The Baseball Career of William Ronaghan

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 12:11 AM

This story is an "alternate history" of Major League Baseball, from the viewpoint of a young Third Baseman from Connecticut, William (Bill) Ronaghan, who is signed at the age of 18 by the Boston Red Sox in 1907. The story picks up at what is a tumultous time for the Red Sox in real life. Manager Chick Stahl, who had been very depressed, had just killed himself during spring training. Owner John I. Taylor would hire four managers in 1907, and also traded the team's top third baseman Jimmy Collins and solid pitcher Bill Dineen for disagreeing with his choices for manager. This would lead to 5 hectic seasons, as Taylor made bad moves, followed by even worse moves, while making only two good choices, the building of Fenway Park and the changing of the team's name to the Red Sox. In 1912 Collins sold the team to Washington Senator's manager James McAleer and Joseph Lannin.

However, in my "alternate history", Taylor sold the team in 1907 soon after the suicide, McAleer and Lannin made the right move of naming Collins Player-Manager again, by resurrecting the relationship between the team and Collins. The team was still renamed the Red Sox, and Taylor stayed as Vice-President, as he oversaw the beginning of the building of Fenway Park.

The main character of my story is William Ronaghan, who is based on my great-grandfather, who played minor league baseball in Connecticut for five years, but never made it any farther.

This William Ronaghan comes from Hartford Connecticut and is signed by the Boston Red Sox at the young age of 18 in 1907. The story follows his career, as well as baseball history, and the history of the time of his life.

(I'll admit this is almost a direct copy of Big Six's Pat O'Farrell story, but I have enjoyed reading that so much since I began earlier this week-somehow I had missed it for so long-that I had the urge to start my own story. I was planning on choosing another team, but I am to big of a Sox fan to not choose them. Also with William coming from New England, and my knowledge of Red Sox history I think its the best team for him to start with. I'll have more up soon.)

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 01:49 AM

Original Characters

(Many new ones will be added as the story goes along)

William (Bill) Joseph Ronaghan: The main character of this story, born in West Hartford, Connecticut on March 12, 1889. He is the son of Joseph and Mary Ann Ronaghan. He is the youngest of seven children (Joseph, Michael, Thomas, Catherine, Ann, Bridget). Raised in a large, middle class, family in a small town outside of Connecticut's capital city (Hartford), his father worked at Aetna Insurance in Hartford and his mother taught at the town's high school, Charter Oak High. William always had a passion for sports, running track, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was a star at Charter Oak High in track and baseball. William was invited at the age of 16 and 17 to play in the summer for the local minor league baseball team, the Hartford Senators, and played well in a mainly reserve role. At 18 he was asked to come to Trinity College to play for the team and attend the college, but turned down the offer only after recieving an invitation from Jimmy Collins to try out in Boston for the Red Sox. He was signed to a contract in 1907 and was assigned to the new minor league team, ironically the Hartford Senators. The 18 year old third baseman is a great fielder, with good speed, and is a terrefic hitter for average.

Joseph and Mary Ann Ronaghan: Both Irish immigrants in the 1870s, the two parents of 7 have lived in Connecticut for many years. Joseph is a hard worker who moved up the ranks in Aetna Insurance. Mary Ann is a kind and nurturing woman, who loves her job as a teacher. Joseph was always a baseball fan and encouraged his son throughout his career.

Thomas and Bridget Ronaghan: The closest Ronaghan children in age to William and the two who recieve the most attention in the story. Thomas is 19 in 1907 and Bridget is 18.

Michael, Catherine, Ann Ronaghan: The other brothers and sisters of William. Michael is 24, Catherine, 26, and Ann 23.

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 02:20 AM

The Teammates.

In 1907, there were no minor league affiliations between the majors and the National Association of Professional Baseball (now known as Minor League Baseball), as there is now. But for the purpose of this story, the affiliations began in 1907 instead of in 1922 like in real life. William Ronaghan has been assigned to the Hartford Senators of the Connecticut League, a Class A team in the NAPB and an affiliate of the Red Sox.

On his team are six players who made debuts in the Red Sox orginization in the next three years, when I expect William to debut.

Smokey Joe Wood: A 17 year old pitcher/outfielder from Kansas City, Missouri, he is the most well-known of the players on the Senators 1907 squad. He is hard thrower who has a great chance to have a great career ahead of him. In real life he was derailed by injuries in the mid 19-teens and was forced to move from pitcher to outfield and eventually into retirement. He is a good guy and was a fan favorite and an important member of the Boston community, even after his injuries, so that will be reflected in this story.

George "Duffy" Lewis: The only other well-known member of the Senators. The left fielder is a great fielder with some speed, a great arm, and solid batting skills, and also has some pitching talent. He is from San Francisco.

Ben Hunt:One of the other starting pitchers for the Senators, only pitched one season for the Boston Red Sox. The Oklahoma native has a chance to have a better career in an alternate reality. Like Ronaghan, he is only 18 years old.

Ed Hearn:The 18 year old starting shortstop for the Hartford 9, he only had two at bats in one major league season for the Boston Red Sox in 1910. He is a California native.

Hap Myers: Another 18 year old starter, this time the centefielder for the team. A slick fielding, speedster, with few other skills, could have a solid career as a Red Sox (or other team) reserve. He played 5 years in the majors in that role.

Ralph Pond: The 18 year old rightfielder from Wisconsin makes up the Seantors starting outfield. He played in only one major league game.

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 02:43 AM

February 17, 1907

With the 1907 season coming closer and closer, the Boston Red Sox, begin to make the final changes to their team. With a new name and new owner the Boston club hopes to make a run for the AL Pennant and the World Series. Today the team has announced a trade with the New York Giants of the National League, sending Pitcher Frank Burchell to the New York club and recieving 38 year old shortstop Tommy Corcoran in return, to backup starting shortstop Heinie Wagner.

Corcoran has aged over the past years, but the New Haven, Connecticut native has had success in the past and is a slick fielder.

Also today the team announced the signings of six rookies from across the country. The big catches according to the Boston ownership are Duffy Lewis and Joe Wood, an outfielder and pitcher. Third Baseman William Ronaghan is a West Hartford, Connecticut native who according to the Bostons also shows talent. All three will begin the season at the Connecticut League Hartford Senators.

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 03:59 PM

Boston Red Sox Team Preview

The Boston Red Sox had a disastrous 1906 season, winning only 49 games and losing 105. The team that had so much success in the past years, including winning the first ever World Series Championship was nowhere near where they had been in the past.

The pain of the previous season was clouded by a more serious pain, the tragic suicide of manager Chick Stahl. The team's owner John I. Taylor succombed to the pressure of the players and fans and sold the team to a new owner, James McAleer.

The team is hoping for a fresh start, with a new name the Red Sox. Player-Manager Jimmy Collins takes back the reigns of the team, and many players from 1906 return to hope and to have a better year than last. Aging pitcher Cy Young leads the staff along with fellow veterans Jesse Tannehill and Bill Dineen. Young pitcher Rube Kroh hopes to make an immediate impact. Veterans Buck Freeman, Jimmy Collins, and Fred Parent lead the offense, along with young Heinie Wagner and Tris Speaker.

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 04:35 PM

4/10/1907

Ms. Bridget Ronaghan
24 Flagg Road,
West Hartford Connecticut

Dear Bridget,

How are things at home? I am having a great time down here in the south. We have just finished spring training in Little Rock, Arkansas. Its a lot different here than at home. I played mostly with the other young guys on the team, and have become good friends with Ben Hunt, a pitcher from Oklahoma. We are roommates here and both of us will be coming back to Hartford to play with the Senators. Tomorrow everyone will go seperate ways, the big league team with head up North for their games against the Philadelphia Athletics. I will be going with the Senators to North Carolina to play some of the other Class C teams before returning home for our home opener.

One of the veterans on our team is James "Jimmy" Callaghan. He's a pitcher from Hartford who has played for the Senators for the past 3 years after playing a Trinity College for two. I knew him the past two years and he and I have become close friends due to being from the same state. James is glad that the Red Sox purchased the Senators, because now he has a chance to make it to the majors, something he never had before. Jimmy is a great guy, and an Irishman like me. Hopefully you can meet him when we come back home in a week or so. I can't wait to see you and Tommy, give love to Mom and Dad and everyone,

Love Always,

Your Brother,

Will Ronaghan

4/12/1907

PS. I'm sorry I didn't send this sooner, but things got so hectic after the Spring Training camp broke up. We took a train to Durham, North Carolina to play Durham. The team is owned by the Philadelphia Athletics. I started at third base and batted four times, with two hits including a double (which means I made it to second base). We played two games against the Durham squad and won one, and lost one. I'm happy to say that my friend James Callaghan won the first game, pitching nine innings with 12 strikeouts. We lost the next game in a close one, 2-0, and Smokey Joe Wood, a 17 year old from Kansas City pitched very well. If Smokey Joe and Jimmy can keep pitching this way it will be a very good season! I can't wait until we return home! I'm playing two more games here in North Carolina, one in Wilmington and one in Raleigh before returning home for the start of the Connecticut League. Can't wait to see you!

Big Six · 05-15-2005, 08:50 PM

Thanks for the compliments about the Pat O'Farrell story, TCleary. The thing about OOTP is that a dynasty that might begin in a similar fashion to another one will often turn out very different.

I'll be interested in seeing what kind of career Bill has, and if his Sox teammates and their opponents have anything like the successes (or disappointments) they experienced in Pat's universe.

Good luck!

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 09:04 PM

Thanks, I'm just glad your not angry at me for using your idea, I was worried about that. It should be fun, and that is one of the reasons I did it. To see if some of the players who had surprise careers in Pat's universe do in mine, and how some of your main characters like Joe Wood and Bill Carrigan do in William's universe. Will Roy Hitt have a great career? We'll see

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 10:20 PM

Mr. James Collins
Manager, Boston American League Base Ball Club
Huntington Avenue Grounds
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. Collins,

Here is the scouting report you asked for on Third Baseman William Ronaghan.

Ronaghan, 18, is a blue chip prospect with a very bright future as a big league third baseman. He's certainly not the fastest guy on the roster, but he's smart on the basepaths and steals more bases than you would expect. William is a very good thirdbaseman defensively. He seems to know where the ball is going before it leaves the bat, makes fantastic reads, and takes good routes to the ball.

As far as consistency goes, he is average, and is very loyal to the team. He shows some leader ability, does not care about being on a winner, and is normal in clutch performance.

On our five star scale he is rated 3.5 stars.

On our 1-100 scale he has the following talent ratings:

Contact: 86
Gap Power: 68
Homerun Power: 17
Eye: 68
Avoid K's: 52

From,

John Allen
Manager of Hartford Senators

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 10:57 PM

(Once and awhile I'll tell stories from the first-person view of William. Its something that is a little different from Big Six's dynasty and gives you a more personal look into the daily life of Will. I plan on writing them like a novel. Give me feedback on these, I'm not sure how it will come out.)

When I looked on the Durham squad's roster before the game, I noticed a name I had seen before. Patrick Maloney, Third Base. I saw him at third base and recognized him instantly. I had played with Pat in Hartford two years ago, while he was a member of the Senators and I was a 16 year old reserve, getting his first glance at minor league ball during the summer. He was 17 and we competed for the backup role to the veteran third baseman on the Senators. Maloney was from somewhere in Northern Connecticut I remembered, and was a pretty good ball player. After doubling early in the game I reached third base and we spoke briefly, before the inning ended, and later he made it to third and we were able to speak again. After the game we met outside the club houses for a brief moment.

"How have you been Pat? I haven't seen you since two years ago, what happened to you?" I said to him.

"I moved down south when I turned 18 to try my luck in one of the North Carolina leagues, and lucky for me the team I signed with has been purchased by the New York Giants, giving me a shot to make the big leagues, what about you?" replied Pat.

"Well I played another year in high school and won the State Title, with you finally gone it made things a lot easier for me, and the Warriors. Then I played one more year for the Senators, and was about to go to Trinity, when I was invited to a tryout by the Red Sox and signed to a contract. Ironically, the Red Sox purchased the Senators and now I'm here"

"Well one day we may see each other in the World Series, Giants vs. Red Sox. " He replied with a laugh.

"Yes, that would be great Pat. Well, it looks like the rest of the team is leaving, I better go to, good luck and I'll be sure to write you when I get back up North, I hope you do the same." I said as I turned and began to walk away from Pat.

"See ya later, Will. Good luck in Hartford." He replied as he turned and went back into his team's club house.

(Basically I created Patrick Maloney as a third base prospect for the New York Giants. The "real" Pat Maloney played one year for the New York Yankees. He is from Connecticut. The main reason I brought him into the story was for someone Will can send letters to this season while in Hartford. Since Will will be close to his family he can't send letters to them. Let me know how this first-person/dialogue works and I might do it more often/less/never again.)

Emerald Winged Angel · 05-15-2005, 11:00 PM

I think it's a good first effort.

If you want to read up on writers who are really good at dialogue for help, I can give you a list.

TCleary46 · 05-15-2005, 11:05 PM

Sure, anything to make it better would be great.

TCleary46 · 05-16-2005, 11:47 PM

Hartford Courant

The 1907 Connecticut League opens with a different feel than in the past. For the first time in league history, each team is owned by a major league team and will serve as a minor league team for the major league team's younger players. The Connecticut League will be home to the youngest players on the major league squads, players who are just breaking into the pros. The teams are each affiliated with an American League team.

The new affiliations are as follows:

Hartford Senators: Boston Red Sox
Bridgeport Orators: New York Highlanders
Waterbury Authors: Detroit Tigers
New Haven Blues: Cleveland Naps
Springfield Ponies: Chicago White Sox
Holyoke Papermakers: Saint Louis Browns
New London Whalers: Philadelphia Athletics
Norwich Reds: Washington Senators

The defending Connecticut League champion Hartford Senators field a potent offense led by the top prospects in the Boston Red Sox system, "Smoky" Joe Wood, a fierce fireballer from Kansas City, slick fielding outfielder George "Duffy" Lewis, and hometown hero, Third Base Man William Ronaghan, a local boy from West Hartford. Ronaghan has played a few games for the Senators in the past two years and is a captivating fielder with a solid bat. He was a member of the last years High School Base Ball State Champions team, the Charter Oak High School Warriors.

The challengers from the Senators come from many directions with the addition of an abundance of talent to the league this year. The Authors send out sweet swinging outfielder Roy Killefer and hard throwing pitcher Cy Barger, the Whalers are led by 19 year old ace George Craig, and finally the Papermakers from north of the border are led by the crafty 18 year old phenomn Bill Bailey.

In other minor league news, former Connecticut High School Base Ball player of the year Patrick Maloney, a member of the back to back Groversdale High state championship team two and three years ago and a former Senators Third Base Man is playing down south for the Durham Bulls, a team that is now owned by the New York Giants and is said to be impressing many. The Courant will follow the progress of this hometown hero this season as well as the many other Connecticut athletes spread around the major and minor leagues.

TCleary46 · 05-16-2005, 11:59 PM

Dear Pat,

How have you been? Things have been great up here in Hartford. The month of April has just ended and I have recieved terrific news. I will be called up to Lowell of the New England League, which is Class B. I am only two steps away from the Red Sox now!

We here in Hartford have had a great start to the season, finishing the month of April with a record of 12-4 and running away with the Connecticut League lead. I have grown very close to another player from Hartford, James "Jack" Callaghan. He is 22 years old, but you may remember him from playing with the Senators a few years back. He's a great pitcher and I'm surprised that he hasn't been signed by a major league team before. Luckily for him he has now caught the eye of the Red Sox and is moving up to Lowell with me!

I have become very close with my team mates here in Hartford and I will miss them, but I am happy to say that due to our success many of my new friends will be making the train trip to Lowell with me.

George "Duffy" Lewis has been hammering the ball for us and also has shown great glovework in left field. Jack and Smoky Joe Wood have led our pitching staff and all four of us will be called up to Lowell together. I feel bad for the folks in Hartford who were having so much fun watching their hometown team this year, but I am sure that Mr. Allen will keep them competitive like always.

I have been having a great year at the plate, how about you? I hope you are doing well too. I did something that I rarely do, and this will most likely shock you, I hit a home run over the outfield fence! I'll admit it was a windy day, and the fences in Waterbury are short, but I was still amazed by the feat. I had been hitting just over .300 for most of the year, but over the past days my average dropped to .297, mainly due to striking out a lot. The coaches keep telling me to keep my eye on the ball, and it is something I have to work on, they call it "plate discipline". Its a whole lot different than high school when all we did was walk to the plate and swing away!

Well, I expect to hear from you soon Pat, I really hope that you are playing well down there in Durham! Good luck and hopefully I'll see you someday this offseason, but until then, I remain,

Your Friend,

William Ronaghan

TCleary46 · 05-17-2005, 12:20 AM

Dear Bridget,

You'll never guess where I am right now! I am on a train from Boston to Lowell. I have just seen my first ever Red Sox game and I am in a state of shock right now. When I arrived in Lowell one day ago, the manager of the team, Mr. Wilson Scott, met the four of us boys from Hartford and told us that we had a game that day. We were all surprised and quickly got ready to play.

Jack Callaghan, the player who had been rooming at our parents house with me, got his first start for the Lowell Spinners and pitched very well. He only gave up two runs, struck out 7 batters in nine innings pitched! I am very happy for Callaghan and I hope he can continue his success, because he deserves everything he has recieved.

I started the game at third base and played well. I managed to get two hits in four at bats, including an double that drove in Duffy from second.

The most exciting part of the day was when the four of us were informed that we had been invited to Boston to see the May 2 game against the New York Highlanders. None of us had ever seen a major league base ball game live and we could barely contain the excitement that we felt. We got on a train late that night and arrived in Boston the next morning in time to get to the park.

The Red Sox Rooters that we sat with informed us that the team had been playing well, much better than they did last season. The team has a record of 11 wins and 7 losses and they are in second place behind the Cleveland Naps.

The starting pitcher for the Red Sox was Jesse Tannehill, a veteran pitcher who, according to the rooters, is 4-1 this season and has pitched like an ace. They also informed us that Cy Young and rookie Rube Kroh have pitched very well this season.

The player that impressed me the most was Centerfield Tris Speaker. He is only 20 years old and is already one of the top players in the American League. Speaker went two for four, and hit his first home run. He also stole a base and made spectacular plays in the field. Another player that impressed me is 26 year old Shortstop Heinie Wagner. He has been the top player in the American League this season, using both his bat skills and fielding skills to help the Bostons. He has a batting average that still is over .400! He leads the league in hits.

Mr. Tannehill dominated the Highlanders and did not give up a hit until the Sixth Inning. "Tanny" as the rooters called him, only gave up three more hits, and did not allow a run. The Red Sox won the game 3-0.

A very exciting moment for me was when the team's player-manager Jimmy Collins had to come into the game to replace Buck Freeman after he injured himself. Collins moved to third base and young third base man Harry Lord moved to the outfield. Collins, as you should know, has always been won of my heros. I have followed his career through the Courant and Sporting News and he is one of the reasons that I am a third base man. After the game I was able to meet Mr. Collins. He introduced himself and I was sweating because of all the fear in my body. He told me that I was a great prospect and he had heard about me, and again I was shocked. Knowing that one of my hero's knows about me is an amazing feeling. This meeting with Mr. Collins is going to push me to play even harder, so he can continue to hear good things about me.

Well, its beginning to get dark on the train, so I am afraid that I must close my letter. I assure you that I will write you and the rest of the family when I get back to Lowell as soon as I can. Share this letter with everyone else and give my love. I hope to see you in Hartford soon, but until then, I remain,

Your Loving Brother,

Will Ronaghan.

TCleary46 · 05-17-2005, 03:20 PM

Dear Pat,

It was great hearing from you and I cannot believe that you have been called up to the New York Giants already! Good luck with the team, I am sorry I cannot write more, but I am about to play a game. I hope you do well for the Giants!

Your Friend,

William Ronaghan

TCleary46 · 05-17-2005, 03:30 PM

Dear Tom,

I just recieved your most recent letter and I am happy to hear that things are well at home. I truly miss you and the rest of the family and cannot wait until this fall when I can return home to see you.

As far as things go, I had a great month here in Lowell. I have been living with a wonderful family along with Jack Callaghan and have become closer to my teammates, especially Duffy Lewis and Joe Wood. The four of us have been together a lot.

We had to say goodbye to Joe though, as he has been called all the way up to the major leagues! The Red Sox were recieving constant success from Jesse Tannehill, Rube Kroh, and Cy Young, but the fourth starter had not been consistent. Smoky Joe joined the team a few weeks ago and is playing well from what I hear from him. He has pitched 5 times, won three of those starts, and lost twice. I hope I can join him soon!

Duffy and I both recieved notice that we too will be moving up. We are going to the Providence squad of the Class A league. Sadly I have to say good bye to Jack, who I have been rooming with all year long. Jack has been a great friend and was becoming like another brother to me. We plan to write to each other and will keep in touch, and hopefully he will be able to join me in Providence soon!

I know you and Dad want to know how I am doing at the plate. I had a more difficult time hitting against the better pitchers at Class B. In 107 trips to the plate I managed to get 31 hits, 3 of them doubles. I walked 5 times and stole 6 bases, but I am still striking out way to much. I am hoping that I can improve on that in Class A.

I hope you and the family remain well,

Your Loving Brother,

Will Ronaghan.

05-15-2005, 12:11 AM	#1
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	The Base Ball Career of William Ronaghan This story is an "alternate history" of Major League Baseball, from the viewpoint of a young Third Baseman from Connecticut, William (Bill) Ronaghan, who is signed at the age of 18 by the Boston Red Sox in 1907. The story picks up at what is a tumultous time for the Red Sox in real life. Manager Chick Stahl, who had been very depressed, had just killed himself during spring training. Owner John I. Taylor would hire four managers in 1907, and also traded the team's top third baseman Jimmy Collins and solid pitcher Bill Dineen for disagreeing with his choices for manager. This would lead to 5 hectic seasons, as Taylor made bad moves, followed by even worse moves, while making only two good choices, the building of Fenway Park and the changing of the team's name to the Red Sox. In 1912 Collins sold the team to Washington Senator's manager James McAleer and Joseph Lannin. However, in my "alternate history", Taylor sold the team in 1907 soon after the suicide, McAleer and Lannin made the right move of naming Collins Player-Manager again, by resurrecting the relationship between the team and Collins. The team was still renamed the Red Sox, and Taylor stayed as Vice-President, as he oversaw the beginning of the building of Fenway Park. The main character of my story is William Ronaghan, who is based on my great-grandfather, who played minor league baseball in Connecticut for five years, but never made it any farther. This William Ronaghan comes from Hartford Connecticut and is signed by the Boston Red Sox at the young age of 18 in 1907. The story follows his career, as well as baseball history, and the history of the time of his life. (I'll admit this is almost a direct copy of Big Six's Pat O'Farrell story, but I have enjoyed reading that so much since I began earlier this week-somehow I had missed it for so long-that I had the urge to start my own story. I was planning on choosing another team, but I am to big of a Sox fan to not choose them. Also with William coming from New England, and my knowledge of Red Sox history I think its the best team for him to start with. I'll have more up soon.) Last edited by TCleary46; 05-15-2005 at 09:59 PM.

05-15-2005, 02:43 AM	#4
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Boston Globe February 17, 1907 With the 1907 season coming closer and closer, the Boston Red Sox, begin to make the final changes to their team. With a new name and new owner the Boston club hopes to make a run for the AL Pennant and the World Series. Today the team has announced a trade with the New York Giants of the National League, sending Pitcher Frank Burchell to the New York club and recieving 38 year old shortstop Tommy Corcoran in return, to backup starting shortstop Heinie Wagner. Corcoran has aged over the past years, but the New Haven, Connecticut native has had success in the past and is a slick fielder. Also today the team announced the signings of six rookies from across the country. The big catches according to the Boston ownership are Duffy Lewis and Joe Wood, an outfielder and pitcher. Third Baseman William Ronaghan is a West Hartford, Connecticut native who according to the Bostons also shows talent. All three will begin the season at the Connecticut League Hartford Senators.

05-15-2005, 03:59 PM	#5
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Sporting News: 4/10/1907 Boston Red Sox Team Preview The Boston Red Sox had a disastrous 1906 season, winning only 49 games and losing 105. The team that had so much success in the past years, including winning the first ever World Series Championship was nowhere near where they had been in the past. The pain of the previous season was clouded by a more serious pain, the tragic suicide of manager Chick Stahl. The team's owner John I. Taylor succombed to the pressure of the players and fans and sold the team to a new owner, James McAleer. The team is hoping for a fresh start, with a new name the Red Sox. Player-Manager Jimmy Collins takes back the reigns of the team, and many players from 1906 return to hope and to have a better year than last. Aging pitcher Cy Young leads the staff along with fellow veterans Jesse Tannehill and Bill Dineen. Young pitcher Rube Kroh hopes to make an immediate impact. Veterans Buck Freeman, Jimmy Collins, and Fred Parent lead the offense, along with young Heinie Wagner and Tris Speaker.

05-15-2005, 08:50 PM	#7
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,145	Thanks for the compliments about the Pat O'Farrell story, TCleary. The thing about OOTP is that a dynasty that might begin in a similar fashion to another one will often turn out very different. I'll be interested in seeing what kind of career Bill has, and if his Sox teammates and their opponents have anything like the successes (or disappointments) they experienced in Pat's universe. Good luck! __________________ My dynasties: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell: 2014 inductee, OOTP Dynasty Hall of Fame Kenilworth: A Town and its Team: fun with a fictional league

05-15-2005, 10:20 PM	#9
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	In Response To Request For Scouting Reports Mr. James Collins Manager, Boston American League Base Ball Club Huntington Avenue Grounds Boston, Massachusetts Mr. Collins, Here is the scouting report you asked for on Third Baseman William Ronaghan. Ronaghan, 18, is a blue chip prospect with a very bright future as a big league third baseman. He's certainly not the fastest guy on the roster, but he's smart on the basepaths and steals more bases than you would expect. William is a very good thirdbaseman defensively. He seems to know where the ball is going before it leaves the bat, makes fantastic reads, and takes good routes to the ball. As far as consistency goes, he is average, and is very loyal to the team. He shows some leader ability, does not care about being on a winner, and is normal in clutch performance. On our five star scale he is rated 3.5 stars. On our 1-100 scale he has the following talent ratings: Contact: 86 Gap Power: 68 Homerun Power: 17 Eye: 68 Avoid K's: 52 From, John Allen Manager of Hartford Senators

05-15-2005, 01:49 AM	#2
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Original Characters (Many new ones will be added as the story goes along) William (Bill) Joseph Ronaghan: The main character of this story, born in West Hartford, Connecticut on March 12, 1889. He is the son of Joseph and Mary Ann Ronaghan. He is the youngest of seven children (Joseph, Michael, Thomas, Catherine, Ann, Bridget). Raised in a large, middle class, family in a small town outside of Connecticut's capital city (Hartford), his father worked at Aetna Insurance in Hartford and his mother taught at the town's high school, Charter Oak High. William always had a passion for sports, running track, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was a star at Charter Oak High in track and baseball. William was invited at the age of 16 and 17 to play in the summer for the local minor league baseball team, the Hartford Senators, and played well in a mainly reserve role. At 18 he was asked to come to Trinity College to play for the team and attend the college, but turned down the offer only after recieving an invitation from Jimmy Collins to try out in Boston for the Red Sox. He was signed to a contract in 1907 and was assigned to the new minor league team, ironically the Hartford Senators. The 18 year old third baseman is a great fielder, with good speed, and is a terrefic hitter for average. Joseph and Mary Ann Ronaghan: Both Irish immigrants in the 1870s, the two parents of 7 have lived in Connecticut for many years. Joseph is a hard worker who moved up the ranks in Aetna Insurance. Mary Ann is a kind and nurturing woman, who loves her job as a teacher. Joseph was always a baseball fan and encouraged his son throughout his career. Thomas and Bridget Ronaghan: The closest Ronaghan children in age to William and the two who recieve the most attention in the story. Thomas is 19 in 1907 and Bridget is 18. Michael, Catherine, Ann Ronaghan: The other brothers and sisters of William. Michael is 24, Catherine, 26, and Ann 23.

05-15-2005, 02:20 AM	#3
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	The Teammates. In 1907, there were no minor league affiliations between the majors and the National Association of Professional Baseball (now known as Minor League Baseball), as there is now. But for the purpose of this story, the affiliations began in 1907 instead of in 1922 like in real life. William Ronaghan has been assigned to the Hartford Senators of the Connecticut League, a Class A team in the NAPB and an affiliate of the Red Sox. On his team are six players who made debuts in the Red Sox orginization in the next three years, when I expect William to debut. Smokey Joe Wood: A 17 year old pitcher/outfielder from Kansas City, Missouri, he is the most well-known of the players on the Senators 1907 squad. He is hard thrower who has a great chance to have a great career ahead of him. In real life he was derailed by injuries in the mid 19-teens and was forced to move from pitcher to outfield and eventually into retirement. He is a good guy and was a fan favorite and an important member of the Boston community, even after his injuries, so that will be reflected in this story. George "Duffy" Lewis: The only other well-known member of the Senators. The left fielder is a great fielder with some speed, a great arm, and solid batting skills, and also has some pitching talent. He is from San Francisco. Ben Hunt:One of the other starting pitchers for the Senators, only pitched one season for the Boston Red Sox. The Oklahoma native has a chance to have a better career in an alternate reality. Like Ronaghan, he is only 18 years old. Ed Hearn:The 18 year old starting shortstop for the Hartford 9, he only had two at bats in one major league season for the Boston Red Sox in 1910. He is a California native. Hap Myers: Another 18 year old starter, this time the centefielder for the team. A slick fielding, speedster, with few other skills, could have a solid career as a Red Sox (or other team) reserve. He played 5 years in the majors in that role. Ralph Pond: The 18 year old rightfielder from Wisconsin makes up the Seantors starting outfield. He played in only one major league game.

05-15-2005, 04:35 PM	#6
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	4/10/1907 Ms. Bridget Ronaghan 24 Flagg Road, West Hartford Connecticut Dear Bridget, How are things at home? I am having a great time down here in the south. We have just finished spring training in Little Rock, Arkansas. Its a lot different here than at home. I played mostly with the other young guys on the team, and have become good friends with Ben Hunt, a pitcher from Oklahoma. We are roommates here and both of us will be coming back to Hartford to play with the Senators. Tomorrow everyone will go seperate ways, the big league team with head up North for their games against the Philadelphia Athletics. I will be going with the Senators to North Carolina to play some of the other Class C teams before returning home for our home opener. One of the veterans on our team is James "Jimmy" Callaghan. He's a pitcher from Hartford who has played for the Senators for the past 3 years after playing a Trinity College for two. I knew him the past two years and he and I have become close friends due to being from the same state. James is glad that the Red Sox purchased the Senators, because now he has a chance to make it to the majors, something he never had before. Jimmy is a great guy, and an Irishman like me. Hopefully you can meet him when we come back home in a week or so. I can't wait to see you and Tommy, give love to Mom and Dad and everyone, Love Always, Your Brother, Will Ronaghan 4/12/1907 PS. I'm sorry I didn't send this sooner, but things got so hectic after the Spring Training camp broke up. We took a train to Durham, North Carolina to play Durham. The team is owned by the Philadelphia Athletics. I started at third base and batted four times, with two hits including a double (which means I made it to second base). We played two games against the Durham squad and won one, and lost one. I'm happy to say that my friend James Callaghan won the first game, pitching nine innings with 12 strikeouts. We lost the next game in a close one, 2-0, and Smokey Joe Wood, a 17 year old from Kansas City pitched very well. If Smokey Joe and Jimmy can keep pitching this way it will be a very good season! I can't wait until we return home! I'm playing two more games here in North Carolina, one in Wilmington and one in Raleigh before returning home for the start of the Connecticut League. Can't wait to see you!

05-15-2005, 09:04 PM	#8
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Thanks, I'm just glad your not angry at me for using your idea, I was worried about that. It should be fun, and that is one of the reasons I did it. To see if some of the players who had surprise careers in Pat's universe do in mine, and how some of your main characters like Joe Wood and Bill Carrigan do in William's universe. Will Roy Hitt have a great career? We'll see

05-15-2005, 10:57 PM	#10
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	(Once and awhile I'll tell stories from the first-person view of William. Its something that is a little different from Big Six's dynasty and gives you a more personal look into the daily life of Will. I plan on writing them like a novel. Give me feedback on these, I'm not sure how it will come out.) When I looked on the Durham squad's roster before the game, I noticed a name I had seen before. Patrick Maloney, Third Base. I saw him at third base and recognized him instantly. I had played with Pat in Hartford two years ago, while he was a member of the Senators and I was a 16 year old reserve, getting his first glance at minor league ball during the summer. He was 17 and we competed for the backup role to the veteran third baseman on the Senators. Maloney was from somewhere in Northern Connecticut I remembered, and was a pretty good ball player. After doubling early in the game I reached third base and we spoke briefly, before the inning ended, and later he made it to third and we were able to speak again. After the game we met outside the club houses for a brief moment. "How have you been Pat? I haven't seen you since two years ago, what happened to you?" I said to him. "I moved down south when I turned 18 to try my luck in one of the North Carolina leagues, and lucky for me the team I signed with has been purchased by the New York Giants, giving me a shot to make the big leagues, what about you?" replied Pat. "Well I played another year in high school and won the State Title, with you finally gone it made things a lot easier for me, and the Warriors. Then I played one more year for the Senators, and was about to go to Trinity, when I was invited to a tryout by the Red Sox and signed to a contract. Ironically, the Red Sox purchased the Senators and now I'm here" "Well one day we may see each other in the World Series, Giants vs. Red Sox. " He replied with a laugh. "Yes, that would be great Pat. Well, it looks like the rest of the team is leaving, I better go to, good luck and I'll be sure to write you when I get back up North, I hope you do the same." I said as I turned and began to walk away from Pat. "See ya later, Will. Good luck in Hartford." He replied as he turned and went back into his team's club house. (Basically I created Patrick Maloney as a third base prospect for the New York Giants. The "real" Pat Maloney played one year for the New York Yankees. He is from Connecticut. The main reason I brought him into the story was for someone Will can send letters to this season while in Hartford. Since Will will be close to his family he can't send letters to them. Let me know how this first-person/dialogue works and I might do it more often/less/never again.)

05-15-2005, 11:00 PM	#11
Emerald Winged Angel Banned Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 10	I think it's a good first effort. If you want to read up on writers who are really good at dialogue for help, I can give you a list.

05-15-2005, 11:05 PM	#12
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Sure, anything to make it better would be great.

05-16-2005, 11:47 PM	#13
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	4/13/1907 Hartford Courant The 1907 Connecticut League opens with a different feel than in the past. For the first time in league history, each team is owned by a major league team and will serve as a minor league team for the major league team's younger players. The Connecticut League will be home to the youngest players on the major league squads, players who are just breaking into the pros. The teams are each affiliated with an American League team. The new affiliations are as follows: Hartford Senators: Boston Red Sox Bridgeport Orators: New York Highlanders Waterbury Authors: Detroit Tigers New Haven Blues: Cleveland Naps Springfield Ponies: Chicago White Sox Holyoke Papermakers: Saint Louis Browns New London Whalers: Philadelphia Athletics Norwich Reds: Washington Senators The defending Connecticut League champion Hartford Senators field a potent offense led by the top prospects in the Boston Red Sox system, "Smoky" Joe Wood, a fierce fireballer from Kansas City, slick fielding outfielder George "Duffy" Lewis, and hometown hero, Third Base Man William Ronaghan, a local boy from West Hartford. Ronaghan has played a few games for the Senators in the past two years and is a captivating fielder with a solid bat. He was a member of the last years High School Base Ball State Champions team, the Charter Oak High School Warriors. The challengers from the Senators come from many directions with the addition of an abundance of talent to the league this year. The Authors send out sweet swinging outfielder Roy Killefer and hard throwing pitcher Cy Barger, the Whalers are led by 19 year old ace George Craig, and finally the Papermakers from north of the border are led by the crafty 18 year old phenomn Bill Bailey. In other minor league news, former Connecticut High School Base Ball player of the year Patrick Maloney, a member of the back to back Groversdale High state championship team two and three years ago and a former Senators Third Base Man is playing down south for the Durham Bulls, a team that is now owned by the New York Giants and is said to be impressing many. The Courant will follow the progress of this hometown hero this season as well as the many other Connecticut athletes spread around the major and minor leagues.

05-16-2005, 11:59 PM	#14
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Letter To Pat Maloney: April 30, 1907 Dear Pat, How have you been? Things have been great up here in Hartford. The month of April has just ended and I have recieved terrific news. I will be called up to Lowell of the New England League, which is Class B. I am only two steps away from the Red Sox now! We here in Hartford have had a great start to the season, finishing the month of April with a record of 12-4 and running away with the Connecticut League lead. I have grown very close to another player from Hartford, James "Jack" Callaghan. He is 22 years old, but you may remember him from playing with the Senators a few years back. He's a great pitcher and I'm surprised that he hasn't been signed by a major league team before. Luckily for him he has now caught the eye of the Red Sox and is moving up to Lowell with me! I have become very close with my team mates here in Hartford and I will miss them, but I am happy to say that due to our success many of my new friends will be making the train trip to Lowell with me. George "Duffy" Lewis has been hammering the ball for us and also has shown great glovework in left field. Jack and Smoky Joe Wood have led our pitching staff and all four of us will be called up to Lowell together. I feel bad for the folks in Hartford who were having so much fun watching their hometown team this year, but I am sure that Mr. Allen will keep them competitive like always. I have been having a great year at the plate, how about you? I hope you are doing well too. I did something that I rarely do, and this will most likely shock you, I hit a home run over the outfield fence! I'll admit it was a windy day, and the fences in Waterbury are short, but I was still amazed by the feat. I had been hitting just over .300 for most of the year, but over the past days my average dropped to .297, mainly due to striking out a lot. The coaches keep telling me to keep my eye on the ball, and it is something I have to work on, they call it "plate discipline". Its a whole lot different than high school when all we did was walk to the plate and swing away! Well, I expect to hear from you soon Pat, I really hope that you are playing well down there in Durham! Good luck and hopefully I'll see you someday this offseason, but until then, I remain, Your Friend, William Ronaghan

05-17-2005, 12:20 AM	#15
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Letter To Bridget Ronaghan: May 2, 2007 Dear Bridget, You'll never guess where I am right now! I am on a train from Boston to Lowell. I have just seen my first ever Red Sox game and I am in a state of shock right now. When I arrived in Lowell one day ago, the manager of the team, Mr. Wilson Scott, met the four of us boys from Hartford and told us that we had a game that day. We were all surprised and quickly got ready to play. Jack Callaghan, the player who had been rooming at our parents house with me, got his first start for the Lowell Spinners and pitched very well. He only gave up two runs, struck out 7 batters in nine innings pitched! I am very happy for Callaghan and I hope he can continue his success, because he deserves everything he has recieved. I started the game at third base and played well. I managed to get two hits in four at bats, including an double that drove in Duffy from second. The most exciting part of the day was when the four of us were informed that we had been invited to Boston to see the May 2 game against the New York Highlanders. None of us had ever seen a major league base ball game live and we could barely contain the excitement that we felt. We got on a train late that night and arrived in Boston the next morning in time to get to the park. The Red Sox Rooters that we sat with informed us that the team had been playing well, much better than they did last season. The team has a record of 11 wins and 7 losses and they are in second place behind the Cleveland Naps. The starting pitcher for the Red Sox was Jesse Tannehill, a veteran pitcher who, according to the rooters, is 4-1 this season and has pitched like an ace. They also informed us that Cy Young and rookie Rube Kroh have pitched very well this season. The player that impressed me the most was Centerfield Tris Speaker. He is only 20 years old and is already one of the top players in the American League. Speaker went two for four, and hit his first home run. He also stole a base and made spectacular plays in the field. Another player that impressed me is 26 year old Shortstop Heinie Wagner. He has been the top player in the American League this season, using both his bat skills and fielding skills to help the Bostons. He has a batting average that still is over .400! He leads the league in hits. Mr. Tannehill dominated the Highlanders and did not give up a hit until the Sixth Inning. "Tanny" as the rooters called him, only gave up three more hits, and did not allow a run. The Red Sox won the game 3-0. A very exciting moment for me was when the team's player-manager Jimmy Collins had to come into the game to replace Buck Freeman after he injured himself. Collins moved to third base and young third base man Harry Lord moved to the outfield. Collins, as you should know, has always been won of my heros. I have followed his career through the Courant and Sporting News and he is one of the reasons that I am a third base man. After the game I was able to meet Mr. Collins. He introduced himself and I was sweating because of all the fear in my body. He told me that I was a great prospect and he had heard about me, and again I was shocked. Knowing that one of my hero's knows about me is an amazing feeling. This meeting with Mr. Collins is going to push me to play even harder, so he can continue to hear good things about me. Well, its beginning to get dark on the train, so I am afraid that I must close my letter. I assure you that I will write you and the rest of the family when I get back to Lowell as soon as I can. Share this letter with everyone else and give my love. I hope to see you in Hartford soon, but until then, I remain, Your Loving Brother, Will Ronaghan.

05-17-2005, 03:20 PM	#16
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Letter To Pat Maloney: May 15, 1907 Dear Pat, It was great hearing from you and I cannot believe that you have been called up to the New York Giants already! Good luck with the team, I am sorry I cannot write more, but I am about to play a game. I hope you do well for the Giants! Your Friend, William Ronaghan

05-17-2005, 03:30 PM	#17
TCleary46 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 64	Letter To Tom Ronaghan: May 31, 2005 Dear Tom, I just recieved your most recent letter and I am happy to hear that things are well at home. I truly miss you and the rest of the family and cannot wait until this fall when I can return home to see you. As far as things go, I had a great month here in Lowell. I have been living with a wonderful family along with Jack Callaghan and have become closer to my teammates, especially Duffy Lewis and Joe Wood. The four of us have been together a lot. We had to say goodbye to Joe though, as he has been called all the way up to the major leagues! The Red Sox were recieving constant success from Jesse Tannehill, Rube Kroh, and Cy Young, but the fourth starter had not been consistent. Smoky Joe joined the team a few weeks ago and is playing well from what I hear from him. He has pitched 5 times, won three of those starts, and lost twice. I hope I can join him soon! Duffy and I both recieved notice that we too will be moving up. We are going to the Providence squad of the Class A league. Sadly I have to say good bye to Jack, who I have been rooming with all year long. Jack has been a great friend and was becoming like another brother to me. We plan to write to each other and will keep in touch, and hopefully he will be able to join me in Providence soon! I know you and Dad want to know how I am doing at the plate. I had a more difficult time hitting against the better pitchers at Class B. In 107 trips to the plate I managed to get 31 hits, 3 of them doubles. I walked 5 times and stole 6 bases, but I am still striking out way to much. I am hoping that I can improve on that in Class A. I hope you and the family remain well, Your Loving Brother, Will Ronaghan.