The 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 27th season for the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. The team finished in a tie for second place in the National League with the New York Giants, one game behind the Chicago Cubs.
Background The Pirates spent 46 days in first place, and were on top on October 3; however, the team lost its last game to the Cubs, which set up a replay of the infamous "Merkle" game between the Cubs and the Giants. The Cubs took it to win the pennant. Pittsburgh finished tied for second place with the Giants, just one game back. It was one of the closest races in baseball history.
Shortstop Honus Wagner had one of the most dominating hitting performances of all-time. The "Flying Dutchman" led the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs batted in, and stolen bases. He missed the triple crown by two home runs. For his efforts, Wagner was paid $5,000, possibly the most on the team.
Regular season
Season summary The Pirates opened the season by winning three straight games in St. Louis. On Opening Day, the Pirates committed four errors while the Cardinals committed six.Crazy '08: How a cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads and Magnates created the Greatest Year in Baseball History, p. 68, by Cait Murphy, Smithsonian Books, a Division of Harper Collins, 2007,
Fans were concerned because Honus Wagner, who had led the National League in hitting, slugging, and stolen bases in 1907, was not at the game; many worried that he was taking the year off. On April 17, Charlie Starr, who was Wagner's replacement, committed two errors. After that game, Wagner signed with the Pirates.
The home opener for the Pirates was a 5–1 victory for the Pirates over the Cardinals. From April 26 to May 9, the Pirates played only 3 games due to poor weather.Crazy '08, p. 69
On June 30, the Pirates took first place, as the Chicago Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds.Crazy '08, p. 95
On July 2, the Pirates began a critical five-game series against the Cubs. During the first game, Mordecai Brown threw a six-hit, no-walk shutout, winning the game 3–0.Crazy '08, p. 99 The Pirates scheduled a doubleheader on the Fourth of July and more than 30,000 fans showed up. The Cubs won the first game 2–0 as Mordecai Brown only allowed two hits.Crazy '08, p. 101
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Opening Day lineup
Roster 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates Roster Pitchers Catchers
Infielders Outfielders
Other batters Manager
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C 143 486 111 .228 2 45 1B 53 176 38 .216 0 13 2B 146 500 125 .250 1 61 SS 151 568 201 .354 10 109 3B 152 583 151 .259 5 41 LF 151 551 146 .265 2 35 CF 102 386 99 .256 1 24 RF 144 529 120 .227 3 43
Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI 64 202 51 .252 1 12 55 145 35 .241 0 22 32 127 25 .197 0 12 36 109 21 .193 0 9 27 76 17 .224 0 14 20 65 10 .154 0 0 34 64 15 .234 0 11 20 59 11 .186 0 8 12 16 3 .188 0 2 1 1 0 .000 0 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 1 0 0 ---- 0 0
Pitching
Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 41 304.2 23 11 2.07 97 36 260.2 23 8 2.28 70 38 236.2 16 9 1.56 118 34 218.2 15 14 2.10 87
Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 38 192.2 15 7 2.10 28 16 89.2 4 3 2.01 31 8 48.1 0 2 2.23 17 3 17.0 1 0 0.53 8 4 15.0 1 2 6.00 9 2 6.0 0 0 0.00 1
Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 5 12.0 0 0 11.25 1 1 1.0 0 0 0.00 1
Awards and honors
League top five finishers Howie Camnitz #4 in NL in ERA (1.56)
Fred Clarke #4 in NL in runs scored (83)
Tommy Leach #3 in NL in runs scored (93)
Honus Wagner MLB leader in batting average (.354) MLB leader in RBI (109) MLB leader in stolen bases (53) MLB leader in on-base percentage (.415) MLB leader in slugging percentage (.542) #2 in NL in home runs (10) #2 in NL in runs scored (100)
Notes
References
External links 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates team page at Baseball Reference 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates Page at Baseball Almanac