OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Completely Fictional History of Baseball

legendsport · 06-07-2007, 08:14 PM

The Base Ball Intelligencer, Troy, NY, April 15, 1877:

SHRUNKEN LEAGUE TO EMBARK ON SOPHOMORE SEASON

After the surprising dismissal of fully 25% of the National League's membership, and with those clubs representing the nation's largest cities, the League finds itself shrunken to six clubs as it prepares to begin its sophomore campaign. The remaining clubs - Red Stocking (Boston), White Stocking (Chicago), Brown Stocking (St. Louis), Red Leg (Cincinnati), Gray (Louisville) and the champion of last season, Dark Blue (Hartford), enter the 1877 championship season fully cognizant of the penalty should they violate the League's constitution.

With few players moving this winter, those six clubs enter 1877 with rosters mainly intact, which would lead one to believe that Hartford's Dark Blues will again be the club to beat. A keen eye would discern that Boston and Chicago will compete strongly and Louisville is also possessed of talented ball players. Only Cincinnati and perhaps St. Louis are not likely to be in the championship chase this year.

WILL FINANCIAL WOES FLATTEN THE CHAMPS?

It's come to light that the high cost of operating the club which won the World's Title last season has put the Dark Blue Club in dire financial straits. With a much smaller potential clientele than either Boston or Chicago, Hartford's income has a difficult time meeting the expenditures of the club's payroll. Whether or not the club can survive remains to be seen, but for now, the talent remains and therefore the Dark Blues will field a very strong nine.

LEAGUE "ALLIANCE" SWELLS RANK OF PRO CLUBS

The so-called League Alliance of professional clubs has put several clubs - by some count 13 of them - under the aegis of a working agreement with the National League. The brainchild of magnate Ben Harrell, the Alliance consists of professional clubs which are outside the League itself, but with guarantees from the league of non-inteference with player contracts. Unspoken, but assumed, is that the Alliance is a training ground for potential future members of the League itself. Should a club prove successful - and more importantly, loyal to League desires - that club will be at the top of any potential list of new members for the League itself. That, and the $10 entry fee, make it a worthy endeavor for many smaller outfits.

06-07-2007, 08:14 PM	#83 (permalink)
legendsport Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Behind The Lens Posts: 2,158 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8x in 8 posts	1877 Season Preview The Base Ball Intelligencer, Troy, NY, April 15, 1877: SHRUNKEN LEAGUE TO EMBARK ON SOPHOMORE SEASON After the surprising dismissal of fully 25% of the National League's membership, and with those clubs representing the nation's largest cities, the League finds itself shrunken to six clubs as it prepares to begin its sophomore campaign. The remaining clubs - Red Stocking (Boston), White Stocking (Chicago), Brown Stocking (St. Louis), Red Leg (Cincinnati), Gray (Louisville) and the champion of last season, Dark Blue (Hartford), enter the 1877 championship season fully cognizant of the penalty should they violate the League's constitution. With few players moving this winter, those six clubs enter 1877 with rosters mainly intact, which would lead one to believe that Hartford's Dark Blues will again be the club to beat. A keen eye would discern that Boston and Chicago will compete strongly and Louisville is also possessed of talented ball players. Only Cincinnati and perhaps St. Louis are not likely to be in the championship chase this year. WILL FINANCIAL WOES FLATTEN THE CHAMPS? It's come to light that the high cost of operating the club which won the World's Title last season has put the Dark Blue Club in dire financial straits. With a much smaller potential clientele than either Boston or Chicago, Hartford's income has a difficult time meeting the expenditures of the club's payroll. Whether or not the club can survive remains to be seen, but for now, the talent remains and therefore the Dark Blues will field a very strong nine. LEAGUE "ALLIANCE" SWELLS RANK OF PRO CLUBS The so-called League Alliance of professional clubs has put several clubs - by some count 13 of them - under the aegis of a working agreement with the National League. The brainchild of magnate Ben Harrell, the Alliance consists of professional clubs which are outside the League itself, but with guarantees from the league of non-inteference with player contracts. Unspoken, but assumed, is that the Alliance is a training ground for potential future members of the League itself. Should a club prove successful - and more importantly, loyal to League desires - that club will be at the top of any potential list of new members for the League itself. That, and the $10 entry fee, make it a worthy endeavor for many smaller outfits. __________________ The Baseball Chronicle - Swinging thru History! The Football Chronicle - Hitting Hard Historically (PFS - 1962) Alternate Universe Football (FOF - 1994)