It would take a few years at the original configuration (before the fire) for those
great future teams to show up at the ballpark. The inaugural Hanlan Park Stadium
franchise finished 20 games under .500 (59-79) despite featuring former Giants
slugger Bill Phyle (16 HR, .271). To turn the team around, the Maple Leafs
called on Hall of Famer Joe Kelley to take over as manager on this team. Toronto
began to care less about hitting and seemed to concentrate |
more on pitching. Featuring Jim McGinley (22-13) and Dick Rudolph (23-14) in the
starting rotation, the Maple Leafs turned that 20 game under .500 record into
a respectable 79-72 record for the 1909 season. After the 1910 fire, (the new exterior
shown above) Dick Rudolph would return for another 23 win season at the
rebuilt grandstand with Watty Lee putting up 22 wins behind him as the 1910 Maple
Leafs got another game up in the win column going 80-72 on the season. This
led up to what should have been the first Championship season in 1911 as Tim Jordan
was simply electric in this ballpark, setting the record for Doubles (33),
Home Runs (20) and Batting Average (.330). Al Shaw provided plenty of protection
in the lineup with 25 2B, 16 HR, .275 and Bill Bradley was terrific as well
with 30 2B, 13 3B, 8 HR and a .294. Surprisingly the 94-59 record was only good
enough for 3rd place. The 'Leafs continued their strong play into 1912 as Tim
Jordan returned to put up a 26 2B, 10 3B, 19 HR, .312 performance and Al Shaw
provided his protection yet again with 27 2B, 6 3B, 15 HR and a .315. Bill Bradley
would set a new triples record with 23 2B, 17 3B and a .292 and Hi Myers would
set the new batting title putting up 25 2B, 11 3B, 5 HR and a .343. To put
a cap on all of those terrific performances, Dick Rudolph returned for a fantastic
25-10, 2.83 record as the 1912 Maple Leafs won 91 games and this time... that
was good enough for Hanlan Point Stadium II's first ever... International League
Championship. |