The Boston Globe Story of the Red Sox

CHAPTER 1

THE BIRTH OF A BALLCLUB

(1900–1910)

Perhaps this should come as no surprise given that ancient trees have deep roots, but it turns out that Boston baseball fans were skeptical, with cynicism probably waiting in the on-deck circle, before the first official pitch of the ball club’s first home game had been delivered.

The headline on the Globe’s May 9, 1901, account of the Boston Americans’ debut—a 12-4 victory over Philadelphia—at Huntington Avenue Grounds provides the requisite optimism that should come with the debut of a franchise: “AMERICAN LEAGUE MEN GIVEN ROYAL WELCOME BY 11,500 ROOTERS.” But within the story is an amusing anecdote describing the pregame scene and the already established attitude of Boston fans.

“At the close of a waltz melody three Boston players in white uniforms emerged from the players’ dressing rooms and spread out for a little triangle practice. They were the first players to appear, but were not recognized by the crowd and were given but a weak sendoff.… These boys will be treated with more warmth when they show their real mettle, as the Boston fan is rather slow to warm up to a new man.”

Ah, so that’s where it comes from. Turns out our baseball-fan ancestors required some convincing, too, before they believed in the team and its players. While that prove-it-to-us attitude was hardened for later generations by recurring heartbreak and championship droughts, those initial fans did not have to wait long to enjoy sweet success. The Americans—the Boston team’s nickname for its first seven seasons—were born in 1900 when Ban Johnson, president of the minor-league Western League, announced that it would become the American League and compete with the National League, then the lone Major League, and one Johnson believed had become too rowdy and unsportsmanlike.

Boston and Philadelphia were among the cities to which Johnson assigned franchises. Both cities already were home to National League clubs, with the Americans competing with the National League’s Boston Braves. Charles Somers, a coal industry executive from Cleveland, was awarded the Boston franchise. The new league and its clubs began pilfering established stars from the National League, and the Red Sox added two of the greatest for the inaugural 1901 season, pitcher Cy Young and third baseman Jimmy Collins, who served double duty as the manager.

Young, at age 34, won 33 games in his first season in Boston, while Collins batted .332 and led the Americans to a second-place finish. The club took one step back in 1902, finishing third, but breathtaking success was theirs in 1903, even after Somers sold the team to Henry Killilea that January. Led by Young, who became the winningest pitcher in baseball history that season (he finished with 511 victories, as unassailable a record as there is in the sport), the Americans went 91-47-3 in their third season, winning the American League pennant by 14.5 games over the Philadelphia Athletics.

Soon, they would become something grander: baseball’s first World Series champion. In September, Killilea met with Barney Dreyfuss, owner of the National League champion Pittsburgh Pirates, to reach an agreement for the victors of each league to play. Dreyfuss had issued a challenge for the two league winners to meet. The Americans met the challenge, winning the best-of-nine series, 5-3, in eight games. The Americans, boosted by the rallying cries of their boisterous Royal Rooters fan club, prevailed by winning four straight games after falling behind, 3-1. Three seasons into its existence, Boston was a champion.

The Americans, now owned by John I. Taylor, the son of Globe publisher Charles H. Taylor, might have repeated in the 1904 season after winning 95 games and another pennant—sweeping a doubleheader from the Highlanders, later to become the Yankees, to clinch on the season’s final day. But the Giants refused to play a World Series on the grounds that the American League provided inferior opposition. Backlash to their refusal led to the official drafting of World Series rules in February 1905.

The next two seasons brought tribulations and tragedy. The 1906 Red Sox collapsed to a 49-105-1 record, losing 20 in a row over 21 days in May. In August, Jimmy Collins resigned as manager, replaced by teammate Chick Stahl, who did not fare better, guiding the Americans to just 14 wins in 40 games. The next March, while the Americans were in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to play a spring game, an unfathomable act staggered the franchise. Stahl committed suicide by drinking four ounces of carbolic acid. Collins, his close friend who had remained as a player, was in his presence.

Understandably, the 1907 season was an unsettled one for the Americans. They went through five managers, including Cy Young for six games, and Collins was traded to the Athletics in June. But it also brought signs of better days to come. In September, Tris Speaker, who would blossom into one of the premier players in history, made his debut. In ensuing seasons, he would be joined by Duffy Lewis and Harry Hooper to form perhaps the finest outfield in franchise lore.

Fans would fast warm up to these new men, and yet their arrivals, as well as that of young fireballer “Smoky” Joe Wood, were not the franchise’s most significant change. In December 1907, John I. Taylor took advantage of the Boston Braves’ sartorial decision to switch their main color from red to blue, deciding that the Americans would now wear red, most notably on their stockings while playing at Huntington Avenue Grounds. With the new duds came a new nickname: the Red Sox. It would stick.

TWO BALL TEAMS

Boston Will Have Her Share of National Game.

American League and National Association After Charles River Park.

January 4, 1901 ♦ by T. H. Murnane

BOSTON WILL HAVE BALL teams in two leading organizations next season, unless all present plans fail.

The grounds have been selected, and ample backing is ready. The question is in what league will the new club play ball—the American league, handled by Pres. Ban Johnson, or the proposed new National association, now well underway. Both organizations are anxious to get a foothold in this vicinity, and would prefer Charles River Park, now owned by Arthur Irwin and J. B. Hart, both of whom were prime movers in the two clubs that passed a couple of years at the Congress St. grounds.

Messrs. Irwin and Hart are bound to remain in the game, if possible. After taking an option on Charles River Park about a month ago, Irwin went to Philadelphia to try and induce Ban Johnson to give Boston a place in his American League, but Irwin was turned down. At the same time Johnson sent his close friend, Charles Somers of Cleveland, to Boston to see the owners of Charles River Park about leasing the plant. The western man offered big money for the park, as he was anxious to put a club from Boston in Johnson’s league. Pres. Hyde had given his word to Irwin and Hart that they could have first choice at a certain figure, and as they were ready to fulfil their agreement, Mr. Somers went back to Johnson with a story of Irwin’s strength.

Charles Somers of Cleveland appeared on the scene again yesterday. He has a habit of stopping at Young’s hotel under an assumed name, and not being well known to the baseball men of Boston managed to escape notice for two days. His mission here is to show the men back of Irwin how strong is the American League and what a winner they could make of Boston. Mr. Somers is perfectly willing to back the team from here, and being a man of means could no doubt make good. He has worked hard, but has failed to convince the Boston people that the American association is as strong as the proposed National association.

Finding that he couldn’t get a place for Boston in the American League, Irwin set about to see what could be done in reviving the National association, and found more life in the defunct organization than he expected. Last Sunday a meeting was held at Chicago. Irwin, Richter and delegates from Washington, Milwaukee and other cities were present.

No doubt Ban Johnson was tipped off to the opposition’s strength, and hurried his friend Somers on to Boston again to get in some good work for his organization, for National association success would mean a death blow to Johnson’s league. As the case now stands in Boston the American League must take Irwin if they care to locate a club at Charles River Park. The severest blow that could befall the National association would be the loss of Boston to the rival American League, so that Irwin has a full hand in either case.

Mr. Somers is one of the owners of the Cleveland club. Speaking of the American League’s plans, he said: “I can say positively that the American League will have clubs in Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and we would like Boston to fill out our eastern half of the circuit.” This would mean the dropping out of Buffalo. Mr. Somers said the idea of the National League snubbing the American League was nonsense, that they were going to do business without any regard for the league, who have no copyright on baseball.

Pres. Hyde of the Charles River land association says that he is confident that 25-cent ball will be a big go in Boston. He is very much pleased with Mr. Somers, the Cleveland magnate, and may bring Irwin around if he has not agreed to stick to the Milwaukee syndicate.

How Players Look at It

It is interesting to note what stand the players will take toward the league that succeeds in making good, for it’s out of the question for both the American League and National association to live for a season in a fight against the powerful old National League.

Hugh Jennings was in Baltimore yesterday. He is one of the committee chosen by the players to present their case to the magnates. Here is what he said on the subject:

“I’d much rather sign for $1,200 with the American League and give it a chance to build up than to accept $2,000 from the National League and be a slave in every sense of the word. If a break to the American League is necessary I hope the ballplayers will look at things the way I do. If the National League insists on ignoring us we have got to do something.

“A baseball war is preferable to playing further under the conditions that have made the protective association a necessity. We know that the American League is backed by men of brains, fairness and considerable money. If they were sure of our support and could bank on getting the best playing talent in the country, they would probably be able to interest many other influential men who would provide money enough to make things warm for the magnates. Of course I am only talking provisionally, you know. I would rather see the National League grant us our demands and have next season begin harmoniously, but I have it on the best of authority that the league men never had any idea of granting what we ask and will not give us another hearing.

“It would be foolish for the protective association to make a hot-headed move now. It is better to look the situation over carefully, and after getting the sentiment of all of our men, then take some effective means to show these arrogant club owners that we are not to be trifled with. The instructions we have already sent out to the players include an order not to sign a National League contract for next year until Pres. Zimmer, Griffith, Taylor and myself give the word. If the league still refuses to give in by the time it is ready to open the season, there will be no ball, that’s all. We are prepared to make a fight, even without the help of the American League, should that body suddenly conclude to make peace with the National League.

“If a fight comes, we wish the public to understand that the league magnate brought it on by their bull-headedness and double dealing.”

Wants Boston Badly

The American League will make their fight for Boston, hoping to show that with Boston and St. Louis in their organization nothing can beat it out.

A special from Baltimore says that Johnny McGraw has in his possession letters, the contents of which would make the National League magnates walk the floor at night. These letters are from a great many of the most famous stars of the diamond, and it is plain from their trend that the writers would hail with joy a chance to jump the older organization and thus rid themselves from what they consider their bondage.

There is no intention on the part of the American leaguers to grab the players of the National League, but they are working so that if it should come to a game of grab the American League would be in a position to do the most business.

When asked last evening what he thought of the move to have a rival club in this city, Arthur Soden smiled and said, “We will try and do business just the same, and hope the game will be benefited. The Boston club has no jurisdiction over the territory as long as the new club is outside the National agreement. It costs big money to run a ball club, especially when clubs have to take long trips west where the gate receipts are light.”

The fans are rooting for a lot of good baseball here next season. ♦

GETS A FOOTING

American League Leases Baseball Grounds.

Secures “Shoot the Chutes” Space From Elevated Railway Company.

January 18, 1901 ♦ by T. H. Murnane

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE HAS taken one more step in an effort to place a club in this city.

Yesterday Charles Somers of Cleveland closed a five years’ lease with the Boston elevated railway company for the grounds on Huntington Ave., formerly used by a “shoot the chute” concern. Connie Mack has been here for several days as the agent of Pres. Ban Johnson and Somers, and with the assistance of attorney Michael J. Moore of 27 School St., closed the deal yesterday afternoon.

Lawyer Moore said that the railway people were anxious to let the property for baseball purposes, as it meant funds for their road. He would not say what were the conditions of the lease, but said that the American League people were pleased with the rent agreed upon as they were anxious to give Boston some lively ball for 25 cents admission.

Connie Mack had only a few moments before taking a train for Philadelphia. He seemed to be much pleased with the idea of having Boston in the American circuit, and intimated that Hugh Jennings would be sought to come here and take charge of the team. Jennings has now signed a contract with Cornell to remain with that institution for three years, but it is thought that he can make a deal to get away after he has coached his team.

If the American League carries out its promise to locate in Boston it will mean a circuit composed of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston in the east, in the west Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland. With the exception of Milwaukee all are familiar names in league baseball.

The Huntington Ave. grounds are fully as handy of access from the business part of the city as the South End grounds, and considerably larger.

The grounds will need filling in and require much work before being in condition for baseball. The idea of the new club will be to secure young players, as they will make no attempt to compete with the National League in the way of big salaries, claiming to have all the players they can use from last year’s teams. ♦

SOMERS’ TEAM IN BOSTON

Collins, Stahl, Freeman and Dineen Named.

March 6, 1901 ♦ by T. H. Murnane

THERE IS NOW LITTLE doubt but that the American League club of this city will contain several men who drew salaries last season from the Boston National League club.

While Jimmy Collins positively refuses to say whether or not he has signed an American League contract, a telegram from Pres. Charles Somers, dated yesterday, says that Collins has positively signed a contract to play and manage the Boston club of the American League. This should dispose of all doubt, as Somers would not make a false statement under the circumstances.

Pres. Somers’s idea of a team for his American League is to pick up several stars and fill in with clever minor league players, in this way keeping his salary limit down to reasonable figures.

Somers would like to get pitcher Jay Hughes of last year’s Brooklyn team. Jack Chesbro, the Pittsburgh pitcher, who lives in Adams, this state, is also wanted by the local team.

An effort is also being made to secure Bill Bernhard, the Philadelphia pitcher.

While the above makeup is likely to be changed slightly, it is practically the team that Somers will present to the Boston public for their approval.

Lou Criger was brought out by Patsy Tebeau in Cleveland four years ago, and when in shape is one of the most valuable catchers in the country today. He was with St. Louis last season, and was one of the players called down by Wilbert Robinson for shirking his work during the season, although he caught more games than Robinson. Ossee Schreckengost is from the same club. He had a fair record with the Clevelands.

Bill Dineen is down for the star work of the team, and will prove a good one. The other pitchers will have to be good ones to keep up the team average.

Buck Freeman and Collins need no introduction. Collins is king of his corner of the diamond, while Freeman will make a fairly good first baseman. The youngsters, Freddy Parent and Hobe Ferris, who are booked for second and short, were shining lights in the minor league and should do fairly well in fast company.

Beside “Chick” Stahl in the outfield, the team will have “Cozy” Dolan, the old Boston league pitcher, who developed into a lively outfielder with the Springfield club. Charlie Hemphill is the other outfielder. The team as a whole is a good one for the American League and should more than hold their own. ♦

“CY” YOUNG SOLID

Reiterates His Loyalty to American League.

Pays Respects to Men Jumping Back Into National

March 29, 1901

CLEVELAND—Vice Pres. Charles Somers of the American League and owner of the Boston club today received the following letter from “Old Cy” Young, the great pitcher:

“Please pay no attention to any reports about my jumping contract. I have signed with the Boston American League club for 1901, and I will play in that city or nowhere. I have no respect for a contract jumper. When I have given my word to a man or to a club the deal is closed.

“I am pleased to see that the press and the public are practically solid for the American. I can’t understand how a man with any sense of honor can sign with the new league and then jump back into the National, where he claims to have been only a slave.”

The office of Vice Pres. Somers was the mecca today of several prominent baseball players. There were present James Collins, manager of the Boston club, Hugh Duffy, manager of the Milwaukee club, and “Chick” Stahl, who will play on the Boston American League club.

Mr. Somers is now negotiating for a star pitcher for his Boston club and hopes to land him within the next few days. ♦

TAKES THE CROWD

American League Opens With Boom in Baltimore.

April 27, 1901 ♦ by T. H. Murnane

BALTIMORE—The Baltimore baseball public welcomed the American League here today in no uncertain fashion. Never has Baltimore shown more interest in the national game, and 10,000 people, the finest people in this city, went to the new ballpark to see the Orioles polish off Jimmy Collins’s Boston team by a 10-6 count.