The Liberty League, Est. 1876

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

[Questdog]

Let's Start a Mutuals Appreciation Society!

Pitchers
Lee Sprague (24-3.5)
Only the best pitcher in the Association last year. And lest you think his superiority was due mostly to our excellent defense, he led the circuit in strikeouts per 9 inning and was second in fewest walks allowed. Only ancient Charlie Moss, who basically just tossed it across the plate, walked fewer men than Sprague. He strained a bicep during our practice games and will have to miss the first week of the schedule.

Tom Lee (26-6.0)
The only thing separating Lee and Sprague is Lee's control is not as sharp. He was superb in his rookie season and we expect even greater things from him this year. He was awesome in the practice games, striking out an incredible 7.1 batters per 9 innings.

Jim Cook (29-5.9)
Billy Jenkins (31-4.9)
They will both get a chance in the first week to see who sticks around when Sprague comes back. Cook will be 30 in a few days. He was awesome last year in A ball, but in his only big league trial he walked more than he struck out. Both he and Jenkins looked strong in the practice games, with little to choose between them.

Catcher
Harry Farrell (32-5.6)
He was one of our few consistent hitters last year and he won a Gold Glove. Did not hit or field very well in the Spring games and I have some concern about whether he's starting to get old on me. Charlie Lefevre (30-5.0) will be the backup and will get plenty of playing time. I do not like my catchers to have to start more than 2 days in a row and with Farrel's age, I will stick to that pretty consistently. Lefevre did not hit much either in the practice games. I'm hoping that Ezra Wall (23-5.2) will have a breakout season in Richmond. I really like his play behind the plate, but his bat has been anemic in his professional career thus far.

First Base
Lew Bartholomew (29-4.0)
Began last season as the starter, but did not hit and more importantly made 9 errors in the first 9 games and was sent packing to Pottsville. He redeemed himself at the end of the season and will get another shot to win the full time job. Rube Ford (33-5.1) will be around to take over should Lew stumble. I was hoping Charlie Toner (22-8.7) would win the job this Spring, but he did not hit well. He will begin the year at Richmond where he will celebrate his 23rd birthday on May 3.

Second Base
Felix Hill (25-4.2)
This was not the plan. Warren Hogan was the plan, but plans had to change. Hill will get a shot to show his talent, but will not get long to show it. Should he not hit, Hogan will move back to second base.

Shortstop
Warren Hogan (29-7.2)
Sam Hinkle (27-6.3), our Gold Glove shortstop of a year ago, broke his elbow this Spring and will miss the entire season. Now I don't mind having a great fielding shortstop who does not hit much, but the other slick fielders we could scrounge up did not hit even a little bit. Harry Coats (30-4.9) struggled to hit .100 and did not look all that slick in the field, either. Will Linn (27-6.7) fielded well, but hit under .200 in practice games. He did show an ability to coax a walk from a pitcher and his fielding was so good that he made the squad as our reserve infielder, but he's not ready to be the starter. After Hinkle got hurt, I signed Ed Page (27-7.4). He has a reputation as a good fielder and has hit a little in his minor league career, but by the time he signed, the Spring games were done and I did not get a chance to seem him play. So, I sent him to Richmond to see what he can do there. If Felix Hill does not hit at second and/or Hogan does not field well enough at short and Page shows me something in Richmond, he'll end up being our starting shortstop.

Third Base
George Dominick (30-4.8)
I'm pretty happy with Dominick's glove at the hot corner; not so thrilled with his bat. But I don't really have any other options. Rube Ford can play here, but at this point in his career he's not any better a hitter than Dominick. I signed Ben Dennis (28-5.4) to give Dominick some competition in the Spring games, but he did not hit much either. Maybe he'll light the town up in Richmond.

Left Field
Dave Cunningham (28-5.4)
Dave got hurt early last year and never really did get it going. But this Spring, he knocked the cover off the ball, and I'm hoping he'll be among the leading batsmen in the Association this season. Spider Coleman (30-6.2) is back after a solid season last year to spell Cunningham against some of the lefties he has a hard time against.

Center Field
Stub Orlando (29-6.1)
The third of our 3 Gold Glove winners last season, he had a great season, but is really not much of a hitter. He swings at just about everything the pitcher tosses at him and he strikes out quite a bit.

Right Field
Hank Roberts (25-3.0)
Roberts had a terrific May last year and did not hit much at all after that. He is another one who swings at just about everything he sees and strikes out even more than Orlando. We drafted him with our first pick last year because of his 30 extra-base hits in the B Leagues in 1882. He had 11 for us last year. This Spring he did not hit well and did not have a single extra-base hit until the second to last game of the practice schedule when he hit a pair of doubles. This year's first pick in the B League Draft, Abe Cupp (23-4.7) had 47 extra-base hits last year for Lawrence and hit very well in the Spring Games. He will get plenty of playing time early and will supplant either Orlando at center or Roberts in right as the everyday starter, depending on which of them gets off to a slow start. If they both do, Cupp will play for Roberts, to give us our best defensive outfield lineup.

Bart Levy, April 30, 1884

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 1, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (66-32 .673 1st place in the Grand National Association last year) at
Philadelphia Quakers (56-42 .567 10 GB 2nd place last year)

Opening Day!

We begin against the team we ended last season against. The Quakers have a new manager in Chuck Payne (42-5.9). He was a catcher in his playing days and got into a handful of A Ball games in 1877. Their Jefferson Street Grounds rivals Kansas City's Association Park as the best place for a hitter to ply his trade. It's not easy to hit one out, but singles, doubles and triples are much easier to come by here than most other places.

Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 22-10 2.16 7.3-1.7-4.1 H-BB-K/9 last year) vs. Bill McClean, Phil. (38-6.0) (R 35-21 2.41 8.5-1.3-4.4 last year)

Lost - 4 to 3

We went down 1-2-3 in the first, but Philadelphia's lead-off man, CF Ben Smith (24-6.7) tripled and later scored on a single by RF Joseph Thomson (32-7.3).

We were down, 3 to 1, going into the top of the 9th. C Harry Farrell (32-5.6) and RF Hank Roberts (25-3.0) led off the inning with singles and after 2B Felix Hill (25-4.2) flied out, I sent Abe Cupp (23-4.7) in to hit for Tom Lee. In his first major league at bat, Cupp singled to drive in a run. With 2 outs, SS Warren Hogan (29-7.2) got an infield single, scoring Hank Roberts to tie the game. 1B Lew Bartholomew (29-4.0) grounded out to end the inning.

I sent Billy Jenkins (31-4.9) in to pitch the bottom of the 9th and hopefully get us to extra-innings. But the very first batter he faced, 2B Doc Coe (27-4.7) tripled to deep center and the next batter, SS Jumbo Lynn (24-3.8) hit one off the top of the wall in right-center to end the game. Lynn also had a single earlier in the game, stole a base and scored a run. He also was the first beneficiary in the Association of the new rule awarding the batter first base if he is hit by a pitch, when Lee beaned him to lead off the bottom of the second.

We had 8 hits, all of them singles, 2 of them by Warren Hogan.

Tom Lee pitched 8 innings, allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. 2 of the strikeouts were of P McClean and 3 of them were of LF John Cray (27-7.0). The one time Cray did not strike out, he grounded into a double play.

McClean pitched all 9 innings, gave us 8 hits, did not walk anyone and struck out 6.

Grand National Association Games:
Louisville (2) at Providence (1): Ed Sharp (29-5.5) (1-0) over Ted Ryther (30-4.3) (0-1). Sharp allowed 7 hits, walked 3 and struck out 4 in his major league debut. Ryther begins his hard luck ways right where he left off last season. He allowed 3 hits, walked 2 and struck out 7. Providence had 2 players each making their major league debut each get a pair of hits: SS Tom Hepner (21-7.1) and RF Mickey Sweeney (28-4.7). Hepner also had a walk and stole a base.

Brooklyn (4) at Pittsburgh (3): Dick Cole (30-5.9) (1-0) over Tom Adams (29-6.0) (0-1). Cole allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 3. He had 3 hits with his bat, but did not score or drive in a run. Adams allowed 7 hits, walked 1 and struck out 4. The Gladiators scored twice in the top of the 9th to win. 2B Billy Cason (30-6.1) tripled to drive in the tying run and scored the go ahead one on an error.

Minneapolis (10) at Baltimore (9): Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (1-0) over Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (0-1). Neither pitcher can be proud of their game today. Baltimore made 10 errors, 4 of them by 2-time Gold Glover and former MVP C Al Cannon (39-5.4). He did have 2 hits with a triple in the game, however. For the Millers, ex-Mutual SS Charlie Smith (26-5.6) had 3 hits, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs, but he also made 2 errors, which is the reason we let him seek employment elsewhere. Veteran C Michael Tonnies (38-5.1) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 2B Joe Henry (31-9.2) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base and scored 3 runs. LF Bill Houston (27-3.9), in his major league debut, had 2 hits, scored a run and knocked in 3. For the Orioles, 2b Billy Moore (28-7.0) had 5 hits with 2 triples, scored 3 times, had an RBI and did not make one of the 10 errors. 3B Sol Renaud (27-5.7) had a double and a home run, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Scranton (2) at Milwaukee (3): Alex Howison (34-6.6) (1-0) over Sam Paul (29-5.4) (0-1). Howison allowed 6 hits, walked 1 and struck out 6 in his major league debut. He also had 2 hits and scored a run on offense. 2 years ago he was 37-17 in the B Leagues. Last year he was 13-17 for Peoria in A Ball, but with pretty good stats (2.35 ERA). Paul allowed 9 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. He was leading, 2 to 1, going in to the bottom of the 9th. He retired the first 2 batters, but then walked one, gave up a hit, threw a wild pitch and then a passed ball let the tying run score. A single by CF Charles Hundley (28-5.3) ended the game.

Kansas City (8) at Chicago (9): Bill Moore (28-5.7) (1-0) over Fred Barrow (32-4.7) (0-1). In the first game at Lake Front Park with the new home run rules, 2 balls were hit over the fence, 1 by each team. C George Sandefur (27-5.8) hit one for the home team and SS Al Sarbacker (23-4.8) hit one for Kansas City. The Cowboys led the game, 8 to 6, going into the bottom of the 9th. A 1-out bases-loaded double by reigning MVP LF Candy Simpson (25-6.8) ended the game. He had 2 hits, scored a run and 4 RBIs on the day. 2B Patsy Roberts (30-5.5) went 2 for 2, but strained a stomach muscle and will miss the next 2 weeks for the Colts.

Every game in the Grand National Association on Opening Day was decided by 1 run and 5 of the 6 were not decided until the final inning.

Liberty League Games:
Detroit (2) at Washington (7): John Callaham (35-5.5) (1-0) over William Rose (33-4.9) (0-1). Callaham allowed 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3. Rose only allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 5. Detroit made 6 errors, 3 of them by SS Al Shaffer (23-5.6) in his major league debut. He went hitless at bat and struck out once. Detroit C Evan Eckberg (28-3.5) had 3 hits with a double, scored one of the Wolverine's 2 runs and knocked the other one home.

New York (4) at Troy (3) in 10 innings: Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (1-0) over Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (0-1). Roberts allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 4. He hit a double in the 10th inning and scored the go ahead run. After he gave up a 2-out single in the bottom of the 10th, manager Ed Lanham pulled him from the game and brought in George Taylor (29-3.9), who got the final hitter to ground out. Lamb allowed 9 hits, walked 1 and struck out 2. 1B John Hilliard (24-7.2) had 3 hits with a double and scored a run.

Cincinnati (4) at Boston (5) in 10 innings: Charlie Morlock (34-6.7) (1-0) over John Stevens (27-8.2) (0-1). Morlock allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. Stevens allowed 11 hits, walked 2 and struck out 5. In the bottom of the 10th, 3B Bill Gordon (27-3.7) led off with a single. Manager/1B Pete Bucolo (36-4.1) then doubled, but Gordon thrown out at the plate. Bucolo bruised his knee sliding and had to come out of the game and will miss about a week. PR George Zech (31-7.1) stole third base and scored the game-winning run on a fly ball by SS Mike Stables (28-7.1). RF Charlie Warner (30-9.2) had 3 hits and scored a run. For the Reds, RF Joe Turner (24-6.6) had a double and a triple and scored a run.

Cleveland (10) at St. Louis (11) in 11 innings: Freddy Wood (28-6.3) (1-0) over Bill Henrichs (24-7.4) (0-1) in relief of Willis Kornfield (31-6.0). PH Andy Byl (30-4.0) ended the game with a 1-out single. LF John Rodgers (32-4.4) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. For the Spiders, SS Jesse Flanders (23-5.4) had 4 hits and an RBI. RF Joe Coffey (27-5.2) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

So, the Liberty League had 3 of their 4 Opening Day games go to extra-innings! Not a bad day all around for baseball fans!

Down in the Massachusetts State Association, the Springfield Ponies defeated the Lynn Lions, 4 to 3, in 14 innings. P Ed Dougherty (25-5.7) pitched all 14 innings to earn the victory. He allowed 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 18!!!

[Questdog]

Friday, May 2, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (0-1 .000 1 GB tied for 7th place in the Grand National Association) at
Philadelphia Quakers (1-0 1.000 tied for 1st place)

Jim Cook, Omaha (29-5.9) (R 26-6 2.18 8.8-1.1-3.9 H-BB-K/9 in A Ball last year) vs. Bill McClean, Phil. (38-6.0) (R 1-0 3.00 8.0-0.0-6.0)

Won - 7 to 2

Cook allowed 8 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1.

We made no errors! Philadelphia made 6, 3 by 3B Jesse Jaeger (37-7.5).

McClean allowed 7 hits, walked 3 and struck out 9.

LF Dave Cunningham (28-5.4) had 3 hits and a walk and drove in a run.

Grand National Association Games:
Louisville (1) at Providence (7): Ted Ryther (30-4.3) (1-1) over Ed Sharp (29-5.5) (1-1). Ryther allowed 3 hits for the 2nd straight game, walked 4 and struck out 4. 1B Charlie Gregor (25-5.2) had 2 hits with a double and scored a run. 3B Bill Parsons (26-8.3) had 2 hits with a double, a walk and an RBI.

Brooklyn (2) at Pittsburgh (4): Tom Adams (29-6.0) (1-1) over Dick Cole (30-5.9) (1-1). Adams allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. Cole allowed 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. The Stogies scored 3 times in the bottom of the 8th on 2 triples, each with a runner on base. One by SS Jim Ware (30-5.6) and the other by 3B Dan White (24-5.1).

Minneapolis (3) at Baltimore (2): Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (2-0) over Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (0-2). Dittmar allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 3. Yurkovich allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 5. All the scoring was done by the end of the 5th inning.

Scranton (4) at Milwaukee (1): Sam Paul (29-5.4) (1-1) over Alex Howison (34-6.6) (1-1). Paul allowed 10 hits, walked 1 and struck out 7. Howison allowed 8 hits, walked none and struck out 6. 2B Joe O'Neill (36-7.6), who was with Troy last season, had 3 hits with a home run, stole a base, scored 3 times and knocked in 2.

Kansas City (5) at Chicago (9): Bill Moore (28-5.7) (2-0) over Fred Barrow (32-4.7) (0-2). Moore allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 2. Barrow allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 2. C George Sandefur (27-5.8) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. RF George Wayman (27-5.9) hit a home run, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. For the Cowboys, CF Connie Frenette (29-4.7) had a triple and a home run and 2 RBIs.

Liberty League Games:
Detroit (2) at Washington (3): John Callaham (35-5.5) (2-0) over Rufus Lee (33-3.9) (0-1). Callaham allowed 9 hits, walked none and struck out 1. 3B Sam Clark (33-4.7) had 2 hits with a double and 2 RBIs.

New York (9) at Troy (8): Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (2-0) over Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (0-2). Roberts allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. Each team made 9 errors. 2B Tacks Strange (30-5.4) had 2 hits with a double, a walk, scored a run and had an RBI.

Cincinnati (4) at Boston (8): Charlie Morlock (34-6.7) (2-0) over John Stevens (27-8.2) (0-2). Morlock allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 8. He also had 2 hits with his bat and scored 2 runs. LF Val Cornell (26-3.5) had a hit, 2 walks and scored 3 runs. RF Charlie Warner (30-9.2) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 4 RBIs.

Cleveland (11) at St. Louis (9): Tom Marshman (33-4.7) (1-0) over Freddy Wood (28-6.3) (1-1). LF Elbert Fuccillo (32-5.4) had 3 hits with a double, a walk, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. C Kid Wright (29-7.3) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and an RBI. CF Sam Selke (31-7.4) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. RF Joe Coffey (27-5.2) hurt his back and will miss about 2 weeks. For the Maroons, LF John Rodgers (32-4.4) had 3 doubles, a walk, scored a run and had an RBI.

Down in the Northwestern League (A), the Muskegon Muskies pummeled the Stillwater Steamers, 26 to 4. Muskegon pounded out 21 hits and the Steamers made 9 errors and their pitchers walked 10 batters.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 3, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (1-1 .500 1 GB tied for 3rd place in the Grand National Association) at
Philadelphia Quakers (1-1 .500 1 GB tied for 3rd place)

We face young John Allen today in his major league debut. He looks like a keeper.

Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 0-0 3.38 7.9-1.1-7.9 H-BB-K/9 in A Ball last year) vs. John Allen, Phil. (25-6.4) (R 27-15 2.18 8.6-1.4-5.8 last year in B Ball)

Lost - 4 to 1

Allen looked a little nervous in the first inning, when we got a hit and he walked 2 to load the bases, but we did not score. After that we never had much of a chance.

Allen allowed 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1.

Lee allowed 9 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6.

We made 4 errors.

We did not have an extra-base hit in the entire 3 game series.

Abe Cupp (23-4.7) had 2 hits and a walk.

For the Quakers, LF John Cray (27-7.0) had 2 hits and a double. 1B Pat Ross (27-5.4) had 2 hits with a triple and an RBI.

Grand National Association Games:
Louisville (3) at Providence (12): Frank McSherry (28-4.1) (1-0) over Jake D'Addario (34-5.5) (0-1). McSherry allowed 10 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6. Wiley Steel (22-5.6) made his major league debut for the Colonels with 2 innings of relief. Rookie SS Pat Millis (23-7.2) had 3 hits with a triple, scored 2 runs and knocked in 2.

Brooklyn (2) at Pittsburgh (8): Tom Adams (29-6.0) (2-1) over Nate Kendall (35-5.4) (0-1). Adams allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 8. 3B Dan White (24-5.1) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. SS Jim Ware (30-5.6) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Minneapolis (9) at Baltimore (7): Charlie Moss (43-6.3) (1-0) over Sal DeVaux (29-3.5) (0-1). Moss won despite allowing 17 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 1, P DeVaux. His Miller teammates only made 1 error behind him, but did not turn a double play. He had a hit and an RBI at bat. Ex-Haymaker 3B Bill Rush (35-3.7) had 3 hits with a double and a triple, scored 3 runs and had an RBI.

Scranton (7) at Milwaukee (2): Sam Doty (35-6.4) (1-0) over Tom Washam (31-6.1) (0-1). Doty allowed 9 hits, walked none and struck out 5. With his bat, he had 2 hits, a walk, scored a run and had an RBI. Washam, in his major league debut, allowed 9 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6. He had a hit and scored a run. SS Marvin Frank (33-4.9) had 2 hits with a home run and scored twice.

Kansas City (9) at Chicago (8) in 10 innings: Hosea Alexander (35-4.8) (1-0) over John Ritch (29-7.8) (0-1). Alexander allowed 9 hits, 4 walks and struck out 6. 2B Jack Grossman (28-7.1) had a 2-out single in the top of the 10th to drive in the go ahead run. He also had a double, stole a base, scored a run and knocked in 2. CF Connie Frenette (29-4.7) had 3 hits with a double and a triple, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For Chicago, RF George Wayman (27-5.9) hit his second home run of the year.

Liberty League Games:
Cincinnati (3) at Washington (4): John Callaham (35-5.5) (3-0) over Charlie Branham (24-4.2) (0-1). Callaham allowed 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 4. If the season ended today, he'd be the hands down Hurler Trophy winner! Branham allowed 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6. He had 2 hits with a triple. SS Bill Scott (28-3.5) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Tom Anglin (31-5.6) had 3 hits with a double and an RBI.

Cleveland (1) at Troy (13): John Bendickson (32-6.0) (1-0) over Tom Marshman (33-4.7) (1-1). Is Bendy back to his old self? He allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 4. Rookie RF Ed Wakefield (24-5.8) had 3 hits, a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Rookie 2B Bill Lawson (27-6.9) had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and had 4 RBIs.

Detroit (5) at Boston (2): Rufus Lee (33-3.9) (1-1) over Joe Peters (28-4.9) (0-1). Lee allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 4. Peters allowed 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 10. LF Fred Bianco (25-6.9) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base and scored a run. For Boston, LF Val Cornell (26-3.5) had 3 hits and stole 2 bases, but did not score or knock any in.

New York (3) at St. Louis (6): Irv Goodwin (21-8.8) (1-0) over Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (2-1). Goodwin, in his major league debut, allowed 9 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3. At the plate, he had a hit, a walk and scored a run. Manager/C Jake Houghton (33-5.4) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For the Gothams, CF Hi Lynch (33-7.5) hit a double and a home run with 2 RBIs.

Down in the Massachusetts State Association (B), Tom Roemer (25-3.6) of the Worcester Grays pitched 14 innings, allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 16, but lost 4 to 3 to the Holyoke Paperweights. The Paperweights' pitcher, Kid Graham (26-5.2) allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 10. Worcester made 11 errors and Holyoke only 2.

[Questdog]

Sunday, May 4, 1884

The Grand National Association is playing games on Sunday (where permitted)!

Grand National Association Games:
Scranton (4) at Providence (8): Frank McSherry (28-4.1) (2-0) over Sam Doty (35-6.4) (1-1). CF John Froom (35-6.2) had 3 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. RF Guy Monaghan (34-5.3) had 2 hits with a triple and scored twice.

Kansas City (0) at Milwaukee (10): Tom Washam (31-6.1) (1-1) over Hosea Alexander (35-4.8) (1-1). Washam allowed 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3. In his major league debut, 2B Levi Torrence (32-5.3) had 2 hits with a home run. During his 7 years in the high minors he never hit a home run. 3B Frank Roche (36-4.7) only had 1 hit, but it was a 2-out triple with the bases loaded. He also scored a run.

Louisville (6) at Chicago (7): John Ritch (29-7.8) (1-1) over Jake D'Addario (34-5.5) (0-2). Ritch allowed 10 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. He also hit a triple and scored a run. D'Addario allowed 9 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6. He had a hit with his bat and 2 RBIs. 2B Henry Potter (30-6.4) had 3 hits, stole 2 bases, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For the Colonels, LF Joe Olson (27-6.8) hit 2 triples, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B John Meredith (29-6.0) hit a home run with a man on base.

[Questdog]

Monday, May 5, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (1-2 .333 2 GB tied for 8th place in the Grand National Association) at
Baltimore Orioles (0-3 .000 3 GB 12th place)

We begin a 3-game series against manager John Burton and his Orioles. Both the Mutuals and the Orioles began life last season as expansion clubs, but from there went in opposite directions. One ended up at the top of the standings and on ended up at the bottom.

Even though he had 4 hits in the first 2 games, Burton has benched former MVP C Al Cannon (39-5.4) because he also made 6 errors and allowed 7 stolen bases in those 2 games. RF Bill Fogle (25-5.3), who hit .353 as a rookie last year, makes his season debut today against us. He sat out the first series against Minneapolis with a minor injury.

Billy Jenkins, Omaha (31-4.9) (R 0-1 INF INF-0.0-0.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. Pop Yurkovich, Balt. (32-5.6) (R 0-2 3.00 11.0-0.5-4.0)

Lost - 5 to 4 in 11 innings

We out-hit Baltimore 11 to 10 and we made 2 errors, while they made 5.

LF Dan Mitchell (33-3.5) hit a 2-out single past a diving 3b George Dominick (30-4.8) with a runner on third base to end the game. It was his third hit of the day.

Jenkins allowed 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 2.

Yurkovich allowed 11 hits, walked 3 and struck out 10.

We finally had our first extra-base hit of the year, but only our first. 3B George Dominick doubled in the first inning to plate a run. He had 2 hits on the day and a walk. SS Warren Hogan (29-7.2) had 2 hits, a walk and scored 2 runs. 1B Lew Bartholomew (29-4.0) had 2 hits and stole a base. LF Dave Cunningham (28-5.4) had 1 hit and a walk and an RBI and made 7 putouts in left, 2 of them back-to-back awesome diving catches. He also threw out a runner trying to stretch a double into a triple.

Grand National Association Games:
Minneapolis (4) at Philadelphia (2): Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (3-0) over Bill McClean (38-6.0) (1-2). Dittmar allowed 4 hits, walked 3 and struck out no one in 8 innings. He had 2 hits on the day with his bat, including a 2-run triple in the top of the 9th to break a 2-2 tie. He had a slight hamstring pull running out that triple and could not pitch the bottom of the 9th. He should be okay within a week. Steve Taylor (33-3.3) made his major league debut by finishing up for Dittmar. He walked a batter, but retired the 3 hitters required to end the game. The Millers are now 4-0 to start the season.

Pittsburgh (2) at Brooklyn (7): Dick Cole (30-5.9) (2-1) over Frank Parsons (30-5.8) (0-1) in his major league debut. Cole allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. Tom Lilly (24-6.4) also made his major league debut for Pittsburgh by pitching a perfect inning of relief. For the Gladiators, RF John Peterson (24-7.0) had 2 triples and an RBI, but hurt himself running out the second one. He sprained his ankle slightly and should be okay in a couple of days. Triples are dangerous. His replacement, Harry Mihlbauer (25-5.7) tripled is first time up. He scored twice and had an RBI.

Liberty League Games:
Cincinnati (4) at Washington (5) in 12 innings: Dan Burton (28-4.9) (1-0) over John Stevens (27-8.2) (0-3). Burton, in his season debut, allowed 10 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3. Stevens allowed 8 hits, walked 4 and struck out 5. He had 2 hits with his bat, including a double and he scored a run. The new 6-ball walk rule seems to be hampering his effectiveness. He has now walked 10 in 29 innings, for 3.1 per 9 innings. Last year, he walked 1.1 per 9. 2B Tom Anglin (31-5.6) had 2 hits with a double and 2 RBIs. It was his 1-out single that ended the game.

Cleveland (3) at Troy (14): Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (1-2) over Willis Kornfield (31-6.0) (0-1). Is Lamb back to his old self? He allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 10. He has 2 hits with his bat and scored 2 runs. Kornfield only made through 2 innings before he tore a muscle. He is expected to miss about 6 weeks. Troy pounded out 19 hits. 5 players had 3 of them. The most impressive, I guess, was 3B Jim Hodzic (33-7.0), whose 3 included a bases-loaded home run. He scored twice.

Detroit (3) at Boston (5): Charlie Morlock (34-6.7) (3-0) over William Rose (33-4.9) (0-2). Morlock allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Rose allowed 4 hits, walked 4 and struck out 4. RF Charlie Warner (30-9.2) had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. He has 9 hits in the first 4 games. For Detroit, LF Spider Thomas (27-4.6) had 3 hits with a double and scored a run.

New York (5) at St. Louis (6) in 10 innings: Irv Goodwin (21-8.8) (2-0) in relief of Freddy Wood (28-6.3) over George Taylor (29-3.9) (0-1) in his season debut. Wood could not make it through the first inning. He pulled a calf muscle and will have to sit for 2 or 3 weeks. Goodwin pitched 9.1 innings of relief, allowed 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6. Taylor allowed 9 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6. RF Dummy Smith (30-3.6) tied the game with a 2-out single in the bottom of the 9th. Manager/C Jake Houghton (33-5.4) won it with a 1-out single in the bottom of the 10th. 2B Lou Bohus (24-5.4) had 2 hits with a home run and 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 6, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (1-3 .250 3 GB tied for 9th place in the Grand National Association) at
Baltimore Orioles (1-3 .250 3 GB tied for 9th place)

Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 0-1 2.81 9.0-2.3-7.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. Sal DeVaux, Balt. (29-3.5) (R 0-1 4.00 11.0-3.0-4.0)

Won - 7 to 5

A hit and 2 errors in the first inning gave the Orioles 2 runs.

Going into the 9th, it was tied 5 all. Will Linn (27-6.7), in his major league debut, had a rough start. He booted the first ball ever hit to him at short in his career and he struck out in his initial trip to the plate. But his first major league hit was a single that scored the go ahead run in the top of the 9th and his fielding was sure after that first fumble. CF Stub Orlando (29-6.1) added a 2-out double to give us an insurance run. He had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. Last year he only walked 4 times all season and struck out 37 times. My harping on being more patient appears to be paying dividends as he has now walked twice in the first 5 games and only struck out once. 1B Lew Bartholomew (29-4.0) had 2 hits and scored a run. C Charlie LeFevre (30-5.0) had 2 hits with a double and an RBI. LF Dave Cunningham (28-5.4) hit our first home run of the season, a 2-run shot in the 6th. However, after playing such a wonderful game in the field yesterday, he made his first 2 errors of the season today.

Lee allowed 11 hits, walked 2 and struck out 9.

DeVaux allowed 10 hits, walked 1 and struck out 9.

Mutual hitters are striking out at an alarming rate as a team. 7 times per game so far, and we have 8 more in 5 games than any other Association team.

Grand National Association Games:
Scranton (2) at Providence (5): Ted Ryther (30-4.3) (2-1) over Sam Paul (29-5.4) (1-2). Ryther allowed 3 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6. Paul allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 3. 2B Bill Chilcote (26-7.7) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Minneapolis (4) at Philadelphia (6): John Allen (25-6.4) (2-0) over Charlie Moss (43-6.3) (1-1). Allen allowed 9 hits, walked 1 and struck out 4. SS Jumbo Lynn (24-3.8) had 4 hits with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

Pittsburgh (4) at Brooklyn (0): Tom Adams (29-6.0) (3-1) over Nate Kendall (35-5.4) (0-2). Adams allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 1. He also had a hit and an RBI.

Kansas City (1) at Milwaukee (2) in 12 innings: Alex Howison (34-6.6) (2-1) over Dan Butler (26-4.7) (0-1) in relief of Fred Barrow (32-4.7). Howison went all 12 innings, allowed 10 hits, walked 1 and strcuk out 4. Barrow injured his shoulder in the third inning while pitching and subsequent examination has determined that he will miss the rest of the season. Butler pitched 9.1 innings of relief, allowed 8 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. The Cowboys did not score until the 9th inning, when they tied it up on a passed ball. A 2-out single by 2B Andy Dunn (33-6.3) win the game in the bottom of the 12th.

Louisville (8) at Chicago (10): Pete Rinehart (25-6.2) (1-0) in relief of Bill Moore (28-5.7) over Ed Sharp (29-5.5) (1-2). Rinehart, in his season debut, pitched 2 innings, allowed 2 hits and struck out a batter. 3B Charlie Hale (26-4.8) had 3 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and knocked in 5. LF Joe Olson (27-6.8) of the Colonels may have broken his foot, but in any event will likely miss the next 3 weeks.

Liberty League Games:
Detroit (1) at Washington (0): Rufus Lee (33-3.9) (2-1) over John Callaham (35-5.5) (3-1). Lee allowed 8 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1. Callaham allowed 8 hits, walked 1 and struck out 4. Each team only made 1 error. C Evan Eckberg (28-3.5) had 2 hits and drove in the only run of the game. CF Joe Kraus (27-7.9) had 2 hits, a walk, stole a base and scored the only run. Washington had 8 hits with no player getting more than 1.

New York (7) at Troy (5): Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (3-1) over John Bendickson (32-6.0) (1-1). Roberts allowed 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 5. I guess we were premature on hoping for a return to form for Bendickson. He allowed 15 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. 1B John Hilliard (24-7.2) had 3 hits with a double and a home run, scored 3 times and knocked in 2. SS Ed Glass (24-4.5) had 4 hits, 3 of them doubles, scored a run and knocked in 2.

Cincinnati (7) at Boston (1): Charlie Branham (24-4.2) (1-1) over Joe Peters (28-4.9) (0-2). Branham allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. He had a hit and scored a run on offense. Peters allowed 7 hits in 8 innings, walked 2 and struck out 9. Dwight Trout (28-5.2) made his major league debut for Boston by pitching a scoreless inning. He gave up a hit and did not walk or strike out a batter. 2B Pete Hinde (28-7.9) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored 3 runs. CF Fleet Wilcox (27-4.9) had 2 hits, a walk and 3 RBIs. 3B Frank Young (33-7.6) hit a double and a home run and had 2 RBIs.

Cleveland (13) at St. Louis (14) in 11 innings: Irv Goodwin (21-8.8) (3-0) in relief of Sam White (29-5.2) over Bill Henrichs (24-7.4) (0-2) in relief of Tom Marshman (33-4.7). Goodwin was not the first reliever used by the Maroons. Daisy Neidigh (36-7.4) made his major league debut by allowing 9 hits in 2 innings. He did strike someone out, though. Goodwin went 2 innings, allowed 1 hits and struck out 2. St. Louis scored 12 runs in the 8th inning on 8 hits and 6 errors. They sent 16 men to the plate. They hit 2 home runs in the inning. RF Pop Engleson (29-5.1) had one of those home runs and 2 other hits in the game, including a lead-off triple in the bottom of the 11th. He scored the winning run when the next batter hit a fly ball. Cleveland out-hit St, Louis 20 to 13. Spider SS Jesse Flanders (24-5.4) had 4 hits with a double and a triple, stole a base, scored 3 runs and knocked in 2.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 7, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (2-3 .400 2 GB tied for 7th place in the Grand National Association) at
Baltimore Orioles (1-4 .200 3 GB tied for 10th place)

We face young Sammy O'Quinn in his first major league start today.

Jim Cook, Omaha (29-5.9) (R 1-0 2.00 8.0-2.0-1.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. Sammy O'Quinn, Balt. (22-5.9) (R 2-0 4.74 9.5-2.4-9.0 in 19 relief innings last year)

Won - 3 to 1 in 11 innings

No one scored until a 1-out double by C Harry Farrell (32-5.6) and a 2-out one by 2B Felix Hill (25-4.2) gave us a run in the top of the 10th. That was the first hit of the year for Hill that was not of the infield variety. Farrell also had a single and threw out both runners that tried to steal on him.

In the bottom of the 10th, a 2-out double with 2 runners on base by SS Jake Steitz (25-4.7) tied the game up. A throw to the plate by RF Hank Roberts (25-3.0), relayed by 2B Hill, prevented us from losing outright. Roberts threw 2 runners out at the plate in the game.

In the top of the 11th, an error, a double by SS Warren Hogan (29-7.2) and a triple by LF Dave Cunningham (28-5.4) gave us 2 runs and the win.

Cook went 11 innings, allowed 8 hits, walked 3 and struck out 4.

O'Quinn went 11 innings, allowed 8 hits, walked no one and struck out 5.

We made 1 error and Baltimore made 3.

Grand National Association Games:
Scranton (5) at Providence (11): Frank McSherry (28-4.1) (3-0) over Sam Doty (35-6.4) (1-2). McSherry allowed 7 hits, walked 3 and struck out 3. 1B Alex Carroll (27-4.4) had 4 hits and an RBI. C George Thomas (26-6.3) had 4 hits with a triple, a walk, scored 3 times and had an RBI.

Minneapolis (3) at Philadelphia (2): Steve Taylor (33-3.3) (1-0) in his first major league start over Jim Postema (34-5.5) (0-1) in his season debut. Taylor allowed 6 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. Postema allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 9. CF Mike Hammond (33-5.7) had 4 hits with a triple, stole 2 bases and scored a run.

Pittsburgh (12) at Brooklyn (8): Frank Parsons (30-5.8) (1-1) over Ren French (22-4.9) (0-1) in his first major league start. Parson allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. French did not allow a hit or a walk, but gave up an unearned run to get the loss. He only pitched 5 outs before his wrist became sore and he had to exit the game. He should be fine in a couple of days to give it another go. Nate Kendall (35-5.4) pitched the rest of the game and was pretty horrible. C Cliff Robinson (26-6.1) had 4 hits with a double and a home run, scored 3 times and knocked in 4.

Kansas City (3) at Milwaukee (2): Hosea Alexander (35-4.8) (2-1) over Tom Washam (31-6.1) (1-2). Alexander allowed 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3. Washam allowed 11 hits, no walks and struck out 5. Milwaukee outfielders threw out 2 runners at the plate in the top of the 9th inning, but could not throw out a third. C Gene Stone (27-5.4) and 1B Jack Wallace (30-7.5) each had 3 hits with a double, but the only tally out of either was a run scored by Stone.

Louisville (3) at Chicago (4): John Ritch (29-7.8) (2-1) over Jake D'Addario (34-5.5) (0-3). Ritch allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. D'Addario allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 7. He had 2 hits at bat and scored a run. All the scoring was done by the 5th inning. C George Sandefur (27-5.8) had 2 hits with his second home run of the season. For Louisville, 1B Patrick Brezina (42-4.1) had 2 hits and became the oldest player to ever hit a home run in the major leagues.

Liberty League Games:
Detroit (7) at Washington (8): Dan Burton (28-4.9) (2-0) over William Rose (33-4.9) (0-3). Burton allowed 8 hits, walked 1 and struck out 4. The Nationals committed 8 errors. Lat season's Rookie of the Year, 1B Tom Coponen (28-7.0) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. 3B Sam Clark (33-4.7) had 3 hits and 2 RBIs. RF Ace Trimmell (26-5.0) had 3 hits with a double and scored 2 runs.

New York (4) at Troy (3): George Taylor (29-3.9) (1-1) over Miah Turner (23-5.3) (0-1) in his first start of the season. Taylor allowed 8 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. Last year's Silver Slugger also hit a double and scored a run. Turner allowed 9 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. SS Ed Glass (24-4.5) had 3 hits, stole 2 bases, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Cincinnati (18) at Boston (14): Bill Henson (27-6.5) (1-0) over Dwight Trout (28-5.2) (0-1) in his first major league start (and maybe his last). Trout only went 5 innings, walking 10 for a new major league record and allowing 15 runs. 2B Pete Hinde (28-7.9) had 4 hits with a double, a walk, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had 6 RBIs. His Boston counterpart, 2B John Ingling (24-4.6) also had 6 RBIs. He did it on 3 hits and scored 3 runs.

Cleveland (9) at St. Louis (10): Sam White (29-5.2) (1-0) over Jim Ludwig (23-4.6) (0-1) in his major league debut. White won despite allowing 18 hits. Ludwig only allowed 6 hits, but walked 4 and struck out 3. For Cleveland, SS Jesse Flanders (24-5.4) had 5 hits with a double, scored a run and knocked 1 in. 2B John Bohler (34-7.6) had 4 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and knocked 2 in.

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 8, 1884

No game for the Mutuals today, but Lee Sprague (24-3.5) was put on the roster since he says he's ready to pitch and Billy Jenkins (31-4.9) was sent to Richmond.

Liberty League Games:
Cincinnati (10) at Washington (4): John Stevens (27-8.2) (1-3) over John Callaham (35-5.5) (3-2). Stevens allowed 11 hits, no walks and struck out 6. Callaham allowed 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6 in 8 innings. Washington made 8 errors, but 4 of them were by Callaham himself. C Tim Fish (29-5.4) had 3 hits and a home run with 3 RBIs.

Cleveland (5) at Troy (12): Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (2-2) over Bill Henrichs (24-7.4) (0-3). Lamb allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 11. He also had a double and an RBI with his bat. Troy had 18 hits, 10 of them for extra-bases. LF Monte Moody (26-6.9) had 3 hits with a double and a home run, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Detroit (7) at Boston (8) in 16 innings: William Little (23-6.0) (1-0) in relief of Charlie Morlock (34-6.7) over William Rose (33-4.9) (0-4) in relief of William McLeod (24-5.6). Dwight Trout (28-5.2), who set the major league record by allowing 10 walks yesterday, was sent to the minors and William Little took his spot. Little went 3 innings , allowed 1 hit, walked 2 and struck out 3. He allowed 1 unearned run. All the scoring stopped after the 7th inning, until Detroit scored an unearned run in the top of the 16th. Rose retired the first 2 batters of the bottom half of the 16th, but then LF Val Cornell (26-3.5) singled, 2-time MVP 2B Bill Thompson (33-4.2), who missed almost all of last year due to injury, tripled to tie the game and RF Charlie Warner (30-9.2) won the game with a hit. Thompson had 3 hits, 2 walks, stole 3 bases, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

New York (5) at St. Louis (3): Count Childs (28-3.1) (1-0) in his first major league start over Irv Goodwin (21-8.8) (3-1). Childs allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 4. RF James McClellan (26-4.7) had 5 hits with a home run, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs. 2B Tacks Strange (30-5.4) only had 2 plate appearances and had a double and a walk but tore a groin muscle and will miss about 2 months. For the Maroons, 1B Harold Bradley (25-5.1) had 3 of the 5 St. Louis hits, one for a double and one for a triple. He scored 2 runs and had an RBI.