A Road Through Baseball History (1871-

[Powderguy]

*Marylands and Resolutes FOLDED*

OH MAN!! With a month left to play, it is going to be one hell of a finish as it is a virtual 3 way tie atop the standings. Throughout the month of August, neither one of the 3 squads were able to establish much of a lead, the Red Stockings managed a 2 game lead, but that quickly evaporated. Let's take a look at the remaining games each team has against their opponents:

Boston (14 games)
BRA (2)
PHW (1)
PHA (4)
WAS (4)
BLC (3)

Brooklyn (9 games)
BOS (2)
BLC (2)
WAS (1)
NYU (1)
PHA (2)
PHW (1)

New York (7 games)

PHA (2)
PHW (1)
WAS (1)
BLC (2)
BRA (1)

The Red Stockings have double the amount of games remaining then the other 2 clubs. Will this play out to their advantage or be their downfall in the end?

Batting Leaders
BA: Ross Barnes (PHW) .411
Hits: Ross Barnes (PHW) 88
2B: Ross Barnes (PHW), Everett Mills (BRA) 16
3B: George Hall (NYU) 10
HR: Ezra Sutton (PHW), Cap Anson (BOS) 6
RBI: Ezra Sutton (PHW) 64
Runs: George Wright (BOS) 56
SB: Fred Treacey (BRA) 16

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Dick McBride (BRA) 2.37
Wins: Dick McBride (BRA) 21
Losses: John Greason (WAS) 21
SHO: John Greason (WAS) 2
K's: Bill Stearns (PHW), Rynie Wolters (NYU) 34

[Powderguy]

*Marylands and Resolutes FOLDED*

Red Stockings lose 4 of last 5, hand Mutuals the title!

It turned out that having the extra games on the schedule was not the best thing for the Boston Red Stockings. The club held a 2 game lead with 5 games to play on their schedules while the New York Mutuals only had 1 remaining. This is how it all played out.

10/21
BOS @ BLC 9-8 LOSS up 1
NYU vs PHA 10-9 WIN down 1

10/22
BOS @ WAS 13-11 LOSS up 0.5

10/23
BOS @ WAS 11-7 LOSS tied

10/24
BOS PHA 12-9 WIN up 0.5

10/25
BOS @ PHA 14-6 LOSS tied

The Mutuals ended up winning the championship based on having a better winning percentage (.660 to .644)

[Powderguy]

[Powderguy]

[Powderguy]

Folded

-Baltimore Marylands
-Elizabeth Resolutes
-Washington Blue Legs

Joined

-Chicago White Stockings
-Hartford Dark Blues

[Powderguy]

CF Seem Studley (22) (2 seasons ('72-'73), appeared in 1 game for NAT in '72
RF Val Robinson (25) (2 seasons ('72-'73), .150, 8 RBI, in 10 games for NAT & BLC
RF Joe Higby (22) (2 seasons ('72-'73), appeared in 1 game for TRO in '72
SS Joe Doyle (18) (2 seasons ('72-'73), .220, 7 RBI in 11 games NAT & BLC in '72
SS Frank Abercrombie (21) (2 seasons ('71-'72), 1 for 5 in 5 games
RF Joe Battin (21) (2 seasons ('71-'72), appeared in 6 games, 0 AB
RF George Ewell (22) (2 seasons ('71-'72), .150, 1 RBI, in 13 games
RF Joe Simmons (27) (2 seasons ('71-'72), .265, 53 RBI in 58 games

[Powderguy]

When the New York Mutuals finished playing their last game, they found themselves 2 games out of first. Their counterparts, the Boston Red Stockings still had 4 games on the schedule. Things played out to the Mutuals advantage as the Red Stockings lost 4 of their final 5 games. So, going into the 1874 campaign, 3 teams have disbanded with those being the Marylands, Resolutes, and Blue Legs. Two clubs will step up to fill the, they are the Hartford Dark Blues hailing from Hartford, Connecticut. Also, a familiar name to fans rejoins as the Chicago White Stockings have rebuilt their ballpark and will continue operations in the Association.

Below I will be listing the projected starting lineup order for each team and doing a little preview of each club’s predicted fortunes. (Records are last year)

Baltimore Canaries (24W-32L, 7th, 12.5 GB): Two straight 7th place finishes for the Canaries leave fans wondering if baseball will ever be prevalent in Baltimore. Pitcher Asa Brainard was fairly average this past year after having a stellar campaign in 1872. The club reeled in two young outfielders in Paul Hines and Tom York during the free agent period.

2B: Harry Berthrong (.292, 9 RBI)
C: Bob Ferguson (.311, 71 H, 50 RBI)
3B: Levi Meyerle (.288, 53 R, 49 RBI)
LF: Tom York (.253, 37 RBI with PHW)
RF: Pete Donnelly (.269, 16 RBI)
SS: Steve Bellan (.282, 18 RBI with WAS)
1B: Wes Fisler (2 for 11 with PHA)
CF: Joe McDermott (.185, 35 RBI)

SP: Asa Brainard (36 GS, 16W-16L, 2.72 ERA, 41 K)
P: Cherokee Fisher (23 G, 3W-8L, 3.12 ERA)

Boston Red Stockings (38W-21L, 2nd): After coming so close to capturing the crown last year, the Red Stockings look primed to make this the year it gets done. Virtually everyone from the team returns this year as Cap Anson resigned in the offseason for another 2 years. The only weakness may be at the pitching spot as Al Pratt is once again the man getting the starting nod, he was less than spectacular last year. Perhaps if he steps up his game a notch, the club will be unbeatable.

SS: George Wright (.332, 74 R, 91 H, 60 RBI, 21 SB)
2B: Bill Craver (.299, 16 RBI with PHW)
1B: Cap Anson (.373, 69 R, 7 HR, 68 RBI, 12 SB)
C: Fred Waterman (.343, 51 R, 50 RBI with BLC)
RF: Clipper Flynn (.343, 3 HR, 65 RBI)
LF: Ned Cuthbert (.333, 2 HR, 58 RBI, 10 SB)
3B: Harry Schafer (.296, 67 R, 3 HR, 59 RBI, 18 SB)
CF: Tom Foley (.303, 55 R, 45 RBI)

SP: Al Pratt (44 GS, 24W-14L, 4.23 ERA, 35 K)

Brooklyn Atlantics (32W-23L, 3rd, 4.0 GB): Going into the final month, the Atlantics found themselves in the thick of the title race, but a late season collapse relegated them to a 3rd place finish. Dick McBride will lead the pitching depth, but he may be pressed for his job as Jim Britt and rookie Tommy Bond have looked well in exhibitions.

LF: Fred Treacey (.319, 65 R, 4 HR, 47 RBI, 17 SB)
RF: John Glenn (.364, 4 HR, 49 RBI)
C: Deacon White (.286, 51 RBI with BOS)
1B: Everett Mills (.300, 61 R, 2 HR, 57 RBI)
SS: Jimmy Hallinan (.303, 45 R, 2 HR, 46 RBI)
CF: Candy Nelson (.290, 2 HR, 45 RBI)
2B: Ed Beavens (.264, 31 RBI in 3 seasons)
3B: Frank Selman (.259, 3 RBI with MAR, RES, & PHW)

SP: Dick McBride (44 GS, 24W-18L, 2.49 ERA, 41 K
P: Jim Britt (19 GS, 6W-3L, 4.26 ERA)
P: John Greason (39 GS, 11W-26L, 3.27 ERA with WAS last yr)
P: Tommy Bond (rookie)

Chicago White Stockings: A familiar name to Association faithful, the club has been brought back by city funds, but it doesn’t appear they convinced enough talent to come to the Windy City.

1B: Tim Murnane: (.260, 11 RBI with PHA)
2B: John Peters (rookie)
C: Mike McGeary (.319, 2 HR, 29 RBI with BOS)
3B: Bill Boyd (.255, 2 HR, 61 RBI with NYU)
LF: Count Gedney (.308, 27 RBI with PHW)
CF: Jack Remsen (.271, 24 RBI in 2 seasons)
SS: Denny Mack (.247, 34 RBI with PHA)
RF: Martin Mullen (appeared in 3 G with RES)

SP: Al Spalding (33 G, 12W-6L, 4.01 ERA with BOS)
P: Dan Collins (rookie)

Hartford Dark Blues: Not too much to cheer for in the state of Connecticut for this upcoming season.

LF: Ralph Ham (.177, 13 RBI with WAS)
C: Joe Bestick (appeared in 2 G in 2 seasons)
SS: John Bass (.278, 7 RBI with BRA)
CF: Art Allison (.293, 24 RBI with PHA)
RF: Steve Brady (rookie)
3B: Wally Goldsmith (.270, 6 RBI with PHW)
1B: Al Reach (.253, 28 RBI in 3 seasons)
2B: Sam Jackson (7 for 36 in 3 seasons)

SP: Ed Stratton (13 G, 2W-3L, 4.79 ERA with MAR & PHA)

New York Mutuals (35W-18L, 1st): A championship winning team that returns almost all of its starting lineup, that’s how you get tabbed as favorites to repeat. The only mystery is why some press sources are reporting Cy Bentley may be named the starter, when they have Rynie Wolters and George Zettlein on the team.

1B: Joe Start (.372, 60 R, 45 RBI)
SS: Jim Holdsworth (.264, 34 RBI)
2B: Lip Pike (.378, 3 HR, 38 RBI)
CF: George Hall (.360, 63 R, 11 3B, 61 RBI)
LF: Charlie Pabor (.253, 40 RBI)
RF: Bill Kelly (.300, 42 RBI)
C: Charlie Hodes (.241, 17 RBI with PHW)
3B: Alexander Nevin (.205, 12 RBI with RES)

SP: Cy Bentley (14 G, 1W-3L, 3.53 ERA with BRA & RES)
P: Rynie Wolters (35 GS, 20W-13L, 2.52 ERA, 36 K)
P: George Zettlein (18 GS, 14W-4L, 2.63 ERA, 21 K)

Philadelphia Athletics (24W-28L, 6th, 10.5 GB): In their 3 years in the Association, fans have been treated to an 8th, 9th, and 6th place finishes. That’s not the greatest of times for spectators in Philadelphia. Fireballer Bobby Mathews will take the mound again for the club looking for better fortunes this year.

SS: Bob Addy (.265, 33 RBI with BRA)
3B: Chick Fulmer (.315, 22 RBI with MAR & PHA)
2B: Andy Leonard (.312, 63 R, 3 HR, 46 RBI)
C: Dick Higham (.319, 39 RBI)
RF: Scott Hastings (.286, 37 RBI)
LF: Fred Cone (.292, 2 HR, 22 RBI)
CF: Count Sensenderfer (.248, 22 RBI)
1B: Joe Miller (.277, 19 RBI in 1872)

SP: Bobby Mathews (48 GS, 20W-24L, 3.35 ERA, 30 K)

Philadelphia Whites (25W-28L, 5th, 10.0 GB): This team is loaded around the infield with offensive talent, the outfield is a little suspect, and the pitching may be an adventure with Hugh Campbell being the only man that can pitch.

3B: Ezra Sutton (.322, 52 R, 6 HR, 67 RBI, 14 SB)
CF: Frank McCarton (12 for 27, 11 RBI with BRA)
2B: Ross Barnes (.412, 64 R, 99 H, 47 RBI)
1B: Jim O’Rourke (.339, 56 RBI)
SS: Davy Force (.309, 3 HR, 41 RBI)
RF: Gat Stires (.271, 2 HR, 26 RBI with WAS)
LF: George Bechtel (.324, 13 RBI with BRA)
C: Nat Hicks (.231, 35 RBI with NYU)

SP: Hugh Campbell (32 GS, 7W-21L, 3.85 ERA)

[Powderguy]

It's a closely contested championship race as 5 clubs are within striking distance going into the final 2 months.


Batting Leaders
BA: Lip Pike (NYU) .393
Hits: Lip Pike (NYU) 79
2B: Lip Pike (NYU) 17
3B: George Hall (NYU) 9
HR: Bill Kelly (NYU), Andy Leonard (PHA) 4
RBI: Lip Pike (NYU) 63
Runs: Joe Start (NYU) 55
SB: Mike McGeary (CHA) 12

Pitching Leaders
ERA: George Zettlein (NYU) 1.46
Wins: Hugh Campbell (PHW) 21
Losses: Ed Stratton (HAR) 23
SHO: Hugh Campbell (PHW) 2
K's: Al Pratt (BOS) 26

[Powderguy]

No Doubt About It This Year, Boston Captures the Crown

[Powderguy]

[Powderguy]

[scott1964]

Where do you get your old style photos?

[Powderguy]

Folded

-Baltimore Canaries

Joined

-Keokuk Westerns
-New Haven Elm Citys
-Philadelphia Centennials
-St. Louis Brown Stockings
-St. Louis Red Stockings
-Washington Nationals



This will put the total up to 13 teams that will try to capture the ultimate glory of winning the Association in 1875

[Powderguy]

SS Favel Wordsworth (23) (1 season ('73), .175, 5 RBI in 18 G
LF Tommy Johns (22) (1 season ('73), 0 for 2 in 3 G
1B Bill French (21) (1 season ('73), .208, 3 RBI in 6 G
RF Joe Eland (21) (1 season ('73), 5 for 20, 6 RBI in 7 G
1B Michael Campbell (23) (1 season ('73), .227, 15 RBI in 23 G
RF Phonney Martin (29) (1 season ('72), 1 for 1 in 1 G with BRA
SS Bob Reach (31) (2 seasons ('72-'73), .202, 10 RBI in 21 G
RF Jack McDonald (30) (2 seasons ('72-'73), 10 for 26 in 29 G
2B Al Martin (27) (1 season ('73), 2 for 10 in 9 G
2B Charlie Lowe (23) (1 season ('73), 4 for 14 in 5 G
2B John Galvin (32) (1 season ('73), appeared in 1 G
RF Oliver Brown (25) (2 seasons ('72-'73), 1 for 17 in 9 G
LF Andy Allison (26) (1 season ('73), .179, 8 RBI in 15 G
LF Frank Barrows (29) (2 seasons ('71-'72), .237, 33 RBI in 39 G
1B Jim Carleton (25) (3 seasons ('71-'73), .267, 1 HR, 27 RBI in 50 G
1B Tom Pratt (29) (1 season ('71), 2 for 10 in 7 G
2B Charlie Sweasy (26) (3 seasons ('71-'73), .233, 13 RBI in 23 G
3B Warren White (29) (2 seasons ('71,'73), .206 in 22 G

None of the gentlemen listed above achieved anything noteworthy in their playing career.

[Powderguy]

Originally Posted by scott1964

Where do you get your old style photos?

I downloaded the photo pack

OOTP Photopacks

First one

Big credit to those guys that found all those pictures

[Powderguy]

12/11: St. Louis Brown Stockings sign P Asa Brainard to a 4 year, $3,308 deal
12/25: The Brooklyn Atlantics got a nice Christmas surprise as former Mutuals 1B Joe Start inked a 2 year deal that will pay out $931/year.
1/6: 23 year old CF Tom York signed with the Philadelphia Athletics for 2 years @ $866/year. It will be his 5th club in 5 years, oh my.
1/7: The Athletics stay busy by adding RF Bill Kelly the very next day. The former Mutuals player signed on for a 3 year, $1,803 deal. Kelly may be remembered by fans as the man who had 7 RBI on opening day last year.
1/10: The man known as "Long Levi", 3B Levi Meyerle, will be donning a Philadelphia Whites jersey for presumably the next 2 years at a total of $2,134. He had spent the past 3 years in Baltimore.
2/11: Having already signed on 2 new outfielders, the Athletics completed the trifecta as they brought on LF Fred Treacey for 2 years @ $446/year.



Not doing a preview of the league for the upcoming year. Although the Boston Red Stockings are the odds on favorites to repeat for sure.

[scott1964]

Originally Posted by Powderguy

I downloaded the photo pack

OOTP Photopacks

First one

Big credit to those guys that found all those pictures

Thanks where do the files go?

[Powderguy]

*5/24: Centennials FOLDED

Led by rookie Sam Weaver, the Philadelphia Whites have rocketed out of the gates to a 15-5 mark, good enough for a 2 game lead in the standings, but still tied with the Chicago club on winning percentage. The White Stockings have received phenomenal pitching from Al Spalding who has an ERA under 1 so far. Or some people would want to attribute that low number to the excellent defense the club is playing behind him because the offense isn't the most potent.

Batting Leaders
BA: Lip Pike (NYU) .432
Hits: Clipper Flynn (BOS) 38
2B: Orator Shafer (HAR) 10
3B: John Dailey (WAS) 5
HR: Art Allison (HAR) 4
RBI: Tom Foley (BOS) 28
Runs: Ezra Sutton (PHW) 29
SB: Harry Schafer (BOS) 8

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Al Spalding (CHA) 0.98
Wins: Sam Weaver (PHW) 11
Losses: Fred Cone (HAR) 11
SHO: Al Spalding (CHA) 2
K's: Bill Stearns (PHA) 21

Injuries
HAR- P Dan Collins (elbow ligament surgery, 10 months)
WES- CF Charley Jones (elbow inflammation, 2-3 weeks)
NYU- 2B John Hatfield (fractured foot, 4 weeks)

Various News & Notes
5/5: Chicago P Al Spalding shut down Keokuk today as he allowed only 4 hits in a 5-0 victory.
5/6: He liked it so much the previous day, Al Spalding went out and threw another shutout the very next day. This time the victim was the St. Louis Brown Stockings as they only managed 4 hits in the game.
5/7: What an awful situation for 19-year old Hartford P Dan Collins as he felt something in his elbow after throwing a pitch. It was diagnosed later on as "some sort of elbow ligament" problem that will require almost a year of rehabilitation. This now leaves the Dark Blues without a pitcher on the roster, times are going to get tough.
5/19: New York Mutuals 2B John Hatfield raked 6 hits in as many at bats today in a 19-11 win over the Philadelphia Athletics.
5/31: Less than 2 weeks ago, John Hatfield was having a career day as he compiled 6 hits in one game. Today, he was being helped off the field by his teammates after fracturing his foot when he was hit by an errant pitch. It appears the second basemen will miss a month of action.

[Powderguy]

*5/24: Centennials FOLDED
*6/14: Westerns FOLDED
*7/4: STL Red Stockings FOLDED
*7/4: Nationals FOLDED

Still sitting atop the standings are the Whites, as they are being led by offensive star Ross Barnes and rookie pitching sensation Sam Weaver who is 26-8 with a 2.21 ERA in 37 starts. The Boston Red Stockings have played 10 more games, but have only been able to accumulate 1 more win than the Whites. The problem seems to be stability at pitcher as 4 different men have seen significant time as the starter. Also, Cap Anson renewed his deal with the club for another 3 years, but can the league stay afloat long enough financially for him to profit. Also in the mix are the Chicago White Stockings who have had their share of offensive struggles, only 1 batter on the team hits above .254. The only reason the club is sniffing 1st place is because of pitcher Al Spalding who has shut down the opposition effectively all year.


Batting Leaders
BA: Ross Barnes (PHW) .348
Hits: Fred Waterman (BOS), George Wright (BOS) 79
2B: Jim Foran (NYU), George Wright (BOS) 14
3B: Five tied with 7
HR: Art Allison (HAR), Cap Anson (BOS) 5
RBI: Ezra Sutton (PHW) 54
Runs: George Wright (BOS) 63
SB: George Wright (BOS) 16

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Mike Golden (BOS) 1.51
Wins: Sam Weaver (PHW) 26
Losses: George Bradley (SLB) 28
SHO: Sam Weaver (PHW) 3
K's: George Bradley (SLB) 43

Injuries
HAR- P Dan Collins (elbow ligament surgery, 8 months)
SLB- SS John Radcliff (ruptured finger tendon, 2-3 months)

[Powderguy]

WHITEOUT IN PHILLY! PHILADELPHIA CLUB CAPTURES 1ST TITLE

Despite losing their final 6 games, the Whites were able to rely on their achievements from throughout the season to give them just enough of a cushion to hang on and win the title.

Six teams folded after the season leaving the Association crippled. More details to come about a new league called the NATIONAL LEAGUE.