The American Association Almanac

August 1, 1913: from the Milwaukee Journal July ended on a down note for Harry “Pep” Clark (pictured above) and his Milwaukee Brewers, who were shut out by the sixth-place St. Paul Saints at Lexington Park in St. Paul, 1-0. But the Brewers, with a record of 64-43, remained in first by a four-game margin over the Louisville Colonels. The Minneapolis Millers were in third, just a half-game behind Louisville, and the Columbus Senators were in the mix with a record of 57-48. In Milwaukee’s July 31 loss to St. Paul, the Brewers had just three hits, those belonging to second baseman Phil Lewis, shortstop Lena Blackburne, and center fielder Larry “Speedy” Gilbert. Ed “Loose” Karger, St. Paul right-hander, had his way with Milwaukee that day, striking out six. But the Saints had a hard time catching up with the offerings of Milwaukee’s diminutive righty, Ralph Cutting, who stifled the Saints on six hits and did not allow the go-ahead run until the ninth; the winning run scored wi...

For your amusement: this graphic, which appeared in the March 24, 1913 edition of the Milwaukee Journal, presents the light-side of the cartoonists world when it comes to  ingenious ways of filling space and occupying time. As for the Brewers, Lewis and Clark (Phil and Harry) lead the way as they defeat the Owensboro Grays amidst a "regular Kentucky gale," in a Sunday exhibition contest, 13-4. Pitcher Joe Hovlik carried his weight with the stick, swatting a double and home run. They outhit their Bluegrass State counterpart, 16-6, while making four errors. Ralph Cutting, Joe Hovlik and Bruce Noel all worked from the hill for Milwaukee.

This graphic from the Milwaukee Journal of March 16, 1913 show that the American Association's Milwaukee Brewers have a slew of lefties in their spring training camp down south. The early days of the 1913 season are especially interesting in light of the fact that Milwaukee went on to win its first American Association championship that year. Stay tuned for regular updates as we monitor the Brewers in their first championship season in the pages of this blog! Here are the names of the players featured in this interesting graphic (from left - right; Powell and Burg are switched in the graphic's caption): "Big Bill" Powell, pitcher (baseball-reference lists his B/T as R/R) Joe Burg, second baseman (baseball-reference lists his B/T as R/R) Johnson (does not appear on roster) Ollie Reeb (does not appear on roster) Anton "Mutz" Ens, first-baseman (listed as L/L) Newt Randall, outfielder (listed as R/R) Peter Clemens, outfielder (listed as batting L) ...

The Minneapolis Millers retain their hold on first place in the American Association with wins 87 and 88 win of the season, sweeping the lowly Indianapolis Indians who suffer their 89th and 90th defeats in a Saturday twin bill at Nicollet Park in Minneapolis. Future Hall of Famer Rube Waddell goes the distance and strikes out seven in the first game, shutting down the Tribe on three hits. Second-baseman Ed Williams hitting lead-off gets two safeties off Waddell. The Millers play error-free in the field. Single tallies in the first and sixth innings give Minneapolis a 2-0 win, Fred Linke the losing pitcher. Waddell takes the slab as the starter in the second game but lasts only three and one-third, faltering despite the advantage of an early two-run lead, Indianapolis scoring two in the second, one in the third and one in the fourth. Minneapolis comes back with a late picket fence, posting lone tallies in each of the last three frames to eke out a 5-4 win. Waddell is relieved first by...

COLUMBUS SWEEPS MINNEAPOLIS AT NICOLLET PARK! Including the games played Aug. 17, 1912, the Minneapolis Millers and Columbus Senators were deadlocked at the top spot in the standings with a record of 81-46 as the pennant race continued in gripping fashion. The two clubs played a doubleheader at Nicollet Park in Minneapolis that day. In the first game, Wilbur Cooper received early support as the Senators jumped on Minneapolis spit-baller Roy Patterson as the visitors scored three in the first, one in the second and three in the third. The Millers finally got on the board in the fifth with a trio of tallies. George McQuillan relieved him in the sixth. The Senators held on for a 7-5 victory, out-hitting the hosts, 15-12. Both teams had two errors. Bob Unglaub, the Millers' first-baseman, had a three-hit day, while the Senators' third-sacker, George Perring, had two hits in four at-bats, one of which was a home run. Columbus bats were evident again in the second game. Wit...

Rabbit Nill, who played 73 games for the Toledo Mud Hens in 1909, died on this date 50 years ago.  Nill was in the starting Toledo lineup on July 3, 1909 when the Hens opened their brand new ball park, Swayne Field, against the Columbus Senators. The contest turned into a classic, lasting longer than any previous American Association game. After Toledo tied the game at 11 apiece in the ninth, the game would not be decided until the after 18 innings were completed, as the Senators posted one run in their half of the frame. The Hens could not mount a comeback, and the final, after 18 innings and 3 hours, 35 minutes, was Columbus 12, Toledo 11. For Nill's part, he occupied the shortstop position, wearing the collar in six at-bats (not one hit that day). On the fielding side, he was out front on a 6-4-3 double play that day. Rest in Peace, Rabbit. For more on Mr. Nill, go to  http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=nill--001geo

Lefty Willis Charles William Willis Bats: Left, Throws: Left Height: 6' 1", Weight: 175 lb. Born : November 4, 1905 in Leetown, West Virginia, US Died : May 10, 1962 in Bethesda, Maryland, US (Aged 56) Willis played for the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association during the late 1920s, compiling an overall record of 6-9 during three different seasons.