1904 New York Yankees (Highlanders)

The final standing	2nd in AL (Did not qualify for World Series)
Regular season record	92-59 (.609)
Post-season record	(Not played)
AL rank	2nd
World Series record and opponent	(Not played)
Manager	Clark Griffith
Captain	Clark Griffith
Top batter	Home runs: John Ganzel, Patsy Dougherty (6) BA: Willie Keeler (.343), Patsy Dougherty (.283), John Anderson (.278) Runs: Patsy Dougherty (80), Willie Keeler (78), John Anderson, Jimmy Williams (62)  RBI: John Anderson (82), Jimmy Williams (74), Wid Conroy (52)
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)	Jack Chesbro: 41-12, 1.82 Jack Powell: 23-19, 2.44 Al Orth: 11-6, 2.68
Attendance record	438,919 (4th of 8)

1904 New York Yankees season: A brief summary

The 1904 New York Yankees (Highlanders) season remains a memorable chapter in the annals of baseball history, not just for the team’s impressive performance but also for the dramatic conclusion that saw them narrowly miss the American League pennant. Finishing second with a commendable record of 92–59 under the stewardship of Clark Griffith, the Highlanders showcased resilience and skill, laying down the early foundations of what would become the storied Yankees franchise.

The offseason saw strategic player trades, such as Jack O’Connor’s move to the St. Louis Browns and the acquisition of Red Kleinow from the Toledo Mud Hens, which helped shape the team’s roster. These transactions indicated the management’s intent to build a strong competitive team.

The regular 1904 New York Yankees (Highlanders) season was marked by significant achievements and notable incidents. The casual adoption of “Yankees” as a nickname on April 7, 1904, reflected the team’s growing identity, even as “Highlanders” remained the primary moniker. The team’s vigorous performance in the pennant race, leading the American League as late as September 20, demonstrated their potential and fighting spirit.

However, the season’s climax was tinged with disappointment. Jack Chesbro’s infamous wild pitch on the last day against the Boston Americans not only cost the Highlanders the pennant but also heightened the existing rivalry between the two teams. The New York Giants’ refusal to recognize the Highlanders as equals, thereby avoiding the World Series, added to the drama, emphasizing the intense competitive spirit of the era.

The 1904 season’s legacy, especially the rivalry with Boston, resonated throughout baseball history, highlighted by the 2004 ALCS, which eerily mirrored the events of a century prior. The Highlanders’ 1904 campaign, with its blend of triumph and heartbreak, remains a pivotal moment that underscored the unpredictable, passionate nature of baseball.

Postseason result

(Did not qualify – Eliminated in regular season)

1904 New York Yankees roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR
John Anderson	30	B	R	6′ 2″	180	Dec 14, 1873	10	143	140	3.2
Monte Beville	29	L	R	5′ 11″	180	Feb 24, 1875	2	9	5	0
Elmer Bliss	29	L	R	6′ 0″	180	Mar 9, 1875	2	1	0	0
Jack Chesbro HOF	30	R	R	5′ 9″	180	Jun 5, 1874	6	56	51	11.4
Walter Clarkson	25	R	R	5′ 10″	150	Nov 3, 1878	1st	13	4	-1
Orth Collins	24	L	R	6′ 0″	150	Apr 27, 1880	1st	5	4	0.2
Wid Conroy	27	R	R	5′ 9″	158	Apr 5, 1877	4	140	140	4.2
Patsy Dougherty	27	L	R	6′ 2″	190	Oct 27, 1876	3	106	106	1.3
Kid Elberfeld	29	R	R	5′ 7″	158	Apr 13, 1875	6	122	122	5.4
Dave Fultz	29	R	R	5′ 11″	170	May 29, 1875	6	97	87	2.6
John Ganzel	30	R	R	6′ 0″	195	Apr 7, 1874	5	130	127	2.9
Ned Garvin	30	R	R	6′ 3″	160	Jan 1, 1874	7	2	2	0
Clark Griffith HOF	34	R	R	5′ 6″	156	Nov 20, 1869	13	16	11	0.6
Tom Hughes	25	R	R	6′ 1″	175	Nov 29, 1878	5	23	20	-0.9
Willie Keeler HOF	32	L	L	5′ 4″	140	Mar 3, 1872	13	143	142	5
Red Kleinow	26	R	R	5′ 10″	165	Jul 20, 1877	1st	68	55	0.2
Deacon McGuire	40	R	R	6′ 1″	185	Nov 18, 1863	20	101	97	0.9
Frank McManus	29		R	5′ 10″	180	Sep 23, 1874	3	4	1	-0.3
Al Orth	31	L	R	6′ 0″	200	Sep 5, 1872	10	26	20	2.3
Champ Osteen	27	L	R	5′ 8″	150	Feb 24, 1877	2	28	27	0.4
Jack Powell	29	R	R	5′ 11″	195	Jul 9, 1874	8	47	45	2.8
Ambrose Puttmann	23		L	6′ 4″	185	Sep 9, 1880	2	9	3	0.3
Jack Thoney	24	R	R	5′ 10″	175	Dec 8, 1879	3	36	34	-0.3
Bob Unglaub	23	R	R	5′ 11″	178	Jul 31, 1880	1st	6	3	-0.1
Jimmy Williams	27	R	R	5′ 9″	175	Dec 20, 1876	6	146	146	3.9
Barney Wolfe	28	R	R	6′ 1″		Jun 10, 1876	2	7	3	-0.6

1904 New York Yankees player additions, transactions, and trades

December 20, 1903:

• Traded Jesse Tannehill to the Boston Americans and received Tom Hughes.

January 1904:

• Purchased Champ Osteen from the Washington Senators.

January 5, 1904:

• Traded Eddie Quick and Jack Zalusky to Toledo (American Association) and received Red Kleinow.

February 21, 1904:

• Purchased Deacon McGuire from the Detroit Tigers.

March 6, 1904:

• Traded Harry Howell and cash to the St. Louis Browns and received Jack Powell.

May 8, 1904:

• Purchased Jack Thoney from the Washington Senators.

June 17, 1904:

• Traded Bob Unglaub to the Boston Americans and received Patsy Dougherty.

July 20, 1904:

• Traded Tom Hughes and Barney Wolfe to the Washington Senators and received Al Orth.

August 3, 1904:

• Loaned Monte Beville to the Detroit Tigers.

August 30, 1904:

• Purchased Frank McManus from Montreal (Eastern).

September 1904:

• Drafted Joe Yeager from Montreal (Eastern) in the 1904 rule 5 draft.

September 1, 1904:

• Drafted Bill Hogg from Spokane (Pacific National) in the 1904 rule 5 draft.

September 9, 1904:

• Selected Ned Garvin off waivers from the Brooklyn Superbas.

October 4, 1904:

• Drafted Hal Chase from Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 rule 5 draft.
• Drafted Doc Newton from Los Angeles (PCL) in the 1904 rule 5 draft.

1904 New York Yankees player debuts

• Walter Clarkson – 07-02-1904 – 25 years old
• Orth Collins – 06-01-1904 – 24 years old
• Red Kleinow – 05-03-1904 – 26 years old
• Bob Unglaub – 04-15-1904 – 24 years old

1904 New York Yankees team stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA
C	Deacon McGuire	40	101	357	322	17	67	12	2	0	20	2	27	45	0.208
1B	John Ganzel	30	130	504	465	50	121	16	10	6	48	13	24	41	0.26
2B	Jimmy Williams	27	146	614	559	62	147	31	7	2	74	14	38	65	0.263
SS	Kid Elberfeld	29	122	512	445	55	117	13	5	2	46	18	37	20	0.263
3B	Wid Conroy	27	140	560	489	58	119	18	12	1	52	30	43	57	0.243
OF	Patsy Dougherty	27	106	479	452	80	128	13	10	6	22	11	19	44	0.283
OF	John Anderson	30	143	598	558	62	155	27	12	3	82	20	23	37	0.278
OF	Willie Keeler	32	143	612	543	78	186	14	8	2	40	21	35	12	0.343
OF	Dave Fultz	29	97	382	339	39	93	17	4	2	32	17	24	29	0.274
C	Red Kleinow	26	68	233	209	12	43	8	4	0	16	4	15	37	0.206
3B	Jack Thoney	24	36	140	128	17	24	4	2	0	12	9	8	20	0.188
IF	Champ Osteen	27	28	111	107	15	21	1	4	2	9	0	1	11	0.196
UT	Monte Beville	29	9	24	22	2	6	2	0	0	2	0	2	1	0.273
IF	Bob Unglaub	23	6	19	19	2	4	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0.211
OF	Orth Collins	24	5	18	17	3	6	1	1	0	1	0	1	6	0.353
C	Frank McManus	29	4	7	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
OF	Elmer Bliss	29	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P	Jack Chesbro	30	56	182	174	17	41	9	3	1	17	1	4	43	0.236
P	Jack Powell	29	47	153	146	11	26	3	2	0	10	0	3	31	0.178
P	Al Orth	31	24	66	64	6	19	1	1	0	7	2	0	7	0.297
P	Tom Hughes	25	22	57	54	7	13	2	1	0	2	1	1	20	0.241
P	Clark Griffith	34	16	47	42	2	6	2	0	0	1	0	4	13	0.143
P	Walter Clarkson	25	13	27	26	3	7	0	2	0	3	0	1	3	0.269
P	Ambrose Puttmann	23	9	19	18	0	5	1	1	0	1	0	1	4	0.278
P	Barney Wolfe	28	7	12	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	0
P	Ned Garvin	30	2	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Team Totals	29.4	155	5738	5220	598	1354	195	91	27	499	163	312	552	0.259
	Rank in 8 AL teams				4	4	1	3	2	2		3	6	1	2
	Non-Pitcher Totals	29.4	155	5171	4682	552	1237	177	81	26	458	159	297	426	0.264
	Pitcher Totals	29.2	155	567	538	46	117	18	10	1	41	4	15	126	0.217

1904 New York Yankees team stats (pitching)

Pos	Name	Age	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER
SP	Jack Chesbro	30	41	12	0.774	1.82	55	51	3	48	6	0	454.2	338	128	92
SP	Jack Powell	29	23	19	0.548	2.44	47	45	2	38	3	0	390.1	340	154	106
SP	Al Orth	31	11	6	0.647	2.68	20	18	2	11	2	0	137.2	122	47	41
SP	Tom Hughes	25	7	11	0.389	3.7	19	18	1	12	1	0	136.1	141	72	56
SP	Clark Griffith	34	7	5	0.583	2.87	16	11	5	8	1	0	100.1	91	40	32
RP	Walter Clarkson	25	1	2	0.333	5.02	13	4	9	2	0	1	66.1	63	42	37
RP	Ambrose Puttmann	23	2	0	1	2.74	9	3	6	2	1	0	49.1	40	21	15
	Barney Wolfe	28	0	3	0	3.21	7	3	4	2	0	0	33.2	31	18	12
	Ned Garvin	30	0	1	0	2.25	2	2	0	0	0	0	12	14	4	3
	Team Totals	29.1	92	59	0.609	2.57	155	155	32	123	14	1	1380.2	1180	526	394
	Rank in 8 AL teams		2	7		5				8	5	3	4	3	5	5

1904 New York Yankees record vs. opponents/ Team splits

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Boston Americans (24)	10	12	0.455
Chicago White Sox (23)	10	12	0.455
Cleveland Blues (21)	11	9	0.550
Detroit Tigers (22)	15	7	0.682
Philadelphia Athletics (21)	12	9	0.571
St. Louis Browns (22)	16	6	0.727
Washington Senators (22)	18	4	0.818

1904 New York Yankees monthly record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (10)	5	5	0.500
May (24)	14	10	0.583
June (22)	15	7	0.682
July (27)	16	11	0.593
August (28)	17	10	0.630
September (33)	18	12	0.600
October (11)	7	4	0.636

How do you rate the 1904 New York Yankees season?