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1877 National League Preview
1. Chicago White Stockings
Last Season: 54-42 (2nd)
Manager: Charlie Pabor
Ball Park: 23rd Street Grounds
Predicted Record: 60-36
Chicago remains among the most consistent and well run frachises in the game even if the overall results are lacking. True the club should have won more then just one pennant by now with stars like Cap Anson and Al Pratt. Still to be up or near the top every season is not an easy task. Manager Charlie Pabor assures his fans that this is the year that the club will put it all together again. Rookie pitcher Dory Dean enters the rotation and the offense should continue to punish opponents. Why cant Chicago win more?
2. Louisville Grays
Last Season: 44-52
Manager: Bill Lennon
Ball Park: Lousville Baseball Park
Predicted record: 50-46
Jimmy Hallinan drove in a record number of runs last season and at first base Charley Jones may be the best at his position. It is with these two anchors that the Grays hope to compete in 1877. On the mound is the ageless wonder Cherokee Fisher who lead the league with 27 wins last season and doesnt seem to be slowing down. The Grays by most accounts are a good team but not a great one and there should be tangible improvement from the underachieving finish last season.
3. New York Mutuals
Last Season: 51-45
Manager: Joe Lemmens
Ball Park: Union Grounds
Predicted Finish: 53-43
Cal McVey has won 44 games in two years and has now become the best two way player in the game. He will anchor a staff that remains thin with inconsistent Candy Cummings behind him. New York is a pressure cooker and fans are hungry for a pennant again. Bill Boyd will have to find his batting eye again while nothing but promise surrounds new young prospect Mike Dorgan. At 23 Dorgan will start in right field and was the 6th pick in this years draft. The Mutuals believe they have what it takes to overcome Philadelphia and Chicago.
4. Cincinnati Reds
Last Season: 52-44 (3rd)
Manager: John Riker
Ball Park: Avenue Grounds
Predicted Finish: 51-45
Orator Jim O'Rourke is already a star and the most popular man in Ohio finishing with a 5,0 WAR. The Red Stockings however are not satisfied wit mediocrity and want to chase a pennant; Thus the club made the first trade of its kind sending a 24 year old outfielder out of town for the 35 year old Asa Brainard, Brainard will join George "Grin" Bradley as the Reds hope to build a strong staff that can tame great NL lineups.The club is showing good ambition and promise but this will be a telling year of what direction they are really taking.
5. Philadelphia Whites
Last Season: 63-33 (1st)
Manager: Lip Pike
Ball Park: Jefferson Street Grounds
Predicted Record: 59-37
The competition has gotten better around them but after 63 wins last season, who can expect this team to slow down. The deep disappointment of losing twice to American League teams in the World Series has to motivate Lip Pike and his team, to finally win it all. Twenty year old Tommy Bond is ready for stardom as the new darling pitcher of the league while Jimmy Wood and Gat Stires continue to be offensive machines that defy age and time. The Whites have a great chance of winning their third pennant in a row and one has to really marvel how Lip Pike both plays and manages at such a high level.
6. Philadelphia Centennials
Last Season: 40-56 (6th)
Manager: Lew Carl
Ball Park: Centennial Grounds
Predicted Record: 45-51
Trying to find space in the crowded baseball landscape of Philadelphia is not easy, still the Centennials seemed determined to make it work. Holly Hollingshead is the new leadoff man and hopes to energize an offense that was shut down too many times. Lew Brown and Jack Remsen are fine talents but neither has made the superstar impact the lineup needs. On the mound the team parted with Asa Brainard and now have trusted Pud Galvin again to finally live up to his potential and be the ace he was expected to be. The talent isnt always really there, but the hope surely is.
7. St. Louis Red Stockings
Last Season: 29-67 (7th)
Manager: Chris Davis
Ball Park: Red Stockings Baseball Park
Predicted Record: 39-57
The Red Stockings are also hoping that a fresh new arm can change their fortunes. Rookie Bobby Mitchell comes to the club and the Ohio native is only 21. This club never had an ace pitcher like this before and it will be worthwhile to see if the kid can handle the responsibility. Charlie Gould is a fine first baseman and likely the most popular man in St. Louis, however like their crosstown rival Browns, this team has quite a long way to go before they are competitive.
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