New York Times
March 5, 1872
As we prepare for an exciting Championship Base Ball season, here is but one opinion on the potential of the professional clubs.
Code:
Washington Olympics
Players.............Position
1. Bill Stearns.....Pitcher (17-10 3.41) / Asa Brainard (2-0 5.08)
2. Doug Allison.....Catcher (.343, 36 runs, 17 rbi)
3. Everett Mills....First base (.343, 34 runs, 24 rbi, 3 hr)
4. Tommy Beals......Second base (.230, 22 runs, 15 rbi)
5. Fred Waterman....Third base (.348, 26 runs, 18 rbi)
6. Davy Force.......Short stop (.328, 33 runs, 26 rbi)
7. Harry Berthrong..Left field (.223, 21 runs, 22 rbi)
8. George Hall......Centre field (.285, 24 runs, 19 rbi)
9. John Glenn.......Right field (.348, 19 runs, 26 rbi)
There is controversy in Washington for the 1871 Champions—is Stearns the better pitcher than Brainard?
Code:
Boston Red Stockings
Players.............Position
1. George Zettlein..Pitcher (17-11, 3.04 with Chicago)
2. Cal McVey........Catcher (.290, 29 runs, 22 rbi, 2 hr)
3. Charlie Gould....First base (.254, 12 runs, 14 rbi)
4. Ross Barnes......Second base (.341, 34 runs, 27 rbi)
5. Harry Schafer....Third base (.243, 22 runs, 7 rbi)
6. George Wright....Short stop (.289, 22 runs, 16 rbi)
7. Fred Cone........Left field (.246, 11 runs, 13 rbi)
8. Harry Wright.....Centre field (.305, 19 runs, 5 rbi)
9. Dave Birdsall....Right field (.260, 16 runs, 16 rbi)
The Boston club was displeased with Spaulding’s pitching, so they convinced the 1871 Cartwright winner, Zettlein, to join their club. If the Wright boys can find the bats that they used during their times in Cincinnati, the Red Stockings will be the team to beat.
Code:
Philadelphia Athletics
Players.............Position
1. Dick McBride.....Pitcher (15-13 3.22) / Cherokee Fisher (15-10 3.02)
2. Fergy Malone.....Catcher (.341, 33 runs, 22 rbi)
3. Wes Fisler.......First base (.320, 26 runs, 24 rbi)
4. Al Reach.........Second base (.255, 29 runs, 18 rbi)
5. Levi Meyerle.....Third base (.360, 34 runs, 26 rbi)
6. John Radcliff....Short stop (.320, 27 runs, 26 rbi)
7. George Bechtel...Left field (.302, 23 runs, 34 rbi)
8. Sensenderfer.....Centre field (.394, 37 runs, 19 rbi)
9. George Heubel....Right field (.234, 20 runs, 17 rbi)
The Philadelphia club made no major changes for 1872 other than the signing of Cherokee Fisher as switch pitcher. A good club unable to overcome a slow start in 1871, they should be in the thick of pennant chase.
Code:
Baltimore Canaries
Players.............Position
1. Al Spaulding.....Pitcher (11-18, 3.76 with Boston)
2. Frank Selman.....Catcher (.244 with Fort Wayne)
3. Denny Mack.......First base (.280, 27 runs, 11 rbi with Rockford)
4. John Kenney......Second base (rookie)
5. Bill Allison.....Third base (rookie)
6. Jim Hallinan.....Short stop (.228 with Fort Wayne)
7. Josh Snyder......Left field (rookie)
8. Scott Hastings...Centre field (.336, 24 runs, 19 rbi with Rockford)
9. Joe Higby........Right field (rookie)
Baltimore has put together a judicious nine for 1872, signing Spaulding from Boston and slugging Mack from Rockford. They could be the best of the newly formed professional clubs.
Code:
New York Mutual
Players.............Position
1. Candy Cummings...Pitcher (rookie)
2. Dick Higham......Catcher (.333, 32 runs, 25 rbi)
3. Joe Start........First base (.329, 26 runs, 26 rbi)
4. Robert Ferguson..Second base (.314, 36 runs, 15 rbi)
5. Charles Smith....Third base (.308, 33 runs, 22 rbi)
6. Dickey Pearce....Short stop (.313, 23 runs, 31 rbi)
7. John Hatfield....Left field (.248, 19 runs, 28 rbi)
8. Dave Eggler......Centre field (.250, 27 runs, 18 rbi)
9. Charlie Mills....Right field (.254, 26 runs, 15 rbi)
The Mutual, disappointed in the pitching of Wolters last season, is bringing in heralded amateur Cummings to pitch for 1872. If Cummings can prove himself against the professionals, the Mutual will be a position for the championship.
Code:
Cleveland Forest City
Players.............Position
1. Al Pratt.........Pitcher (14-15 3.00)
2. Deacon White.....Catcher (.277, 21 runs, 24 rbi)
3. Jim Foran........First base (.281 12 runs, 12 rbi for Fort Wayne)
4. Jimmy Wood.......Second base (.386, 31 runs, 17 rbi for Chicago)
5. Ezra Sutton......Third base (.338, 21 runs, 21 rbi)
6. John Bass........Short stop (.325, 18 runs, 21 rbi)
7. Charlie Pabor....Left field (.340, 33 runs, 31 rbi)
8. Fred Treacey.....Centre field (.279, 27 runs, 20 rbi for Chicago)
9. Gat Stires.......Right field (.273, 21 runs, 20 rbi)
Doubleday Award winner, Wood, decided to join the Cleveland club for 1872, making them instant contenders.
Code:
Middletown Mansfields
Players.............Position
1. Bobby Mathews....Pitcher (6-13 3.71 for Fort Wayne)
2. John Clapp.......Catcher (rookie)
3. Jim O’Rourke.....First base (rookie)
4. Eddie Booth......Second base (rookie)
5. Cap Anson........Third base (.316, 22 runs, 21 rbi for Rockford)
6. Ham Allen........Short stop (rookie)
7. Jim Tipper.......Left field (rookie)
8. Frank McCarton...Centre field (rookie)
9. Frank Buttery....Right field (rookie)
The new club from Middletown added pitcher, Mathews, and Anson for third base. It will make them fun to watch, but there are too many muffins on this club.
Code:
Troy Haymakers
Players.............Position
1. Lefty McMullin...Pitcher (12-14 3.39)
2. Mike McGeary.....Catcher (.230, 28 runs, 17 rbi)
3. Ned Connor.......First base (.250, 12 runs, 10 rbi)
4. Lip Pike.........Second base (.313, 29 runs, 23 rbi)
5. Steve Bellan.....Third base (.291, 18 runs, 22 rbi)
6. Bill Craver......Short stop (.254, 23 runs, 14 rbi)
7. Steve King.......Left field (.310, 21 runs, 33 rbi)
8. Tom York.........Centre field (.392, 27 runs, 17 rbi)
9. Phonney Martin...Right field (rookie)
Troy also made no major changes. Too bad.
Code:
Brooklyn Atlantics
Players.............Position
1. Jim Britt........Pitcher (rookie)
2. Al Barker........Catcher (8 games for Rockford)
3. Bub McAtee.......First base (.288, 31 runs, 23 rbi for Chicago)
4. Jim Hall.........Second base (rookie)
5. Jack Burdock.....Third base (rookie)
6. Tom Barlow.......Short stop (rookie)
7. Ralph Ham........Left field (.206 for Rockford)
8. Jack Remsen......Centre field (rookie)
9. Jack McDonald....Right field (rookie)
All are excited to see Britt pitch against the professionals. Whether the young bats on this team can help him, is a big question.
Code:
Brooklyn Eckfords
Players.............Position
1. Martin Malone....Pitcher (rookie)
2. Joe Bestick......Catcher (rookie)
3. Andy Allison.....First base (rookie)
4. Bob Addy.........Second base (.226, 21 runs, 21 rbi with Rockford)
5. Jim Clinton......Third base (rookie)
6. Ed Duffy.........Short stop (.226, 24 runs, 13 rbi with Chicago)
7. Ed Mincher.......Left field (.190 for Fort Wayne)
8. Tom Foley........Centre field (.269, 19 runs, 29 rbi with Chicago)
9. Fraley Rogers....Right field (rookie)
The Eckfords picked up a few scrubs from the disbanded clubs. That probably won’t help them much.
Code:
Washington Nationals
Players.............Position
1. Rynie Wolters....Pitcher (14-18 4.26 for New York)
2. Chick Fulmer.....Catcher (.160 for Rockford)
3. Joe Kavanaugh....First base (rookie)
4. William Barrett..Second base (.238 in 7 games for Fort Wayne)
5. Mike Brannock....Third base (2 games for Chicago)
6. Thomas Carey.....Short stop (.121 for Fort Wayne)
7. Paul Hines.......Left field (rookie)
8. Mart King........Centre field (.188 for Chicago)
9. Oscar Bielaski...Right field (rookie)
Veteran pitcher Wolters will help this young club. Signing a bunch of backups won’t.