Hippo Vaughn had been one of the best pitchers in the league for several
years, and was now at his peak. When Pete Alexander went overseas in 1918 to
join the war effort, Vaughn became the best pitcher in the NL, and retained
that title again this year. Vaughn had one more great season after this one,
before his career came to a premature end.
Speaking of Alexander, he too was back in the
league. After three consecutive 30-win seasons for Philadelphia, Alexander
returned from the war partly deaf, and had worsening problems with both epilepsy
and alcohol. The Phillies thought he was done, and dealt him to the Cubs. In his
first year with Chicago, Alexander proved he could still pitch, despite his
problems; he was not as durable as he had been in the past, but he would
remain one of the best pitchers of the 1920's, for both Chicago and St. Louis.
And the Phillies would spend the next few decades in last place.
The champion Reds were armed with some fine
pitchers of their own. Dutch Ruether was the best of them; this was Ruether's
first full year, and also his best. Ruether would become a journeyman, playing
for five teams in eleven years, but won he 137 games, and he didn't lose often. Slim
Sallee was also a fine pitcher; he had had a good career with both the Cardinals
and Giants, and this was the last big year of his career. Sallee retired a
couple of years later with 174 career wins. Hod Eller was also a good pitcher,
but he had a very short career. His first four seasons were good, but
the fifth ended his career.
I think Vaughn was the best pitcher in the
league, followed by Ruether. After him I will take Babe Adams of Pittsburgh;
Adams was 37, and his career and he appeared to be all but finished. But he came back with
a spectacular season, and would pitch well for several more years, not
retiring until he was in his mid-40's. Adams rates a slight edge over
Alexander.
Jesse Barnes was a good pitcher, and had his best
year. Despite leading the NL in wins, I don't think Barnes was one of the
best pitchers in the league; he was helped by a potent New York offense.
Barnes began his career with the dreadful Braves, and had some losing
seasons despite pitching well. He was traded to the Giants, and won two
World Series with them. Then, bad luck intervened; Barnes was sent back
to the dreadful Braves, and had some more losing seasons, though he continued to
pitch well. He won 152 games in his career, and lost 150.
