Quote:
Originally Posted by Syd Thrift
Are you going to bring the AA into the fold? What about the UA?
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The AA, definitely; the UA, I'm still deciding but leaning toward "yes." As long as I'm doing everything by the book as far as league structure goes, why not go the extra mile? I think I may look at some other leagues that have tried it first, though, to see what problems arose.
TEAM-BY-TEAM PROFILES - 1881 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER
BOSTON RED CAPS (54-30 in 1880; champions in 1879-80)
They have been the best team for two years running, and it seems very likely that they'll make it three. Although there are good squads in Chicago and Cleveland to give them a run for the money, Boston still has the two best hitters in the league in Anson and Barnes, and McVey and John O'Rourke are also legitimate stars. With four players at that level, they don't need much else. They are leaving their team mostly intact from last season.
8 C Cal McVey (0-40-.285-11) - A down year by his standards, but he's still one of the league's top catchers. Became the first 1,000-hit man in 1880.
50 1B John Morrill (1-24-.214-1) - He was a solid .290 hitter before last year, and the team is hoping he finds that level again.
11 2B Ross Barnes (2-64-.342-9) - What's there to say? He and Anson are without a doubt the two best players in professional base ball. Will reach 1,000 hits sometime early in the season.
29 SS Sadie Houck (1-50-.278-1) - This solid young player came into his own last year, and is now an unquestioned part of the Boston attack.
5 3B Cap Anson (1-45-.348-9) - With four MVH Awards, Anson is obviously the premiere player in the National League. Still only 28 years old, he's signed for another three seasons in Boston.
78 LF Frank Heifer (1-5-.250-0; lifetime .350 hitter) - He has been toiling on the bench in Boston for six years now, and is finally getting a chance to start now that Manning and Shaffer have left.
13 CF John O'Rourke (3-52-.313-0) - He's one more top-notch player for Boston's potent attack. Also a very solid center fielder.
37 RF Mike Dorgan (1-52-.236-4) - Dorgan was primarily a left fielder before this season, but they're moving him to right this year. Either way, he's a solid hitter but nothing special.
9 P Curry Foley (29-22, 2.18; lifetime 62-37 record) - He doesn't get much credit for the team's success, but he's done a solid job in two years as the primary pitcher.
44 P Foghorn Bradley (17-5, 1.44; lifetime 111-88 record) - After a very successful 1880, many are arguing that Bradley should be the top starter. It will be interesting to see what happens if he gets off to a good start this season.