The Liberty League, Est. 1876

[Questdog]

Thursday, October 2, 1884
Scranton Miners (36-65 .356 34 GB in 12th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (70-31 .693 1st place)

Sam Paul, Scran. (29-5.4) (R 14-32 3.24 10.4-1.4-3.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 31-8 1.89 6.4-1.3-6.4)

Won - 1 to 0

The score was 0 to 0 going into the bottom of the 9th and then 2 errors and a passed ball and it was over.

Lee allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. This was his 5th shutout of the year; no one else in the Association has more than 2.

Paul allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 2.

We made not a single error and Scranton made 4.

Grand National Association:
Louisville (4) at Pittsburgh (8): Frank Parsons (30-5.8) (13-25) over Ed Sharp (29-5.5) (21-27). Parsons allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. CF Jim Graves (27-5.7) had 2 hits, a walk, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. LF Cal Campbell (26-7.2) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base and scored 2 runs. SS Jim Ware (30-5.6) has a stiff back and will sit out the rest of the schedule. 1B Tim Powers (27-6.9) bruised his foot badly and will likely miss the rest of the games.

Milwaukee (1) at Brooklyn (3): Henry Rawls (30-4.3) (7-7) over Oscar Mason (24-4.6) (5-6). Rawls allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had an RBI. Mason allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. 1B Henry Young (30-5.7) had 3 hits with a double, but no runs or RBIs.

Providence (10) at Philadelphia (7): Frank McSherry (29-4.1) (24-15) over John Allen (26-6.4) (23-15). LF Cub Beauregard (26-5.4) had 5 hits with a triple, stole 2 bases, scored 4 runs and had an RBI. RF John Walker (27-6.6) hit a double and a triple, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. For the Quakers, RF John Cray (27-7.0) had 3 hits with a double, a walk and 2 RBIs.

Chicago (11) at Baltimore (1): Pony Stanley (21-6.2) (5-8) over Sal DeVaux (30-3.5) (16-22). Stanley allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. SS Henry Potter (30-6.4) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. 3B John Sullivan (38-4.0) had 2 hits with a double, scored 3 runs and had an RBI.

Kansas City (4) at Minneapolis (3): Joe Osborne (26-3.0) (8-26) over Ed Bush (24-5.3) (0-1) in his first major league start. Osborne allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 1. Bush allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. LF Lou Baggett (22-4.2) had 2 hits with a triple and an RBI. 1B Jim Lagana (28-6.6) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Jack Grossman (29-7.1) broke his foot and is done for the year.

Liberty League:
St. Louis (5) at Cleveland (2): Will Taylor (37-7.9) (10-23) over Willis Kornfield (31-6.0) (11-19). Taylor allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 1. LF John Rodgers (32-4.4) hit 2 doubles and scored a run. C George Kinsey (28-3.8) had 3 hits with a 3-run home run.

Boston (3) at Detroit (7): Hank Anderson (31-7.7) (22-10) over Joe Peters (28-4.9) (27-12). Anderson allowed 12 hits, no walks and struck out 6. 2B Jack Warren (32-7.2) had 2 hits with a triple and scored 3 runs. C Andy Runnels (27-7.8) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. For Boston, SS Mike Stables (28-7.1) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Troy (0) at New York (3): Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (26-35) over Miah Turner (23-5.3) (15-15). Roberts allowed 2 hits, 2 walks and struck out 10. Turner allowed 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 7. He has lost 5 of his last 6, but has not given up more than 8 hits in any of the losses. Troy has scored a total of 7 runs in the 5 losses.

Washington (5) at Cincinnati (6): Charlie Branham (24-4.2) (34-12) over Dan Burton (29-4.9) (16-23). Branham allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits and an RBI. C Spider Sullivan (24-6.7) had 2 hits, a walk, scored a run, had an RBI and threw out the only runner to attempt a steal. 1B Joe Vaughan (29-5.2) hit a double and his 8th home run of the year, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

The New Haven Nutmegs of the Connecticut State League have an outfielder named Wise (23-6.8) who goes by the nickname of Pussy. Manager Willie Hirsch (41-7.1) likes to show his players that he is interested in their lives and was overheard posing the following question to his outfielder, "How's your wife, Pussy Wise?"

Editor's Note: I have tried very hard for several days to NOT print the above thought that came into my warped head, but I could resist no longer.

[Questdog]

Friday, October 3, 1884
Milwaukee Brewers (44-57 .436 26.5 GB in 10th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (71-31 .696 1st place)

We begin a 2 game set with manager Sammy Farrell (39-6.9) and his Brewers today. We are 5-3 against them on the year and they swept us in 2 games at their place a week and a half ago. They are 12th and last in the Association in scoring with 4.6 runs per game (Omaha is still #8 with 5.1). They are tied for 5th in runs allowed with 5.0 per game (Omaha is still #1 with 3.7).

Tom Washam, Milw. (32-6.1) (R 24-33 2.88 8.3-2.2-6.4 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lee Sprague, Omaha (24-3.5) (R 33-17 1.88 7.3-0.8-6.0)

Won - 3 to 1

Sprague allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 6.

Washam allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 3. He went 3 for 3 at the plate.

We made 2 errors and Milwaukee made 3.

2B Felix Hill (25-4.2) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base and scored 2 runs. RF Hank Roberts (25-3.0) had 3 hits and 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Chicago (3) at Pittsburgh (1): Pony Stanley (21-6.2) (6-8) over Tom Lilly (24-6.4) (36-12). Stanley allowed 3 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Lilly allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 12. After wining 11 in a row, Lilly has lost his last two, but only allowed 10 total hits in the 2 games. Pittsburgh made 4 errors and Chicago did not make any.

Scranton (9) at Brooklyn (3): Sam Doty (35-6.4) (18-25) over Nate Kendall (36-5.4) (17-23). Doty allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Brooklyn actually out-hit Scranton 10 to 9, but made 10 errors to Scranton's 2. 2B Joe O'Neill (36-7.6) had 3 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. CF Washington Macho (35-8.3) had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Kansas City (2) at Philadelphia (1) in 13 innings: Dan Butler (27-4.7) (23-14) over John Allen (26-6.4) (23-16). Both pitchers went the distance. Butler allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. He had 2 hits with a triple at bat. Allen allowed 13 hits, 1 walk and struck out 9. Kansas City did not score until the 9th. SS Al Sarbacker (24-4.8) had 3 hits and scored the run in the 9th. 2B Fred Umbaugh (23-5.4) made his major league debut and only had 1 hit, but stole a base and scored the go ahead run in the 13th. Kansas City turned 4 double plays. With this loss, Philly's 3rd in a row, Omaha has clinched at least a tie for the pennant. The lead is now 7 with 7 games to play.

Louisville (3) at Baltimore (5): Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (20-16) over Jake D'Addario (34-5.5) (12-26). Yurkovich allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 8. He had to overcome 8 Oriole errors. It's looking a lot like this might be the year he finally has a winning season! D'Addario allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he had 2 hits. RF Bill Fogle (25-5.3) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base and scored a run.

Providence (5) at Minneapolis (8): Ed Bush (24-5.3) (1-1) over Abe Everette (35-6.9) (3-3). Bush allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. Everette allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 3. CF Ed Moody (28-6.9) had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. LF Harley Becker (30-6.8) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Saturday, October 4, 1884
Milwaukee Brewers (44-58 .431 27.5 GB in 10th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (72-31 .699 1st place)

We can clinch the pennant with a win today or a loss by Philadelphia.

Oscar Mason, Milw. (24-4.6) (L 5-6 3.08 9.9-2.1-3.5 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lee Sprague, Omaha (24-3.5) (R 34-17 1.86 7.3-0.8-6.0)

Won - 3 to 2

The game was tied at 2 going into the bottom of the 9th, but a LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) double and 2 passed ball gave us the game.

!!The Omaha Mutuals are the Grand National Association champions for 1884!!

Sprague went 8 innings, allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 5.

Royal Parmelee (23-6.5) pitched the 9th, got the win and only took 5 pitches to do it.

Mason allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 1.

We made 4 errors and Milwaukee made not a one, but did have 3 passed balls, including the 2 in the 9th that sunk them.

LF Dave Cunningham had 2 hits with a double and scored 2 runs. SS Harry Coats (31-4.9) hit an RBI double. Warren Hogan (30-7.2) pinch-hit for Sprague in the 8th and singled. Stub Orlando (29-6.1) went in to run for him and ended up scoring the tying run.

Grand National Association:
Chicago (2) at Pittsburgh (4): Tom Adams (30-6.0) (12-5) over Pony Stanley (21-6.2) (6-9). Adams allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 4. It was his first start since July. Stanley allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. Rookie C Wilson Wendling (23-4.1) had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. CF Jim Graves (27-5.7) had 2 hits with a double, a walk and 2 RBIs.

Scranton (3) at Brooklyn (5): Henry Rawls (30-4.3) (8-7) over Ed Sparks (35-2.1) (2-1). Rawls allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 1. CF Charlie Lawler (28-6.4) had 3 hits, but no runs or RBIs. 3B Kid Angell (35-6.0) had 3 hits with a double and scored a run. SS Bill Bulthuis (28-5.7) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Kansas City (3) at Philadelphia (6): Bill McClean (39-6.0) (34-17) over Joe Osborne (26-3.0) (8-27). McClean allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 10. SS Jumbo Lynn (24-3.8) hit a double and a triple, drew a walk, scored a run and had an RBI. 1B Pat Ross (27-5.4) had 2 hits with a triple, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. The Quakers have not yet made their October salary payments to their players...

Louisville (4) at Baltimore (6): Sal DeVaux (30-3.5) (17-22) over Wiley Steel (22-5.6) (4-10). DeVaux allowed 9 hits, 7 walks and struck out 6. Steel allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. He hit a double at the plate. Rookie 3B Dave Clark (24-6.8) had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. LF Dan Mitchell (34-3.5) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Providence (5) at Minneapolis (2): Abe Everette (35-6.9) (4-3) over Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (27-28). Everette allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and did not have a strikeout. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Dittmar allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 5. RF Alex Carroll (27-4.4) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI.

Liberty League:
St. Louis (4) at Cleveland (5): Tom Marshman (33-4.7) (24-25) over Freddy Wood (28-6.3) (18-26). Marshman allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit, scored a run and had an RBI. Wood allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 3. SS Jesse Flanders (24-5.4) had 3 hits and scored a run.

Boston (11) at Detroit (2): Charlie Morlock (35-6.7) (33-16) over William McLeod (25-5.6) (8-23). Morlock allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8. He has won 5 in a row. CF Val Cornell (26-3.5) had 3 hits with 2 triples, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. C Kip Kraft (34-6.1) had 2 hits with a double, a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Troy (7) at New York (4): Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (29-16) over Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (26-36). Lamb allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. !!Roberts allowed 10 hits, walked 1 and struck out 14 to tie the major league record for Ks in a game!! SS Sam Cowan (28-5.1) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Washington (4) at Cincinnati (6): John Stevens (27-8.2) (27-22) over John Callaham (35-5.5) (19-31). Steven allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 10. 3 of the 5 hits were home runs. Callaham allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. 3B Mike Green (35-6.2) had 2 hits with his 2nd home run of the year and had 2 RBIs. For the Nationals, 2B John Kron (32-3.6) hit 2 home runs, giving him 6 in the year. Both were with no one on base.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Questdog

We can clinch the pennant with a win today or a loss by Philadelphia.

Oscar Mason, Milw. (24-4.6) (L 5-6 3.08 9.9-2.1-3.5 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lee Sprague, Omaha (24-3.5) (R 34-17 1.86 7.3-0.8-6.0)

Won - 3 to 2

The game was tied at 2 going into the bottom of the 9th, bit a LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) double and 2 passed ball gave us the game.

!!The Omaha Mutuals are the Grand National Association champions for 1884!!

That's not quite my definition of style, but the two passed balls will do, I guess. I also guess the Philadelphians are pretty mad at that catcher.

And I'm happy that my boy Sprague got the W in the clincher.

[Questdog]

Originally Posted by Westheim

And I'm happy that my boy Sprague got the W in the clincher.

Yes!....except that he did not....

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Questdog

Yes!....except that he did not....

Always pays off to read from top to bottom.

[Questdog]

Monday, October 6, 1884
Louisville Colonels (38-66 .4365 35 GB in 11th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (73-31 .702 1st place)

We begin a 2 game set with manager/CF George Kennedy (39-8.9) and his Colonels today. The game does not mean much to us, except that I want o finish with a .700+ winning percentage, but the Colonels are only a game ahead of last place Scranton, so they have some incentive to play. We are 6-2 against them on the season and split a 2 game set in Kentucky the last time we met. They are 11th in runs scored in the GNA with 4.7 per game (Omaha is still #8 with 5.0). They are 9th in runs allowed with 5.8 per game (Omaha is still #1 with 3.6).

Ed Sharp, Lou. (29-5.5) (R 21-27 2.83 8.5-2.6-3.1 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 32-8 1.85 6.4-1.3-6.4)

Won - 8 to 2

We batted around and scored 6 times in the first inning without the benefit of an error. We had 4 hits and 4 walks in the frame. Sharp set the Grand National Association record for walks allowed in a game with 8 on the day. He also beaned 2 batters, so I guess you could say he was a bit wild.

Lee allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. The Colonels did not get their first hit until the 6th inning. At bat, he drew 2 walks and scored a run.

We got 8 hits and made 1 error. The Colonels made 2.

CF Stub Orlando (29-6.1) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. RF Hank Roberts (25-3.0) walked 3 times and scored a run. 1B Charlie Toner (23-8.7) walked twice and scored a run. 2B Felix Hill (25-4.2) had a hit, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. 3B Ben Dennis (29-5.4) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. SS Harry Coats (31-4.9) had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

For the Colonels, C George Wright (28-4.8) had 2 hits with a mammoth home run to centerfield, his 2nd of the season and had 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (6) at Pittsburgh (12): Tom Lilly (24-6.4) (37-12) over Dan Butler (27-4.7) (23-15). Lilly allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 9. Manager/SS Al Steel (24-7.0) hit a double and a home run with 4 RBIs. 2B Steve Schumaker (28-4.5) had 2 hits, a walk, stole a base and scored 3 runs.

Providence (0) at Brooklyn (6): Henry Rawls (30-4.3) (9-7) over Frank McSherry (29-4.1) (24-16). Rawls allowed 3 hits, no walks and struck out 3. McSherry allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 1. 3B Kid Angell (35-6.0) had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. SS Tom Reed (24-3.8), in his first game of the season, had 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

Chicago (15) at Philadelphia (8): John Longcrier (31-5.0) (1-0) in his major league debut over John Allen (26-6.4) (23-17). Longcrier allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. Allen lost his 5th in a row. SS Henry Potter (30-6.4) hit a double and a triple, drew a walk, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs. LF Candy Simpson (25-6.8) had 3 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. RF Martin Arnold (29-6.2) had 4 hits, got beaned, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Milwaukee (3) at Baltimore (2): Tom Washam (32-6.1) (25-34) over Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (20-17). Washam allowed 3 hits, no walks and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a double. Yurkovich allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 7. C Jimmy Babcock (28-6.9) hit a triple, scored runs and had an RBI.

Scranton (10) at Minneapolis (2): Sam Doty (35-6.4) (19-25) over Ed Bush (24-5.3) (1-2). Doty allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 2. 3B Fred Vay (33-6.0) had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. CF Washington Macho (35-8.3) hit 2 doubles, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, October 7, 1884

Liberty League:
Troy (14) at Cleveland (4): Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (30-16) over Tom Marshman (33-4.7) (24-26). Lamb allowed 12 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits with a triple and scored a run. CF Bert Gellis (23-5.5) had 3 hits with a triple, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. C Henry Newman (30-3.6) had 4 hits with a double, a walk, scored a run and had 5 RBIs.

Washington (1) at Detroit (6): William McLeod (25-5.6) (9-23) over John Callaham (35-5.5) (19-32). McLeod allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. CF Joe Kraus (28-7.9) hit a double and a triple, stole a base and scored 3 runs. RF Jackie Porter (30-6.3) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI.

St. Louis (9) at New York (6): Freddy Wood (28-6.3) (19-26) over Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (26-37). Wood allowed 11 hits, no walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Roberts is now 4-16 in his last 21 starts. SS Bill Loschiavo (26-5.8) hit 2 triples and scored 3 runs. 3B Lou Bohus (24-5.4) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. 1B Harold Bradley (26-5.1) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI.

Boston (12) at Cincinnati (5): Charlie Morlock (35-6.7) (34-16) over John Stevens (27-8.2) (27-23). Morlock allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. 3B Bill Gordon (27-3.7) had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. 2B Bill Thompson (34-4.2) had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had and RBI. !!The Boston Red Caps are the 1884 Liberty League champions!! It is their 4th straight title.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, October 8, 1884
Louisville Colonels (38-67 .362 35 GB in 11th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (74-31 .705 1st place)

Ed Sharp, Lou. (29-5.5) (R 21-28 2.91 8.6-2.7-3.1 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 33-8 1.85 6.4-1.3-6.4)

Won - 5 to 2

Lee allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4.

Sharp was sharper today: he allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5.

We made 1 error and the Colonels made 4.

1B Charlie Toner (23-8.7) had a hit, 2 walks, scored a run and had an RBI. LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) had 2 hits with a double and scored a run. C Ezra Wall (235.2) hit a triple and had an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (1) at Pittsburgh (2): Tom Adams (30-6.0) (13-5) over Joe Osborne (26-3.0) (8-28). Adams allowed 10 hits, no walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had 2 hits and scored a run. Osborne allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. Manager/SS Al Steel (24-7.0) had 2 hits, stole 2 bases and had an RBI.

Providence (7) at Brooklyn (4): Frank McSherry (29-4.1) (25-16) over Henry Rawls (30-4.3) (9-8). McSherry allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. LF John Walker (27-6.6) had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. SS Pat Millis (24-7.2) had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. 2B Tommy Way (28-6.8) hit a triple, drew a walk, scored a run and had an RBI.

Chicago (5) at Philadelphia (10): Bill McClean (39-6.0) (35-17) over Pony Stanley (21-6.2) (6-10). McClean allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 6. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. Stanley set the major league record by allowing 11 walks in a game. 1B Pat Ross (27-5.4) had 2 hits with a double, a walk and scored 2 runs. LF Jim Hudson (30-6.2) had 2 hits, 3 walks, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Milwaukee (7) at Baltimore (6): Tom Washam (32-6.1) (26-34) over Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (20-18). Washam allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. Yurkovich allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had 2 hits and an RBI. Baltimore made 12 errors. RF John Tomlinson (29-2.8) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Scranton (1) at Minneapolis (6): Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (28-28) over Sam Doty (35-6.4) (19-26). Dittmar allowed 3 hits, no walks and struck out 3. C Henry Pitts (26-6.7) had 2 hits with a double, a walk and scored 2 runs. LF Henry Weaver (32-3.9) had 1 hit, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Liberty League:
Troy (8) at Cleveland (11): Willis Kornfield (31-6.0) (12-19) over Miah Turner (23-5.3) (15-16). Turner has lost 4 in a row and 6 of his last 7. 2B Clipper Wilson (28-4.4) had 2 hits, a walk, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. LF Elbert Fuccillo (32-5.4) had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Washington (2) at Detroit (4): Hank Anderson (31-7.7) (23-10) over Dan Burton (29-4.9) (16-24). Anderson allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he hit 2 doubles, scored a run and had an RBI. He is now 11-2 in his last 13 decisions. Burton allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7.

St. Louis (10) at New York (8): Will Taylor (37-7.9) (11-23) over Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (26-38). SS Bill Loschiavo (26-5.8) had 4 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. For the Gothams, SS Ed Glass (25-4.5) had 3 hits with a double and a triple, a walk, stole a base and scored 3 runs.

Boston (1) at Cincinnati (2): Charlie Branham (24-4.2) (35-12) over Joe Peters (28-4.9) (27-13). Branham allowed 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 9. Peters allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. SS Honus Paulson (26-8.4) had 2 hits and an RBI.

[Questdog]

Thursday, October 9, 1884
Providence Grays (61-45 .575 14 GB in 4th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (75-31 .708 1st place)

We begin a 2 game set with manager Harvey Barker (40-4.8) and his Grays today. We are 6-2 against them on the season and we swept them in 2 games in Rhode Island a month ago. They are 5th in runs scored with 5.5 per game (Omaha is still #8 with 5.1). They are 5th in runs allowed with 5.0 per game (Omaha is still #1 with 3.6).

Abe Everette, Prov. (35-6.9) (L 4-3 2.66 8.1-1.1-3.9 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lee Sprague, Omaha (24-3.5) (R 34-17 1.83 7.3-0.8-6.0)

Won - 4 to 0

Sprague allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 9. This was his 3rd shutout and our best pitched 9 innings of the year!

Everette allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 2.

We made no errors and the Grays made 2.

CF Abe Cupp (23-4.7) hit a triple and scored a run. C Charlie LeFevre (30-5.0) hit a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI and threw out both runners who tried to steal. LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) hit a triple, scored a run and had an RBI. SS Harry Coats (31-4.9) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Milwaukee (5) at Pittsburgh (4): Tom Washam (32-6.1) (27-34) over Tom Lilly (24-6.4) (37-13). Washam allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7. Lilly allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Milwaukee made 8 errors to Pittsburgh's 5, including 4 by manager/SS Al Steel (24-7.0). C Jimmy Babcock (28-6.9) had 2 hits and scored 2 runs.

Louisville (11) at Brooklyn (4): Jake D'Addario (34-5.5) (13-26) over Nate Kendall (36-5.4) (17-24). D'Addario allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. C George Wright (28-4.8) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B John Meredith (29-6.0) had 3 hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

Scranton (12) at Philadelphia (4): Sam Paul (29-5.4) (15-33) over John Allen (26-6.4) (23-18). Paul allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Allen lost his 6th in a row. 1B Jiggs Farmer (24-4.6) had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. LF Martin Griffin (34-6.3) had 3 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. C Billy Andrews (33-6.9) had 4 hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

Kansas City (1) at Baltimore (3): Tom Wilmarth (24-5.4) (4-0) over Dan Butler (27-4.7) (23-16). Wilmarth allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Butler allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. CF Dick Fitts (27-7.1) had 2 hits with a double, a walk, stole a base and scored a run. 1B Jim Booker (33-5.2) had 2 hits with a triple and an RBI.

Chicago (14) at Minneapolis (2): John Longcrier (31-5.0) (2-0) over Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (28-29). Longcrier allowed 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he had 3 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. CF George Wayman (27-5.9) had 2 hits, a walk, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. 3B John Sullivan (38-4.0) had 3 hits with a triple, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Liberty League:
Troy (13) at Cleveland (7): Miah Turner (23-5.3) (16-16) over Willis Kornfield (31-6.0) (12-20). Turner allowed 13 hits, walked 2 and struck out 10. At bat, he had 2 hits, a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. SS Sam Cowan (28-5.1) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. C Henry Newman (30-3.6) had 4 hits with a double, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. 2B Bill Lawson (28-6.9) had 3 hits with a double and scored a run.

Washington (5) at Detroit (4) in 10 innings: John Callaham (35-5.5) (20-32) over Hank Anderson (31-7.7) (23-11). Callaham allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Anderson allowed 12 hits, walked 4 and struck out 7. CF Tom Laarman (24-7.8) had 3 hits, stole 4 bases, scored 2 rns and had an RBI. SS Bill Scott (28-3.5) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. 3B Sam Clark (34-4.7) had 2 hits, including a 2-run 2-out single in the top of the 10th.

St. Louis (3) at New York (4): Count Childs (28-3.1) (11-4) over Will Taylor (37-7.9) (11-24). Childs allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. Taylor allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and did not strike anyone out. 3B Paul Fenner (35-4.6) had 2 hits and scored a run.

Boston (10) at Cincinnati (9): Joe Peters (28-4.9) (28-13) over Charlie Branham (24-4.2) (35-13). 3B Bill Gordon (27-3.7) had a hit and walked 4 times to tie the major league record for walks in a game. C Kip Kraft (34-6.1) hit a double and his 2nd home run of the year, scored 2 runs and had 4 RBIs. For Cincinnati, CF Fleet Wilcox (27-4.9) had 2 hits with his 18th home run and 3 RBIs to give him 100 on the season.

[Questdog]

Friday, October 10, 1884

Grand National Association:
Milwaukee (1) at Pittsburgh (6): Tom Adams (30-6.0) (14-5) over Oscar Mason (24-4.6) (5-8). Adams allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. Mason allowed 8 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1. At bat, he had 3 hits and an RBI. CF Jim Graves (27-5.7) had 3 hits with a triple, stole a base and scored a run.

[Questdog]

Saturday, October 11, 1884
Providence Grays (61-46 .570 15 GB in 4th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (76-31 .710 1st place)

Frank McSherry, Prov. (29-4.1) (R 25-16 2.62 9.4-2.2-4.1 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 34-8 1.83 6.3-1.3-6.3)

Won - 2 to 1

The game was tied at 1 until the bottom of the 9th. With 1 out, CF Abe Cupp (23-4.7) singled. He stole 2nd and went to 3rd on the catcher's error. Ezra Wall (23-5.2) pinch-hit for SS Harry Coats (31-4.9) and singled to end the game.

Lee allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 9.

McSherry allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5.

We made 2 errors and the Grays made 3.

LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) had 2 hits and scored a run.

This was the 7th straight game we have allowed 2 or fewer runs. And since I pointed that out, we will allow 10 runs next game....

Also, we are guaranteed of finishing the season with at least a .700 winning percentage! I said a while back that we would need to go 9-2 to finish the season to make it and we have gone 9-0 since then....

Grand National Association:
Milwaukee (3) at Pittsburgh (2): Oscar Mason (24-4.6) (6-8) over Tom Adams (30-6.0) (14-6). Mason allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. At bat, he had a hit and 2 RBIs. Adams allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 6. 2B Deke Baker (33-3.9) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run.

Louisville (6) at Brooklyn (7): Henry Rawls (30-4.3) (10-8) over Ed Sharp (29-5.5) (21-30). Rawls allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits. 3B Kid Angell (35-6.0) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and singled in a run in the bottom of the 9th with 1 out to win the game. SS Bones Collins (29-4.4) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. For Louisville, LF Joe Olson (28-6.8) hit 2 triples, scored a run and had an RBI. Ex-Haymaker RF John Strother (34-5.4) broke a bone in his elbow and will likely take the better part of a year to recover. At 34, this may spell the end.

Scranton (0) at Philadelphia (8): Bill McClean (39-6.0) (36-17) over Sam Doty (35-6.4) (19-27). McClean allowed 1 hit (a lead-off single in the 5th), 1 walk and struck out 8. He has won 11 of his last 12 decisions. This was his 3rd shutout of the season and 2nd 1-hitter. 2B Charlie Whitney (33-4.5) had 2 hits with a home run, a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Kansas City (4) at Baltimore (3) in 12 innings: Joe Osborne (26-3.0) (9-28) over Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (20-19). Osborne allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. Yurkovich allowed 4 hits in 12 innings, 2 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had a hit and 2 RBIs. If he fails to end up with a winning record this season, it will be a crying shame. SS Al Sarbacker (24-4.8) hit 2 triples, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. One of the triples and runs came in the 12th inning. Editor's Note: I am very tempted to intervene and get Yurkovich on one good team before he rides off into the sunset.

Chicago (4) at Minneapolis (2): Pony Stanley (21-6.2) (7-10) over Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (28-30). Stanley allowed 7 hits, 6 walks and struck out 5. Dittmar allowed 10 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. 2B Patsy Roberts (30-5.5) had 3 hits with a triple and 2 RBIs. 3B John Sullivan (38-4.0) had 2 hits with a triple and scored a run.

Liberty League (Final Day of Games):
Troy (7) at Cleveland (8): Tom Marshman (33-4.7) (25-26) over Harry Lamb (29-6.4) (30-17). Marshman allowed 11 hits, no walks and struck out 6. Lamb allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Jesse Flanders (24-5.4) had 3 hits, stole 2 bases, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. He led off the bottom of the 9th with a triple and scored on a passed ball to end the game.

Washington (3) at Detroit (7): William McLeod (25-5.6) (10-23) over John Callaham (35-5.5) (20-33). McLeod allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. RF Jackie Porter (30-6.3) had 3 hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

St. Louis (10) at New York (9): Freddy Wood (28-6.3) (20-26) over Jack Roberts (32-6.1) (26-38). Roberts finishes the season going 4-19 in his last 23 decisions. SS Bill Loschiavo (26-5.8) had 4 hits and 3 RBIs. C George Kinsey (28-3.8) had 2 hits with a triple, 2 walks, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. For the Gothams, 2B Tacks Strange (30-5.4) had 3 hits with a triple, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Boston (5) at Cincinnati (6): John Stevens (27-8.2) (28-23) over Charlie Morlock (35-6.7) (34-17). Stevens allowed 10 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. Morlock allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. RF Joe Turner (25-6.6) hit a 3-run home run, his 11th of the season. For Boston, SS Mike Stables (28-7.1) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Monday, October 13, 1884
Kansas City Cowboys (50-58 .463 27 GB in 7th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (77-31 .713 1st place)

We begin a final 2 game set with manager/P Dan Butler (27-4.7) and his Cowboys to finish the championship season. As always, they are a tough team with him in the pitcher's box, but mostly a pushover with anyone else. We are 7-1 against them on the season and split 2 games with them in Kansas City a month ago. They are 4th in the Association in scoring with 5.5 runs per game (Omaha is still #8 with 5.0). They are 11th in runs allowed with 6.2 per game (Omaha is still #1 with 3.6).

Dan Butler, K.C. (27-4.7) (R 23-16 2.47 8.5-1.7-4.5 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lee Sprague, Omaha (24-3.5) (R 35-17 1.80 7.2-0.8-6.0)

Won - 6 to 5

We were in the lead the whole way, but were always fighting through errors to keep them at bay.

Sprague allowed 10 hits, no walks and struck out 7.

Butler allowed 9 hits, 4 walks and struck out 3.

We made 6 errors and the Cowboys made 6.

RF Hank Roberts (25-3.0) had a hit, a walk and scored 2 runs. LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. CF Abe Cupp (23-4.7) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. SS Henry Coats (31-4.9), who has been a godsend at short, tore some ligament in his thumb and will be out a week or two. Not sure if he'll be able to play any of the Boston series. That's a BIG kink in our plans. No one else has been as reliable as him in the field this year.

Grand National Association:
Scranton (1) at Pittsburgh (6): Tom Lilly (24-6.4) (38-13) over Sam Paul (29-5.4) (15-34). Lilly allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Paul allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. Ex-Haymaker 2B Jack Green (31-5.5) hit a double and had 2 RBIs.

Chicago (8) at Brooklyn (3): John Longcrier (31-5.0) (3-0) over Ren French (23-4.9) (5-8). Longcrier allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 0. 2B Patsy Roberts (30-5.50 had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. LF Candy Simpson (25-6.8) had 2 hits with his 10th home run of the season, a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. For the Gladiators, RF John Peterson (25-7.0) had 3 hits with a triple and a home run and 2 RBIs.

Milwaukee (7) at Philadelphia (10): Bill McClean (39-6.0) (37-17) over Tom Washam (32-6.1) (27-35). McClean allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 4. He has won 12 of his last 13 decisions. 2B Charlie Whitney (33-4.5) had 3 hits a walk and an RBI. CF Danny Bolus (32-5.4) had 2 hits with a bases-loaded home run, scored twice and had 5 RBIs.

Providence (1) at Baltimore (4): Tom Wilmarth (24-5.4) (5-0) over Abe Everette (35-6.9) (4-5). Wilmarth allowed 3 hits, no walks and struck out 3. Everette allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out none. C Wash Cochran (29-4.6) hit a 2-run home run. For the Grays, their only run came on a solo home run by C George Thomas (27-6.3), his 2nd of the season.

Louisville (5) at Minneapolis (6): Steve Taylor (33-3.3) (9-5) over Jake D'Addario (34-5.5) (13-27). Taylor allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. At bat, he did not have a hit or a walk, but scored 2 runs. D'Addario allowed 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1. At bat, he had 2 hits and scored a run. 2 errors ended the game in the bottom of the 9th. Ex-Haymaker LF Bill Hammack (31-5.0) hit a double and had 2 RBIs. For the Colonels, 1B Frank Reardon (29-5.7) had 3 hits with a double and a triple, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, October 15, 1884 (Final Day of Games)
Kansas City Cowboys (50-59 .459 28 GB in 7th place in the Grand National Association) at
Omaha Mutuals (78-31 .716 1st place)

Last Call for Baseball!

It wold be a shame to lose this one. We are currently on a 10 game winning streak.

Dan Butler, K.C. (27-4.7) (R 23-17 2.49 8.6-1.8-4.4 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 35-8 1.79 6.3-1.3-6.4)

Lost - 3 to 2

Lee allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 8.

Butler allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out no one.

We made 5 errors and the Cowboys made 3.

C Charlie LeFevre (30-5.0) hit a double. They ran like the devil on him, trying to steal 9 times. He nailed 3, but also threw the ball away 3 times. He's been cold as ice as a hitter for the last month and a half, too. CF Abe Cupp (23-4.7) had a hit, a walk, stole 2 bases, scored 2 runs and made a superb catch, but got thrown out trying to make it to third from first on a single to right, killing our chances of tying the game. 3B Ben Dennis (29-5.4) had 3 hits with a triple and 2 RBIs. He has really fielded well and has hit over .300 for the last month and a half.

Bring on those Red Caps!

Grand National Association:
Scranton (1) at Pittsburgh (7): Tom Lilly (24-6.4) (39-13) over Sam Paul (29-5.4) (15-35). Lilly allowed 2 hits, no walks and struck out 4. Scranton did not get their first hit until leading off the 9th. At bat, he had 2 hits. CF Jim Graves (27-5.7) had 3 hits, stole 3 bases, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Chicago (4) at Brooklyn (8): Henry Rawls (30-4.3) (11-8) over Pony Stanley (21-6.2) (7-11). Rawls allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. C Jim Granier (29-5.7) had 2 hits, a walk and scored 2 runs. LF John Peterson (25-7.0) hit 2 doubles, stole a base, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Milwaukee (2) at Philadelphia (7): Bill McClean (39-6.0) (38-17) over Tom Washam (32-6.1) (27-36). McClean allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. He has won 13 of his last 14 decisions. Washam allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. 2B Charlie Whitney (33-4.5) had 3 hits with a double and scored 2 runs.

Providence (7) at Baltimore (2): Frank McSherry (29-4.1) (26-17) over Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) (20-20). McSherry allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 4. Aaaahh!!! Yurkovich misses out on a winning season! He lost his last 4 to fall to .500. And only this final game was not well pitched. His ERA went down during this losing streak. He was 10-5 to start the season. 2B Bob Walsh (29-6.7) had 3 hits and 3 RBIs.

Louisville (6) at Minneapolis (3): Ed Sharp (29-5.5) (22-30) over Dan Dittmar (35-8.0) (28-31). Sharp allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. 2B Al Pickens (26-5.8) hit a double and a triple and scored 2 runs. LF Joe Olson (28-6.8) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

The four team expansion of the Grand National Association really put a hard strain on talent in the B Leagues.

[Questdog]

Championship Series Rosters

Remember that the two leagues play under different rules, so you cannot really compare the stats of the teams directly with one another. I am fairly confident, however, that Boston's batsmen are far superior to those of Omaha. I am not confident that the Mutual's twirlers are even the equal of the Red Caps' trio, much less superior. Omaha's hope in victory is based on their fielders playing up to their potential and Lee and Sprague showing that they are truly quality hurlers and not just decent pitchers playing in an inferior league.

The home team in each game will enforce their league's rules upon the visitors.

[Questdog]

Saturday, October 18, 1884
Boston Red Caps (72-40 .643 Champions of the Liberty League) at
Omaha Mutuals (78-32 .709 Champions of the Grand National Association)

We will be playing a Best-of-Five game series. The first 2 games will be in Omaha and then the rest will be in Boston.

The Red Caps led their league in both scoring and fewest runs allowed. They are truly a formidable opponent. If we could even win a game or two, it would go far in establishing the Grand National Association as a quality circuit. Should we be humiliated, the Association may find it difficult to sell our brand of baseball to the public next season.

SS Harry Coats (31-4.9) is nursing a thumb injury and likely will not be able to play in this series unless it goes to the full 5 games. Warren Hogan (30-7.2) will play short and bat 8th.

Charlie Morlock, Bos. (35-6.7) (R 34-17 1.91 7.7-1.9-5.9 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 35-9 1.80 6.3-1.2-6.4)

Lost - 4 to 2

Lee allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.

Morlock allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 7. He had a hit with his bat.

We made 5 errors and Boston made 2.

2B Felix Hill (25-4.2) had 2 hits and stole 2 bases. 1B Charlie Toner (23-8.7) hit a triple and scored a run. 3B Ben Dennis (29-5.4) had 2 infield hits and scored a run.

For the Red Caps, manager/1B Pete Bucolo (37-4.1) hit a double and scored a run. 3B Bill Gordon (27-3.7) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. LF Dan Abrams (26-5.1) had 2 hits with a triple and scored a run.

We actually out-hit the mighty Red Caps, but our defense was not up to par. We cannot make 5 errors and expect to win a game against competition this stiff. However, I am encouraged from this game that we can actually win a game in this series. But who knows? Maybe this was our best effort today.

[Questdog]

Monday, October 20, 1884
Boston Red Caps (1-0) at
Omaha Mutuals (0-1)

C Ezra Wall (23-5.2) will get the start today as Charlie LeFevre (30-5.0) has been cold for a long time and struck out twice on Saturday against Morlock. Wall will bat 6th and CF Abe Cupp (23-4.7) will move up to 5th. Boston is going with the same lineup as before.

Charlie Morlock, Bos. (35-6.7) (R 1-0 2.00 8.0-0.0-7.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 0-1 2.00 7.0-1.0-3.0)

Won - 6 to 5

The game was tied at 5 going into the bottom of the 9th. Morlock retired the first 2 batters, but then LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) tripled and then CF Abe Cupp singled to win the game!

Lee allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7.

Morlock allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 10. He had a hit with his bat and scored a run.

We made 6 errors and Boston made 4.

LF Dave Cunningham hit 2 triples, drew a walk and scored twice. Before his game-winning hit, CF Abe Cupp had drawn a walk and struck out 3 times. I seriously considered pinch-hitting for him in the 9th. He also stole a base and scored a run. 3B Ben Dennis (29-5.4) had 2 hits with a triple, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. SS Warren Hogan (30-7.2) had 2 hits with a triple and 2 RBIs.

For the Red Caps, RF Charlie Warner (30-9.2) had 2 hits with a double, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. C Wiley Fobes (33-2.5) hit a double and had an RBI.

Well, I said we could not win against Boston if we made 5 errors, but apparently if we make 6, that is fine. We out-hit them for the second straight game! It is a good thing we are going to Boston now to play the rest of the games, because our fans stormed the field after our win and made a mess of our place. See you in Boston on Wednesday!

[Questdog]

Wednesday, October 22, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (1-1) at
Boston Red Caps (1-1)

Now we have to play by Liberty League rules, where it only takes 6 balls to walk a batter and the pitchers can throw overhand, if they want, and they can bean batters without any consequences, except for maybe a fine if the umpire thinks they did it on purpose. Some of our hitters were talking on the train about that and a few were convinced that Morlock would be aiming that super-fast fast pitch of his at their bodies to gain revenge for the loss on Monday. He does throw very hard, but I don't think he is any faster then Lee Sprague (24-3.5). And Pop Yurkovich (32-5.6) throws quite a bit harder. I have not yet seen Morlock's overhand delivery, though.

We are going with the same lineup as Monday, as is Boston.

My first impressions of Boston's South End Grounds is that it is a lot nicer than our park. The stands are more solidly built and there is room for a lot more people to sit. They tell me that the park favors pitchers and that only Washington's Athletic Park is a tougher place to hit in the Liberty League, and then not by much.

Tom Lee, Omaha (26-6.0) (R 1-1 2.00 6.5-1.5-5.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. Charlie Morlock, Bos. (35-6.7) (R 1-1 3.06 8.2-1.5-8.7)

Lost - 4 to 3

Overhand pitching is 1) tough to hit and 2) harder for a pitcher to control. Lee tried it and could not throw strikes; Morlock, who is used to it, breezed through our lineup until he got a little tired in the 9th inning and gave us 3 hits and 2 runs in the final frame. I think their umpire is more strict about what pitches he calls strikes as well.

Lee allowed 6 hits, 6 walks and struck out 5.

Morlock allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 7. He had a hit with his bat.

We made 2 errors and Boston made 1.

RF Hank Roberts (25-3.0) had 2 hits with a double and scored 2 runs. LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) had a hit and 2 RBIs. C Ezra Wall (23-5.2) hit a double and had an RBI.

For the Red Caps, CF Val Cornell (26-3.5) hit a triple and scored a run. RF Charlie Warner (30-9.2) walked 3 times and scored a run. LF Dan Abrams (26-5.1) hit a 2-run double and drew a walk. 2B Bill Thompson (34-4.2) hit a double.

[Questdog]

Thursday, October 23, 1884
Omaha Mutuals (1-2) at
Boston Red Caps (2-1)

Sprague says he can throw overhand and will give it a go today. At any rate, he has better control than Tom Lee and hopefully his offerings will be more acceptable to this umpire.

With the lefty Peters going today, 1B Charlie Toner (23-8.7) and C Ezra Wall (23-5.2) will take a seat and 1B Rube Ford (33-5.1) and C Charlie LeFevre (30-5.0) will be in there. Other than Peters, the Red Caps are sending out the same starting 8.

Lee Sprague, Omaha (24-3.5) (R 36-1.7 1.82 7.3-0.8-6.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. Joe Peters, Bos. (28-4.9) (L 28-13 2.63 8.1-2.6-7.5)

Lost - 4 to 3

Peters struck out the side in the first inning.

Sprague allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. He had a hit at bat.

Peters allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7.

We made 4 errors and Boston made 1.

CF Abe Cupp (23-4.7) had 2 hits with a double and scored a run. C Charlie LeFevre (30-5.0) had 3 hits with a triple, scored a run and had an RBI. He also threw out 2 of 3 stolen base attempts. LF Dave Cunningham (29-5.4) had 2 hits and an RBI.

So, the Red Caps are better than Mutuals, but I think we showed them that we can play some ball. Not once in the 4 games did Boston out-hit us.

After the game, I was approached by an older gentleman dressed in a finely made suit of clothes who introduced himself as Bill Perkins (62-4.3). He congratulated me on the fine showing the Mutuals had made in the series and offered to take me out to supper. I accepted and we had a very interesting conversation that I will tell have to tell you about in a future dispatch.