The Cincinnati Reds won their first World Series this year. They were a terrific team, but also a charmed one. Their top rivals in the league were the New York Giants. Near the end of the season, two of the Giants' key players, Hal Chase and Heinie Zimmerman, were suspended for life for trying to bribe their own pitcher to lose a game intentionally.
        In the World Series, eight members of the Chicago White Sox conspired to lose the Series, and were barred for life. The Reds may have won the whole thing anyway, but it sure makes it easier when your opposition is trying to lose.

         Edd Roush was the Reds' best player; the Giants also had two fine outfielders, George J Burns and Ross Youngs. Hi Myers had his first good season; at age 30, Myers established himself as a power hitter, and he helped the Dodgers win the pennant in 1920. Myers had a chance to become a star when the lively ball was introduced, but instead he stopped hitting, and dropped out of the league. I'm not sure who the best outfielder in the league was this year; Roush led the NL in runs produced, and his team won the pennant, so I'll give him a slight edge.
        The Philadelphia Phillies finished in last place. Their cause would probably have been helped if their 38-year old right fielder, Gavy Cravath, had been able to play a little more. Cravath was named manager before the season, and celebrated by destroying NL pitchers for half a season. I don't know why he missed so much time; next year, he played just 45 games, then retired. He was very unsuccessful as a manager.
        The two best infielders were Heinie Groh and Rogers Hornsby. Groh played for the Reds, who won the pennant. Hornsby played for the Cardinals, who were awful. I'll give the edge to Groh; the only question is whether Groh or his teammate, Roush, should be the MVP. Their numbers were pretty much the same; Groh was a little better hitter, but Roush was healthier, and won the batting title. I'll give the edge to Roush.