Fred Tenney played for the Braves when they were know as the Beaneaters, Doves and Rustlers (1894-1907, 1911). He was a first baseman, outfielder, catcher and pitcher. Clearly very versatile. He was born in Georgetown, Massachusetts on November 26, 1871 and passed away on July 3, 1952. He batted and threw as a lefty.
He was truly one of the pioneers in the early years of the game. He was also an amazing first baseman. The Beaneaters great manager, Frank Selee had already won 3 pennants when he spotted Fred. In that day, he was a pretty rare prospect as a left handed catcher. But Selee could spot talent and Tenney would help him win two more pennants and a place in history as the greatest team in the 1890′s.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
The Beaneaters (now the Atlanta Braves) finished fifth in 1890 12 games behind with a 76-57 record. The year before they had finished second. It was clearly a disappointing year for first year manager Frank Selee.
It was however, a prelude to one of the most prosperous periods in the franchise history.
It was a year of “labor” problems. The players got very upset with the owners. . They started their own league. Imagine that happening today. Hard to imagine for sure. As a result, the Beaneaters were decimated.
But, things are not always as it seems.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
The slip began. It wasn’t a huge slide, but the Beaneaters (now know as the Atlanta Braves) dropped to third in 1894. The had won the pennant the year before. They ended up 83-49 and eight games behind under Frank Selee as the manager.
They had been favored to win that year. Not in the cards at all. It ended up being a very tragic season. It started out with a stunning accident to Charlie Bennett. He was a very good catcher. He lost both legs on January 9th when he fell under the wheels of a train in Kansas. The loss set the tone for a very bad year for the Braves.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Being good enough in baseball is what it is about some days. The 1898 Braves (then known as the Boston Beaneaters) weren’t as good as they were in the previous season percentage wise. They ended up 6 games ahead to win the pennant. Frank Selee continuted to be a mastermind as the manager. Their record was 102-47. So, they were good enough. They won 9 more games than the year before. Their winning percentage was .685 and a little lower than the year before.
Part of this is about statistics. This was the year that the National League expanded to the 154 game schedule. 102 wins was VERY good. It tied the 1892 pennant winners for a record. It stood until Bobbie Cox and the Braves won 104 (of 162) in 1993.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
In 1891 during Frank Selee’s second year as manager, the Braves (then known as the Boston Beaneaters) won the pennant. They finished first with a record of 87-51 and 3 1/2 games ahead. This would begin a decade of amazing achievements for them. It was unequaled by very few teams over the years.
It began with one of the most hotly disputed pennants in baseball history in 1871. It wasn’t formally decided until Thanksgiving. In September and October, the Beaneaters won 23 of 30 games. This included 18 in a row. This allowed them to take the pennant from Chicago.
Frank Selee clearly had a command on how to win.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Frank Selee moved into his third season in 1892. Great things were ahead for him. The Beaneaters (now the Atlanta Braves) had an amazing 102-48 record, finishing first, 8 1/2 games ahead. This may have been the greatest season in franchise history.
The National League expanded to 12 teams that year. They also adopted a split-season 154 game format. This played to the Beaneaters formidable strengths. The team was so good, it could release the pitching great, John Clarkson, at mid season.
With Kid Nichols, Harry Stanly, and a newcomer, Jack Stivvetts (picked up from the defunct American Association), the pitching staff rocked the league. They combined for 92 victories, 35 apiece for Stivetts and Nichols.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
1901 was Frank Selee’s 12th and last year as manager. This also marked what has become known as the modern era of baseball. The American League came onto the scene. Of course, all was not friendly. It did however provide the basic structure of baseball as we know it today.
The Boston Beaneaters (the Braves) finished fifth that year. Their record was an even 69-69. They were 20 1/2 games behind.
This year they also had some competition for Boston fans. The cities new American League team was the Somersets. Wasn’t that lovely? Beaneaters and Somersets.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Maybe it was the name. The Beaneaters. It was a disappointing year for the Braves (then known as the Beaneaters) in 1896. The finished fourth with a 74-57 overall record. They were 17 games behind. They had an infusion of talent that would help them over the next few years but not in 1896 though. Frank Selee, the manager, would certainly experience it all during his tenure.
It was also the year that Republican William McKinley would defeat William Jennings Bryan for President. He was the last veteran of the War Between the States to be elected for President.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Finally!! In Frank Selee’s 8th season as manager, the Braves (Boston Beaneaters) had the best record in the franchise history at that time. They finished first, 93-39 and 2 games ahead. Frank was able to get the best out of them like he did earlier in his career.
How good would this record be in the modern era? A team today would have to win 115 games out of the current 162 game schedule. It was a .705 percentage record. In 1993, the Braves had a .642 record which brought them 104 wins.
This was an amazing year for sure!!
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
The Braves (then known as the Beaneaters) finished second. Hard to imagine with a 95-57 record. Sure enough though, they were 8 games behind Brooklyn in Frank Selee’s 10th year as manager. If they had won, it would have been three consecutive years as champion. They had the best pitching that season. They also led the league in defense. Kid Nichols, the star pitcher, began to show some wear and tear. He went 13-16 with a 3.07 ERA. He got help that season though from Vic Willis who was 10-17 (4.19 ERA). Bill Dinneen led the pack with a 20-14 season and a 3.12 ERA.
Brooklyn had a very strong team though. Baltimore owner Harry B. Von der Horst had bought control of the team. He transfered many of his best players to Brooklyn.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
The Boston Beaneaters (now the Atlanta Braves) had seen some pretty good days under Manager Frank Selee but 1900 brought a continued decline under his leadership. They ended up 66-72, 17 games behind in fourth place. Closer to last than third.
They year started out on a bad note. In 1899, several players didn’t like how moody catcher Marty Bergen was. So much so, they said they wouldn’t play with him next year. I guess no one really knew how troubled he was. On January 19, Marty’s father discovered how bad it was. Bergen used a razor and ax to kill his wife, three year old son, new born daughter and himself.
Things did not start well and did not finish well.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
After 12 seasons, Frank Selee was out. Al Buckenberger was the new man. In his first year, 1902, he had a 73-64 record finishing third. Only 29 games behind the leader. It was an improvement however.
Frank’s departure was not popular at all. Many felt he was the scapegoat for the team’s owners. Sound familiar?
Al had managed both in Pittsburgh and St. Louis but had been in the minors before getting the call. He was 41 but had been managing since he was 23. A new era began.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
