1902 Boston Americans season

The 1902 Boston Americans season was the second season for the professional baseball franchise that later became known as the Boston Red Sox. The Americans finished third in the American League (AL) with a record of 77 wins and 60 losses, $6 1/2$ games behind the Philadelphia Athletics. The team was managed by Jimmy Collins and played its home games at Huntington Avenue Grounds.

Offseason and Spring Training
The Americans bolstered their pitching by recruiting Bill Dinneen, who jumped from the Boston Beaneaters. Dinneen and Cy Young would become the "one-two" pitching combination for the Boston Americans.

Prior to the regular season, the team held spring training in Augusta, Georgia.

Transactions

 * November 21, 1901: The Americans make a trade with the Cleveland Blues, with catcher Osee Schrecongost sent to Cleveland in return for George LaChance.


 * December 16, 1901: It is reported that Jack Warner, catcher with the New York Giants, met with Jimmy Collins and signed a contract with the Boston Americans.
 * December 17, 1901: Charlie Hickman signs with the Boston Americans.
 * February 24, 1902: Outfielder Patsy Dougherty announces that he has signed to play for the Boston Americans.
 * March 15, 1902: Pitcher Bert Husting, who played for the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1901 season, signs a $2700 contract to play for the Boston Americans.

Regular Season

 * April 19: The season opens with a 7–6 home win over the Baltimore Orioles.
 * June 28: A forfeit is declared in Boston's favor during a road game against the Orioles. With Boston leading, 9–4 in the eighth inning, umpire Tom Connolly called a Baltimore runner out for missing second base. The call was argued by Baltimore manager John McGraw, resulting in his ejection. After McGraw refused to leave the field, Connolly forfeited the game to Boston.
 * July 8: In their highest-scoring game of the year, Boston loses at home to the Philadelphia Athletics, 22–9.
 * July 9: The team's longest game of the season ends as a 4–2 loss in 15 innings to the visiting Athletics.
 * July 19: The team's longest losing streak of the season, six games between July 12 and 18, comes to an end with a victory over the visiting Chicago White Stockings.
 * July 29: The team's longest winning streak of the season, eight games between July 19 and 28, comes to an end with a loss to the visiting Detroit Tigers.
 * September 29: The season ends with a 9–5 road win over the Orioles. This was the last game the Orioles played at Oriole Park in Baltimore; in 1903, they relocated to New York City as the Highlanders, then in 1913 became known as the New York Yankees.

Transactions

 * June 2: Fred Mitchell loaned to the Philadelphia Athletics.
 * June 3: Charlie Hickman sold to the Cleveland Indians.
 * July 11: Pitcher Tom Hughes joins Boston from the Baltimore Orioles.
 * July 23: Manager Jimmy Collins signs pitcher Tully Sparks.

Statistical leaders
The offense was led by Buck Freeman, who hit 11 home runs and had 121 RBIs, and Patsy Dougherty with a .342 batting average. The pitching staff was led by Cy Young, who made 45 appearances (43 starts) and pitched 41 complete games with a 32–11 record and 2.15 ERA, while striking out 160 in $6 1/2$ innings.

Season standings
The team had one game end in a tie; August 18 vs. Detroit Tigers. Tie games are not counted in league standings, but player statistics during tie games are counted.

Opening Day lineup
Source:

Batting
Note: Pos=Position; GP=Games Played; AB=At Bats; R=Runs; H=Hits; 2B=Doubles; 3B=Triples; HR=Home Runs; RBI=Runs Batted In; BB=Walks; AVG=Batting Average; OBP=On Base Percentage; SLG=Slugging Percentage

Other Batters
Note: Pos=Position; GP=Games Played; AB=At Bats; R=Runs; H=Hits; 2B=Doubles; 3B=Triples; HR=Home Runs; RBI=Runs Batted In; BB=Walks; AVG=Batting Average; OBP=On Base Percentage; SLG=Slugging Percentage

Pitchers
Note: GP=Games Played; AB=At Bats; R=Runs; H=Hits; 2B=Doubles; 3B=Triples; HR=Home Runs; RBI=Runs Batted In; BB=Walks; AVG=Batting Average; OBP=On Base Percentage; SLG=Slugging Percentage

Pitching
Note: G=Games Played; GS=Games Started; IP=Innings Pitched; H=Hits; BB=Walks; R=Runs; ER=Earned Runs; SO=Strikeouts; W=Wins; L=Losses; SV=Saves; ERA=Earned Run Average

Relief Pitchers
Note: G=Games Played; GS=Games Started; IP=Innings Pitched; H=Hits; BB=Walks; R=Runs; ER=Earned Runs; SO=Strikeouts; W=Wins; L=Losses; SV=Saves; ERA=Earned Run Average