Here's a baseball question. Do you know the answer?

Question

Why was the 1904 WS cancelled? I know the answer. I want to see if you do. Wikipedia is cheating, as it is very unrealiable.

Answer 1

From a historical standpoint the John McGraw-Ban Johnson thing goes back to when Johnson and Charles Comiskey laid the groundwork for the newly formed American League. Several attempts were made to sabotage the new league including signing the New York Giants signing John McGraw away from the Baltimore team in the hopes of bringing about its demise.

Now as far as the question itself goes, Giants' owner, John T. Brush, refused to allow his team to play, citing the "inferiority" of the upstart American League. John McGraw, the Giants' manager, even went so far as to say that his Giants were already world champions since they were the champions of the "only real major league".

Answer 2

I know that the popular answer is that McGraw didn't want to play against an "inferior" league. In actuality, that was simply the excuse that McGraw gave to the press. The president of the American League in those days was Ban Johnson. Back in the 1890s, Johnson had been brought in to clean up the "rowdyness" of the National League. At that time, McGraw played for the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles of the 90s are widely regarded as one of the best, hardest playing, and dirtiest teams of all time. McGraw was the leader of that team and was one of the dirtiest players of all time. Johnson implemented many new rules and levied many fines during his time in the National League, many of which affected McGraw and the Orioles directly.

So in 1904, when the McGraw skippered Giants were scheduled to play in the World Series, McGraw refused because of his continued grudge against Johnson.

Answer 3

In 1904, the Giants refused to play the Red Sox in the World Series. John McGraw refused to play "minor leaguers". The World Series was cancelled.
- Joba Chamberlain Jr.

Answer 4

Way back when in the day, the National League was the spiffy league. They didn't want to lower themselves to play the Americans, as it would have given the AL standing with the NL. Back then, the leagues didn't play well with others, unlike today, when except for a few carefully cultivated differences, they're basically the same. The GM of the 1904 NL team ( I believe it was the Giants) refused to play the AL team as it would be debasing. Kind of like if the Red Sox were to play the Toledo Mud Hens in the WS today.

Go Mud Hens!!

Answer 5

John McGraw, manager of the Giants, refused to play against the relatively new American League.

Answer 6

It wasn't actually cancelled - it was never scheduled in the first place. The 1903 Series had only occurred because both league champions agreed to it, but there was not yet a formal arrangement for a championship between the leagues. (I believe that agreement was put in place the next year so the 1905 Series was the first official one, though the 1903 Series is considered retroactively legitimate.)

Answer 7

John T Brush & John McGraw refused to play the Boston Pilgrims refusing to accept them as defending World Champions.There was never a series scheduled.

Answer 8

The World Series of 1903 was success and represented the first step in healing the bruised egos of both the National and American Leagues. Pittsburgh and Boston went head-to-head for eight games proving that great baseball between the two leagues was possible. Some owners still disagreed, though, with the concept and in 1904, it was cancelled.

Answer 9

The manager wouldn't let the Giants play Boston because he felt that the American League didn't match up with the National League.

Answer 10

it was cancelled because john mcgraw of the new york giants refused to play the boston americans because he thought they were from the inferior american league

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