Our Game From Beginning To End

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
August 1882
Edition 11.7



He Did It! Bentley Tosses First No Hit Game
Troy Star Holds Reds In Historic Performance



It was a long time coming but the game finally has a pitching performance that has never been seen before. Some said it really couldn't be done, but on this hot August afternoon, the hurler from East Haven got it done and threw the league's first no hit contest.

Bentley has been one of the league's most consistent performers on what has become the best team in the land. When the hitting got all the attention it was Bentley in the background who won 196 games for the club including some of the biggest games in the World Series. In the midst of another first place pennant run and likely another 20 wins, Bentley took this afternoon against the Cincinnati club to make baseball history and immortality.

In the game at Bank Streek Grounds Cy made quick work of his competition getting easy outs while striking out two and walking another two. Famous hitters like Jim O'Rourke and Chick Fulmer could get nothing done and soon the game moved to the later innings without a single Red Stockings scratch.

Once the spectators and his teammates started ti realize what was happening. Word spread throughout the city and fans climbed trees and rooftops to see the finish. Bentley had to feel the pressure but didnt show it as he and catcher Elmer White were in a personal world of their own. In the bottom of the 8th he struck out John Curran while Buttercup Dickerson and Blondie Purcell closed out the inning to set up the dramatic 9th. Orator Schafer flew out to left and Chick Fulmer grounded out the short and the masterpiece was almost complete.

Only Jim O'Rourke stood in the way. O'Rourke took a ball and fouled off four pitches. Bentley had to dig deep and with everyone on edge his next pitch was hit to first base where Roger Connor was waiting for it and as Connor stepped on the bag, the celebration ensued. a no hit game for the first time in Major League history.



Congratulations came from everywhere as even important statesmen reached out the the Troy ace to show their appreciation. This will be a day the baseball world will not forget as Bentley threw just 89 magical pitches that seemed to be placed exactly where the needed them.

Twenty Long Ones Sets Standard
Stires Home Run King As He Reclaims Record



The short porch in Chicago allowed Ed Pinkham to set a record in home runs hit a few years ago breaking the record set by the all time home run leader Gat Stires. Well this season the Troy slugger has surpassed all records and expectations as he hit his 25th home run in August and has set the standard with over a month more to play.

Stires has been showcasing he power all season and has really put together an MVP season thus far with his .335 average and 100 RBI taking the league by storm for a Troy club that seems to have the best of everything as they surge to another pennant. The record for RBI by Jimmy Hallinan of 116 is very likely to fall as Stires hasnt slowed down but seems to be getting better even as he turns 32.

"We have seen nothing like him in the game before" says alltime baseball mind Harry Wright who is currently out of the game but still follows. "He has changed the way we approach and play to win. He truly has revolutionized the traditional precepts of the sport."

Or in plain English, wow can this man hit a baseball hard and far.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
September 1882
Edition 11.8



The Spotlight Never Leaves John Ward
Only A Month After The First, Ward Throws No Hitter



They said it couldn't be done and when Cy Bentley did it last month the entire baseball world marvelled and believed they may never see a feat like a no hit game pitched again. Rumor has it that when John Ward of the St. Louis Browns read about the feat, he went to park and proclaim to his mates that he would match the feat just to prove a point.

Ward has never shyed away from the limelight as the spokesman for the Browns club on and off the field. It is very hard to believe that this young man is not yet 23 years of age but has won 87 games and seems to have an never ending confidence to his abilities or expectations. His club has responded as they hold the lead in the American League as the pennant race heats up into the last weeks of the season.

On September 23rd however, Monty as they like to call Ward, out did himself and backed up his outlandish remarks about pitching a no hitter. Ward was facing what many consider the best offense in the game as the Chicago White Stockings took the field. Ward showed his best stuff from the first moments and mowed down Chicago hitters leaving some of the best batters in the sport looking listless. As the innings wore on, Ward seemed to grow even more in confidence even as he walked five men. His offense gave him a nice lead and after getting both Paul Hines and Cap Anson in the 8th inning, cruised into the ninth to close the deal. Ralph Ham made the final out and the Chicago crowd had no alternative but to show their appreciation on this day. Ward had pitched the second no hitter in the history of the game and quite honestly made it look easy.

"Just dont take your eyes off St. Louis this year" said Ward after the game. "I am sure it is written in the stars that we will reach every pinnacle before us this year."

Of course the club from Cleveland that was won 11 straight game to end the month will have something to say about the end result as will a half decent club in the National League that has won 6 and going on seven pennants.

However would anyone doubt what Monty Ward has to say or predict. His presence, charisma, and ability make this particular no hit game a perfect fit for him and the game itself.

Jumbo Is The Toast Of Pittsburgh
First Year Pitcher Brings Unconventional Style



Most professional ball players first a certain type of stature and body in order to be successful at this level. Most players are thin, fast, agile and well toned. In Pittsburgh this year there is a pitcher who is in his first year that breaks all of these norms and is doing quite well. He has earned the name 'Jumbo" by fans and teammates and has brought some hope to Pittsburgh even as the club wont be fighting for a pennant.

Jumbo McGinnis stands at 5 foot 10 inches and weighs a likely 200 pounds. He has a bit of a beer belly and puffed up face making him look like anything but a ball player. McGinnis started in the game later in life as he is now 28 coming out of Alton Illinois. He was a farmer and a woodcutter, but the love of the game carried him all the way to Pittsburgh. He has won 15 games this season with a 3.08 ERA earning 4.4 WAR already. He even hit .264 at the dish proving he can do more then pitch. Many are saying he should win rookie of the year honors in the National League, a strong finish could mean exactly that.

Appearances are not everything; results are. The Pittsburgh faithfull surely wouldnt trade their 'Jumbo" for anything in the world.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
October 1882
Edition 11.9



A Series Like No Other
St. Louis And Troy Prepare For Battle





The game has seen great moments and players or clubs that have created and aura or a legend behind them. Baseball is about life and stories that capture the imagination of people well beyond the grandstand. The spectacle awaits us this October as two of the greatest clubs we have ever seen face off for the World Series of 1882. There have been great matchups, but none like this.

The matchup is the same as last season but the stakes seem higher. Two teams that have won over 70 games and truly showcase some of the biggest names in the game. Two teams that reek with confidence and almost an assurance of their greatness. Two clubs that come from different corners of the country taking every watchful eye with them. The media world as well as the telgraph system prepares for the onslaught of attention for the series as most city squares have been transformed into group gatherings for following the games.

The St. Louis Browns won the most games in league history with 76 and had the best record in the league. A club that once lost 77 games in a season is now playing baseball at a level few have seen before. Fred Goldsmith won 28 games and was one of three players over 20 wins. John Ward of course threw his no hit game as is among the most popular players on the circuit. Oscar Walker, a colored player, drove in 85 runs and recently hit for the 'cycle' in October; only the 5th player to ever do so. The team is first in batting WAR and Jack Glasscock is among the very best glove men in the league. The Browns were 21-12 in one run games and won 9 of 12 in extra innings. This is their second consecutive pennant and are desperately looking for revenge against Troy. Manager Cortez Cachola has brought in a new brand of baseball based on positioning that has other clubs taking notice.

Troy is the best franchise the game has ever seen. This is the clubs 6th pennant and its third in a row. The defensing champions are looking to win it all again and manager Lip Pike has proven he knows how to win the bkg series. The center of attention for the club is their offense lead by Gat Stires. Stires shattered every league record this season with 32 home runs and 126 driven in. The club scored 718 runs and along with Pike great bats like Roger Connor and lead off man Jimmy Wood round out the intimidating lineup. Jim Devlin and Cy Bentley are a formidable duo in the rotation and Bentley was the first to no hit an opponent this summer. The club just knows how to win and seem to play their best ball when the stakes are the highest. They dismantled St. Louis last season and look to do the same.

It is Titan vs Titan and the nation awaits to see if the Brown Stockings really have what it takes to dethrone the mighty Trojans.

Foran Ends Season On Fire
Boston Veteran Hits In 36 Straight

As the season ends and the likes of Chicago's Cap Anson win the batting title. It is worth noting of the achievement of Jim Foran of Boston who at the age of 34 had another outstanding season. Foran not only lead the league in triples with 45 which eclipsed Dick Hunt's record, but also had a 237 OPS plus and has a great case for league MVP.



The achievement however comes as he ended his season hitting in 36 consecutive games, only nine shy of the all tine record of 45 by Lip Pike in 1876. Foran hit .400 in October coming off on a .405 in September and can not be fooled by any arm in the league. He will have to wait until next year when he will be 35 to see if he can continue his torrid pace, a big storyline for sure.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
World Series Edition



The New Kings Of The Game
St. Louis Gets Its Revenge And Are Champions

It was the ultimate test between the defending champions and the team that lost to them a year ago. This year however from the first pitch the feel and the destiny felt different and true to the karma at hand, the St. Louis Browns win the series in five games and make a legitimate claim as the greatest ball club to ever take the field.

In the opening game at Troy the Browns put up 13 runs and demoralized Trojan starter Jim Devlin. In the second game the Troy faithful didnt see things improve as Fred Goldsmith out pitched Cy Bentley this time the visitors scoring nine times and leaving New York in complete control .

In the gateway to the West Harry Salisbury once again defeated Devlin in game three as the celebrations at Sportsmans Park were jubilant as the Browns took a 3 games to one lead. Bentley and the Trojans showed some pride in game four and clipped the Browns delaying their celebrations and failing to complete the sweep.

As game 5 approached, everyone seemed to have the same question. Where was John Ward? Up to this point the most popular player on the team was not called upon to pitch with the St. Louis manager only saying that he would be used at the perfect time when his club needed him. That time had now come.

Ward took the field and all the Browns faithful and players stood a little taller. No one brings more confidence to the field then Ward. In a storybook display Monte would drive in three runs with the bat and shut down the Trojans allowing only 2 runs in nine innings throwing 157 pitches. Tom Foley would fly out to right and the final out was secured. The 76 win Browns were now champions of the world made Lip Pikes team look quite ordinary.

In fact the slugging duo of Troy were completely taken out. Gat Stires went the whole series without a home run and only one RBI while Roger Connor went 3 for 20 in the five games and looked lost.

Other then Ward, a revelation continued to be Oscar Walker who hit a home run and hit .348 for the series putting away most doubts about a colored player being able to play well. Buck Ewing was also excellent with the glove and hitting .381.

The nation bows to St. Louis and the team that they have assembled. It feels like a watershed moment for the game, as finally a club has put it all together in all aspects for the beautiful game.

[Nick Soulis]

1882 Awards

American League Most Valuable Player



National League Most Valuable Player



American League Outstanding Pitcher


National League Outstanding Pitcher



Rookies Of The Year

AL - Ed Swartwood (Cleveland)
NL- Mike Muldoon (Buffalo)

Notable Retirements

Lip Pike (22 WAR, 3 Time MVP, 1 Ring)
Bob Addy (13.3 WAR, 2 Time Sliver Slugger, 1 Ring)
Fred Waterman (1 gold glove, 1 silver slugger)

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
November 1882
Edition 11:10

The Mighty Trojans Leave Troy
Troy Movement Among Many League Moves

They brought a championship to the city in 1877 before leaving under suspicious circumstances, the Troy Trojans are doing the exact same thing this offseason. Only now it is back to Philadelphia, back to a starved baseball landscape where the Athletics seem to never win, and the power bat of Gat Stires among others could change everything. In truth the small city of Troy could not compete with the big markets as the league grows, the players do leave on a high note as pennant winners and vow to never forget their fans in the proud locale.

Another small town also saw their team grow beyond its borders. The Worchester Ruby Legs will be moving on. this time west to Columbus Ohio where the club will look to compete with Cleveland and Cincinnati in what has become a baseball hotbed in the midwest, thanks to the title won by the St. Louis team.

Finally, even more significant then anything else, the league is expanding on the American League side, and they are doing so in New York city. Much to the dismay of the existing New York club, the new club will try and provide what has been lacking in the biggest market much as in Philadelphia, a winner. The new club will be known as the Metropolitans and an expansion draft will happen this offseason.

Schism Between Leagues Boils Over
Each League Claiming Autonomy From The Other

The sudden move by the American League to plant a club in New York without much pre warning had National League owners furious. New York and even Brooklyn have always been in their domain, but in a free market and a city of millions, the AL could not resist.

As a result the two sides have officially broken off from each other and have announced interleague play will be abolished effective immediately. What does this mean for the World Series, it is hard to say but the amount of revenue both leagues receive from the post season contest would make eliminating the spectacle quite costly.

'I don't see us abolishing the Series" says an anonymous owner, "it is about the money but also gives a chance for one league to kick the behind of the other.'

Money can make the best of friends but also the worst of enemies.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
December 1882
Edition 11.11

King Of New York
New Gothams Make Huge Splash With Kelly Deal



There was something in the air and a feeling that the National League wont do something big this offseason in response to the expansion into New York by their rivals. The response was big and what the NL did was pick off one of the very best players in the game, and take him from one side to the other.

King Kelly is heading for New York City.

There was not secret that Kelly himself wanted a change as baseball in Detroit does not do much for your personal celebrity. Kelly is known to be a man of entertainment even to the point of taking part in vaudeville and Michigan wasn't quite the spot for his wishes. The club also lacks real talent and struggled to compete with the top teams. He was the perfect bait for the power hungry Gotham team.

The player Kelly is no doubt one of the best talents the game has to offer. He can play multiple positions well on defense and hit .313 with 49 doubles last season despite being the focal point of every pitcher going against his side. Kelly is now 25 years old and has the opportunity to lead a team that is at the center of it all. If the King could bring a real winner to the city he would never live it down. He is a cannon ball shot from the National League in the battle for the biggest market in the country.

Masses have already anticipated his arrival and Broadway also awaits to see of he would be interested in show business. The persona of King Kelly finally has the stage that it deserves.

Expansion Draft Fills Mets Roster
Former Red Will White Headlines New Roster



While one side of the city was securing the services of King Kelly. The newest club in the big city built their roster in another expansion draft. The Metropolitans chose carefully but shrewedly on their talents, learning from some of the mistakes other clubs have made in the past in these expansion auctions.

Will White has always had the talent and it reached its peak in 1879 when he was voted the outstanding pitcher in the game. Times have been a bit off since then including a rash of injuries. White was the top pick of the new club and the expectation is that he can find his form again and lead a staff to respectability. White did go 13-22 last year for the Reds with a 2.98 ERA. The sensitive 28 year old is said to be very happy with the move and has vowed to turn his career completely around.

Other players on the team include Johnny Quest at short and Molly More at second. Packy Dillon will do the catching and 35 year old George Wright will also be in the roster, mostly it would seem for nostalgia and bench help. Forty eight year old Eddie Cardosa whill be the new manager after spending the last five seasons as the Providence bench coach.



Lefty Shaw Top Pick In Amatuer Draft
Shaw Goes To Detroit First; Orr To Reds In Second Pick

Obscured due to the big trade in the league and also for the perceived lack of talent it offered, the amatuer draft for both leagues took place this month. Detroit after losing King Kelly, looks to reload and chose Charleston native Dupee Shaw, a lefty starter, as their top pick. There are some stamina concerns for the 23 year old, but no one can deny the obvious talent he has throwing the ball.

Dave Orr was the second player taken. He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds and the hope is that the 23 year old can bloom into a power hitting first baseman. The youngest player in the draft was 18 year old Dick Burns who is going to Boston while a 30 year old gent, Ed Cushman was selected by the Cleveland ball club to shore up their pitching.

[Nick Soulis]

Best Nine of 1883

Catcher - Charlie Bennett - Columbus Buckeyes



Playing even better then he did last year, Bennett again is voted the best catcher in the game. He drove in a career high 74 runs and ended with a 6.2 WAR in large part also for his fine defense. Bennet won the MVP award in 1881 and isn't slowing down.

First Base - Jim Foran - Boston Beans



A very skilled position in the game this choice could easily have been filled by someone else but the Boston star is an excellent choice. Foran had 109 runs and somehow hit 45 triples and is closing in on 200 for his career. He drove in 112 runs and hit 12 home runs at the age of 34.

Second Base - Dick Hunt - Boston Beans

Dick Hunt is the consummate professional playing at a high level and using his experience as leverage. The all-time hit leader hit .349 with 80 RBI and 97 runs. He is embedded in the Boston culture and heart being one of its originals and still playing at such a high level.

Third Base - Cap Anson - Chicago White Stockings



His second straight batting title and third overall, Anson is now batting .361 for his career. He really seems to be getting better with age as he again also lead the league in hits, runs, and doubles. Truly one of the best hitters we have ever seen play the game.

Short Stop - Jack Glasscock - St. Louis Browns



With his defense still head and shoulders above everyone else, the AL MVP turned his hitting around in a big way last season hitting a career high .308 while mashing 42 doubles. He also lead the AL in steals and helped lead the Bowns to their first title. No one plays the game better in so many different ways.

Left Field - George Gore - Buffalo Bisons



Likely the most unexpected choice on this list, Gore has gained respect for his ability throughout the league. He is cat quick having stole 46 bases and his defense in space is as good as anyones. He ended with 4.0 WAR and a 117 OPS+ and is hoping to revive a talented Buffalo team to a pennant chase.

Center Field - Paul Hines - Chicago White Stockings



He has never won an MVP or the accolades he deserves but Paul Hines makes this list for the seventh time. He has been good for so long it has become an expectation. He did it again last season hitting .335 with a 160 OPS+ and 44 stolen bases. Still just 28 years old, Hines has 42.6 WAR already in his career and will be remembered as a generational talent.

Left Field - Gat Stires - Philadelphia Quakers



Can anything else be said about Stires and his incredible season that has not already been said? His 32 home runs and 126 RBI will mark the 1882 as historic and legendary. Stires looks to hit his 100th home run this year and has set the standard as the greatest power bat in the history of the game.

Pitcher - John Ward - St. Louis Browns



His numbers are not the best in the game but their is no doubt among his peers and fans that Ward is the best pitcher and likely overall player in the game. Ward threw a no hitter and was just as good in the World Series. He plays right field when he isnt pitching and incredibly will be only 23 this season.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
1883 Season Preview

American League Preview

Cleveland Blues
Manager: Jamari Arms
Ball Park: League Park
Last Year Record: 69-43
Predicted Finish: 5th

Two ways of looking at this Cleveland club as they enter their third season under manager Jamari Arms. Either one can see definite improvement as the club finished second with 69 wins or one can see their efforts being not good enough for a frustrated fanbase who hasnt won in 10 years. Many see another regression coming with the pitching getting up in age lead by Joe Blong, Candy Cummings, and 38 year old George Zettlein whio is back for another turn. The offense will remain solid with Ed Swartwood and Hardy Richardson scoring plenty of runs. Wes Fisler and Ed Duffy add another two old beards the starting roster at 38 years each. Lacking true young talent, concern is raised that losing days once again are in the forecast.

Philadelphia Athletics
Manager: Malachi Thomas
Ball Park: Jefferson Street Grounds
Last Year Record: 61-51
Predicted Finish: 4th

A nice rebound season last year for the Athletics who gained some form and need to remind us that they won it all only 3 years ago. The outfield duo of George Wood and John O'Rourke are among the best on offense and defense and much is expected especially for O'Rourke who was MVP in 1879 but hasnt played much due to injury. Joe McDermott is still the ace of the pitching staff and an outstanding 2 way player but there are some signs that age is catching up to him at 33. Dick McBride makes the roster again and if anything will bring another managerial mind to the club. Hardie Henderson is a good 20 year old pitcher who is worth keeping an eye on. In any event, most see the Athletics finishing around .500 in the middle of the pack.

Columbus Buckeyes
Manager: Shamar Pate
Ball Park: Recreation Park
Last Season Record: 69-43
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Picked as the only real team that can give St. Louis a run for their money, the familiar faces of this franchise find a new home in Columbus. Ross Barnes and Deacon White are nearing the end but still contributing but the star power of this team is much deeper. Charlie Bennett is the new standard at catcher and is now making the money to prove it. Frank Mccarton continues to shine as well in center field coming off a 4.8 WAR season and a batting title. Bobby Mathews had another legendary season winning 27 games and is now just 33 shy of 300 for his career. He and the veteran Frank Fleet should work together to confound hitters again. There is always real enthusiasm when a club comes to a new city and home, but this time it is legit as the Buckeyes have the talent and the experience to get back to the top.

Detroit Wolverines
Manager: Jose Kim
Ball Park: Recreation Park
Last Season Record: 42-70
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Detroit did lose King Kelly this offseason, maybe their best player. The Wolverines however did not spend a minute feeling sorry for themselves but feel they have an up and coming squad. Some have even gone far enough to call the Kelly departure a good thing. Bill Boyd comes over from New York and continues to be as steady a player as the league has. Long John Reilly is expected to have a breakout season while Black Jack Burdock Honest John Morrill all have substantial talent. The pitching is still of concern as Laurie Reis has had an up and down career but is still just 24 years old. Top pick Dupee Shaw will soon make his impact known as the top pick in the draft and the world at his feet but he is expected to be eased in. The depth for this club really is there and their young age only will work in their favor as they come into form. Scouts really do like this team.

St. Louis Brown Stockings
Manager: Cachola Cortez
Ball Park: Sportsmans Park
Last Season Record: 76-36
Predicted Finish: 1st

This club built a legend behind it very quickly and their championship was a long time coming and very deserved. Jack Glasscock took home the MVP and in many ways is the face of the team playing defense in the middle of the diamond like no one else. Buck Ewong is already a star at catcher at only 23 years of age and among the best baserunners in the game. Of course John Ward now has a reputation of a champion and will again play both in the field at on the mound. Fred Goldsmith is a two time pitcher of the year winning but the club seems to have immense confidence in Harry Salisbury who rounds off an exceptional pitching staff. The expectation is of course to win it all again and no one would dare to bet against them. St. Louis is now a nationwide baseball hotbed and seems to be more sophisticated and astute then any other current baseball organization.

Baltimore Orioles
Manager: Jeremy Parker
Ball Park: Oriole Park
Last year record: 39-73
Predicted Finish: 7th

The addition of a new expansion club should help this Oriole team avoid finishing in the cellar even if they only won 39 games last season. The Oriole fans are quite patient and surely will let their club work things out. The only real star on the team is short stop Candy Nelson who is a former champion in New York and believes in doing things the right way. Charlie Comiskey seems to be the brightest mind on the club and even if his play hasnt been great, he is quite astute in all aspects of the game. Sam Weaver and the rest of the pitching staff are sure to let up alot of runs again. Still there likely wont be any suprises from this club this summer, the lack of true talent is out there for all to see.

Louisville Eclipse
Manager: Malik Felton
Ball Park: Eclipse Park
Last season record: 19-93
Predicted Finish: 6th

Choosing to go with aging star players rather then build for a future may have been a nice novelty act, but added up to just 19 wins last season. The club hasn't changed much, but really the only way for this club to go is up. Albert Spalding was once the best pitcher in the game and did manage two somehow win 10 times and Mickey Welch still has an excellent arm at 23 years old. The issue is not the pitching however, the issue is absolutely no offense to speak of or production from their lineup. To make matters worse the club went after pitching in the draft. It is hoped that outfielder Cliff Carroll amounts to something but he has only 4 career games played. Other names in the order like Count Sensenderfer and John Radcliff are average at best. Much like Baltimore, this club is going nowhere but the concern with Louisville is that they still are reluctant to focus on building through youth.

New York Metropolitans
Manager: Eddie Cardosa
Ball Park: Polo Grounds
Expansion Team
Predicted Finish: 8th

a club born out of spite and necessity, now its time to see if the new hastily established club can actually win any games. Former star Will White will look to find his form as the ace of the pitching staff that also has an 18 year old left hander named Will Sawyer. The lineup is really a mixture of youngsters and cast offs that will put the fear in no one. Scoring runs will really be an issue. Molly Moore and Joe Quest will try and play way above their career numbers while George Trenwith brings two championships from his former team and will do his best to try and prevent a losing habit. Everyone expects the Mets to be the worse team in the league, and the bold move to move a team to the big apple by the AL could turn into poison if the product on the field is much less then adequate.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
1883 Season Preview

National League Preview

Boston Beaneaters
Manager: Charlie Pabor
Ball Park: South End Grounds
Last season record: 67-45
Predicted Finish: 2nd

A surprise second place finish last season and there is genuine belief again in Boston. Charlie Pabor has lead a very impressive roster that is coming into their own and should compete for the pennant. Charley Radbourn won the pitcher of the year award and has already challenged his manager to use him everyday if he needs to. In anycase Mike Golden and Jim Britt add pitching depth. The big strength is the Boston lineup that is lead by Jim Foran who drove in 113 runs last year with 45 triples. Ezra Sutton and Pete Browning are legitimate stars in the middle of the infield and Dick Hunt is back for another year with his his .359 career average. It could very well be one of those very special years for the “Beaneaters”.

Chicago White Stockings
Manager: Nick Young
Ball Park: Lake Front Park
Last Season Record: 62-50
Predicted Finish: 6th

Is Chicago really in decline? Many really seem to think so. The great bats have done the job for so many years and they are poised for another big year with batting champion and league megastar Cap Anson leading the way. The pitching however has to be a concern, Al Pratt seems to be finally fading a bit at the age of 35 as he lost 14 games last year. That leaves Tom Healey to try and be an ace but he has never had a winning season. Dory Dean could also be an answer, but he as well as the other two are far from a sure thing. The enigma of the club always seems to be a talented club, that doesn’t have the championship heart. Now it also may be a lack of talent, a conversation we haven’t had about this team in many a season.

Buffalo Bisons
Manager: Tim Krikorian
Ball Park: Riverside Park
Last season record: 54-58
Predicted Finish: 7th

There definitely is star power in the Buffalo club and fans will surely flock to the northern city to see them battle for respectability. Fred Dunlap is a fine overall player and George Gore is a fan favorite who led the league in steals last year. The return of Charley Jones has fans very excited as the talented outfielder hasn’t been healthy in two years but seems to be ready to shine. So what is the issue? The Bisons pitching is still very erratic and without an anchor. The team drafted an outfielder and passed on Hardie Henderson, a top prospect arm that ended up in Philadelphia. Expect exciting baseball and high scoring games but its probably not very likely to expect a winner.

New York Gothams
Manager: Chris Davis
Ball Park: Polo Grounds
Last season record: 55-57
Predicted Finish: 1st

The revamping of New York baseball is in full swing and many over the course have been convinced that the Gothams will be the crown jewel with a pennant in hand. Main stays like John McMullin and Pop Smith will bring their consistent bat as will yet another season from the ageless Cal McVey. The true excitement comes of course from King Kelly who makes his home on the biggest stage of them all, and most have the conviction that the pressure will only make him play better. The Gothams this year are about to show beyond any shadow of a doubt that New York is there town and they are their team. The competition will be fierce, but the Gothams just might be up for the fight.

Cincinnati Red Stockings
Manager: Frank Barrows
Ball Park: Bank Street Grounds
Last season record: 49-63
Predicted Finish: 8th

It seemed like they were building towards a winner but last season was a huge step back for this franchise and it all appears to be fools gold as many expect this club to struggle into the new year. Along with others, star catcher Jim O’Rourke seems to have taken a step back as he turns 32 and saw his WAR number drop again, this time to 1.6. Chick Fulmer hasn’t played a full season in two years but the town and the team hope he has found his old form again and will play a vital role. The team has age but none more than Steve King who comes back for his age 40 season while Hugh Campbell, the teams ace pitcher, is a full 36 years old and has a lot of miles on him. The youth is there but is likely not ready; Dave Orr and Yank Robinson are two budding prospects but the year at hand will likely challenge the loyal fanbase of this historic side.

Philadelphia Quakers
Manager: Bob Baily
Ball Park: Recreation Park
Last season record: 72-40
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Even as they take the field to try and lift their fourth consecutive pennant, it truly is the end of an era for this franchise. Gone is their legendary player and manager Lip Pike, who left the team after he wasn’t happy about the relocation. Pike won 597 games as manager, and new man Bob Bailly has huge shoes to fill. Still the talent is all still there. Gat Stires had a season for the ages slugging .689 and hitting 32 home runs. Roger Connor is the perfect compliment and will bring his .351 career average with him for another season. Jimmy Wood was rumored as the next manager, but he will be at the top of the order even as he turns 39. Jim Devlin and Cy Bentley head the rotation but some feel there may be a drop off on the mound. The city of Philadelphia brings a whole new dynamic for this team, with all the fuss some may have forgotten that this team won 72 games last year and hasn’t had a losing season in 10 years.

Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Manager: Jeremiah Harris
Ball Park: Exposition Park
Last season record: 52-59
Predicted Finish: 5th

Pittsburgh feels like it did well in its first season of baseball in its new venue. The club feels that it can compete and can build around two established stars in Tim Keefe and Ned Willianson. Keefe has a 1.00 career WHIP with a 2.43 ERA and seems to be coming up wth innovative ways to get hitters out. Keefe many feel is on the verge of real stardom. Ned Williamson has been called a star since his New York days even if the moniker only now is starting to fit. Although he doesn’t hit for high average, he is a terror on the base baths and is the current golden standard at third base. Emil Gross is a fine up and coming catcher while center fielder Gid Gardner is this teams version of a two way player. The club is fine defensively but just seem to make too many outs for themselves. Still the club has a strong belief they can finish in the top half this season and with some luck stick around for a relevant finish in October.

Providence Grays
Manager: Alex Cruz
Ball Park: Messe Street Grounds
Last season record: 53-59
Predicted Finish: 4th

Another club that has many scouts picking as the dark horse for success in the National League. Ace pitcher Jim Whitney lead the league in strikeouts and pitcher WAR last campaign and should be getting better. Continued improvement from Pat McManus as he turns 23 and tries and break his streak of 20 game losing seasons at three. Whitney also moonlights in centerfield and Harry Stovey hit .313 last year with a 148 OPS+. Top pick at catcher is Bud Fowler and he is expected to play a significant role from opening day on. One can not talk about this team however without centering on Dan Brouthers who continues to rake and may be the most unappreciated star in the game. Brouthers hit .370 last year with 10 home runs and 92 runs scored. He struck out only 10 times all season and stole 41 bases. He is a baseball Adonis for most who see him play everyday and many our convinced this is the year he completely separates himself. The New York club was said to want Big Dan instead of King Kelly as their new star, but when news came out about the deal, the entire city almost had a riot at just the thought.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
April 1883
Edition 12.1



Polo Grounds Open In New York
Fans Flock To New Baseball Palace




When the magnificent Sportsmans park opened in St. Louis four years ago and soon after the club that played home there became superb, other cities and teams could only dream of following a similar path. New York city is not accustomed to being second in anything and it was only a matter of time before the city rallied to create a new stadium, one the likes we have not seen before.

It will be called the Polo Grounds and was originally suppose to be used for Polo matches but very soon the city and the community understood that the real future lay in baseball and its popularity. The grounds are marked by high walls and scenic seating in the outfield with a lot of space for the outfield and the bright green outfield. The structure can hold up near 30,000 spectators, a number just a few years ago anyone in the game would have found absurd.

The dream finally came to fruition as the two New York clubs, although bitter rivals from different leagues, will share the park and host their home games on alternative dates. Fans dont seem to care however who is really playing, but the novelty of the arena is the current drawing card for most.

The new Metropolitans club only won 6 off 28 games in the opening month of the season while the more anticipated Gothams finished 2 games under .500 and neither side is playing particularly strong baseball. The Gothams however did open the new venue with a dramatic extra inning win against their most fierce rivals, the Boston Red Stockings. Even the mayor was in attendance.

Many do feel the inauguration of this new facility really is a turning point in the growth of the game. Fans feel they have really experienced something when they make the trek across town.

"It really is a baseball palace" said mayor Opdyke after the first game he attended. "we need to get President Arthur out here."

An Old Indian Still Grazing In Buffalo
Fisher Has Specific Late Game Role In Tight Games



He has indeed created a cult following through his career that spans back to the inaugural 1871 season. Cherokee Fisher of course set his mark as a superb starting pitcher and is the only man to have won three Outstanding Pitcher awards.

As his arm grew tired and his age creeped up, Fisher found that he could not start games and go multiple innings any longer. Fisher did not go the path of so many other pitchers that hang up their cleats when they reach that point and leave the game behind. Cherokee defined a new role for himself and a role that few have been able to succeed in.

Cherokee sta down with his manager and suggested he be used "at a time when the game is on the line and his team needs an out to win". In other words the 38 year old legend, comes into games late to close out a win or preserve a lead. The role obviously brings much pressure and drama, but the old indian doesnt seem to mind at all.

Fisher has played this role for the past 6 seasons and seems to thrive in it. Fans love to call his name as he enters a game when it matters most. this season he has a 1.17 ERA with 2 'saves' and 25 for his career. all this has been part of a resurgence from the Buffalo team that is being lead on offense by George Gore and is sitting tied for first place. with Boston.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
May 1883
Edition 12.2



The Inevitability Of Time
Chicago Must Accept Its Current Decline



The ugly reality of time spares no hero. Here in this summer of 1883, Chicago sits dead last in the National League, with a dismal record of 21 wins and 35 losses — the poorest start in club history. For loyal Chicagoans, it is a sight they had never dreamed they would see.

Cap Anson, that great bulwark of the side, now 31 years of age, seems mortal at last — batting a mere .235 with just 10 runs batted in and 39 scored in more than 200 turns at the bat. Whispers abound that Pops’ tank may finally be running dry. Al Pratt, the old warhorse on the mound, shows his 35 years to the opposition — and they do not blink — knocking him about for a 3.88 earned run average and eleven losses. Some argue he might serve better from the pen.

Bright spots do linger: Paul Hines holds steady at .302, and Ed Pinkham’s nine home runs provide the only sparks of the once-thunderous offense. Yet the famed swagger has drifted from the lakefront like a morning fog.

Ownership and the front office stand silent, with no public word of a rebuild. The club is second from the bottom in runs scored, and defensive lapses multiply by the day. Promising young Canadian arm Bob Emslie, just 24, waits in the wings — yet Manager Nick Young hesitates to entrust him with a starter’s burden.

Shall we remember these White Stockings for their 600 wins and a .569 percentage over the past decade — a run crowned by two glorious championships — or mourn what might have been? Rivals from Troy and Philadelphia have found triumph where Chicago sometimes faltered. Still, those banners do wave, and the White Stockings’ place in advancing the game remains unchallenged.

Are we writing their epitaph too soon? Perhaps. And should Chicago rise from this gloom to reclaim its form, all base ball shall rejoice. Until then, the mighty club stares down the barrel of its hardest season yet.

All Coming Together For Black Jack
Detroit Rides Burdock’s Streak Toward Pennant Dreams



Like the perfect hand dealt under the flicker of a kerosene lamp, Jack Burdock’s season has been nothing short of a winning gamble for the Detroit nine. Affectionately known as Black Jack, the 31-year-old second baseman is turning Recreation Park into the house of his dreams.

Once regarded more for his sure glove than any heroics at the plate, Burdock’s .215 average last year gave no clue to the storm he would bring. But now he stands atop the league, boasting a glittering .377 average and a 3.5 WAR that has fans leaping to their feet every time he strides to the dish.

“I’ve just taken the pressure off myself,” says Burdock, humble in his renaissance. “It’s not like I’m fighting a war — this is a game, and I finally learned to play it as one.”

Detroit sits four games back with St. Louis and Columbus in their sights. The road remains steep, but so too does the promise. For who among us has not felt that thrill — that sense that fortune favors the bold — when you have the winning hand in blackjack?

This summer, at Recreation Park, Black Jack Burdock might just cash in the biggest pot of them all.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
June 1883
Edition 12.3



The King Is Idle But The Princes Reign
Gothams In Fierce Battle With Quakers For Flag

New York, N.Y., July 1 — Baseball fever has gripped the great metropolis once more, and this time it’s the oft-overlooked New York Gothams giving the faithful something to shout about. Perched atop the National League standings with a mark of 46 victories against 35 defeats, the Gothams are the talk of the town, a town that has known too many lean summers and far too few winners.

The dream of a pennant — the first in the club’s checkered history — is no longer confined to smoke-filled backrooms and barbershop banter. It’s in the streets, the streetcars, the corner soda fountains. Everywhere a fellow turns, there’s talk of the Gothoms.

And all this without the services of their most celebrated ballplayer, King Kelly. The famed outfielder, whose diamond exploits have filled the columns of this very paper for years, is laid low by a stubborn hamstring and will be out of action for another seven weeks. Yet, in his absence, the Gothoms have caught fire like a July grass field.

On the mound, the indomitable Tom Mullane has been nothing short of sensational. With 18 triumphs already tucked under his belt and a stingy earned run average of 1.83, Mullane has been the very backbone of the club’s surge. The old horse has shown the pluck and polish of a man half his age, carving up opposing lineups with a mixture of guile and grit that would make any hurler of yesteryear proud.

Meanwhile, in the batter’s box, two seasoned campaigners have turned back the hands of time. John McMullin and Cal McVey, both past the age when most men are swapping spikes for rocking chairs, are batting well over .300 and driving in runs with the regularity of a milkman making his morning rounds. Their steady hands and keen eyes have made them the twin pillars of a batting order that has refused to wilt under pressure.

Looming large on the horizon are the ever-dangerous Philadelphia Quakers, winners of six pennants and eager to add yet another flag to their crowded trophy room. The Quakers, with their championship pedigree and deep ranks, remain the odds-on choice of the betting men. Yet, the Gothoms, with the city’s hopes at their back and a newfound taste for victory, may prove a harder nut to crack than the Quakers anticipate.

If Mullane’s arm holds up and the elder statesmen in the batting order keep finding grass with their base knocks, there’s no telling how far this club can go. For now, the good folk of New York can dream — and, judging by the swelling crowds at the Polo Grounds, they intend to dream loudly.

Could it be that, at long last, the Gothams will give New York a summer to remember? The city waits, the city wonders, the city dares to believe.

A Ball Game Every Day
League Condenses Schedule In Laborous Way



The summer sun beats down upon the diamonds of America, and with it comes a growing murmur from dugouts, bleachers, and press boxes alike: is the National League pushing its players too hard?

Once upon a time — and not so long ago at that — league clubs played two, perhaps three contests in a week, with ample days of rest between. It was a gentleman’s pace, suited to rail travel and weary legs. But in 1883, the magnates of the National League turned the calendar on its head, forging a schedule that now sees clubs in action nearly every day from April to October.

The result? A baseball buffet for the paying public — save for Sundays, of course, for the Lord’s Day remains sacrosanct — but a relentless grind for the men in flannel.

The critics, and they are legion, argue that the unbroken succession of games robs players of the time needed to recover from the inevitable strains, bruises, and pulls of the long campaign. “The body is not a steam engine,” one veteran trainer was heard to remark this week. “You can’t fire the boiler every day without burning it out.” There is a growing fear that the rash of injuries seen this season — most notably King Kelly’s lingering hamstring — is no mere coincidence.

Yet, on the other side, there is an equally loud chorus insisting that baseball was never meant to be a part-time affair. “This is a workingman’s sport,” said one league official. “The people want their ball games. A fellow gets off his shift and knows there’s a game waiting for him. That’s the beauty of it.” Indeed, in city after city, grandstands swell with patrons eager for daily drama on the diamond.

And drama there is. The National League pennant chase has become a two-horse race, with the upstart New York Gothams clinging to a slim lead over the storied Philadelphia Quakers, winners of six league flags. Every day’s contest feels like a turn of the screw, each game a potential pivot in the standings. In the American League, the defending champion St. Louis club sits atop the heap, though challengers lurk in the shadows, eager to spoil their reign.

As the season thunders toward its final weeks, the question remains: will the daily grind forge champions from steel and sinew, or will it break even the stoutest clubs upon the wheel of fatigue? For now, the fans care little for the debate, so long as the umpire’s cry of “Play ball!” rings through the summer air — six days a week without fail.

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
August 1883
Edition 12.4



Gotham Glory
New York Captures 1883 Pennant Without King Kelly



The baseball world expected Philadelphia. What it got was New York.

The New York Gothams, long overshadowed and even threatened in their own city, have stunned the league by capturing the 1883 pennant. Overcoming the heavily favored Philadelphia Quakers and doing so without their injured star King Kelly, the Gothams turned the season into a triumph that has made their city proud once again.

With a final record of 65–47, New York edged out Philadelphia by just two games to clinch their third pennant in franchise history — and their first since 1874. The victory carries even more weight this season, as the rival New York Metropolitans had just moved into the city last offseason. If there was any doubt about which club truly belonged to New York, the Gothams answered it emphatically.

At the center of the Gothams’ success stood the venerable Cal McVey, the old legend whose steady bat and leadoff presence (.299 average, 40 stolen bases) set the tone for the lineup. Alongside him, John McMullin drove in 69 runs and paced the club with 5 home runs, while Pop Smith and Bill Craver provided needed support in the heart of the order.

But the true engine of the Gothams’ run came from the mound. Tony Mullane was nothing short of dominant, winning 26 games and posting a sparkling 2.04 ERA, backed by 162 strikeouts in 325 innings. His brilliance anchored a staff that included Bert Dorr and Charlie Buffinton, both providing crucial victories as the pennant race tightened down the stretch.

The resilience of this team is what will be remembered most. Playing without Kelly — their injured right fielder and most dynamic personality — the Gothams dug deep and delivered a season that reminded the city why they remain New York’s team.

Now, the challenge grows even larger. Waiting in the World Series are the defending champion St. Louis Browns, a powerhouse club once again favored to repeat. Yet if 1883 has proven anything, it is that these Gothams thrive when counted out.

New York is back on top of the baseball world, and for the first time in nearly a decade, Gotham baseball matters again.

St. Louis Prepares For Excellence
Browns and Gothams Set for 1883 World Series Showdown



The stage is set. In one corner stand the New York Gothams, the surprise champions of the East, overcoming the favored Philadelphia Quakers and doing so without their injured star King Kelly. In the other, the St. Louis Browns, defending champions and widely regarded as the greatest ballclub ever assembled.

This best-of-seven promises to be a collision of grit and greatness.

The St. Louis Browns arrive with an unprecedented 80–32 record, setting a new league standard for dominance. Their roster is loaded with both power and precision. Offensively, they led the league in nearly every category: first in runs scored (671), home runs (26), and stolen bases (263), while hitting a collective .266 as a team. Behind the plate and in the field, their defense and base running added further dimensions to an already suffocating machine.

The anchor of this powerhouse is none other than John Ward, already hailed as one of the greats of his generation. Ward won 30 games, posted a sterling 2.11 ERA, and added 145 strikeouts in 336 innings. He is supported by a formidable rotation — Harry Salisbury (28 wins, 2.38 ERA, 148 strikeouts) and Fred Goldsmith (15 wins, 2.71 ERA). Together, this trio makes scoring on the Browns an exercise in futility.

At the plate, John Ward is just as dangerous, leading the team with 8 home runs while driving in 60 runs. Sluggers like Buck Ewing (62 RBI, 6 homers) and Al Thake (61 RBI, .302 average) add balance to a relentless lineup. In short, St. Louis does everything — and does it better than anyone else.

Standing in their way are the resilient New York Gothams, pennant winners for the first time since 1874. Finishing at 65–47, they leaned on the savvy of veteran Cal McVey, the run production of John McMullin (69 RBI), and the brilliance of Tony Mullane, who delivered 26 victories with a 2.04 ERA.

The Gotham faithful have already celebrated one triumph this season — proving that despite the arrival of the rival Metropolitans, New York still belongs to the Gothams. Their run has brought pride back to the city, and now they will try to shock the baseball world once again.

On paper, the Browns appear untouchable. They are deeper, faster, and more explosive than New York in nearly every measurable way. The Gothams’ path to victory rests on Mullane’s ability to duel with Ward and Salisbury on even terms, while McVey and McMullin must spark an offense that can withstand the Browns’ relentless pitching.

The Browns, meanwhile, enter as overwhelming favorites. Anything short of a second consecutive championship will be considered a disappointment.

For St. Louis, this is about dynasty and validation — proving that their 1882 crown was no fluke. For New York, it is about belief — proving that heart, resilience, and tradition can topple even the most imposing of giants.

The 1883 World Series is more than a battle for a trophy. It is a contest between the best team ever assembled and a Gotham squad that has already rewritten expectations. If New York can shock the Browns, it would go down as one of the greatest upsets in baseball history.

Game 1 cannot come soon enough.

[Nick Soulis]

Baseball Chronicle
World Series Edition



Game 1 Rundown

St. Louis 7, New York 0 — John Ward blanked the Gothams on three hits, while Buck Ewing drove home two and stole three bases in a demonstration of both power and speed. The Browns seized control early with a five-run second inning and never looked back.

It began, as it so often has in this new age of professional base ball, with John Montgomery Ward. The young captain and pitcher of the St. Louis Browns stood astride the game like a colossus, and in the opening contest of the 1884 World Series, he delivered another performance destined for memory. Nine innings of iron composure, three scattered hits, and six strikeouts — a complete game shutout that left the proud Gothams without answer.

The second inning told the tale. Before the crowd in St. Louis could fully settle, the Browns strung together a furious rally. Farrell and Carpenter drove in runs, Ewing lashed a single that plated two more, and Al Thake’s stroke brought another tally across. In the space of minutes, the Browns had scored five, and the contest was decided.

Buck Ewing was everywhere at once — his bat ringing, his legs churning, three stolen bases to fluster New York’s battery. The Browns, ever the masters of both guile and aggression, pressed every advantage. Even Ward, hitless at the plate, seemed untouchable on the mound, and when Gilligan’s double and Mullane’s two-base drive went harmlessly to waste, the Gotham faithful could only sigh.

Tony Mullane, gallant in defeat, labored through eight innings, his own bat ringing with a double, but his defense faltered, and his control betrayed him. He hit two batsmen, committed an error, and watched as the Browns’ machine punished every lapse.

As the final out was recorded, St. Louis stood tall, champions in form if not yet in fact. The Gothams, spirited though they are, looked every bit the underdog, their path forward steep and uncertain.

This first encounter was not merely a victory — it was a statement. The Browns intend to rule the game as no club has ruled it before, and Ward, with his commanding arm, intends to carve his name upon its history.

Game 2 Recap

St. Louis 3, New York 0 — Harry Salisbury twirled a two-hit shutout, while Carpenter and Thake delivered timely blows. The Gothams were undone by three errors from third baseman Irwin, as the Browns seized a commanding two games to none lead.

Daylight once again bathed Sportsman’s Park, and once again it was the Browns who stood taller, stronger, surer of their destiny. If John Ward’s brilliance had set the tone in Game One, then Harry Salisbury provided the echo, pitching with a craftsman’s calm and a champion’s purpose.

Nine innings he worked, scattering but two New York hits, never once surrendering the measure of control. Where the Gothams sought hope, Salisbury gave them silence. A Hornung triple briefly stirred the Gotham bench, but it perished like so much smoke, left stranded upon the bases.

At the plate, St. Louis struck in measured rhythm. Henry Carpenter’s sure stroke brought home the first tally, and Al Thake, with a bat that has so often rung when called upon, lashed a two-out hit in the eighth to drive home the runs that put the game out of reach. The Browns ran as well as they hit, thieving four bases on the afternoon, pressing their advantage with the same relentless instinct that has made them the terror of the league.

But it was the Gothams who betrayed themselves most. Arlie Irwin, so often steady at third, faltered under the pressure, committing three errors that lengthened innings and opened doors the Browns needed little invitation to enter. Behind him, Jim Jones pitched gamely, allowing no earned runs, but fate and fielding were unkind.

As the final outs fell into leather, it was clear: the Browns were more than champions in waiting. They were building a legend, inning by inning, game by game. New York, proud though it is, stood mute before the juggernaut.

Two games into this contest, the story is not simply of victory, but of suffocation. The Browns, with Ward and Salisbury, have rendered the mighty Gothams scoreless. Baseball, so often a game of chance and fortune, in these hours seems little more than a canvas upon which St. Louis paints its inevitability.

Game 3 Recap

New York 8, St. Louis 7 — Joe Hornung’s bat drove in three and McVey, Smith, and McMullin joined in a furious first inning against Ward. The Browns fought back with homers from Ward and Redmond, but a seventh-inning Gotham rally sealed New York’s first triumph of the series.

The series shifted eastward to the Polo Grounds, and with it came a gust of hope for New York. The crowd of near four thousand filled the park with urgency, their Gothams having been silenced in St. Louis, and on this clear August day they would finally have cause to cheer.

From the first frame, the Gothams struck as though released from long captivity. Cal McVey tripled, John McMullin doubled him home, and Joe Hornung lashed a two-run double that sent the stands into rapture. By the inning’s end, four runs stood on the ledger, all charged to John Ward, the great St. Louis captain suddenly human before the Gotham bats.

St. Louis, relentless as ever, clawed back. Glasscock’s triple brought life, Ward himself cracked a home run, and Redmond followed with one of his own. Time and again the Browns pressed forward, their speed and power cutting into the margin. Yet each time, New York answered.

The decisive blow came in the seventh, when substitutes and stalwarts alike combined. Jim Carleton, summoned from the bench, singled in a run. Corkhill followed with another, Gilligan added two more, and the Polo Grounds shook as the underdogs stormed to an 8–5 advantage.

Though the Browns pushed late, the Gothams would not yield. Mullane, battered but unbroken, finished what he began, his nine innings a testament to stubborn endurance. Hornung, with three runs driven in, stood as the day’s hero.

As twilight settled, the scoreboard read victory for New York at last. In that moment, the series no longer felt foregone. Against all odds and all predictions, the Gothams had struck a blow, and with it, reclaimed belief.

The Browns still hold the high ground, but baseball’s great truth had revealed itself again: even the mightiest can be touched, and hope, once awakened, is a force no ledger can contain.

Game 4 Recap

New York 11, St. Louis 10 — In a seesaw slugfest of 31 hits and 9 errors, McVey collected three hits, Hornung homered, and the Gothams’ late rallies held off the Browns. Ewing’s four RBI weren’t enough as New York pulled level at two games apiece.

If the first three games of this series had been about mastery and order, Game Four was something else entirely: chaos on a diamond, a carnival of errors and exhilaration. Nearly eight thousand eyes at the Polo Grounds watched as two of base ball’s proudest clubs traded blow for blow, hit for hit, misplay for misplay, until the final tally stood 11–10 in favor of the Gothams.

It began as a Gotham uprising. McVey tripled, Hornung homered, and by the second inning New York had built a 5–0 advantage. But the Browns, relentless, answered with five in the third, Ewing’s mighty triple clearing the bases, Carpenter driving home more. So it went: the Gothams surged, the Browns countered, neither willing to yield.

Errors compounded the drama — four for St. Louis, five for New York. Passed balls, wild throws, and dropped chances turned innings into epics. Salisbury, so sure in Game Two, was battered early; his opposite, Jim Jones, fared little better. By the late innings, the bullpens and benches were summoned, men shifted and substituted, the score line ever swelling.

At last, it was McVey again, steady and sure, whose bat delivered and whose leadership steadied the Gotham nine. Hornung added three runs driven home, Corkhill and Irwin chipped in, and by the eighth inning the Polo Grounds was quaking. The Browns still struck — Ewing’s bat thundering, Ward driving in two, Thake and Farrell running wild on the bases — but when the final out was secured, New York had held fast.

What was supposed to be a coronation for St. Louis had become a contest of will. In a single, madcap game, the series shifted. From the heights of dominance, the Browns suddenly stood even with their challengers, the mighty machine matched by Gotham grit.

As the series knotted at two games each, one truth rang above the din: this was no longer inevitability. This was baseball at its most unpredictable, a tale of triumphs and stumbles, where destiny itself seemed to teeter on every pitch.

Game 5 Recap

New York 5, St. Louis 4 — Bert Dorr pitched a complete game, scattering ten hits, while Hornung’s second home run of the series and Deane’s late pinch-hit single drove New York past the Browns. The Gothams now lead the series three games to two.

The Polo Grounds has seen much, but on this August afternoon it became a cauldron of belief. With the mighty Browns in town and the series hanging in the balance, the New York Gothams delivered their most resolute performance yet, a 5–4 triumph that swung the championship in their favor and brought the dream of a crown within sight.

The contest bore all the markings of a struggle between titans. Joe Hornung, the spirited left fielder, sent the Gotham faithful into ecstasy with a ringing drive in the fourth — his second home run of the series, struck clean and high into the summer air. Arthur Irwin added an RBI, Cal McVey and Smith peppered hits, and though the Browns answered in kind — Ward with a double, Thake with a triple, Carpenter with a steady bat — the Gotham defense bent but did not break.

The true hero was Bert Dorr, a pitcher not known for flash but for endurance. For nine innings he battled, yielding ten hits yet never surrendering control, turning away rally after rally with grounders and long flies that fell harmlessly into Gotham hands. He was aided by stout moments — Irwin’s steal, Deane’s pinch-hit single that brought home a vital run in the eighth — and above all by the crowd, who roared with each out as though to lift him higher.

St. Louis pressed late, Ewing, Glasscock, and Walker each striving to break through, but the Polo Grounds stood fast. And when the final out was recorded, New York had done what so many thought impossible: seized a lead in this series from the team most called invincible.

Now the Browns, champions of the past and titans of the present, find themselves staring up the hill. The Gothams, proud and battered, hold the high ground, one victory from immortality.

Game 6 Recap

St. Louis 8, New York 6 — Ward pitched a complete game and added two hits at the plate, while Thake drove in two as the Browns outslugged the Gothams. A five-run lead proved just enough as St. Louis held on to force a winner-take-all Game Seven.

The championship had come to the edge, and in the heat of August, it was John Ward who steadied the ship. Before more than five thousand faithful in St. Louis, the Browns’ captain returned to his rightful place atop the game, guiding his club to an 8–6 victory that ensured this World Series would go the full measure.

The Browns struck early with thunder and precision. Buck Ewing’s triple in the opening frame cleared two, Al Thake lashed another into the gap, and before the Gotham hurler Tony Mullane could catch his breath, three runs had crossed. They added more in the fourth, Ward himself driving one home, Thake again answering in kind.

The Gothams, resilient as ever, did not yield. Cal McVey tripled in two, Corkhill doubled home another, Hornung found grass with a timely single. Each time they threatened to draw even, Ward answered — not with dominance, but with resolve, bearing down in the late innings, his defense holding just enough.

The game was not without flaws — five Gotham errors, four for St. Louis — yet in the raggedness lay drama. By the ninth, the crowd stood on its feet, each pitch a reckoning. And when Ward induced the final grounder, Sportsman’s Park erupted, the series tied, the dream of back-to-back titles alive once more.

Now all roads lead to a seventh contest. For St. Louis, the chance to confirm their dynasty. For New York, the chance to etch the greatest upset the game has known. Baseball, in its young history, has offered many spectacles. But never before has it promised what awaits: a final game with everything at stake.

Game 7 Recap

St. Louis 3, New York 1 — Salisbury pitched brilliantly, scattering four hits and striking out eight, while Ewing and Walker delivered key RBI hits in the eighth to propel the Browns to their second championship in as many years.


It all came to rest on a Monday in St. Louis. The Browns, champions a year prior and favorites from the start, had been pushed to the brink by the resilient Gothams. Six games had been played, each one telling its own story of dominance, defiance, and survival. And so it was that the fate of the season, and perhaps of this era in base ball, would be decided in a single contest.

Harry Salisbury was the man upon whom that burden fell, and he bore it with quiet magnificence. From the very first pitch he commanded the field, mixing guile with strength, scattering just four Gotham hits across nine innings. His eight strikeouts told the tale of a pitcher unwilling to bend, unwilling to see the crown pried from his club’s grasp.

The Gothams struck first, Hornung’s triple bringing home a run in the opening frame, and for much of the day that solitary tally stood as a haunting reminder that destiny often teeters on the narrowest of ledges. But the Browns would not be denied. Patiently, deliberately, they waited. Then in the eighth, with Sportsman’s Park roaring, Farrell doubled, Ward followed with another, and Ewing lashed a single that brought the crowd to its feet. Moments later, Walker added his own blow, and the Browns had seized the lead.

When Salisbury set down the final Gotham in the ninth, the roar was not merely for a game won, but for an era confirmed. St. Louis had claimed its second consecutive championship, a dynasty in its infancy but already casting a long shadow across the diamond.

For New York, there was only the bittersweet solace of having pushed the greatest club in the land to the edge, of having proven that heart and resolve can trouble even the most gilded of machines. For St. Louis, there was exultation — the knowledge that in this young game’s brief but swelling history, theirs was the name to be remembered.

The Browns stood atop the game once more, their banners raised, their legend deepened. And as the sun dipped behind Sportsman’s Park, base ball itself seemed larger, more eternal, a story forever renewed by triumph and trial.

[Nick Soulis]

Baseball Chronicle
Special Edition







The Browns Ascend: Reflections on the 1883 World Series

It is one thing to win a championship. It is another to defend it, to shoulder the burden of expectation, to wear the mantle of greatness without faltering. In the autumn of 1883, the St. Louis Browns did just that. They are now repeat champions of the base ball world, victors over a Gotham club that fought them inning for inning, proving that even giants can be shaken — but not toppled.

The Gothams deserve their share of history. Written off as overmatched, they carried themselves with pride and fight, dragging the Browns to the brink, forcing seven games, reminding the country that New York remains the city of resilience. Joe Hornung, Cal McVey, and Tony Mullane all delivered performances that echoed beyond their box scores. They lost, yes, but they lost in such a way as to elevate themselves, and by extension, the contest itself.

And yet, the story of this series — indeed, of this young game — belongs to St. Louis. The Browns did not simply win; they embodied the fullest expression of what a ballclub can be. Their record of 80–32 stands as a monument in numbers, but the truth of their greatness lies deeper. They run with abandon, they hit with power, they field with a precision that makes every out seem inevitable. And above them all, they pitch with a mastery that leaves opponents muttering of futility.

John Montgomery Ward, for the second consecutive year, was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series. It was no accident. He pitches like a general commands an army — unshakable, intelligent, and relentless. He hits with equal purpose, his bat as dangerous as his arm. That he should claim the honor twice in two seasons is not merely a testament to talent, but to the consistency of character that separates good ballplayers from the immortals.

Two titles now rest in St. Louis, and whispers are growing into certainty: the Browns are not only champions, but perhaps the greatest team professional base ball has yet known. In an era still discovering what it means to be a national pastime, the Browns are setting the standard by which all future generations will measure themselves.

The Gothams gave us drama, courage, and belief. The Browns gave us inevitability. Together, they gave us a World Series for the ages — and a reminder that the story of base ball is not written in crowning moments alone, but in the long struggle to reach them.

And so the curtain falls on 1883. The Browns stand astride the game, two-time champions, a dynasty in bloom. The Gothams, valiant but fallen, retreat to rebuild. And America, in love with its game, looks on with awe and wonder, already waiting to see who will dare challenge the throne next.

Series MVP:

[Nick Soulis]

1883 Awards

Most Valuable Players





Three time winner

Outstanding Pitchers





Batting Title



AL Rookie of The Year - Cliff Carroll - Louisville Eclipse
NL Rookie of the Year - Bud Fowler - Providence Greys

Al Manager of the Year - Cortez Cachola - St. Louis Brown Stockings
NL Manager of the Year - Chris Davis - New York Gothams

[Nick Soulis]

The Baseball Chronicle
November 1883
Edition 12.7

1883 Amateur Draft

Round 1 Selections

Baltimore Orioles – C Jack Clements, Age 19
Louisville Eclipse – LF Sam Thompson, Age 23
Chicago White Stockings – C Fred Carroll, Age 19
Boston Beaneaters – C Jocko Milligan, Age 22
Brooklyn Atlantics – CF Henry Larkin, Age 23
Pittsburgh Alleghenys – C Deacon McGuire, Age 20
Providence Grays – SS Oyster Burns, Age 19
Cincinnati Red Stockings – SP Ed Morris, Age 21
Detroit Wolverines – SS Frank Fennelly, Age 23
Philadelphia Quakers – CF Dick Johnston, Age 20

Spotlight on #1 Pick:
Jack Clements, Catcher – Baltimore Orioles



The Baltimore Orioles made a bold and decisive choice with the first overall pick of the 1883 Amateur Draft, selecting 19-year-old catcher Jack Clements straight out of high school in his hometown of Philadelphia.

At just 19, Clements already carries the reputation of a polished backstop with advanced defensive instincts well beyond his years. Scouts rave about his soft hands, quick release, and cannon-like arm behind the plate—tools that could make him one of the most formidable defensive catchers of his generation.

What sets Clements apart, however, is his left-handed bat—a rarity for a catcher. He has shown a smooth, natural swing with gap-to-gap power, and evaluators believe his offensive upside could develop into something extraordinary as he matures physically. For a franchise like Baltimore, still looking to establish itself in the league, Clements offers both immediate excitement and long-term cornerstone potential.

Some critics question whether a 19-year-old straight out of high school can handle the rigors of catching at the highest level so soon, but the Orioles are betting big on his raw ability, work ethic, and charisma to grow into the face of their franchise.

Baltimore’s front office statement:
“Jack Clements is the type of player you build around. He’s got the glove, the arm, and the bat. More importantly, he’s got the toughness to handle the position. We see him as a leader of this club for years to come.”

The Atlantics Are Back
Buffalo Club Moves To Historic Brooklyn



At long last, the Borough of Churches has its ballclub again. The announcement that the Buffalo Bisons will relocate to Brooklyn and revive the name Atlantics has sent a wave of jubilation through the city streets, saloons, and sandlots. The grand old game is coming home, and the people of Brooklyn could not be more eager to welcome it.

For years, Brooklyn fans have watched enviously as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia filled their ballparks, while the proud borough was left to recall only the memories of its once-mighty clubs. But now, the void is filled, and filled with promise. The Atlantics’ brass has pledged that this move is permanent, with deep commitments made to the community and the ball grounds that will host the new era of Brooklyn baseball.

“Brooklyn has always deserved a club worthy of its passion for the game,” declared the team’s leadership at a jubilant unveiling. “We are not here for a stopover; we are here to stay. The Atlantics belong to Brooklyn, now and forever.”

The club’s faithful will not be cheering for a band of unknowns, either. Fred Dunlap, one of the game’s most skillful second basemen, brings his steady glove and hot bat to the infield, while George Gore, a batting marvel with a keen eye, promises to be the heart of the lineup. Together, they are the banner-carriers of the new Atlantics, embodying both grit and brilliance in equal measure.

Dunlap’s reputation as a slick-fielding, fearless competitor will make him a quick favorite among Brooklyn’s workingmen, while Gore’s hitting prowess—already regarded as among the finest in the league—gives the lineup instant credibility.

For Brooklyn, this return is more than a shift of franchise geography. It is a homecoming, a reconnection of the borough with its baseball roots. The cheers of boys on the corner lots, the smoke rising from the stands, the songs sung in celebration—these will echo once again through the neighborhoods.

Crowds are expected in droves for Opening Day, with many already proclaiming the Atlantics as not just a team, but a rallying point for civic pride.

Brooklyn is back in the great base ball fraternity, and the people intend to show that no city cheers louder, no borough stands prouder, than theirs.

The Atlantics are home. And this time, they’re here to stay.

[Nick Soulis]

Baseball Chronicle
January 1884



The Best Nine Of 1884
The Very Best At Their Position

Catcher - Charlie Bennett - Washington Nationals



No backstop in the game commands more respect entering 1884 than Charlie Bennett of Washington. The reigning American League MVP, Bennett blended power and consistency in a way that few catchers of any era can match. He led his league in both slugging and WAR (7.3), cementing himself as not only an offensive cornerstone but a true all-around star. His 44 doubles paced the circuit, a testament to his gap power and ability to deliver in the clutch. A career .317 hitter, Bennett has established himself as one of the most dependable bats in the professional ranks. Just as importantly, his work behind the plate remains sterling — durable, steady, and trusted by every pitcher who works with him. At 29, he is in his prime and stands tall as the unquestioned standard for catchers across all leagues.

First Base - Dan Brouthers - Providence Grays



“Big Dan” Brouthers continues to tower over the game as one of its most feared sluggers, and nothing about a modest market or a middling ballclub has slowed his ascent. The Providence Grays’ anchor at first base is coming off a brilliant campaign in which he hit .350 and posted a thunderous 178 OPS+, numbers that put him squarely among the elite hitters of the age. Brouthers combines prodigious power with a sharp batting eye, making him as dangerous in the alleys as he is clearing fences. At just 26 years old, the New Jersey native is only now entering his prime, and with his talent, an MVP award feels less like a possibility and more like an inevitability. Wherever the game is played in 1884, pitchers know one thing — if Brouthers is at the plate, the margin for error is razor thin.

Second Base - Fred Dunlap - Brooklyn Atlantics



They call him “Sure Shot,” and for good reason — no man handles the keystone position with greater confidence or flair than Fred Dunlap. At just 24 years old, Dunlap has already earned a reputation as the finest defensive second baseman in the game, pairing quick hands with remarkable instincts. His move to the brand-new Brooklyn Atlantics has generated enormous excitement, as he is expected to be both the field general and the spark plug of the club. Offensively, Dunlap is equally dangerous: he hit .333 a year ago, swiped 36 bases, and crossed the plate 94 times, showcasing his ability to set the tone at the top of the order. With his mix of glove, speed, and leadership, “Sure Shot” isn’t just a star in Brooklyn — he is redefining what it means to be a second baseman.

Third Base - Ned Williamson - Pittsburgh Alleghenys



Ned Williamson arrives in Pittsburgh ready to prove he is more than a supporting act — and last season’s performance left little doubt. Freed at last from New York’s crowded stage, Williamson blossomed into a premier all-around athlete, leading the league with 57 doubles while scoring 85 runs and swiping 32 bases. His aggressive approach at the plate did result in a league-high strikeout total, but Allegheny fans hardly mind; his extra-base thunder and relentless energy have more than made up for it. Williamson brings rare size and athleticism to the hot corner, giving Pittsburgh both offensive punch and a steady hand on defense. As he settles into his new home, the Alleghenys believe they’ve secured a cornerstone player who can carry the franchise into prominence.

Short Stop - Frank Fennelly - Detroit Wolverines



The choice of Fred Fennelly at shortstop may raise eyebrows, but it speaks to the immense reputation the young rookie brings with him into the 1884 season. Fresh from Fall River, Massachusetts, Fennelly is already regarded as the slickest double-play man in the game, his quick pivot and strong arm making him a natural at the position. Though untested at the professional level, his defensive instincts alone have earned him the nod among the “Best Nine.” Detroit, often an overlooked club, sees Fennelly as both a stabilizer in the field and a fresh bat for the middle of the order. If he can deliver on even half of the promise scouts see, the Wolverines may have landed the cornerstone they’ve been missing.

Left Field - Gat Stires - Philadelphia Quakers



If there is one player who embodies the power and spectacle of the modern game, it is Gat Stires. The Philadelphia Quakers’ legendary slugger holds the all-time home run record and shows no signs of slowing down, even at age 34. A three-time MVP, Stires remains the most feared bat in any lineup, fresh off a campaign in which he led the league in slugging, OPS, and RBI with 99. His presence at the plate draws a unique electricity — when Stires strides to bat, entire ballparks rise with anticipation. More than just numbers, he is a symbol of consistency and dominance, still sitting atop the sport’s offensive throne. Philadelphia knows it has a living legend patrolling left field, and the rest of the league knows he remains the ultimate test for any pitcher.


Center Field - Pete Browning - Boston Beaneaters



They call him “The Gladiator,” and at just 22 years old, Pete Browning already plays with the presence of a seasoned warrior. His elite range in center field sets him apart defensively, gliding across the outfield with a mix of speed and fearlessness that few can match. Offensively, he’s equally dynamic, hitting .304 last season with 9 triples and 87 runs scored, while wreaking havoc on the bases with his daring style. Yet Browning’s value cannot be captured by statistics alone — it’s the relentless way he plays the game, the unyielding drive that earns respect from teammates and opponents alike. For Boston, having Browning in the heart of the order and patrolling the middle pasture is a gift; for every other club, it’s a constant headache. Any manager in baseball would welcome “The Gladiator” without hesitation.

Right Field - Ed Pinkham - Chicago White Stockings



At 37 years old, Ed Pinkham remains a towering presence in right field and one of the game’s most enduring stars. Though the Chicago White Stockings have fallen on harder times, Pinkham continues to deliver with remarkable consistency, having led the league in walks in 11 of the past 12 seasons — a testament to both his patience and the fear he inspires at the plate. His power is still formidable as well, with 20 home runs a year ago placing him second only to Gat Stires on the all-time list. While not always the most popular figure in the clubhouse, managers overlook any sharp edges because Pinkham plays hard, produces relentlessly, and still hits the ball a country mile. Making the “Best Nine” for the third time, he has secured his place as one of the most accomplished outfielders of his generation.

Pitcher - Tim Keefe - Pittsburgh Alleghenys



While many assumed John Ward would again claim the mantle as the game’s premier pitcher, whispers of reduced innings have opened the door for Tim Keefe to take center stage — and the young Allegheny ace is ready for it. Keefe’s 1883 season was nothing short of impressive: 18 victories, a sharp 2.33 ERA, and a 1.03 WHIP that speaks to his precision and poise. His delivery is as smooth as it is deceptive, baffling hitters with late movement and keeping them guessing all afternoon. At just 26, Keefe has the perfect blend of experience and untapped potential, giving Pittsburgh fans hope that he can anchor their club for years to come. As 1884 begins, no arm looks more prepared to define the season than Tim Keefe.