1915 Detroit Tigers season
Encyclopedia
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...
won a club-record 100 games and narrowly lost 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...
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...
to the Boston Red Sox
1915 Boston Red Sox season
The 1915 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 1st in the American League with a record of 101 wins and 50 losses. They defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games in the World Series.-Opening Day lineup:-Roster:- Starters by position:...
who won 101 games. Though four other Tigers teams have won 100 games (1934
1934 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The season was the team's 34th since entering the American League in . The Tigers won the American League pennant with a record of 101-53, the best winning percentage in team history. The team made its fourth World Series appearance, but...
, 1961
1961 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won 101 games but finished in second place, eight games behind the Yankees. The team's 1961 record tied the 1934 Tigers team record of 101 wins, and only twice in team history have the Tigers won more games: 1968 and 1984 .- Offseason :On January 1, the Tigers' home park,...
, 1968
1968 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. The 1968 baseball season, known as the "Year of the Pitcher," was the Tigers' 68th since they entered the American League in 1901, their eighth pennant, and third World Series championship...
, and 1984
1984 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. The season was their 84th since they entered the American League in 1901 and their fourth World Series championship. Detroit relief pitcher Willie Hernandez won the Cy Young Award and was chosen as the...
), only the 1934 Tigers had a better winning percentage. The 1915 Detroit Tigers team is remembered for its all-star outfield of Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
, Sam Crawford
Sam Crawford
Samuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
, and Bobby Veach
Bobby Veach
Robert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
-- who finished #1, #2, and #3 in the American League in both RBIs and total bases. Baseball historian Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
ranks the Tigers' 1915 outfield as the best of all time in major league history.
Offseason
- January 7, 1915: The Tigers sold Wally PippWally PippWalter Clement Pipp was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball, now best remembered as the man who lost his starting role to Lou Gehrig at the beginning of Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games....
and Hugh HighHugh HighHugh Jenkin High , nicknamed "Bunny," was a Major League Baseball outfielder from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, who played six seasons in the majors, for the Detroit Tigers in and , and for the New York Yankees from through...
to the Yankees for a reported $5,000 each.
Regular season
The 1915 Tigers' winning percentage of .649 ranks as the 2nd best in team history, as follows:EWLINE
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Catcher: Oscar Stanage
Catcher Oscar StanageOscar Stanage
Oscar Harland Stanage was a Major League Baseball catcher. Born in Tulare, California, Stanage played fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues, primarily with the Detroit Tigers...
was a weak hitter but one of the best defensive catchers of the deadball era. In thirteen seasons with the Tigers, Stanage caught 1,074 games – second only to Bill Freehan
Bill Freehan
William Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
in team history. Known for his strong throwing arm, Stanage threw out more baserunners than any other catcher in the 1910s. Stanage still holds the American League record for most assists by a catcher, with 212 in 1911, and his career average of 1.29 assists per game is the fifth best in major league history. Stanage was not as skilled with the glove; his 41 errors in 1911 was the most by a catcher for the 20th Century.
Infield: Burns, Young, Bush and Vitt
First baseman "Tioga George" BurnsGeorge Burns (first baseman)
George Henry Burns , nicknamed "Tioga George," was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from to...
played for the Tigers from 1914 to 1917. In 1915, Burns hit only .243 with 18 doubles. Burns went on to become a star after leaving the Tigers. In 1926, he was named the American League’s MVP with a .358 batting average and an all-time MLB record 64 doubles.
Second baseman Ralph Young
Ralph Young
Ralph Stuart "Pep" Young was an American Major League Baseball second baseman. During his nine major league seasons, he played with the New York Yankees , Detroit Tigers , and Philadelphia Athletics .-Background:Young was a right-handed second baseman and switch hitter...
played for the Tigers from 1915 to 1921. In 1915, Young had a .243 batting average, but a much more respectable .339 on base percentage. At 5'5", Young was one of the shortest players ever to wear the Tigers uniform. His small stature, and correspondingly small strike zone
Strike zone
In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual right pentagonal prism over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing.-Definition:...
, assisted him in both collecting walks and avoiding strikeouts. In nine seasons, Young collected 495 bases on balls and struck out only 254 times (in 3,643 at bats). Young led all American League second basemen with 32 errors in 1915.
Shortstop Donie Bush
Donie Bush
Owen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
was Detroit’s starting shortstop for thirteen seasons from 1909 to 1921. In 1914, Bush had 425 putouts (still the major league record for shortstops) and 969 chances (still the American League record). He led the American League in assists by a shortstop in 1915 with 504. In 1915, he also collected 118 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
. During the decade from 1910 to 1919, no one had more bases on balls than Bush. Bush also ranked among the league leaders in stolen bases nine times, including 1915 when he stole 35 bases. With his ability to get on base, and having Cobb and Crawford batting behind him, Bush was also among the league leaders in runs scored ten times, including his 1915 total of 99 runs.
Third baseman Ossie Vitt
Ossie Vitt
Oscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
played seven seasons with the Tigers and was a poor hitter but a good fielder. In 1915, he hit .250 with 48 RBIs. He led all American League third basemen in 1915 and 1916 in putouts, assists and fielding percentage. His 208 assists in 1916 has not been exceeded by a Detroit third baseman since that time. While not a good hitter for average, Vitt was a good contact hitter and one of the best bunters of the era. He led the American League with 42 sacrifice hits in 1915, and his career total of 259 sacrifice hits (in a relatively short career) ranks 32nd best in major league history. Vitt was also one of the toughest players to strike out in MLB history. For his career, he struck out an average of once every 26.6 at bats, 35th best in MLB history.
Outfield: Veach, Cobb, and Crawford
The Tigers’ 1915 outfield, with Bobby VeachBobby Veach
Robert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
in left, Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
in center, and Sam Crawford
Sam Crawford
Samuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
in right, has been ranked by baseball historian, Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
, as the greatest outfield of all time. Though the league batting average in 1915 was .248, Cobb hit .369 with 99 RBIs and 144 runs, Crawford hit .313 and drove in 112 runs, and Veach hit .299 with 112 RBIs. The three Detroit outfielders ranked #1, #2, and #3 in total bases and RBIs.
Cobb also set a major league record with 96 stolen bases in 1915, a record which would not be broken for nearly 50 years until Maury Wills
Maury Wills
Maurice Morning "Maury" Wills is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitting batter who played most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers , and also with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos...
stole 104 bases in .
Pitching: Coveleski, Dauss, Dubuc and Boland
Hooks Dauss
George August "Hooks" Dauss was a Major League pitcher who played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. Nicknamed 'Hooks' or 'Hookey' because of his hard-to-hit curveball...
played his entire fifteen-year career with the Tigers and is the team's all time wins leader. In 1915, Dauss won 24 games (2nd most in the American League) and lost 13, while ending up with a 2.50 ERA in 309⅔ innings. Dauss was also an excellent fielding pitcher. His career range factor of 2.28 is 65 points higher than the average pitcher of his era. He had 1128 assists in his career, including an American League leading 137 in 1915. His career fielding percentage of .968 was also 20 points higher than the average pitcher of his era.
Pitcher Harry Coveleski
Harry Coveleski
Harry Frank Coveleski was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the Phillies in 1907...
joined the Tigers in 1914. He was a 20 game winner in his first three seasons in Detroit (1914–1916). In 1915, he had a record of 22-13 with an ERA of 2.45, and followed in 1916 with a 1.97 ERA. In four of his five seasons with the Tigers, Coveleski's ERA was under three, and his 2.34 ERA with the Tigers is still the franchise's all-time career record.
Jean Dubuc
Jean Joseph Octave "Chauncey" Dubuc was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played with the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Giants during his nine year career. Dubuc had an overall record of 85–76 with a 3.04 ERA.-Early life and amateur career:Born in St. Johnsbury,...
was a pitching phenom at Notre Dame before entering professional baseball. In 1915, he went 17-12 for the Tigers with a 3.21 ERA. He is most remembered for his role in the 1918 Chicago Black Sox scandal. Pitcher Rube Benton
Rube Benton
John Cleave "Rube" Benton was a pitcher, born in Clinton, North Carolina, for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants ....
testified that he had seen a telegram addressed to Dubuc, from Sleepy Bill Burns
Sleepy Bill Burns
William Thomas "Bill" Burns , nicknamed "Sleepy Bill," was an American baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball for five different teams from 1908 to 1912...
advising Dubuc: "Bet on the Cincinnati team today." After being linked to the scandal, Dubuc went to Canada and continued to play minor league ball. Dubuc is also credited with having signed Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
while serving as a major league scout for the Tigers.
Bernie Boland
Bernie Boland
Bernard Anthony Boland was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns . Boland was a reliable pitcher for five years before suffering a broken arm...
was an early relief specialist who made his major league debut in 1915. Boland was 13-7 with a 3.11 ERA in his rookie season and came within one batter of throwing a no hitter. On August 16, 1915, Boland retired the first 26 Cleveland Indians batters he faced, only to give up a hit to Ben Paschal. Ironically, Paschal's hit off Boland was his only hit of the 1915 season. Boland and the Tigers went on to win the game 3-1. In 1926, Boland returned to the news for comments he made concerning a game-fixing scandal involving Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. Boland, then a paving contractor in Detroit, was the Tigers pitcher in a 1919 game against Cleveland that Cobb had reportedly agreed to fix. Boland told the Detroit News in 1926 that he figured "about one in every 300 games is crooked," and he was glad that "some of them are getting justice at last."
Roster
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| valign="top" | Pitchers |
valign="top" | Catchers Infielders |
valign="top" | Outfielders |
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Season highlights
- April 14: The Tigers lost their season opener at Navin Field to the Cleveland Indians1915 Cleveland Indians seasonThe Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the American League with a record of 57-95, 44½ games behind the Boston Red Sox.- Offseason :...
, 5-1. - April 28: The Tigers beat the St. Louis Browns1915 St. Louis Browns seasonThe 1915 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 63 wins and 91 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, 12–3, as Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
stole home in the 3rd inning. Cobb stole home six times in 1915. - April 30: The Tigers won their 12th game and were in first place with a record of 12-5. The Red Sox were in 5th place with a record of 5-6.
- May 14: The Tigers won their 18th game and were in first place with a record of 18-9. The Red Sox were in 4th place with a record of 11-9.
- June 4: The Tigers beat the Yankees1914 New York Yankees seasonThe New York Yankees season was the club's twelfth in New York and fourteenth overall. The team finished with a record of 70-84, coming in 7th place in the American League.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, 3-0. Ty Cobb stole home in the 9th inning, the only steal of home that late in a game in his career. Yankee pitcher Ray CaldwellRay CaldwellRaymond Benjamin Caldwell, , was an American major league pitcher from 1910 to 1921. He was known for throwing the spitball, and he was one of the 17 pitchers allowed to continue throwing the pitch after it was outlawed in 1920.Caldwell was notorious during his playing career for his addiction to...
was so angry at the safe call he threw his mitt in the air and was ejected by umpire Silk O'LoughlinSilk O'LoughlinFrancis H. "Silk" O'Loughlin was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1902 to 1918...
. It was Cobb's second steal of home while Caldwell was on the mound (the first was on May 12, 1911). - June 9: The 2nd place Tigers defeated the 1st place Boston Red Sox, 15–0. With Ray Collins on the mound in the 3rd inning, Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
stole home. - June 18: Ty Cobb stole home twice in a game against Washington1914 Washington Senators seasonThe Washington Senators won 81 games, lost 73, and finished in third place in the American League. They were managed by Clark Griffith and played home games at National Park.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, on the front end of double and triple steals. Both steals came with Joe BoehlingJoe BoehlingJohn Joseph Boehling was a Major League Baseball pitcher for seven seasons. He played with the Washington Senators from 1912 to 1916, and the Cleveland Indians from 1916 to 1920. Boehling made his major league debut on June 20, 1912, in a 5–0 loss against the Philadelphia Athletics...
on the mound. Washington's catcher, Bull Henry, left in the first inning with a spike wound from Cobb. The steals made the difference in the 5–3 Detroit win. - June 23: For the fifth time in June, Ty Cobb stole home, doing it in a 4–2 Tiger win over the St. Louis Browns. Cobb scored another run when Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
hit the ball to pitcher Grover LowdermilkGrover LowdermilkGrover Cleveland "Slim" Lowdermilk was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1909 to 1920, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox...
, who somersaulted after fielding the grounder and sat on the mound holding the ball. Cobb scored from second base on the play. - July 9: In Detroit, Babe Ruth lasted only a third of an inning and allowed four runs as the Tigers beat the Red Sox, 15–4.
- August 10: Detroit third baseman Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
was hit by a Walter JohnsonWalter JohnsonWalter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
fastball and, after being knocked out for five minutes, left the game with a concussion. A rattled Johnson then allowed four runs in the first inning, two runs on a home run by the Tigers' first baseman, "Tioga George" BurnsGeorge Burns (first baseman)George Henry Burns , nicknamed "Tioga George," was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from to...
. Ty Cobb, observing Johnson's fear of hitting a batter, began to crowd the plate from that day forward and averaged .435 for the rest of his career against Johnson. Meanwhile, Babe Ruth won his 10th game by a score of 10-3 over the Browns. - August 16: Detroit's rookie pitcher, Bernie BolandBernie BolandBernard Anthony Boland was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns . Boland was a reliable pitcher for five years before suffering a broken arm...
held Cleveland hitless through 26 batters. With two out in the 9th inning, Ben PaschalBen PaschalBenjamin Edwin "Ben" Paschal was an American baseball outfielder who played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1929, mostly for the New York Yankees...
singled, his only hit in nine at bats during the 1915 season. Boland won, 3–1. - August 18: The Tigers traded first baseman Baby Doll JacobsonBaby Doll JacobsonWilliam Chester "Baby Doll" Jacobson was a Major League baseball outfielder. Jacobson was born in Cable, Illinois, USA.His best season was 1920, when he hit for a .355 batting average and amassed 122 RBIs....
to the Browns for pitchers Big Bill James and Grover LowdermilkGrover LowdermilkGrover Cleveland "Slim" Lowdermilk was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1909 to 1920, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox...
. - August 19: The Tigers beat the A's, 6-1, while the White Sox beat the Red Sox, 2–1. Boston and Detroit were tied for 1st.
- August 21: Having played 112 games, the Tigers (73-39) had won nine straight games and were tied for first place with the Red Sox (71-37).
- August 22: In the second inning of the first game a doubleheader, the Senators scored a run on the Tigers with no times at bat—the only time that has ever happened. Chick GandilChick GandilCharles Arnold "Chick" Gandil was a professional baseball player. He played for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox of the American League. He is best known as the ringleader of the players involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal...
and Merito AcostaMerito AcostaBaldomero Pedro "Merito" Acosta Fernández was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played five seasons for the Philadelphia Athletics and Washington Senators....
walked; Buff Williams sacrificed, and George McBrideGeorge McBrideGeorge Florian "Pinch" McBride is a former shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Washington Senators from 1901 to 1920. He started off with the short-lived Milwaukee Brewers , but he only had 12 at-bats in three games...
hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Gandil. The Tigers then caught Acosta off second base when Bobby VeachBobby VeachRobert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
threw to Ossie Vitt. Walter JohnsonWalter JohnsonWalter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
was the winning pitcher as the Senators beat the Tigers, 8–1, and broke the Tigers' 9-game win streak. With the Tigers loss, the Red Sox move into sole possession of first place, where they remained for the rest of the season. - August 25: The Red Sox beat the Tigers, 2–1, in 13 innings to solidify their hold on 1st place. Boston had won seven straight and 19 of 21.
- August 27: Detroit snapped the Red Sox win streak, beating Boston, 7–6 in 12 innings. Boston still led the American League by 4½ games.
- September 5: In the first game of a doubleheader, the Tigers defeated the Browns, 6-5. The Browns' starting pitcher was rookie (and former University of Michigan star) George SislerGeorge SislerGeorge Harold Sisler , nicknamed "Gentleman George" and "Gorgeous George," was an American professional baseball player for 15 seasons, primarily as first baseman with the St. Louis Browns...
, who pitched a complete game and hit a home run in the loss. - September 16: In the first of four games series at Fenway Park, the Tigers (90–48) and Red Sox (90-44) squared off. Detroit knocked out starter Rube FosterRube Foster (AL pitcher)George "Rube" Foster was a former Major League Baseball player. Foster was a right-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox from to and won two World Series championships with the team in and again in .Foster was picked up by the Boston Red Sox and made his major league debut for the team on...
, then rookie reliever Carl MaysCarl MaysCarl William Mays was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1929. Despite impressive career statistics, he is primarily remembered for throwing a beanball on August 16, 1920, that struck and killed Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians, making Chapman one of two people to die...
kept throwing at Ty Cobb until he hit him on the wrist. Cobb threw his bat at Mays in retaliation, and the crowd reacted by throwing bottles at Cobb. The next inning, Cobb caught a fly ball for the final out and needed a police escort to leave the field. The Tigers won 6–1 to move within one game of the first place Red Sox. - September 17: Dutch LeonardDutch Leonard (left-handed pitcher)Hubert Benjamin "Dutch" Leonard, was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1913–1921, 1924-1925. He played for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, and holds the major league modern-era record for the lowest single-season ERA of all time — 0.96...
allowed three hits as the Red Sox beat Detroit, 7–2. - September 18: The Tigers and Red Sox met in a pitching duel, as the game went into extra innings with the score tied 0-0. The Red Sox won, 1-0, in the 12th inning.
- September 20: In front of a full house at Fenway Park, including Vice-President Thomas R. MarshallThomas R. MarshallThomas Riley Marshall was an American Democratic politician who served as the 28th Vice President of the United States under Woodrow Wilson...
, Babe Ruth led Boston to a 3–2 win over Detroit. Rube Foster relieved Ruth with two outs in the 8th inning. Ruth was 1-for-3 at bat. Having lost three straight to the Red Sox, the Tigers were four games out of first place. - September 23: In Philadelphia, Ty Cobb stole his 90th base of the year. Only 300 fans were on hand. The Tigers won, 6-5.
- September 25: The Tigers swept both games of a double header against the Senators, 5-1 in the opener, and 9-3 in the second game. The Tigers were still in contention as they headed into the final week of the season.
- September 29: The Tigers beat the Browns, 3-2, at Navin Field.
- September 30: The Red Sox clinched the American League pennant as the St. Louis Browns beat Detroit, giving Boston a two 1/2-game margin.
- October 3: The Tigers won their 100th game of the year, and Ty Cobb stole his 96th base against Cleveland's catcher Steve O'NeillSteve O'NeillStephen Francis O'Neill was an American catcher, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania , O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues...
. Cobb's total of 96 steals was a major league record that stood until 1962 when Maury WillsMaury WillsMaurice Morning "Maury" Wills is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitting batter who played most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers , and also with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos...
stole 104 bases. The 1915 season was the first time a team had won 100 games without winning the pennant.
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 | 100 | 300 | 67 | .223 | 1 | 31 | |
| 1B | 105 | 392 | 99 | .253 | 5 | 50 | |
| 2B | 123 | 378 | 92 | .243 | 0 | 31 | |
| 3B | 152 | 560 | 140 | .250 | 1 | 48 | |
| SS | 155 | 561 | 128 | .228 | 1 | 44 | |
| OF | 156 | 612 | 183 | .299 | 4 | 112 | |
| OF | 156 | 563 | 208 | .369 | 3 | 99 | |
| OF | 152 | 569 | 178 | .313 | 3 | 112 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 332 | 98 | .295 | 4 | 49 | |
| 68 | 134 | 33 | .246 | 0 | 15 | |
| 55 | 106 | 29 | .274 | 1 | 17 | |
| 37 | 65 | 14 | .215 | 0 | 4 | |
| 31 | 38 | 8 | .211 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | 32 | 5 | .156 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 312.2 | 22 | 13 | 2.45 | 150 | |
| 46 | 309.2 | 24 | 13 | 2.50 | 132 | |
| 39 | 258 | 17 | 12 | 3.21 | 74 | |
| 11 | 67 | 7 | 3 | 2.42 | 24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 202.2 | 13 | 7 | 3.11 | 72 | |
| 20 | 79.1 | 5 | 1 | 2.72 | 28 | |
| 17 | 71 | 4 | 2 | 4.06 | 26 | |
| 7 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 4.18 | 18 | |
| 4 | 11.1 | 0 | 1 | 6.35 | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2.81 | 17 | |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.80 | 7 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
League leaders
- Donie BushDonie BushOwen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
– American League plate appearances leader (703) - Donie BushDonie BushOwen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
– American League leader in assists at shortstop (504) - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
– American League batting champion (.369) - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
– American League on base percentage leader (.486) - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
– American League stolen bases leader (96) - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
– American League total bases leader (274) - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
– American League hits leader (208) - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
– American League runs leader (144) - Harry CoveleskiHarry CoveleskiHarry Frank Coveleski was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the Phillies in 1907...
– American League leader in games (50) - Harry CoveleskiHarry CoveleskiHarry Frank Coveleski was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the Phillies in 1907...
– American League leader in hit batsmen (20) - Harry CoveleskiHarry CoveleskiHarry Frank Coveleski was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the Phillies in 1907...
– American League leader in hits allowed (271) - Harry CoveleskiHarry CoveleskiHarry Frank Coveleski was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he began his career with the Phillies in 1907...
– American League leader in errors at pitcher (11) - Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
– American League leader in RBIs (112) - Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
– American League extra base hits leader (54) - Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
– American League triples leader (19) - Hooks DaussHooks DaussGeorge August "Hooks" Dauss was a Major League pitcher who played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. Nicknamed 'Hooks' or 'Hookey' because of his hard-to-hit curveball...
– American League leader in assists at pitcher (137) - Bobby VeachBobby VeachRobert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
– American League leader in RBIs (112) - Bobby VeachBobby VeachRobert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
– American League doubles leader (40) - Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
– American League sacrifice hits leader (42) - Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
– American League leader in putouts at third base (191) - Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
– American League leader in assists at third base (324) - Ossie VittOssie VittOscar Joseph "Ossie" Vitt , was a Major League Baseball third baseman in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Vitt later became manager of the Cleveland Indians , where he sometimes clashed with his players.-Playing career:Ossie Vitt was a product of the sandlots of...
– American League leader in fielding percentage at third base (.964) - Ralph YoungRalph YoungRalph Stuart "Pep" Young was an American Major League Baseball second baseman. During his nine major league seasons, he played with the New York Yankees , Detroit Tigers , and Philadelphia Athletics .-Background:Young was a right-handed second baseman and switch hitter...
– American League leader in errors at second base (32)
Players Ranking Among Top 100 of All Time At Position
The following members of the 1915 Detroit Tigers are among the Top 100 players of all time at their position, as ranked in The New Bill James Historical Baseball AbstractThe Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...
in 2001:
- George BurnsGeorge Burns (first baseman)George Henry Burns , nicknamed "Tioga George," was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from to...
: 79th best first baseman of all time - Donie BushDonie BushOwen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
: 51st best shortstop of all time - Bobby VeachBobby VeachRobert Hayes "Bobby" Veach was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Washington Senators ....
: 33rd best left fielder of all time - Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
: 2nd best center fielder of all time - Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
: 10th best right fielder of all time