Facing utter turmoil and among their worst starts in franchise history, the Chicago front office gave up on Steve King as manager and made swift change to a team that sits 19 games out after two months of the season.
Constant bickering in the dugout and a lack of regard or respect for their field general lead to discontent and losing for the Orphans. Player obviously had stopped playing hard and especially those close to the departed John McGraw were said to be loafing their play. Gambling allegations have also surfaced to explain the poor play. Among all of this, the front office ended the managerial job of Steve King, who is the only Chicago manager to leave the team with a losing record.
Few men could come in and calm this storm, so the club looked for a respected and calm leader, who emphasizes fair play and integrity. The man for the job is 37 year old Connie Mack, a legend in the New England area and a gentleman worthy of respect.
Mack was not much of a ballplayer and played six seasons in Louisville as a catcher, his knowledge however of the game is well known through the league. Mack was a bench coach for St. Louis over the past few seasons, but was now itching for a chance to take control of a team on his own.
Mack managed his first game for the Orphans on May 18th and promptly ended a three game losing streak to win two in a row. Mack was said to have met with the biggest stars of the team to set his expectations but surely the upcoming season will be a long hard one with the team already mired close to the cellar of the National League.
In another blockbuster trade the Orphans traded one of their youngest stars. Frank Chance was dealt to Boston for 31 year old Jesse Burkett. Chance was dealt it is said for his dicontent as he was one of the closest friends to McGraw. The Orphans will give the catching reigns to former pitcher turned catcher, Roger Bresnahan.
Young talent Honus Wagner appears to be very happy being out of the spotlight in New York. Wagner has batted .388 since coming to the team last month and has driven in 29 runs along with two home runs.
Mack is said to love the hardnosed shortstop and is expected to build aroudn the player along with stars like Fred Clarke. The 1900 season however does already appear to be lost.
The amatuer draft is next month with the club having the 7th overall pick. Pitching is on the mind of the club it would appear, as Jack Chebro suffered another significant injury this month and cant seem to stay healthy.
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Madness in New York
In contrast to Chicago, the thngs in New York have hyped themselves to new heights. The Polo Grounds that was recently expanded is seeing record crowds as the local Giants look for their first pennant leading the National League.
The Giants found the perfect man for the job of leading the team in John McGraw. McGraw brings a fight to a team that has been dormant for so long, the second baseman is batting .406 since getting to the big apple and is said to love the limelight.
McGraw a .338 career hitter
Young star Ed Murphy is also the center of attention as the rookie is 4-0 on the mound and appears to be headed as the ace of the staff.
The Giants however have been in this spot before, leading the league for most of the season only to lose out in 1890 by two games to their rivals from Brooklyn.
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League Notes