Prologue

[Darknight Smith]

I don't post here much, but I wanted to say that this is about my favorite dynasty. Hope to hear more soon.

[HomeRunCandy]

Originally Posted by SelzShoes at FOFC

He stood in the box, the air still crisp with dew. Elmo smiled to himself and looked for the signal. As the umpire bellowed “play ball,” a flash of light—a mirror reflecting the sun—shone. The fix was on.

It was a complicated system, based on precise timing. Based on how much the syndicate had paid out or taken in, when Elmo Bronneke was slated to pitch, the bosses decided if they need him to win or lose. A wire was sent from the central office in downtown to an inconspicuous storefront near the park. From the store, one of two carrier pigeons was released: black for play clean, white to throw the game. When the pigeon arrived at a home near the park, a young boy would rush to his ‘uncle’ with a plain envelope with a single slip of paper inside. Based on the coded instructions, the man would know whether to ‘flash’ Bronneke or not with the mirrored back of his pocket watch. The whole process took under 15 minutes.

Bronneke was the only member of the Brooklyn triad still playing ball. Mosholder had retired after the 1877 season, and now worked with the New York gambling syndicate in what he referred to as their ‘collections’ department. Bennie Zoellner, the first baseman on the squad, had played a season for Bangor in the New England Association, but when it became clear the Empire would not reinstate him for 1878, he left the club. A tryout for the Columbia Association had not gone well, as he had put on too much weight to move with the speed the game demanded in this era.

But Bronneke had survived. An arm injury in 1878 while with Omaha of the Flatlands Congress had been seen as an example of the consequences of an unjust life. Forced to make a salary outside of baseball, Bronneke traveled south and found work on a ranch in Texas. There, the daily rigors of work built his arm back into shape. While letters to James McCormick went unanswered, the news of the formation of the Columbia Association gave him hope of pitching on the national stage again. A letter of contrition to William Temple was enough to ‘prove’ the young hurler had been ‘framed’ by McCormick and his cabal. It was not long, however, before Bronneke decided the lower salary of the Association require supplementing.

While the Empire had taken steps to clear the gambling element out of their league, the Association had not. Trying to build a following with young unknowns proved to be difficult. “Name” players, even ones with questionable past, were seen as necessary to provide legitimacy to the new league.

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[HomeRunCandy]

Originally Posted by SelzShoes at FOFC

Any attention the Columbia Association wanted was stolen by the one of the best multiple team races in Empire League history. With the Chicago Southsiders holding an substantial lead until the very last weeks, there was little drama to be had. But the Empire had solid 3 to 4 team race all summer.

Boston, Chicago and Brooklyn all hovered within 3 games of each other for the first month. Boston had not been a factor in the race since 1875, while the Browns and Atlantics were big spenders becoming perennial contenders. While Eastern writers were quick to declare yet another Brooklyn title, they soon would learn it was the effort of superstars, not the team factoring in the Atlantic’s domination. In his fifth start of the year, Marquis Nicolet, the pitching star of the championships, suffered a severe arm injury and missed the rest of the year. Without Nicolet’s superior skills, the Atlantics started to slip. The season was over when Rodney Stollings missed a slate of games with a bad hip. Although Stollings would return and have a dominating season, although not at the level he was accustomed, the Brooklyns sunk out of contention and into a 7th place finish.

With Brooklyn falling out, Detroit climbed into the fray. While the pitching of the Detroits was never very good all season, they did field one of the most consistent offenses of any Empire club. By mid-July they had surged into trading first with Boston, with the Browns hovering a couple games back.

At the same time, Horacio Pfahlert in Buffalo was single handedly leading the Eries into the race. In 1877 and 1878, Pfahlert had thrown 196 innings with 12 wins to show for his effort. In 1879, the Charmer won 19 and pitched 224 innings. At 35, one of the best-known players of the early years of the League had put together his best season. But the Eries could not find the complementary piece to go with such a dominant hurler and faded to 4th, and a respectable 6 games behind.

While Detroit’s pitching finally gave way, it was left to Boston and Chicago to battle for the title. It was amazing that the Browns could hang so close to the Unions. Boston scored runs at will, especially at home where they compiled a .700 winning percentage. The everyday line up sported seven .300 hitters, and one .290 hitter. It was the philosophy of the old days—single after single after single. But the defensive effort was one of the worst in either league and undermined the hurling and hitting.

Chicago was moving in a new direction: speed. Aubrey Fairie, finally a starter, and Steve Alves sparked one of the least powerful line-ups in the Empire, taking every extra base offered to them. The two ended with a combined 64 steals. With Weisenburger on his way to another batting title, the Browns would push home just enough runs to win. But try as they might, the Browns could never take the lead. They tied the Unions several times, but just could not win that extra game to put them in the lead. Like two years before, the season came down to the last game of the season.

Boston held a one game lead, and needed to beat Indianapolis, a great pitching club with even worse defense than the Unions. Alfred Moulton, the only pitcher to rival Pfahlert as an individual took to the box. The Indys played their usually sloppy game and committed three errors. Moulton would win his 19th game, and render the Browns victory over Detroit meaningless. Boston had secured their 5th title, while Chicago was developing a reputation as a club that could “contend but not win.”

Empire League Standings 
Team 		 W  L  PCT   GB  Home  Away XInn  1Run 
Boston 		61 39 .610    - 35-15 26-24  2-5 11-20 
Chicago 	60 40 .600  1.0 27-23 33-17  3-3 14- 9 
Detroit 	56 44 .560  5.0 28-22 28-22  4-5 18-11 
Buffalo 	55 45 .550  6.0 33-17 22-28  4-1 20-12 
Indianapolis 	53 47 .530  8.0 27-23 26-24  3-2 10-17 
Philadelphia 	51 49 .510 10.0 28-22 23-27  3-7 14-17 
Brooklyn 	49 51 .490 12.0 27-23 22-28  2-3 11-17 
Cincinnati 	47 53 .470 14.0 28-22 19-31  8-3 16-17 
Columbus 	35 65 .350 26.0 23-27 12-38  6-2 21-13 
New York 	33 67 .330 28.0 19-31 14-36  1-5 13-15 
 
Columbia Association Standings 
Team 		 W  L  PCT   GB  Home  Away XInn  1Run 
Chicago 	60 40 .600    - 23-27 37-13 3- 2  9-10 
Buffalo 	58 42 .580  2.0 31-19 27-23 6- 3 18-10 
Cincinnati 	51 49 .510  9.0 22-28 29-21 6- 4 12-15 
Louisville 	50 50 .500 10.0 24-26 26-24 6- 7 16-18 
Providence 	50 50 .500 10.0 23-27 27-23 7- 7 19-18 
New York 	47 53 .470 13.0 20-30 27-23 7- 4 12- 9 
Baltimore 	46 54 .460 14.0 23-27 23-27 3-11 20-20 
Saint Louis 	38 62 .380 22.0 16-34 22-28 5- 5 12-18

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[HomeRunCandy]

Originally Posted by SelzShoes at FOFC

From “True Sport: William Temple and the Columbia Association (1987)”

The defection of Indianapolis and Columbus could not have come at a better time for Temple. Reciepts from the four cities the two circuits were head to head showed an economic disaster. Chicago, while winning the Columbia pennant, drew one quarter of the Browns attendance; Buffalo was unable to attract 1,000 per game; and in Cincinnati the Association underestimated the hostility towards Helmuth for dismantling the champion Kings of 1876. Even in New York, Temple’s base of power, his Gents, as the press dubbed them, drew equally with the Empire’s last place New York entry. In truth, only Saint Louis and Louisville showed any signs of turning a profit. The combination of high admission and low quality play turned off the ‘true lover of ball’ Temple planned on being the core audience for his league. Instead, these fans turned to regional and city leagues, where the admission fit the level of play. The choice for Temple was to stick with his ideals and watch the Association crumble; or reorder his priorities and truly rival the Empire. Temple would choose the latter and begin to craft a thoughly modern league.

Legitimacy as the superior league belonged to the Empire because of the national reputation of its players. Even a player like Aubrey Fairie, whose reputation was far greater than his production, was known by the casual fan. Rodney Stollings, Norman Lent and Horacio Pfahlet all had made their name before the Empire existed. And Cappy Richardson was the unquestioned brightest star of them all. To the followers of the game, the Columbia Association rosters were full of too many players like Marshall Quisenberry, one of the best hitting first basemen of the 1880’s, but for the moment a raw kid. As for the ‘names’ that did jump, the stain of gambling was clear; like with the early days of the Empire, the integrity of the Association was openly questioned.

Legitmacy for the Empire also came from the League structure. Even with the death of James McCormick, and the failure of the League to name a President until the cusp of the 1880 season the Empire was viewed as stable and ‘honorable’. The mid-season resignation of two-thirds of the governing commission pushed the Association to the brink of anarchy. The blatent disregard for rules and contracts of the first season would haunt the Association as it attempted to establish itself. Temple truly believed in the ideals he founded the Association on, but realized there was a practical disadvantage to his ideals. Over the fall and winter of 1879 and 1880 William Temple would reshape the structure and direction of his beloved circuit.

.

[Vris]

Thanks for the bumps. Was wondering what had happened.

Is that you seth?

[HomeRunCandy]

Liz, actually.

I just felt he had too many readers here to just leave behind.

Still, I can understand his frustration with the Mods here and how they pick and choose who to apply the rules. I've told him about this thread and he has bet me even though there is clear violation of the additional posting guidelines by several OT members, none of them will repremanded. Based on what I've seen, he's probably right, but I still don't think he should have left his readers like this.

[Vris]

I'm sorry to hear he feels this way. I rarely check on that other site, but now I'll have to bookmark it.

He's done a great job with this dynasty and I'm glad he's going to continue it in some way. Maybe he'll change his mind.

[ifspuds]

Can someone post a URL for the thread on the other site?

[BadluckinOOTP]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

Can someone post a URL for the thread on the other site?

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/foru...ad.php?t=38323

[cknox0723]

Originally Posted by HomeRunCandy

Liz, actually.

I just felt he had too many readers here to just leave behind.

i knew seth was a good guy, so the above post shouldn't have been a surprise, but, still, very cool. a real live female on these forums, and one that is not jestor's alias!!!

just playin'. though, if you (or anyone that visits the other site) could articulate to seth how much he's missed here, i'd be eternally grateful. i understand he is unhappy with the way some things go down here, and i can't blame a guy for not wanting to spend his time somewhere he does not enjoy...but i also know how much seth does enjoy this place. i haven't been here and posting for all that long, so i'm not quite sure how to react when someone decides to move on from here. but somehow, knowing that seth is still continuing his "prologue", it doesn't feel right. this is the home for that sort of thing.

maybe i have this improper sense of entitlement, but seth decided to share his experience and his wonderful writing with this community. to discontinue it because of the actions of a few folks, particularly ones who aren't even reading his dynasty -- some of whom i will admit that i also like, so perhaps that too is coloring my view -- it seems selfish. it is as though he is valuing their actions over those of myself and spudsy and goroyals and the rest of you gentlemen that have interacted with him.

we are all selfish in our own ways. my post that you are reading is also very selfish. seth is doing so out of principle, i am doing so out of the enjoyment i get from interacting with him, particularly since i could conceivably just go on over to FOFC and sign up and say hello. eventually one of us will give in. but i will only do that when i believe that it is no longer worth trying to convince seth to come back to this community. at this time, i don't believe that at all.

yes, i know, it is only text on a page -- but one could say the same thing to seth. no, there are people writing these words, and i, for one, miss the guy who has authored the prologue thread and so many others that i've enjoyed.

my apologies for hijacking the thread and, as always, for my long-winded tendencies.

[seth70liz76]

Well, it is a matter of principle Craig.

If, for example, you and I encouraged other members of Dynasty to go to Online Leagues to harass a board member we didn’t like, I think we would be punished for our actions. But if OT starts a thread encouraging people to go to Online Leagues to harass a board member they don’t like, it is accepted by the Mods. Or think of how many “Soon to be closed thread. . .” threads you’ve seen there—encouraging the members who go to OT to pile on and attack others.

If I complain about what I feel is personal harassment by OT members, including attaching the bit from the forum posting rules highlighting what part of the rules are being violated—and the Mods do not warn (easy to tell if they do now), ban or even respond to me with, at the very least, a ‘we do not think this violates the standards of the forum’—I think that sends a clear message.

Just ask this question: Are the same standards applied to everyone here? Is, for example, Jestor treated with the same level of tolerance by the Mods as say, (just to pull a name out) Davey Eckstein? Over at FOFC, a guy with over 14,000 post was given a two week vacation; his first according to the chatter about it. People there were upset—asked the Mods to change their minds about it—and the Mods responded with, “these are the rules/standards we have here, he violated them, end of story.” The Mods here clearly have two sets of standards, one for the OT regulars (even when they are outside OT) and the rest of us. I was hopeful the Additional Posting Guidelines would result in less of this ‘attack’ behavior, but after all the bluster, the Mods failed to back it up. Yes I know it is unpaid and you can only do so much, but if they are unwilling to back up their talk, maybe they should find someone who will. I don’t expect perfection—I do expect effort.

Is it unfair to the people who follow Prologue? Mayhaps, but when does the line get drawn? Do we wait until the lack of civility shows up in Dynasty? Or do we have to wait until certain threads in Dynasty start becoming flame wars? I made the choice to voice my displeasure, the Mods made the choice to not listen or take any action. Will I ever come back; I hope so—I really hope that enough people decide that we should be able to click on a thread anywhere outside of OT and have a good idea that civility and manners will rule the day—and that the powers that be will act when anyone chooses to violate the standards they are suppose to enforce.

[Vris]

I think you are taking things out of context, Seth. The link you posted does not encourage anyone to harrass anyone. It's more like, "hey, have you seen this?". No one was advocating Cowboys behavior. In fact, the consensus is that he played it horribly. No one should be talking to new customers like that, and he was warned for it. I don't know why you think everyone else should be warned, as no one else did anything. Do pictures of trains upset you? It was an attempt to close the thread, so the mods would see it, see that it was just a waste of space, and deal with it. The offending parties were warned and dealt with. No one was wanting to harrass anyone. I'm sorry if it came out like that, because that was not what was intended.

If it concerns you, don't go to that part of the forum. Focus solely on the Dynasty part. That's all I was concerned with for quite a while. I gradually worked my way up to the other parts of the forum. There are some other posters that will remain nameless that I think should be dealt with in a better manner, but for the most part when an issue arises, the mods do a fairly fine job.

It's too bad you feel that way and won't contribute, for the ones who want to read your writing. You've worked hard on it and we appreciate being able to read it. It's a fine work, Seth, and these little things shouldn't be getting to you.

[seth70liz76]

Vris

I appreciate and understand your difference on this; people see events through their own filters. You see this as OT coming to the defense of a newbie who has been insulted by Cowboy. I see 7 pages of OT piling on an individual—well after the Mods took action against him. Vigilantism is another form of lawlessness. And my opinion of these people, admittedly, is clouded by some hateful PM’s I have received from them for expressing the opinion that they need to be held to the same standards as the rest of us. Apparently since they are “what these boards are all about,” to quote one of the cowards, they feel they are entitled to certain privileges. I see their postings as thuggery and bullying because of how they have treated me.

Think of it in these terms: would your thoughts on this behavior change if say instead of a thread in Online Leagues, these people started piling on an individual in “The Baseball Life of Pat O’Farrell?” Think about OT posting pics of train wrecks in that thread after a couple pages of aliases and OTers having a name calling contest? It isn’t the pics I find offensive, it is the fact it represents unchecked aggression on the part of a small group of posters.

I miss being here—I still come over as a visitor. But I can’t take part in this board the way it is currently run, especially after being at FOFC and seeing how they run their board. And since Liz has taken upon herself to bring Prologue back here, against my wishes I might add, there really isn’t reason for me to be back. I just thought some explanation of my choice was the least I owed you.

[Vris]

I didn't say I condoned the actions. They did take it too far and it should have ended. And again, I feel bad that's the way you feel.

I've seen people pile on a newbie's dynasty. No, I don't like it. But the rest of those people were coming to his defense.

One poster ruining it for everyone. Seems kind of odd, don't you think?

Again, I apologize and will make an effort to visit that other site just to read Prologue. Your work doesn't go unappreciated.

[HomeRunCandy]

Originally posted by SelzShoes at FOFC

“Mr. Adams, good to see you.”

William Frederick Adams was sick to his stomach to be away from Mr. Hamilton. The man he had served so loyally these many years now bed ridden and awaiting the final call of the reaper. Adams’ place was with the man whose family were the few loyal employees he could surround himself with, not downtown meeting with bank officials.

The office, once the den of Mr. Hamilton had undergone extensive redecorating in the months of his advanced illness. Any trace of its former occupant, aside from the obligatory portrait of the Bank President, had been erased. The office was rigid and austere, reflecting the soul of the current occupant.

Jonias Van Baar’s family was old money; coming over with the original Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam. The Panics of the late 1870’s had, humiliatingly, forced back to work to maintain the family fortune. Granted sitting on the board of directors of Brooklyn’s most prominent bank was not the worst of all possible worlds, but he was entitled to the life of leisure the Van Baar’s had become famous for. Still, his familial and social ties had made him a valued member of the Board of Directors in a very short time; so much so he was elevated to ‘Acting’ President’ over longer termed members, with the implicit understanding the ‘Acting’ would be removed after the inevitable occurred. Working was humiliating, but the opportunity to enhance the family name was worth the daily toil.

“I am not a man to waste time,” Van Baar began, “so I shall tell you straight on: We have decided your services are no longer necessary.”

“Pardon?” a sick chill filled Adams.

“As you are in the employ of Great Brooklyn Bank and Trust in the role of personal secretary to a man who, to be perfectly honest, has no earthly need for one; the Board of Directors has decided to eliminate your position. You may pick up your final pay envelope at the front desk. If you have any personal belongings at Mr. Hamilton’s, please have them removed within the next twenty-four hours or you shall be arrested for trespassing.”

“But . . .”

“There is nothing to discuss, we have made our decision.”

“Mr. Hamilton needs me.”

“Nonsense, he needs a nurse—and as we have one taking care of him already, there is nothing you can do for him except take his money by sitting around and doing nothing all day. Now please, leave the premises before I have you escorted out. We shall notify you by post when he passes so you may pay your respects then.”

Adams rose and begun to leave the office. Reaching the door, he turned, “What shall become of the Atlantics?”

Van Baar momentarily looked puzzled, “Oh the Based Ballers—the Board seems to feel it would be a sound investment to hold on to the squad. A way of connecting with the rabble and such—though I doubt they have enough money to concern us if they squander it on such frivolities. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.”

[HomeRunCandy]

Originally posted by SelzShoes at FOFC

“You certainly can not suggest ballplayers have the right to organize?”

Young Kenneth Crow observed the shocked faces of gathered. His escort for the evening, the actress Madeline Dumas, gripped his hand tightly hoping to cause enough discomfort to silence the shining star of the box. The hurler stood firm, “I not only suggest it, but I insist on it.”

The tuxedoed gentlemen rumbled over their port and cigars, more than one was heard to quip “too much time with Weisenburger.” They had come to bask in the glow of Chicago’s finest pitcher, not be lectured in the finer points of socialist doctrine. The evening, for them, had been ruined.

“Organization is the sweeping the workers of America, why should ball player not be included?”

”Because, they are not workers,” Fletcher Stoddard forcefully intoned. He had seen his rail yards paralyzed several times by the influx of European Radicals. Men who sought not an honest day’s pay, but to agitate the hardest of his men into slothful dreams. Men who spend four or five months a year playing pitch and bat can not be considered workers. They are, for the most part, itinerant laborers who the Creator has blessed with strong arms and swift legs.”

“Well, I must object to that characterization with some force dear sir,” Crow said with a tension relieving chuckle. “I hope to begin law school within a year hence, and want to change the prevailing view of my mates.”

“From exploited to exploiter—the natural progression for the radical,” a wine soaked voice bellowed to the merriment of all.

“Dear heart, tell them about the trip Mr. McCormick is planning for the coming fall,” Madeline was uncomfortable speaking of such politics to an audience as clearly adverse to such notions as unions and higher pay scales.

“I hope to use my skills as a solicitor; if they be as grand as those I exhibit on the field, to form a brotherhood for the players. A collective to warrant some protections.”
“And what could you possibly require protection from?” Stoddard queried. “A ball game is not required for everyday life. I can go to watch the park leagues or even a gathering of children—I do not have to go to Lake Front Park for my amusement.”

“But you do go, since you desire the best ball playing for your amusement?” The gathered nodded. “We make tremendous profits for the owners of these clubs and receive very little back in terms of wages. The famed Nicolet of Brooklyn was summarily released because of an arm injury after hurling the Atlantics to two pennants; if he is able to find employ this upcoming season it will be at a greatly reduced wage . . .”

“As it would be in any industry! When you are no longer able to do the job you are paid for, the owner should have the right to release you. It is sound business principle. I do not operate my rail yards for men to mill about and receive monies for nothing. I expect a hard day’s work for an honest wage. The hardest working men receive more; the slothful and incompetent are released. This is the nature of the business.”

“I fear that is an unjust system; since the hardest working barely receive a living wage as it is. Higher wages for all would . . .”

“Would damn this country to the upheaval and strife scurrying across Europe! Why should I guarantee a good wage to someone who will not work hard? Why should there be no incentive to reach for?”

“There should be incentive; but the tendency is not to reward workers, but to punish them with unnatural ceilings on wages. That is what we have in the Empire. No matter how well I perform, I can earn no more than $2,000.00 in a season. Shouldn’t I or Frank Richardson be able to earn more if we are producing better than our fellows?”

“If you ask me, $2,000.00 is far too much to play a game.”

“Then we shall continue to disagree.”