1st January 1889
The fans of the Bridegrooms have seen a major shake up at their club during the off season. The Owner decided that the teams 7th place meant the club needed a totally new direction. With that he has had a change in the front office by firing GM Salvador Rosatorres. The Owner decided to go for youth in the GM position as he hired 39 year old Rookie GM Stan Miller.
The awards dinner was quiet for the Bridegrooms with only a Platinum Stick award for Hardy Richardson to show for last seasons work.
The new GM will need to go to work early after 3 players decided to call a close to their baseball careers. The biggest name to retire was Second Baseman Thorney Hawkes. Hawkes spent 10 years with the Brooklyn side as a replacement player. This time included winning the 1884 MLB Championship Medal. His stats during that time were 36 games played, 16 hits, 5 runs, 2 RBI's for an average of .216. (real life stats 102 games, 94 hits, 40 runs, 20 RBI's for an average of .234)
The next player to decide to finish his career is Right Fielder U Sullivan. Sullivan spent most of his career in the minor leagues but did manage to make 2 appearances in the major leagues for 2 runs scored but an average of 0. (real life stats 2 games, 3 hits, 3 runs, 2 RBI's for an average of .375)
The final player to retire is Studs Bancker who never made it to the big time.(real life stats 19 games, 11 hits, 3 runs, 2 RBI's for an average of .153)
The GM decided to try and refresh things by trading 31 year old Pitcher Jim Whitney and 22 year old Second Baseman Taylor Shafer to the Chicago White Stockings in exchange for 30 year old Centre Fielder Fred Lewis.
The new GM made his first moves for the team in the First Year Player draft. The first round pick was used to select Short Stop Herman Long. The full draft log is given below
All the draftees signed by the deadline.