SPB-1909

FIELD STAFF

First Baseman Prince Hal Chase comes home to New York

Broadway sends George Stovall and 2nd RDP to the Hoboken Zephyrs for the slick fielding 1st baseman.

January 13, 1907 - The Broadway Bombers acquired 1st Baseman "Prince" Hal Chase today from the Hoboken Zephyrs in exchange for 1b George Stovall and a 1907 2nd RDP.  The Bombers have long coveted the slick fielding Chase, and hope that he can help them to repeat as World Champions in 1907.  "Sure we paid a lot to get Chase," said manager John McGraw, "But Hal knows how to play this game, and we need players like him.  He can hit and run pretty good too!"  Chase has been known as a bit of a gambler in his past with the Zephyrs, which may have led to his trade, according to Zephyrs management, but McGraw is not too concerned about that, "We all like to gamble a little," added McGraw,  but the main idea is to win ball games, and as long as Hal does that, he will fit in here real well."

Bombers trade for 2B Harry Niles and a couple 1907 Draft Picks

Broadway deals Willie Keeler, Sammy Strang and Joe Doyle as team prepares to defend its World Championship.

November 1, 1906 - The Broadway Bombers traded several players Thursday in preperation to defend their 1905 World Series Title.  The team sent Willie Keeler, Joe Doyle and Sammy Strang away in exchange for 2B Harry Niles, along with 3rd and 4th RDP's in the upcoming 1907 Rookie Draft.  "Harry is a hustler," said Manager John McGraw. "If you want to keep winning titles, you need to continue to improve your team, and Niles gives us a young 2b with speed that should be around a while."  McGraw added that the 1907 draft looks real deep as well, the the draft picks should add good players, providing some much needed depth.

Broadway Bombers are the champs! Win 1906 World Series!

Bob Rhoads continues his pitching heroics and Honus Wagner is the hitting star as the Bombers win series 4- 1!

October 7, 1906 - The Broadway Bombers are the 1906 World Champions after deafeating the Toledo Maummes 4 Games to 1.  Pitcher Bob Rhoads was the pitching star of the series, going 2-0 with a 0.50 era, including a 2-0 outdueling the great Cy Young in the series finale, pitching a shutout.  Honus Wagner won the series MVP award, batting .389 with a double, triple and home run, and also added 8 runs and 8 RBI's.  For a complete recap of the World Series, click here.  All hail the Bombers from Broadway!

Broadway Bombers win 1906 American League Pennant!

Pitcher Bob "Dusty" Rhoads out duels Zephyrs 25 game winner Three Finger Brown twice to win the trophy!

September 22, 1906 - The Broadway Bombers won their first American League pennant yesterday as pitcher Dusty Rhoads bested the Hoboken Zephyrs 25 game winner Three Finger Brown for the second time in four days, with a complete game 3-2 win, which gave the Bombers the AL Pennant.  It had been a very close three way race between the Bombers, Zephyrs and Lumberjacks down to that last series, with all three within 2 games, but Rhoads pitching was the difference, as in the first game he beat Brown 1-0, in what might have been the greatest pitch match up of the year, followed by his pennant clinching performance in the final game.  "Dusty was lights out when we needed him to be," said manager John J. McGraw, "In fact, we were in a bit of a slump until this last series, and the boys really stepped it up to win it."  The Bombers finished the season with a record of 86-68 and will now face the National League Champion Toledo Maumees in what should be a great 1906 World Series.

Broadway Bombers in 1st Place for first time ever!

Broadway's 30-20 mark puts them at the top of the AL standings.  Tommy Leach is  player of the month in May.

May 30, 1906 - The Bombers had high expectations coming into the 1906 season, and it looks as if they are starting to fulfill some of their promise, as the jumped to the top of the AL standings for the first time ever with a 30-20 mark, two games ahead of the New York Giants.  Leading the way was CF/3B Tommy Leach, who batted .355 with 38 hits in May.  On the mound, pitcher Bob "Dusty" Rhoades continued to shine, going 4-1 with a 2.05 era in May.  "The main idea is to win," said manager John McGraw, "we have improved but we still have a ways to go.  I think if we play to our capabilities, we can win the pennant, but we'll need a little skill and a little luck to pull it off."

Major trade nets Bombers OF Red Murray and 3B Hans Lobert

Broadway trades 3b Harry Steinfeldt and OF prospect Joe Birmingham.

November 24, 1906 - New manager John McGraw continued his need to add speed and versatility, today acquiring speedy third baseman Hans Lobert, lightning fast outfielder Red Murray (the 6th overall pick in the draft) and catcher Paddy Livingston for 3b Harry Steinfeldt and OF Joe Birmingham.  "We like the speed and defense that Lobert has, said McGraw, "Nothing against Harry, but Hans is younger and will anchor 3b for years to come."  The youngster Red Murray is considered one of the top young outfielders in baseball, with a shotgun arm, super speed and great power, "Murray is a special player, added McGraw, "He will be a good one for us very soon."

"Wee Willie" Keeler vows to "Hit'em where they ain't" in NY

Third base prospect Mike Mowrey and outfielder Frank Jude shipped to Hoboken for Keeler and a reliever

November 24, 1906 - With the Knights trading Harry Steinfeldt and moving Tommy Leach to third base, they were in need of an outfielder, and John McGraw continued his shrewd moves by grabbing one of the best and an old freind in "Wee Willie" Keeler.  At 34 years old, Keller has certainly seen his best years, but he feels he still has a lot left in his bat, "Thirty Four aint old!" said Keeler, "I can still hit'em where they ain't, and to get the chance to bat in front of the great Honus Wagner, I should be able to score a lot of runs for the Bombers."  John McGraw certainly hopes so and will install Keeler in the #2 slot right in front of Wagner.

Visit the official "Wee Willie" Keeler Website

Pitcher "Colby Jack" Coombs selected with top pick in draft

Draft sees Bombers select Coombs, Birmingham (who is later traded for Murray, and 1b Jim Nealon

November 24, 1906 - The Broadway Bombers had some specific needs to fill in the 1906 Rookie Draft, and it looks like John McGraw was able to fill all of them.  First, with the 3rd pick the Bombers nabbed the best pitcher in the draft "Colby Jack" Coombs, who will slide into the rotation immediately.  Next, the Bombers grabbed OF Joe Birmingham, who was traded later that day for an even better OF Red Murray.  And last, with George Stovall moving to 2b this season, the Bombers drafted young slugging 1b Jim Nealon, who should fill the hole at first base quite nicely in 1906.  "We added some quality players and some nice depth," said McGraw, "We think we can contend this season, and are looking forward to getting things going again this spring.

The "Dixie Thrush" Sammy Strang acquired by Bombers

Strang will replace Kid Gleason at second base for the Bombers in 1906.

November 1, 1905 - New manager John McGraw likes speed and versatility. Yesterday, the Bombers picked up that kind of player when they acquired 2B/SS/OF Sammy Strang in a trade with the Sentinels.   In 1905 he was the Sentinels main utility man. Last season he was one of the best clutch hitter with pinch hits, and legend says that it was his penchant for "coming through in the pinch" that gave rise to the term "pinch hitter."  Strang will play mostly second base for the Bombers, replacing the departed Kid Gleason.

Bombers trade for speedy outfielder Danny Hoffman

Hoffman joins Tommy Leach and Jimmy Sheckard in the Bombers outfield. 

November 1, 1905 - After finishing up the 1905 season, the Bombers were looking to make a few changes to their lineup.  One of those changes was to add an outfielder with some speed.  Today they accomplished that, by sending infield prospect John Knight and a 4th Round Draft pick to the Miami Hurricanes for outfielder Danny Hoffman.  "Hoffman fits our team perfectly," said new manager John McGraw, "He's left-handed with speed, and that's what this lineup needs at the top."  The Bombers next search will be for a second baseman to replace 39-year old ex manager Kid Gleason, who is expected to be traded very soon.

Broadway Bombers hire John J. McGraw as new skipper

First skipper Kid Gleason relinquishes role as manager, firey John McGraw will lead Broadway in 1906

October 31, 1905 - Looking for a manager to lead them well into this new century, the Broadway Bombers today hired John J. McGraw to lead their team.  "John is well respected around the game and we are happy to have landed him," said GM Aloysius See, "I expect John to take this team to the next level in 1906."  McGraw is a fierce competitor, and should light a fire under the Bombers in 1906, "The main idea is to win," said McGraw, "I won't tolerate anything less than that, and I believe we have the makings of a team to do it."  McGraw replaces manager Kid Gleason, who had a lackluster first season as manager, and appears to be on the bubble at retaining his job as the teams second baseman as well.

Broadway Bombers complete lackluster 1st season

Team from the Bronx finishes with 71-83 record.  Honus Wagner named team MVP, Dusty Rhoads best pitcher.  

September 30, 1905 - There will be no World Series in the Bronx in 1905.  Instead, Broadway Bombers fans will have to spend there time sulking at the East Broadway Saloon, wondering what might have been.  The Bombers closed the 1905 season with a  71-83 record, far from the dreams the team had of a series birth in April.  "We played like a bunch of sissies!, said catcher Tubby Spencer, "I'd be better of riding the rails and becoming a hobo then playin with some of deese guys!"  Tubby had some good points, but it wasn't all that bad.  The team was led in hitting by the great Honus Wagner, who batted a team high .302, with 7 home runs and 66 RBI's.  The pitching staff was led by Bob "Dusty" Rhoades, who won a team best 16 games, with a 2.32 era.  "We've got a good core of players here," said manager Kid Gleason, who also hit a disappointing .217, "Watch out in 1906 for us, we'll be back!", exclaimed The Kid.

"Wild Bill" Donovan lives up to his nickname

Bombers struggle through 1st season, have 58-70 mark through August.

August 1, 1905 - Wild Bill Donavan has the nick name "Wild Bill" for a reason.  Not because he's a gunslinger out of the old west, but because when he gets on the mound, he strikes fear into opposing batters by his lack of control.  Through August, Donovan has a 12-12 record for the Bombers, second on the team, but he has walked 76 in 198 innings, something he says comes with the territory.  "I want to scare them hitters," said Wild Bill, "I might walk a few because of it, but they ain't bearing down on me!"  Donovan is the ace of a Bombers club that has struggled in there first season to a 58-70 record, but Donovan thinks that will improve in September.  "Now that we ain't play' in that kid Knight at 3B anymore, we should be a much better team."

Jimmy Sheckard out to prove that he still has something left

27 year-old left-fielder eager to prove his worth in New York

September 19, 1904 - Jimmy Sheckard has been known as one of the best leftfielders in the league.  His defense is superb and for the first few years of the new century, he has been hitting spectacular.  But he hit a snag in 1904 and many began to question whether or not Sheckard was washed up.  "I ain't washed up!" exclaimed Sheckard, one of the few Pennsylvania Dutch to play baseball, "I got a long time left to play ball, and a appreciate the Bombers giving me the chance to prove myself.  Sheckard hopes to be part of an imposing lineup which includes Honus Wagner and Tommy Leach.

Honus Wagner  first player taken by Broadway Bombers

"The Flying Dutchman" will anchor SS for the New York club

September 17, 1904 - The new formed Broadway Bomber franchise announced today that they have signed the man that many consider the greatest ball players in America, Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner.  Honus owns a career .327 average and is the greatest defensive shortstop in the National League.   Local sportswriter Hugh Fullerton commented "If a man with a voice loud enough to make himself heard all over the United States should stand on top of Pike's Peak and ask, 'Who's the greatest ball player', untold millions of Americans would shout Wagner!" 

To find out more about Honus Wagner, click here.

"Kid" Gleason named player manager of the Broadway Bombers

Will start at second base in addition to his manager duties

September 27, 1904 - One the greatest players of the 1890's William "Kid" Gleason was today named player/manager of the Broadway Bombers.  Gleason will also serve as the teams starting second baseman.  Gleason, 38, is not concerned about double duty, "We've got a solid ball team and I'm here to make sure I'm fillin' out that lineup card right!" 

Gleason began as a pitcher with the Phillies. After two losing seasons, he blossomed with a 38-17 mark in 1890.  Gleason switched to second base, helping the Orioles win a pennant in 1895. He was traded the next year to the Giants, where he was named team captain. In 1897 he had his best offensive year, hitting .319 with 106 RBI. He jumped to the AL in 1901, before joining the Bomber this season.

Click here for a profile of "Kid" Gleason

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1906 Seasons Past Baseball  World Series Champions