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John C · 05-07-2012, 06:23 PM

(For the first couple of seasons, I won't be making any Best-Ever predictions. I will begin to formulate lists, including league champions, as well as individual seasons. Careers won't begin to tabulate for at least five seasons.)

1901 Season Outlook
by Joe Simpson
(3/31/1901)

As we near the 1901 campaign, both leagues--the Circuit and the Congress--are ready to present their brand of base-ball. Nobody knows whose will be more attractive yet, but those who have an ear to inside talk say the players of the Circuit have it all over the Congress. Time will time, of course.

Here is how I see the action unfolding over the course of the season.

Federal League

In the Fed, expect a tight battle between five teams. St. Louis and Philadelphia may have the upper-hand. The Keystones have Joe Cook and George Grant handling the bat, at Pat McLaughlin on the mound. Meanwhile, the Perfectos have more depth than stars to lead the way. However, the Stars of New York, the Cleveland Blues, and Detroit Olds all have a say before September. Expect rooters of Boston, Chicago, and especially Baltimore to pine for next season early on.

Those in Boston may enjoy the work of Bobby Rose, however, while Baltimore should root for 25-year-old outfielder Mark Smith. Both can run and hit the ball with authoritative ease.

National Association

Whereas those in Boston's South Side expect to be crying, those on the North End should be ecstatic. They have what many consider to be the best team in the ABC at the present in the Pilgrims. Led by the Wonderboy, 23-year-old Michael Thomas, and hurler Martin Taylor, the Pilgrims have it on both sides of the ball. Taylor is a good bet to win 25, at least.

Count Cincinnati and Pittsburgh as clubs who have a shot to ruin Boston's good feelings. Matt Keys, who at 36 is an elder before he even takes the mound, leads the Alleghenys. Ben Sharp, 24, has come from Pittsburgh to lead the Monarchs on the hill. At the plate, Eric Lovell and Chris Leonard are top marksmen for Pittsburgh.

Many eyes will be watching Chicago outfielder Jared Donovan; Donovan, the #2 selection overall in the ABC draft, carries a lot of weight on his shoulders for the likely lowly Barrons.

Midwest League

This may be a two-team race between St. Paul and Milwaukee. St. Paul is expected to have the best offense in the league, led by 1B Bryan Wilson and OF Craig McIntyre. It helps to have Ken Ewart and Gator Perkins on the mound, too. Milwaukee may have the league's best pitching, with Robin LeLong, lefty Rich Stewart, and Jeremy Jackson manning the mound. LeLong and Stewart are both nearing the end of their playing days, so Milwaukee's chances for long-term winning are shallow. Fans will be quick to root for Bob Weeks; the center-fielder could hit .350 with 90 steals this season.

Dallas and Minneapolis may prove to be surprises, but this should prove to be up to the Saints and Brewers to win.

Pacific Baseball League

If you happen to live in the Bay Area, you should be watching winning base ball this season. Both San Francisco and Oakland have crackerjack clubs, and some of the most entertaining players you will see. San Francisco has a top-flight offense, behind second sacker Eddie Young and outfielders Bruce Wood and Eric Hanson. They also have Waylon McDonald and Dean Blair on the mound, which gives the Seals a formidable duo.

Meanwhile, Oakland has Steady Reynolds and Lucky Larry Henson, as well as Thomas Collins. The trio gives the Oaks would may be the best rotation in the country. Oh, and they also have Bad News Hall, Riley Williams and Gary Jones in the lineup.

Salt Lake City is the one who may spoil the party in northern California. Doug Simpson and Peter Woodard are solid pitchers, while Conan Koonts, the 26-year-old left-fielder, is one of the best players anywhere. Expect him to handle the club in a way most pitchers fear.

Predictions:

Federal: Philadelphia Keystones
National: Boston Pilgrims
ABC Championship: Boston over Philadelphia 4-2

Midwest: Milwaukee
Pacific: San Francisco
NBC Championship: San Francisco over Milwaukee 4-3

BA Championship: Boston over San Francisco 4-2

05-07-2012, 06:23 PM	#4
John C Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Albion, RI Posts: 2,260 Infractions: 1/0 (0)	(For the first couple of seasons, I won't be making any Best-Ever predictions. I will begin to formulate lists, including league champions, as well as individual seasons. Careers won't begin to tabulate for at least five seasons.) 1901 Season Outlook by Joe Simpson (3/31/1901) As we near the 1901 campaign, both leagues--the Circuit and the Congress--are ready to present their brand of base-ball. Nobody knows whose will be more attractive yet, but those who have an ear to inside talk say the players of the Circuit have it all over the Congress. Time will time, of course. Here is how I see the action unfolding over the course of the season. Federal League In the Fed, expect a tight battle between five teams. St. Louis and Philadelphia may have the upper-hand. The Keystones have Joe Cook and George Grant handling the bat, at Pat McLaughlin on the mound. Meanwhile, the Perfectos have more depth than stars to lead the way. However, the Stars of New York, the Cleveland Blues, and Detroit Olds all have a say before September. Expect rooters of Boston, Chicago, and especially Baltimore to pine for next season early on. Those in Boston may enjoy the work of Bobby Rose, however, while Baltimore should root for 25-year-old outfielder Mark Smith. Both can run and hit the ball with authoritative ease. National Association Whereas those in Boston's South Side expect to be crying, those on the North End should be ecstatic. They have what many consider to be the best team in the ABC at the present in the Pilgrims. Led by the Wonderboy, 23-year-old Michael Thomas, and hurler Martin Taylor, the Pilgrims have it on both sides of the ball. Taylor is a good bet to win 25, at least. Count Cincinnati and Pittsburgh as clubs who have a shot to ruin Boston's good feelings. Matt Keys, who at 36 is an elder before he even takes the mound, leads the Alleghenys. Ben Sharp, 24, has come from Pittsburgh to lead the Monarchs on the hill. At the plate, Eric Lovell and Chris Leonard are top marksmen for Pittsburgh. Many eyes will be watching Chicago outfielder Jared Donovan; Donovan, the #2 selection overall in the ABC draft, carries a lot of weight on his shoulders for the likely lowly Barrons. Midwest League This may be a two-team race between St. Paul and Milwaukee. St. Paul is expected to have the best offense in the league, led by 1B Bryan Wilson and OF Craig McIntyre. It helps to have Ken Ewart and Gator Perkins on the mound, too. Milwaukee may have the league's best pitching, with Robin LeLong, lefty Rich Stewart, and Jeremy Jackson manning the mound. LeLong and Stewart are both nearing the end of their playing days, so Milwaukee's chances for long-term winning are shallow. Fans will be quick to root for Bob Weeks; the center-fielder could hit .350 with 90 steals this season. Dallas and Minneapolis may prove to be surprises, but this should prove to be up to the Saints and Brewers to win. Pacific Baseball League If you happen to live in the Bay Area, you should be watching winning base ball this season. Both San Francisco and Oakland have crackerjack clubs, and some of the most entertaining players you will see. San Francisco has a top-flight offense, behind second sacker Eddie Young and outfielders Bruce Wood and Eric Hanson. They also have Waylon McDonald and Dean Blair on the mound, which gives the Seals a formidable duo. Meanwhile, Oakland has Steady Reynolds and Lucky Larry Henson, as well as Thomas Collins. The trio gives the Oaks would may be the best rotation in the country. Oh, and they also have Bad News Hall, Riley Williams and Gary Jones in the lineup. Salt Lake City is the one who may spoil the party in northern California. Doug Simpson and Peter Woodard are solid pitchers, while Conan Koonts, the 26-year-old left-fielder, is one of the best players anywhere. Expect him to handle the club in a way most pitchers fear. Predictions: Federal: Philadelphia Keystones National: Boston Pilgrims ABC Championship: Boston over Philadelphia 4-2 Midwest: Milwaukee Pacific: San Francisco NBC Championship: San Francisco over Milwaukee 4-3 BA Championship: Boston over San Francisco 4-2 __________________ Facebook \| My Videos Last edited by John C; 05-07-2012 at 06:24 PM.