BASEBALL MONTHLY
V. 12.8
July 1882
Brooklyn Beats Chicago To The Finish
For what seems to be too often in their history the Chicago White Stocking came up just short of the pennant losing out by one game on the last day of the season. Joy filled the streets in Brooklyn as the Atlantics brought their first ever season of success with a dramatic finish to a determined champioship run.
Both teams stayed neck and neck for the last two months of the season. The Atlantics won five in a row at the start of the month and held a one game lead with six left to play. A loss however at home to Philadelphia allowed the Whites to tie for the lead again and both teams were tied going into the final series of the year. Chicago lost a wild game 11-10 to the Quakers and fell behind by one game but the opposite happened on the next day as Chicago won and Brooklyn lost. So o the final day of the season the teams were tied again and all bets were on a one game playoff.
Brooklyn did their part by beating the Boston Red Caps 5-1 and waited for the result from Chicago. The Quakers bombed the White Stockings and Terry Larkin scoring 4 in the first inning and another 5 in the sixth, leaving the home team with a stunning defeat. Chicago allowed 23 hits and were obviously full of nerves for this crucial game. So the pennant was loss and the White Stockings had no one to blame but themselves.
In the American Association the Baltimore Orioles feel just as bad as Chicago. The Orioles let the pennant slip through their fingers in another tight race, Cleveland went 11-3 in the final month and the Orioles were a dismal 6-8. The Cleveland Blues almost literally stole the pennant and remedied many years of being close by finally winning.
"its 1877 all over again" said a disapointed Chicago fan after the loss, refrencing of course the collapse of the White Stockings during that year.
So a couple of first time participants take part in the World Series that should bring a vibe of newness and energy. Stars like Dan Brouthers and Tim Keefe take on Stump Wiedman and Billy Taylor.
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Final Standings
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League Tidbits
Deacon White
The Deacon wins batting title
A new team didnt bother Deacon White in 1882. White became the oldest player to win a batting title at 34 years old and fit in well with the St. Louis Browns. Deacon had 122 hits and batted .349 for the season. The closest hitter was 18 points below his average.
Billy Taylor
Billt Taylor Slams Most Homers
Billy Taylor set a new record for power and home runs. Taylor hit 9 home runs and passed the previous record that Lip Pike held with 8 home runs. Taylor however has other things to think about now as he is playing with his Cleveland Blues in this years World Series.