[Rocketdawg2016]

1875

The 1874 off-season finally answered some long-asked questions about the future of the league. While none of the rumors had substance to them, people still wondered the most outlandish things, even if the league would fold. The NOBB officially announced on October 26th that the league would be expanding and adding four new members, slated to begin play in 1876. The four new teams would be the Pittsburgh Iron Camels, Newport Midshipmen, Brooklyn Barons and the Worcester Pirates. Meanwhile, fans were cautiously optimistic about Manchester finally being defeated, as they had lost three key players to the previous three championship teams and didn't add anyone in the off-season.

By mid-July, both pennant races were incredibly tight, with Manchester and Hartford both TIED at 62-50. Nobody knew what to expect from either team, but it was once again Manchester who prevailed late in the season. In the Atlantic League, New York had grip of the pennant the entire season, and while Philadelphia made a fun late in the year, it wouldn't be enough before New York clinched to confirm a repeat of last years National Championship.



While both teams traded blows Games 1 and 2, it was Manchester who would once again come out victorious, winning their 7th title in team history and STILL denying anybody else a chance at a championship.

Season Awards
CL Most Valuable Player: Mike Bonner, Manchester Eagles - .337 AVG|27 RBI|23 2B|94 R|119 H|
AL Most Valuable Player: Josh Hull, Philadelphia Watchmen - .368 AVG|138 H|20 2B|37 RBI|70 R|

CL Pitcher of the Year: Jarrod Barr, Manchester Eagles - 26-19|114 K|2.71 ERA|
AL Pitcher of the Year: Dusty Stefany, New York Battalion - 26-18|2.79 ERA|99 K|

Roman Hebert of the Baltimore Red Wings pitched the first no-hitter in two years against the Washington Senators, striking out four. Mike Bonner of the Manchester Eagles achieved 400 career stolen bases on April 9th.