Year In Review : 1907 American League

Off the field...

In November, Oklahoma became the forty-sixth state admitted to the union. Originally set aside as Indian Territory in 1834, the region was later divided into both the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory in 1890. Known primarily as an oil rich state, Oklahoma's vast plains produce bumper yields of wheat, as well as large crops of hay, cotton, and peanuts. Livestock products also contribute more than half of Oklahoma's annual farm receipts.

In the American League...

Popular Boston Americans outfielder / manager Chick Stahl committed suicide while traveling with the team in West Baden Springs, Indiana. A note left behind stated: "Boys, I just couldn't help it. You drove me to it." Cy Young reluctantly agreed to start the season as an interim replacement manager and was followed by two other skippers during the year, George Huff and Bob Unglaub.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh tallied eleven assists and two putouts during a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Browns on April 19^th. His total of thirteen chances tied the franchise mark set by Nick Altrock during the 1904 season. Later in July, Walsh set another Major League record for fielding chances for pitchers, handling twelve assists and three putouts in a thirteen-inning game.

On June 28^th, the last place Washington Nationals stole a Major League record thirteen bases off of injured New York Yankees catcher Branch Rickey. An injury to starter Red Kleinow forced Rickey into premature service and he was unable to throw accurately to his baseman.

In the National League...

A riot broke out during a July 8^th, Chicago Cubs - Brooklyn Dodgers game after Cubs manager Frank Chance, who was being pelted with empty bottles, threw one back into the crowd hitting a young boy. After losing 5-0, the angry New York crowd rushed from the stands forcing Chance to escape Washington Park III in an armored car with a police escort.

At the West Side Grounds on September 14^th, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds collected twenty-nine combined hits, ALL of which were singles.

On May 8^th, Philadelphia Phillies rookie George McQuillan made his Major League debut in relief of starter Tully Sparks and McQuillan did not allow any runs to score during his brief debut. On September 22^nd, he tossed a six-inning, 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in his first start. The relief and end of season appearance started a record string of twenty-five consecutive shutout innings at the beginning of his Major League career. McQuillan went on to finish the season 4-0 (with three shut outs), and went on to win twenty-three games the following season.

Around the league...

The Cleveland Indians became the first team to institute team wide insurance policies after taking out $100,000 of coverage to insure its players against possible injury in railroad accidents.

Cincinnati Reds' manager Ned Hanlon, one of the originals whose managing days began in 1889 at Pittsburgh, announced his retirement ending a career that boasted five Major League pennants (four Baltimore, one Brooklyn).

The Washington Post reported that St. Louis Browns shortstop Bobby Wallace was the highest paid major league player with a yearly salary of $6,500.