1908 Pittsburgh Pirates season
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Pirates
season was a season American baseball. The team finished tied for second place in the National League
with the New York Giants
, one game behind the Chicago Cubs
. The Pirates spent 46 days in first place, and were on top on October 3. However, they lost their last game to the Cubs, which set up a replay of the infamous "Merkle" game between the Cubs and the Giants. The Cubs took it to win the pennant
. Pittsburgh finished tied for second place with the Giants, just one game back. It was one of the closest races in baseball history.
Shortstop
Honus Wagner
had one of the most dominating hitting performances of all-time. The "Flying Dutchman" led the majors in batting average
, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs batted in, and stolen base
s. He missed the triple crown
by two home run
s. For his efforts, Wagner was paid $5,000, possibly the most on the team.
committed six. Fans were concerned because Honus Wagner—who in 1907 led the National League in hitting, slugging, and stolen bases—was not at the game, and there were concerns that he was taking the year off. On April 17, Charlie Starr
, who was Wagner’s replacement, committed two errors. Afterwards, Wagner would sign with the Pirates. The home opener for the Pirates was a 5-1 victory for the Pirates over the Cardinals. From April 26 to May 9, the Pirates played only 3 games due to poor weather.
On June 30, the Pirates took first place, as the Chicago Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds
. Starting on July 2, the Pirates started a critical five game series against the Cubs. In the first game, Three Finger Brown threw a six hit, no walk shutout, winning the game 3-0. The Pirates scheduled a doubleheader on the Fourth of July and more than 30,000 fans showed up. The Cubs won the first game 2-0 as Three Finger Brown only allowed two hits.
Fred Clarke
Tommy Leach
Honus Wagner
The Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
season was a season American baseball. The team finished tied for second place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with the New York Giants
1908 New York Giants season
The New York Giants season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Giants finished second in the National League.Paced by Turkey Mike Donlin, the offense scored the most runs in the league...
, one game behind the Chicago Cubs
1908 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Cubs winning their third consecutive National League pennant, as well as the World Series...
. The Pirates spent 46 days in first place, and were on top on October 3. However, they lost their last game to the Cubs, which set up a replay of the infamous "Merkle" game between the Cubs and the Giants. The Cubs took it to win the pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
. Pittsburgh finished tied for second place with the Giants, just one game back. It was one of the closest races in baseball history.
Shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
had one of the most dominating hitting performances of all-time. The "Flying Dutchman" led the majors in batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs batted in, and stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. He missed the triple crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
by two home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. For his efforts, Wagner was paid $5,000, possibly the most on the team.
Season summary
The Pirates opened the season by winning three straight games in St. Louis. On Opening Day, the Pirates committed four errors while the Cardinals1908 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 27th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 17th season in the National League. The Cardinals had a 49-105 win-loss record during the season and finished 8th in the National League...
committed six. Fans were concerned because Honus Wagner—who in 1907 led the National League in hitting, slugging, and stolen bases—was not at the game, and there were concerns that he was taking the year off. On April 17, Charlie Starr
Charlie Starr
Charles Watkin Starr was a Major League Baseball infielder. He played parts of three seasons in the majors, mostly as a second baseman, for the St. Louis Browns, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Doves and Philadelphia Phillies.-Sources:...
, who was Wagner’s replacement, committed two errors. Afterwards, Wagner would sign with the Pirates. The home opener for the Pirates was a 5-1 victory for the Pirates over the Cardinals. From April 26 to May 9, the Pirates played only 3 games due to poor weather.
On June 30, the Pirates took first place, as the Chicago Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds
1908 Cincinnati Reds season
The 1908 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the National League with a record of 73-81, 26 games behind the Chicago Cubs.- Offseason :...
. Starting on July 2, the Pirates started a critical five game series against the Cubs. In the first game, Three Finger Brown threw a six hit, no walk shutout, winning the game 3-0. The Pirates scheduled a doubleheader on the Fourth of July and more than 30,000 fans showed up. The Cubs won the first game 2-0 as Three Finger Brown only allowed two hits.
Roster
| 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager | ||||||
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 | 143 | 486 | 111 | .228 | 2 | 45 | |
| 1B | 53 | 176 | 38 | .216 | 0 | 13 | |
| 2B | 146 | 500 | 125 | .250 | 1 | 61 | |
| SS | 151 | 568 | 201 | .354 | 10 | 109 | |
| 3B | 152 | 583 | 151 | .259 | 5 | 41 | |
| LF | 151 | 551 | 146 | .265 | 2 | 35 | |
| CF | 102 | 386 | 99 | .256 | 1 | 24 | |
| RF | 144 | 529 | 120 | .227 | 3 | 43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 145 | 35 | .241 | 0 | 22 | |
| 20 | 59 | 11 | .186 | 0 | 8 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
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 | 236.2 | 16 | 9 | 1.56 | 118 | |
| 34 | 218.2 | 15 | 14 | 2.10 | 87 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 192.2 | 15 | 7 | 2.10 | 28 | |
| 3 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0.53 | 8 | |
| 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 |
League top five finishers
Howie CamnitzHowie Camnitz
Samuel Howard Camnitz was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League and for the Pittsburgh Rebels in the Federal League...
- #4 in NL in ERA (1.56)
Fred Clarke
Fred Clarke
Fred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
- #4 in NL in runs scored (83)
Tommy Leach
Tommy Leach
Thomas Andrew Leach was a baseball player during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Leach participated in the first modern World Series in 1903 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting four triples to set a record that still stands...
- #3 in NL in runs scored (93)
Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
- MLB leader in batting average (.354)
- MLB leader in RBI (109)
- MLB leader in stolen bases (53)
- MLB leader in on-base percentage (.415)
- MLB leader in slugging percentage (.542)
- #2 in NL in home runs (10)
- #2 in NL in runs scored (100)