The Boston Red Sox have tied a team record with 105 wins in 154 games. How does that compare with the original record holder the 1912 Red Sox?
The Boston Red Sox have equaled the best winning percentage in franchise history. The World Champion 1912 team posted 105 wins in 154 games and this year’s team just tied it with a victory in Cleveland – In 154 games. How do both compare at the 154 game mark?
A new standard will most certainly be accomplished in the next eight games even with the second team getting significant playing time. Where a slight veering happens is on road records where 1912 produced 48 road wins and 2018 has 51 and counting, but even that is relatively close. Both teams have displayed remarkable consistency during the long season and now a brief look at how each performed in various categories within the American League.
More from Red Sox History
- Two notable Red Sox anniversaries highlight current organizational failures
- Contemporary Era Committee doesn’t elect any former Red Sox to Hall of Fame
- Johnny Damon calls Red Sox out, reveals hilarious way he skirted Yankees’ grooming policy
- Remembering the best Red Sox Thanksgiving ever
- Red Sox World Series legends headline 2023 Hall of Fame ballot
Baseball in 1912 had a different formula with the Dead Ball Era still in full bloom where the idea was not to out-slug but to manufacture a run when possible. What does get my attention with both squads is run differential with the 1912 crew posting a remarkable +245 compared to 2018 and a +218 at the 154 game mark.
In 1912, the closest to the Red Sox in run differential was the Philadelphia Athletics with a +121 followed closely by the Washington Senators with a +118.
Both Red Sox teams were close in how they won and lost against right or left-handed pitching. The 1912 team was 83-24 against righties and 2018 finished 81-38. Against lefties, the figure was 21-15 (2018) against 24-9.
The mirror image continues when you look at the ability to take full advantage of teams with less than .500 records. In 1912, the final tally was 63-18 and in 2018 was 63-24. And against .500+ teams? In 1912, it was 43-23 and in 2018, 41-31. They both did the job against good teams and unmercifully took full advantage of the lower level teams.
Offensively, the 1912 team despite the style of baseball played averaged 5.19 runs per game and 5.31 for 2018. With the dead ball style of baseball, comparison to power numbers and even batting averages is somewhat of a folly. Likewise, for stolen bases and pitching statistics where a starter finished games and bullpens were an afterthought.
In 1912, there was one other team that was the equal of the Red Sox and that was the New York Giants who completed their schedule with a 103-48 record. The Giants did not go 154 games and that was not unusual in baseball when the race was already decided. That set the stage for a remarkable 1912 World Series, but that is another story saved for the 2018 series.
A magical series between the two Red Sox teams would be interesting, but, face it, even the most ardent traditionalist would realize the futility of that just based on how significantly the game has changed. But if they could have a split squad?
The 1912 team and the 2018 team were both quite equal in comparison with their opposition. Now the next project is to complete the comparison with a flag. Otherwise, 1912 will remain something special in Red Sox history even without the wins title.