On March 25 th , the worst factory fire in the history of New York City occurred after the Triangle Shirtwaist Company burned down. The horrific incident had an even greater significance as it revealed the inhumane working conditions to which industrial workers were subjected. Employees at the factory consisted mostly of poor Jewish immigrants between the ages of thirteen and twenty-three and to keep the women at their sewing machines, the proprietors locked the doors leading to the exits. After a fire broke out on the eighth floor, many panicking workers rushed to the stairs, the freight elevator, and the fire escape. Dozens on the ninth floor died, unable to force open the locked door to the exit and the rear fire escape collapsed, killing many and eliminating an escape route for others. Although Pump Engine Company 20 and Ladder Company 20 arrived quickly (along with four other companies) the bodies of victims who had jumped hindered them from entering the building. In the end, a total of one-hundred forty-six women died in less than fifteen minutes bringing to the attention of the nation a need for more humane and safe working conditions in America's factories.
On June 18 th
On September 28 th , several hundred fans witnessed what is considered to be one of the worst contests in American League history as the New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns combined to accumulate twenty-nine hits, twenty walks, twelve errors and fifteen stolen bases en route to an 18-12 (NY) final.
On May 22 nd , Boston Braves pitcher Cliff Curtis set a Major League record by recording his twenty-third consecutive loss (beginning on June 13, 1910) with a 3-1 deficit against the St, Louis Cardinals.
By early September, Frank Schulte had hit his twenty-first home run and his one-hundred twenty-first run batted in. He later completed the season leading the National League in both categories and also became the first player to have more than twenty doubles, twenty triples, and twenty home runs in a single season.
Philadelphia Phillies ace Grover Alexander dominated the month of September after tossing complete game shutouts on the 7 th , 13 th , 17 th and 21 st .
The idea of selecting a Most Valuable Player was introduced after automobile maker Hugh Chalmers offered a brand new car to the MVP in each league to be chosen by a select committee of baseball writers.
The Pennsylvania Railroad set a speed record on May 29 th after transporting the Chicago Cubs one-hundred ninety-one miles from Columbus, Ohio, to Pittsburgh in two-hundred fifteen minutes. After arriving at the game, the Cubs showed some speed of their own and beat the Pirates 4-1.
The Federal Express of the Hartford Railroad (carrying the St. Louis Cardinals to Boston) plunged down an eighteen-foot embankment outside Bridgeport, Connecticut, killing fourteen passengers. Fortunately, no players were injured, and each helped to remove bodies and rescue the injured.
Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard
Base on Balls
Detroit
98
Batting Average
Detroit
.420
Doubles
Detroit
47
Hits
Detroit
248
Home Runs
Philadelphia
11
On Base Percentage
Cleveland
.468
RBI
Detroit
127
Runs
Detroit
147
Slugging Average
Detroit
.621
Stolen Bases
Detroit
83
Total Bases
Detroit
367
Triples
Detroit
24
Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard
Complete Games
Washington
36
ERA
Cleveland
1.80
Games
Chicago
56
Saves
Boston
4
Philadelphia
Chicago
Shutouts
Philadelphia
6
Washington
Strikeouts
Chicago
255
Winning Percentage
Philadelphia
.773
Wins
Philadelphia
28
1911 American League Team Standings |
||||
Team [Click for roster] | Wins | Losses | WP | GB |
101 | 50 | .669 | 0 | |
89 | 65 | .578 | 13½ | |
80 | 73 | .523 | 22 | |
77 | 74 | .510 | 24 | |
78 | 75 | .510 | 24 | |
76 | 76 | .500 | 25½ | |
64 | 90 | .416 | 38½ | |
45 | 107 | .296 | 56½ |
Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard
Base on Balls
Boston
506
Batting Average
Philadelphia
.296
Doubles
Cleveland
238
Hits
Detroit
1,544
Home Runs
Boston
35
Philadelphia
On Base Percentage
Philadelphia
.357
Runs
Philadelphia
861
Slugging Average
Philadelphia
.398
Stolen Bases
Detroit
276
Triples
Detroit
96
New York
Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard
Complete Games
Detroit
108
ERA
Boston
2.74
Fewest Hits Allowed
Boston
1,309
Fewest Home Runs Allowed
Cleveland
17
Philadelphia
Fewest Walks Allowed
Chicago
384
Saves
Philadelphia
13
Shutouts
Chicago
17
Strikeouts
Chicago
752
On May 13, 1911, Ty Cobb of Detroit hit the first grand slam of his Major League career. However, the game went into extra innings where a grand slam by Duffy Lewis of Boston put the Red Sox into the win column 13-11.
Did you know that on July 24, 1911, an American League all-star squad; which included Hal Chase , Walter Johnson and Smoky Joe Wood , played the Cleveland Naps in a charity game to raise money for the widow of Addie Joss?
Two future hall of famers tossed no-hitters in 1911. The first pitched for the Red Sox and lost a no-hitter the ninth inning during his previous start. The second pitched for the White Sox and came withone walk of a gem. Do you know who these two legends were?