Our Game From Beginning To End

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
June 1872
Edition 2.7



Belief In Philadelphia
One Game Seperates A's From Top Spot

No one going into the season is expecting anyone from the American League to take the pennant away from the mighty Washington Olympics. Washington is doing what they are suppose to going 16-5 with the likes of Ross Barnes hitting .475 and Bobby Mathews going 15-4.

As the Olympics dash through the season however they will be suprised to find another club that is basically keeping exact pace with them. The Philadelphia Athletics won only 13 games last season but as the calender turns to July, the team has already won 22.

Manager Dick McBride has looked steady as pitcher/manager for the team going 13-7 with a 2.73 ERA but has also gotten some relief pitching from Joe McDermott who has started in 17 games. The trend for successful teams has been to have at least two quality starters on the roster. McDermott is also hitting .387 and has driven in 30 runs while George Hall and Nat Hicks have their averages around .350. The team .321 batting average is the highest in the league, and nobody thought that any club could have better numbers then Washington.

The teams have split their two matchups thus far but its the Athletics who due to the schedule have played 14 more games. The Athletics just may be more rested by the end of the season with many more days off then the defending champs.

Beyond all of this, there is a real excitement in the city of Philadelphia as there is belief that this team has what it takes to bring the unlikely pennant home. The club is 11-5 at Jefferson Street Grounds thus far.

The Art Of The Steal
McGeary Setting Standard For Baserunning

As the second season of established baseball continues, trends and styles of winning baseball continue to emerge. Running the bases has often been a station to station venture through the history of the game with base stealing seen as risky and often unsportsmanlike.



Times are changing and one man is making the ability to swipe bases into a popular art form. Mike McGeary of the Troy Haymakers is one of the most improved players in the entire league this season. McGeary hit only .265 as a 20 year old rookie last season and thus far this year he has his average up to a very impressive .421. McGeary has also stolen 21 bases in only 25 games and has turned most of them into runs having crossed the plate 28 times.

The third baseman has perfected the ability to catch pitchers off guard and put the pressure on the catcher to throw him out. McGeary stole 15 bases all of last year and was not caught one single time, this year with more risk he still has only been caught 4 times.

Troy as a club are only 12-13 but McGeary just may steal over 50 bases this season bringing a whole new element to the league and the game overall.

[Nick Soulis]

THE CHRONICLE
July 1972
Edition 2.8



Anson Dedicates Season To Chicago
Rebuilding City Still Feels Like Home



Cap Anson in short order has become the biggest revelation in the league and the most feared man with a bat. It is something special when all the hype and anticipation comes out exactly like everyone had hoped, and in this case even more so.

The Middletown Mansfields of course are not from Middletown. The former famous Chicago White Stockings had to up and leave their home city due to the devastating and tragic fire that the city suffered last year. In the mean time the team has left their personal lives behind them including family to continue to play the game.

Anson has lead this team to a league best 24-9 record to set them up for the pennant in the National League. Anson is hitting an astounding .519 for the season getting 151 hits in 291 at bats. It really seems like he is impossible to stop. The proud 20 year old in the mist of this season did have a message for the fans back home who can only read about the success of their team.

"This season is for them" says the star, "we hope we can bring them some joy knowing how well we are playing and that we will be home again to play in their presence.

The best estimates is that the club will not be able to return to Illinois for at least two years as the building of a ballfield has been delayed for more pressing needs.

In the meantime, Cap Anson just keeps on hitting.

Davy Force And Brooklyn Claiming Territory
New York Native Leads Historic Club



The Brooklyn Athletic Club has been known for its baseball talents for some time. Now the club has made its way to the big stage and even though the division is controlled by the flying Middletown club, the Atlantics as they are known have made great progress on and off the field.

Brooklyn has a 17-19 record which is good enough for third in the division and is not all that bad for an expansion club. In fact Brooklyn has a better record then the defending pennant winners, the New York Mutuals. The Mutuals have been their natural rivals for some time now, and to be ahead of them in the standings means alot.

The club has the newest park in the league with the Capatoline Grounds and the club keeps gaining in popularity. Manager Bill Lennon has done well with the roster but in truth every popular club needs a super star. New York native third baseman Davy Force has filled that role and then some. Force has one of the best gloves in the league and this season he is hitting .464 with 28 RBI and seven steals. Force is the local kid who has done well for himself at the age of 23 and came into his own after hitting only .284 last season.

"I can look up and see my family at everygame" says Force, "I mean who doesnt want to play well in front of their mom?"

The future does seem to be bright for the Atlantics and Force. Many in the media now are giving more space to the Brooklyn club then they are for New York. Both clubs are just about even when one looks at the attendance numbers and the teams have split their four games thus far this season evenly.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
August 1872
Edition 2.9



Washington Not Only Offense
Mathews Dominates Pitching Once Again

The defensing champion Washington Olympics are well oon their way to doing it all over again as they lead the American League by 2.5 games over Philadelphia and have been leading all season long. The team once again has been excellent on offense scoring 374 runs for the most run average per game while the club has the best base running and defensive metrics in the game.

Often overlooked by the stars in the lineup such as Ross Barnes and Deacon White who are having excellent seasons again, is the one steady influence the team has had this season and last. Bobby Mathews is only 20 years old but lead the entire league in almost every pitching category last season like ERA, Innings pitched, wins, and strike outs. Manager Nick Young decided not to acquire a secondary pitcher during the offseason like most other teams leaving his young hurler as once again the only and best team option.



In 1872 Matthews is doing it all over again. Currently he leads the league with an impressive 25 wins with over a month left to play and has 46 wins in less then two seasons already. His ERA is even better then it was last season sitting at 2.70 and the only thing larger then his performance is the smile on his face while he is doing it. Exactly how the young man is so successful and mature for his age, many are looking for that formula.

"I was just fortunate enough to be signed by a team that is so talented and supportive." says the Baltimore native, "I did not need to leave far from home when I was chosen by this team, and a good home cooked meal everyday also makes me throw a little harder."

The Olympics effort for a second straight championship is not complete yet, they do have to hold on for the pennant and then face what will likely be Cap Anson and the Middletwon club in the Fall Classic.

Pike And Troy Still In Fight
Haymakers Still Feel They Can Chase Pennant



The emotional Middletown club had an incredible first half of the season but now seem to be coming back to earth as they have lost 8 of their last 13 games to raise some eyebrows in the pennant race.

Troy stood their ground in August winning four of 8 games but had a good July where they picked up 6 wins. They defeated the Mansfields both times they played them this month and sit only 4 games out of first place with plenty of games left to play. Last season the team came up just a little short finishing second to the Mutuals of New York, and although second is nice, manager Lip Pike and his team assure that they are ready to make a run.

The biggest question has been the play of Pike on the field. The player manager has had a dramatic drop in results as a player and doesnt seem to be half the hitter he used to be. Pike is hitting only .208 this campaign after hitting a league leading .463 last season. Reasons to why the decline has happened has been attributed to from anything like injury, stress, or even domestic disputes.

Pitcher Cy Bentley has held his own leading the entire league in strikeouts and holding 17 wins to his name. Third baseman Mike McGeary has been outstanding as maybe the best leadoff man in the league hitting .403 and stealing 23 bags. Jimmy Wood has also been excellent as one of the smartest and overlooked talents in the league hitting .359 with 59 RBI in 42 games.

Supporters of the Troy club have been hearing rumors all season that their club was on the verge of moving to a bigger urban area. So many fans are just enjoying the moment and hoping indeed that the tide has turned for a pennant race.

In the meantime Brooklyn has also made things interesting, also sitting only 4 games out in the same division having gone 5-1 in August.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

THE BASEBALL CHRONICLE
Edition 1-1


March 17, 1871

In the dawn of spring the masses in the most populous cities of the country come out from a trying winter to enjoy the air and renew their vigor. For years that national game of baseball had played a central role in this annual revival and rite of spring.

Almost every city across the nation has its local ballfield and center stage of local game that produce local heroes. If good enough, these heroes go on to leave their local abode on a ministry of play to join the traveling teams that barnstorm the nation and create the debate of which club really is the grandest. This debate has of course always been subjective with local bias dominating thought and many dream matchups never really happening due to a lack of structure.

There have been internal rumors and discussions from within the game that the structure needed to make the national game legitimate was being prepared. Now, finally, those rumors appear to be bearing fruit. In an unprecedented move, many of the biggest names in the game both on and off the field have come together to create the National Association of Baseball Clubs. A nationwide circuit of baseball clubs, which will compete for a championship.

Three men have come to the forefront of this ambitious endeavor. First, there is Harry Wright who through his excellent management of the Cincinnati Red Stockings club has established himself as the prominent name in baseball across the land. Wright has accepted the idea and even agreed to take over a club in Boston that will carry on many of the traditions of the Cincinnati club, including its iconic name. For any league to be successful the buy-in of Mr. Wright was mandatory.


Mr. Harry Wright

The next figure is that of Robert Ferguson who helped spearhead this idea from a player’s point of view and will be an intricate piece in convincing players that becoming a professional is the best thing for them and the game. Ferguson of course is a fine player in his own right and will participate in the league as a player, as will Wright for the inaugural season. It has already been agreed to internally that Ferguson will become the first president of the new league.

In the meantime, business mogul James Kerns will be the first league president. He will take the role for the first season because of his business background and his ability to deal with the financials, including attendance and gate receipts. The eight cities that are rumored to be chosen for the first season have already put in their bids and are likely to start recruiting some of the best talent across the land. There is no restriction on who can play in the league or even a roster maximum size at this point. The eight cities that are expected to field teams are:

Boston
Chicago
Fort Wayne
Cleveland
Troy
New York
Philadelphia
Cleveland

Schedules and rosters are sure to follow with an expected season start date of April and the idea of two division and a championship between the two best clubs in October being a likely set up. The league is keen on making one champion to silence the national debate that currently dominates talk around the nation.

The excitement of what is to come next and the incredible precedence of a first professional sports league of any kind has us on the brink of something truly fascinating.

**Please note I am not chasing after exact historical accuracy, but rather am creating my own unique history and storylines.

I have some suggested edits for you here and the quoted post, Nick. Those edits are at least in bold, if not also italicized and/or underlined. Please feel quite free to make them or not, of course. But the things I'm suggesting the editing of here are just some things I noticed here, from one writer to another, that's all. That is all. CD out.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
September 1872
Edition 2.10



Four Cities Dream Of Pennant Glory
Washington And New York Struggles Open Door

The second half struggles of the Washington Olympians has seen them fall from grace in the American League as has the overall play of pennant winners from last season in the National League and the Mutuals. In the second season of pro ball, four new cities sit poised to compete and win their first pennant going into October.

Philadelphia - They have shown their intentions all season keeping pace with Washington and eventually overtaking them, never listening to the doubters along the way. Manager Dick McBride has his club on 35 wins with the best record in all the land. He gone 20-8 as the main starter on the team refusing at times to allow his team to lose. Dick Higham has lead an offense that has a .321 team average and the highest OPS at .739. Nat Hicks as a rookie catcher is hitting .331 while Joe McDermott is hitting .399. After going 1-4 in August, the Athletics won nine of 10 games in September as the peak at the perfect time. The team is 22-5 at home as Jefferson Street Grounds has been on the rally cry all season long. Holding their own in October to bring the pennant home is a challenge this teams seems more then ready for.

Cleveland - Few expected the Cleveland club to be sitting only 2 games behind the lead for the flag. The Forest Citys started the year 6-12 and seemed doomed to a season of frustration. Manager Bob Ferguson and his team had other ideas however going on a big run the last couple of months winning 20 of 27 games and 11 in September alone. Levi Meyerle is the star of the lineup with 57 RBI while Wes Fisler is hitting .436 with 47 RBI of his own. Fred Waterman is one of the core star catchers of the current league hitting .371 with 52 RBI. The combo of George Zettlein and Bill Stearns as pitchers has been excellent as both men find chances to rest and compliment each other to equal effect. Cleveland is a working mans city that hasnt always embraced this club whcih lacks real tradition and coverage. Now however there is a new buzz by the lakefront as an October fight for the flag awaits.

Middletown - It is an interesting dynamic in Middletown as the temporary Chicago ball club has brought joy to the region for their play but is almost assuredly leaving at the end of the season. For a long time the club was running away with things starting with a 19-3 record. The club for whatever the reason has played very poor over the last two months going 7-15 and now sit in a tie for the division lead. Cap Anson has taken the league by storm with his hitting now sitting at .467 with 67 RBI as the club leads the league in runs and batting average. The issue has been at pitching as Al Pratt has slowed down and manager Charlie Pabor has been forced to start to give Pratt a rest every few days. If this club should fail to bring home the flag, it would be a choke of substantial effect as the Middletown fans as well as the fans back in Chicago as well are frightened to look at the morning papers and the standings every day.

Brooklyn - Baseball in Brooklyn this season has exceeded everyones expectations as the first year club has taken over the region and likely now has the highest following in all the league. Legends die hard, and the Atlantics name has helped carry this team all the way back up the standings after an excellent recent run of 16 wins over the past 2 months. Now tied for first, the great Davy Force leads the lineup with his .439 average to go along with George Bechtel who hits behind him and Doug Allison who is yet another excellent catcher. On the mound pitcher Cherokee Fisher has put the pundits behind him winning an incredible 27 games and doing it without any support behind him. The big Chief's are has been the things of legend as it never tires and he never tells his manager Bill Lennon no. Brooklyn is poised to 'steal' the pennant in a remarkable year in which they virtually have eclipsed the Mutuals as the darlings of New York.

Finally, somewhere looming are the defending champions from Washington who should be counted out just yet remembering what they are capable of.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
October 1872
Edition 2.11

Atlantics Stun Mansfields For Pennant
One Game Playoff Goes To Brooklyn



For the first time, two teams finished a long season with identical records and needed a one game playoff to decide the pennant. The Middletown team and their story could be written in some sad novels while the triumph of the Brooklyn Club will be remembered for years to come.

Middletown just needed to defeat Troy on the last day of the season but lost in extra innings and forced a single game faceoff with Brooklyn at the Mansfield Club Grounds in what was the most anticipated ballgame in recent memories.

More then 1,500 fans were in attendance and the game proved to be a nail biter with both teams failing to score and both pitchers looking determined to win. Al Pratt of the home side was pitching a shutout and his team gave him a very slim 2-0 lead over the big chief, Cherokee Fishers. The game went into the 9th and the Mansfields were three outs away from the pennant.

With one out and two on, an error by second baseman Frank Fleet loaded the bases and Doug Allison came through with a two run single to tie the score. Pratt had pitched his heart out but the error was a dagger for the team and the tired ace left the game for Charlie Pabor. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Frank Sellman hit a bases clearing double to open up the score and set Brooklyn up for the dramatic comeback win.

Brooklyn had been the darlings of the league for most of the season but their dramatic win in the 9th inning will take them to another level in baseball lore.

"This game was a milestone for the history of the professional sport" said Brooklyn manager Bill Lennon.

For the Mansfields a season dedicated to the people of Chicago comes up short, but the club did give it everything they had but in truth wilted under the pressure in the second half of the season.

Now Brooklyn will take on Philadelphia for the right to be World Champions.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
World Series Special Edition



Athletics Climb The Mountain
Philadelphia Celebrates Dick McBrides Super Club

It was a season that the city of Philadelphia will never forget and one that grandparents will be telling to their little ones. The Philadelphia Baseball club completed an excellent season by winning the World Series over the Brooklyn Atlantics in six games.

The Athletics had carried the fortunes of all of their faithful during the year and finally overcame their rivals from Washington for the pennnant. Manager Dick McBride was not going to have them stop there, but had them play good baseball in the final series. Philly scored double digits in every game that they won taking two out of three at home and ending it in Brooklyn at the Capatoline Grounds.

Joe McDermott was the Most Valuable Player driving in 13 runs and hitting an even .500. Tom York and Jim Tipper also drove in over 10 runs in the series while McBride pitched in three of the victories and McDermott going 15 innings in support and also winning a decision. The Atlantics used their ace for almost the entire series and poor Cherokee Fisher was battered to the tune of a 8.50 ERA in 36 innings of work.

The spotlight of the baseball world will stay on Philadelphia as the city's heroes culminated another excellent season in the professional national game.

[Nick Soulis]

1872 Award Winners

The second annual awards benefit was giving for the most outstanding players in the baseball season voted by the media and writers of the sport.

American League


Outstanding Pitcher



Most Valuable Player



National League


Outstanding Pitcher



Most Valuable Player

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
February 1873
Edition 3.1

BEST NINE OF 1873

Catcher - Deacon White - Washington Blue Legs



In a league that is deep in catching talent, the Deacon remains at the top of the list. Not only is he an excellent leader on the field, he has also innovated the position with pitchouts and pick off throws not seen from the position before. White alos drove in 74 runs and lead the league in triples. He totaled 106 hits and scored 72 times. At 25 years old, White is the pinnacle of a ballplayer at almost any position on the field.

First Base - Joe McDermott - Philadelphia Athletics



Nothing like coming off of a championship season and the 23 year old McDermott has made a name for himself as World Series MVP. He hit .380 with 95 doubles. He also won 14 games as a pitcher but is looking to make a permanent move to first and his 6 foot frame is perfect for the position. Fans love his hustle and natural skill and as mentioned before, he plays his best when the game is on the line. McDermott is part of a trend in the league where pitchers are finding more success moving to position player roles.

Second Base - Ross Barnes - Washington Blue Legs



Some say that Barnes had a down year but he still won the league MVP and lead the league in slugging and OPS. He hit over .400 again and is likely still the best bat in the league. Barnes was outspoken at his clubs swoon at the end of last season and almost everyone is anticipating a new Washington team ready to take on the champion A's. Barnes lead the league with 39 doubles and 93 runs scored in 60 games. He is also regarded as the best defensive second baseman in the game.

Third Base - Davy Force - Brooklyn Atlantics



The New York native loves it in Brooklyn and even more so as the Atlantics are coming off of a pennant winning season. Force hit .436 and scored 74 runs despite striking out 11 times and hitting only 18 doubles. He is a solid defender even if he isnt the most fleet of foot. Wee Davy is what he is known for an he is also a leader in the clubhouse and at the heart of this historic club. Force really is a line drive singles machine.

Short Stop - George Wright - Boston Red Stockings



Wright stole 30 bases to lead the league and hit .340 with his second straight year of 15 doubles. With his brother as manager, some say Wright can tend to take it easy on defense and that his style has hurt the club. Still the defensive numbers do not prove this and Wright remains one of the smartest and well respected players in the game. If Boston is to go anywhere, Wright will be the man who carries them there. He is also one of the best at turning the double play from the hole in the league positioning himself deeper then most.

Left Field - Dave Eggler - New York Mutuals



Eggler had 99 hits with 56 runs scored and a .350 batting average. Some say he runs too much as he stole 27 bases but was caught 17 times, still his aggressiveness is one of his trademarks. Eggler had a serious attitude on the field and is a fine center fielder seemingly getting to the ball faster then most. He is a solid 170 lbs and had 22 doubles with 45 driven in for a lineup that didnt have the same magic they did wihen they won the pennant in 1871.

Center Field - Cap Anson - Baltimore Marylands



The best pure hitter in the league the young Anson isnt even 21 years old yet but is coming off a season where he hit .451 and lead the league in seven offensive categories including his 4.4 WAR. Anson is going to play his third different position in as many years and finding his fit has been a challenge. Center Field is indeed an interesting choice for a player not readily known for his defense. If Anson can come close to matching his historic 1872 season at the plate, they may have to create another league for him to hit in.

Right Field - Dick Higham - Philadelphia Athletics



After an incredible 1871 where he hit .458, Higham came down to earth a bit but still is considered the best at his position. This of course goes along with a great season and championship for his club. Higham hit .384 and drove in 62 runs while scoring 61. He has a .434 OBP for his two seasons and is a graceful outfielder to watch although some say he wont get his uniform dirty. Higham is the consummate professional bringing a good integrity to the league and the club he plays for.

Pitcher - Bobby Mathews - Washington Blue Legs



Bobby Mathews had an even better 1872 season then his historic 1871 season when he won the the Outstanding Arm award. Mathews won 35 games in a 60 game season and lead the league in innings pitched, WHIP, and still has the only two shutouts in league history. He does play for a great offense but the numbers dont lie, Mathews has been as good as it gets at the position with 56 wins in two seasons. He stands at only 5 foot 5 and 140 pounds which makes watching him get batters out quite a sight.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
March 1873
Edition 3.2

1873 American League Preview

Boston Red Stockings
Manager: harry Wright (46-46)
Record last year: 30-30 (4th)

The popular Red Stockings had another year of being average and fans are anxiously awaiting them to make the jump to being competitive. There is a lot of work to do for Boston to reach the heights of Washington and Philadelphia, and manager Harry Wright has retired as a ball player and is focusing on managing fulltime. Al Spalding continues to be a frustrating superstar who has it all but lacks the consistency while young Jim Britt has great potential but battled injury last season. George Wright leads an offense that many are saying needs more with many of the same mediocre bats coming back. Fans are losing a bit of patience as a winner has been expected by now, Wright is still preaching patience and development.

Philadelphia Athletics
Manager: Dick McBride (53-39)
Record last year: 40-20 (1st)

A magical year last season in Philly that ended in a deserved championship. Dick McBride not only won the manager of the year but also was the most outstanding pitcher of the year as many see the star as the modern and better version of Harry Wright. Players like Nat Hicks and Joe McDermott will look to develop but the weight will not be on their shoulders as stars like Dick Higham and George Hall make the batting order stout. Philly hit .319 as a team last year and scored 824 runs in 60 games. Repeating as champions is anything but easy but McBride added new talent like Tom Carey at third base while the club in general is almost unbeatable in their home park and play greatly to their advantages.

Brooklyn Eckfords
Manager: Shamar Pate (13-47)
Record last season: 13-47 (5th)

For the Eckfords it is all about survival right now as they look to avoid being the first professional club to not survive in the league. In a market where the Atlantics dominate in the biggest park with the best players, Shamar Pate and his club look to coexist. The best way of doing that is to win, and the Ecks are a country mile away from doing that. A new rookie will help as the talents of outfielder Oscar Bielaski are worth looking into. Bob Addy is the new first baseman but the offense scored only 329 runs in 60 games last year. The pitching will be anchored by Frank Buttery and the very good defense of Ed Duffy at short, but to compete in this division is far from realistic for the club, and making baby steps towards competing may not be enough.

Washington Blue Legs
Manager: Nick Young (57-35)
Record Last season: 36-24 (2nd)

Philadelphia came up from behind and bit Washington last season and the club did not take it well. Washington has changed their name and are determined to knock the Athletics off their throne. Two new pieces in John Glenn at first and Count Gedney in left field join the famous lineup headed by two time MVP Ross Barnes. Deacon White lead the league in RBI and is the best all around catcher if not player in the game, motivating teammates and exciting fans. Some say White is the main reason why Bobby Mathews has been so good over the last two years winning 35 games and completing 32 of them. Manager Nick Young feels the team underestimated Philadelphia last season, but that it wont happen again. Look for these two clubs to battle it out in what should be another fine race for the American League Pennant.

Elizabeth Resolutes
Manager: Bob Fergusen (48-43)
Record last season: 35-25 (3rd)

Leaving Cleveland for greener pastures in New Jersey, the new Resolutes move to a new ball park and a lot of positive anticipation after a successful season. Bob Ferguson is a great players manager and has helped evolve to of the better stars of the league in Levi Meyerle and Fred Waterman. Waterman can give Deacon White a run for his money hitting .372 with 56 RBI last year while Meyerle had 60 driven in with 3 home runs. In truth it is George Zettlein that needs to be better as the team pitcher and improve on his 3.27 ERA , the the club will likely be looking elsewhere. The Resolutes are likely the dark horse of this division and are keen to be the surprise holders of the pennant when all is said and done, they came close last season and will fight to the finish in 1873.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
March 1873
Edition 3.2

National League Preview

New York Mutuals
Manager: Joe Lemmens (49-43)
Record Last Season: 29-31

Definite down year for the defending pennant winners and building things back up is the goal of this proud club. No one took it well that their rivals from Brooklyn took the flag, and Joe Lemmens is sure to have a fire lit under his men. With Cal McVey, Dave Eggler and John McMullin prove the Mutuals bats are in good hands as also Bill Boyd and Jim Carleton are two new names fans should enjoy. The pressure surely falls no the shoulders of starter Candy Cummings and his curve ball. Many are starting to think that Cummings is nothing more then a novelty act as his 16 loses and 3.62 ERA would show, he is being trusted again this season to get it right.

Baltimore Marylands
Manager: Charlie Pabor (47-46)
Record Last Season: 34-27

Moving again the former Chicago/Middleton club will spend a year in Baltimore before the anticipated return back home. The collapse of the club last season was a major talking point and why the club went from so good to letting is all slip away. Cap Anson will be looked at to lead again and continue his remarkable run as the best hitter in the league last season. Manager Charlie Pabor says he will play more this year and Paul Hines has moved from catcher to second base in his second season. Al Pratt is another pitcher that will look to put together a complete season after fading late. The competition is fierce in the National League, and some are questioning if Pabor is the best man to get the team over the hump.

Brooklyn Atlantics
Manager: Bill Lennon (52-41)
Record last season: 35-26

Brining the pennant home last season is the beginning of what Brooklyn fans hope will be sustained success. The club returns with almost the exact same roster Davy Force and John Clapp lead the offense. Force hit .386 and established himself among the elite of the league. Pop Snyder is an 18 year old catcher with a bright future and on the mound is the unique presence of Cherokee Fisher. Fisher threw the most innings in the league at 426 and didnt flinch in doing so. It will be interesting to see what happens to his workload to try and keep him fresh for the end of the season.

Baltimore Canaries
Manager: Scott Hastings (39-53)
Record Last season: 27-33

A down year for the Canaries but there is some progress to latch in to. No bigger expectation can come then the drafting of the number one player in the land, pitcher Hugh Campbell. Campbell is expected to step right in and upgrade the team that had all types of trouble from the pitchers spot. John O'Rourke had a good year but more is expected from him beyond his 1.2 WAR while Chick Fulmer at short stop is also hopefully expected to take the next step in his career. Steve King remains the consummate professional after hitting .362 last year and the veteran on the club at 30 years old. Everyone expects this team to take a big step this season, and Campbell has the reigns to make that happen.

Philadelphia Whites
Manager: Lip Pike (52-40)
Record last season: 33-27

Deciding to leave Troy was not easy but the club looks for better revenue in one of the biggest markets in the country and now will call Philadelphia home. Of course the world champions are from the same city, but the Whites feel they have a good side as well, in fact they barely missed out on the pennant last season. Cy Bentley has all the talent to be one of the best pitchers around leading the league in strikeouts with 40 and even saving four games while winning 24. Jimmy Wood is one of the best players in the game yet often overlooked, his image will surely grow playing in the big city. Manager Lip Pike had a very bad season last year on the field hitting only .245 after winning the MVP, he will need to get back on track. Fergy Malone is a fine young catcher while Mike McGeary is a fire starter in the order. This team has all the makeup of a winner.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
April 1873
Edition 3.3



Mutuals With New Resolve
New York Takes First Five Games In New Season

The Mutual club of New York had a down year last season and was said to be embarrassed by their finish and even more by the reputation they lost to rival club from Brooklyn. 1873 in indeed a new season and the Mutuals seemed poised to return the pennant right back where it started under Joe Lemmens.

The club has won their first five games with Cal McVey hitting .440 and a team batting average of .349. Feeling the most pressure in the offseason was starter Candy Cummings who many were saying was washed up. The curveball specialist and inventor has proved the critics wrong thus far going 4-0 with a 0.56 ERA and truly baffling hitters. In two of their biggest wins, the Mutuals drubbed Baltimore 19-10 and embarrassed Harry Wright and his team in Boston 17-9. The most satisfying win however by far, was their 16-8 win against the defensing pennant winning Atlantics teams, their menaces was no match for the determined team.



Manager Lemmens did have a comment after the win, "We had been waiting to see them all winter long, did it show?"

Brooklyn has won four games of their own but the two teams will not meet again until two battles in July.

Bentley And Philadelphia Feeling Heat
New Club From Troy Off To Sluggish Start

The former Troy Haymakers decided to pick up camp and move south to Philadelphia in the offseason, a move that did not seem welcomed by all as the city already is the host of the defending champion Athletics.

The new Philadelphia Whites wanted to make a good first impression upon starting play at Jefferson Street Grounds. The orientation did not go over very well for Lip Pike and his team and especially for their starting pitcher Cy Bentley. The opening game perfectly enough was again the champion A's and the local fans were actually rooting against the Whites. They lost the game 13-9 but things went from bad to worse in their next home game when the team allowed 30 runs to Washington and lost by 23.

At the heart of it is Cy Bentley who after having 24 win season last year has already 0-3 in the new campaign and looks nothing like himself with a 5.54 ERA and 4 walks. Fans have gotten on his back and nerves have surely played a role for the 22 year old rough start the to the year, everyone knows that Philadelphia fans can be relentless.

Manager Pike has tried his best to ease the nerves of his team. He himself has played out of this world going 9 for 16 already on the young season. Everyone knows that the club is much better then what they are showing, but the impact of an agitated fanbase and pressure to the tilt can be the demise of any group of players.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
May 1873
Edition 3.4



McVey Ties League Record Hitting Streak
Catches Higham Mark Of 36 Games



A long hitting streak takes immense concentration, pure hitting skill, and even some odd luck. In the third professional season we have seen some excellent hitters put together streaks that have caught the attention of the masses. In 1871 Philadelphia star Dick Higham hit in 36 straight games and set a lofty standard. Just two years later the record has been equaled.

Cal McVey has been one of the players determined to get his team and himself to the 1871 form the Mutuals of New York had. The 23 year old catcher is leading the league with a .451 average so far and has done it day in and day out. Mcvey in fact hasnt quit hitting in 36 consecutive games and looking for much more. He is well aware of the mark and says to want to establish a new mark that will set the standard for years to come. His next game to break the record will be on June the 1st at home against the Baltimore Canaries.

"Why not a nice round number like 50?" says McVey with a smile. The Mutuals are currently in second place with a 7-4 mark.

Elizabeth Looks Charming
New City See's Club With Best Record



The decision to move from Cleveland to Elizabeth this offseason was one of the most interesting the game could have expected. The club lead by manager Bob Fergusen was sent to be disillusioned by the support in the rugged Ohio city and looked for a more relaxed setting which they found in New Jersey.

Thus far the new season and the first two months could not have started much better. With the defending champion Atheltics struggling near the bottom of the table, the Resolutes have won 11 of 15 games and sit tops with hope for a pennant. Maybe the most influential player on the team even beyond their start Levi Meyerle is the teams pitcher. George Zettlein has come to be known as "The Charmer" around the league both for his personality but also for his ability to fool hitters with his pitches. The Charmer is 5-2 this season with a 2.69 ERA and seven strikeouts.

It has been a nice turnaround for Zettlein who started his career in 1871 with a difficult run losing 17 games with a 4.47 ERA. The right hander improved last season turning those losses into 17 wins and seems to be right back on the same track this season. Bill Stearns has also taken the load off Zettlein as the club has gone with a two man rotation, a tactic that much of the league is still split on. The 28 year old Charmer is a great influence on the team and has an excellent relationship with his manager who just happens to be one of the very best defenders in the league.

Will it be a fairytale season in Elizabeth? Many dreams that are made in May seem to quickly fade away by September.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
June 1873
Edition 3.5



The Black Sheep Of Brooklyn
Miracle Turnaround In Works From 2nd Place Eckfords

As an expansion team in 1872, it was a curious choice for the new club to be based in Brooklyn, where the pennant winning Atlantics already were the toast of the town. Adding to the inaspicious response was the product on the field as the Eckfords lost 47 games last season and won only 13 leaving manager Shamar Pate with little to build on. The Eckfords almost held a comical aura from press and fans, where they were the but of jokes and the worst seemed to be certain.

But in baseball and new spring brings a new season and something under the surface was happening to this team. The players never stopped believing that a turn around would come and as the neighborhoods prepared for another big season from the Atlantics, the Eckfords were preparing a major revival.

The season did however start in familiar fashion in April with the team losing all five of its games including a 7-4 loss to the Atlantics. However in May the club put together their first ever four game winning streak and on May 3rd they beat the Atlantics for the first time by a score of 7-1. In May and June Pate's team went 12-6 and are now only 1.5 games back in a tight American League.

Two offensive players have brought new life. Bob Addy is the dynamic leadoff hitter who is hitting .394 and has earned the nickname as Magnet for his play in the outfield. Oscar Bielaski is hitting .333 with 20 RBI in the middle of the order and has worked very hard to prove he can be an elite hitter. Maybe the biggest help has come from the mound where 22 year old starter Frank Buttry, who lost 33 games last season, has a 2.34 ERA and four wins already. He is showing the talent that everyone was sure that he had.

It really is a great story for a club to believe in itself and fight back to respectability. People are beginning to notice in Brooklyn and yes, the Eckfords for the moment even have a better record then the Atlantics as we head into June. Baseball has a tendency to write its own scripts when spring turns into summer.

Bill Boyd Gives Mutuals Exactly What They Need
Local Kid A Big Part Of New York's Renewed Hope

After winning the pennant in 1871, the Mutuals had a down year in 1872 with many calling their good season a simple fluke. There is little doubt that the club and manager Joe Lemmens needed something to get them back on track and renew the fire in the roster.



The Mutuals drafted a 20 year old local kid from New York City named Bill Boyd and inserted him at third base from opening day. The results could not have gone better as Boyd has been the most talked about rookies in the game and has hit .351 with 23 RBI and an .821 OPS. Boyd is playing like he has been there before and the New York faithful are loving their local boy and his rough New York grit.

The fire Boyd has brought to the team has influenced other Mutual stars into big seasons. Cal McVey finally has some pressure off of him and he is excelling hitting .434 to lead the league proving his swing is as good or better then most. He did have his hitting streak halted at 36 games to stay tied for the alltime mark. Even more impressive has been the turnaround of pitcher Candy Cummings who now uses his slurve ball more smartly and has used some new pitches to make him more rounded. Cummijgs is 12-4 with a 1.94 ERA and 11 strike outs to his name.

The Mutuals do have their hands full as they sit in second behind a very good Baltimore club that has won 18 games already. New York has done it before however, and with a bright eyed rookie on the roster, the fire is back in the Big Apple.

[Nick Soulis]

Discarded post.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
July 1873
Edition 3.6



Time May Be Running Out For Wright
Another Losing Season In Boston Could be End



Few men garner the respect in the popular game of baseball more then Mr. Harry Wright. His influence both as a player and a leader have helped the game reach its popularity and peaks that we enjoy today. Wright was the leader of the old Cincinnati clubs that barn stormed the nation and brought excitement to thousands.

Boston was ecstatic to have the man take over their ballclub in 1871 as promises of championships and high level baseball were the talk and anticipation of the newly formed Red Stockings. Harry brought his younger brother to the new club, George, and others like Albert Spalding and Ezra Sutton were sure to be the team to beat.

The first two seasons the club finished even on their record with a 46-46 record. Average however was not the expectation and fans of the city and team became frustrated while the manager preached patience. It seemed like all was coming to a head as we came into the 1873 season especially after rival Philadelphia had just won the championship.

The Red Stockings sit at 15-20 in last place in the American League as July comes to an end. Although the team is first in batting average, pitchers Spalding and Jim Britt, as well as the team defense, have just given away too many games. The promise of glory days and a winner have quickly faded away.

Wright remains silent over the summer months. But now many wonder if the baseball perfectionist is feeling the pressure and is thinking of hanging things up to give way to someone new. Fans seem to like the idea as they crave for a winner in what appears to be a disappointing setting where wins and losses can change a legacy in a moment.

Few if anyone expect the Red Stockings to finish the season strong.

Chicago Plans To Return Next Season
Baltimore Club Leading NL In Meantime

Playing out of Middlestown last season, the original Chicago White Stockings saw their season fall through the cracks in the second half. The club longed to return home to the city by the lake after the long rebuild after the great fire It now appears that 1874 will be that year, when the White Stockings come home.

This year the Chicago club is playing out a one year lease in Baltimore and have played some of the best football in the league going 25-11 and holding a clean 4 game lead in the National League. Charlie Pabor's club however knows what it means to have a big lead and lose it as the heartbreak of last season remains. Cap Anson is having another excellent season and starter Al Pratt seems as confident as ever going 13-2 with a 2.45 ERA.

"We need to finish strong" says manager Pabor "Every game needs to be important to win such a difficult league. We love the support here in Baltimore and our hearts remain with our faithful back in Chicago"

It would be quite storybook if the team does return to their home in Chicago next season as league champions.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
August 1873
Edition 3.7



He Should Be Hitting In Another League
Barnes Putting Together Another Banner Season

"A pitcher's nightmare is to see Ross Barnes Come Up To the Plate With Runners On Base" says an anonymous pitcher when the name of Barnes comes up in conversation, another opposing manager said that he "Should be playing in another league."

At only 23 years old and in the leagues third season, Barnes is the all-time leader in most all offensive categories. He leads in batting average, hits, runs, slugging percentage, on base percentage, and WAR. He is the two time American League MVP and honestly can win the award every year. This year he is hitting a league best .420 with 18 doubles and an even more impressive 11 triples. He seems to be getting better and the sky at his age is truly the limit.



Some have openly criticized his style, as the Mount Morris native gets a hit in anyway possible and takes advantage of every ground rule in every park that he plays in. Some would say he lacks sportsmanship while most say he is just a smart hitter. Many are expecting Barnes to be the first player in history to achieve 1000 hits in a career.

As for the Washington club, they remain in the hot AL pennant race only three games out. The Blue Legs are still an aggressive team first in base running metrics and OBP as a whole. They have won before and still feel they are in a good spot with plenty of games to go with Elizabeth and Brooklyn in front of them.

Whatever the finish, Ross Barnes will play a big rolein the effort to fly the flag again at Olympic Grounds.

The Student Paying Off
Young Hines Has Blossomed Into A Fine Talent

It seems just like yesterday that 17 year wide eyed Paul Hines made his debut for the Middlestown club. He started off as a catcher but the rigors of the position just didnt seem to suit him. In his second season, Hines has moved to second base and seems like is growing by leaps and bounds.



In his firs season, Hines had the best seat in the house to see star Cap Anson takes his cuts and with a .451 average. Anson took a liking to the young prospect and showed him some of the most important skills to being a great hitter, first and foremost the ability to be patient.

Hines has done all of his homework and after hitting only .273 last season, is leading the National League hitting .401. That number is even 34 points better then his mentor. Hines has also driven in 45 runs helping the pace the very best offense in the league from top to bottom.

Baltimore has no intentions of losing their league lead this season as they did last season having gone 30-12 and winning five of their last six. The young Hines has never played in Chicago, where the team will come home to next season, but has only heard the stories about the city by the lake. What better way to come back the the Windy City as league champions?

Paul Hines has already proven to be a good listener.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
September 1873
Edition 3.8



Dead Heat For American League Pennant
Brooklyn And Elizabeth Sure To Battle To The End

Fans of the pro game are soon finding out that there is nothing more exciting and tense then a pennant race that comes down to the final days. For the 1873 season the American League may be seeing its best race in the three year history of the league.

The last to first Cinderella story of the Brooklyn Eckfords has truly been something to behold. The forgotten step child of New York won only 13 games last season which was their first, and had little to no hope going into the 1873 campaign; that is to everyone but the players and manager. Brooklyn has played fine baseball and and now sit in first place on the first of October.

Manager Shamar Tate has been nothing but positive to his players and the fans. Pitcher Fred Buttery has been a revelation going 15-10 with a 2.60 ERA after losing 33 games last season. Buttery doesnt have to throw in every single game and has made half the starts he did last season with a capable John Greason backing him up with 13 wins. In Greason's first season he has thrown 223 innings. Bob Addy has been brilliant as the leader of the lineup hitting .393 and earning the name "Magnet" for the catches he has made in left field. Warren White has driven in 41 runs and Oscar Bielaski is hitting .317; these were all names that were unheard of last season.

Sitting in the way of the fairy tale are the Elizabeth Resolutes who moved out of Cleveland and have found a home worthy of success. The club has shown some of the best pitching in the league behind Bill Stearns and a rejuvenated George Zettein who have combined for 26 wins and identical 2.44 ERA's. Levi Meyerle has put all personal issues behind him and is hitting .401 with 107 hits and 63 RBI in which he is surely one of the favorites for the MVP award. Wes Fisler and Fred Warerman are two more excellent players that have lifted the Resolutes to the most runs scored in the league.

The two clubs will not face each other in October with Brooklyn having three more games on the schedule then Elizabeth who have already won thirty games. The third place Washington club faded in September dashing their hopes of a championship in the Autumn breeze.



Unlucky 36
For The Third Time, A Record Batting Streak Ends At 36

Speaking of Bob Addy of Brooklyn, he had the baseball world on notice in early September as he had a hitting streak surpas thirty games. Addy was looking to break the record that stood at 36 games by both Dick Higham in 1871 and Cal McVey in 1872.

Addy was able to tie the record and went into the Union Grounds of Boston with all intention of breaking it on September the 5th. Boston manager Harry Wright seemed determined to stop the streak changing the position of his infielders and pitching around in Addy. In the end after some hard feelings, Addy went 0-3 with a walk and just like the ones before him, the streak has now ended at 36 straight games for the third time.

What chap is willing to try and break the 36 game threshold?

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Dead heat, Nick, not dead hit. Just so you know. CD out.

[Nick Soulis]

The Chronicle
October 1873
Edition 3.9

1873 Final Standings



White Error Cost Brooklyn Pennant
Pressure Gets To Eckfords As Elizabeth Takes Flag



The game has been elevated to another level in the past three seasons where winning for some communities means everything. In one moment all of the great stories and hard work can be forgotten if the ultimate goal is lost. The Brooklyn Eckfords had an incredible turnaround story this year and ended the season dead even with the Elizabeth Resolutes forcing a one game playoff at Waverly Fairgrounds in New Jersey in front of 1,998 fans. It was the second season in a row that the game has needed a one game decider like this.

The clubs battled even for 60 games all summer and now battled in this final game for nine innings all even at 2 runs a piece. It was in the top of the 8th that the visiting side had tied the score on a clutch Jack McDonald RBI single. Then in the ninth, with the pressure its highest, the game had its dramatic finish.

A single and a double put runners on second and third with no one out and the pennant only 90 feet away for Elizabeth. Frank Buttery dug in for the visiting side and worked out of the jam getting two short pop ups that were not deep enough to score the winning run. With two outs, up came opposing pitcher George Zettlein who hit .191 all season long. All seemed saved for Brooklyn to survive. A routine ground ball was hit to third baseman Warren White who scooped it up, but instead of going to third base to step on the bag for a force out, he decided to throw the baseball to first. The throw was in the dirt and off its target, and coming home with the winning run was Wes Fisler to end the game.

The miscue was shocking but the home club did not care as they celebrated the win and the Amercian League Pennant. New York and Brooklyn papers were relentless on White for both the bad throw but even more so for the bad decision at the most crucial moment.

Brooklyn Manager Shamar Tate summed up the entire situation in one word, "devastating."

For the Resolutes the flag is there's in a hard fought season and their first in Elizabeth. Now the World Series is set as the Elizabeth club will face the mighty Baltimore Marylands, who had the very best record in baseball and are the outright favorites to win.

Fate however, may have a different conclusion.