OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward

FuzzyRussianHat · 04-29-2026, 08:46 AM

Indianapolis was the defending World Series champion and looked to win their fourth National League Championship Series, having also done it in 1885 and 1888. Pittsburgh’s only previous trip was a loss to the Clowns in 1888. Indy had home field advantage, although they split their six regular season games with Pittsburgh.

In game one, a four-run eighth inning propelled Indianapolis to a 5-3 home win. Spider Clark a two-run homer and Fred Clarke was 3-4 with a solo homer. Lady Baldwin was the winning pitcher, giving up eight hits and three runs over eight innings with three strikeouts. Pittsburgh starter Toad Ramsey gave up only two runs in seven innings, but closer Bill Reidy got lit up.

The Pirates evened the series with a 6-2 road win in game two. Pittsburgh had a four-run sixth inning which had a two-run double by Frank Shugart and two-run single by Billy Earle. Jerry Nops tossed eight strong innings, giving up two runs, five hits, and two walks with eight strikeouts.

Indianapolis reclaimed the series lead on an 8-3 victory in game three. The Clowns had a huge five-run eighth inning, punctuated by a based-clearing double by Bill Lange. Ed Stein had a quality start, giving up two runs and scattering nine hits in seven innings.

The Clowns earned a 3-1 series lead on a 5-1 road win in game four. Sadie McMahon pitched 7.2 innings, giving up an unearned run, five hits, and one walk with two strikeouts.

Game five went to extras even at 3-3. Three hits led to three runs in the top of the 11th for Indianapolis, who won the game 6-3 and clinched the series 4-1 on the road. The Clowns won their fourth pennant and earned the repeat. While the American League has seen incredible parity, the last ten National League pennants have been split between four franchises with each having a repeat.

SS Bobby Wheelock was the series MVP, going 6-18 with one homer, five RBI, and six runs. The 33-year old was 3-5 in the clincher, including a leadoff triple in the 11th. Indianapolis joins the Boston Braves as the only teams with four pennants through MLB’s first 14 seasons.

04-29-2026, 08:46 AM	#217
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,464	1897 nlcs Indianapolis was the defending World Series champion and looked to win their fourth National League Championship Series, having also done it in 1885 and 1888. Pittsburgh’s only previous trip was a loss to the Clowns in 1888. Indy had home field advantage, although they split their six regular season games with Pittsburgh. In game one, a four-run eighth inning propelled Indianapolis to a 5-3 home win. Spider Clark a two-run homer and Fred Clarke was 3-4 with a solo homer. Lady Baldwin was the winning pitcher, giving up eight hits and three runs over eight innings with three strikeouts. Pittsburgh starter Toad Ramsey gave up only two runs in seven innings, but closer Bill Reidy got lit up. The Pirates evened the series with a 6-2 road win in game two. Pittsburgh had a four-run sixth inning which had a two-run double by Frank Shugart and two-run single by Billy Earle. Jerry Nops tossed eight strong innings, giving up two runs, five hits, and two walks with eight strikeouts. Indianapolis reclaimed the series lead on an 8-3 victory in game three. The Clowns had a huge five-run eighth inning, punctuated by a based-clearing double by Bill Lange. Ed Stein had a quality start, giving up two runs and scattering nine hits in seven innings. The Clowns earned a 3-1 series lead on a 5-1 road win in game four. Sadie McMahon pitched 7.2 innings, giving up an unearned run, five hits, and one walk with two strikeouts. Game five went to extras even at 3-3. Three hits led to three runs in the top of the 11th for Indianapolis, who won the game 6-3 and clinched the series 4-1 on the road. The Clowns won their fourth pennant and earned the repeat. While the American League has seen incredible parity, the last ten National League pennants have been split between four franchises with each having a repeat. SS Bobby Wheelock was the series MVP, going 6-18 with one homer, five RBI, and six runs. The 33-year old was 3-5 in the clincher, including a leadoff triple in the 11th. Indianapolis joins the Boston Braves as the only teams with four pennants through MLB’s first 14 seasons. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)