FINAL STANDINGS:
Code:
National League Standings :
Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA
Boston 38 22 .633 -- .286 2.58
Providence 34 26 .567 4 .264 2.34
Indianapolis 31 29 .517 7 .255 2.59
Chicago 27 33 .450 11 .274 3.37
Cincinnati 26 34 .433 12 .255 2.70
Milwaukee 24 36 .400 14 .263 2.94
RECAP:
The 1879 campaign was another uneasy one for the National League as it sought to cement its place as the top circuit for professional base ball in America. The addition of three new clubs - Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Providence saw two of those clubs become dismal failures. Milwaukee was not competitive on the field and bled red ink. The Indianapolis club, while competitive, could not balance its books either. Both folded at the conclusion of the season. Only the Providence club was successful - both on the field and, surprisingly, at the box office.
The Providence Grays gave the eventual champion Boston club a run for their money, winning 34 games with steady play. Proven veteran Pat Manke gave the Grays a core to build around. If the club had been able to field a competent center fielder, they may have won the pennant. But the fans who regularly packed Messer Street Grounds gave the Providence club a boost as it headed into its 1879 sophomore campaign.
The Boston Red Stockings earned their championship stripes with outstanding play in all facets of the game. Veterans like Joe Poon were joined by young up-and-comers such as Walker "Plug Ugly" Weaver and John "The Mighty" Casey to give the Bostonians a potent lineup. Leinster's lineup featured only one weakness - at the keystone where veteran Leon Lister managed a mere .229 average and, at age 35, appears too old to continue to play. His "younger" brother, the 34-year-old Keith Lister, recorded a .349 average, so he seems to be maintaining his status as one of base ball's best batsmen. The pitching was ably provided by Rich Deem, who posted a 2.58 ERA and won Pitcher of the Year honors.
LEADERS:
TOP 5 in BATTING AVG :
.381 Garret Nevins( ML2)
.380 Ralph Eanes(CHN)
.372 Ron Catlin( PRO)
.368 Joe Poon(BSN)
.365 Chris Morris( ML2)
TOP 5 in HOMERUNS :
3 George Holloway( IN1)
2 Ralph Eanes(CHN)
2 Glenn Felty( IN1)
2 Walker Weaver(BSN)
2 Cecil Everette(CN1)
TOP 5 in RBI :
46 Jack Cogburn( PRO)
41 Hick Rogers(CHN)
40 Glenn Felty( IN1)
38 Ralph Eanes(CHN)
37 Roger Leaf(CHN)
TOP 5 in ERA :
2.34 Pat Manke( PRO)
2.58 Rich Deem(BSN)
2.59 Glenn Wynn( IN1)
2.70 Edmund Madison(CN1)
2.94 Russell Diamond( ML2)
TOP 5 in WINS :
38 Rich Deem(BSN)
34 Pat Manke( PRO)
31 Glenn Wynn( IN1)
27 Curt Newsom(CHN)
26 Edmund Madison(CN1)
AWARDS:
Batter of the Year: Joe Poon, Boston Red Stockings, .368 average, 31 RBI
Pitcher of the Year: Rich Deem, Boston Red Stockings, 38-22 record, 2.58 ERA, 534 innings, 198 strikeouts
CREATED PLAYER UPDATE:
John "The Mighty" Casey at a mere 18 years of age, took over the 1B job for the eventual champion Boston club. He hit a respectable .260 and led his club with 13 doubles.
Tommy Bernard played for the Providence Grays and held his own with a .280 average while ably fielding his position at second base.
"Black Jack" McKinley earned a starting role in right field for the Providence Grays and was the club's second-best hitter with a .344 average, driving in 26 runs.