[Nick Soulis]

BASEBALL MONTHLY

June 1877


Chicago Drafts Star In Williamson

With their poor 1876 season the Chicago White Stockings looked at the June amatuer draft as an opportunity to get a star. With the second pick in the draft the White's got their man in 19 year old Ned Williamson out of Philadelphia. Williamson is a highly touted third baseman and went straight into the lineup for Chicago, with Cap Anson making the transition to the other corner to play first base.

Wasting no time they young talent started ripping past big league pitching. In his first 5 games Ned is hitting .400 with 6 RBI. He appears very comfortbale at the plate and with his early success and young age Chicago may have a real long term star on their hands.

The team is hanging tough in the pennant race as well. Going 6-4 in the month the White Stockings are only one game back of the Boston Red Caps with a 15-14 record. Al Spalding pitched his first shutout of the season this month and is now back on top of his game, lowering his ERA 2.23 and winning the pitcher of the month award for June.

Injuries remain a concern. Mike McGeary made a successful return but Chicago lost outfielder Fred McCarton for up to 6 weeks with a hip injury.

Other then that with the young stars and the ace on the mound, there is legitimate excitement at the Westside grounds for the White Stockings to make a run.
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West Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Baltimore Orioles	18	11	.621	-
Cleveland Blues	14	15	.483	4.0
Philadelphia Athletics	14	15	.483	4.0
St. Louis Brown Stockings	12	17	.414	6.0

East Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Boston Red Caps	16	13	.552	-
Chicago White Stockings	15	14	.517	1.0
Cincinnati Reds	15	14	.517	1.0
Brooklyn Atlantics	12	17	.414	4.0

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League Tidbits

• King Kelly of baseball hotbed Troy Michigan was the first pick in the amatuer draft. The Brooklyn Atlantics got their man and the King is touted to play at catcher for many years to come. Kelly is batting .304 in his first 5 games.
• The Baltimore Orioles, enjoying a first place run in the West wasted no time in securing their stars. The Orioles signed Jimmy Hallilan to a three year extension and now can have the left handed thrid baseman concentrate on baseball.
• Lip Pike has signed an extension with the Cincinnati Reds. Pike is still the all time leader in home runs with 16.
• Levi Meyerle has started another batting streak hitting in 17 straight games.