The Base Ball Intelligencer, Troy, NY, August 3, 1878:
RED LEGS SUCCEEDING UNDER PITMAN
The return of 35-year-old prodigal son Rube Pitman to the Queen City has energized the formerly moribund Cincinnati Red Legs. Pitman, acting as manager as well as star shortstop, is leading the club to heights few would have dared to imagine. The Red Legs have the League's best record, sitting atop the table with 26 victories. Even the fact that they're tied with the surprising Indianapolis club can not dampen the spirits of the cranks following the Red Legs this season. Pitman's .381 average signals that he is fully recovered from the shoulder injury which kept him off the diamond in 1877, and as a manager he has uncovered a hidden gem in left-fielder Henry Cuomo, an immigrant with a thick Italian accent and a steady bat, whose .398 average is the best on the club. With fine pitching being twirled by Will Miereles it appears that the Red Legs do have enough to claim the World's Championship this season.
STANDINGS
Code:
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run Streak Last10
Cincinnati Red Legs 26 15 .634 - 23-18 3 12-7 14-8 2-2 7-5 W5 6-4
Indianapolis Blues 26 17 .605 1.0 24-19 2 12-7 14-10 4-0 9-5 W2 6-4
Boston Red Stockings 21 15 .583 2.5 21-15 0 11-9 10-6 2-2 6-3 W2 4-6
Providence Grays 16 18 .471 6.5 16-18 0 6-13 10-5 1-1 6-3 L2 6-4
Chicago White Stockings 17 24 .415 9.0 20-21 -3 11-14 6-10 1-5 6-11 L2 4-6
Milwaukee Cream Citys 12 29 .293 14.0 12-29 0 5-11 7-18 2-2 2-9 L2 4-6
INDIANAPOLIS SURPRISE TO ALL EXCEPT THE CLUB ITSELF
The strong showing of the Indianapolis club has been the season's biggest surprise - but not to the club's consitituents, who claim to have seen it coming all along. Indy is tied atop the standing table at 26 wins, though some speculate that their fortunes will take a dip once they hit the rails for some away contests in such distant provinces as, say, Boston. Claud Mackinson's .388 average leads the club and he claims that "We're no fluke." Time will tell if Claud is correct.
CLAUD MACKINSON
MYSTERIOUS 'SLUMP' PLAGUES BOSTONIANS
The much-heralded Boston nine has been mediocre at best thus far, showing stretches of brilliance as well as stretches of severe ineptitude. The pitcher, courtesy of 'Bloop' Biron has been excellent, so the blame must be laid at the feet of the batsmen, though their failings are not immediately evident. Witness these averages: Mahoney - .371, Morton - .356, Withers - .344, Feldbush - .329. Those four are carrying their weight, it is upon the other four members of the starting nine, especially the .269 average of right fielder John Kreuzer which is holding this club back. Should the bats catch up with the spinning whippets coming off Biron's magical left hand, the Red Stockings will rise to their predicted heights.
MIKE FELDBUSH
DISGUSTED HARRELL'S PLEDGE: BIG CHANGES IN THE SECOND CITY
With his Chicago White Stockings limping through their schedule, Benjamin Harrell has pledged to the club's rooting interests that he will make big changes this winter to return the club to prominence. Asked about this promise, Harrell sniped that "no one, and I mean no one, is untouchable. Campbell or Rhoades could very easily find themselves shipped off to Milwaukee if they don't shape up."
INTERNATIONAL POWERS TO LEAGUE: WE'RE READY
The very strong showing in the season's first months by the Buffalo and Syracuse clubs of the International Association seems to indicate that this pair of powers is ready to step forward and contest their base ball against the best the National League can offer. Buffalo has won 25 of 31 contests, many in lopsided fashion, and 20-year-old Bob Holub is hitting a robust .453 thus far. Syracuse has been a strong club for three seasons running and boasts the dynamic Cuban duo of Cavetano Blanco (generally acclaimed the best pitcher outside the League) and Arturo Villanueva. Frank Coolbaugh has a .372 average for the Stars and the skill to play in the League is apparent on both clubs.
FRANK COOLBAUGH
STANDINGS
Code:
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run Streak Last10
Buffalo Bisons 25 6 .806 - 21-10 4 14-1 11-5 3-0 5-2 L1 7-3
Syracuse Stars 20 10 .667 4.5 21-9 -1 10-5 10-5 0-1 2-4 W7 9-1
Hornellsville Club 17 13 .567 7.5 16-14 1 10-5 7-8 1-0 3-4 W1 6-4
Binghamton Crickets 16 14 .533 8.5 16-14 0 9-6 7-8 0-0 2-3 W1 4-6
London Tecumsehs 16 14 .533 8.5 19-11 -3 8-7 8-7 0-0 2-6 W1 6-4
Lowell Ladies Men 16 14 .533 8.5 13-17 3 6-9 10-5 2-0 1-2 W1 5-5
Springfield Club 16 14 .533 8.5 17-13 -1 5-10 11-4 1-2 3-2 W1 4-6
Lynn Live Oaks 15 16 .484 10.0 15-16 0 8-7 7-9 0-1 4-4 L3 2-8
Rochester Flour Citys 15 16 .484 10.0 16-15 -1 9-7 6-9 1-1 6-4 L1 5-5
Utica Franklins 15 16 .484 10.0 16-15 -1 7-8 8-8 0-0 7-3 L2 5-5
New Haven Cascades 11 20 .355 14.0 12-19 -1 7-9 4-11 0-1 2-3 L1 4-6
Manchester Reds 9 22 .290 16.0 8-23 1 4-12 5-10 0-1 5-5 L1 4-6
Pittsburgh Alleghenys 7 23 .233 17.5 8-22 -1 2-13 5-10 0-1 3-3 W1 5-5