1916 Brooklyn Robins

1916 Brooklyn Robins / Franchise: Los Angeles Dodgers / BR Team Page

Record: 94-60-2, Finished 1st in National League (1916 NL)

Clinched Pennant: October 2, 1916, vs. New York Giants

Managed by Wilbert Robinson

Ballpark: Ebbets Field

History, Comments, Contributions

Although the 1916 Brooklyn Robins won the pennant by only 2 1/2 games over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Robins were a dominant team. As hitters, they led the National League in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, and were second in stolen bases. As pitchers, they led the league in ERA. They had the second-oldest team in the league, behind only the Phillies.

While the team is listed as the "Robins" in most sources, it was not an official name, as Wilbert Robinson, from whom the name is derived, had only taken over as manager a few years before, and the name "Dodgers" was just as often associated with the team, for example on the official program of the 1916 World Series.

Jeff Pfeffer had a record of 25-11 to anchor the starting rotation. Larry Cheney went 18-12, Sherry Smith went 14-10, Jack Coombs was 13-8, and 29-year-old Rube Marquard had the lowest ERA of the starters with a 1.58 and a record of 13-6 (starting 20 of his 36 games).

Nine players stole at least ten bases for the team, with second baseman George Cutshaw the leader with 27. First baseman Jake Daubert had the highest batting average on the team at .316, while Zack Wheat had the highest slugging percentage with a .461. He also led the team in homers and doubles. Hy Myers led the team in triples, while 25-year-old Casey Stengel was second on the team in slugging percentage.

Manager Wilbert Robinson, at age 53, won his first National League pennant. He would continue to manage the team through 1931.

In the World Series, the Robins won only one game. Although the Boston Red Sox hit only .238 in the Series, the Red Sox pitchers kept the Robins to a .200 average. Ernie Shore had a 1.53 ERA and Babe Ruth had a 0.64 ERA in the Series. For the Robins, Sherry Smith and Jeff Pfeffer pitched well in the Series, and Casey Stengel hit .364.

World Series

AL Boston Red Sox (4) vs. NL Brooklyn Robins (1)

Game	Score	Date	Location	Attendance
1	Robins - 5, Red Sox - 6	October 7	Braves Field	36,117
2	Robins - 1, Red Sox - 2 (14 innings)	October 9	Braves Field	41,373
3	Red Sox - 3, Robins - 4	October 10	Ebbets Field	21,087
4	Red Sox - 6, Robins - 2	October 11	Ebbets Field	21,662
5	Robins - 1, Red Sox - 4	October 12	Braves Field	42,620

Further Reading

• 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers Media Guide, pg. 371

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Red Sox over Robins (4-1)