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Nick Soulis · 03-24-2010, 09:09 PM

BASEBALL MONTHLY

March 1877

White Stockings Land Star Spalding

In the most frantic offseason in baseball history the Chicago White Stockings were the team most involved in changing their fortunes. Determined to build a winning team the Whites had a major turnover and added one of the biggest names in the game, starting pitcher Al Spalding.

"We have landed one of the brightest stars in the game" said Cap Anson.

Splading is 26 years old and in his career has 142 wins and 140 losses wth a 2.51 ERA. Spalding was the outstanding pitcher of the year in 1875 and has won pitcher of the month 10 times. Spalding will team with Terry Larkin as a two man rotation for the team.

The Whites wernt done there, they also signed free agent short stop Mike McGeary also formally of the Baltimore Orioles. McGeary fills a void at the short stop position and hit .266 last season.

Chicago also also parted ways with some of their older players to make room on their payroll. Out is longtime catcher and fan favorite Fergy Malone. Malone is 34 years of age and was slowing down, he did sign with the Brooklyn Atlantics. This moves opens the door for young catching talent Davie Pierson who will get a chance to start.

Rynie Wolters also saw his time end with Chicago. Wolters was the starting pitcher during the Whites pennant winning season of 1872. The 35 year old starter won 61 games for the team.

Finally the team tied up their star as they signed Cap Anson to a three year contract. Anson now becomes the highest paid player in the game making an incredibe $1799 a year. The Whites also now have the highest payroll.

So Chicago has overhauled their team in hopes of turning around a team that finished with a losing record for the second straight year. The season begins in Brooklyn on April 1st.

CHICAGO LINEUP
Steve King LF
Mike McGeary SS
Cap Anson 3B
Mike Dorgan RF
Count Sensenderfer CF
Jim Devlin 1B
Dave Pierson C
Johnny Quest 2B

ROTATION
Al Spalding SP
Terry Larkin SP
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Major Offseason Stories for New League

Star shortstop George Wright has signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Wright is a career .300 hitter and played for three seasons in Philadelphia.
Bill Harbidge of the Cleveland Blues will miss the entire 1877 season. Catcher Harbidge is a .285 career hitter and controlled the pitching staff well. Sources are saying the Harbidge was injured while deep sea finshing and tearing his shoulder in the process, he is out for 11 months.
In the first for a league there has been a suspension. Brooklyn right fielder Gat Stires was handed a 10 game suspension for having contact with a known bookie. Telegraphs by Stires were intercepted to konwn gambler Orvyle Hunder and the league acted appropriately. The new league has already said it will be cutting down on in house gambling.

03-24-2010, 09:09 PM	#72
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,350	BASEBALL MONTHLY March 1877 White Stockings Land Star Spalding In the most frantic offseason in baseball history the Chicago White Stockings were the team most involved in changing their fortunes. Determined to build a winning team the Whites had a major turnover and added one of the biggest names in the game, starting pitcher Al Spalding. "We have landed one of the brightest stars in the game" said Cap Anson. Splading is 26 years old and in his career has 142 wins and 140 losses wth a 2.51 ERA. Spalding was the outstanding pitcher of the year in 1875 and has won pitcher of the month 10 times. Spalding will team with Terry Larkin as a two man rotation for the team. The Whites wernt done there, they also signed free agent short stop Mike McGeary also formally of the Baltimore Orioles. McGeary fills a void at the short stop position and hit .266 last season. Chicago also also parted ways with some of their older players to make room on their payroll. Out is longtime catcher and fan favorite Fergy Malone. Malone is 34 years of age and was slowing down, he did sign with the Brooklyn Atlantics. This moves opens the door for young catching talent Davie Pierson who will get a chance to start. Rynie Wolters also saw his time end with Chicago. Wolters was the starting pitcher during the Whites pennant winning season of 1872. The 35 year old starter won 61 games for the team. Finally the team tied up their star as they signed Cap Anson to a three year contract. Anson now becomes the highest paid player in the game making an incredibe $1799 a year. The Whites also now have the highest payroll. So Chicago has overhauled their team in hopes of turning around a team that finished with a losing record for the second straight year. The season begins in Brooklyn on April 1st. CHICAGO LINEUP Steve King LF Mike McGeary SS Cap Anson 3B Mike Dorgan RF Count Sensenderfer CF Jim Devlin 1B Dave Pierson C Johnny Quest 2B ROTATION Al Spalding SP Terry Larkin SP --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Offseason Stories for New League Star shortstop George Wright has signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Wright is a career .300 hitter and played for three seasons in Philadelphia. Bill Harbidge of the Cleveland Blues will miss the entire 1877 season. Catcher Harbidge is a .285 career hitter and controlled the pitching staff well. Sources are saying the Harbidge was injured while deep sea finshing and tearing his shoulder in the process, he is out for 11 months. In the first for a league there has been a suspension. Brooklyn right fielder Gat Stires was handed a 10 game suspension for having contact with a known bookie. Telegraphs by Stires were intercepted to konwn gambler Orvyle Hunder and the league acted appropriately. The new league has already said it will be cutting down on in house gambling.