History Never Repeats: An Alternative Baseball History

[NYY #23]

Let the Games Begin
April 30, 1890

As the calendar turns from April to May the 'War of 1890' continues to be played out, but this time on the field. The main battle of the war is taking place in New York City where John Montgomery Ward and his Brooklyn Ward Wonders have jumped out to an early four game lead in the Players League. Not to be outdone, the National League Brooklyn team is also leading the league by one game over the New York Giants. Lost in the shuffle are the Brooklyn Gladiators of the American Association, who are struggling to win more games than they have lost (13-13).

Players League Notes
The Cleveland Infants are in the midst of a 8 game winning streak. The key to their recent success has been their ability to score a lot of runs. The Infants are leading the league with 187 runs scored and have averaged over 7 runs per game. 'Big Ed' Delahanty leads all players with 37 hits, and hit in a league high 13 games in a row earlier this year.

While the Infants are relying on their batters to win games, the Brooklyn Ward Wonders are getting the most out of their pitching. John Sowders and teammate Gus 'Cannonball' Weyhing are each tied for the lead league in wins with each winning 7.

When the Players League formed they placed franchises in seven National League cities. The eighth city was Buffalo. The Bisons are currently last in attendance and sitting in last place. It doesn't look like Buffalo is embracing baseball as well as the Players League thought they would.

The Bisons are trying hard to catch the seventh place Giants. Manager Buck Ewing hasn't had much for the Giants this season, and Ewing leads the league with 55 errors. Not exactly the best category to lead the league in.

National League Notes

When the Brooklyn Bridegrooms needed another pitcher they went with a relatively unknown, Anthony Stinson to round out their rotation. It looks like it has been a perfect marriage so far, as Stinson leads the National League with 6 victories and the Bridegrooms are locked into a battle with the Giants for first place.

Jack Crooks is leading the National League in stolen bases for the Philadelphia Phillies with 10. He is also hitting .325.

The Pittsburgh Alleghenys won the championship in 1889 and after a hot start have lost thirteen of their last seventeen games.

American Association Notes
Things aren't looking good for the American Association champion Louisville Colonels. They are in the middle of a eight game losing streak and are currently sitting in last place 9 1/2 games back.

Ed Conley of the Toledo Maumees is leading the league in both ERA (0.70) and wins (7). Teammate Cy Young has added 5 wins for the Maumee, who are currently leading the league.

(Editor's Note - Just a note to readers who don't recognize the name Anthony Stinson. I made efforts to limit the number of fictional players there will be in the league, but they will make some appearances.)

[NYY #23]

New York Teams Continue to Dominate
May 31, 1890

With another month in the books all three professional baseball leagues are being led by a team from New York. In the Players League, the Brooklyn Ward Wonders are running away with the title, eight games ahead of the nearest team, the Philadelphia Quakers. Many questioned the wisdom of having the first and second place teams play in a Championship Series, but with an early run away winner, it looks like it was a wise move by the Players League to keep interest up.

The best race is occurring in the National League, where the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and New York Giants are tied for first place, each with a 33-22 record. Another New York team, the Rochester Broncos has pulled in front in the American Association, leading the St. Louis Browns by 2 games.

Players League Notes
While the Ward Wonders are running away with the division, much of the talk among the Players League has been about who the best player in the league has been. The two names that keep surfacing are Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates and Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Infants. Duffy is hitting .354 with 34 RBI, 61 R, and 37 SB. Duffy is also leading the league with 13 triples. Delahanty is hitting .350 with 26 RBI, 55 R, and 24 SB. Delahanty's 78 hits league the lead.

John Montgomery Ward leads the league with 42 steals. The Ward Wonders have been active on the base paths, with Emmett Seery adding 33 steals, and Bill Joyce adding 31 steals.

Jake Beckley had his hitting streak stopped, but his 21 game hitting streak was the longest in the Player League thus far.

National League Notes
Scott Stratton went 8-2 during the month of May, and now leads the National League with 14 wins.

The defending champion Pittsburgh Alleghenys are once again back over .500 (28-27) and are in the middle of a five game winning streak.

Jack Clements of the Cincinnati Reds is making a case for best batter in the National League, hitting .329 with 21 RBI.

American Association Notes
Kid Nichols of the St. Louis Browns had a big month, going 8-1 for May. He has been moving up the league leaders for the American Association and is now third in the league in victories (12), seventh in the league in ERA (1.80), and first in the league in strikeouts (80).

John Harkins of the Rochester Broncos pitched the first no-hitter of the year against the St. Louis Browns. Not to be outdone, teammate George Stovey pitched the second no hitters of the year, just five days later.

Jack Stivetts of the Columbus Solons struck out 15 batters in a game against the Browns.

Not to take anything away from John Harkins or Jack Stivetts accomplishments, but the Browns are last in the American Association in batting average, hitting just .206. The Browns are last in all offensive categories, except walks.

[NYY #23]

Browns - Alleghenys make their move
June 30, 1890

As we approach the halfway point in baseball, two of the three leagues have new leaders. The St. Louis Browns wrapped up a 16-9 June to take a four game lead over the both the Columbus Solons and Rochester Broncos, who are tied for second place. Over in the National League Pittsburgh had an 18-7 month to move into first place, and now hold a three game lead over the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and Cincinnati Reds. Over in the Players League the Brooklyn Ward Wonders still hold a seven game lead.

The battles continue between the National League and Players League off the field, as attendance battles and statements regarding each other league continue. While it is hard to get a complete financial picture of each league, rumors continue that both leagues are not doing well financially. While not a direct participant in the 'War of 1890', the American Association is perhaps being hit the hardest. In cities where three teams are playing, the American Association is running a distant third. It appears further trouble will continue until both sides declare a truce in this 'war'.

Players League Notes
Guy Hecker of the Boston Reds had the best game of his career, getting six hits in a game against Philadelphia. Hecker started the season on the bench, but has been making the most of his opportunity to start due to Dan Brouthers' injury. Hecker is hitting .432 in 44 at-bats.

Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Infants became the first player to pass 100 hits for the season during the month of June. For the year Delahanty has 107 hits, thirteen better than the next closest.

While Brooklyn has the best record in the league, the two other teams from New York, the Giants and Buffalo are battling to remain out of the basement. Hank O'Day of the Giants now has 16 losses for the year, one more than Ray Martin of the Bisons.

National League Notes
One of the main reasons behind the Alleghenys recent success has been their pitching. Toad Ramsey has lowered his ERA to 1.02 to lead the league and has 15 wins for the year. Teammate Will Sawyer recently won his 18th game of the season.

While the Phillies have struggled this season, one of the lone bright spots has been the play of Sy Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe's .330 batting average is leading the league. He also leads the league with 42 RBI and 90 hits.

Ed Swartwood struggled for the first two months of the season, hitting .221 in April and .141 in May, but heated up in June. For the month he hit .385 for the Reds by going 35 for 91.

American Association Notes
George Van Haltren has become one of the most popular players in the American Association for the Syracuse Stars. The 24 year old is leading the league with a .342 average. He also leads the league in runs scored with 48.

Charlie Getzein of the St. Louis Browns became the first pitcher in any league to pick up 20 wins after he improved his record to 20-7. Teammate Kid Nichol is second in the league with 18 wins. While the Browns are last in almost offensive category, they are leading every pitching category except strikeouts.

The Athletics are having a hard time drawing fans to their home games with two other teams based in Philadelphia. The empty stands may be finally getting to the Athletics as they were 9-16 in June, their first losing month. The Athletics have two regulars hitting below .200, center fielder Ed Yewell is hitting .165 and second baseman Mart McQuaid is hitting .178.

[NYY #23]

Challenge rebuffed; Troubled in Philadelphia?
July 31, 1890

With the race for first place in the Players League all but decided with the Brooklyn Ward Wonders leading by 14 games the league the Players League put out a challenge to both the National League and later the American Association. The challenge? The champion of the Players League would take on the winner of the National League in a championship series to show who was the best team in baseball. The National League quickly refused the offer, and pointed out that the competition within the National League is better and didn't feel it was necessary to acknowledge what they consider an inferior league.

The Players League then made the same offer to the American Association, who declined after initial discussions. The main cause of concern was the Players League refusal to schedule the championship series on a Sunday and the serving of alcohol at games.

We have received reports from players of the Philadelphia Athletics that they are not receiving their paychecks as scheduled. The Athletics are one of several teams within the American Association who are believed to be having financial troubles. Another American Association team, the Louisville Colonels, are in last place and threatened to disband before the league stepped in and urged them to finish the season.

While reported attendance is way in the National League, it is believed that the league is inflating attendance figures. At a recent home game for the New York Giants the stands were almost empty in a battle between the last place Giants and seventh place Colts.

With some degree of trouble in all three leagues the cries for an end to the 'War of 1890' are becoming more frequent and passionate. Cities such as Brooklyn and Philadelphia are having trouble supporting three baseball teams and the fans are the losers in the end. Rumors of players being approached to jump to a rival league continue. Our biggest fear is that the constant fighting between the leagues could lead to the demise of professional baseball in the near future.

Players League Notes
Socks Seybold of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders has a 14 game hitting streak, and is rapidly approaching the record for the longest hit streak, held by Jake Beckley of the Pittsburgh Burghers. Seybold's team currently leads the league by 14 games.

The two teams that trail Brooklyn by 14 games are the Philadelphia Quakers and the Pittsburgh Burghers. Both teams must be relieved that they are still fighting for the opportunity to take on Brooklyn for the championship.

Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates has been trying to hold off Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Infants for the batting title all year. Duffy is currently ahead with a .327 batting average, with Delahanty hitting .319. A late challenge by Brooklyn's Dave Orr is making things interesting, as Orr has raised his batting average to .318.

There is a two way tie for the stolen base lead, as John Montgomery Ward of Brooklyn and Billy Shindle of Philadelphia both have collected 82 stolen bases.

John Sowders of Brooklyn picked up his 25th win of the year during July. Harry Staley of the Burghers is right on his tail with 24 wins.

National League Notes
Two more Pittsburgh hurlers made the news in July. Toad Ramsey of the Alleghenys pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, the third no-hitter in the National League this year. Ramsey now leads the league with a 1.27 ERA.

Ramsey has combined with Will Sawyer to form a dynamic one-two punch for Pittsburgh who now lead the Reds by 2 games. Sawyer picked up his 24th win of the year recently against the Reds, and now leads the league.

A home run is a rarity in baseball, but Frank Grant of Brooklyn homered in 4 straight games during the month of July. He now holds the record for homering in the most consecutive games.

The first place Alleghenys will face off against the second place Reds for seven games in the month of August.

American Association Notes
Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars has taken advantage of a poor month by George Van Haltren to overtake him for the batting average lead. Stenzel is now hitting .328 for the year. Stenzel also leads the league with 64 RBI, 12 triples, and 128 hits.

There is now a three way tie atop the pitching leaders, as St. Louis Brown teammates Charlie Getzein and Kid Nichols each have 23 wins. They are tied with Bert Dorr of the Columbus Solons.

The Columbus Solons lead the Browns by 2 games in the quest for the league championship. The Rochester Broncos remain in the hunt three games out.

[NYY #23]

Pennant Races Finalized
August 31, 1890

With just a few more days remaining in the regular season the pennant races for all three leagues have been finalized. In the Players League the Brooklyn Ward Wonders have clinched the division title and currently hold a 10 game lead on second place Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Burghers have clinched second place and will play Brooklyn in a championship series after a 21-8 August allowed them to take a seven game lead over the Philadelphia Quakers. In twenty previous matchups between Brooklyn and Pittsburgh the Ward Wonders have won 12 games.

The Pittsburgh Alleghenys have clinched their second consecutive National League title. They currently lead the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Spiders by 4 games.

In the American Association the St. Louis Browns have clinched the division title, and currently hold a four game lead over the Columbus Solons and Syracuse Stars. The St. Louis Browns have agreed to play the Pittsburgh Alleghenys in a championship series.

Players League Notes
Dave Orr of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders looks to have sown up the batting title. Orr is currently leading the league with a .325 batting average, with Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates hitting .316 in second place.

We reported last month that Socks Seybold of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders had a 14 game hitting streak that was active, but he failed to get a hit in his next game, ending his streak at 14 games.

Harry Staley of the Pittsburgh Burgers picked up his 31st win of the year. John Sowders of Brooklyn is the only other 30 game winner, with a 30-14 record.

National League Notes
Will Sawyer of the Pittsburgh Allegheny leads the league with 29 wins. Teammate Toad Ramsey is second with 27 wins.

Sy Sutcliffe of the Philadelphia Phillies raised his batting average to .342. With Lave Cross of the Giants at .326 Sutcliffe is poised to win his first batting title.

American Association Notes
Steve Brodie of the Rochester Broncos collected five hits in a game against the St. Louis Browns, but the Broncos couldn't collect the win, falling 6-5.

Jim McElroy of the Syracuse Stars pitched a no-hitter over the Louisville Colonels on August 18th. McElroy is 25-21 on the year with a 2.52 ERA.

Trouble continues in Philadelphia as the Athletics are failing to garner any fan interest. Their manager has left the team and rumors have indicated that the Athletics will fold after the season is completed. The Athletics are currently 23 games out of first place.

Teammates Charlie Getzein and Kid Nichols of the St. Louis Browns each picked up their 30th win of the year.

[NYY #23]

Pittsburgh celebrates
September 15, 1890

The city of Pittsburgh had two reasons to celebrate. In a big upset the Pittsburgh Burghers defeated the heavily favored Brooklyn Ward Wonders in two straight games to win the first Players League Championship. Harry Staley picked up the opening game win for Pittsburgh in a 6-2 win. Pittsburgh needed extra innings, but defeated Brooklyn again 6-5 to win the Championship.

The American Association champion St. Louis Browns didn't match up too well with the National League champion Pittsburgh Alleghenys. Pittsburgh defeated the St. Louis Browns four games to one to win their second consecutive championship.

Unfortunately we'll never know who would have won the battle of Pittsburgh between the National League's Alleghenys and the Players League's Burghers.

[NYY #23]

Players League makes first postseason move; purchases Reds and Athletics
September 30, 1890

Just days after the playoffs ended in the Players League and the National League Pittsburgh franchise defeated the St. Louis Browns of the American Association, the Players League made the first key move of the offseason.

Players League investors caught everyone off guard when they announced that they had purchased the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association after they had declared bankruptcy. The initial plan was to consolidate the Athletics with the existing Philadelphia Quakers.

The next day the Players League had a more shocking announcement, announcing that a group of investors had purchased the Cincinnati Reds for $48,000 and plan to have the Reds begin play in the Players League starting in 1891. With no current team in the Cincinnati market this fills a major need in a baseball town. At this time it is unclear whether the Players League will go forward with 9 teams, add a tenth team, or rethink their strategy of consolidating the two Philadelphia franchises.

Around the league many of the Players League stars have been approached by the National League with offers to rejoin the National League, but all of these efforts have been unsuccessful up to this point.

Players League Notes
Dave Orr of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders won the batting title with a .323 batting average. He also led the league with 192 hits, 31 doubles, and 78 RBI.

Harry Staley of the Pittsburgh Burgers finished first with 32 wins, and also led the league with a 2.09 ERA.

National League Notes
Sy Sutcliffe of the Philadelphia Phillies won the batting title after hitting .349. His batting average was the highest of any player in 1890.

American Association Notes
Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars won the American Association batting title after hitting .329. Stenzel also added 4 home runs and 84 RBI.

[NYY #23]

American Association drops 3 teams
October 31, 1890

Bad news continue for the American Association as they announced that three teams would be dropped from the league after their annual convention. The Syracuse Stars, Toledo Maumees, and Rochester Broncos won't be playing in the American Association in 1891. That leaves the American Association with just four teams. It is unclear at this time how the American Association plans to proceed during 1891, but it would not be surprising if the league decided to fold, unable to compete with the warring National League and Players League.

Sports writers around the country have been calling for a truce to the 'War of 1890' for months, but up to this point those cries have fallen on deaf ears. With all three leagues appearing to be losing money, the future of professional baseball may depend on a truce between the two leagues. We have learned that the Players League has recently expressed an interest in settling with the National League, offering an olive branch to the National League. Unfortunately the National League was unwilling to compromise on any terms and vowed to "fight to the death".

With growing pressure for a settlement to end the yearlong dispute, all three leagues have agreed to a meeting that will take place during November in New York in an attempt to find common ground.

[NYY #23]

Leagues negotiating to end 'War of 1890'
November 30, 1890

We have received details regarding the first face to face meeting between the three professional baseball leagues was held in New York, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the birthplace of the Players League. At the meeting, the Players League was represented by three players and three capitalists, but the National League raised an objection over the presence of players during the negotiations. Confusion set in, the meeting abruptly ended, and was rescheduled for the following month.

The president of the American Association, Allan Thurman, was seen approaching the commissioner of the Players League, Colonel Edwin A. McAlpin after the meeting adjourned. It is believed that the two sides opened up discussions to merge the two leagues. A source indicated that both sides were open to merger discussions, but many key differences remain between the groups which could cause delays.

The Players League announced that two players have decided to play in the Players League in 1891. Sy Sutcliffe won the batting title for the Philadelphia Phillies, but has signed on to play for the Buffalo Bisons. Elton 'Icebox' Chamberlain, who won 27 games for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms will be playing for the New York Giants in 1891. These are the first players that have announced they will be changing leagues next year and will be a blow to the National League. The Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players have indicated that they will continue to recruit National League players to join the Players League.

[NYY #23]

Player League votes scheduled for January
December 31, 1890

It has been a busy offseason for the Players League as meetings with both the National League and the American Association continued throughout the month of December. According to documents we have been given, a special emergency meeting has been scheduled for January where the Players League will vote on the future direction of the league.

After their initial year, the combined debt for teams in the Players League stands at just over $100,000. There is a growing divide between the financial backers of the Players League, who are anxious to recoup their investments, and the members of the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players, who are anxious to maintain their freedom.

At the emergency meeting the Players League board will formally vote on two separate proposals. The board will vote on whether to accept proposal a, proposal b, or to reject both proposals and retain the status quo.

We have learned that the first offer involves the purchase of all assets and debt by the National League. This offer would effectively end the 'War of 1890', and revert back to the way business was done in 1889. While members of the Brotherhood are against this option, it could be an appealing alternative to the financial backers of the Player League, who are growing concerned about their initial investment.

The second option on the table is a merger with the American Association. The new league would retain the Players League name, but the Brotherhood would be forced to offer some concessions, such as Sunday baseball and the serving of alcohol at games. When contacted, one of the most respected members of the Brotherhood, John Montgomery Ward said, "I want to protect the men who put their money into the Players League clubs, and I am willing to make personal sacrifices to secure that end. If a compromise is effected, and I am assigned to play in Oshkosh, I will go there."

[NYY #23]

Player League votes for merger
January 31, 1891

Reports out of the Players League meeting have indicated that after hours of discussions and several tie votes the Players League has decided to rebuff the National League's purchase offer and have agreed to merge with the American Association.

In the end it came down to a battle between the financial backers and the Brotherhood, and in the end the Brotherhood made several key concessions that swayed the financial backers to accept the merger with the American Association. In an effort to help recoup the investors initial investment sooner, the players agreed to the following items:

• The schedule would be increased to 150 games, with 10 games against each of the remaining opponents.

• Each player was to be assigned to an initial two year contract. Any new player entering the league will be under team control for five years. After five years the player may sign for any team.

• Sunday baseball games would be played, but no sale of alcohol would be permitted on Sundays, but allowed other days of the week.

• The top two teams in the league would meet following the season for a postseason championship series that would last seven games.

• The league would retain the name of the Players League, with Colonel Edwin A. McAlpin remaining on as commissioner, with Allan Thurman becoming assistant commissioner.

• The 8 Players League teams would remain in place, and be joined by the former National League Cincinnati Reds, and five American Association teams, along with the reinstated American Association teams in Syracuse and Rochester, to form a 16 team league.

• An annual meeting will be held in November of each year, and any changes to league rules or the league structure must be approved by the League's Board of Directors, which will be made up of 6 player representatives, and six financial representatives. The commissioner will break any tie.

The war between the National League and the Players League will continue for another year, and the announcement of the merger shook the baseball world, but especially the National League. The battle over players will continue to be fought, with each league trying to lure top talent. To that end, the Players League came out on top, but with 16 teams, growing debt, and a National League that was holding strong, the battle was far from over.

[NYY #23]

National League responds to merger
February 28, 1891

The National League came out in strong defense of how they ran their league after the recent Players League-American Association merger. "We believe that the Brotherhood teams are losing money and can't continue to operate the way that they have been doing. The American Association has never been able to field teams of the same caliber as the National League. Their bloated league can't survive, and once teams start going under the Brotherhood will come back to the National League", one National League official said.

The league will take the field with eight teams, with the Toledo Maumees replacing the Cincinnati Reds:

Boston Beaneaters
Brooklyn Bridegrooms
Chicago Colts
Cleveland Spiders
New York Giants
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Toledo Maumees

[Carplos]

but no sale of alcohol would be permitted on Sundays

Makes it very difficult to go into work Monday hungover...

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Carplos

Makes it very difficult to go into work Monday hungover...

Yeah, it sure does. Its funny reading about how controversial both Sunday baseball and alcohol sales were back in the day. Apparently the AA (American Association) felt that alcohol sales were their bread and butter. Both the Players League and the National League were opposed to it.

I read somewhere that there were rumors all season of a PL and AA merger, but these were both two key points that prevented it. It was one of those things I cut back on and decided not to focus on other than a little blip.

[NYY #23]

Players League unveils schedule
March 31, 1891

The Players League has officially unveiled its schedule for the 1891 season, and announced one additional change for the 1891 season. The Brooklyn Gladiators will be relocating to Baltimore and will be called the Baltimore Terrapins.

Two prominent pitchers have made the jump to the Pittsburgh Burghers team, Toad Ramsey and Will Sawyer.

The sixteen teams that will make up the Players League in 1891 are:

Boston Reds
Brooklyn Ward Wonders
New York Giants
Chicago Pirates
Philadelphia Quakers
Pittsburgh Burghers
Cleveland Infants
Buffalo Bisons
Cincinnati Reds
Louisville Colonels
St. Louis Browns
Philadelphia Athletics
Baltimore Terrapins
Columbus Solons
Syracuse Stars
Rochester Broncos

[NYY #23]

Browns take early season lead
April 30, 1891

The St. Louis Browns have jumped out to an early season two game lead over the Chicago Pirates. The Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Athletics remain three games back, and the Brooklyn Ward Wonders and Pittsburgh Burghers are four games out.

The Browns have their strong pitching to thank for their early season success, with Kid Nichols (5-4, 2.09 ERA), Frank Meinke (7-0, 1.29 ERA), and Charlie Getzein (4-2, 2.25 ERA) leading the way.

Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates is leading the league in hitting with a .388 batting average. Duffy became just the third player to reach 200 hits since the Players League inception joining Dave Orr(227) and Ed Delahanty(207). Duffy was also named the Batter of the Month for the Players League in April.

Bruce Hess of the Pittsburgh Burghers was name the Players League Pitcher of the Month for April. In eight starts Hess was a perfect 8-0 with a 1.11 ERA.

Over in the National League, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys jumped out to a 2 1/2 game lead over the Chicago Colts.

Farmer Weaver of the New York Giants hit safely in 21 straight games.

Two National League teams, the Cleveland Spiders and the Toledo Maumees have started the season at 9-16. Both teams are said to be in severe financial trouble and have turned to the National League for assistance. With the merger of the Players League and the American Association the National League is having trouble winning over fans in cities where the two leagues compete head to head, and is believed to be in severe financial trouble.

[NYY #23]

Pirates-Solons locked in race for first
May 31, 1891

The Chicago Pirates and the Columbus Solons are tied for first in the Players League with a 34-20 record. The Solons got back in the race after a 22-7 record during May, after finishing April one game under .500. The Buffalo Bisons remain three games behind, with the Baltimore Terrapins and St. Louis Browns each four games out.

Many say that one of the turning points in the battle with the National League was the Players League purchase of the Cincinnati Reds. While the National League continues to insist they have the higher quality players, it is interesting to note that the Reds are currently in last place in the Players League, 14 games out of first place.

Players League Notes
The National League made it a point after Farmer Weaver's 21 game hit streak to note that no player in the Players League has hit in 20 or more games in a row this year. Steve Brodie of the Rochester Broncos and Otis Stocksdale of the Chicago Pirates are doing the best to put that fact to rest. Brodie has now hit in 17 straight games and Stocksdale in 16 straight games.

Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars was named the Players League best batter for the month of May after hitting .370 with 2 home runs, 26 RBI, and 16 runs scored. For the year Stenzel is hitting .330 and is leading the league with 41 RBI.

One of the reasons for the success of the Columbus Solons has been pitcher Frank Foreman, who was named pitcher of the month. Foreman was a remarkable 10-1 in 11 starts in May. He finished with a 1.45 ERA.

Elton Chamberlain of the New York Giants made history, pitching the first no-hitter in the Players League against the Pittsburgh Burghers. To show how bad the season is going for the Giants they ended up losing the game 1-0.

National League Notes
The Pittsburgh Alleghenys have jumped out to an early 8 game lead in the National League race. While it is good for Allegheny fans, it is definitely a bad sign in a National League that needs a good pennant race to keep fans interested.

Jesse Burkett of the Toledo Maumees (.358) and Harry Moore of the Brooklyn Bridegrooms (.355) are locked in a tight battle for the batting title.

The National League has eight pitchers who have won 10 or more games. Nine pitchers have lost 10 or more games.

[NYY #23]

Pirates-Solons remain tied for first
June 30, 1891

The Chicago Pirates and the Columbus Solons remained tied in the battle for first place in the Players League. In a tight race, six more teams are within 4 games of first place. The Baltimore Terrapins and St. Louis Browns are one game behind, with the Buffalo Bisons and Pittsburgh Burgers 2 games out. The exciting pennant race is a sharp contrast from the National League pennant race, where the Pittsburgh Alleghenys are up by 15 games, and six teams have losing records.

Players League Notes
Steve Brodie of the Rochester Broncos and Otis Stocksdale of the Chicago Pirates each had their hitting streaks stopped at 19 games, but John Carney of the Syracuse Stars tied the record for longest hitting streak in the history of the Players League when he hit in 21 straight games. Unfortunately for Carney, his place atop the record books didn't last long, as Bill Hassamaer of the Rochester Broncos has now hit in 21 straight games.

After a torrid month, the Broncos second baseman, Bill Hassamaer was named the Players League Batter of the Month. Hassamaer hit .481 for the month with 2 home runs, 20 RBI, 25 runs scored, and 12 walks. Hassamaer now leads the league in batting average (.388) and hits (114).

Just last month the first no-hitter was pitched in the Players League by Elton Chamberlain. This month Frank Killen of the Philadelphia Quakers pitched the second no-hitter. The Quakers picked up the 5-0 victory against the Boston Reds. Killen improved to 13-7 with a 1.48 ERA.

Harry Staley of the Pittsburgh Burghers was named the Pitcher of the Month for June. For the month he was 8-1 with a 1.69 ERA. Staley has won 21 games against 6 losses for the year.

National League Notes
With a 15 games lead, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys have put an end to any talk of a pennant race in the National League. Attendance has suffered throughout the league, and according to rumors there are several teams on the brink of bankruptcy, including the New York Giants and the Boston Beaneaters. Many players are very apprehensive of jumping to the Players League during the season, but if things continue in the direction they are heading many of the top National League players are said to be considering making the jump, leaving the National League in a very bad position.

Lave Cross of the New York Giants is leading the league with a .352 batting average.

Nick Crawford of the Cleveland Spiders has lost 17 games this year, while winning just 8 games.

[NYY #23]

Terrapins on top after hot July
July 31, 1891

The Baltimore Terrapins are enjoying their first year in the Players League, and after a 20-8 July they have moved into first place with a two game lead over the Chicago Pirates. Baltimore has three 20 game winners, Scott Stratton, Fred Smith, and Sam Shaw and are fifth in the league with 504 runs scored.

Over in the National League the Pittsburgh Alleghenys are leading the second place Chicago Colts by 11 games.

Players League Notes
For the second straight month Bill Hassamaer of the Rochester Broncos was named the Players League Batter of the Month. Hassamaer hit .408 with 15 RBI and 18 runs scored. For the year he is hitting .393 with 52 RBI and 75 runs scored. Hassamaer also had a 28 game hitting streak snapped, which was the longest hitting streak in the history of the Players League.

Jack Stivetts of the Columbus Solons was named Pitcher of the Month after going 7-2 with a 1.91 ERA. 'Happy Jack' improved to 21-12 for the year.

Last season Dave Orr of the Brooklyn Ward Wonders topped the league with 78 RBI. This season Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars has already amassed 72 and looks to be on pace of setting the record for most RBI in a season.

The St. Louis Browns have been enjoying life at home this year, sporting a 37-20 record in their home stadium. Life on the road hasn't been as kind to the Browns though, as they've won 23 and lost 30.

National League Notes
Chicago Colts went on a 7 game winning streak to cut the Alleghenys lead to 11. While it isn't quite a pennant race there still is time if the Colts can continue on their hot streak. The teams will face off at the end of August in a four game series.

Adonis Terry of the Colts was named Pitcher of the Month after going 9-1 in the month of July.

George Treadway of the Brooklyn Bridegrooms hit for the cycle July 28th in a 11-4 win against the New York Giants. After tripling in the first inning, singling in the fourth, and hitting a double in the 7th, Treadway stepped to the plate in the 8th with one on and two out and hit a two run homer to complete the cycle.

Andrew King of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys pitched a no-hitter against the Colts in a 6-0 win. King improved his record to 14-10.

[NYY #23]

Alleghenys crowned National League champ; Players League teams continue to battle for the title
August 31, 1891

The Pittsburgh Alleghenys won their third straight National League championship, but will it be their last? Even though there are games still remaining on the schedule, the Alleghenys hold a 13 game lead, and nobody in the National League can catch them. Last year the Players League had the top two teams face off in the postseason, but the National League already announced that the winner of the regular season would be crowned champion.

At least three teams, the Toledo Maumees, Cleveland Spiders, and Philadelphia Phillies have indicated that they will not play the remainder of their games this season. The Maumees have also announced that they will fold following the season. It is still unclear at this time if and how the National League will continue past this season.

With the National League season over everyone's full attention will turn to the Players League, where a tight pennant race still exists. The Chicago Pirates hold a narrow one game lead over both the Baltimore Terrapins and the Columbus Solons. With eleven games left in the season, the Syracuse Stars remain 5 games out, with the Rochester Broncos 7 out, and the Pittsburgh Burghers 8 games out.

The top two teams will face off in a Championship game. Here is a look at the remaining games for the contenders:

Chicago Pirates (83-56)
2 games vs Columbus Solons (82-57)
3 games vs Boston Reds (51-88)
3 games @ Syracuse Stars (78-61)
3 games vs Cleveland Infants (67-72)

Baltimore Terrapins (82-57)
2 games vs Rochester Broncos (76-63)
3 games @ Philadelphia Athletics (68-71)
3 games vs Cincinnati Reds (59-80)
3 games @ Columbus Solons (82-57)

Columbus Solons (82-57)
2 games @ Chicago Pirates(83-56)
3 games vs Syracuse Stars (78-61)
3 games @ Cleveland Infants (67-72)
3 games vs Baltimore Terrapins (82-57)

Syracuse Stars (78-61)
2 games vs Cincinnati Reds (59-80)
3 games @ Columbus Solons (82-57)
3 games vs Chicago Pirates(83-56)
3 games vs Boston Reds (51-88)

Rochester Broncos (76-63)
2 games @ Baltimore Terrapins (82-57)
3 games @ Pittsburgh Burgers (75-64)
3 games vs Louisville Colonels (61-78)
3 games @ New York Giants (64-75)

Pittsburgh Burghers (75-64)
2 games @ Buffalo Bisons (64-75)
3 games vs Rochester Broncos (76-63)
3 games vs Philadelphia Athletics (68-71)
3 games @ Cincinnati Reds (59-80)

Players League Notes
Henry Larkin of the Cleveland Infants ended his 22 game hitting streak in a game against the Philadelphia Athletics. For the game Larkin was 0-4 to end the streak.

The Athletics are developing a reputation for ending long hitting streaks, as they stopped a 23 game hitting streak by Jake Stenzel of the Syracuse Stars.

Bug Holliday of the Columbus Solons has a 23 game streak that is still active at the end of the month. Lucky for Holliday the Solons don't have any games against the Athletics on their schedule the rest of the year.

It was a big month for hitters to collect five hits in one game this month as five separate players achieved that feat. Pussy Tebeau of the Cleveland Infants was 5-6 in a loss to the St. Louis Browns, Sam Thompson of the Philadelphia Athletics was a perfect 5-5 in a 13-8 win over the Brooklyn Ward Wonders, George Proeser of the Baltimore Terrapins was 5-5 in a 10-2 victory of the Boston Reds, Gil Hatfield of the Columbus Solons was 5-5 in a 11-3 win over the Rochester Broncos, and finally Danny Richardson was 5-6 for the New York Giants in a 10-6 triumph over the Boston Reds.

Cupid Childs of the Syracuse Stars was named Batter of the Month for August after hitting .391 with 6 RBI and 26 runs scored.

Pittsburgh Burghers hurler Harry Staley was 9-1 to earn Pitcher of the Month. Staley tossed 89 innings and struck out 21 while posting a 1.21 ERA.

National League Notes
Al Atkinson of the Cleveland Spiders tossed a no-hitter against the Boston Beaneaters in a 8-0 win. Atkinson struck out three and walked just two in the victory, his 20th of the year.

Jim Chatterton of the New York Giants hit for the cycle in a 12-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. Chatterton got a rare start and delivered, raising his batting average to .205 with a 4-4 night.