BASEBALL MONTHLY
September 1889
The Most Anticipated Series
The pennant races were as good as ever to close out the 1889 season and now in the end the two best teams in baseball in almost everyone's eyes face off for the championship.
The Boston Americans have become not only the most popular team in the game but also one of the most well run and skilled. It was these Americans who chased down the Lousville Colonels and outwrestled the American Association pennant from them. The Boston side won 7 of their last 8 games and secured the title on the last day of the season by beating Baltimore 8-1 while Louisville struggled. The Colonels went 8-12 in September and on the final Sunday of the season lost to the Cleveland Spiders by allowing two runs in the ninth to lose their lead.
The poised Amercians were led Nat Hudson who won 29 games on the mound. Sam Wise was the hero in the middle of the order hitting 19 homeruns and driving in 81 RBI, Wise is a great compliment for Mike Griffin who always seems to be on base. Boston is only 7th in the league in average, but was second in on base perfectage and first in walks taken. Boston is also an excellent road team with a record this season of 47-30.
The Brooklyn Bridegrooms welcomed back Dan Brouthers at the perfect time as the superstar helped Brooklyn smother their rivals from Cincinnati in September. The Reds stumbled at bit going 8-12 in the crucial month, heading into the final weekend series of the season with the Bridegrooms the Reds needed a sweep as they trailed by 3 full games.
After losing to the Reds big 16-5 in the first game, Brooklyn won the next day 5-3 and closed out another pennant, the fourth in their history. Tim Keefe ended up winning 30 games for the second time in his career and the Bridegrooms led the entire league in hitting with a .274 average, Brouthers of course won another batting title ending the season with a .376 average.
So the scene is set for a great World Series. Brooklyn in their history has never lost a World Series winning all three they have played in. Brooklyn will also have the home field advantage in the series and have the big name stars. Boston however has been champions in the recent past and are playing some of their best baseball. Interest in this series accross the country is as high as anyone could remember as two bi cities with huge stars battle for the championship of baseball.
Boston Lineup
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Final Standings
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League Notes No alltime season records were broken in 1889 expect the one for base on balls. Mark Baldwin of the Chicago White Sox walked 324 men setting the all time record for poor pitching.
More curses for the New York Giants. One of their most promising stars had a career ending injuty this week just as the season was ending. Frank Shugart at only 22 years old had a horsing accident and suffered a neck injry that will end his short career. Shugart was batting .337 in his first season in the big leagues and is a prime candidate for rookie of the year. Devastation in the Giants camp as they were rightfully expecting huge things from this kid.
Lady Baldwin of the Boston Americans wont be taking part in the World Series. Baldwin tore his shoulder muscle and will miss at least 13 months. The pitcher insists he will recover but the road and odds are against him.