The United Baseball Association: The New York Chronicle - Page 10

ryanivr · 07-09-2009, 08:07 PM

The Strange Path of Simeon Laake

ST. LOUIS, MO. July 4, 1916 - In the first five years of the United Baseball Association, things have been relatively stable for most players. A simple look at random player histories will show that the majority of players have spent all five seasons with the same club.

However, if you happen to find Simeon Laake's, the current left-fielder for the Terriers, that certainly won't be what you see. And not only has his path within the league been strange, but his path to the league has been incredible as well.

Laake is 29-years-old...he thinks. Doctors have told him he's between 27-31, but he celebrated his 10th birthday 19 years ago so he's decided to stick with that age theory. When Laake was born, circa 1886, Florida was a hotbed of racism, lynchings, and violence against blacks. But that was the least of his worries.

His mother and father left him when he was about five years old. Laake doesn't remember the day. When authorities found him roaming the street alone, they brought him in. After a few weeks of searching for the boy's parents, he was sent to an all-black orphanage, where he lived for ten years. Then, at approximately fifteen, he learned of many blacks who were leaving Florida to escape the violence that was occuring against them.

"When I was fifteen or so, I left. I left in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on my back. I met some other black folks who were leaving Florida for the northeast. Some were going to New York, some were going to Boston, some were going to Pittsburgh. Industrial cities, mostly. Places we could find jobs."

Laake landed in Pittsburgh, where he worked for the U.S. Steel Coorpotation in a steel mill. But it wasn't what he did in the mill that defined him. It was what he did on break and on weekends.

"We just played baseball. Some of the black folks who came from Florida stayed in Pittsburgh as well. I lived with three other boys, and during our lunch break we would play baseball. On weekends, we'd play baseball. Any time we could, we'd play baseball."

At 23, Laake moved to Cincinnati to work for Proctor & Gamble in their soap factories. Again, he would play baseball any time he could.

But when William A. Willman announced the formation of the United League in 1912, a league that would be integrated, Laake knew what the next major step in his life would be.

J.J. Ryan, the son of Malcolm Ryan of the Ryan Rail Company and a Cincinnati native, used his inherited wealth to purchase one of the charter franchises. In March of 1912, Ryan held tryouts for his Cincinnati Ruby Legs. Over 120 players showed off their skills over a week-long period.

Over the previous nine years, Laake had played baseball every day. He perfected his skills againt co-workers and friends. And in 1912, he could finally put his talent to good use.

"After the week of tryouts, Mr. Ryan wrote me to inform me that I had been selected to join the club and would make $1,000 a year. It was more than I was making at the soap factory, but that's not why I accepted. I accepted because I love baseball."

After a year of playing for the Ruby Legs, the team was expelled by the league. J.J. Ryan simply couldn't run a baseball club competently. Every player on the Ruby Legs, as well as the Washington Statesmen who went bankrupt, became free to sign with any team that offered them a contract.

"A few team's offered me a contract. The Grays though were very kind to me and offered me about $3,400 per season. I always wanted to see Washington as well, so I decided to play there."

But after a year of playing for the Grays, the six teams of the brand new Columbia League were allowed to fill their rosters with anyone left off of a 15-man protection list. Laake was left off of it. In the 11th round of the expansion draft, the St. Louis Terriers took Laake. He was headed to his third team in three years.

"I absolutely loved playing in St. Louis. I certainly wasn't the best player, but I loved my teamates and loved the city."

However, just two years after being taken by St. Louis, the Terriers traded Laake to the Detroit Wolverines after the 1915 season.

"Mr. Ball, the owner of the Terriers, called me into his office and told me that I'd been traded. He said that they could afford to get rid of a younger guy to bring in two veterans because they wanted to win immediately. I could understand that, but was still dissapointed. I loved it there."

Laake packed up his belongings and headed to Detroit. But his wild ride wasn't over yet. Less than two months into the season, Laake got a telegram from Phil Ball.

"I got the telegram and it said that St. Louis was trying to get me back. I was so thrilled. The next day, Mr. Compton of Detroit told me that I would be headed back to St. Louis."

And yesterday, it looks like Mr. Laake can finally settle down. He's signed a two year extension with the Terriers for $78,000.

ryanivr · 07-09-2009, 08:08 PM

Reds-Maroons Swap Confirmed

READING, PA. July 9, 1916 - The Reading Reds have finalized a deal with the Cleveland Maroons for the services of 28-year old left fielder Ramon Starke. In exchange, the Maroons will receive 20-year old left fielder Johnathan Smoot, 23-year old shortstop Ice Lemons, 22-year old catcher Leon Gale and 37-year old starting pitcher Solomon Maurer.

Thus far in 1916 Starke is hitting .322 with 6 home runs, 49 RBIs, 47 runs scored and has compiled a .371 OBP.

ryanivr · 07-09-2009, 08:08 PM

Newark Peppers, Grays Agree to Trade

WASHINGTON, DC. July 22, 1916 - The Newark Peppers announced a deal with the Grays today, sending 26-year old right fielder Orrin Seeley and 30-year old second baseman Coleman Beller to Washington for 19-year old minor league right fielder Harris Gifford and 22-year old minor league second baseman Philander Parson. It had been talked about for the past few weeks and everything came together late last night. All players are expected to be joining their respective clubs shortly.

Seeley is presently hitting at a .278 pace with 4 home runs and 40 RBIs. He has played in 97 games and scored 49 times.

The Grays are hoping Seeley gives them the push they need to get to the top of the standings over the next two months.

Newark, on the other hand, would have lost Seeley in free agency anyway, so getting two young prospects is a great deal for them.

ryanivr · 07-09-2009, 08:09 PM

Calhoun Out for Next 12 Months

WASHINGTON, DC. July 28, 1916 - The season, and maybe next, is apparently over for Eli Calhoun. The Washington Grays medical staff informed the club that the second baseman will be out at least 12 months with torn ankle ligaments. Calhoun was hurt in the game against Cleveland while running the bases. The doctors said he may not even recover by the end of next season.

So far this year Calhoun was hitting .341 with 1 home run.

This is devastating news for baseball fans. A few weeks ago, we published an article about Calhoun's contract extension, but also mentioned how good he is for baseball. This is a sad day for the United Baseball Association. We wish Calhoun the best of luck in recovering.

ryanivr · 07-11-2009, 04:48 PM

I think the time has come where I would like to start this over. This will be my FOURTH time, haha.

I'd LIKE to use OOTP X but the financial settings are still bugging me. The cash maximums are just way too high. Is there a way to import the financial.txt into excel and then export it back to .txt?

07-11-2009, 04:48 PM	#185
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	I think the time has come where I would like to start this over. This will be my FOURTH time, haha. I'd LIKE to use OOTP X but the financial settings are still bugging me. The cash maximums are just way too high. Is there a way to import the financial.txt into excel and then export it back to .txt? Last edited by ryanivr; 07-11-2009 at 04:49 PM.

07-09-2009, 08:07 PM	#181
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	The Strange Path of Simeon Laake ST. LOUIS, MO. July 4, 1916 - In the first five years of the United Baseball Association, things have been relatively stable for most players. A simple look at random player histories will show that the majority of players have spent all five seasons with the same club. However, if you happen to find Simeon Laake's, the current left-fielder for the Terriers, that certainly won't be what you see. And not only has his path within the league been strange, but his path to the league has been incredible as well. Laake is 29-years-old...he thinks. Doctors have told him he's between 27-31, but he celebrated his 10th birthday 19 years ago so he's decided to stick with that age theory. When Laake was born, circa 1886, Florida was a hotbed of racism, lynchings, and violence against blacks. But that was the least of his worries. His mother and father left him when he was about five years old. Laake doesn't remember the day. When authorities found him roaming the street alone, they brought him in. After a few weeks of searching for the boy's parents, he was sent to an all-black orphanage, where he lived for ten years. Then, at approximately fifteen, he learned of many blacks who were leaving Florida to escape the violence that was occuring against them. "When I was fifteen or so, I left. I left in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on my back. I met some other black folks who were leaving Florida for the northeast. Some were going to New York, some were going to Boston, some were going to Pittsburgh. Industrial cities, mostly. Places we could find jobs." Laake landed in Pittsburgh, where he worked for the U.S. Steel Coorpotation in a steel mill. But it wasn't what he did in the mill that defined him. It was what he did on break and on weekends. "We just played baseball. Some of the black folks who came from Florida stayed in Pittsburgh as well. I lived with three other boys, and during our lunch break we would play baseball. On weekends, we'd play baseball. Any time we could, we'd play baseball." At 23, Laake moved to Cincinnati to work for Proctor & Gamble in their soap factories. Again, he would play baseball any time he could. But when William A. Willman announced the formation of the United League in 1912, a league that would be integrated, Laake knew what the next major step in his life would be. J.J. Ryan, the son of Malcolm Ryan of the Ryan Rail Company and a Cincinnati native, used his inherited wealth to purchase one of the charter franchises. In March of 1912, Ryan held tryouts for his Cincinnati Ruby Legs. Over 120 players showed off their skills over a week-long period. Over the previous nine years, Laake had played baseball every day. He perfected his skills againt co-workers and friends. And in 1912, he could finally put his talent to good use. "After the week of tryouts, Mr. Ryan wrote me to inform me that I had been selected to join the club and would make $1,000 a year. It was more than I was making at the soap factory, but that's not why I accepted. I accepted because I love baseball." After a year of playing for the Ruby Legs, the team was expelled by the league. J.J. Ryan simply couldn't run a baseball club competently. Every player on the Ruby Legs, as well as the Washington Statesmen who went bankrupt, became free to sign with any team that offered them a contract. "A few team's offered me a contract. The Grays though were very kind to me and offered me about $3,400 per season. I always wanted to see Washington as well, so I decided to play there." But after a year of playing for the Grays, the six teams of the brand new Columbia League were allowed to fill their rosters with anyone left off of a 15-man protection list. Laake was left off of it. In the 11th round of the expansion draft, the St. Louis Terriers took Laake. He was headed to his third team in three years. "I absolutely loved playing in St. Louis. I certainly wasn't the best player, but I loved my teamates and loved the city." However, just two years after being taken by St. Louis, the Terriers traded Laake to the Detroit Wolverines after the 1915 season. "Mr. Ball, the owner of the Terriers, called me into his office and told me that I'd been traded. He said that they could afford to get rid of a younger guy to bring in two veterans because they wanted to win immediately. I could understand that, but was still dissapointed. I loved it there." Laake packed up his belongings and headed to Detroit. But his wild ride wasn't over yet. Less than two months into the season, Laake got a telegram from Phil Ball. "I got the telegram and it said that St. Louis was trying to get me back. I was so thrilled. The next day, Mr. Compton of Detroit told me that I would be headed back to St. Louis." And yesterday, it looks like Mr. Laake can finally settle down. He's signed a two year extension with the Terriers for $78,000.

07-09-2009, 08:08 PM	#182
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	Reds-Maroons Swap Confirmed READING, PA. July 9, 1916 - The Reading Reds have finalized a deal with the Cleveland Maroons for the services of 28-year old left fielder Ramon Starke. In exchange, the Maroons will receive 20-year old left fielder Johnathan Smoot, 23-year old shortstop Ice Lemons, 22-year old catcher Leon Gale and 37-year old starting pitcher Solomon Maurer. Thus far in 1916 Starke is hitting .322 with 6 home runs, 49 RBIs, 47 runs scored and has compiled a .371 OBP.

07-09-2009, 08:08 PM	#183
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	Newark Peppers, Grays Agree to Trade WASHINGTON, DC. July 22, 1916 - The Newark Peppers announced a deal with the Grays today, sending 26-year old right fielder Orrin Seeley and 30-year old second baseman Coleman Beller to Washington for 19-year old minor league right fielder Harris Gifford and 22-year old minor league second baseman Philander Parson. It had been talked about for the past few weeks and everything came together late last night. All players are expected to be joining their respective clubs shortly. Seeley is presently hitting at a .278 pace with 4 home runs and 40 RBIs. He has played in 97 games and scored 49 times. The Grays are hoping Seeley gives them the push they need to get to the top of the standings over the next two months. Newark, on the other hand, would have lost Seeley in free agency anyway, so getting two young prospects is a great deal for them.

07-09-2009, 08:09 PM	#184
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	Calhoun Out for Next 12 Months WASHINGTON, DC. July 28, 1916 - The season, and maybe next, is apparently over for Eli Calhoun. The Washington Grays medical staff informed the club that the second baseman will be out at least 12 months with torn ankle ligaments. Calhoun was hurt in the game against Cleveland while running the bases. The doctors said he may not even recover by the end of next season. So far this year Calhoun was hitting .341 with 1 home run. This is devastating news for baseball fans. A few weeks ago, we published an article about Calhoun's contract extension, but also mentioned how good he is for baseball. This is a sad day for the United Baseball Association. We wish Calhoun the best of luck in recovering.