The Liberty League, Est. 1876

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 12, 1877, vs. Philadelphia Centennials (5-8 5th place in the Liberty League)

Charlie Moss, Phil. (36 R 5-7 2.95) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 4-0 1.43)

Won - 4 to 1

Another 3 hitter for Everette! We are 6-0 since he took over for John Bendickson. In a League that averages almost 6 runs scored a game per team, Everette has allowed 5 total in his last 4 starts. Unbelievable! Dave Taylor, who hit under .200 last season as the fella who started in place of all the injured guys, started in right today for an injured guy and got a 2 hits and made 2 dazzling catches. Wash Horsfall, playing short for Bill Rush today, had 3 hits, stole a base, scored a run and knocked in one. I had my third straight O'fer and Wash will give me a spell next game. 1B Sol Popko had a 2-run double and garnered another RBI from somewhere

Other Games:
Washington (5) at Boston (3) - Cal Wright (2-10) over Charlie Morlock (3-4). Wright held Boston to 7 hits. SS Joe O'Neill had 3 hits and scored a run. CF George Kennedy had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. Manager/RF Pete Green had 3 of Boston's 7 hits with 2 doubles, stole a base, scored a run and knocked in 2 and made 2 errors. He is the hottest hitter in the League right now and I am the coldest.

Pittsburgh (3) at St. Louis (6) - Fred Cline (7-3) over Bones Lane (5-7). CF Dick Bailey had 2 hits, an error, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. For Pittsburgh, rf Arther Purfield had 4 hits with a home run, scored twice and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 15, 1877, vs. Philadelphia Centennials (5-9 5th place in the Liberty League)

Charlie Moss, Phil. (36 R 5-8 2.91) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 5-0 1.37)

Won - 4 to 3 in 16 innings

The game was scoreless until the top of the 5th when we made 2 straight errors to give Philadelphia a run. RBI singles from 1B Sol Popko and CF Bobby Hubbard in the bottom of the 6th gave us a 2 to 1 lead. In the top of the 8th, 2b John Kron, playing in his first game of the year, hit a 2-run single to put Philadelphia back on top, 3 to 2.

In the bottom of the 9th, with 1 out, Bobby Hubbard legged out an infield single for us, but came up hobbling and will miss abut 6 weeks of action. Outfielders are definitely cursed in Troy. Lou Baker was sent in to run and I sent myself up to pinch-hit for Eb Burke. I stroked a hit to right and Baker headed to third. The throw was errant and Baker scored and we had tied the game at 3. But Abe Everette and John Hagadorn left me sitting at second base and we went to overtime.

In the bottom of the 11th, RF Dave Taylor hit a 1-out triple for us, but neither me nor Everette could get him home. In the bottom of the 12th, Hagadorn led off with a walk and reserve C Jerry Bern bunted him over to second. And then Hagadorn stole third. And then Crazy Kelley took a walk when Charlie Moss refused to give him anything to hit. So we had them at 1st and 3rd with 1 out and our cleanup hitter, Sol Popko at the plate. What more could you ask for? But Poppy hit one right back to Moss, who looked Hagadorn back to third and then fired to second for the force. The throw to first was not in time for the double play. If Moss had not first looked Hagadorn back, they probably would have had an easy 2. Bill Rush came up and flew out to left. Opportunity wasted.

In the 13th, I got on with 2 outs and made it to second on a wild pitch, but Everette couldn't get a hit. Meanwhile, Everette was just mowing the Centennials down with ease. In the bottom of the 15th, we had the bases loaded with 1 out and me at the plate. Sure win, right? Wrong. I popped up on the infield and Everette struck out. 'Nuther one wasted.

Finally, in the bottom of the 16th, Hagadorn led off with a hit and went to second on a wild pitch. Jerry Bern then hit a grounder down to third, but Jim Hodzic threw the ball away at first and Hags scored to end it.

Abe Everette went 16 innings and only allowed 7 hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out 2. He has just been amazing of late.

Don't know what to do about a center fielder, though, for the next 6 weeks. Baker can field okay, but can't hit to save his life. The only guy that can really play center down at Rochester is Yale Molloy, but he is hitting .224. He did not hit much in Spring games, either.

Other Games:
Washington (8) at Boston (9) - Charlie Morlock (4-4) over Cal Wright (2-11). Prior to this game it was announced that Matthias Haak had stepped down as manager of the Olympics and that C Al Cannon, last season's League MVP, had assumed the role. 2B Bill Thompson had 3 hits, stole 3 bases, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. LF Ike Noel had 3 hits, stole a base and scored once and knocked in a run. For Washington, 2B Calvin Biron had 3 hits with a double and scored 3 times.

Pittsburgh (11) at St. Louis (8) - Bones Lane (6-7) over Fred Cline (7-4). Pittsburgh scored 4 times in the top of the 9th to win. After they pinch hit for Lane, George Dennis pitched a perfect final inning, striking out a batter. LF Silver Borresen had 3 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored 3 times and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 19, 1877, vs. St. Louis Brown Stockings (11-4 1st place in the Liberty League)

We are one game behind St. Louis. This is a big series. We lost 2 out of 3 in the Opening Series of the season at their place.

And we have no centerfielder. I called up Yale Molloy from Rochester along with his .224 average. He's 30 years old and is making his Liberty League debut today. He's not much of a hitter, but a decent defender.

Fred Cline, St.L. (35 R 7-4 2.73) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 6-0 1.08)

Won - 5 to 3

Abe Everette didn't look quite as impressive against the top team in the League has he did against the others. He allowed 11 hits, though they were all singles. St. Louis did not make an error in the game which made it a struggle for us to score runs, even though we had 14 hits.

I had another O'fer, but enough about me. Leave me alone.

Bill Rush had 3 hits with a double, scored twice and drove in a run. C Eb Burke was the big bat, though; he had 3 hits and 3 RBIs. Yale Molloy had a decent game in his debut: 1 hit and a walk, no errors and made an awesome catch in center.

Everette may not have been as impressive overall as his last few games, but he came up clutch in the 9th. After the first 2 Brown Stockings reached base (1 by hit, 1 by error), he sat down the last three in a row, striking out the final 2.

Other Games:
Washington (7) at Philadelphia (8) in 10 innings - Charlie Moss (6-9) over Dick Wheeler (1-2) in relief of Cal Wright. Philadelphia scored 4 times in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game and then after Washington scored a run in the top of the 10th, plated 2 in the bottom to win. CF John Froom had 4 hits with 2 doubles and scored twice, including the winning run.

Boston (14) at Pittsburgh (3) - Charlie Morlock (5-4) over Bones Lane (6-8). Lane has pitched mostly well this season, but not this game. He gave up 7 runs in the 1st inning. 1B George Zech had 2 doubles and a walk, scored a run and drove one in. LF Fred Swanger had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored twice and knocked in 3. SS Paul Fenner had 3 hits with a double and a triple and scored 3 times.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 22, 1877, vs. St. Louis Brown Stockings (11-5 tied for 1st place in the Liberty League)

We are now tied with St. Louis. This game is for sole possession of first place.

Fred Cline, St.L. (35 R 7-5 2.93) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 7-0 1.28)

Lost - 10 to 3

8 game winning streak is over and so is our short taste of first place. They pounded Everette around like a rag doll today. He gave up 11 hits and 8 runs in 5 innings and then I let Billy Jenkins finish up. He did okay, striking out 3 in a row at one point. St. Louis only made 2 errors. CF Yale Molloy had 2 hits for us with a double, scored a run and knocked in 2. C Eb Burke knocked in the other run with a triple. Not exactly our big guns, those two. Our big guns did nothing much to be excited about.

Other Games:
Washington (4) at Philadelphia (5) in 10 innings - Charlie Moss (7-9) over Dick Wheeler (1-3) in relief of Cal Wright. For the second straight game Washington scored in the top of the 10th inning only to lose in the bottom of the inning. 3B Jim Ware tripled in the tying run in the 10th and scored the winning run on a passed ball by new Manager/C Al Cannon.

Boston (11) at Pittsburgh (10) - Charlie Morlock (6-4) over Bones Lane (6-9). 2b Bill Thompson had 3 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored twice and knocked in 2 and made 2 errors. SS Paul Fenner had 3 hits with a double, stole a base, scored twice and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 26, 1877, vs. St. Louis Brown Stockings (12-5 1st place in the Liberty League)

Rubber game of the series. We need this one.

Rookie Bill Hammack is back and ready to play, so he's in right. Lou Baker was sent back to Rochester.

Fred Cline, St.L. (35 R 8-5 2.79) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 7-1 1.61)

Won - 8 to 6

We retired the Brown Stockings in order in the first and then John Hagadorn led off our half of the first with a walk. Wash Horsfall, playing for Crazy Kelley, then bunted him over to second. Then me and Sol Popko hit back-to-back triples! Bill Rush followed with a double. Bill Hammack, Yale Molly and Eb Burke had singles and we had 5 runs and cruised from there. I had 4 hits on the day, scored twice and had an RBI, though I did get caught stealing once. Poppy had 3 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBIs and looks to be finally out of his funk. Rush, Hammack and Molloy each had 2 hits as we collected 17 of the little boogers on the day.

Other Games:
Washington (4) at Philadelphia (2) - Cal Wright (3-11) over Charlie Moss (7-10). Moss held Washington to 6 hits, but Wright held Philadelphia to only 3. Washington scored twice in the top of the 9th to win on a single by SS Joe O'Neill and for once did not allow Philadelphia to score in the bottom half of the inning. Philadelphia's star catcher, Mike Tonnies, broke his elbow in a collision at the plate and is out for the year. He was batting .316 at the time of the injury.

Boston (2) at Pittsburgh (1) - Charlie Morlock (7-4) over Bones Lane (6-10). Pittsburgh out-hit Boston 10 to 5. The game was tied at 1 until the 9th inning. With 2 outs and a runner on third and pitcher Charlie Morlock at the plate with 2 strikes on him, Lane uncorked a wild one and Sandy Perkes scampered home with the run. Pittsburgh got two runners on in the bottom of the 9th with 1 out, but Silver Borresen hit a foul pop up and Charlie Morlock struck out Willie Schommer to end the game. With the win, Boston climbs into a 3-way tie for 1st place with St. Louis and Troy, each at 12-6.


Down in the International League, London scored 9 times in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Columbus, 9 to 8. They scored 3 runs after 2 were out and our old friend Doc Hollister scored the winning tally. These weren't bum pitchers they beat either. Jim Postema started the game and Roger Lake relieved him after he failed to retire any of the first 6 batters in the 9th. Postema is actually leading the Liberty League in ERA at the moment and Lake was 8-8 last year as St. Louis' #2 pitcher.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 29, 1877, at Pittsburgh Alleghenys (7-11 tied for 4th place in the Liberty League)

We beat Pittsburgh 2 of 3 at our place last time we met. There is always incentive to beat them since Silver Borresen ended Jumbo Tilford's career in the Spring. We hate Borresen, but he's actually a pretty nice kid and didn't mean to hurt Tilford so bad, I'm sure. Nevertheless, it is our duty to hate him and we will honor our obligation.

Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 8-1 1.65) vs. Bones Lane, Pitts. (34 L 6-10 3.32)

Lost - 7 to 4

We scored in the first, when Wash Horsfall, spelling Bill Rush, doubled and I singled him in. But then we made 5 (!!!!!) errors in the bottom of the first and gave them 3 runs. Horsfall made two of them and ended up with 4 on the day. We ended up with 9 as a team, the most so far this year (none by me). The hated Borresen had 3 hits and scored a run. Bones Lane had to leave the game after sliding into second base in the 5th inning. He's got a bruised elbow and it's unsure whether he'll be able to pitch or not.

Other Games:
Philadelphia (5) at Boston (7) - Charlie Morlock (8-4) over Charlie Moss (7-11). Moss held Boston to 8 hits, but 9 Philadelphia errors did him in. 3B Sandy Perkes had 2 hits, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. Charlie Morlock set a new Liberty League record with 7 strikeouts in the game.

St. Louis (4) at Washington (6) - Cal Wright (4-11) over Fred Cline (8-7). Wright hit a double and scored a run. C/Manager Al Cannon had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI and threw out 2 would-be base stealers.

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

Saturday, June 2, 1877, at Pittsburgh Alleghenys (8-11 4th place in the Liberty League)

Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 8-2 1.52) vs. Bones Lane, Pitts. (34 L 7-10 3.27)

Won - 3 to 1

Everette allowed only 5 hits. 1B Sol Popko gad 2 hits with a double and an RBI, but cam up lame after his double and had to leave the game. He'll be gimpy for a few weeks. He claims he can play, but we'll see.

Other Games:
Philadelphia (10) at Boston (1) - Charlie Moss (8-11) over Charlie Morlock (8-5). Moss had 2 hits with a double and an RBI. LF Tom Sturtz had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI, but made 2 errors. SS Dan Mitchell had a double and a triple, scored twice and knocked one in.

St. Louis (10) at Washington (6) - Fred Cline (9-7) over Cal Wright (4-12). CF Washington Macho had a double and a triple, walked, stole a base and scored twice. C Bumpus Dowdy had 4 hits with a double, scored twice and knocked in 2.

[Questdog]

Editor's Note: I have been bothered by the Haymakers' lack of scoring punch. Even though they are currently second in batting average and a close third in OPS, they are 5th in scoring, barely ahead of the Washington Olympics, who couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag right now. So I did a little research into the subject and here are some things I have found.

The Pct. column is the ratio of runs scored to hits and walks.

As you can see, the Haymakers are by far the worst at scoring the runners they get on base. You'd think they'd be above average, since they commit fewer than average errors, they should get the benefit of more errors than the average team. However, you can also see that this has not been the case; the Haymakers have only made 2 fewer errors than their opponents. Part of the reason for the low percentage of runners scored is that in the first 20 games of the season, the Haymakers have had 422 players thrown out on the bases by outfielders or picked off base by pitchers or catchers compared to 0 for their opponents (this is an exaggeration; the actual numbers are 19 to 10). The numbers for players being caught stealing are about even: 11 Haymakers caught to 12 opponents (the Haymakers have stolen 22 bases to 8 for the bad guys).

I thought maybe this was a case of the game being unfair to me as a human, but I checked last year's numbers and the Haymakers scored baserunners percentage was 51.5, third best in the League behind Chicago (52.4) and St. Louis (a slightly smaller 52.4).

So, hopefully this is just an anomaly and the Haymakers will start scoring runs soon.

If any of our dear readers have any theories, please speak up!

[Questdog]

Tuesday, June 5, 1877, at Pittsburgh Alleghenys (8-12 tied for 4th place in the Liberty League)

Bones Lane is pitching with a bruised elbow and held us to 3 runs last game. That should shame us.

Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 9-2 1.40) vs. Bones Lane, Pitts. (34 L 7-11 3.25)

Won - 4 to 2

Same ol' same ol'. Few runs but fewer for the other guy. This game, instead of trying to score a number of runs appropriate for the number of baserunners we average a game, we decided to get an appropriate number of baserunners for the runs we average. We only had 5 hits. Top 4 in the lineup were 0 for 17. Bill Rush and Bill Hammack each had 2 hits, but Hammack made 2 errors, so that's a wash. Everette had our other hit off the pitcher with the sore elbow. Hagadorn has gone cold as ice. He had at least 1 hit in each of the first 15 games. In the next 6, which includes today, he only had 1 total. Everette only allowed 6 hits to Pittsburgh, but walked 3 for the second game in a row.

Other Games:
Philadelphia (11) at Boston (1) - Charlie Moss (9-11) over Charlie Morlock (8-6). Moss had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. He only allowed Boston 6 hits. Second straight pasting of the Red Caps by the Centennials. Philadelphia outscored Boston 21 to 2 in the last two games. RF Lou Landaal had 3 hits, but did not score or drive in a run. 2B John Kron had 2 triples and a walk, scored 3 times and had 2 RBIs. 36-year-old Fred Swanger, who hit .322 last season in 45 games for Philadelphia, but only .184 in 12 games for Boston this season, tore up his shoulder in this game and they say he's done. The doctor's don't think he will ever be able to throw again without pain. He only played 7 games at Lynn this year before joining the Red Caps, but is still tied for the League lead in home runs in the International Association.

St. Louis (3) at Washington (6) - Cal Wright (5-12) over Fred Cline (9-8). Wright, the pitcher who has struggled more than any other regular starter in the Liberty League this season, held the most potent offense so far this year to only 8 hits. LF John Rodgers had 2 hits, stole a base, scores 2 runs and had an RBI. 3B Bill Sears had 3 hits with a triple and scored twice.

With the losses by St. Louis and Boston today, Troy takes over sole possession of first place!

Down in the International Association, SS Sam Cowan went 4 for 4 with a triple and is now batting .422. If I call him up to Troy, what will I do with him? Bill Rush is our best hitter right now and is a better fielder at this stage of their careers. I could move Rush to third, but Crazy Kelley was an All-Star last year and is hitting pretty well this year. Rush could move to second, but that's where I am. So, Cowan will stay at Rochester this season, unless we have an injury. By the way, our hero, John Bendickson, is now 6-4 with a 2.36 ERA for Rochester. His numbers there are not any where near as good as Everette's are up here against tougher competition, though Everette does have a better team behind him. So it looks like Bendickson will spend the rest of the year at Rochester, barring injury, and I'll let him and Everette battle it out for the job next Spring. I'll be rooting for Bendickson.

Down in the New England League, Fall River 2B Frank Rosenbaum, who was a candidate for MVP this year, broke his elbow and will miss the rest of the season. The 20 year old's major league aspirations may have to wait another season, though it is possible that what he has done so far may qualify him for the B League draft in December. It all depends on how well the other 2B in the League perform the rest of the season.

[Questdog]

Saturday, June 9, 1877, vs. Boston Red Caps (13-8 tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League)

Boston took 2 of 3 against us at their place last time we met.

Charlie Morlock, Bos. (27 R 8-6 3.33) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 10-2 1.38)

Lost - 8 to 6

9 errors. 9! Now the great fielding Troy Haymakers have made more errors than their opponents on the season. And only 8 hits off Morlock.

Other Games:
Pittsburgh (4) at Washington (8) - Rufus Lee (1-0) over Bones Lane (7-13). 26-year-old Rufus Lee made his Liberty League debut. He has displaced Cal Wright as the #1 pitcher in Washington. Last season with an atrocious team in London of the International Association, Lee was 4-33. 2B Calvin Biron had 3 hits with a triple, scored twice and knocked in 2, but was caught stealing.

Philadelphia (4) at St. Louis (3) - Charlie Moss (10-11) over Socks Hawkins (0-1) in relief of Fred Cline. Cline had to leave in the 7th inning with a ruptured tendon in his finger. He will miss the rest of the season. St. Louis was up 3 to 2 at the time of the injury. Charlie Moss held St. Louis to 4 hits and struck out 5. CF John Froom had 3 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. RF Lou Landaal had 2 hits with a triple and scored twice.

[Questdog]

Monday, June 11, 1877, vs. Boston Red Caps (14-8 tied for 1st place in the Liberty League)

We are now tied with Boston for first place.

Charlie Morlock, Bos. (27 R 9-6 3.30) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 10-3 1.42)

Won - 8 to 4

1 error. Much better, though I was the culprit. We knocked 14 hits. LF John Hagadorn had 3 and scored a run. 3B Wash Horsfall had 3 hits with a double and had an RBI. CF Yale Molly had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. Abe Everette had 2 hits, scored twice and had 2 RBIs. RF/Manager Pete Green hit a home run.

Other Games:
Pittsburgh (8) at Washington (2) - Bones Lane (8-13) over Rufus Lee (1-1). 26-year-old rookie Sam Clark had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. RF Arther Purfield had a triple and his second home run, scored 3 runs and knocked in 3.

Philadelphia (4) at St. Louis (5) - Socks Hawkins (1-1) over Charlie Moss (10-12). Hawkins allowed 8 hits and struck out 6. He also had 2 hits as a batter and scored a run. 2B Bub Crawford and 2 hits with a double and scored a run.


Down in the International Association, Willis Kornfield of Manchester pitched a 3 hit shutout over Columbus. The final score was 24 to 0. Columbus committed 27 errors! 3B Bill Spaeth went 0 for 7, but scored 5 runs.

[Questdog]

Thursday, June 14, 1877, vs. Boston Red Caps (14-9 tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League)

Rubber game.

Charlie Morlock, Bos. (27 R 9-7 3.31) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 11-3 1.58)

Lost - 7 to 2

7 errors, 8 hits. 2 each by me. Charlie Morlock was not satiated to only humiliate us from the pitcher's box, but also had a double and a walk from the batter's box. RF Bill Hammack scored both of our runs, but made 3 errors. That gives him 9 in 10 games. He's batting .300, but I'm not sure that is enough for his horrid defense. RF/Manager Pete Green continued his own personal assault on the Liberty League pitching fraternity. He had 3 hits with a triple, scored 3 runs and had an RBI.

Other Games:
Pittsburgh (9) at Washington (13) - Rufus Lee (2-1) over Bones Lane (8-14). Lee won despite allowing 17 hits. RF Barry Kemp had 2 hits with a double, a wall, scored a run and knocked in 3. 3B Sam Clark of Pittsburgh had 4 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Philadelphia (5) at St. Louis (6) in 11 innings - Socks Hawkins (2-1) over Will Taylor (0-1) in relief of Charlie Moss. CF Washington Macho tripled and scored on an error by LF Tom Sturtz to win the game. C Bumpus Dowdy had 3 hits with a double , scored a run and had an RBI. RF Guy Monaghan of St. Louis came up with a bum elbow and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

[Questdog]

Saturday, June 16, 1877, vs. Washington Olympics (8-16 6th place in the Liberty League)

This team finished second last season, if you can believe it. We swept them at their place last time we met, but they have now won 3 of their last 4 and may be turning it around.

Billy Jenkins gets his first Liberty League start today.

Dick Wheeler has made one career start against Troy. Last year, with Chicago, he lost against the Haymakers, 14 to 8, allowing 24 hits. Here's to a repeat performance!

Dick Wheeler, Wash. (31 L 1-3 2.13) vs. Billy Jenkins, Troy (24 R 1-0 3.86)

Won - 8 to 1

0 errors! Our first errorless game of the year. SS Bill Rush had 3 hits and scored 2 runs. Billy Jenkins had a hit, scored a run and had an RBI. He even stole a base! (on the back-end of a double steal). 1B Sol Popko, finally 100% healthy, had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBI. Jenkins only allowed Washington 6 hits, but did walk 2 batters.

Other Games:
Pittsburgh (4) at Philadelphia (3) in 10 innings - George Dennis (2-1) over Charlie Moss (10-13). 2B George Brantner had 3 hits with a double, but no runs or RBIs. C Jake Houghton hit a home run and scored twice. 1B Ed Parton doubled home LS Silver Borresen with the winning run in the top of the 10th.

St. Louis (12) at Boston (2) - Roger Lake (1-0) over John Callaham (5-3). St. Louis punished Callaham with 20 hits. CF Washington Macho had 4 hits with 2 triples, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. LF Dick Bailey had 2 hits with a home run, scored twice and had 4 RBIs. The only player in the St. Louis lineup who did not get a hit was 2B Bub Crawford, ending his 28 game streak.


Down in the New England League, Hartford defeated Lowell. 16 to 4, for their 8th win in a row. They are starting to run a way from the pack. They are 18-7, 6 games ahead if the next best team. They are the only teem in the League with a winning record. LF Sam Selke had 6 hits in the game, stole 2 bases, scored 2 runs and had 4 RBIs.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Questdog

If any of our dear readers have any theories, please speak up!

(Haven't read past your analysis yet.) After looking at the thoroughly average numbers by the Haymakers (apart from an appalling lack of power through June 1), I can only come up with one explanation: small sample size. It's only three weeks' worth of games in "modern" baseball, so that odd 14 hits, 12 runs game should at some point crop up.

About the same with errors. The ratio between own errors and opposition's errors is smaller than what the overall league numbers would suggest that ratio should be. Again, small sample size.

Can't find anything wrong. Reddy should keep his mind in one piece and take care of his bat and glove and the rest will fall into place eventually.

(Said the guy who keeps running out a primary catcher with poor offense and defense, about whom he has been complaining for the better part of a decade in his dynasty. Small sample size!? Better don't judge my judgment)

[Questdog]

Wednesday, June 20, 1877, vs. Washington Olympics (8-17 6th place in the Liberty League)

Rufus Lee, Wash. (26 R 2-1 4.85) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 11-4 1.61)

Won - 8 to 6

Everette did not have it going early on today. Washington knocked 9 hits off him in the first 3 innings and scored 5 times. It would have been more, but LF John Hagadorn threw out three runners at home, 2 in the 3rd inning. He settled down after that, though, allowing only 1 run over the final 6 innings.

We were down 6 to 3 heading into the bottom of the 8th. CF Yale Molloy led off by reaching base on an error. After Abe Everette bunted him over to second, there were 2 outs. John Hagadorn singled home Molloy to make it 6 to 4. After I singled, SS Bill Rush doubled home another run and it was 6 to 5 with 2 outs and 1B Sol Popko came to the plate. He launched a Rufus Lee offering into the Troy sky that never did come down, I don't think. He had a home run and we were suddenly up 8 to 6!

Other Games:
Pittsburgh (0) at Philadelphia (3) - Charlie Moss (11-13) over Bones Lane (8-15). Lane held Philadelphia to 7 hits, but Moss shutout Pittsburgh on only 3. CF John Froom had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

St. Louis (8) at Boston (5) - Socks Hawkins (3-1) over Charlie Morlock (10-8). With game tied at 5, the Brown Stocking scored 3 times in the top of the 9th ti win. 1B Pete Bucolo had 3 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. RF Joseph Thomson had 5 hits with a double and a triple, scored a run and had 3 RBIs, including 2 in the 9th with 2 outs.


Down in the International League, Jim Murphy of Lynn threw the first no-hitter in the history of Organized Baseball. He defeated the Columbus Buckeyes, 8 to 1. He did not walk a batter and struck out 3.

[Questdog]

Saturday, June 23, 1877, vs. Washington Olympics (8-18 6th place in the Liberty League)

Rufus Lee, Wash. (26 R 2-2 3.97) vs. Abe Everette, Troy (28 L 12-4 1.68)

Won - 6 to 0

Everette pitched a 4 hit shutout! First pitcher to get 2 shutouts in 1877. Actually, there have only been 3 in the whole League. Charlie Moss had the other one last game. RF Bill Hammack had 2 hits, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. Sol Popko had 3 more hits and scored 2 runs.

Other Games:
Pittsburgh (10) at Philadelphia (2) - Bones Lane (9-15) over Charlie Moss (11-14). Lane had a hit, scored a runs and knocked in 2. RF Arther Purfield had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

St. Louis (11) at Boston (8) - Socks Hawkins (4-1) over Charlie Morlock (10-9). St. Louis completes a sweep of the Red Caps in Boston's own park. C Bumpus Dowdy had 4 hits, scored twice and had 2 RBIs. 3B Frank Young also had 4 hits with a double, scored twice and knocked in 2 runs.