|
This Month In Baseball
1876 National League Preview
1. Chicago White Stockings
Record: 56-40 (3rd)
Manager: Charlie Pabor
Ball Park: 23rd Street Grounds
Preseason Prediction: 59-37
Chicago just came up a bit short last season but still remain one of the better run organizations in the sport. Chicago shows off established talent like Paul Hines and Cap Anson while Al Pratt had another fine year winning 29 games and proving he hasnt lost anything on his stuff. Top pick Dory Dean will enter the fray as a 23 year old rookie and in support will be the dependable Bill Stearns. The Whites are put together to win and win for the long haul, as the organization looks to continue its excellence with a .570 career franchise winning percentage.
2. Louisville Grays
Record: 45-51
Manager: Bill Lennon
Ball Park: Louisville Baseball Park
Preseason Prediction: 45-51
In the most shocking move of the offseason, the great name of the Brooklyn Atlantics were disbanded after a number of subpar seasons, and the franchise moved to Louisville. Manager Bill Lennon was behind the move and sees a fresh start in Kentucky to turn this team around. Three time pitcher of the year winner Cherokee Fisher anchors this team with new man Ed Stratton and his 2.35 career ERA joining the club for support. The club has lacked offensive punch and unfortunately little has changed this season. Jimmy Hallinan and Davy Force have been on the roster for a while but the hope is coming from the likes of Irish born catcher John McGuinness who at 18 years of age could turn into something.
3. Mutuals Of New York
Record: 58-39 (2nd)
Manager: Joe Lemmens
Ball Park: Union Grounds
Preseason Prediction: 53-43
The Mutuals represent a class organization to many and have taken over the entire region on their own and have brought up a shining star in slugger Bill Boyd. Boyd is a beloved New York native and he hit .393 last year with 98 RBI at only 23 years old. Cal McVey will continue to pitch having won 27 games last season and the likes of John McMullin and Candy Cummings keeping their legends strong. The club did come up a a game short to the surging Whites last year, but manager Joe Lemmens is sure to have his club smack in the middle of the race again. The Chicago-New York rivalry may be the best one in the game alongside Boston and Washington.
4. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 52-44 (4th)
Manager: John Riker
Ball Park: Avenue Grounds
Preseason Prediction: 52-44
From New Haven to Cincinnati, there is some hope for optimism for this vagabound franchise who hasnt won much. Cincinnati has welcomed the franchise with open arms and now they can sit back and try and build a winner. George Bradley and Hugh Campbell have built a core of very good pitching as both hold career ERA's at around 2.20. Jim ORourke leads the offense with the ageless Steven King also contributing hitting .330 at the age of 33. Chick Fulmer is a vacuum at short and the club can pick the ball quite well. The Reds are a team many expect to make a big jump for the upcoming season.
5. Philadelphia Whites
Record: 59-38 (1st)
Manager: Lip Pike
Ball Park: Jefferson Street Grounds
Preseason Prediction: 59-37
Losing a three games to none lead in the World Series had to make what was a dream like season into a bitter pill to swallow. But through it all Lip Pike made the most of his team and won the MVP with 104 runs and 93 RBI. His battering mate was Gat Stires who also drove in 93 runs making the duo a nightmare for opposing sides. Jimmy Wood and Jim Snyder are excellent up the middle and on the mound the Whites have a balance of stars in Cy Bentley and Tommy Bond. Up and coming is 20 year old pitcher Foghorn Bradley who could have a role to play. The Whites wont sneak up on anyone this season, but with a roster full of talent and a star among stars as their manager, the flag could fly over Jefferson Grounds again this year.
6. Philadelphia Centenials
Record: 33-63 (7th)
Manager: Lew Carl
Ball Park: Centenial Grounds
Preseason Prediction: 37-59
Maybe the most unstable franchise in either league, the black sheep of Philadelphia baseball hopes to make a significant turn this season. Enthusiasm on star prospect Pd Galvin has cooled a bit and it appears that Asa Brainard is in for another heavy workload. Jack Remsen may be the best player on the team with a 124 OPS+ and almost 3 WAR. Catcher Lew Brown is the #3 prospect in the nation and may be a main stay at catcher for the club but is only 18. It is going to be a telling season for the club and manager Lew Carl has his work cutout for him to at least be competitive.
7. St. Louis Red Stockings
Record: 38-58 (5th)
Manager: Chris Davis
Ball Park: Red Stocking Park
Preseason Prediction: 28-68
Its hard to build a winner for a new team with out a reliable arm to back things up. The Red Stockings now have the nickname to themselves but the talent is still lacking. Frank Fleet some feel can become that star pitcher everyone is hoping for but he has little to no support behind him. Harry Schafer has 113 hits over the past two seasons and will try to be a cog in this less then average lineup. Fred Andrus is a 25 year old good prospect who likely will be thrown in the fire. There is currently a battle and rivalry for the St. Louis market, and the Brown Stockings are racing the Red Stockings to build a winner first; both have miles to go.
|