The American League survived to play its second season, and a few more recognizable names emerged. Addie Joss had a fine rookie year, leading the league in shutouts. And Rube Waddell had his first great season with the league champions, the Philadelphia Athletics.

         As a 23-year old with Pittsburgh, Waddell had a fine season in 1900. He was promptly traded to Chicago, then crossed leagues to Philadelphia. Waddell is best remembered for two things: setting a strikeout record that lasted 60 years, and for being one of baseball's original flaky left-handers. There are numerous stories of Waddell's wild escapades and behaviour; he was, essentially, a child trapped in a man's body. With a golden arm to boot. Both Waddell's career and life were short, but they were quite an adventure while they lasted.
         As great as Waddell was this year, the best pitcher in the league was still Cy Young. The Cyclone had his fifth, and last, 30+ win season. He won 28 next year, and 26 the year after that, and kept pitching till he retired with 511 lifetime wins, an all-time record. Young was the hardest-working pitcher in baseball history; this was one of nine years in which he had 40+ complete games, en route to a record 749 completions.
         Bill Bernhard started with Philadelphia in the NL, and was terrible. He then moved to Philadelpia in the AL, and was terrible there, too. He finally moved out of Philadelphia, and had some fine seasons with Cleveland, including a very good one this year. Red Donahue hit rock bottom a few years earlier, and one season had a record of 10-35, with 484 hits allowed. He recovered, and had some much better seasons, including this one.