The 1903 Boston Americans were the first team to win the World Series. They defeated Honus Wagner's Pittsburgh Pirates in a best-of-9 series.
This would be the first of many World Series wins for the Boston franchise that later became known as the Boston Red Sox, but the 1903 team was special in that it represents something in Baseball history.
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- #1. There Were Three 20 Win Pitchers On The Roster
- #2. Boston Took Had The Best Record In The American League From June 28 Until The End Of The Season.
- #3. Cy Young Was There Best Pitcher
- #4. Buck Freeman Became The First Player In Boston History To Hit For The Cycle. Patsy Dougherty Became The Second.
- #5. Nick Altrock Was The Only Pitcher To Pitch For Boston Outside Of The Five Man Rotation.
#1. There Were Three 20 Win Pitchers On The Roster
The Boston Americans had the best pitching throughout the regular season. They were led by Cy Young (28), Bill Dinneen (21), and Tom Hughes (20).
The three aces had a combined ERA of 2.30 and pitched a combined 885 innings! It was an incredible season for their pitching staff, who would go on to shut down the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1903 World Series.
#2. Boston Took Had The Best Record In The American League From June 28 Until The End Of The Season.
At the beginning of the season, it seemed as though the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns could compete with Boston, but by June 28, the Boston Americans took control of the American League and never looked back.
The irony is that Boston had a slow start to the season. If it had not been for the slow start, they probably would have dominated for a longer period.
#3. Cy Young Was There Best Pitcher
At 36 years old, Cy Young was still the best pitcher in Boston and arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
His speed had diminished a bit, but he was able to rely on his control, which made him more efficient. He also had the advantage of having an excellent defense behind him that took advantage of easy outs.
Even with some off his fastball, he led his team in strikeouts, wins, and ERA.
He had a rough Game 1 in the World Series but bounced back to win his next two starts.
#4. Buck Freeman Became The First Player In Boston History To Hit For The Cycle. Patsy Dougherty Became The Second.
You are about as likely to see a Red Sox player hit for the cycle as you are to see a pitcher throw a no-hitter. Both have occurred around 20 times, with cycles just edging out no-hitters.
However, this is the only time in Boston history that two players in the same season hit for the cycle.
Both men would play important roles in winning the first-ever World Series.
#5. Nick Altrock Was The Only Pitcher To Pitch For Boston Outside Of The Five Man Rotation.
Nick Altrock had an interesting season in 1903.
On June 30, he heads out and pitches eight innings against the Chicago White Sox. Boston would lose 10 - 3. This would be the only innings in the entire season that a different pitcher pitched outside of the five-man rotation.
Ironically, Altrock would be sold to the White Sox on July 2 and then pitch against the Americans on July 8. He would lose 6 - 1 to the Americans.
Nick Altrock would become an important piece of the 1906 World Series when the White Sox defeated the Cubs in a shocking upset.
