, Michigan
Springwells Township is a defunct civil township in Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. All of the land is now incorporated as part of the cities of Detroit and Dearborn.-History:...
just outside the Detroit city limits. Named Burns Park, the Tigers would play their Sunday home games there for the 1901 and 1902 seasons
1902 Detroit Tigers season
was the second year for the Detroit Tigers in the newly formed American League. The team finished in seventh place with a record of 58-77 , 30½ games behind the Philadelphia Athletics. The 1902 Tigers were outscored by their opponents 657 runs to 566. The team's attendance at Bennett Park was...
.
Game log
| 1901 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Roster
| 1901 Detroit Tigers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager | ||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 70 | 231 | 52 | .225 | 2 | 29 | |
| 1B | 74 | 281 | 81 | .288 | 1 | 42 | |
| 2B | 135 | 547 | 150 | .274 | 3 | 75 | |
| 3B | 128 | 540 | 153 | .283 | 2 | 46 | |
| SS | 121 | 432 | 133 | .308 | 3 | 76 | |
| OF | 135 | 542 | 159 | .293 | 4 | 65 | |
| OF | 132 | 461 | 129 | .280 | 3 | 66 | |
| OF | 131 | 537 | 158 | .294 | 4 | 62 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 306 | 92 | .301 | 3 | 57 | |
| 55 | 171 | 46 | .269 | 1 | 23 | |
| 28 | 102 | 29 | .284 | 0 | 14 | |
| 1 | 4 | 2 | .500 | 0 | 0 |
Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 332 | 23 | 13 | 2.95 | 79 | |
| 38 | 288.2 | 18 | 15 | 3.24 | 85 | |
| 30 | 219.2 | 13 | 15 | 3.89 | 62 | |
| 26 | 199.2 | 12 | 11 | 2.61 | 38 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 74.2 | 5 | 4 | 4.34 | 22 | |
| 8 | 56 | 1 | 3 | 4.34 | 17 | |
| 4 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 3.50 | 4 |
League top five finishers
- Jimmy BarrettJimmy BarrettJames Erigena Barrett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. A native of Athol, Massachusetts, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , and Boston Red Sox...
: #5 in AL in runs scored (110) - Jimmy BarrettJimmy BarrettJames Erigena Barrett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. A native of Athol, Massachusetts, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , and Boston Red Sox...
: #3 in AL in bases on balls - Jimmy BarrettJimmy BarrettJames Erigena Barrett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. A native of Athol, Massachusetts, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , and Boston Red Sox...
: #4 in AL in times on base (240) - Jimmy BarrettJimmy BarrettJames Erigena Barrett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. A native of Athol, Massachusetts, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , and Boston Red Sox...
: #4 in AL in plate appearances (630) - Doc CaseyDoc CaseyJames Patrick "Doc" Casey was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he was a switch hitter that threw right-handed....
: #5 in AL in times hit by pitch (10) - Jack CroninJack CroninJohn J. Cronin was a 19th century Major League Baseball pitcher. He played from 1895-1904. He is buried in Oceanview, Cemetery, Section L, formerly known as Vallhalla Cemetery in Staten Island, New York.-External links:*...
: #5 in AL in bases on balls per 9 innings pitched (1.72) - Jack CroninJack CroninJohn J. Cronin was a 19th century Major League Baseball pitcher. He played from 1895-1904. He is buried in Oceanview, Cemetery, Section L, formerly known as Vallhalla Cemetery in Staten Island, New York.-External links:*...
: #4 in AL in strikeout to walk ratio (1.48) - Ducky HolmesDucky HolmesFor Howard Elbert Holmes, also known as Ducky, baseball player, see Ducky Holmes James William "Ducky" Holmes was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played ten seasons in the National League and American League with the Louisville Colonels , New York Giants , St...
: #5 in AL in doubles (28) - Roscoe MillerRoscoe MillerRoscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played parts of four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average and 198 strikeouts...
: #4 in AL in wins (23) - Roscoe MillerRoscoe MillerRoscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played parts of four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average and 198 strikeouts...
: #3 in AL in innings pitched (332) - Roscoe MillerRoscoe MillerRoscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played parts of four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average and 198 strikeouts...
: #5 in AL in games started (36) - Roscoe MillerRoscoe MillerRoscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played parts of four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average and 198 strikeouts...
: #3 in AL in complete games (35) - Roscoe MillerRoscoe MillerRoscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played parts of four seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average and 198 strikeouts...
: #4 in AL in bases on balls allowed (98) - Kid Nance: AL leader in sacrifice hits (24)
- Joe YeagerJoe YeagerJoseph Francis Yeager , nicknamed "Little Joe," was a Major League Baseball player who played 10 seasons with the Brooklyn Superbas , Detroit Tigers , New York Highlanders , and St. Louis Browns...
: #3 in AL in ERA (2.61) - Joe YeagerJoe YeagerJoseph Francis Yeager , nicknamed "Little Joe," was a Major League Baseball player who played 10 seasons with the Brooklyn Superbas , Detroit Tigers , New York Highlanders , and St. Louis Browns...
: #2 in AL in Adjusted ERA+Adjusted ERA+Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
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