After a few seasons of not having anything really resembling a pennant race 1887 was the opposite. A close race all season between Chicago, Boston, New York and Detroit. Major player movement in the offseason was thought to change a few things - King Kelly to Boston, Chicago selling off their whole starting outfield - and it came to pass. A rise in offense wasn't so bad either.
Chicago - Sold off their whole starting outfield and still came back and won a thrilling race. John Clarkson leading the way on the hill again. It was old man Cap Anson and new guy Jimmy Ryan leading the way at the plate. This pennant was surely a surprise as the team didn't land in first until July and never really had a strong hold on it, bring in 2nd place with 3 games to go.
Detroit - Oh so close. The defending champs came out of the game slow and were .500 in June. Then Lady Baldwin showed up after missing the 1st 2 months and the Wolverines came charging back. Led again by Sam Thompson, Hardy Richardson and Dan Brouthers the team was battling for 1st all Sept when Baldwin had to be shut down again. Larry Twitchell pitched all the last week and just didn't have enough. If Baldwin or Geitzen were available I'm sure Detroit would have repeated.
Boston - The addition of King Kelly and Hoss Radbourn sure did help. Beaneaters led the league till July and really only had Chicago hanging around. After July the team kind of leveled off, but a late Sep surge had them in the thick of it for the 1st time in a long time.
New York - Early in the season the team traded 1st place with Boston but lost Mickey Welch for about a month and when he did come back he wasn't as effective and the team couldn't get closer. Still, a better season then the previous ones. Word is they will be the only New York team in town starting next season.
Pittsburgh - Jumping from the American Association was a gamble. Early on it didn't look great, but as the summer went on the team played better. Ed Morris and Pud Galvin were as steady as they come. Another season like last and Galvin will become the 1st pitcher to win 300 games this season, maybe in Sept.
Philadelphia - They were a .500 most of the season, but played well enough down the stretch to finish above. Charlie Ferguson is looking to be the first bona fide star for the Quakers.
Washington - This team wasn't good. Basically the same roster as 1886 and got pretty much the same result. Couldn't find decent pitching and the lineup is weak.
Indianapolis - A bad team. A bad organization. Funny thing is they were the spoilers the last week beating both Chicago and Detroit making the race that much more interesting.
