American League Loses Top Pitcher and NL Philadelphia Steals Champion Wicker
In the ongoing war over player contracts, the National League finally pulled its own upset and also sparked controversy involving the league’s champion St. Louis organization. Frank Morrissey, the top pitcher for the Boston Americans, jumps to the National League Bostons. Morrissey was 24-11 with a 2.64 ERA and led the league with 145 strikeouts in 313 innings. He joins a woeful Beaneaters club that sported four 20-game losers. The Americans were a contending team last year and it is curious why Morrissey would choose the cellar-dwelling club across town. The Americans look to an aging Cy Young to resurrect his career and fill the void left by “The Deacon.”
Bob Wicker, top pitcher of the National League, is no longer with the champions of St. Louis. After a sparkling finish that catapulted the team past Cincinnati in the final month, Wicker’s services are now with Colonel Roger’s Philadelphians. Speculation abounds whether this in-house player raid was put into action by league officials to compensate the Philadelphia owner for the mass exodus of players suffered this fall. It is unknown if the champions received a fair compensation of their own. Wicker was 24-10 with a 1.81 ERA who lead the league in shutout victories with five. He joins a strong pitching staff that leads a desolate roster raided by the American League. Only shortstop Hughie Jennings and outfielders Slagle and Roy Thomas remain. Colonel Rogers is banking on a court-ordered return of star Napoleon Lajoie, who played for the Athletics last year.