The Days of Rube, Matty, Honus and Ty

The early Deadball Era featured landmark achievements, great performances by several of baseballs immortals, and the presence of a delightful array of characters. John McGraw won his first pennant as a manager and repeated the following year with the team he later called his greatest. His Giants were highly praised for their playing ability and widely criticized for their rowdy behavior. Meanwhile the Cubs were putting together the greatest team in franchise history, emphasizing speed on the bases, solid defense, and outstanding pitching. Jack Chesbro won 41 games in 1904 employing a new pitch, the spitball. Other pitchers began using it, accelerating the trend toward lower batting averages. The White Sox entered baseball lore as the Hitless Wonders, winning the 1906 pennant through adroit use of scientific baseball tactics. Each team had its own story and memorable players. For instance, Cardinals fans enjoyed the last years of under-appreciated Hall-of-Famers Kid Nichols and Jake Beckley. In Detroit fiery young Ty Cobb fought opponents and teammates alike, while Germany Schaefer brought chuckles with his zany antics. Elsewhere, slugging Charlie Hickman, speedy Billy Maloney and curmudgeonly Jack Taylor brought cheers and jeers with their distinctive talents and personalities.