The 1907 Detroit Tigers won the American League pennant with a record of 92–58, but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the 1907 World Series, four games to none (with one tie). The season was their 7th since they entered the American League in 1901. Offseason In March 1907, Detroit manager Hughie Jennings actually offered Ty Cobb to the Cleveland Naps in exchange for Elmer Flick. The Naps refused the deal. Regular season Season summary The 1907 season was the first year the Tigers won the American League pennant. Their 1907 record of 92–58 was the team's best record to that point. Led by Ty Cobb, who led the American League in batting average (Cobb's first batting crown), RBIs, and slugging percentage, and Sam Crawford, who led the league in runs scored and extra base hits, they scored 89 more runs than any other team in the American League and outscored their opponents 694 to 532. They finished 1½ games ahead of the A's. The 1907 Tigers' winning percentage ranks as the 9th best in team history, as follows: The players Catchers: Boss Schmidt and Fred Payne Catching duties were split between Boss Schmidt (67 games), Fred Payne (46 games), and Jimmy Archer (17 games). Schmidt hit .244 in 1907. As a young man, Schmidt worked in the coal mines and was a skilled brawler who fought an exhibition match with the heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson. Schmidt also beat Ty Cobb in at least two fights. In the second fight, Schmidt knocked Cobb unconscious but admired Cobb's resiliency, and the two became friends until Schmidt's death in 1932. Schmidt never wore shinguards and could force nails into the floor with his bare fists. Infield: Rossman, Downs, O'Leary, Coughlin, and Schaefer First baseman Claude Rossman played for the Tigers from 1907 to 1909. In 1907, Rossman hit .277 and had 69 RBIs—third most on the team after Cobb and Crawford. Rossman had a peculiar emotional quirk where he sometimes froze and could not throw the ball when he became excited. Runners would lead off first to draw a throw from the pitcher, then run to second when Rossman froze. He was 28 when he played his last major league game and died at age 46 in a New York hospital for the insane where he had been a patient for several years. Red Downs and Germany Schaefer platooned at the second