A Baseball House Divided

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, December 13, 1907:

The European alliance system - likened to a "spider-web" by President McKinley, just got another thread. The Governments of Great Britain and the Russian Empire agreed to an "entente" by which they agree to honor each other's spheres of influence and also, possibly, may link the two militarily. If the latter is true, with Russia and France already allied, it creates a three-power alliance which matches the three power alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

"'Spheres of influence?' And yet they claim not to have imperialist tendencies," said Theodore Roosevelt, back home in New York as he tries to drum up support for the Republican Presidential nomination this summer. "Typical of the British - they denounce everyone, the U.S., the Confederates, Germans, you name it - as imperialists, and here they carve up the Persian Gulf between themselves and the Tsar. Shows their true colors."

As for the implications of military alliance, Roosevelt added, "I don't see how the British and Russians could effect a real military alliance. There's a whole lot of German Empire between them. I'm sure the Kaiser is ready for any contingency."

President McKinley referred to the entente as "disappointing," but refused to elaborate. Rumors around Capitol Square were that the President was expecting a visit from the German ambassador as the Kaiserreich continues to seek a formal alliance with the United States.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 11, 1908:

U.S. League Reserve Lists:

Round 1:
Oakland pick: 2B Eddie Collins. 
Boston pick: RF Gavvy Cravath. 
Los Angeles pick: 2B Larry Doyle. 
Chicago pick: CF Dode Paskert. 
New York pick: 2B Amby McConnell. 
Pittsburgh pick: P Eddie Cicotte. 
Columbia pick: P Harley Young. 
San Francisco pick: P George McQuillan. 
Sacramento pick: 3B Harry Lord. 
Portland pick: C Bill Carrigan. 
San Diego pick: P Ed Summers. 
Philadelphia pick: 2B C.I. Taylor. 

Round 2 :
Oakland pick: P Bill Grahame. 
Boston pick: P Tom McCarthy. 
Los Angeles pick: P Doc Crandall. 
Chicago pick: P Slim Sallee. 
New York pick: P Bill Foxen. 
Pittsburgh pick: CF Al Shaw. 
Columbia pick: RF Al Schweitzer. 
San Francisco pick: SS Neal Ball. 
Sacramento pick: 1B Jerry Freeman. 
Portland pick: P Burt Keeley. 
San Diego pick: P Eli Cates. 
Philadelphia pick: P Joe Lake. 

Round 3 :
Oakland pick: P Chick Brandom
Boston pick: P Frank Arellanes
Los Angeles pick: P Frederico Nina
Chicago pick: SS Jack Barry
New York pick: P Biff Schlitzer
Pittsburgh pick: 1B Elroy Gleason
Columbia pick: P Bill Chappelle
San Francisco pick: CF Tom Daley. 
Sacramento pick: 3B George Perring. 
Portland pick: P Jean Dubuc. 
San Diego pick: P Rube Manning. 
Philadelphia pick: P Jack Ryan.

C.S. League Reserve Lists:

Round 1:
Leesburg pick: 3B Sam Mongin. 
San Juan pick: SS Roderigo Vigueria. 
St. Louis pick: RF Eddie Cheevers. 
Santo Domingo pick: P Gabriel Fuentez. 
Washington pick: P Bill Burns. 
Atlanta pick: 2B Bill Sweeney. 
Louisville pick: 3B Braxton Farmer. 
Havana pick: CF Isidoro Esqver. 
Birmingham pick: RF Chief Wilson. 
Baltimore pick: C Billy Hutchington. 
New Orleans pick: SS W.W. Fuller. 
Miami pick: C Pat Abney. 

Round 2 :
Leesburg pick: SS Vince Cooper. 
San Juan pick: 3B Sol Voloschin. 
St. Louis pick: P Bill Bailey. 
Santo Domingo pick: SS John Wilson. 
Washington pick: P Jeff Bull. 
Atlanta pick: P Nick Carter. 
Louisville pick: P Brendan Bussey. 
Havana pick: C Haywood Rose. 
Birmingham pick: CF Clyde Milan. 
Baltimore pick: P Dode Criss. 
New Orleans pick: 2B Tim Lasky. 
Miami pick: LF Leon Sanchez. 

Round 3 :
Leesburg pick: P Roque Sabastro. 
San Juan pick: CF Howard Cossey. 
St. Louis pick: C Gabby Street. 
Santo Domingo pick: C Sam Strothers. 
Washington pick: 3B Frank Manush. 
Atlanta pick: C Bill Ludwig. 
Louisville pick: C Grover Land. 
Havana pick: 3B Alfred Boone. 
Birmingham pick: P Jack Flater. 
Baltimore pick: P George Hoffman. 
New Orleans pick: 2B Ed Fay. 
Miami pick: P Joel Pitcher.

[legendsport]

from the secret memoirs of Roger Wilson Stanton:

March 20, 1908 - Visiting New Orleans for the first time. Very interesting city, I must admit - and also very ripe for the revolution. I've spoken with agent "Iron" who, technically, is responsible for Birmingham (a city whose population is among the most exploited in the entire Confederacy), to get his report on the situation in Louisiana - specifically here in New Orleans. As the prime port of trade for the Confederate States, the city of New Orleans is another population center which cries out for socialism.

March 23, 1908 - Agent "Iron" reports that he has found several youngsters he believes would be ideally suited to help spread the tenets of socialism around the New Orleans area. He is particularly impressed by a pair of brothers from a small town north of New Orleans. The family name is Long and there are nine children, but two of the youngest, Huey and Earl, seem to be (according to "Iron") not only very, very intelligent, but also fit our profile of personalities likely to accept socialism. I've ordered "Iron" to indoctrinate the brothers, as well as several other youths he has unearthed here in Louisiana.

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, March 31, 1908:

In less than one year, a new man will sit in the Grey House, and that man will be elected in just over seven months. For the people of the Confederacy, the choice of Chief Executive this year may mean more than at any time since the election of Jefferson Davis in 1860. An ever-increasingly belligerent United States, the interference of European nations in the C.S.A.'s Caribbean affairs, not to mention a potential economic crisis, all point to the 1908 election being of momentous importance for the nation.

Here at the Courier, we pride ourselves on fair reporting, so we will lay out - here at the beginning of the campaign - the cases for both of the candidates for President.

First, the Democract - Senator Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana. Senator Foster is the former governor of Louisiana and has chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Senate for the past two years. He graduated from the University of Louisiana's Law program in 1871, becoming a practicing attorney before turning to politics. Senator Foster favors a strong military, and has pledged to uphold the policies of President Pritchard, both domestically and internationally.



On the Whig ticket is former Senator Eppa Hunton of Virginia. The regal Hunton is a living piece of Confederate history. A member of the secession committee in 1861 for Virginia, Mr. Hunton served in the War for Southern Independence and was promoted to brigadier general after the successful conclusion of the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Hunton is an unapologetic patriot, but has stated that he does not favor the continued industrial focus on military needs, pointing out that (in his opinion) the foundries of Birmingham and factories of Washington would be better utilized in making life easier for the Confederate citizens. Easily the oldest man to ever run for President, Mr. Hunton is a robust 85 years old.

[legendsport]

The league file and OOTP html have been updated for the start of the 1908 season on the "extra goodies" website.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, April 2, 1908:

JAPANESE BANNED FROM IMMIGRATION - In a first-ever move to decrease the flow of immigrants to the United States, the lawmakers in Columbia passed a law barring the entrance of immigrants from Japan. The move was met with fierce resistance and several protests in California, where there is already a sizeable Japanese-American community.

One protest turned violent as three young men died in a confrontation between protesters and the San Francisco Police Department. The city of San Francisco has the largest Asian-born population in the United States and is a focal point of the new immigration ban. The earthquake shattered city is still rebuilding, and according to local government officials, "can barely support our indigenous population without adding any more needy mouths."

President McKinley is said to be opposed to the law, but did not veto it due to "political considerations."

[legendsport]

from the Confederate Baseball Weekly, June 3, 1908:

MIAMI'S LLOYD HAVING SEASON OF A LIFETIME - John Henry Lloyd, star shortstop of Pop Watkins' Miami Superbas, is having himself a year to be remembered. In the 38 games he has played so far this season, Lloyd has failed to get a hit just five times, and has had 20 games with two or more safeties, including a four-for-four on May 6 against New Orleans.

Asked for a reason for his success, the ever-positive Lloyd said, "I've just been seeing the ball well and not trying to overswing. Just get the bat on the ball and try to find a hole. It's a big field and only eight guys are covering it - you just need to find some of that open pasture."

No one has ever found the open pasture as frequently as Lloyd has this season. Through the games of June 1, John Henry has recorded a startling .436 average, a good fifty points higher than anyone else - in either the Confederate or U.S. leagues.

Can he keep it up? "Oh, I don't know about that," he says with a grin. "But I'll certainly do my best. You can't win if you don't score and you can't score - usually - without hitting that ball well, so my teams and I will just continue to try to do our jobs and if I hit over .400, it'll be worth it as long as the team wins."


John Henry Lloyd

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, June 3, 1908:

ROOSEVELT CONDEMNS BRITISH EXPLOITATION - Ever provocative, the former Ambassador to Germany (and current Presidential hopeful) Theodore Roosevelt issued a challenge to a recent claim by the United Kingdom to rights on the recent oil strike in the Persian town of Masjid-al-Salaman. The strike appears to be very large - and therefore very profitable for whichever nation develops the wells to remove the precious resource, which has been used for many forms of internal combustine engines, including that of most major automobiles.

"The British will rob the Persians of their own wealth," said Roosevelt, speaking before the Sons of Hibernia meeting in New York City. His audience - Irishmen who are not fond of the British anyway - agreed heartily.

"It has been known on this continent for over 130 years that the British government will take any measure necessary for the aggrandizement of the British treasury. This apparently now includes staking claim to a resource located in a country which is supposedly not a part of the British Empire.

The British were granted the rights to the oil by Persian ruler Mozzafar-al-Din Shah Qajar, who is, according to Roosevelt "a despot, hated by his own people, who has been proven to be little more than a puppet of the British and the Tsar of Russia."

The British ambassador declined to comment on Roosevelt's words, though he did say that it was "well-known that Mr. Roosevelt is no friend of the United Kingdom."

[legendsport]

U.S. Leagues Standings

Federal
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Philadelphia	26	15	.634	-	27-14	-1	 	16-9	10-6	2-0	5-7	112	L2	6-4
Chicago		21	17	.553	3.5	17-21	4	 	8-12	13-5	2-2	11-5	-	W1	5-5
Boston		20	18	.526	4.5	20-18	0	 	8-14	12-4	2-1	6-8	-	W1	6-4
New York	17	20	.459	7.0	18-19	-1	 	8-5	9-15	2-1	8-7	-	L1	2-8
Columbia	17	22	.436	8.0	18-21	-1	 	8-10	9-12	0-2	5-8	-	W3	7-3
Pittsburgh	15	24	.385	10.0	16-23	-1	 	6-12	9-12	3-5	8-8	-	L1	3-7

Pacific
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Portland	23	15	.605	-	22-16	1	 	14-10	9-5	3-2	9-4	116	L1	2-8
Sacramento	24	16	.600	-	27-13	-3	 	12-9	12-7	1-3	4-8	115	W2	8-2
Los Angeles	22	17	.564	1.5	24-15	-2	 	6-9	16-8	2-3	3-8	-	L3	5-5
Oakland		18	20	.474	5.0	14-24	4	 	5-13	13-7	3-1	9-4	-	L2	4-6
San Francisco	18	22	.450	6.0	19-21	-1	 	7-10	11-12	3-1	6-6	-	W4	6-4
San Diego	13	28	.317	11.5	13-28	0	 	6-17	7-11	1-3	5-6	-	W1	3-7


C.S. Leagues Standings

Dixie
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
St. Louis	24	16	.600	-	22-18	2	 	14-5	10-11	2-0	11-5	115	L1	4-6
Louisville	21	16	.568	1.5	19-18	2	 	13-11	8-5	2-2	9-9	-	W3	4-6
Washington	22	19	.537	2.5	20-21	2	 	11-12	11-7	5-3	10-10	-	L2	4-6
Baltimore	21	21	.500	4.0	24-18	-3	 	12-9	9-12	4-2	11-12	-	L1	6-4
Birmingham	18	22	.450	6.0	20-20	-2	 	8-7	10-15	0-6	9-12	-	W1	5-5
Atlanta		16	28	.364	10.0	17-27	-1	 	11-9	5-19	4-4	9-11	-	W1	5-5

Caribbean
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Miami		26	12	.684	-	27-11	-1	 	11-6	15-6	2-5	9-5	114	L1	5-5
Havana		22	15	.595	3.5	21-16	1	 	13-8	9-7	5-1	13-6	-	W2	4-6
San Juan	19	20	.487	7.5	16-23	3	 	13-12	6-8	2-4	10-5	-	L1	7-3
Leesburg	18	23	.439	9.5	19-22	-1	 	9-10	9-13	2-1	6-12	-	W1	5-5
New Orleans	15	21	.417	10.0	18-18	-3	 	10-8	5-13	2-1	5-12	-	W1	4-6
Santo Domingo	16	25	.390	11.5	16-25	0	 	7-9	9-16	1-2	4-7	-	L4	2-8

[legendsport]

from the Confederate Baseball Weekly, June 10, 1908:

'FURIOUS' COBB REQUESTS TRADE - Ty Cobb is not a happy man. The star player of the Atlantic Crackers has "grown tired" of the constant losing in his two-plus seasons with the team, and has requested that the two part company.

"Send me out of here," said Cobb to a surprised reporter. "This team stinks and it appears that no one in management cares about that fact." As Cobb continued his tirade, his team mates distanced themselves from him, with Harry Steinfeldt, who has the locker next to Cobb's actually leaving the room.

"I want to win, but this here's a team game, and this team does not have what it takes. Look at them fellas in Miami - that Watkins has John Henry Lloyd, but he has surrounded him with players who complement the star. That is not what the Crackers have done."

Asked where he'd like to go, Cobb said, "it doesn't matter as long as the team will try to get some other players who can compliment my own play." Pressed for suggestions, Cobb shrugged and said, "maybe Louisville - or St. Louis."

Manager Tully Sparks could only shake his head at Cobb's latest rant. "Listen, boys," he said, "you all know by now that Cobb is mouthy. He likes to talk, and honestly I think he believes that all this talk about the rest of the team being no good is his warped way of trying to light a fire under this team."

Whether Cobb is employing psychology or not, his team mates do not appreciate his words. One of them, speaking on condition of anonymity said, "This team would be better off without him. They should trade him to the Caribbean League - that'd serve him right."

With less than two months left til the trade deadline, it remains to be seen whether Ty Cobb will remain a Cracker, or move on to what he hopes are greener pastures.


Ty Cobb

[legendsport]

from "Revolucion! - A History of Mexican Revolutionaries":

By the early summer of 1908 Pancho Villa had become a true believer in the tenets of socialism. His experiences with the corrupt pre-war Mexican government, and the subsequent conquest and annexation by the Confederacy had left Villa severely disillusioned and seeking a guiding force.

He found that force in the socialism espoused by the infant Social Democratic Party of the Confederacy, as led by the charismatic Roger Wilson Stanton. Stanton had spent considerable time in the mountains of Mexico, spreading the gospel according to Marx, and those efforts had born fruit in Pancho Villa. The banditos Villa had led in the war were still out there, living shadowy lives in the mountains of central Mexico, waiting for a guiding hand...

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, June 20, 1908:

Winston Churchill, President of the Board of Trade of Great Britain (having replaced David Lloyd George in April), is in Richmond this week to negotiate new trade agreements with the Confederate government.

Despite previously strained relations - specifically in the aftermath of the Venezuelan debt crisis - the British have been gradually opening up to closer relations with the Confederacy, a policy which President Pritchard believes should - and will - continue.

"It is not the policy of the Confederate government to spurn any nation, especially those which were so integral in the development of our nation's economy following our independence from the United States," said the President in his weekly press meeting.

"The British have been our friends since 1860, and even though we've had our differences, they continue to be our friends. We welcome Mr. Churchill to Richmond and look forward to concluding new trade agreements which will tie our nations more closely together and promote friendship between us."

Mr. Churchill, whose mother was born in the United States, was happy to be in the Confederacy. "Let us not dwell on past differences. It has always been the policy of His Majesty's government to promote trade and the Confederacy has long been an outstanding trade partner for Great Britain. It is my sincere hope that this trip will see the successful signing of a new trade agreement which will benefit both nations and, perhaps, bring our relationship closer than it has ever been in the past."

Churchill will visit Columbia after he leaves Richmond, but with the recent strained relations between the United States and Britain, it is not expected that anything fruitful will come of the visit.


Winston Churchill

[legendsport]

from the Confederate Baseball Weekly, June 27, 1908:

Ty Cobb, disgruntled star of the Atlanta Crackers, was granted his wish this week as the team dealt him to the Baltimore Orioles. Cobb had long been openly critical of both management and his team mates in Atlanta, which soured relationships on both sides. He publicly asked to be traded earlier this month, and this week, the club granted his request.

Cobb heads to defending Confederate champion Baltimore, a very good team which currently sits two-and-a-half games behind the Louisville Gears in the Dixie League race. With Cobb's trade demands known to all within Confederate baseball circles, the Crackers probably did not get as much for him as they would have liked. Baltimore sent left fielder Bill Foster and catcher Bob Kocher to the Crackers for Cobb, who steps into right field and joins a lineup that also features young hitting stars Sebastian Thibeault and Kevin Durr.

With Atlanta, Cobb was hitting .317 and had stolen 24 bases. He will hit third in the lineup with Thibeault (.338 this year) in the four slot and Durr (.342) hitting fifth. Cobb, as expected, had something to say:

"It's exciting to be going to a team in the thick of the pennant race. I expect to help the Orioles move ahead of the Gears and win another Dixie League pennant. I really look forward to talking hitting with Thibeault and Durr - both those fellows really swing the wood. You all are going to see a very happy Mr. Cobb the rest of this season."

Bill Foster, the 28-year-old left fielder who was born in the United States, was the key to the other side of the deal. Atlanta asked for Thibeault and received a reply that was, well, unprintable in a newspaper. But Foster is no second-prize. He's hitting .307 and will bat third for the Crackers. The addition of Bob Kocher also gives the Crackers an upgrade behind the plate. Though Bob's average is only .213, he will hit sixth and be Atlanta's starting backstop.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, October 6, 1908:

WAGNER HAS "BAD" SEASON, BUT EISENKAMP LEADS PHILA. TO FLAG - Honus Wagner, long considered the best ballplayer in creation, had a very tough season in 1908, finishing with a career-worst .231 batting average for Philadelphia. The Patriots were still more than good enough, however, winning another Federal League flag behind emerging hot corner star Saul Eisenkamp, who hit .329 to lead the team's hitters. The pitching side was solid as well as Andrew "Rube" Foster went 22-15, 2.32 and Chief Bender (17-11, 2.13) also had a solid season.

WILDFIRE LEADS PORTLAND BACK TO TOP - The Portland Lumberjacks returned to the top of the Pacific League heap in 1908, thanks in large part to the hitting efforts of Frank "Wildfire" Schulte. Wildfire led the league in batting at .344 and finished strong, hitting a league-best .442 in September to help Portland pull away from Los Angeles and finish six games ahead of the Angels. Charlie Hickman continued his solid play since coming over in 1905 for Honus Wagner, as he led the circuit with 92 runs batted in and hit .294. On the pitching side of the ledger, the other play the 'Jacks got for Honus - Highball Wilson - went 18-8, 3.14 to support Ed Walsh who sparked the staff with a 23-15, 2.65 season.

YOUNG STARS CONTRIBUTING - Chicago's Ned Monaghan, considered Honus Wagner's heir apparent as the U.S.A.'s best shortstop, had a solid season (though he did drop off from his 1907 mark of .347), hitting .294 and clubbing four home runs.

Taking a big step in '08 was the White Rhino, Jonathan Wright. LA's prize prospect, Wright got a chance to join the big club mid-season and showed manager Ned Hanlon that he was ready for the show, as he hit .344 in 203 at-bats. "He still needs to work on his batting eye - take more pitches, make the hurlers work," says Hanlon. "But overall, he is poised to breakout."

Another LA standout - and a big reason the Angels climbed into pennant contention in 1908 - was Royce Ledbetter. Ledbetter hit .311 in his sophomore season with the Angels and improved his power stroke, going from 1 homer in 1907 to 4 this season. He should be a key component of a very good LA outfield next season.

"Preacher" Joe Sampson, Pittsburgh's top prospect, spent the season in the minors, where he continues a steady development. The Rivermen did get solid contributions from a pair of young hurlers, as Walter Johnson went 14-11 with a 2.52 and Eddie Cicotte was 12-11, 3.71.

Oakland's Lem Gormley continues to develop slowly, which causes his manager to scratch his head. "I'm not sure what his situation is," says skipper Wilbert Robinson. "He has a wealth of talent, and at 23, I feel he should be better than a .161 hitter."

U.S. Leagues Standings

Federal
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.Rec	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Philadelphia	81	69	.540	-	81-69	0	 	43-32	38-37	8-6	26-26	3	L1	5-5
Pittsburgh	79	71	.527	2.0	79-71	0	 	39-36	40-35	8-15	26-24	-	L3	5-5
Columbia	75	75	.500	6.0	78-72	-3	 	45-30	30-45	6-8	21-28	-	W2	6-4
Chicago		73	77	.487	8.0	68-82	5	 	35-40	38-37	8-9	31-29	-	W3	5-5
Boston		72	78	.480	9.0	69-81	3	 	36-39	36-39	11-8	30-26	-	L4	4-6
New York	70	80	.467	11.0	74-76	-4	 	42-33	28-47	12-7	29-30	-	W2	5-5

Pacific
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.Rec	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Portland	89	61	.593	-	86-64	3	 	41-34	48-27	10-2	25-13	*	W1	6-4
Los Angeles	83	67	.553	6.0	82-68	1	 	39-36	44-31	7-10	26-27	-	L1	5-5
San Francisco	75	75	.500	14.0	80-70	-5	 	36-39	39-36	8-6	28-30	-	L4	3-7
Oakland		71	79	.473	18.0	65-85	6	 	34-41	37-38	9-4	26-19	-	W1	5-5
Sacramento	69	81	.460	20.0	73-77	-4	 	33-42	36-39	4-10	20-32	-	L1	5-5
San Diego	63	87	.420	26.0	64-86	-1	 	30-45	33-42	5-11	22-26	-	W1	6-4

[legendsport]

from the Confederate Baseball Weekly, October 6, 1908:

LOUISVILLE SQUEEZES PAST BALTIMORE TO WIN PENNANT - Former C.S. Army officer Jesse Tannehill's troops had a tough road to hoe this season. The Baltimore Orioles, who won the pennant in 1907, actually improved their team mid-season by acquiring fiery outfielder Ty Cobb from Atlanta. But Tanny did not panic and guided his team to a pennant - one game ahead of Baltimore.

Nap Wilde (.317) and Sammy Strang (.315) led the way for the Louisville offense, while the pitching corps featured managed Tannehill (8-4, 3.77 in spot action), Ed Karger (24-11, 2.68) and Howie Camnitz (19-13, 2.63).

Baltimore, despite strong finishes from their trio of star hitters, just couldn't pass the Gears down the stretch. Kevin Durr led the Dixie League in hitting for the second straight year, collecting safeties at a .352 clip, while Ty Cobb picked up his pace for the O's and finished second in the batting race at .347. Lest we forget, superstar-in-the-making Sebastian Thibault hit .346 and led the Dixie League in runs batted in with 86. Unfortunately for Baltimore, the pitching wasn't there to help them get past the Gears.

LLOYD FAILS TO HIT .400, BUT MIAMI WINS PENNANT - John Henry Lloyd finished with a .395 batting average, short of the magical .400 number, but he was still happy when the regular campaign ended.

"We won the pennant - that's all that matters to me," said Lloyd as he watched his team celebrate their third straight Caribbean League pennant. "Pop (Watkins, the manager) has done a fabulous job and we've got one heckuva ballclub here. The Gears better watch themselves next week."

Lloyd spent six weeks out of the lineup after suffering a fractured kneecap in a game on August 21. That the Superbas won despite missing their most important player is testament to the talent and depth assembled by Watkins in Miami.

The pitching, as always, was tremendous. "The Lizard" Terceiro Aguilar had another outstanding campaign, racking up a 27-8 record with a 2.01 ERA and 385 strikeouts. Anton Roseldo was also stellar, going 19-10 with a 1.99 ERA. And third-starter Jose Mancheco did his part with a 2.83 ERA and a won-loss record of 19-14.

The Confederate Baseball Weekly's Top 25 Prospects (U.S. and C.S. Players):

Batters
# 	Name			Team	Age	Pos	Contact	Power	Eye/Discipline	Speed	Range	Level	AVG	HR	RBI
1 	Joseph Sampson		PIT	22	CF	8	5	7	7	11	A	.237	5	48
3 	Rudel Dietrich		SJC	18	1B	8	4	7	13	6	A	.248	5	56
4 	Billy Hutchington	BAL	20	C 	7	4	7	4	2	Majors	.192	0	1
9 	Lemuel Gormley		OAK	23	CF	7	4	6	8	7	AA	.248	7	45
15 	Al Bridwell		SD	24	SS	7	3	7	13	4	Majors	.330	0	13
23 	Braxton Farmer		LOU	20	3B	7	4	6	10	6	Majors	.176	0	7
24 	Chief Wilson		BIR	25	RF	6	4	4	16	15	Majors	.228	0	8

Pitchers
# 	Name			Team	Age	Role	Stuff	Control	Mvment	Level	Rec	ERA	IP	HA	BB	K
2 	Elmer Steele		NY	22	SP	4	8	7	AA	13-7	1.89	214.0	157	62	233
5 	Charley Hall		SF	23	MR	5	5	8	Majors	0-0	1.59	5.2	6	0	5
6 	Nick Maddox		WAS	21	SP	2	6	8	A	7-7	1.38	156.0	95	43	189
7 	Frederico Nina		LA	24	SP	5	7	7	A	10-12	2.30	223.1	186	72	247
8 	Jefferson D. Wheelock	BIR	21	SP	7	5	4	A	11-6	1.94	232.0	157	77	276
10 	Jose Sutrez		NOP	21	SP	5	6	7	A	9-13	2.39	222.1	152	104	272
11 	Jack Rowan		CHI	21	SP	3	5	8	A	5-12	1.75	164.1	117	36	200
12 	George Hoffman		BAL	18	SP	3	6	8	A	11-14	2.08	233.1	184	82	260
13 	Hi West			NY	24	MR	4	5	8	AAA	2-3	3.30	43.2	44	16	20
14 	Chick Brandom		OAK	21	SP	3	6	8	A	2-1	1.29	28.0	17	12	32
16 	Bill Chappelle		COL	24	SP	3	6	8	A	10-7	1.00	170.1	97	35	194
17 	Roque Sabastro		LEE	19	SP	3	6	8	A	9-2	1.70	143.0	111	33	172
18 	Brendan Bussey		LOU	22	SP	3	6	7	AA	3-1	2.77	52.0	54	15	52
19 	Tom Tuckey		LOU	24	SP	2	8	8	AA	5-3	1.30	69.1	45	23	75
20 	Doc Martin		BOS	21	SP	4	3	8	A	14-15	2.62	251.0	189	109	275
21 	Bill Otey		NY	21	MR	2	7	8	AA	7-7	2.51	104.0	77	35	99
22 	Emilio Giobani		NOP	19	SP	3	8	5	A	6-4	2.20	110.1	89	27	126
25 	Bill Lattimore		WAS	24	SP	2	6	8	AA	10-8	2.48	196.0	169	76	248

The Final Standings

C.S. Leagues Standings
Dixie
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Louisville	86	64	.573	-	80-70	6	 	42-33	44-31	10-7	30-25	4	L2	5-5
Baltimore	85	65	.567	1.0	88-62	-3	 	46-29	39-36	9-8	35-26	-	W3	7-3
St. Louis	80	70	.533	6.0	79-71	1	 	40-35	40-35	10-5	27-24	-	W1	4-6
Birmingham	69	81	.460	17.0	74-76	-5	 	36-39	33-42	5-16	26-35	-	W3	7-3
Atlanta		66	84	.440	20.0	64-86	2	 	40-35	26-49	15-7	25-29	-	L6	3-7
Washington	64	86	.427	22.0	65-85	-1	 	35-40	29-46	8-14	29-33	-	L2	3-7

Caribbean
Team		W	L	PCT	GB	 Pyt.	Diff	 	Home	Away	XInn	1Run	M#	Streak	Last10
Miami		98	52	.653	-	97-53	1	 	52-23	46-29	13-10	29-22	*	W2	6-4
Havana		85	65	.567	13.0	80-70	5	 	44-31	41-34	9-5	33-21	-	L1	5-5
New Orleans	84	66	.560	14.0	90-60	-6	 	47-28	37-38	7-4	21-22	-	W1	4-6
Santo Domingo	68	82	.453	30.0	71-79	-3	 	35-40	33-42	5-11	18-23	-	L2	4-6
Leesburg	62	88	.413	36.0	61-89	1	 	35-40	27-48	7-4	27-31	-	L1	6-4
San Juan	53	97	.353	45.0	54-96	-1	 	29-46	24-51	5-12	19-28	-	W2	4-6

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, October 10, 1908:

GOVERNMENT POLICE AGENCY FORMED - Confederate Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte has announced the formation of a new bureau within the C.S. Department of Justice. The "Confederate Bureau of Investigation" will be the government's official law enforcement agency. Crimes which cross state boundaries and larger crimes such as kidnapping, bank robbery, extortion, etc, will all fall under the Bureau's jurisdiction.

"It is time for the Confederate government to put in place a law enforcement agency for the 20th century," said Bonaparte on the steps of the Justice Building, which will house the Bureau until its permanent offices are constructed in downtown Richmond.

"Crimes have not become simpler and cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies is often difficult. The C.B.I. will be empowered to handle any and all cases in which the local or state authorities are unable to properly pursue the investigation," finished Bonaparte's statement.

The announcement was received positively by most citizens and lawmakers. One dissenting voice was that of Social Democratic Party chairman Roger Wilson Stanton who declaimed, "The C.B.I. will turn out to be just another arm of the capitalist elite to keep the workers on a short lease. Mark my words - this will prove to be a great travesty for the rights of ordinary Confederate citizens."


Chares Joseph Bonaparte, C.S. Attorney General

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, October 22, 1908:

LUMBERJACKS ROLL PAST PATRIOTS AND SUPERBAS FOR WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP

The Portland Lumberjacks climbed to the top of the baseball heap with an impressive run through the postseason. First on the agenda was the U.S. Championship series with the Philadelphia Patriots, who won their third straight Federal League pennant.

In the Confederate Leagues, the Miami Superbas took their third straight Caribbean pennant, and faced the Louisville Gears, winners of the Dixie League pennant.

U.S. Game One - Portland battered Philadelphia pitcher Chief Bender for 15 hits and eight runs, winning a rout 8-1 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Roy Thomas was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI for the 'Jacks.

C.S. Game One - Despite the absence of star shortstop John Henry Lloyd (out with a leg injury), the Superbas rolled to an easy 8-3 win as they scored four in the first frame and never looked back.

U.S. Game Two - Andrew "Rube" Foster tossed a complete game, striking out seven as the Patriots evened up the series at one apiece with an 8-3 win over the Lumberjacks. Saul Eisenkamp was three-for-five with a pair of RBIs for the Patriots.

C.S. Game Two - In an eleven-inning thriller, the Gears tied the series at one apiece with a 4-2 win in eleven frames.

U.S. Game Three - Portland took game three 6-3, to lead the series two to one. Wildfire Schulte was three-for-four with three driven in to pace the 'Jacks, while shortstop Roy Hartzell was a perfect four-for-four.

C.S. Game Three - Louisville was cruising with a 3-0 lead entering the eighth inning before the Superbas plated four runs over the last two frames to sneak away with a 4-3 win and a 2-1 series lead. Sherman Barton singled home Bill Irvin in the ninth for the decisive run.

U.S. Game Four - Bill Friel was three-for-four with a pair of runs batted in as the Portland Lumberjacks took game four 4-0 to grab a commanding three-to-one series lead.

C.S. Game Four - Anton Roseldo won his second game of the postseason as the Superbas took a 6-4 win over the Gears for a three-one series lead in the Confederate Championship Series. Diego Bombardero was the offensive hero for the Superbas, driving in a pair of runs.

U.S. Game Five - Rube Foster kept the Patriots alive with a dynamic performance, scattering five hits for a shutout as John McGraw's Philadelphia squad. Hal Chase's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning scored Moose McCormick with the game's lone run, allowing the Patriots to live to fight another day.

C.S. Game Five - Nap Wilde was three-for-four and scored a run as the Louisville Gears fought their way to a 3-2 win which kept them alive in the Confederate series.

U.S. Game Six - In a wild, error-filled contest, the Portland Lumberjacks took game six, and the U.S. Championship with a 9-8 win over Philadelphia. Davy Jones went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, and six of the nine starters had at least two hits for the 'Jacks. Ham Iburg went the distance for his second win of the series.

C.S. Game Six - A five-run fourth was the deciding factor as the Superbas took home another Confederate championship, winning game six by a score of 6-4. Sherman Barton had three hits in four at bats and Jose Mancheco won his second game of the series.

The World's Championship Exhibition

Game One - Highball Wilson threw eight shutout innings before allowing a pair of tallies in the ninth, striking out eight and the 'Jacks took game one of the exhibition series with the Confederate champion Superbas by a score of 5-2. Davy Jones and Jimmy Sebring each had three hits for Portland.

Game Two - Ed Walsh won his third game of the postseason, with Portland sweeping the exhibition series with Miami, taking the second game 7-3. A four-run outburst in the fifth was the difference for Portland, with back-to-back doubles by Frank "Wildfire" Schulte and Jake Stahl scoring three of the four runs.

The postseason MVP award was given to Jimmy Sebring who hit .452 with 7 RBIs for the 'Jacks.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, November 6, 1908:

In one of the closest elections in U.S. history, it appears that William Howard Taft has defeated William Jennings Bryan for the Presidency of the United States. For the first two days following Tuesday's general election, the outcome was not clear as the balloting was close in many states, including New York, which has the largest number of electors of any state. In the end it is believed that the presence of former New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt as Taft's running mate, was responsible for the Republicans taking New York, and the Presidency.

President-elect Taft made a public appearance in Cleveland, Ohio, where he accepted the gracious concession of Mr. Bryan and promised to continue the work of President McKinley, whom Taft referred to as "one of America's greatest presidents."

Vice-President-elect Roosevelt made an appearance of his own in New York, where he pledged undying support of what he called "readiness for the coming conflicts," a theme he played much of during the late election. Citing Confederate "duplicity" and expressly mentioning Great Britain, France and Russia as potential enemies of the United States, Roosevelt pledged undying support of the country's naval buildup and even mentioned conscription as a possible initiative, saying "it (conscription) works pretty darn well for the Kaiser."

When apprised of Roosevelt's remarks, Taft laughed and said, "Teddy is a bit, um, excitable. But we shall always work as a team and I respect his opinion."

[legendsport]

from the Richmind Courier, November 6, 1908:

With all ballots now counted, Senator Murphy J. Foster of Louisiana has defeated Whig Eppa Hunton for the Presidency of the Confederate States of America.

In a speech in Baton Rouge, the President-elect thanked the voters for choosing him and added, "it's good to see the people of the Confederacy choose youth and vigor over age and caution - we will continue to carry on the work of President Pritchard, who has brought our country into the sun, where it belongs." This was an obvious reference to the advanced age of Mr. Hunton, which it is believed was the deciding factor in the election.

In a poll of voters leaving polling stations, many indicated they voted for Murphy as much because he was younger than octogenerian Hunton who many believed would not live to serve out his term. Many political pundits also wondered why the Whigs would nominate Hunton, the former War for Southern Independence General who is considered one of the Confederacy's founding fathers for his role in the secession of Virginia in 1861.

Woodrow Wilson, who will serve as Mr. Foster's Vice President, declined to speak when approached at his Richmond home. "I shall be content to perform my duties as Vice-President, such as presiding over the Senate, but will also stand ready, should President Foster require my opinion or thoughts on any matter of state." Further comment was refused. When it was mentioned by a reporter that Mr. Wilson was a far cry from the newly elected V.P. of the United States, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, Wilson simply smiled and said, "It would be unseemly for me to speak on my esteemed colleague."

[legendsport]

The Cato History has been updated to include the 1908 season.