Quote:
Hello all. I've been running a bunch of games during this quarantine. After testing a bunch of scenarios and doing a bunch of historical sims, I finally got one that I want to do some reporting on. The idea is an alternate history of the Negro Leagues, that will eventually become its own major league, taking the name "East-West League".
I will start at the conclusion of the first Negro National League season. This story will have focus on a fictional former player and coach named "Fuzzy Slippers." I created an independent "barnstorming" league for the players from 1885-1919, so there will be some interesting backstory as things develop. I also plan to start up a Caribbean winter league in the late 1930’s.
I’ll manage teams throughout the 1920-1948 NeL in OOTP21. Most of the time I’ll only act as GM and use retired players as coaches for my team and others. I will touch on the MLB a bit, especially as the game moves closer to integration, and the EWL forms as a separate entity.
Credits: I use jerseys from TXRanger/nopepper and the facegen pack from the steam workshop (fancyskunk). Also, the idea for the barnstorming leagues came from an old dynasty I found written by TigerFan. Google/this forum has been a wonderful resource with getting into this game. Thank you all!
|
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1920 NNL WORLD SERIES
THE TEAMS
The Indianapolis ABC's
Sol White – 52 – Bellaire, TX – 5.0WAR
The ABC’s manager had a storied 17-year career in the Barnstorming League. At the age of 18 he debuted for the Washington Ghosts. He would go on to win five Summer Championships, Rookie of the Year (1887), Best Player (1887, 1888), 6 Platinum Sticks, and 7 Great Gloves at 3B. He retired from the game in 1902. He has been a prolific baseball writer in his post-playing career. He published
History of Colored Base Ball in 1907 and contributes articles to the
Cleveland Advocate.
Key Players:
Bill Holland - 18 - Indianapolis, IN – SP - 8.4WAR - Switch/Right
The Indianapolis native had a stellar rookie season for the ABC's. Recording 14 wins and 5 losses, he tied for first in ERA (2.11) and lead the league in Strikeouts with 110. Striking out an average of 4.5 batters per 9 innings. The young pitcher is sure to have a remarkable future.
Jim Jeffries - 29 - Louisville, KY – SP - 3.9WAR - Left/Left
The veteran left hander was instrumental in Indianapolis' success this season. Delivering 19 wins and 2 losses, he tied with his rookie teammate to lead the league in ERA (2.11). Jeffries boasts an arsenal of six pitches, including the knuckle curve.
Oscar Charleston - 23 - Indianapolis, IN – CF - 7.2WAR - Left/Left
Fresh off an MVP season with the Waltham Big Train, Charleston signed with his hometown Indianapolis ABC's for the NNL's inaugural season. With a .403 batting average and 15 home runs, he is perhaps the most important player on the ABC's roster. He put up a 21-game hit streak, brought in 2 Player of the Week trophies, and was named July's Batter of the Month.
Biz Mackey - 23 - Eagle Pass, TX – C - 5.6WAR - Switch/Right
Following Charleston at 4th in the lineup, Mackey kept pace on Batting AVG(.402) as well as being efficient behind the plate with a CERA of 2.60. He has been clutch for the ABC's this year, recording several walk-off hits to close out games.
Robert Hudspeth "High Pockets" - 22 - Luling, LA – 1B - 3.3WAR - Left/Left
After signing with the ABC's Hudspeth played in the 1919 Winter Games, with the semi-finalist Gulf Cost Conquistadors. In his first professional season, Hudspeth brought home one Player of the Week award, contributed 12 Home Runs, a .331 batting average, and 63 RBI's. He is also one of the top fielding first basemen in the NNL.
The Kansas City Monarchs
John Henry Lloyd “Pop” – 36 – Palatka, FL – 3.0WAR
Lloyd played for 10 seasons in the Barnstorming League. During some of it’s most competitive years, he held down a career batting average of .304. He won three championships from 1906-1908. First with the Bowie Isotopes, and the next two with the Washington Ghosts. He carried a 32-game hit streak while playing with the Bethlehem Legends in his final season. He left the Mid-Atlantic based Barnstorming League and found work as a railroad porter, continuing to wow crowds in pick-up games around the US.
Key Players:
John Donaldson – 27 – Glasgow, KY – SP/1B/OF – 4.9/2.0WAR - Left/Left
One of KC’s dual-threat players. Donaldson has been consistent at the mound and the plate for Kansas City this season. He has 13 wins, 9 losses, a batting average of .356, and leading the team with 90 Ks. His two-way player partnership with RHP Bullet Rogan has been a highlight for the Monarch’s this season.
Sam Crawford – 32 – Dallas, TX – SP – 3.1WAR - Right/Right
The most dominant pitcher among the Monarch’s incredible staff. During the regular season he produced 15 Wins, an ERA of 2.24, a league high opponent average of .204, 14 complete games, and two shutouts. The veteran was hired by Monarch’s owner J.L. Wilkinson after playing for Chicago’s American Giants in the mid 1910’s.
George Carr Jr. “Tank” – 21 – Atlanta, GA – C/1B – 49.WAR - Switch/Right
The rookie, switch-hitting sensation has been a highlight at Meuhlback Field this year. He became a hero to the fans with his 10th inning walk-off solo Home Run to win a 7-6 game against Detroit. A threat on the bases, he leads the NNL with 44 stolen bases. He was a leader in the team home-run race, finishing at 15 for the season.
Dobie Moore – 22 – Atlanta, GA – SS – 5.8WAR - Right/Right
Army veteran and Carr Jr’s fellow Atlanta based rookie, won the league home run race this year with 19 total dingers. His 26 game hit-streak won him the Batter of the Month award for June. At short stop, he leads the league in assists, with 353, however he is also a leader with his 32 fielding errors. Moore, Carr Jr., and Bullet Rogan round out the exciting rookie trio that has lit up the box office for the Monarchs this season.
Hurley McNair – 31 – Marshall, TX – RF – 3.6WAR - Left/Left
Though his season was cut short half-way through, Hurley McNair is back in Right Field for the Monarchs. The eleven-year veteran started his career in the Barnstorming Leagues. He was signed as a reserve in 1909 by the Brentwood Vikings. He eventually found a starting spot in Center Field, winning Platinum Stick as well as the Rookie of the Year trophy in 1911. He continued to play in the Barnstorming League until 1919, having memorable stints with the Rome Texans, Bethlehem Legends, and the Clifton Park Red Dragons.
Bullet Rogan – 27 – Oklahoma City, OK – SP/CF/C – 4.3/4.3WAR - Right/Right
“Bullet” Joe was signed by J.L. Wilkinson after seeing his extraordinary play in the 2019 Winter Games. While playing for the Central Diamonds, Rogan led the league in CG (17), IP (177.2), K’s (80), and WAR (4.5) – while batting just below .300. A huge part of the success in box office and merchandise sales, this year he has Pitched, Catched, and played Outfield for Kansas City. A former Army veteran, Rogan developed his skills playing for the 25th Infantry Wreckers, alongside many stars of the NNL, including teammate Dobie Moore.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Series
Game 1: WED, AUG 11 1920– Washington Park, Indianapolis
"ABC’s stellar pitching shut’s out Monarchs, 4-0"
The Kansas City Monarchs couldn’t beat RHP Bill Holland today. While letting in 6 hits from the fierce Monarch bats, Holland and his team let in zero runs through the nine innings. With Holland pitching the complete game. Bullet Rogan also pitched the full 8 innings for Kansas City, but the ABC’s chipped in runs one-by-one. Scoring one in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 7th.
Game 2: THU, AUG 12 1920 – Washington Park, Indianapolis
"ABC’s overcome Monarchs in 10th, 5-4"
In a heated contest, The Monarchs drew first with an RBI double by Rogan in the 1st. In the top of the 2nd, KC followed up with a 2-run home run, from pitcher Sam Crawford. The ABC’s evened the score in the 3rd and 4th. The game was in Indy’s hands when George Shively singled in the bottom of the 5th, scoring Geechie Meredith from third base. However, Kansas City kept the game alive when Clint Thomas scored from 2nd on Bullet Rogan’s single. The game down to Oscar Charleston scoring on a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning.
Game 3: SAT, AUG 14 1920 - Meuhlback Field
"Indianapolis wins 12-9 in a high scoring affair"
The bats were on fire in todays contest. In total 14 hits per team. The game was ultimately decided in the top of the 8th inning. The ABC’s were down by one-run. Barnstorming League veteran and Bench Coach, Fuzzy Slippers pinch hit to start the inning. The team recorded three singles to start off the inning even with the Monarchs. KC followed up with a series of walks and fielding errors to put Indianapolis ahead 12-9 for the rest of the game
Game 4: SUN, AUG 15 1920 - Meuhlback Field
"ABC’s finish off Monarchs 6-4"
Despite putting up 12 hits, Kansas City was outscored by Indianapolis. The Monarch fans at Meuhlback Field left disappointed as Indianapolis was crowned league champions on the back of a spectacular display from CF Oscar Charleston. Charleston went 3 for 4 with a 2-run home run to start with. The spectacular pitching from Bill Holland didn’t let much cross the plate. Despite a 2-run rally in the 9th inning, Kansas City failed to capitalize. Conspicuous from his absence was star pitcher and outfielder, Bullet Rogan. It is believed he was being rested for a hypothetical Game 5.
Player of the Series: Oscar Charleston (ABC’s) – 17AB, 9H, 4RBI, 4SB, .529AVG