OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Alternate Universe Majors Holds "Draft" For Inaugural 1871 Season

Eckstein 4 Prez · 11-07-2003, 08:56 PM

March 2, 1871 - Wealthy scions in eight American cities today began an experiment in professional base ball with a "draft" of players. The 115 eligible players will be divided among the eight teams and will compete for the World's Championship of base ball. The National Association, the umbrella organization under which this experiment will be conducted, will consist of two leagues of four teams each: the NA1 will include the Boston Red Caps, the Fort Wayne Kekiongas, the New York Mutuals and the Washington Olympics. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Stockings, the Cleveland Forest Citys, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Troy Haymakers will compete in the NA2.

While association organizers have high hopes for this experiment, many observers believe it is doomed to fail. "When players of base ball are in it strictly for the money and not for the love of the game, as it was back when I played the game, the teams will never have the consistent veteran leadership it shall take to emerge victorious," grumbled Josephus Morgan, a leading base ball player of the pre-Civil War era.

Only time will tell whether this endeavor will prove successful. Meanwhile, we have engaged the services of Mr. Morgan to analyze the players each team drafts for this inaugural 1871 season.

11-07-2003, 08:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Eckstein 4 Prez Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The OC Posts: 5,527 Thanks: 21 Thanked 45x in 33 posts	Alternate Universe Majors Holds "Draft" For Inaugural 1871 Season March 2, 1871 - Wealthy scions in eight American cities today began an experiment in professional base ball with a "draft" of players. The 115 eligible players will be divided among the eight teams and will compete for the World's Championship of base ball. The National Association, the umbrella organization under which this experiment will be conducted, will consist of two leagues of four teams each: the NA1 will include the Boston Red Caps, the Fort Wayne Kekiongas, the New York Mutuals and the Washington Olympics. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Stockings, the Cleveland Forest Citys, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Troy Haymakers will compete in the NA2. While association organizers have high hopes for this experiment, many observers believe it is doomed to fail. "When players of base ball are in it strictly for the money and not for the love of the game, as it was back when I played the game, the teams will never have the consistent veteran leadership it shall take to emerge victorious," grumbled Josephus Morgan, a leading base ball player of the pre-Civil War era. Only time will tell whether this endeavor will prove successful. Meanwhile, we have engaged the services of Mr. Morgan to analyze the players each team drafts for this inaugural 1871 season.