FINAL STANDINGS:
Code:
National League Standings :
Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA
Chicago 41 19 .683 -- .319 2.74
Louisville 33 27 .550 8 .287 3.35
Boston 31 29 .517 10 .298 3.55
Hartford 25 35 .417 16 .285 4.55
St. Louis 25 35 .417 16 .282 4.01
Cincinnati 24 34 .414 16 .263 3.27
RECAP:
The second season of the National League's existence saw an even greater threat emerge than the challenge to the league's authority by two of its strongest clubs in 1876 had been. While the League managed to weather the storm raised by expelling the two member clubs representing the largest cities in the country, can it withstand the revelations late in the 1877 season that one of the league's better teams, the Louisville club, had been "throwing" games?
The season itself played out as expected - Chicago, again clearly the best team in the circuit, won the League pennant just as it had in 1876. The runners-up were Louisville, a strong team that may have given the White Stockings a run for their money had it not been for the shady doings of several key members of the club. It was announced after the season had concluded that pitcher Johnny Hartman, short stop Arnold Miller and second baseman Carey Edgerton were being expelled from the League for life. The loss of these three key players, plus the disgrace incumbent upon a club whose players had been compromised by gambling elements, resulted in the folding of the Louisville club. This was soon followed by the announcement that both Hartford and St. Louis, citing financial difficulties, would also fold up their operations, leaving the League with just three clubs as it planned for 1878.
The Louisville shenanigans aside, 1877 provided plenty of base ball excitement. The White Stockings were led again by their triumvirate of stars. Howard Bloomer "bloomed" in his second season, winning 41 games as he threw every one of the White Stockings' 548 innings. He also posted a 2.74 earned run average and was named the league's Pitcher of the Year. Travis Pearson copped Batter of the Year for the second straight season, hitting .427 to lead the League. And Ralph Eanes hit .341 - down from his usual standards - but still a solid season from the 33-year-old veteran who also managed the club.
As 1878 approached, the League's President announced that three new clubs would be joining the National League: Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Providence. This brings the membership back up to six clubs. The applications by both New York and Philadelphia, each expelled after the 1876 season, were denied.
LEADERS:
TOP 5 in BATTING AVG :
.427 Travis Pearson(CHN)
.408 Arnold Miller(LS1)
.388 Henry MacPherson( CN1)
.373 Joe Poon(BSN)
.370 Nick Wagner(HAR)
TOP 5 in HOMERUNS :
3 Cecil Everette(CN1)
2 Cordell Bean(HAR)
2 Hick Rogers(CHN)
1 Walker Weaver(BSN)
1 Emerson Colbert(SL3)
TOP 5 in RBI :
55 Travis Pearson(CHN)
50 Tim Peterson(CHN)
49 Nick Wagner(HAR)
46 Hick Rogers(CHN)
45 Glenn Felty(HAR)
TOP 5 in ERA :
2.74 Howard Bloomer(CHN)
3.27 Edmund Madison(CN1)
3.35 Johnny Hartman( LS1)
3.55 Rich Deem(BSN)
4.01 Pat Manke(SL3)
5 TOP 5 in WINS :
3 41 Howard Bloomer(CHN)
3 33 Johnny Hartman( LS1)
3 31 Rich Deem(BSN)
3 25 Pat Manke(SL3)
3 24 Edmund Madison(CN1)
AWARDS:
Batter of the Year: Travis Pearson, Chicago White Stockings, .427 average, 55 runs batted in
Pitcher of the Year: Howard Bloomer, Chicago White Stockings, 41-19 record, 2.74 ERA, 578 innings
Rookie of the Year: Winfield Jessup, Cincinnati Red Legs, .280 average, 18 runs batted in
CREATED PLAYER UPDATE:
John "The Mighty" Casey, 1B, Boston Red Stockings. Casey had an extremely modest stat line for 1877 as the 17-year-old did not appear in the regular lineup for Boston. He appeared in a mere 5 games, had three at-bats without a hit, but did score the first run of his career as a pinch-runner. It is expected that Jess Beale, the Boston first base man, may end his career, opening up a spot for Casey in the line up.
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