1918 New York Yankees

The final standing	4th in AL (Did not qualify for World Series)
Regular season record	60-63 (.488)
Post-season record	(Not played)
AL rank	4th
World Series record and opponent	(Not played)
Manager	Miller Huggins
Captain	Roger Peckinpaugh
Top batter	Home runs: Home Run Baker (6), Ping Bodie (3), Truck Hannah, Wally Pipp, Del Pratt, Ham Hyatt (2) BA: Home Run Baker (.306), Wally Pipp (.304), Frank Gilhooley (.276) Runs: Home Run Baker, Del Pratt (65), Frank Gilhooley, Roger Peckinpaugh (59), Wally Pipp (48)  RBI: Home Run Baker (62), Del Pratt (55), Ping Bodie (46)
Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA)	George Mogridge: 16-13, 2.18
Attendance record	282,047 (2nd of 8)

1918 New York Yankees season: A brief summary

The 1918 New York Yankees season, marking the franchise’s 15th year, was a period of both challenges and notable performances, albeit overshadowed by the larger events of World War I which significantly impacted Major League Baseball that year. The team, managed by Miller Huggins, completed the season with a somewhat middling record of 60-63. This resulted in them finishing 13.5 games behind the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, a team that was notably formidable during this era.

One of the key challenges for the Yankees, as with many other teams, was the loss of players to military service. This not only affected the team’s performance but also the overall morale and the dynamic of the squad. Despite these difficulties, the Yankees displayed moments of resilience and competitiveness.

The management under Miller Huggins was a crucial factor. Huggins, known for his strategic acumen, had to navigate through the player shortages and the general uncertainties of the time. His leadership, while not reflecting dramatically in the win-loss column for this particular season, was setting the foundations for future successes of the franchise.

Playing their home games at the historic Polo Grounds, the Yankees had the advantage of a strong fan base and iconic venue. However, the shadow of the war and the resulting shortened season (the regular season ended on September 2nd due to the war) meant that both attendance and player performances were not at their usual levels.

In summary, the 1918 New York Yankees season was a testament to the era’s challenges. While not a standout year in terms of achievements, it was a significant period in the franchise’s history, laying down the groundwork for future success and showcasing the resilience of the team and the sport during a globally turbulent time.

Baseball in the shadow of war: The 1918 New York Yankees and the impact of World War I

The 1918 Major League Baseball season, profoundly impacted by World War I, presented unique and significant challenges, particularly evident in the experience of the New York Yankees. The global conflict led to widespread enlistments and drafts of players, significantly depleting team rosters and introducing a level of uncertainty and change previously unseen in the sport. The Yankees, like other teams, faced the challenge of constantly adjusting their rosters and strategies due to the shifting availability of players. Additionally, the national mood influenced by the war brought a complex dynamic to baseball. It served as both a necessary distraction and a subject of scrutiny, as some viewed it as an inappropriate focus during a time of crisis. This ambivalence affected fan attendance, public interest, and the overall atmosphere of the games.

Financial strains were another consequence of the war, with teams experiencing lower attendance and general economic challenges, thereby affecting everything from player salaries to operational costs. The most direct impact of the war, however, was the shortened baseball season. The U.S. government’s “Work or Fight” order, which required able-bodied men to contribute to the war effort or engage in essential domestic work, necessitated the early conclusion of the baseball season. Consequently, the regular season ended abruptly on September 2, 1918, a significant deviation from the typical schedule. This led to fewer games, altered pennant races, and a general sense of an incomplete season for teams like the Yankees. The World Series itself was affected, taking place in early September between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, making it one of the most unique championships in the sport’s history. The 1918 season, therefore, stands as a poignant reminder of how baseball, and sports in general, can be deeply influenced by global events, reflecting the societal challenges and changes of the era.

Postseason result

(Did not qualify – Eliminated in Regular Season)

1918 New York Yankees roster

Name	Age	B	T	Ht	Wt	DoB	Yrs	G	GS	WAR	Salary
Home Run Baker	32	L	R	5′ 11″	173	Mar 13, 1886	10	126	126	4.9	$9,167
Zinn Beck	32	R	R	5′ 10″	160	Sep 30, 1885	5	11	0	-0.3	$2,100
Walter Bernhardt	25	R	R	6′ 2″	175	May 20, 1893	1st	1	0	0	$2,400
Ping Bodie	30	R	R	5′ 8″	195	Oct 8, 1887	6	91	90	1.2	$3,600
Ray Caldwell	30	L	R	6′ 2″	190	Apr 26, 1888	9	65	37	2.9	$4,000
Alex Ferguson	21	R	R	6′ 0″	180	Feb 16, 1897	1st	1	0	0	$1,050
Chick Fewster	21	R	R	5′ 11″	160	Nov 10, 1896	2	6	0	0	$2,100
Joseph Finneran	27	R	R	5′ 10″	169	Oct 29, 1890	5	23	13	0.3
Jack Fournier	25	L	R	6′ 0″	195	Sep 28, 1892	7	27	27	0.6	$2,400
Frank Gilhooley	26	L	R	5′ 8″	155	Jun 10, 1892	8	112	105	2.1	$3,000
Truck Hannah	29	R	R	6′ 1″	190	Jun 5, 1889	1st	90	83	2.5	$2,500
Hugh High	30	L	L	5′ 7″	155	Oct 24, 1887	6	7	1	-0.2	$3,000
John Hummel	35	R	R	5′ 11″	160	Apr 4, 1883	12	22	16	0.5	$2,400
Ham Hyatt	33	L	R	6′ 1″	185	Nov 1, 1884	7	53	30	0.1	$2,400
Ray Keating	24	R	R	5′ 11″	185	Jul 21, 1893	6	15	6	-0.4	$3,000
Bill Lamar	21	L	R	6′ 1″	185	Mar 21, 1897	2	28	25	-0.4	$2,000
Slim Love	27	L	L	6′ 7″	195	Aug 1, 1890	4	38	29	2	$2,700
Armando Marsans	30	R	R	5′ 10″	157	Oct 3, 1887	8	37	32	-0.7	$4,000
Bob McGraw	23	R	R	6′ 2″	160	Apr 10, 1895	2	1	1	0	$1,800
Elmer Miller	27	R	R	6′ 0″	175	Jul 28, 1890	5	67	59	0.4	$2,100
George Mogridge	29	L	L	6′ 2″	165	Feb 18, 1889	6	48	19	4	$2,800
Ed Monroe	23	R	R	6′ 5″	187	Feb 22, 1895	2	1	0	-0.1	$1,800
Paddy O’Connor	38	R	R	5′ 8″	168	Aug 4, 1879	6	1	0	0
Roger Peckinpaugh	27	R	R	5′ 10″	165	Feb 5, 1891	8	123	122	3.3	$5,500
Wally Pipp	25	L	L	6′ 1″	180	Feb 17, 1893	5	91	91	2
Del Pratt	30	R	R	5′ 11″	175	Jan 10, 1888	7	126	126	3.2	$5,000
Hank Robinson	30	R	L	5′ 11″	160	Aug 16, 1887	6	11	3	-0.1	$3,000
Muddy Ruel	22	R	R	5′ 9″	150	Feb 20, 1896	3	3	2	0.1	$2,100
Allen Russell	24	B	R	5′ 11″	165	Jul 31, 1893	4	29	18	-0.4	$2,800
Roy Sanders	24	R	R	6′ 0″	185	Jun 10, 1894	1st	6	2	-0.5	$2,400
Bob Shawkey	27	R	R	5′ 11″	168	Dec 4, 1890	6	3	2	0.9	$5,000
Herb Thormahlen	21	L	L	6′ 0″	180	Jul 5, 1896	2	16	12	1.1	$2,000
Dazzy Vance HOF	27	R	R	6′ 2″	200	Mar 4, 1891	2	2	0	-0.2
Sammy Vick	23	R	R	5′ 10″	163	Apr 12, 1895	2	2	0	0.1	$1,800
Roxy Walters	25	R	R	5′ 8″	160	Nov 5, 1892	4	64	50	-1.3	$3,000
Aaron Ward	21	R	R	5′ 10″	160	Aug 28, 1896	2	21	7	-0.3

1918 New York Yankees player additions, transactions, and trades

January 1918:

• January 22: Traded Nick Cullop, Joe Gedeon, Fritz Maisel, Les Nunamaker, Urban Shocker, and $15,000 to the St. Louis Browns. Received Eddie Plank and Del Pratt.

March 1918:

• March 8: Purchased George Burns from the Detroit Tigers. Traded George Burns to the Philadelphia Athletics. Received Ping Bodie.
• March 18: As part of a 3-team trade, traded Tim Hendryx to the St. Louis Browns. Received a player to be named later from the Cincinnati Reds. The St. Louis Browns sent Lee Magee to the Cincinnati Reds. The Cincinnati Reds sent Tommy Clarke (April 25, 1918) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.

May 1918:

• May 24: Purchased Joseph Finneran from St Paul (American Association).

June 1918:

• June 19: Purchased Ham Hyatt from the Boston Braves.
• June 20: Purchased Hank Robinson from Little Rock (Southern Association).

July 1918:

• July 19: Traded players to be named later to Vernon (PCL). Received Jack Quinn. The New York Yankees sent Joseph Finneran (February 1919), Sammy Ross (minors) (February 1919), and Zinn Beck (February 1919) to Vernon (PCL) to complete the trade.
• July 26: Purchased Jack Fournier from Los Angeles (Pacific Coast).

September 1918:

• September 21: Drafted Lefty O’Doul from Salt Lake City (PCL) in the 1918 rule 5 draft.

1918 New York Yankees player debuts

• Walter Bernhardt – 07-16-1918 – 25 years old
• Alex Ferguson – 08-16-1918 – 21 years old
• Truck Hannah – 04-15-1918 – 28 years old
• Roy Sanders – 08-06-1918 – 24 years old

1918 New York Yankees team stats (batting)

Pos	Name	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA
C	Truck Hannah	29	90	312	250	24	55	6	0	2	21	5	51	25	0.22
1B	Wally Pipp	25	91	386	349	48	106	15	9	2	44	11	22	34	0.304
2B	Del Pratt	30	126	540	477	65	131	19	7	2	55	12	35	26	0.275
SS	Roger Peckinpaugh	27	122	517	446	59	103	15	3	0	43	12	43	41	0.231
3B	Home Run Baker	32	126	558	504	65	154	24	5	6	62	8	38	13	0.306
OF	Ping Bodie	30	91	371	324	36	83	12	6	3	46	6	27	24	0.256
OF	Frank Gilhooley	26	112	493	427	59	118	13	5	1	23	7	53	24	0.276
OF	Elmer Miller	27	67	239	202	18	49	9	2	1	22	4	19	17	0.243
C	Roxy Walters	25	64	205	191	18	38	5	1	0	12	3	9	18	0.199
OF	Ham Hyatt	33	53	142	131	11	30	8	0	2	10	1	8	8	0.229
OF	Armando Marsans	30	37	132	123	13	29	5	1	0	9	3	5	3	0.236
OF	Bill Lamar	21	28	119	110	12	25	3	0	0	2	2	6	2	0.227
1B	Jack Fournier	25	27	110	100	9	35	6	1	0	12	7	7	7	0.35
UT	John Hummel	35	22	75	61	9	18	1	2	0	4	5	11	8	0.295
UT	Aaron Ward	21	20	36	32	2	4	1	0	0	1	1	2	7	0.125
CI	Zinn Beck	32	11	11	8	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0
OF	Hugh High	30	7	11	10	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0
C	Muddy Ruel	22	3	8	6	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	1	0.333
OF	Sammy Vick	23	2	3	3	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0.667
C	Paddy O’Connor	38	1	3	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.333
2B	Chick Fewster	21	5	2	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.5
P	Ray Caldwell	30	65	169	151	14	44	10	0	1	18	2	13	23	0.291
P	George Mogridge	29	48	89	79	7	15	3	1	0	9	1	4	22	0.19
P	Slim Love	27	38	79	74	7	17	3	2	0	4	0	3	20	0.23
P	Allen Russell	24	29	50	42	3	7	0	0	0	4	0	4	8	0.167
P	Herb Thormahlen	21	16	45	39	3	3	1	0	0	2	0	1	16	0.077
P	Joseph Finneran	27	23	43	39	4	9	1	0	0	1	0	1	7	0.231
P	Ray Keating	24	15	18	16	3	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	0.188
P	Hank Robinson	30	11	13	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
P	Roy Sanders	24	6	7	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
P	Bob Shawkey	27	3	6	4	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.75
P	Alex Ferguson	21	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
P	Dazzy Vance	27	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P	Ed Monroe	23	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P	Bob McGraw	23	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P	Walter Bernhardt	25	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Team Totals	28.2	126	4793	4224	493	1085	160	45	20	406	92	367	370	0.257
	Rank in 8 AL teams				4	2	2	2	6	2		7	7	5	3
	Non-Pitcher Totals	28.3	126	4273	3759	451	984	142	42	19	368	88	339	261	0.262
	Pitcher Totals	27.4	126	520	465	42	101	18	3	1	38	4	28	109	0.217

1918 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	Slim Love	27	13	12	0.52	3.07	38	29	5	13	1	1	228.2	207	92	78
SP	Ray Caldwell	30	9	8	0.529	3.06	24	21	3	14	1	1	176.2	173	69	60
SP	Allen Russell	24	7	11	0.389	3.26	27	18	8	7	2	4	141	139	68	51
SP	Joseph Finneran	27	3	6	0.333	3.78	23	13	7	4	0	0	114.1	134	52	48
SP	Herb Thormahlen	21	7	3	0.7	2.48	16	12	2	5	2	0	112.2	85	39	31
CL	George Mogridge	29	16	13	0.552	2.18	45	19	23	13	1	7	239.1	232	78	58
RP	Ray Keating	24	2	2	0.5	3.91	15	6	7	1	0	0	48.1	39	27	21
RP	Hank Robinson	30	2	4	0.333	3	11	3	5	1	0	0	48	47	21	16
RP	Roy Sanders	24	0	2	0	4.21	6	2	2	0	0	0	25.2	28	15	12
	Bob Shawkey	27	1	1	0.5	1.13	3	2	1	1	1	0	16	7	2	2
	Dazzy Vance	27	0	0		15.43	2	0	1	0	0	0	2.1	9	5	4
	Ed Monroe	23	0	0		4.5	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	1	2	1
	Alex Ferguson	21	0	0		0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1.2	2	0	0
	Walter Bernhardt	25	0	0		0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0.2	0	0	0
	Bob McGraw	23	0	1	0	inf	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	4
	Team Totals	26.8	60	63	0.488	3	126	126	67	59	8	13	1157.1	1103	474	386
	Rank in 8 AL teams		4	5		6				8	5	1	4	5	6	6

1918 New York Yankees record vs. opponents/ Team splits

Opponent (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
Boston Red Sox (17)	11	6	0.647
Chicago White Sox (18)	6	12	0.333
Cleveland Indians (19)	7	11	0.389
Detroit Tigers (20)	10	9	0.526
Philadelphia Athletics (12)	8	4	0.667
St. Louis Browns (21)	10	10	0.500
Washington Senators (19)	8	11	0.421

1918 New York Yankees monthly Record

Month (Games)	Won	Lost	WP
April (13)	6	7	0.462
May (24)	16	8	0.667
June (26)	14	11	0.560
July (32)	11	19	0.367
August (28)	12	16	0.429
September (3)	1	2	0.333

How do you rate the 1918 New York Yankees?