Covering the ten worst Major League Baseball (MLB) teams from 1900-1924 is a journey through some tough seasons. Baseball was solidifying its place as America’s pastime during these years, but many teams struggled to find success. For each of these teams, I’ll include the team owner’s name, manager, season record, and the names and statistics of the five best players on each roster.
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### 1. **1904 Washington Senators (38-113)**
**Owner:** Thomas C. Noyes
**Manager:** Malachi Kittridge and Patsy Donovan
The 1904 Washington Senators had one of the worst records in baseball history, finishing 38-113. They were well out of contention in the American League, as other teams left them behind in both pitching and hitting.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Jimmy Ryan (OF)** – .278 AVG, 4 HR, 50 RBI
2. **George McBride (SS)** – Known for his fielding, not his bat, with a .195 AVG but solid defense.
3. **Casey Patten (P)** – 5-22 record, 4.25 ERA
4. **Roy Patterson (P)** – 6-18 record, 3.35 ERA
5. **Charlie Hickman (1B/OF)** – .256 AVG, 1 HR, 42 RBI
The Senators had minimal pitching depth, and their offensive lineup struggled, leading to their abysmal finish.
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### 2. **1909 Boston Doves (45-108)**
**Owner:** George Dovey
**Manager:** Frank Bowerman
The 1909 Boston Doves (precursors to the Braves) struggled immensely, going 45-108. Their issues stemmed from both a lack of hitting power and a pitching staff that allowed runs with ease.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Johnny Bates (OF)** – .293 AVG, 4 HR, 52 RBI
2. **Bill Sweeney (2B)** – .258 AVG, 2 HR, 48 RBI
3. **George Ferguson (P)** – 6-23 record, 3.58 ERA
4. **Al Mattern (P)** – 7-25 record, 3.71 ERA
5. **Beals Becker (OF)** – .257 AVG, 0 HR, 32 RBI
The Doves had a weak lineup, with Johnny Bates and Bill Sweeney providing most of the offense. Their pitching rotation was overmatched against stronger National League teams.
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### 3. **1916 Philadelphia Athletics (36-117)**
**Owner:** Connie Mack
**Manager:** Connie Mack
Connie Mack’s Athletics were infamous for this season, ending with a 36-117 record. Mack, who also owned the team, sold off his star players to reduce costs, resulting in a historically poor performance.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Wally Schang (C)** – .266 AVG, 2 HR, 33 RBI
2. **Amos Strunk (OF)** – .316 AVG, 1 HR, 41 RBI
3. **Elmer Myers (P)** – 14-23 record, 3.64 ERA
4. **Joe Bush (P)** – 15-24 record, 2.57 ERA
5. **Jack Nabors (P)** – 1-20 record, 3.47 ERA
Despite the poor team record, Bush and Myers were reliable starters, while Schang and Strunk were the rare bright spots in the lineup.
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### 4. **1919 Philadelphia Phillies (47-90)**
**Owner:** William Baker
**Manager:** Jack Coombs
The Phillies’ 1919 season was marked by weak pitching and inconsistent hitting. Their 47-90 record put them well behind the competition, even in a year that saw many other teams also struggle.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Cy Williams (OF)** – .303 AVG, 15 HR, 72 RBI
2. **Irish Meusel (OF)** – .279 AVG, 8 HR, 78 RBI
3. **Art Fletcher (SS)** – .275 AVG, 0 HR, 38 RBI
4. **Lee Meadows (P)** – 11-20 record, 2.83 ERA
5. **Eppa Rixey (P)** – 6-12 record, 3.08 ERA
Cy Williams emerged as a power hitter, but the rest of the team struggled to keep up offensively or on the mound.
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### 5. **1920 Detroit Tigers (61-93)**
**Owner:** Frank Navin
**Manager:** Hughie Jennings
The Tigers in 1920 had one of the worst seasons in franchise history, going 61-93. The team was inconsistent, with minimal pitching and an offense that lacked depth behind Ty Cobb.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Ty Cobb (OF)** – .334 AVG, 4 HR, 63 RBI
2. **Bobby Veach (OF)** – .303 AVG, 9 HR, 88 RBI
3. **Harry Heilmann (1B)** – .309 AVG, 4 HR, 77 RBI
4. **Hooks Dauss (P)** – 13-21 record, 3.82 ERA
5. **Howard Ehmke (P)** – 11-17 record, 4.08 ERA
Cobb was still dominant, but Detroit’s lack of quality pitching cost them a competitive season.
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### 6. **1909 Washington Senators (42-110)**
**Owner:** Thomas C. Noyes
**Manager:** Joe Cantillon
The Senators again struggled in 1909 with a record of 42-110. They suffered from lackluster pitching and an offense that couldn’t keep up with the American League.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Bob Unglaub (1B)** – .267 AVG, 2 HR, 50 RBI
2. **Clyde Milan (OF)** – .252 AVG, 0 HR, 30 RBI
3. **Doc Gessler (OF)** – .268 AVG, 1 HR, 43 RBI
4. **Charlie Smith (P)** – 6-17 record, 2.84 ERA
5. **Walter Johnson (P)** – 13-25 record, 2.22 ERA
Though the team struggled, Walter Johnson showcased his talent, hinting at the Hall of Fame career that was to come.
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### 7. **1911 Boston Rustlers (44-107)**
**Owner:** John P. Harris
**Manager:** Fred Tenney
The Boston Rustlers (soon to become the Braves) endured a 44-107 season in 1911. Poor pitching and a lack of offensive firepower plagued them all year.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Johnny Kling (C)** – .271 AVG, 2 HR, 47 RBI
2. **Doc Miller (OF)** – .333 AVG, 2 HR, 70 RBI
3. **Bill Sweeney (1B)** – .288 AVG, 4 HR, 56 RBI
4. **Cliff Curtis (P)** – 4-18 record, 4.48 ERA
5. **Al Bridwell (SS)** – .258 AVG, 0 HR, 38 RBI
Doc Miller was a solid hitter, but the pitching staff struggled mightily against National League competition.
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### 8. **1906 Boston Americans (49-105)**
**Owner:** John I. Taylor
**Manager:** Jimmy Collins and Bob Unglaub
The 1906 Boston Americans, who later became the Red Sox, suffered through a 49-105 season. The team struggled with both offense and pitching, leading to the franchise’s worst-ever record.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Freddy Parent (SS)** – .260 AVG, 0 HR, 38 RBI
2. **Jimmy Collins (3B)** – .226 AVG, 1 HR, 37 RBI
3. **Cy Young (P)** – 13-21 record, 3.19 ERA
4. **Jesse Tannehill (P)** – 13-15 record, 2.53 ERA
5. **Bill Dineen (P)** – 8-19 record, 3.53 ERA
The great Cy Young was past his prime, but still led the rotation, although he had little support.
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### 9. **1915 St. Louis Browns (63-91)**
**Owner:** Robert Hedges
**Manager:** Branch Rickey
The St. Louis Browns in 1915 finished 63-91 under Branch Rickey’s leadership. They were among the weaker American League teams with an anemic offense.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Del Pratt (2B)** – .288 AVG, 3 HR, 77 RBI
2. **Burt Shotton (OF)** – .281 AVG, 0 HR, 41 RBI
3. **George Sisler (P/1B)** – .285 AVG, 3 HR, 55 RBI
4. **Bill James (P)** – 11-15 record, 2.64 ERA
5. **Ernie Koob (P)** – 10-17 record, 3.21 ERA
Rickey’s innovative thinking would shape baseball’s future, but the Browns struggled this season.
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### 10. **1912 Cincinnati Reds (58-94)**
**Owner:** August Hermann
**Manager:** Hank O
’Day
The 1912 Cincinnati Reds finished 58-94, one of their lowest points in the decade. They struggled to hit and lacked a strong pitching core.
**Top 5 Players:**
1. **Dick Hoblitzell (1B)** – .292 AVG, 3 HR, 73 RBI
2. **Bob Bescher (OF)** – .281 AVG, 1 HR, 59 RBI
3. **Heinie Groh (3B)** – .282 AVG, 2 HR, 45 RBI
4. **Art Fromme (P)** – 11-15 record, 3.07 ERA
5. **Rube Benton (P)** – 18-20 record, 3.08 ERA
Bescher’s and Groh’s contributions helped, but Cincinnati’s lineup was otherwise unimpressive.
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Each of these teams faced significant struggles, whether due to roster turnover, weak pitching, or offensive inadequacy. In many cases, these seasons led to significant changes within the franchises, ultimately helping some of them improve over time. However, their records from this era serve as a testament to how challenging baseball success can be.