01/12/1910 After the first nine seasons there now are over 40 black/NeL players in the league. Most of the 16 major league clubs have at least one
or two NeL players that have made their way onto the starting rosters. The Philadelphia Athletics and the Pittsburgh Pirates have won a majority of their respective pennants. The Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants, and the Boston Americans have also won league pennants.
Individual achievements include: Three pitchers; Rube Waddell, Cy Young, and Charles "Chief" Bender (2) have won triple crowns. From the plate Honus Wagner and Nap Lajoie each have won a triple crown. The Tigers Ty Cobb has the longest hitting streak at 37 games. Nap Lajoie has the record for the most home runs in a season at 32. Most of the batting single season and career records are held by players from the late 1890s like Dan Brouthers and Jake Beckley. The pitching records are mostly held by Cy Young who now has pitched 22 seasons. José Colmenar del Valle Méndez "El Diamante Negro" of the Pittsburgh Pirates was the NL's top pitcher in 1909. Jose won 24 contests with a 1.83 era.
