Year In Review : 1905 American League
Off the field...
The "Industrial Workers of the World" (IWW) was founded in Chicago with the hopes of giving more control to unions. The aim of the IWW was to unite in one body all skilled and unskilled workers for the purpose of overthrowing capitalism by using direct action, propaganda, the boycott, and the strike. The IWW was also opposed the use of sabotage, arbitration, collective bargaining, and political affiliation. Unfortunately, recurring controversy during both World Wars along with accusations of treason caused dissention in the ranks from the top-down. From a probable strength of at least 30,000 in 1912, the membership later fell to less than 10,000 in 1930 and in the mid-1990s remained at less than 1,000.
In the American League...
A committee of Washington writers voted for "Nationals" as the new American League team nickname, but the "Senators" continued as the majority fan favorite.
New York Highlanders first baseman Hal Chase set a Major League record on August 5th with thirty-eight putouts during a doubleheader sweep (3-1, 6-5) versus the visiting St. Louis Browns.
In the National League...
On April 26th, Chicago Cubs outfielder Jack McCarthy tied a Major League record after starting three double plays to preserve a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jackson Nelson had originally set the DP record in 1887.
Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop Phil Lewis earned his paycheck and tied a National League record on July 20th, after having eighteen chances for seven assists, six putouts and five errors en route to a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Dave Brain became the first player in National League history to hit three triples in a single game — twice in one season (vs. St. Louis and vs. Boston).
Boston Braves first baseman Fred Tenney completed the season with a National League record one-hundred fifty-two assists. The mark stood until 1986, when Sid Bream of the Pittsburgh Pirates topped it with one-hundred sixty-six.
Around the league...
New York Giants owner John T. Brush, who refused to play the American League pennant winners in 1904, proposed a new set of rules governing future World Series. Later known as the "Brush Rules," these guidelines relating to the on-field play and off-field finances of the Series are still used to this day.
The National League Board of Directors acquitted St. Louis Cardinal right-hander Jack Taylor on the charges of throwing games. Despite the verdict, Taylor was still fined $300 for using poor judgment and practicing bad conduct.
On May 30th, both leagues posted record attendance figures for the Memorial Day holiday. Due to several doubleheaders, 80,963 attended eight American League games and 67,806 witnessed seven National League events.
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