BASEBALL MONTHLY
V. 13.4
April 1883
Poor Start Prompts Chicago Trade
A losing record is something that has become unaccpetable over time for the Chicago White Stockings, but as the busy month of April came to a close the Whites were seven games back at 11-13. A seven game losing streak including getting swept by the defending champion Atlantics and the upstart current leader Cincinnati Reds, put the team in a bit of a gloom.
The team made a deal for some more pitching as their hitting is first in the league (.300) and is led by Cap Anson who is off to the best start of his career, leading the league with a .417 average. The Whites dealt up and coming star Long John Reily to the Baltimore Orioles for strong relief pitcher Art Hagan. Hagan is hoped to fill the void left after the departure of Hugh Cambell this offseason.
Reily will be missed in Chicago thanks to his speed and abilty to score runs. However in this lineup the young man was unhappy with his playing time and is off for a fresh start. A fresh start is exactly what Reily needed as the promptly won the player of the week award in the Amercian Association upon leaving Chicago, batting .421.
Long John traded this month
"I liked Chicago" said Reily, "but every player wants a chance to play, and this is what the Orioles have given me."
Chicago now focuses on getting back in the race. Ace George Derby is off to a slow start, as his ERA is at a high 2.42 and he is only 2-6 in the month. derby didnt seem worried, "Its still early and we have many games to get back in the race, seven games back in April is not to much for these boys."
In the shining performance of the month, Ezra Sutton the Whites short stop set a new major league record by driving in 7 RBI in only the second game of the season.
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League TidbitsThe Chicago White Sox also made a trade this month. The south side Sox sent first baseman Jim Foran to Boston for reliever Martin Malone. The White Sox were 11-13 for the month.
Its always sad when a ballplayers career needs to end due to an injury. Such was the case in Baltimore where second baseman Candy Nelson suffered a head injury and will not play again per doctors orders. Nelson was a career .240 hitter and played for seven diffrent teams.
Ren Deagle, the 24 year old pitcher for the White Sox will be sidelined for up to 10 weeks. The right hander is having his shoulder looked at for sorenes.