The intrigue going into the new baseball season is as high as its ever been. The Cleveland Spiders are the defending champions and did some serious dealing to keep their team strong and become the new baseball dynasty in the steps of the Boston Beaneaters who have recently seen their reign end.
Also throughout the league a number of new stars are eclipsing the game. Nap Lajoie, Honus Wagner, Chick Stahl and Jimmy Sheckard are already changing the way the game is played. A number of storylines are ready to take off as quite a few big name free agents have moved and the dawn of the 1897 baseball season looks as bright at ever.
Team previews
Western League
Washington Senators
The Senators made a run last season and led the league for much of the season before the experianced Spiders overtook them. Still there is hope in the nation's capatal as Willie Keeler and Ed McKean lead an offense that can score runs in a hurry. Bert Abbey won 23 games last season and had among the breakout seasons of any pitcher. The excitement for this team is real and a run at the pennant is a true aspiration.
Philadelphia Athletics
Sad times in Philly as the A's are clearly still among the weakest teams in the game as internal strife and a lack of ambition have killed a once proud franchise. Mike Griffin is the closest thing this team has to a star in the outfield but the pitching staff is amatuerish, Win Mercer is only 22 years old but hasnt dealt with pressure well as he lost 16 games last season. The A's should be a punching bag again this upcoming season. Klondike Douglass is an up and coming star at catcher if he can stay healthy.
Louisville Colonels
The Colonels havent contended in a few years but will try to get the most out of some of their veteran talent to be competitive. Adonis Terry is still dealing on the mound at 32 years old but consistency has been an issue. The pitching as a whole will be an issue. Jack Doyle came over from Boston and is a very strong bat for this team, the Colonels could score runs and do damage if overlooked. George Tebeau has been named White Wings for his speed and tendancy not to make mistakes on the field. The Colonels will have to be close to perfect however to be taken seriously.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are another team serious about winning and ready to roar. The team signed big arm Cy Young this offseason and along with Ed Dugan, the Tigers rotation is as good as it gets. George Van Haltren is still a star among stars and Chief Zimmer is surely among the top catchers in the game. The Tigers are a good team but may be overlooked in a division where great teams are better then good ones.
Cleveland Spiders
The champions reloaded into a team that many feel could be a cinch for another title. The Spiders spent the cash to bring in stars Steve Brodie, Bill Joyce and George Davis. The offense has a star at every position and the mound is still dominated by Charlie Fergusen and Joe Corbett. We havent even mentioned returning stars Mike Tiernan and Roger Conner. This is as talented a team as anyone has ever seen.
Chicago White Sox
The Sox have never been winners so expecting things to change could be a fantasy. The Sox did sign Kid Nichols to carry the staff along with Sadie McMahon who makes another run with the team; neither starter however has proven they can pitch well for an entire season. The offense is where the problems are will too little pop or speed to speak of. The White Sox have actually become a go-betweemn for most players as few players stay for more then a season, or really commit to win for the team. This team is in a bad losing spiral and their reputation follows them.
Boston Americans
The Americans field a good team every season, but winning in this division isnt an easy trick. Star Cupid Childs is loved in Boston and now comes back with a new team. Childs is still the best second baseman in the league and a proven winner with the Beaneaters. Mike Grady is a rare talent as well at catcher and the Boston lineup will be formitable. The pitching however is lacking, Cy Seymour is the hope for the future at the age of 24, but the kid better grow up in a hurry as there isnt much behind him.
Baltimore Orioles
John McGraw is among the best players in the game and is also a leader off the field. The star third baseman just needs to stay healthy as his reckless play often costs him. The Orioles however as others need help on the mound, the birds chased a number of big names this offseason but came up short. Nineteen game winner Billy Hart needs to be special for this team to compete. Along with McGraw the lineup is nice as Reddy Mack and Ollie Pickering are coming of age. Pickering won the rookie of the year award.
National League
St. Louis Browns
Many are still clamoring on how this team passed on Honus Wagner but the Browns are heading in the right direction after a .500 season. Nap Lajoie is everything and more then what people expected and the first baseman may see a new position this year. Bill Lang and Tom McCreery are great support players and come to play everyday. On the mound are questions, Red Donahue is the ace but he had a losing record last season and may tip his pitches. The Browns have come a long way, but may be a season or two away from really competing.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates continue to try and find a formula to win and cleaned house again this offseason as Charlie Comiskey and his big influence were shown out of town. The team did bring in the legendary Dan Brouthers who at 37 years old still cna hit a ton. Dusty Miller however is the true star of the lineup as the outfielder is a .317 career hitter and now in his prime. Who however will get the outs for this team, like so many other teams the lack of a true good arm holds this team back, Jake Hewitt will try and prevent this team from losing so many late leads. Jonathan Jackson is the new manager but has a history of losing baseball.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies for the last three years have hovered around the .500 mark but after good starts seem to swoon. Their one championship stands alone but still the team seems to have won over the city. An Indian, Chief Sockalexis is a mysterious star who can swing the bat and the rest of the lineup is balanced, Duff Cooley and Tom Leahy are both good hitters along with Chief. The problem wiht the pitching is that ace Jim Handiboe will miss the season with a serious arm aliment, the pieces need to be picked up. Pink Hawley at 24 years old is the futile hope for the staff.
New York Giants
The hype in the big apple is as high as its been since this team first took the field. Honus Wagner spent the end of last season showing his skills and a true star is now on the biggest stage of the Polo Grounds; but does he have any help? The Giants signed the best available starting pitcher in Jack Jones who has been a star accross town with Brooklyn and won over 200 games. Dan McGann was also brough in from the Cubs and the first baseman is another solid talent. The Giants for the first time have a team that some are even predicting to win the pennant.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds had a disasterous 80 loss season, the worse of their history, and started making big changes in hopes of rebuilding. Gone is the manager and Cy Young who was the biggest star on the team but said to be a headache in the clubhouse. Chick Stahl is the new star in Philly and is a young star that has all the tools to excel. Charlie Hodnett is now the new man at the helm of the rotation, Hodnett couldnt break into the Chicago rotation and is said to hungry to prove his worth. The Reds arnt expected to compete, but this is a team and management that hates to lose.
Chicago Colts
The Colts stayed put for the most part this offseason and are confident that they have the team it takes to win it all and the loss in the series last season was a fluke. With Charlie Geggus back to his ace form the Colts have three great starters when Amost Rusie and Al Orth are included. The hitting is lead by the same machine of Sam Thompson and Fred Clarke; gone in Dummy Hoy and Jimmy Pony Ryan will patrol the outfield and bring some veteran leadership. Jocko Halligan, the high draft pick of the past, is also back with the team. Chicago are the favotires again but are surely in for a big fight.
Brooklyn Bridegrooms
The Bridegrooms let go of their old guard and are ready for a new day. Dan Brouthers is gone and the team is now looking at full recovery and change after a 57 win season. Jesse Burkett is still among the very best hitters in the game but the support is limited. The rotation is a complete rebuilding effort, the Bridegrooms really cant get anyone out and that wont change this year. The memories of the past is all that is left for this proud team.
Boston Beaneaters
Five pennants in a row and the Beaneaters took a step back last season but still were 28 games over .500. With Bob Black and Toad Ramsey still throwing bulletts and even old Bill Sweeney still expected to contribute the key for this staff will be health. Ed Delahanty is back in the middle of the lineup and his swing looks as smooth as ever, Hugh Duffy is another star that is the best leadoff man in the game. There are silent rumors throughout the experts of the game that the Beaneaters should still be considered the team to beat. Chicago and Boston will truly battle in their continued bitter rivalry.
ANSON BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR!
"We couldnt let it end the way it ended"
That was the feeling in Chicago this entire offseason as Cap Anson ended his career after a loss in the World Series. Anson is beloved by the team and the city and everyone wants to see him leave a winner.
This offseason fans, press, and more importantly the front office did their absolute best to convince Anson to come back for one more year in a limited role as the team he has played for since the beginning of his career is among the best teams in the league.
Anson announced through the press this March that he will be back. He is the only player to achieve over 3000 hits and the only remaining player who was active in the inagural baseball season of this most popular sport back in 1871.
"We are just so close to winning" Anson was quoted as saying, "I just couldnt resist giving it another try.
Anson will soon be 45 years old.