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NYY #23 · 09-23-2009, 10:25 PM

Challenge rebuffed; Troubled in Philadelphia?
July 31, 1890

With the race for first place in the Players League all but decided with the Brooklyn Ward Wonders leading by 14 games the league the Players League put out a challenge to both the National League and later the American Association. The challenge? The champion of the Players League would take on the winner of the National League in a championship series to show who was the best team in baseball. The National League quickly refused the offer, and pointed out that the competition within the National League is better and didn't feel it was necessary to acknowledge what they consider an inferior league.

The Players League then made the same offer to the American Association, who declined after initial discussions. The main cause of concern was the Players League refusal to schedule the championship series on a Sunday and the serving of alcohol at games.

We have received reports from players of the Philadelphia Athletics that they are not receiving their paychecks as scheduled. The Athletics are one of several teams within the American Association who are believed to be having financial troubles. Another American Association team, the Louisville Colonels, are in last place and threatened to disband before the league stepped in and urged them to finish the season.

While reported attendance is way in the National League, it is believed that the league is inflating attendance figures. At a recent home game for the New York Giants the stands were almost empty in a battle between the last place Giants and seventh place Colts.

With some degree of trouble in all three leagues the cries for an end to the 'War of 1890' are becoming more frequent and passionate. Cities such as Brooklyn and Philadelphia are having trouble supporting three baseball teams and the fans are the losers in the end. Rumors of players being approached to jump to a rival league continue. Our biggest fear is that the constant fighting between the leagues could lead to the demise of professional baseball in the near future.

Players League Notes
Socks Seybold of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders has a 14 game hitting streak, and is rapidly approaching the record for the longest hit streak, held by Jake Beckley of the Pittsburgh Burghers. Seybold's team currently leads the league by 14 games.

The two teams that trail Brooklyn by 14 games are the Philadelphia Quakers and the Pittsburgh Burghers. Both teams must be relieved that they are still fighting for the opportunity to take on Brooklyn for the championship.

Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates has been trying to hold off Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Infants for the batting title all year. Duffy is currently ahead with a .327 batting average, with Delahanty hitting .319. A late challenge by Brooklyn's Dave Orr is making things interesting, as Orr has raised his batting average to .318.

There is a two way tie for the stolen base lead, as John Montgomery Ward of Brooklyn and Billy Shindle of Philadelphia both have collected 82 stolen bases.

John Sowders of Brooklyn picked up his 25th win of the year during July. Harry Staley of the Burghers is right on his tail with 24 wins.

National League Notes
Two more Pittsburgh hurlers made the news in July. Toad Ramsey of the Alleghenys pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, the third no-hitter in the National League this year. Ramsey now leads the league with a 1.27 ERA.

Ramsey has combined with Will Sawyer to form a dynamic one-two punch for Pittsburgh who now lead the Reds by 2 games. Sawyer picked up his 24th win of the year recently against the Reds, and now leads the league.

A home run is a rarity in baseball, but Frank Grant of Brooklyn homered in 4 straight games during the month of July. He now holds the record for homering in the most consecutive games.

The first place Alleghenys will face off against the second place Reds for seven games in the month of August.

American Association Notes
Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars has taken advantage of a poor month by George Van Haltren to overtake him for the batting average lead. Stenzel is now hitting .328 for the year. Stenzel also leads the league with 64 RBI, 12 triples, and 128 hits.

There is now a three way tie atop the pitching leaders, as St. Louis Brown teammates Charlie Getzein and Kid Nichols each have 23 wins. They are tied with Bert Dorr of the Columbus Solons.

The Columbus Solons lead the Browns by 2 games in the quest for the league championship. The Rochester Broncos remain in the hunt three games out.

09-23-2009, 10:25 PM	#24
NYY #23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 13,112	Challenge rebuffed; Troubled in Philadelphia? July 31, 1890 With the race for first place in the Players League all but decided with the Brooklyn Ward Wonders leading by 14 games the league the Players League put out a challenge to both the National League and later the American Association. The challenge? The champion of the Players League would take on the winner of the National League in a championship series to show who was the best team in baseball. The National League quickly refused the offer, and pointed out that the competition within the National League is better and didn't feel it was necessary to acknowledge what they consider an inferior league. The Players League then made the same offer to the American Association, who declined after initial discussions. The main cause of concern was the Players League refusal to schedule the championship series on a Sunday and the serving of alcohol at games. We have received reports from players of the Philadelphia Athletics that they are not receiving their paychecks as scheduled. The Athletics are one of several teams within the American Association who are believed to be having financial troubles. Another American Association team, the Louisville Colonels, are in last place and threatened to disband before the league stepped in and urged them to finish the season. While reported attendance is way in the National League, it is believed that the league is inflating attendance figures. At a recent home game for the New York Giants the stands were almost empty in a battle between the last place Giants and seventh place Colts. With some degree of trouble in all three leagues the cries for an end to the 'War of 1890' are becoming more frequent and passionate. Cities such as Brooklyn and Philadelphia are having trouble supporting three baseball teams and the fans are the losers in the end. Rumors of players being approached to jump to a rival league continue. Our biggest fear is that the constant fighting between the leagues could lead to the demise of professional baseball in the near future. Players League Notes Socks Seybold of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders has a 14 game hitting streak, and is rapidly approaching the record for the longest hit streak, held by Jake Beckley of the Pittsburgh Burghers. Seybold's team currently leads the league by 14 games. The two teams that trail Brooklyn by 14 games are the Philadelphia Quakers and the Pittsburgh Burghers. Both teams must be relieved that they are still fighting for the opportunity to take on Brooklyn for the championship. Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates has been trying to hold off Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Infants for the batting title all year. Duffy is currently ahead with a .327 batting average, with Delahanty hitting .319. A late challenge by Brooklyn's Dave Orr is making things interesting, as Orr has raised his batting average to .318. There is a two way tie for the stolen base lead, as John Montgomery Ward of Brooklyn and Billy Shindle of Philadelphia both have collected 82 stolen bases. John Sowders of Brooklyn picked up his 25th win of the year during July. Harry Staley of the Burghers is right on his tail with 24 wins. National League Notes Two more Pittsburgh hurlers made the news in July. Toad Ramsey of the Alleghenys pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, the third no-hitter in the National League this year. Ramsey now leads the league with a 1.27 ERA. Ramsey has combined with Will Sawyer to form a dynamic one-two punch for Pittsburgh who now lead the Reds by 2 games. Sawyer picked up his 24th win of the year recently against the Reds, and now leads the league. A home run is a rarity in baseball, but Frank Grant of Brooklyn homered in 4 straight games during the month of July. He now holds the record for homering in the most consecutive games. The first place Alleghenys will face off against the second place Reds for seven games in the month of August. American Association Notes Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars has taken advantage of a poor month by George Van Haltren to overtake him for the batting average lead. Stenzel is now hitting .328 for the year. Stenzel also leads the league with 64 RBI, 12 triples, and 128 hits. There is now a three way tie atop the pitching leaders, as St. Louis Brown teammates Charlie Getzein and Kid Nichols each have 23 wins. They are tied with Bert Dorr of the Columbus Solons. The Columbus Solons lead the Browns by 2 games in the quest for the league championship. The Rochester Broncos remain in the hunt three games out.