The Alternative History of Baseball

[mjj55409]

Base-Ball

New York Times
January 31, 1871

Important Movements For 1871

The base-ball fraternity are very busy at this time preparing for the grand campaign of 1871. This is the season when the professionals are engaged in obtaining situations for the ensuing season, and club managers are on the lookout for new men to fill up the gaps, or to replace weak spots in their last season's nines. Below we chronicle the latest movements among the leading organizations and players.

In this City the movements of the Mutual Club have of late been of a very important character. The accession of Theodore Pope as the new Captain of the Mutual nine for 1871, and of Charles Culhane as third baseman, will greatly strengthen the playing force of the Club. Joseph Miller will catch, of course, and Eddie Mobley will pitch, and the out-field will include Melvin Dundon, Sam Parker, and Chuck Venner. Pope will play as the first basman, and the positions of short field and second base have not been settled.

The Athletics, of Philadelphia, will place a splendid nine in the field for 1871, as will be seen by the list below, which includes Edward Glasson as pitcher and Henry Birt as catcher; Gordon Carper, William Linton, and Ed Bourne on the bases; Lemuel Bartlett as the short fielder; Elijah Guinn, Robert Barter, and August Thomas in the out-field.

John Rogers arrived in Boston from Cincinnati on Thursday, and he will at once organize the new Boston nine for 1871. This nine will include Andrew Fooks to catch and Jacob Stevens to pitch. Robert Day at first base, John Butler at second, George Rogers at short -stop and August Lee at third base. John Rogers, Durkin O'Reilly, and Jimmie Combermere will comprise the out-field. The gentlemen composing the members of this organization are wealthy Boston merchants, whose ambition it is, as admirers of the national game, to put a thoroughly first-class nine on the field, as exemplars of the fielding beauties of the game, and as a model professional organization. They commenced right by selecting the ablest Captain of the day, with the model short-stop of the country to assist him. With such a basis, the other positions can be readily filled, so as to make up a very powerful team. They have a very effective pitcher in Stevens, and with the excellent Eastern material at command to draw upon, they can readily fill up any gaps with amateur players.

In Chicago, now that there is no longer a rival nine in Cincinnati, much of the interest taken in the White Stocking nine has declined--not to the extent of abandoning the field, however; but enough has been done to destroy considerable of the enthusiasm of the market there. Captain Al Sweeney paid a visit to the metropolis last week and secured the services of some fine players. Philip Humboldt will pitch and Michael Wells catch. Arthur Knap will at play second base; Herbert Needham at third base; and Sweeney himself will man center-field.

In Cleveland, the Forest City Club will have a very strong infield, composed of Austin Holland, Delbert Tarr, and James Gulliver on the bases, and George Ludwig as the short-stop.

It it is with the out-field of the Kekiongas of Fort Wayne in which their strength lies. Emory Banker and Jacob Corbishley in particular. Short-stop Freddy Harville is a strong second to Boston's Rogers.

At present, the nines of Rockford, Troy, and the Olympics of Washington are incomplete.


l-to-r, John Rogers, Theodore Pope

[mjj55409]

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
June 23, 1871

The Red Stockings have now met every one of the leading contestants for the professional "whip," and they have only sustained two defeats. The record of the Red Stockings thus far includes victories over seven of the strongest professional clubs. They are followed closely by the Mutual Club:

Boston....10...2..833
New York...6...3..667
Chicago....6...4..600
Rockford...7...5..583
Ft. Wayne..4...3..571
Troy.......4...6..400
Athletics..3...5..375
Olympics...5..10..333
Cleveland..2...9..182

The Red Stockings however have lost their second base-man John Butler to a broken leg. Butler was batting with an average of 1.18.

The lead batsman of the Association is Rockford out-fielder Milton Legere who has an average of 2.5. On the mound, Boston hurler Stevens has nine victories in eleven contests.


l-to-r, Milton Legere, Jacob Stevens

[mjj55409]

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
September 1, 1871

The Red Stockings of Boston continue their fine play in the championship season and they now have sixteen victories in twenty-two matches. The Mutual have fallen far off the pace, while the club from Ft. Wayne has played very well of late.

Boston.....16...6..727
Ft. Wayne..13...6..684
Chicago....14...8..636
Athletics..11..10..524
Rockford...11..11..500
New York...12..13..480
Troy........8..11..421
Olympics...10..19..345
Cleveland...6..17..261

The lead batsman of the Association continues to be Rockford out-fielder Milton Legere who has an average of 2.14. He is followed closely by third baseman August Lee of Boston, with an average of 1.83. Boston hurler Stevens now has fifteen victories in twenty games.


August Lee

[gstatman]

Great to see you back mjj55409!

How is the average calculated? I see averages of 2.14 for Legere and 1.83 for Lee. It can't be the standard batting average that we have come to know (H/AB).

Looking forward to a great new league to follow!

[mjj55409]

Originally Posted by gstatman

Great to see you back mjj55409!

How is the average calculated? I see averages of 2.14 for Legere and 1.83 for Lee. It can't be the standard batting average that we have come to know (H/AB).

Looking forward to a great new league to follow!

Thanks! One of ideas for this version is to also track the development of statistical analysis. So in this case, the "average" is (hits+walks)/games.

[bwburke94]

At least provide a translation into batting average.

[mjj55409]

Originally Posted by bwburke94

At least provide a translation into batting average.

Batting average is coming in 1872, so not a long wait at all.

[mjj55409]

New York Times
October 31, 1871

The Whip Pennant Won by the Red Stockings Club of Boston

The last of the series of base-ball matches for the championship was played yesterday. The Boston Club easily finished the championship series with the most victories, having won six more that the Chicago Club, and thus the Red Stockings are entitled to the whip-pennant.

Boston.....23...8..742
Chicago....17..11..607
New York...15..18..455
Ft. Wayne..13...6..684
Athletics..13..15..464
Troy.......13..16..448
Olympics...13..19..406
Rockford...12..13..480
Cleveland...8..21..276

Base-Ball Averages Compiled

Batting Leaders for 1871

2.16...Milton Legere, Rockford
1.87...August Lee, Boston
1.81...Robert Day, Boston
1.76...Peter Montgomery, Cleveland
1.73...Richard Ward, Ft. Wayne

Pitching Victories

22...Jacob Stevens, Boston
17...Philip Humboldt, Chicago
13...Paul Kettermann, Olympics
13...Archie Strawson, Ft. Wayne

[ashantewarrier]

Welcome back! Glad to see you're doing sepia tone for the player pics. Adds immersion to 19th century play. For my 19th century universe, I add color only for baseball (tobacco) cards generated for awards, which began in 1887 or so ( i may be off a year). I also change backgrounds as I go along to reflect the period of time my universe is in. Good stuff MJ!

[mjj55409]

New York Times
February 25, 1872

The Various Clubs Preparing for the Coming Season

The entries for the championship of 1872 close May 1, and it is understood that the list will include the following six clubs: Athletic, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Haymaker and Mutual. With the exception of the Chicago, Rockford and Ft. Wayne Clubs, all of last year's nines will be in the field again, and to make up for the losses mentioned, there will be the Baltimore and the proposed Brooklyn clubs, whose organization will tend to centralize the interest in the game, since Cleveland will be the only representative of the West. There is considerable doubt at present concerning the Atlantics and the Eckfords, but it seems likely that the best players will unite to make up a first-class nine under the Atlantic flag. At this time last yera the Atlantics had equally good chances of getting together a good string of players and failed to do so.

The Mutuals, of New-York, have succeeded in enrolling some excellent players, having signed in particular Al Sweeney, late of the White Stockings. Sweeney will man center-field and will team up with Theodore Pope and Charles Cullhane in the middle of the batting lineup. The question mark remaining for the Mutual is centered around the pitching--some combination of Chuck Hall and Tony Collard will try to man the mound.

A subscribed capital of $15,000 is the basis on which the Boston Club has retained all of last year's players. The players, as before, will be under the direction of John Rogers. To wrest the "whip" pennant from the Red Stockings will prove a formidable task.

The Troy Club added a real prize in Chicago second baseman Arthur Knap. He will join James Moyer in the short-field, Harry Deatherage at third base, and Bobby Fisher at first base, to make up a stout infield.

The backers of the Canaries of Baltimore, having made the jump from the amateur ranks, were quite active in securing players. In one fell swoop, they were able to acquire Bill Fergusson, Samuel James, Milton Legere, and pitcher John Grounds of the Rockford Club.

The Athletic have one of the top pitchers of the circuit in Edward Glasson. And they have a very strong out-field with Edwin Adams, Robert Barter, and Elijah Guinn manning the positions.

The Chicago fire has, for this season, banished the game from Illinois, but in Cleveland the West will have a powerful representative--the Forest City Club--including first baseman Austin Holland and out-fielders Peter Montgomery and Richard Suggett.

It is expected that Mansfield, both entries from Brooklyn and from Washington will be the "second division" of the championship season.

The National Association meets in Cleveland next month. The consideration of proposed amendments to the rules will be the chief business of the session.


Al Sweeney

[David Ball]

Originally Posted by mjj55409

...He will join James Moyer in the short-field...

You're telling me Jamie Moyer is that old?

[Big T]

Originally Posted by mjj55409

Thanks! One of ideas for this version is to also track the development of statistical analysis. So in this case, the "average" is (hits+walks)/games.

This is so cool, learned something today, so my wife can stop b##$%ing that I am wasting my time here...

[mjj55409]

New York Times
July 28, 1872

A Lively Week--The Championship.

What with the breaking up of the Haymakers, and the consequent changes in the championship programme, and the long-promised meeting of the Judiciary Committee, the past week has been a rather lviely period among base-ballists. The causes of the Haymakers' dissolution have already been stated. At the meeting of Friday night the members of the late Troy club applied for permission to continue the season under the name of Eckfords, taking up the record of the nine which previously represented that organization. The matter has been referred to the Championship Committee, and it is probable that the request will be granted.

Another important feature of the meeting on Friday night was the passage of a resolution declaring that in view of the fact that several of the clubs that commenced the season as competitors for the championship had disbanded, thereby reducing the number of games to be played, the championship rules be so amended as to make the series for the championship nine instead of five games for the season of 1872. In the contests to date the Mutuals have secured the lead, with the Athletics and the Baltimore club close to them. The closest competitor to the Mutuals was the Troy club. So should the Mutuals continue playing as well as they have done of late, their chances for the "whip" are excellent. With the addition of the Troy players, the Eckfords have also wonderfully improved, and now promise to occupy a creditable position at the finish.

[ashantewarrier]

BTW- Are you doing doppelgangers with this version?

[mjj55409]

Originally Posted by ashantewarrier

BTW- Are you doing doppelgangers with this version?

I haven't yet. I'm somewhat undecided, but leaning towards not. But that's always subject to change.

[mjj55409]

New York Times
September 1, 1872

Base Ball--The Championship--Notes

The appended table of games won and lost by each of the six most prominent clubs entered for the championship, gives the exact position of each contestant at the present time. In compiling the statements below, the three "co-operative" clubs are left entirely out of the question, the games included being those won and lost by the five "regular" clubs from and to each other.

Clubs..........Games played....Won....Lost.
Mutual................20.........13.......7
Baltimore.............24.........10......14
Boston................17..........9.......8
Athletic..............19..........9......10
Cleveland.............15..........7.......8

......Total...........95.........48......47

Of the "co-operatives" the Atlantics have won 13 and lost 10; the Eckfords won 10 and lost 9; the Mansfields won 13 and lost 11. According to the rules, the five regular nines will play thirty-six games among each other before the season is completed, but this number is really increased when the games with the co-operative clubs are taken into consideration.

In games next week, the Athletic will face the Mutual in two games, and the Boston club will face the Athletic and the Mutual. Athletic out-fielder Robert Barter will not be participating in those games as he is still recovering from injuries sustained on the field on Saturday past.

[mjj55409]

Brooklyn Eagle
November 4, 1872

The Championship Record

The result of the season's play in the championship arena gives the whip pennant to the New York nine, as will be seen by the appended statistics.

Clubs. Won. Lost.Played.
Mutual................36 20 56
Boston................24 24 48
Atlantic..............22 15 37
Baltimore.............22 36 58
Athletic..............20 27 47
Troy..................16 9 25
Eckford...............14 15 29
Middletown............13 11 24
Cleveland..............9 13 22
Olympic................5 6 11
National...............2 7 9


Base-Ball Averages Compiled

Batting Leaders for 1872

Average
.373...Arthur Knap, Troy/Eckford
.357...Emory Banker, Mutual
.339...August Lee, Boston
.332...Charles Cullhane, Mutual
.332...Robert Day, Boston

Runs
61.....Jack Judge, Baltimore
58.....Milton Legere, Baltimore
56.....Samuel DeWitt, Atlantic
56.....Peter Mann, Boston
55.....Ira Guest, Atlantic

Total Bases
141....Emory Banker, Mutual
112....Al Sweeney, Mutual
110....Jack Judge, Baltimore
105....Charles Cullhane, Mutual
99.....Arthur Knap, Troy/Eckford



Emory Banker

[hfield007]

Originally Posted by mjj55409

Thanks! One of ideas for this version is to also track the development of statistical analysis. So in this case, the "average" is (hits+walks)/games.

have you ever read A Game of Inches by Peter Morris I tihnk you would enjoy it

[mjj55409]

New York Times
March 1, 1873

The New Nines for 1873

The Mutual Base-ball Club, of this City, has engaged a first-class professional nine for 1873, and will be prepared to defend the championship it currently holds from what is certain to be determined resistance from the other championship Clubs. All the local nines will this year on the Union Grounds, Williamsburg, as the lease on the Capitoline expired yesterday, and the latter field has already been disposed of in lots for building purposes.

The Mutual nine will be composed of the following players, in order from pitcher to right field: John Winton; Joseph Miller; Theodore Pope, Frank Bradly; Charles Cullhane; Henry Hickey; Emory Banker; Al Sweeney; Melvin Dundon. These are the same nine which competed for the Mutuals in 1872. Banker, Sweeney, Cullhane, and Pope are among the best batsman in base-ball.

The Atlantic nine look to be much improved this season, having adding pitcher Joseph Hartsock, late of the Olympic club, and out-fielder Richard Suggett of the Cleveland club. They also possess the top batsman of 1872 in out-fielder Elisha Comiskey.

The Red Stockings in Boston are once again lined up behind pitcher Jacob Stevens, and they have the Association's best infield with Edwin Mars, John Butler, August Lee and George Rogers.

The Athletic nine will have some strong competition in Philadelphia from the newly incorporated Philadelphia Club. The captain of the Athletic, Robert Barter, looks to be healthy and strong after missing all of last summer's play following a collision on the field. The new Philadelphia Club however was very aggressive and have secured the services of pitcher Boulanger, second baseman Arthur Knap and first baseman Irvine Bodhe each of whom played for Troy last season.

The Canaries of Baltimore added pitcher John Allardyce of the Middletown Club to pair with 20-year-old catcher David Crawford. They return the bats of Milton Legere and Samuel James to the out-field.

Among the co-operatives, Elizabeth will debut a young amateur in the out-field, Oliver Brockway. The Washington Club has a young in-fielder to watch in Bob Spellacy. The Maryland Club has employed out-fielder Samuel Moorefield late of the Troy Club.

[mjj55409]

Brooklyn Eagle
July 30, 1873

More amateur clubs play ball of a Saturday afternoon in and around the metropolis this season, than there were clubs in existence in all the States ten years ago. There are, in Philadelphia alone, no less than one hundred and sixty base ball clubs. Ten years ago the number of clubs represented in the National Convention was but twenty-eight. Peck and Snyder do a $10,000 a year business now in base ball materials alone.

July closes with the leading clubs occupying the following positions:

Clubs.               Won. Lost.Played.
Baltimore.............20   19   39    
Boston................18   10   28   
Atlantic..............17   10   27   
Philadelphia..........13   17   30
Mutual................12   17   29
Athletic..............11   16   27

Among the co-operatives, Elizabeth has won 13 and lost 8; Washington won 6 and lost 13; and the Maryland Club has now disbanded, having won 3 and lost 3.

Elijah Comiskey of the Atlantic and Robert Day of the Bostons are the leading batsmen of the Association. Baltimore pitcher John Allardyce has fourteen victories and seven losses.

Mutual batsman Emory Banker is missing play this season as a result of injuries, and Athletic captain Robert Barter is once again unable to play.