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Eckstein 4 Prez · 11-25-2004, 02:17 PM

The 1872 season was marked by numerous franchise shifts, as the National Association's center of gravity shifted from west to east. In keeping with that theme, the 1871 champion Cleveland Forest Citys could not compete at all with the eastern entries who snapped up many of the best players from the former Rockford, Fort Wayne and Chicago teams. The final standings for 1872:

Boston Red Stockings 32-16
Brooklyn Eckfords 19-10
Troy Haymakers 16-9
New York Mutuals 31-25
Washington Olympics 5-4
Philadelphia Athletics 24-23
Washington Nationals 4-7
Baltimore Canaries 27-31
Middletown Mansfields 10-14
Cleveland Forest Citys 7-15
Brooklyn Atlantics 8-29

According to Win Shares, Jimmy Wood, second baseman for the Baltimore Canaries, was the Most Valuable Hitter. Wood batted .342 with two home runs, 50 runs scored and 36 batted in. He was 16 for 21 on stolen base attempts and struck out only once in 240 at-bats. His OPS for the year was .840.

The system identified Al Spalding of the pennant-winning Boston Red Stockings as the best pitcher of the year. Spalding went 31-16 with a 2.84 ERA and pitched 415 1/3 innings for the Bostonians. He yielded 485 hits and 36 walks, while striking out 20 batsmen.

Because Spalding also hit .362 and drove in 36 runs, he was an easy choice for the overall Most Valuable Player.

The Rookie of the Year was pitcher Phonney Martin of the Troy Haymakers, who debuted with a 9-5 record and a 2.25 ERA. The leading vote-getter amond position players was 17-year-old center fielder Frank McCarton of the Middletown Mansfields, who managed to hit a robust .352.

The top players by position:

1B - Joe "Old Reliable" Start, New York Mutuals (second straight appearance)
2B - Jimmy Wood, Baltimore Canaries
SS - John Radcliff, Philadelphia Athletics
3B - Adrian "Cap" Anson, New York Mutuals (converted to 3B because the Mutuals already had Start at first)
LF - Steve King, Troy Haymakers
CF - Harry Wright, Boston Red Stockings
RF - Al Reach, Philadelphia Athletics (second straight appearance)
C - Charlie Hodes, Brooklyn Eckfords (second appearance with second team)

For the 1873 season, several of the weaker teams dropped from the scene. The Eckfords, Mansfields and Washington Nationals had too small a following and dropped from the NA, the Washington Olympics actually stopped play in mid-1872, and second-year clubs Troy and Cleveland also fell by the wayside. This left only five established clubs remaining for 1873: the New York Mutuals, the Boston Red Stockings, the Brooklyn Atlantics, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Baltimore Canaries. Joining them were four new clubs: the Baltimore Marylands, the Philadelphia Whites, the Elizabeth Resolutes, and the Washington Blue Legs. These nine clubs would compete for the crown in the National Association's third season.

11-25-2004, 02:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Eckstein 4 Prez Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The OC Posts: 5,184	The 1872 season was marked by numerous franchise shifts, as the National Association's center of gravity shifted from west to east. In keeping with that theme, the 1871 champion Cleveland Forest Citys could not compete at all with the eastern entries who snapped up many of the best players from the former Rockford, Fort Wayne and Chicago teams. The final standings for 1872: Boston Red Stockings 32-16 Brooklyn Eckfords 19-10 Troy Haymakers 16-9 New York Mutuals 31-25 Washington Olympics 5-4 Philadelphia Athletics 24-23 Washington Nationals 4-7 Baltimore Canaries 27-31 Middletown Mansfields 10-14 Cleveland Forest Citys 7-15 Brooklyn Atlantics 8-29 According to Win Shares, Jimmy Wood, second baseman for the Baltimore Canaries, was the Most Valuable Hitter. Wood batted .342 with two home runs, 50 runs scored and 36 batted in. He was 16 for 21 on stolen base attempts and struck out only once in 240 at-bats. His OPS for the year was .840. The system identified Al Spalding of the pennant-winning Boston Red Stockings as the best pitcher of the year. Spalding went 31-16 with a 2.84 ERA and pitched 415 1/3 innings for the Bostonians. He yielded 485 hits and 36 walks, while striking out 20 batsmen. Because Spalding also hit .362 and drove in 36 runs, he was an easy choice for the overall Most Valuable Player. The Rookie of the Year was pitcher Phonney Martin of the Troy Haymakers, who debuted with a 9-5 record and a 2.25 ERA. The leading vote-getter amond position players was 17-year-old center fielder Frank McCarton of the Middletown Mansfields, who managed to hit a robust .352. The top players by position: 1B - Joe "Old Reliable" Start, New York Mutuals (second straight appearance) 2B - Jimmy Wood, Baltimore Canaries SS - John Radcliff, Philadelphia Athletics 3B - Adrian "Cap" Anson, New York Mutuals (converted to 3B because the Mutuals already had Start at first) LF - Steve King, Troy Haymakers CF - Harry Wright, Boston Red Stockings RF - Al Reach, Philadelphia Athletics (second straight appearance) C - Charlie Hodes, Brooklyn Eckfords (second appearance with second team) For the 1873 season, several of the weaker teams dropped from the scene. The Eckfords, Mansfields and Washington Nationals had too small a following and dropped from the NA, the Washington Olympics actually stopped play in mid-1872, and second-year clubs Troy and Cleveland also fell by the wayside. This left only five established clubs remaining for 1873: the New York Mutuals, the Boston Red Stockings, the Brooklyn Atlantics, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Baltimore Canaries. Joining them were four new clubs: the Baltimore Marylands, the Philadelphia Whites, the Elizabeth Resolutes, and the Washington Blue Legs. These nine clubs would compete for the crown in the National Association's third season. __________________ A New League Begins - an exploration of 19th century base ball.