1903 Major League Baseball season

November 2013 1903 1903 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 20 – September 27, 1903 (AL) April 16 – September 29, 1903 (NL)World Series: October 1–13, 1903 140 16 (8 per league) Pennant winners AL Boston Americans Philadelphia Athletics NL Pittsburgh Pirates New York Giants World Series 1903 World Series Boston Americans Pittsburgh Pirates List of Major League Baseball seasons MLB 1902 Major League Baseball season 1902 1904 Major League Baseball season 1904 The 1903 major league baseball season began on April 16, 1903. The regular season ended on September 29, with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans as regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the first modern World Series on October 1 and ended with Game 8 on October 13. The Americans defeated the Pirates, five games to three, capturing their first championship in franchise history.History of the World Series – 1903 The Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1903.html 2006-09-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20060813220031/http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1903.html 2006-08-13 dead The 1903 season saw the return of a postseason championship series, the World Series, following the one-off 1900 Chronicle-Telegraph Cup. It was also the first inter-league series since the 1890 World's Championship Series between the National League and defunct-since-1891 American Association. The 1903 World Series would also mark the first championship series that is still celebrated today, as all previous series are considered pre-modern and these early contests are discussed by MLB and baseball historians separately. World Series Summary http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ws.jsp MLB Advanced Media MLB.com 2019-08-25 However, the 1903 arrangement was primarily between the two participating clubs rather than a formal arrangement between the leagues, essentially making this season's World Series a voluntary event.http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/wsmenu.shtml World Series: Every World Series in Major League Baseball History Baseball Almanac 2017-02-03 The defunct Baltimore Orioles were replaced by a new franchise in New York City known as the New York Highlanders; it was the last change to the lineup of AL and NL franchises until 1953. The American League would not return to Baltimore until the St. Louis Browns relocated there as a new Baltimore Orioles in 1954. The Chicago Orphans and Cleveland Bronchos were renamed as the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Naps, respectively. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1903 schedule consisted of 140 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had eight teams. Each team was scheduled to play 20 games against the other seven teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place for the 1901 season. This would be the last season with this format, as the following season would see an increase of games played. National League Opening Day took place on April 16 with four teams playing, while American League Opening Day did not take place until April 20, with a doubleheader between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Americans. The National League would see its final day of the regular season on September 27, while the American League would see its final day of the season on September 29. The inaugural World Series took place between October 1 and October 13. Rule changes The 1903 season saw the following rule changes: The pitcher's mound height was capped at 15 inches.A guide to rules changes in MLB (and sports) history https://www.mlb.com/news/history-of-mlb-rules-changes 2024-04-11 MLB.com enTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS June 9, 2012 Pitching Mound Is a Work of Art Often Abused https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/sports/baseball/baseballs-pitching-mound-is-a-work-of-art-often-abused.html 2024-04-11 The New York Times Previously adopted by the National league in 1901, the American League adopted the rule that foul balls are to count as strike balls, except after two strikes. Previously, foul balls would not affect the count. To cut the cost of lost foul balls, the committee urges that batters who foul off good strikes are to be disciplined.1901-02-27 The National League Rules Committee decrees that all foul balls are to count as strikes, except after two strikes. - This Day In Baseball https://thisdayinbaseball.com/1901-the-national-league-rules-committee-decrees-that-all-foul-balls-are-to-count-as-strikes-except-after-two-strikes-to-cut-the-cost-of-lost-foul-balls-the-com/ 2024-04-11 en-US2010-02-27 This Day in Sports: The National League Makes it Way Harder for Fans to Catch a Foul Ball https://www.espn.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/33466/this-day-in-sports-the-national-league-makes-it-way-harder-for-fans-to-catch-a-foul-ball 2024-04-11 ESPN.com en A unified balk rule was agreed on, stating "a balk shall constitute any delivery of the ball to the batsman by the pitcher while either foot of the pitcher is back of the plate."Miskowiec Abigail 1902 Winter Meetings: A Peace Accord Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1902-winter-meetings-a-peace-accord/ 2025-03-26 en-US Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1903 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1903-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference enAmerican League American LeagueBoston AmericansBoston, MassachusettsHuntington Avenue Grounds11,500Jimmy CollinsChicago White StockingsChicago, IllinoisSouth Side Park14,000Jimmy Callahan Nixey CallahanCleveland NapsCleveland, OhioLeague Park (Cleveland)9,000Bill ArmourDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBennett Park8,500Ed BarrowNew York HighlandersNew York, New YorkHilltop Park16,000Clark GriffithPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaColumbia Park9,500Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park8,000Jimmy McAleerWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.American League Park7,000Tom LoftusNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BeaneatersBoston, MassachusettsSouth End Grounds6,600Al BuckenbergerBrooklyn SuperbasNew York, New YorkWashington Park12,000Ned Hanlon baseballChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWest Side Park13,000Frank SeleeCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioPalace of the Fans12,000Joe KelleyNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds16,000John McGrawPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaNational League Park18,000Chief ZimmerColumbia Park*9,500*Pittsburgh PiratesAllegheny, PennsylvaniaA 1 2Exposition Park16,000Fred ClarkeSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriLeague Park (St. Louis)15,200Patsy Donovan Sunday games Blue laws restricted Sunday activities in several localities, causing several teams to play at ballparks in a different locality. TeamCityBallparkCapacityGames playedBoston BeaneatersBoston Braves – Seamheads.com Ballparks Database https://www.seamheads.com/ballparks/team.php?TeamID=BSN 2026-01-28 www.seamheads.comWarwick, Rhode IslandRocky Point State ParkUnknown1Cleveland NapsCleveland Indians – Seamheads.com Ballparks Database https://www.seamheads.com/ballparks/team.php?TeamID=CLE 2026-01-28 www.seamheads.comCanton, OhioMahaffey ParkUnknown2Columbus, OhioNeil Park6,0001Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers – Seamheads.com Ballparks Database https://www.seamheads.com/ballparks/team.php?TeamID=DET 2026-01-28 www.seamheads.comToledo, OhioArmory ParkUnknown2East Grand Rapids, MichiganRamona Park1 A 1 2 In today's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Standings start American League Boston Americans break National League Pittsburgh Pirates end Tie games 15 tie games (6 in AL, 9 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again), occurred throughout the season. start American League Boston Americans, 3 Chicago White Stockings, 1 Detroit Tigers, 1 New York Highlanders, 2 Philadelphia Athletics, 2 Washington Senators, 3 break National League Boston Beaneaters, 2 Brooklyn Superbas, 3 Chicago Cubs, 1 Cincinnati Reds, 2 New York Giants, 3 Philadelphia Phillies, 4 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1 St. Louis Cardinals, 2 end Postseason The postseason began on October 1 and ended on October 13 with the Boston Americans defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1903 World Series in eight games. Bracket World Series AL Boston Americans 5 NL Pittsburgh Pirates 3 thumb|400px|Tom Hughes of the Boston Americans pitches to Nixey Callahan of the Chicago White Stockings in the top of the 5th inning at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, September 22.Shieber Tom 2011-08-09 Baseball Researcher: Nix Flicks Sticks in Box for Sox in Rox https://baseballresearcher.blogspot.com/2011/08/nix-flicks-sticks-in-box-for-sox-in-rox.html 2025-05-20 Baseball Researcher "Battle of Ohio" Termed the "Battle of Ohio", the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Naps played an unofficial best of 11-game exhibition series after the regular season, with Cleveland winning the series six games to three.Rhodes Greg Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Highlights: Memorable Moments in Team History As Heard on the Reds Radio Network 2007 Clerisy Press United States 9781578603008 251 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore OriolesWilbert RobinsonTeam foldedChicago White StockingsClark GriffithJimmy CallahanDetroit TigersFrank DwyerEd BarrowNew York HighlandersTeam enfranchisedClark GriffithPhiladelphia PhilliesBill ShettslineChief Zimmer League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1903 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1903-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Nap Lajoie (CLE) .344 OPS Nap Lajoie (CLE) .896 HR Buck Freeman (BOS) 13 RBI Buck Freeman (BOS) 104 R Patsy Dougherty (BOS) 107 H Patsy Dougherty (BOS) 195 SB Harry Bay (CLE) 45 break + Pitching leaders1903 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1903-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Cy Young (BOS) 28 L Patsy Flaherty (CWS) 25 ERA Earl Moore (CLE) 1.74 K Rube Waddell (PHA) 302 IP Cy Young (BOS) 341.2 SV Bill Dinneen (BOS)George Mullin (DET)Al Orth (WSH)Jack Powell (SLB)Cy Young (BOS) 2 WHIP Addie Joss (CLE) 0.948 end National League start + Hitting leaders1903 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1903-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Honus Wagner (PIT) .355 OPS Fred Clarke (PIT) .946 HR Jimmy Sheckard (BRO) 9 RBI Sam Mertes (NYG) 104 R Ginger Beaumont (PIT) 137 H Ginger Beaumont (PIT) 209 SB Jimmy Sheckard (BRO)Frank Chance (CHC) 67 break + Pitching leaders1903 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1903-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Joe McGinnity (NYG) 31 L Togie Pittinger (BSN) 22 ERA Sam Leever (PIT) 2.06 K Christy Mathewson (NYG) 267 IP Joe McGinnity (NYG) 434.0 SV Carl Lundgren (CHC)Roscoe Miller (NYG) 3 WHIP Deacon Phillippe (PIT) 1.030 end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Fred Clarke (PIT): Clarke hit for his second cycle and third in franchise history, on May 7 against the Cincinnati Reds. Buck Freeman (BOS): Freeman hit for his first cycle and the first cycle in franchise history, on June 21 against the Cleveland Naps. Patsy Dougherty (BOS): Dougherty hit for his first cycle and the second cycle in franchise history, on July 29 against the New York Highlanders. Bill Bradley (CLE): Bradley hit for his first cycle and the first cycle in franchise history, September 24 against the Washington Senators. Other batting accomplishments Jack Doyle (BRO): Recorded his 500th career stolen base against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 29. He became the 11th player to reach this mark.Jack Doyle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doyleja01.shtml#1889-1903-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-10 Baseball Reference enJack Doyle 1903 Batting Game Logs — Jack Doyle: Batting Stats Career Game 582-663 https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=doyleja01&t=b&year=1903#582-663-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-10 Baseball Reference enPhiladelphia Phillies vs Brooklyn Superbas Box Score: July 29, 1903 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO190307290.shtml 2026-06-10 Baseball Reference en Patsy Donovan (STL): Recorded his 500th career stolen base against the Brooklyn Superbas in game one of a doubleheader on August 17. He became the 12th player to reach this mark.Patsy Donovan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More — Patsy Donovan: Standard Batting (1890-1903) https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/donovpa01.shtml#1890-1903-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-10 Baseball Reference enPatsy Donovan 1903 Batting Game Logs — Patsy Donovan: Batting Stats Career Game 652-755 https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=donovpa01&t=b&year=1903#652-755-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-10 Baseball Reference enSt. Louis Cardinals vs Brooklyn Superbas Box Score: August 17, 1903 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO190308171.shtml 2026-06-10 Baseball Reference en Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Chick Fraser (PHI): Fraser threw his first career no-hitter and the third no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Chicago Cubs 10–0 in game two of a doubleheader on September 18. Fraser walked five and struck out four.No Hit Game For Fraser http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90059523/1903-09-19/ed-1/seq-5/ 2012-06-29 The St. Paul Globe 1903-09-19 Other pitching accomplishments Joe McGinnity (NYG): Became the first pitcher to win two complete games in one day on August 1, with 4–1 and 5–2 victories over the Boston Beaneaters in a doubleheader.Mackin Bob The Unofficial Guide to Baseball's Most Unusual Records 2004 Greystone Books Canada 9781553650386 240. Miscellaneous Chicago White Stockings / Detroit Tigers: Set a major league record for most errors in a game at 18 (twelve committed by Chicago, and six by Detroit). Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameNew York GiantsSan Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference84 75.0%579,53091.3%8,279Philadelphia AthleticsOakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference75 −9.6%422,4730.6%6,306Chicago CubsChicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference82 20.6%386,205 46.5%5,290St. Louis BrownsBaltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference65 −16.7%380,40539.7%5,434Boston AmericansBoston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference91 18.2%379,3388.8%5,419Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference74 5.7%351,680 61.8%4,627Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference91 −11.7%326,855 34.1%4,669Cleveland NapsCleveland Guardians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference7711.6%311,28013.0%4,206Chicago White StockingsChicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference60 −18.9%286,183 −15.3%4,088St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference43 −23.2%226,538 0.1%3,283Brooklyn SuperbasLos Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference70 −6.7%224,670 12.4%3,078Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference65 25.0%224,523 18.5%3,454New York HighlandersNew York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference72211,8083,161Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference49 −12.5%151,729 35.4%2,487Boston BeaneatersAtlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference58 −20.5%143,155 22.4%2,105Washington SenatorsMinnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference43 −29.5%128,878 −31.5%1,815 Venues The 1903 season saw the enfranchisement of the New York Highlanders, in place of the folded Baltimore Orioles, playing at Hilltop Park in New York City, New York, where they would play for ten seasons through 1912. Regarding games that were rescheduled to Sunday, and existing blue laws: For 1903 only, the Boston Beaneaters, played one game at Rocky Point State Park in Warwick, Rhode Island on September 6.Seamheads.com Ballparks Database https://www.seamheads.com/ballparks/year.php?Year=1903&tab=pf1 2026-01-28 www.seamheads.com The Cleveland Naps continue playing a few Sunday games at Mahaffey Park in Canton, Ohio (two games on May 10 and June 21) and at Neil Park (one game on May 17). Previously, the Naps played Sunday games at Jail FlatsGriggs Bill Nitztitle Jim League Park (Fort Wayne, IN) Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/bioproj/park/league-park-fort-wayne/ 2026-01-28 en-US in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Fairview Park in Dayton, Ohio. This would be the last season of separate Sunday games. The Detroit Tigers ceased playing at their prior Sunday home game venue, Burns Park in Springwells Township (outside of Detroit city limits), and played at Armory Park in Toledo, Ohio (two games on June 28 and August 16) and Ramona Park in East Grand Rapids, Michigan (one game on May 24). On August 8, in what is known as the worst disaster in American sports spectating history,Browning William Worst spectator deaths at sporting events https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-8772813 Yahoo Sports 2012-12-15 Black Saturday, a section of balcony at the Philadelphia Phillies' home at the Baker Bowl collapsed, killing 12 spectators and injuring 232. The Philadelphia Phillies played the last 16 of their 61 home games at the home of the American League crosstown Philadelphia Athletics, Columbia Park from August 20.1903 Philadelphia Phillies Schedule https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1903-schedule-scores.shtml 2026-01-28 Baseball Reference en See also 1903 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) References External links 1903 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference 1903 in baseball history from ThisGreatGame.com Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1903 in baseball