Chapter FOURTEEN
Dishonorable Mention
Manager: Connie Mack
Record: 43–109, 58.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 11 games, September 20–September 29
Longest Winning Streak: 3 games, July 5–July 6
Largest Margin of Defeat: 20–5, September 29 versus Senators
Best Individual Performance: Amos Strunk (OF), .297 BA/45 EBH/24 OF assists
Worst Individual Performance: Rube Bressler (P), 4–17/5.20 ERA
“The Athletics lost $100,000 this year, and it is said that the club’s future is anything but brilliant. The team appears to be doomed for several years to come.” (Joseph Vila, Sporting Life, November 13, 1915)
1909 Boston Doves
Managers: Frank Bowerman, Harry Smith
Record: 45–108, 65.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 15 games, August 3–August 15
Longest Winning Streak: 5 games, September 11–September 18
Largest Margin of Defeat: 13–2, June 9 versus Reds
Best Individual Performance: Al Mattern (P), 15 wins/2.85 ERA
Worst Individual Performance: Cecil Ferguson (P), 5–23/3.72 ERA
“The thing that gives great concern is the pitching department. This seems to be very wobbly. It seems very difficult to land a consistent performer, and the only pitcher in the bunch that fills the bill is (Cliff) Curtis.” (J. C. Morse, Sporting Life, October 9, 1909)
1911 Boston Rustlers
Manager: Fred Tenney
Record: 44–107, 54 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 16 games, July 17–August 1
Longest Winning Streak: 3 games, October 4–October 6/October 7–October 9
Largest Margin of Defeat: 26–3, June 4 versus Reds
Best Individual Performance: Doc Miller (OF), .333 BA/36 2B/91 RBI/32 SB
Worst Individual Performance: Orlie Weaver (P), 3–12/6.47 ERA
“The Boston team was a victim of a succession of deplorable circumstances. The manager hastened the poor work of his players by sharp criticism rather than encouraging them by words of kindly advice.” (Spalding’s Official Baseball Guide, 1910)
1926 Boston Red Sox
Manager: Lee Fohl
Record: 46–107, 44.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 17 games, August 20–September 7
Longest Winning Streak: 5 games, August 16–August 19
Largest Margin of Defeat: 11–0, May 5 versus Senators
Best Individual Performance: Baby Doll Jacobson (OF), .305 BA/36 2B/69 RBI
Worst Individual Performance: Paul Zahniser (P), 18 losses/4.97 ERA
“The Boston Red Sox under management of Lee Fohl almost faded from public interest last season. Old American League patrons there conceded that something drastic at least in the executive end would have to be done to restore the prestige of the team.” (Associated Press, November 20, 1926)
1911 St. Louis Browns
Manager: Bobby Wallace
Record: 45–107, 56.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 14 games, June 10–June 28
Longest Winning Streak: 4 games, May 14–May 17
Largest Margin of Defeat: 13–0, June 14 versus Senators
Best Individual Performance: Frank LaPorte (2B), .314 BA/37 2B/12 3B/82 RBI
Worst Individual Performance: Nig Clarke (C), 29 errors/12 passed balls/.215 BA
“In the midst of the continuously poor work of the St. Louis Browns this season, the fine playing and heavy clubbing of Frank LaPorte has shown through in marked contrast.” (Sporting Life, September 30, 1911)
1910 St. Louis Browns
Manager: Jack O’Connor
Record: 47–107, 57 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 12 games, April 27–May 11
Longest Winning Streak: 3 games, June 24–June 26
Largest Margin of Defeat: 19–2, July 21 versus Highlanders
Best Individual Performance: Joe Lake (P), 11 wins/2.20 ERA
Worst Individual Performance: Pat Newnam (1B), .216 BA/32 Errors
“Sad to say, the record of the St. Louis club in 1910 was the most bitter pill that the American League had been compelled to swallow in many years of its existence.” (Spalding’s Official Baseball Guide, 1910)
1925 Boston Red Sox
Manager: Lee Fohl
Record: 47–105, 49.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 9 games, June 18–June 27
Longest Winning Streak: 3 games, May 21–May 26/September 30–October 2
Largest Margin of Defeat: 15–2, June 2 versus Athletics
Best Individual Performance: Ike Boone (OF), .330 BA/34 2B/68 RBI
Worst Individual Performance: Oscar Fuhr (P), 0–6/6.60 ERA in 39 games
“The Red Sox baseball team, which, with the possible exception of the Braves, provided more laughs per annum than Will Rogers and Andy Gump combined, is undergoing something in the way of a monkey gland operation, calculated to inject new life into an aggregation that thinks the idea of the game is to finish in eighth place.” (Foster Eaton, United Press, January 12, 1925)
1908 St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: John McCloskey
Record: 49–105, 50 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 11 games, September 7–September 17
Longest Winning Streak: 4 games, June 1–June 5
Largest Margin of Defeat: 11–0, July 30 versus Giants
Best Individual Performance: Bugs Raymond (P), 15 wins/23CG/2.03 ERA
Worst Individual Performance: Patsy O’Rourke (SS), .195 BA/41 errors in 53 defensive appearances
“The St. Louis pitchers are certainly good and would make a strong showing with a strong team. It’s in the infield where the Cardinals lose. The men do not work together at all and (Patsy) O’Rourke at short is the worst ever.” (W. A. Phelon, Sporting Life, May 16, 1908)
1906 Boston Americans
Managers: Jimmy Collins, Chick Stahl
Record: 49–105, 45.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 20 games, May 1–May 24
Longest Winning Streak: 4 games, August 8–August 11
Largest Margin of Defeat: 17–3, July 2 versus Senators
Best Individual Performance: Jesse Tannehill (P), 13 wins/3.17 ERA
Worst Individual Performance: Charlie Armbruster (C), .144 BA/17 errors/9 passed balls/97 stolen bases allowed in 66 defensive appearances
“The club is a funny mixture now of good and bad stuff—good and bad hitters, good and poor fielders, and little in the line of base runners or run-getters.” (J. C. Morse, Sporting Life, September 1, 1906)
1905 Brooklyn Superbas
Manager: Ned Hanlon
Record: 48–104, 56.5 games out
Longest Losing Streak: 10 games, September 13–September 24
Longest Winning Streak: 6 games, October 1–October 6
Largest Margin of Defeat: 15–1, August 13 versus Cubs
Best Individual Performance: Jimmy Sheckard (OF), .292 BA/.380 OBP/34 EBH/23 SB
Worst Individual Performance: Mal Eason (P), 5–21/4.30 ERA
“It is a rather rugged hint to the owners that the Brooklyn public is beginning to voice its displeasure at the manner in which things are running, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the owners would get out and hustle a little with the effort to obtain something that might do the team some good.” (John B. Foster, Sporting Life, July 8, 1905)