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Lafayette53 · 10-10-2014, 12:41 AM

Interlude: The Federal League (1 of 2) - The Best

Cincinnati Redbirds

Former Names: Cincinnati Outlaws (19th Century)
Pennants: 11 - 1904, 1906-10, 1917, 1924, 1925, 1942-43
Columbia Series: 3 - 1909, 1924-25

For the last half of the first decade of the twentieth century the Cincinnati Redbirds were the class of the Federal League, winning five consecutive pennants when all was said and done behind all-time greats SS George Klima and 3B John Engram. Unfortunately the success was too much for the other owners to accept- in 1911 the Federal League owners banded together to force the ownership of the Redbirds out. Within a few years most of the players were sold, retired, or traded.

They've had some success since then, particularly in the twenties when they captured two Columbia Series crowns and more recently when they traded for all-time great LF Bill Sistrunk, but its been slim pickings for Cincinnati since the Federal League broke up their dynasty. As such Redbirds fans aren't big fans of the rest of the league and have a reputation for hurling invective at visiting fans.

Due to several meetings in the Columbia Series the Redbirds maintain a strong rivalry with the neighboring Cleveland Green Sox of the United League and a less interesting Pennsylvania rivalry with the perennially unfortunate Philadelphia White Sox.

Brooklyn Atlantics

Former Names: None
Pennants: 9 - 1901, 1929-30, 1932, 1937, 1939-41, 1944
Columbia Series: 6 - 1901, 1929, 1932, 1937, 1939, 1941

After winning the inaugural Columbia Series the Atlantics would spend nearly 30 seasons chasing the phantom of a Pennant. During those years the Atlantics lost one hundred games four times and Washington Park was almost always empty while the New York Grounds in Manhattan could barely contain the crowds.

When the stock market crashed, the Atlantic's fortunes finally turned. Its a good thing they turned around then too, because the league was beginning to discuss relocation of franchises to help them weather the depression at that time. Over the last two decades the Atlantics have been basically the only baseball act in the big apple worth cheering for.

The Metros-Atlantics rivalry is a fierce one, but lately the Atlantics dominance has made it a bit too easy for Atlantics fans to hold their heads up high in the other boroughs. That may be finally changing, with the Atlantics having recently fallen to fifth place in the eight team circuit.

New York Metros

Formers Names: New York Metropolitans
Pennants: 8 - 1902, 1912, 1914-16, 1918-19, 1921
Columbia Series: 6 - 1902, 1912, 1914-16, 1921

For a decade the Metro's, then called the Metropolitans, ruled New York City from their perch in Manhattan. Then in the twenties teams started trying to hit home runs and the Metropolitans were slow to catch up with the times. Stubbornness in the front office meant the Metros were still stealing everytime they got a man on years after the baseball gods had declared the dead ball era over.

After five consecutive second places finishes from 1922 to 1927 the Metro's fell into the second division and they've yet to capture a pennant since.

Before the war there were strong murmurs that the Metros were going to try to revive their fortunes on the West Coast. Indeed Los Angeles interests had even put together an ownership group to bring the highest level of baseball to the Pacific Coast, but the war put a kibosh on any plans for the time being. Nonetheless longtime fans worry that the Metros may run for the West Coast if they don't turn it around soon.

Boston Indians

Former Names: Wilmington Blue Wings (19th Century) Boston Blue Wings (19th Century)
Pennants: 6 - 1905, 1913, 1920, 1922-23, 1938
Columbia Series: 4 - 1905, 1913, 1920, 1923

Once the team of Bostons proud upper classes, the Indians have fallen upon hard times in their city. Years of losing to the Trolleys at the gate have turned them into more of a novelty act- both on and off the field. The legacy of seating policies that greatly benefited the Indians Brahmin fanbase at the expense of Boston's working classes has left the team with a bit of a generational stink. Nonetheless in recent years the Indians have developed a solid following from the city's Black community due to their owner publicly calling for integrating the game several times during the war.

With the Indians years removed from success many in the media have speculated that the Indians are actively seeking to leave Boston, mainly due to the ownership arguing stoutly against expansion to the Pacific Coast too soon, but so far the ownership has kept its cards close to their chest.

10-10-2014, 12:41 AM	#3
Lafayette53 Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 346	Interlude: The Federal League (1 of 2) - The Best Cincinnati Redbirds Former Names: Cincinnati Outlaws (19th Century) Pennants: 11 - 1904, 1906-10, 1917, 1924, 1925, 1942-43 Columbia Series: 3 - 1909, 1924-25 For the last half of the first decade of the twentieth century the Cincinnati Redbirds were the class of the Federal League, winning five consecutive pennants when all was said and done behind all-time greats SS George Klima and 3B John Engram. Unfortunately the success was too much for the other owners to accept- in 1911 the Federal League owners banded together to force the ownership of the Redbirds out. Within a few years most of the players were sold, retired, or traded. They've had some success since then, particularly in the twenties when they captured two Columbia Series crowns and more recently when they traded for all-time great LF Bill Sistrunk, but its been slim pickings for Cincinnati since the Federal League broke up their dynasty. As such Redbirds fans aren't big fans of the rest of the league and have a reputation for hurling invective at visiting fans. Due to several meetings in the Columbia Series the Redbirds maintain a strong rivalry with the neighboring Cleveland Green Sox of the United League and a less interesting Pennsylvania rivalry with the perennially unfortunate Philadelphia White Sox. Brooklyn Atlantics Former Names: None Pennants: 9 - 1901, 1929-30, 1932, 1937, 1939-41, 1944 Columbia Series: 6 - 1901, 1929, 1932, 1937, 1939, 1941 After winning the inaugural Columbia Series the Atlantics would spend nearly 30 seasons chasing the phantom of a Pennant. During those years the Atlantics lost one hundred games four times and Washington Park was almost always empty while the New York Grounds in Manhattan could barely contain the crowds. When the stock market crashed, the Atlantic's fortunes finally turned. Its a good thing they turned around then too, because the league was beginning to discuss relocation of franchises to help them weather the depression at that time. Over the last two decades the Atlantics have been basically the only baseball act in the big apple worth cheering for. The Metros-Atlantics rivalry is a fierce one, but lately the Atlantics dominance has made it a bit too easy for Atlantics fans to hold their heads up high in the other boroughs. That may be finally changing, with the Atlantics having recently fallen to fifth place in the eight team circuit. New York Metros Formers Names: New York Metropolitans Pennants: 8 - 1902, 1912, 1914-16, 1918-19, 1921 Columbia Series: 6 - 1902, 1912, 1914-16, 1921 For a decade the Metro's, then called the Metropolitans, ruled New York City from their perch in Manhattan. Then in the twenties teams started trying to hit home runs and the Metropolitans were slow to catch up with the times. Stubbornness in the front office meant the Metros were still stealing everytime they got a man on years after the baseball gods had declared the dead ball era over. After five consecutive second places finishes from 1922 to 1927 the Metro's fell into the second division and they've yet to capture a pennant since. Before the war there were strong murmurs that the Metros were going to try to revive their fortunes on the West Coast. Indeed Los Angeles interests had even put together an ownership group to bring the highest level of baseball to the Pacific Coast, but the war put a kibosh on any plans for the time being. Nonetheless longtime fans worry that the Metros may run for the West Coast if they don't turn it around soon. Boston Indians Former Names: Wilmington Blue Wings (19th Century) Boston Blue Wings (19th Century) Pennants: 6 - 1905, 1913, 1920, 1922-23, 1938 Columbia Series: 4 - 1905, 1913, 1920, 1923 Once the team of Bostons proud upper classes, the Indians have fallen upon hard times in their city. Years of losing to the Trolleys at the gate have turned them into more of a novelty act- both on and off the field. The legacy of seating policies that greatly benefited the Indians Brahmin fanbase at the expense of Boston's working classes has left the team with a bit of a generational stink. Nonetheless in recent years the Indians have developed a solid following from the city's Black community due to their owner publicly calling for integrating the game several times during the war. With the Indians years removed from success many in the media have speculated that the Indians are actively seeking to leave Boston, mainly due to the ownership arguing stoutly against expansion to the Pacific Coast too soon, but so far the ownership has kept its cards close to their chest. __________________ Uniforms/Logos: Cincinnati Redbirds through the ages: 1900-2014 Professional Association (1876) Baltimore Bombers Old Dynasties "Many attend, few understand" - The Baltimore Bombers (1946-) Last edited by Lafayette53; 10-10-2014 at 12:49 AM.