Baseball History

[WFIL73]

Frank Hankinson has been playing the infield most of the year. Needed on the mound in a pinch, he had a heck of a day. This is the 1st no-hitter in National League history. He made one more start and then was no longer needed on the mound. Just a lucky dude on a lucky day.

[WFIL73]

A good season where most teams did pretty well. Had a pennant race till the last week and it was decided head-to-head on the field. Had some new stars emerge and some players kind of faded.
Cleveland - Led by Jim McCormick, who became a force on the mound this year, the Blues won the NL in just their 2nd year. A young team, they just went where McCormick's arm led them, and that was 1st place.
Chicago - Oh, so close. Had they not been swept by Cleveland n early Sep, and then lost 2 of 3 at home later that month, they would have won. Cap had the team rolling against everyone else. a 2-man rotation of Larry Corcoran and Fred Goldsmith proved very effective. Signing King Kelly before the season didn't hurt what was a pretty good lineup already. Maybe next year.
Worcester - Welcome Worcester! Lee Richmond came out and kept this team afloat and striving with a lineup of young guys left off other teams. They had issues in July and August, but finished strong.
Boston - Ho hum, another positive season, but not enough to win. Tommy Bond seemed to lose zip on his pitches and was shut down, leaving Curry Foley with most of the pitching duties.
Providence - Defending champs could never get on track. Monte Ward was good, but the offense had issues against the better teams. Weird since most of the lineup was the same as the championship one last year.
Buffalo - Pud Galvin can't do it all. Lineup has good players but this team needs a boost and will be looking for it.
Cincinnati - Before the season the Reds folded up shop. Owners no longer had an interest in owning a team and all the players, like King Kelly, were released. A new Cincy team was formed allowed into the league. This new team, with Will White again on the mound, started strong but just kind of faded. With that failure comes less money and not being able to pay bills means William Hulbert kicks you out of his league so these Cincinnati Reds will no longer exist.
Troy - After what was a decent 1st year last year, there was major regression this season. Just 21 wins. Mickey Welch has just beaten up like a rented mule. The team does have a young nucleus that they would like to keep and see where the team goes.

[WFIL73]

A good solid season. No team seemed to be on shaky financial ground and nearly every team had its moment in the sun. But it was sweet home Chicago after the halfway point.
Chicago - After falling short last season, they came out and beat Cleveland up in the first two weeks and never looked back. Cap Anson and King Kelly led the offense and Corcoran and Goldsmith again backed it up on the mound.
Providence - started out slooooow, but inserted Ward back in a 2-man rotation and took off in August and September.
Buffalo - Won 14 straight in June, but then lost 6 in a row. Galvin is a stud, and the offense started to click. If only they can get it all together.
Cleveland - Wasn't the same team from last season and it showed. The offense was not great. McCormick was solid, but for every great outing he had, the next game was a stuggle to score.
Detroit - They led most of the first half of the season. George Derby was solid, but then they had problems keeping guys healthy and the offense got out of synch.
Boston - They looked good early, but finished under .500 for only the second time and Arthur Soden made the bold decision to relieve Harry Wright of his managing duties. This is a big deal. His record is exactly 200 games over .500 and the next team that hires him should get a huge boost.
Troy - Not a great season, but 14 wins more than last year. Played a bit better. Keefe and Welch pitched ok, but Ewing and Connor need some help at the plate.
Worcester - After a great inaugural season, this one was a bit tougher. Lee Richmond was on and off the mound and could not replicate his 1880 form. Hoping for better next season.
For the first time in its history the National League will not have any team drop from the league for 1882. Well done Mr. Hulbert, on creating a lasting league that should con...tin...u...e on, who the hell are these guys?
Como Estas Amigos! We are the American Association. We are here to kick ass and chew tobacco, and we're all out of tobacco.
Uh oh,

[WFIL73]

Kind of a dull season. Founder William Hulbert died before the season started. I guess the threat of another League was too much for him. Overall the National League does not see the American Association as too much a threat.
Chicago - A repeat! First team to do so in the NL. Corcoran and Goldsmith are a pretty tough 1-2 punch, allowing the least runs in the league. The offense led the league in runs scored. Cap Anson, Ed Williamson and Abner Dalrymple were the offensive stars this season. Not sure if this juggernaut can be beat.
Buffalo - Came on a little too late. Pud Galvin hit his stride in August, but by then Chicago was rolling. Dan Brouthers and Deacon White head a stellar lineup. I think this team could take down Chicago.
Providence - Harry Wright seemed to right this team, but in early Sep they kind of trailed off, but finished better than last season.
Cleveland - Mike McCormick just couldn't seem to take the whole load as the lineup is very uneven. Fred Dunlap is a rising star and currently manages the team. He looks to know what he is doing.
Detroit - Lots of players coming and going. George Derby was ok until his release, and Stump Weidman did alright. The team needs upgrades to be better. Stability in the lineup would be a start.
Boston - 1st year manager John Morrill had the team around .500 till mid-September. Jim Whitney showed he's a good pitcher, but lack of runs was a problem. Overall, not a horrible season after losing Harry Wright.
Troy - Improved again, but just not enough. Welch and Keefe could easily by Corcoran and Goldberg in Chicago, but beyond Buck Ewing and Roger Connor the lineup is kind of bland. There is lots of talk about an ownership change.
Worcester - Again, a team of average players could not rise above last place. After the end of the season it was announced the team would fold operations.

[WFIL73]

Ah, the new kids. The new 6-team league came into being and separated itself from the NL by having lower admission prices, selling alcohol and playing on Sunday's. National League owners called it "the beer and whiskey league" and no one cared. Four of the six teams were in cities that previously had NL teams, and therefore, kind of a built-in fan base hungry for a team.
Cincinnati - Will White showed up as a returning hero and led the Red Stockings to the pennant. The city, which has had a great baseball tradition, was quick to embrace this team and it's winning ways. Much is expected of them next season.
Louisville - The season started out kind of good, then pitcher Tony Mullane went down. While winning, it was when he came back that the team made a late push against Cincy. Pete Browning and Chicken Wolf are solid lineup contributors.
St. Louis - The Brown Stockings were right behind the Reds until late July/early August when over the course of six games the Browns went from 2 games back to six. From there they couldn't get much closer, but were pretty solid in beating most everyone else.
Pittsburgh - They started out really bad. By mid-season they were at .500, and stayed there till the last week when it seemed the team just kind of left before the season ended.
Philadelphia - Had pitching problems from the start and could never catch up. The lineup had some decent players, but nothing of real note. Even with a subpar showing the town of Philadelphia is ready to be behind the Athletics.
Baltimore - A team full of not-good-players and the record shows. The fans have already seen this movie before and are really hoping there's a better showing next year.

[WFIL73]

Great season. Three teams led the league for good parts of the season. New teams were kind of uninspiring, including one that looked to be one of the worst in history for a time.
Buffalo - Finally they put it all together and held off Chicago. Galvin, Deacon White, Brouthers and Hardy Richardson led the way the last month of the season.
Chicago - No three-peat. Came close. Led the league early, but a late-June injury to Silver Flint may have been the factor. While out 2 weeks the team went 2-9, one more win gets you a playoff game, 2 gives you the championship. That's ok, this team is not going anywhere.
Cleveland - Led the league through the dog days, but just didn't have enough staying power. Financial woes seem to be upon this team and keeping some of its stars may prove a bit tough.
Providence - A good solid team. Just didn't have enough offense to carry through. Hoss Radbourn is looking good and usually gives a good game, but hopefully this team can find a reliable 2nd starter to help him out. (Narrators voice - "They won't.")
Boston - Played .500 ball all season. Was never a factor other than spoiling to the top guys from taking a day off against them.
Detroit - A team searching for an identity. They need help in pitching, Weidman just isn't enough, and some lineup help. The continual need to to shuttle guys in and out of it is not producing the desired result.
New York - Welcome back NY! Most of the team is made up of old Troy Trojan players after owner John Day bought it. Monte Ward and Mickey Welch are good pitchers, but not great. The lineup could either get better, or get help, or both.
Philadelpjhia - Welcome back Philly! This team is bad. No pitching and a weak lineup meant 6 of 8 league teams finished over .500. Mainly thanks to playing the Quakers.

[WFIL73]

A second season under their belt, the AA looks like a legit league. They have their own stars and have a good competitive balance.
Louisville - Pretty solid all season. Guy Hecker and Sam Weaver traded off pitching duties and there was never really a drop off from either. The lineup was steady and the team looks like one to beat for a couple of years.
St. Louis - They lost 3 of 4 to Louisville in early August and that's what cost them. A good team, nice pitching duo of Mullane and McGinnis and the lineup scores runs. Honestly this team should have won. The fact they fired their manager in early September should tell you a few things.
Cincinnati - Started out rough, limped along and came on strong in Aug & Sept. Will White, again led the way. The lineup was the same as the pennant winning team, it just took longer to get going this year.
Philadelphia - For a time in August it seemed they were the only team that could beat Louisville, but just never got to 1st place.
New York - Welcome NY! John Day bought into both leagues, and while his Gothams in the NL weren't great, this team came out firing. They came back to Earth and did well enough down late, but the other teams, right now, are better.
Baltimore - After a disaster of a debut season, this one started off just as bad. But a couple roster moves, and the addition of Hardie Henderson and Bob Emslie righted the ship and the team looked decent at the end.
Columbus - Welcome Columbus, Ohio! The team did not play well. Pitching woes dogged them all year.

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by WFIL73

A billion years ago a 19th century as-played schedule file was created. I have forgotten who created it. Every season of every league was there. I've been using it forever. There were a few tweeks that needed correcting, but I haven't had to touch that file since 2007. I'm not even kidding. Since I am a dinosaur, I do have to load the schedule manually every season, but there's no "creation" on my part as long as my league is set up correctly for the schedule file.

As-played schedules for the NA can be found in your schedule file for your current version of OOTP. It's only the "non-ap" schedules for the NA years that are fictional.

[WFIL73]

Been awhile, sorry, life. And the 1884 season, always a slower one to get through.
Providence - Pretty much in control from beginning to end. Solid offense. Radbourn won 45 and didn't lead the league. In all the times I've played 1884 he never matches his RL record. comes close, wins a lot of games but never 60.
Buffalo - A great season had it not been for Providence. Pud Galvin has been a steady rock on the mound and the lineup of veterans played great but just not enough.
Chicago - Played .500 ball most of the season, but released Fred Goldsmith and brought in John Clarkson and that made things click. An established lineup did their thing, and had the pitching to back it up. I see a strong future ahead.
Philadelphia - From the worst team to one above .500. George Wright is amazing. His eye for talent and where to place it has no equal.
Cleveland - Disappointing. Kind of picked up late, but that was after they sold or released top players like Jim McCormick and Jack Glasscock. Investors seem to be tired of the business and will probably walk away this offseason, leaving the team in limbo.
New York - A nice bounce back season, but this team should be better. they need a nice pitching compliment to Welch as the lineup is pretty good.
Boston - Team is getting old. Jack Burdock and Ezra Sutton are playing every day and only Sam Wise looks like he could be around for awhile. Jim Whitney is not as good as his rookie season.
Detroit - This team is just not finding lineup stability. A constant shuffle of players, trying to find chemistry.

[WFIL73]

The American Association had a nice year and a first, a team disbanding mid-season. The Washington Nationals couldn't compete with another team and left. Richmond finished out the season. The season as a whole was pretty much a runaway and made for a boring season.
Philadelphia - Bobby Mathews was a magician and Philly lead wire-to-wire. As long as Lon Knight didn't screw with too many things he had it made.
New York - Any other season they would have probably won the League. The played great, Tim Keefe mows them down and Dave Orr and Dasher Troy move them along. If ownership keeps them together I don't see a big downside for them.
Louisville - A great season trying to repeat. Solid pitching and lineup, led by Pete Browning.
Cincinnati - The Reds are a good team, but not great. Just didn't do well enough against the top teams.
St. Louis - Under .500 most of the season, but then came on late. Not sure what the impitus was, but they beat everyone and looked good doing it.
Baltimore - Continued to improve. Not a great season, but were very competitive.
Toledo - Welcome Toledo! Played a hard season. Tony Mullane pitched good, but team really faced some tough stuff with Fleetwood Walker, a black player, in the lineup. Most teams were not excited about it and really gave the team hell.
Columbus - Had good players, but just couldn't score enough. Investors are looking to bolt so this is probably the last we see of them.
Richmond - Welcome Richmond! They played the last two months and did pretty well all things considered for a team made up of minor leaguers.
Indianapolis - Welcome Indy! Just never got in a groove. Pitching was ok, but the lineup was weak and investors never adjusted.
Brooklyn - Welcome Brooklyn! City and fans are excited about the new team, but the team itself did not play very well. Hopefully they can stick around for a bit.
Pittsburgh - Took some steps backwards. Pitching was ok, but lineup was weak. Team should be better, but not sure what the problem is.
Washington - Welco...bye bye Washington! Team was made up of weak players and just couldn't compete with the other Nationals team across town.

[WFIL73]

Oh, the Union Association. This league was not a serious league and the fact one team really looked like a major league caliber team showed. The Maroons ran away with the league even after kind of a weak ending. The team with more former National League players really showed. Most teams lost money, lots of it, and teams shuttled in and out mid-season so I don't see the League really continuing.
St. Louis - Ran away from the get and never looked back.
Cincinnati - Played well, acquired some good National League players in August, and got better, but not enough.
Chicago - Had a good season, but the city is already hooked on to the NL team so this one had little chance.
Milwaukee - A late season filler that had some decent players.
Philadelphia - a nice team, but certainly the 3rd team in a 3-team town and folded shop in July.
Baltimore - Had a decent season with some really mediocre talent. Could never quite get a following given that the Orioles weren't exactly tearing it up across town.
Boston - Brought in some old names like Tim Murnane and Lew Brown, but not much else to compete in the UA much less against a weak Beaneaters team.
Washington - Played well enough to force the other DC team to quit mid-season, but not well enough against anyone else.
Kansas City - Came on in June and were a bad team moving the most players through the organization in a short period of time.
Wilmington - An August replacement team that looked it.
Altoona - Started the season and lasted till Juine.
St. Paul - A September replacement team that was just not good.

[WFIL73]

What a comeback year for baseball. After an 1884 that saw the game, as a whole, just become saturated with lesser talent this past season saw a nice competitive year. In both leagues.
Chicago - John Clarkson won 52 games setting a new NL record. The team has a whole was following Philadelphia till the July signing of Jim McCormick. With he and Clarkson on the mound the Sox took off.
Philadelphia - A great season. Led the league for half the year, led by Charlie Ferguson. Manager Harry Wright's record is 200 games over .500.
New York - Renamed the Giants this year they started stomping their way up the standings. Owner John Day transferred Tim Keefe from his Metropolitans team in the AA to the Giants and Keefe and Welch again look like a formidable duo. The offense is good, but could use a boost.
St. Louis - The only team to survive the demise of the UA, the Maroons looked good most of the time. Just not good enough to take down the top three. They also had a tough time competing in-city against the Browns of the AA.
Providence - Financial backing took a hit and once the team fell out of contention, some of the good players were let go. The franchise won 2 pennants and were usually competitive every season. Sorry to see them go.
Boston - The team just can't seem to get the right formula. Two good pitchers, but a ragtag of mediocre offensive performers. John Morrill is not a great field general, but doesn't exactly have the best tools available.
Detroit - Another season of constant roster shuffling to find a competitive team. Another season of sub-par baseball.
Buffalo - Even with most of it's stars coming back, financial backing for the team pulled out before mid-season and the team limped to the finish. A team that just two years ago won the pennant. Buffalo could have been better and a mainstay for years to come in the National League.

[WFIL73]

A nice season for the AA, the league has found its footing and is a solid viable, competitive league with a great fanbase.
St. Louis - Charles Comiskey has a good team that just needed solid leadership. The offense scores funs and they found a pitching duo that stopped all comers this season in Dave Foutz and Bob Caruthers.
Cincinnati - Again, another season where they got going too late. May and June had some pretty uneven play and then things fell into place. Problem was St. Louis already had a lead and Cincy couldn't beat them.
Philadelphia - Trying to repeat their 1884 success was elusive. Bobby Mathews was shut down from most of the year, but when he came back, they became a tough team to beat. Without him they had problems finding consistent pitching.
Pittsburgh - Finishing one game under .500 was a big step forward. The team raided the old Columbus roster and Ed Morris, Fred Mann, Tom Brown and Bill Kuehne look to have the Alleghenys moving forward.
Louisville - Played well for three months, then kind of trailed off. they have a solid lineup and Guy Hecker on the mound but need more consistency from him. Young man, Toad Ramsey, came up late and looked really good on the mound
Brooklyn - New ownership, but the same results. The team has a few players who could be stars (Adonis Terry, Germany Smith), but can't seem to put it together.
New York - John Day took Tim Keefe away from this team and it showed. They tumbled down the standings. So much so Day is selling the team to focus on the NL Giants.
Baltimore - This team has a lineup that's just not good and this past season was a turnstile of roster moves to improve. Spoiler: it didn't help.

[WFIL73]

With 2 new teams in the League the established teams took advantage. It looked as if there would be no race this year, then there was one, and that disappeared. A case of a franchise getting rewarded and cashing in.
Detroit - The league assumed Buffalo's contracts when that team folded. Well, they then awarded most of them, the best of them, to the Wolverines. Those players did not disappoint. They overtook Chicago in early August and never slowed up, winning it running away. Lady Baldwin set a new record for wins by a lefty (42) and never really faltered. (IRL he did set the record with 42 in 86 and that record still stands.
Boston - The team beat the lesser teams, but really only had problems with Detroit. The last two months they just kind of won and won and won. If only they had one massive thumper in the lineup and they might be better.
Chicago - Jumped out and beat everyone through July. A rotation of John Clarkson and Jim McCormick looked unstoppable. Well, about that. Yeah, even with a stud lineup and top pitching they fell. Hard. Over the last month of the season they went from a 1/2 game out to double digits out. It was dramatic.
Philadelphia - Once again with what looked like lesser talent Harry Wright had the team competing. While finishing lower than 1885 the team has a good core and could be poised to compete for the pennant.
New York - Looked good early, but Keefe and Welch are looking more and more like ordinary .500 pitchers. The lineup has bona fide stars, but can never seem to able to go on a run.
St. Louis - The were the team that won, but no on really could see how. Roster is decent, but obviously not great. It was also hard to compete when the crosstown team is dominating the other league. Ownership is getting out and the league is poised to take over the team assets.
Kansas City - A late addition to the League the Cowboys had offensive issues with a lesser lineup. The team folded up shop after the season.
Washington - Welcome Washington! This team was bad. lesser talent in the lineup and on the mound. Hoping this team can get good and hang around for a bit.

[WFIL73]

Didn't have much of a pennant race until late August this year. Attendance was up in most cities and except for New York most teams are looking pretty solid.
St. Louis - They won again. Ran away early. Battled with Louisville in late August, but by late September they were not going to be stopped. This team scores runs and Bob Caruthers and Nat Hudson on the hill were top notch. They were so good the St. Louis NL team is moving out of town.
Louisville - A good team that needed lineup help. Hecker and Ramsey, especially Ramsey, were the best pitching duo in the AA.
Pittsburgh - Best season so far. Had a fantastic last 60 days. They weren't gonna win it, but amidst stories they were looking to move to the NL, the team winning didn't hurt that idea.
Cincinnati - For the 1st time had some pitching issues. Tony Mullane was steady, but a 2nd starter was hard to come by. Lineup could score runs, just did not on a consistent basis.
Brooklyn - Best season so far. They have some good pitching and could use some bats, but looked better than the other NY area teams.
Philadelphia - The lineup that smoked everyone in 84 is not performing anymore. Trying to find good pitching is an issue also.
Baltimore - Seems this franchise is just never gonna be a thing. Another season of roster shuffling. Seemed like Hardie Henderson was gonna be the only good player and then he was hurt and released.
New York - First team in professional baseball to lose 100 games. This team has bad pitchers and a weak lineup. New ownership has lots of questions to answer and I'm not sure they will do so.

[WFIL73]

After a few seasons of not having anything really resembling a pennant race 1887 was the opposite. A close race all season between Chicago, Boston, New York and Detroit. Major player movement in the offseason was thought to change a few things - King Kelly to Boston, Chicago selling off their whole starting outfield - and it came to pass. A rise in offense wasn't so bad either.
Chicago - Sold off their whole starting outfield and still came back and won a thrilling race. John Clarkson leading the way on the hill again. It was old man Cap Anson and new guy Jimmy Ryan leading the way at the plate. This pennant was surely a surprise as the team didn't land in first until July and never really had a strong hold on it, bring in 2nd place with 3 games to go.
Detroit - Oh so close. The defending champs came out of the game slow and were .500 in June. Then Lady Baldwin showed up after missing the 1st 2 months and the Wolverines came charging back. Led again by Sam Thompson, Hardy Richardson and Dan Brouthers the team was battling for 1st all Sept when Baldwin had to be shut down again. Larry Twitchell pitched all the last week and just didn't have enough. If Baldwin or Geitzen were available I'm sure Detroit would have repeated.
Boston - The addition of King Kelly and Hoss Radbourn sure did help. Beaneaters led the league till July and really only had Chicago hanging around. After July the team kind of leveled off, but a late Sep surge had them in the thick of it for the 1st time in a long time.
New York - Early in the season the team traded 1st place with Boston but lost Mickey Welch for about a month and when he did come back he wasn't as effective and the team couldn't get closer. Still, a better season then the previous ones. Word is they will be the only New York team in town starting next season.
Pittsburgh - Jumping from the American Association was a gamble. Early on it didn't look great, but as the summer went on the team played better. Ed Morris and Pud Galvin were as steady as they come. Another season like last and Galvin will become the 1st pitcher to win 300 games this season, maybe in Sept.
Philadelphia - They were a .500 most of the season, but played well enough down the stretch to finish above. Charlie Ferguson is looking to be the first bona fide star for the Quakers.
Washington - This team wasn't good. Basically the same roster as 1886 and got pretty much the same result. Couldn't find decent pitching and the lineup is weak.
Indianapolis - A bad team. A bad organization. Funny thing is they were the spoilers the last week beating both Chicago and Detroit making the race that much more interesting.

[WFIL73]

Much like the National League there was an actual pennant race in the American Association. Didn't look like there would be one. And then there was a spectacular collapse. Poor Philly. The league overall did well, but the new team in Cleveland helped everyone by losing a new record 103 games. After the season, siting lack of funds and fans, the New York Metropolitans have closed up shop. It is unclear where the AA will get a new team.
Louisville - Hung around all season in 2nd place until the last week of the season and overtook Philadelphia. Pete Browning, Chicken Wolf and Hub Collins did it at the plate and Toad Ramsey and Icebox Chamberlain were a steady duo on the mound. It's a good team that may stick around for a bit.
Philadelphia - Bad enough to have to compete in the same city with a National League team, but to lead most of September and then collapse in a week doesn't help. Lineup was steady all year and Ed Seward was great on the mound. Ironic that the pitcher who has been playing the longest, Bobby Mathews, didn't have one last gasp in him. After faltering so bad he retired at the end of the season.
Cincinnati - A late surge had this team maybe looking to win in mid-September. John Reilly was an offensive powerhouse, but Elmer Smith and Tony Mullane were inconsistent early and it seems the hole was just a bit too deep.
Baltimore - THE ORIOLES! Their first winning season in history. Offense led the way, but Matt Kilroy wasn't bad along the way. The team will be looking to build on 87 success to have a great 88.
St. Louis - Led the league till late August. At times it looked like this team was going to run away and had chances to do so. Owner Chris Von der Ahe is said to be not very pleased and it's a good bet there will be some roster turnover.
Brooklyn - Played .500 ball again. Not a bad team with a decent lineup and Henry Porter and Adonis Terry on the mound. Not sure where they are looking to go. Owner Charles Byrne after 2 seasons will leave the dugout and will focus more on building a better team.
New York - In what became their last season they weren't very good. Lack of offense and a roster rotation of pitchers didn't help. They did help other teams win totals.
Cleveland - A town that was not happy to lose its National League team after the 84 season was happy to embrace the AA. That is until the team started playing. The roster lacks talent and 103 losses proved it. Cleveland helped eveyone have good seasons, except themselves.

[WFIL73]

A nice solid season. Had the 1st offensive Triple Crown by Cap Anson. Had a bit of a pennant race till about mid-September. New York won its first chip and looks like a team that could do it again.
New York - A good team that finally put it all together. Mickey Welch finally had a winning season and Tim Keefe was his usual self. A lineup of Buck Ewing, Roger Connor, Monte Ward, John O'Rourke, George Gore didn't hurt.
Philadelphia - They hung around most of the season, but started slow due to the death of pitcher Charlie Ferguson. Had he lived I think Philly could have won the pennant. There's no one spectacular on the team, but they play well as a team (a credit to manager Harry Wright) and win more than they lose.
Pittsburgh - Jumping from the AA has not slowed this team down. Pud Glavin won his 300th game early in the season, but had to sit for most of the summer with a sore shoulder. He came back just as good. The other pitcher Ed Morris seems to be faltering a bit as his production kind of tailed off as the season wore on.
Chicago - They just couldn't find a consistent pitching rotation to match an explosive lineup. Still, the team has a number of young guys to match with the vets and look to be a strong team in 89.
Detroit - Announced after the season they are getting out of the business. Too bad, cause once this team got talent they became a tough team to play. Detroit supported the team, and looked like a major league city. It's up to the league on what to do with the teams assets and where they may play.
Indianapolis - Finally looked and played like a team that could compete. After two seasons of basement dwelling they had some offense led by old guys Jack Glasscock, Paul Hines and Jerry Denny.
Washington - Did not finish last alone. The roster is weak. Not much offense and they have problems finding two consistent pitchers.
Boston - This team needs an overhaul. King Kelly, Sam Wise and Billy Nash can't do everything every day and John Clarkson was purchased for 10k and looked like a mediocre pitcher. Hoss Radbourn started throwing mid-season and looked like absolute garbage. Not sure what this team can do, but they should be much much better.

[WFIL73]

The American Association had a nice season with a decent pennant race with the excitement that it could have been more exciting. It had its first offensive triple crown in Cincinnati's John Reilly. Weird that it was the same season as the NL's first offensive winner too. Must be the rule change to 4 balls leads to a walk. Cincinnati won the league again and has the roster to do it again.
Cincinnati - Tony Mullane, Elmer Smith and Lee Viau were a 3-headed monster on the hill that never seemed to lose often. The offense is veteran loaded with John Reilly, Bid McPhee, Hugh Nicol and Hick Carpenter leading the way.
Brooklyn - Trying to be more than a .500 team, Brooklyn spent lots of money buying other teams talent. Seemed to work as they led the league through much of the season, only to falter as September moved along. This team is not going away any time soon.
Philadelphia - Looked mediocre most of the season, yet came on late. Ed Seward is a phenomenal pitcher, but they had issues finding a companion with him.
St. Louis - They sold their pitchers to Brooklyn and some vets to Philly. They started out horribly, but as the season went on the new guys on the mound and in the lineup started getting consistent and made a late run.
Baltimore - Came back down to Earth. After such a stellar 1888, they could not sustain success. Offense is not a problem. They score runs. The pitching just lets up more. Ownership really has to start questioning what it is they are doing.
Louisville - This team fell quite a bit. Hecker and Ramsey were not as good on the mound and really only Chicken Wolf and Pete Browning were providing offense. Roster seems to be strong so this may be just a blip.
Kansas City - Welcome Kansas City! A young roster looked good at times, but just didn't have enough most games.
Cleveland - Again, a weaker lineup with weak pitching. But there was a 10-game improvement from last season, so there's that. Oddly enough, as bad as this team is, the National League selected it to join and replace Detroit. Of course, they accepted.