1916 New York Yankees

The final standing	4th in AL (Did not qualify for World Series)
Regular season record	80-74 (.519)
Post-season record	(Not played)
AL rank	4th
World Series record and opponent	(Not played)
Manager	Bill Donovan
Captain	Roger Peckinpaugh
Top batter	Home runs: Wally Pipp (12), Home Run Baker (10), Roger Peckinpaugh (4) BA: Home Run Baker (.269), Hugh High (.263), Wally Pipp (.262) Runs: Wally Pipp (70), Roger Peckinpaugh (65), Lee Magee (57)  RBI: Wally Pipp (93), Roger Peckinpaugh (58), Home Run Baker (52)
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)	Bob Shawkey: 24-14, 2.21 Ray Fisher: 11-8, 3.17
Attendance record	469,211 (5th of 8)

1916 New York Yankees season: A brief summary

The 1916 New York Yankees season marked a significant milestone in the storied history of this iconic franchise. This year, the Yankees, under the guidance of manager Bill Donovan, achieved their first winning season since rebranding from the Highlanders, a notable shift that set the stage for the team’s future successes.

With a record of 80-74, the Yankees showed considerable improvement and competitiveness in the American League. Their performance, although not enough to clinch the championship, was a considerable step up from previous seasons. Finishing 11 games behind the Boston Red Sox, the eventual American League champions, the Yankees displayed a blend of budding talent and strategic play that hinted at the potential for future greatness.

One of the most interesting aspects of the 1916 season was the Yankees’ home field, the Polo Grounds. This iconic venue, shared with the New York Giants, was a central part of New York’s baseball history and provided a grand stage for the Yankees’ play. The Polo Grounds not only offered a unique setting but also contributed to the growing rivalry with the Giants.

A noteworthy element of this season was the use of the “NY” logo on the team’s jerseys. This would be the last year the logo would appear until its revival in 1936. The significance of this emblem, now synonymous with the Yankees’ brand, cannot be overstated. Its temporary absence from the uniform marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the team’s history.

Overall, the 1916 season was a turning point for the Yankees. It was a year where the groundwork was laid for future success. The combination of a winning record, the experience of playing in the Polo Grounds, and the historical context of the “NY” logo all contribute to the rich tapestry of the Yankees’ history. This season encapsulated a moment of transition and promise, an essential step on the road to becoming one of the most successful and renowned teams in baseball history.

The historic Yankees-Senators clash of April 1916

The game on April 20, 1916, held at Griffith Stadium, stands out as a particularly notable event in the 1916 New York Yankees season, not just for its outcome but also for its historical and cultural significance. The presence of President Woodrow Wilson, who threw the ceremonial first pitch, elevated the game to more than just a regular season matchup; it became an event of national interest, intertwining the worlds of sports and politics in a way that was relatively uncommon at the time.

Griffith Stadium, serving as the backdrop for this event, was a key venue in baseball history and home to the Washington Senators. The stadium’s unique ambiance and architectural features contributed to the day’s significance, providing a fitting stage for a game attended by a sitting U.S. President.

President Wilson’s involvement in the game was symbolic, reflecting the growing popularity and national importance of baseball in American culture. His participation in the ceremonial first pitch was a gesture that recognized baseball as America’s pastime, a sport deeply intertwined with the national identity.

The game itself was a showcase of talent, particularly highlighted by the performance of Walter Johnson, one of the era’s most dominant pitchers. Johnson’s prowess on the mound for the Senators was a key factor in their decisive 12-4 victory over the Yankees. His role in this game added a layer of athletic excellence to the day’s proceedings, further enhancing the game’s appeal and historical significance.

For the New York Yankees, despite the loss, the game was a part of their journey in the 1916 season, marking one of the many challenges they faced on their path to establishing themselves as a formidable team in the American League. The experience of playing against top-tier talent like Walter Johnson and participating in such a high-profile game would have been invaluable for the development of the team.

In summary, the April 20, 1916, game against the Washington Senators was a microcosm of the era’s baseball culture. It was a blend of sport, politics, and iconic personalities, all converging on the diamond of Griffith Stadium. The presence of President Woodrow Wilson, the dominance of Walter Johnson, and the participation of a developing Yankees team all contributed to making this game a noteworthy chapter in the 1916 season and in the broader tapestry of early 20th-century baseball history.

Postseason result

(Did not qualify – Eliminated in Regular Season)

1916 New York Yankees roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR	Salary
Walt Alexander	25	R	R	5′ 10″	165	Mar 5, 1891	4	36	22	1.4	$3,000
Ángel Aragón	25	R	R	5′ 5″	150	Aug 2, 1890	2	13	8	-0.1	$2,100
Home Run Baker	30	L	R	5′ 11″	173	Mar 13, 1886	8	100	95	3.6	$9,167
Paddy Baumann	30	R	R	5′ 9″	160	Dec 20, 1885	6	79	51	1.2	$3,000
Luke Boone	26	R	R	5′ 9″	160	May 6, 1890	4	49	37	0	$3,000
Jess Buckles	26	L	L	6′ 2″	205	May 20, 1890	1st	2	0	0
Ray Caldwell	28	L	R	6′ 2″	190	Apr 26, 1888	7	45	20	1.8	$8,000
Mike Cantwell	22	L	L	6′ 0″	160	Jun 15, 1894	1st	1	0	-0.1	$1,500
Doc Cook	30	L	R	6′ 0″	170	Jun 24, 1886	4	4	3	-0.2	$3,000
Nick Cullop	28	L	L	5′ 11″	172	Sep 17, 1887	4	28	22	2.1	$3,500
Bill Donovan	39	B	R	5′ 11″	190	Oct 13, 1876	17	1	0	0.1
Ray Fisher	28	R	R	5′ 11″	180	Oct 4, 1887	7	31	21	0.2	$6,333
Joe Gedeon	22	R	R	6′ 0″	167	Dec 5, 1893	3	122	120	-0.7	$4,000
Frank Gilhooley	24	L	R	5′ 8″	155	Jun 10, 1892	6	59	57	1.5	$3,600
Roy Hartzell	34	L	R	5′ 8″	155	Jul 6, 1881	11	34	14	-0.6	$4,000
Tim Hendryx	25	R	R	5′ 9″	170	Jan 31, 1891	4	15	15	0.5	$1,800
Hugh High	28	L	L	5′ 7″	155	Oct 24, 1887	4	117	107	1.3	$3,000
Solly Hofman	33	R	R	6′ 0″	160	Oct 29, 1882	14	6	6	0.2
Ray Keating	22	R	R	5′ 11″	185	Jul 21, 1893	5	14	11	0	$3,250
Slim Love	25	L	L	6′ 7″	195	Aug 1, 1890	2	20	1	-0.8	$2,400
Lee Magee	27	B	R	5′ 11″	165	Jun 4, 1889	6	131	130	1.5	$8,333
Fritz Maisel	26	R	R	5′ 7″	170	Dec 23, 1889	4	53	40	-0.3	$4,800
Cliff Markle	22	R	R	5′ 9″	163	May 3, 1894	2	11	7	-0.8	$1,350
Elmer Miller	25	R	R	6′ 0″	175	Jul 28, 1890	3	43	40	0	$1,800
George Mogridge	27	L	L	6′ 2″	165	Feb 18, 1889	4	30	21	2.5	$2,400
Charlie Mullen	27	R	R	5′ 10″	155	Mar 15, 1889	5	60	31	0.1	$3,000
Les Nunamaker	27	R	R	6′ 2″	190	Jan 25, 1889	6	91	77	3.3	$5,000
Rube Oldring	32	R	R	5′ 10″	186	May 30, 1884	12	43	43	-0.2	$6,000
Roger Peckinpaugh	25	R	R	5′ 10″	165	Feb 5, 1891	6	145	145	4.4	$6,000
Wally Pipp	23	L	L	6′ 1″	180	Feb 17, 1893	3	151	148	4.2	$4,000
Allen Russell	22	B	R	5′ 11″	165	Jul 31, 1893	2	35	19	-0.6	$2,100
Germany Schaefer	40	R	R	5′ 9″	175	Feb 4, 1876	14	1	0	0
Bob Shawkey	25	R	R	5′ 11″	168	Dec 4, 1890	4	53	27	6.6	$3,250
Urban Shocker	25	R	R	5′ 10″	170	Sep 22, 1890	1st	12	9	1.8	$1,350
Roxy Walters	23	R	R	5′ 8″	160	Nov 5, 1892	2	66	57	3.2	$1,500

1916 New York Yankees player additions, transactions, and trades

January 1916:

• January 14: Purchased Lee Magee from the Brooklyn Tip-Tops for $22,500.
• January 21: Purchased Nick Cullop from the Kansas City Packers.
• January 21: Purchased Germany Schaefer from the Newark Pepper.

February 1916:

• February 15: Purchased Home Run Baker from the Philadelphia Athletics for $37,500.

May 1916:

• May 15: Doc Cook player rights sold to Oakland (PCL).

July 1916:

• July 13: Signed Rube Oldring as a free agent.

August 1916:

• August 2: Signed Solly Hofman as a free agent.
• August 26: Signed Bob McGraw as an amateur free agent.

September 1916:

• September 1: Signed Mike Cantwell as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
• September 9: Released Rube Oldring.
• September 15: Drafted Ed Monroe from Memphis (Southern Association) in the 1916 rule 5 draft.
• September 15: Drafted Ben Shaw from Macon (South Atlantic) in the 1916 rule 5 draft.

1916 New York Yankees player Debuts

• Jess Buckles – 09-17-1916 – 26 years old
• Mike Cantwell – 08-17-1916 – 22 years old
• Urban Shocker – 04-24-1916 – 25 years old

1916 New York Yankees team stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA
C	Les Nunamaker	27	91	298	260	25	77	14	7	0	28	4	34	21	0.296
1B	Wally Pipp	23	151	617	545	70	143	20	14	12	93	16	54	82	0.262
2B	Joe Gedeon	22	122	492	435	50	92	14	4	0	27	14	40	61	0.211
SS	Roger Peckinpaugh	25	145	635	552	65	141	22	8	4	58	18	62	50	0.255
3B	Home Run Baker	30	100	402	360	46	97	23	2	10	52	15	36	30	0.269
OF	Lee Magee	27	131	581	510	57	131	18	4	3	45	29	50	31	0.257
OF	Frank Gilhooley	24	58	263	223	40	62	5	3	1	10	16	37	17	0.278
OF	Hugh High	28	116	453	377	44	99	13	4	1	28	13	47	44	0.263
UT	Paddy Baumann	30	79	266	237	35	68	5	3	1	25	10	19	16	0.287
C	Roxy Walters	23	66	226	203	13	54	9	3	0	23	2	14	42	0.266
OF	Fritz Maisel	26	53	183	158	18	36	5	0	0	7	4	20	18	0.228
OF	Rube Oldring	32	43	174	158	17	37	8	0	1	12	6	12	13	0.234
OF	Elmer Miller	25	43	170	152	12	34	3	2	1	18	8	11	18	0.224
IF	Charlie Mullen	27	59	162	146	11	39	9	1	0	18	7	9	13	0.267
3B	Luke Boone	26	46	146	124	14	23	4	0	1	8	7	8	10	0.185
C	Walt Alexander	25	36	94	78	8	20	6	1	0	3	0	13	20	0.256
OF	Roy Hartzell	34	33	78	64	12	12	1	0	0	7	1	9	3	0.188
OF	Tim Hendryx	25	15	72	62	10	18	7	1	0	5	4	8	6	0.29
OF	Solly Hofman	33	6	29	27	0	8	1	1	0	2	1	1	1	0.296
UT	Angel Aragón	25	12	27	24	1	5	0	0	0	3	2	2	2	0.208
OF	Doc Cook	30	4	11	10	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0.1
OF	Germany Schaefer	40	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P	Bob Shawkey	25	53	100	93	5	17	1	0	0	4	0	3	21	0.183
P	Ray Caldwell	28	45	95	93	6	19	2	0	0	4	1	2	17	0.204
P	George Mogridge	27	30	70	66	4	14	1	1	0	2	0	2	20	0.212
P	Ray Fisher	28	31	69	62	5	11	3	0	0	2	1	5	12	0.177
P	Nick Cullop	28	28	59	55	0	6	0	0	0	2	0	3	13	0.109
P	Allen Russell	22	35	57	45	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	20	0.044
P	Ray Keating	22	14	33	29	2	7	0	0	0	3	0	2	10	0.241
P	Urban Shocker	25	12	30	21	2	4	0	0	0	1	0	5	7	0.19
P	Slim Love	25	20	16	14	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	7	0
P	Cliff Markle	22	11	15	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	0
P	Jess Buckles	26	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
P	Bill Donovan	39	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P	Mike Cantwell	22	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Team Totals	26.2	156	5925	5198	575	1277	194	59	35	492	179	516	632	0.246
	Rank in 8 AL teams				1	5	2	4	6	1		5	5	7	5
	Non-Pitcher Totals	26.2	156	5380	4706	548	1197	187	58	35	473	177	486	500	0.254
	Pitcher Totals	25.9	156	545	492	27	80	7	1	0	19	2	30	132	0.163

1916 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	Bob Shawkey	25	24	14	0.632	2.21	53	27	24	21	4	8	276.2	204	78	68
SP	George Mogridge	27	6	12	0.333	2.31	30	21	5	10	2	0	194.2	174	71	50
SP	Ray Fisher	28	11	8	0.579	3.17	31	21	7	9	1	2	179	191	81	63
SP	Allen Russell	22	6	10	0.375	3.2	34	19	14	8	1	6	171.1	138	83	61
SP	Nick Cullop	28	13	6	0.684	2.05	28	22	4	9	0	1	167	151	60	38
SP	Ray Caldwell	28	5	12	0.294	2.99	21	18	1	14	1	0	165.2	142	62	55
RP	Slim Love	25	2	0	1	4.91	20	1	11	0	0	0	47.2	46	29	26
	Ray Keating	22	5	6	0.455	3.07	14	11	0	6	0	0	91	91	42	31
	Urban Shocker	25	4	3	0.571	2.62	12	9	3	4	1	0	82.1	67	25	24
	Cliff Markle	22	4	3	0.571	4.53	11	7	1	3	1	0	45.2	41	26	23
	Jess Buckles	26	0	0		2.25	2	0	1	0	0	0	4	3	2	1
	Mike Cantwell	22	0	0		0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	0
	Bill Donovan	39	0	0		0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0
	Team Totals	25.7	80	74	0.519	2.77	156	156	72	84	11	17	1428	1249	561	440
	Rank in 8 AL teams		4	5		5				3	3	1	3	3	5	5

1916 New York Yankees record vs. opponents/ Team splits

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Boston Red Sox (22)	11	11	0.500
Chicago White Sox (22)	12	10	0.545
Cleveland Indians (22)	10	12	0.455
Detroit Tigers (23)	8	14	0.364
Philadelphia Athletics (22)	15	7	0.682
St. Louis Browns (22)	9	13	0.409
Washington Senators (23)	15	7	0.682

1916 New York Yankees monthly Record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (12)	7	5	0.583
May (26)	15	10	0.600
June (26)	15	11	0.577
July (33)	16	17	0.485
August (29)	13	16	0.448
September (26)	11	15	0.423
October (4)	3	0	1.000

How do you rate the 1916 New York Yankees?