The Baseball Chronicle
December 1881
Edition 10.10
The Expansion Draft Causes Stir
Legendary Names Join New Teams In New Season
With two new clubs coming in from Baltimore and Louisville, each existing team was only allowed to save 12 players each before the new sides could pick who they would like to represent them. Most all teams kept their promising young talent leaving a number of legendary players, who may very well be past their prime, to be picked for the start up cities and franchises.
Lousiville is a proud baseball city full of history and dedication to the game. The new Eclipse will field a team that will be lead by two of the most notable pitching names in all the game. The Eclipse picked up Albert Spalding from Boston and Dick McBride from Chicago to head up their rotation. Two names and personalities that have left an undeniable mark on and off the field of play. In what could be an even more significant move, the club also picked Mickey Welch who at 22 year old could be a star in the making.
The city welcomed their new stars including John Radcliffe who will play short stop and William Bestick who will do the catching. Malik Felton will managet he side as a new manager who will test his skill for the first time, although McBride is said to be a major factor in helping run the club.
In Baltimore George Wright and Levi Meyerle are more there to tease the fans and welcome the game back to Maryland more then anything else as neither ha played much of late. However Sam Weaver and George Bradley are two component pitchers while Tommy Beals was stripped from Chicago and knows how to win. Fred Waterman is another household name and a young spry rookie by the name of Charlie Comiskey should get to play right away at first.
Jeremy Parker gets a chance to manage after years in Washington and Worcester as a bench coach. There is good anticipation on what the 54 year old can do with this roster.
Parades were already scheduled in both cities and opening day, as well as the one in Pittsburgh for the Alleghenys, should be something to enjoy and behold.
Browning Leads Crop Of Talent
New Era In Boston Leads With Hype For Kid
The Amatuer draft in the game also happened this month amongst everything else. The big name everyone is gravitating too is a short stop from Louisville that was drafted first to Boston, 20 year old Pete Browning. Browning has been called a sure thing and one of the best talents to come into the game since King Kelly.
We have seen that talent doesnt mean anything if the right situation and mindset it taken. The hotbed and expectation of Boston wont be easy, but the Red Caps who join the National League, are looking at a new dawn with new manager Charlie Pabor taking over.
Jimmy Wolf an outfielder went second to Buffalo and James Burke was the first pitcher taken by the Athletics.
Thats all for now, Happy Thanksgiving everone!
