A Baseball House Divided

[legendsport]

from the United States Military Review magazine, December 1904:

CHIEF OF STAFF OF IMPERIAL GERMAN ARMY VISITS WEST POINT - Field Marshal Alfred Graf von Schlieffen, the 71-year-old Chief of Staff of Kaiser Wilhelm II's Imperial Army, visited the United States Military Academy at West Point in November, finishing a visit to the United States in which he and his entourage toured various military posts across the country.

Von Schlieffen is a veteran of both the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, both of which were victories for Prussia, which led to the formation of the German Empire. Accompanying Von Schlieffen were several members of his staff, fellow officers trained in the Prussian fashion.

Following the tour of the Military Academy, Von Schlieffen had a long meeting with Major General Arthur MacArthur, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, on efficiency methods and tactics. MacArthur's spokesman reported the General found his meeting with Von Schlieffen "enlightening" and looked forward to working with the German again.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, December 8, 1904:

With a successful re-election campaign behind him, President William McKinley turns his thoughts to plans for his second term in office. The President graciously consented to sit down with reporters in the Executive Office to share his plans.

..."The recent war between the Confederacy and Mexico has demonstrated that our erstwhile brothers are intent on territorial dominance. I plan on asking Congress to increase appropriations for military spending."

..."As you know, we had the top men from the German Army here to advise our own Generals on modernizing the U.S. Army. Ambassador Roosevelt has done an outstanding job fostering good relations with the Kaiser's people and I look forward to a close relationship between the U.S. and Germany..."

..."The economy is strong, but I will not hesitate to enforce measures designed to keep it that way. Trade with the Confederacy is operating at a deficit, which I would like to see reversed..."

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, February 23, 1905:

TEAMS REPORT TO SPRING CAMP, NEW FACES LOOK TO IMPRESS - The long, baseball-less winter is over for the fans. Teams began reporting to training camps in Arizona and California last week and the Way was there to get the straight dope on what to expect in '05.

The big news out of the Boston camp was the signing of young Saul Eisenkamp. The 21-year-old from Chicago (disappointed not to have been signed by the Colts - shame on Albert Spalding), is "raw" according to skipper Hugh Duffy (who replaced Dan Brouthers at the helm of the Minutemen this offseason). Sir Hugh expects the kid to start the season on a minor league roster, but with Boston's reserve rights firmly established, Beantowners will eventually get their look at the slick-fielding third sacker. The Beaners (aka Minutemen) also picked up a top hurler in Ed Reulbach, who immediately joins Big Six - Christy Mathewson - atop the Minutemen's rotation.

Oakland, looking to tear a page out of John McGraw's book for quick turnarounds, grabbed an established player out of the Negro barnstorming leagues - a spiffy second-baseman named Nux James. Wilbert Robinson's Oaks need James to make an immediate impact in hopes of escaping their cellar domain. Oakland also added Irv Young - also known as "Young Cy" - to the rotation. Danny Green, Patsy Dougherty and Cy Seymour head up the lineup for Oakland, with Elmer Bliss and Chappie McFarland joing Young in this year's rotation.

Seems that Philly's Johnny "Steel Arm" Taylor has a few brothers who also play some ball and one of them, "Candy" Jim Taylor - a third-baseman - is the plum signing of the Sacramento Redwoods. 21-year-old Jim is a surefire future star and the Redwoods hope that future comes very soon. Cy Young isn't getting any "young-er" (at age 38) and he'd like a taste of championship champagne before he goes back to Ohio.

The Seals inked themselves a couple of starters in Orval Overall and "Big Jeff" Pfeffer. San Francisco hopes to turn around their traditionally woeful pitching and get into the playoff hunt. "Strawberry" Bill Bernhard - the only returning starting pitcher - is talented, but prone to injury. Johnny "Crab" Evers anchors a workmanlike lineup which contended for a brief flash in the summer of '04 and hopes to do better this time around.

The maturation of Andrew "Rube" Foster has hopes high in Chicago camp. The big hurler had his best season last year and manager Sol White looks for more from the rotund righty. To help on offense, White and Spalding inked Negro League prospect Bobby Winston, a lightning-fast runner who will fit well in White's up-tempo offensive style, but starts the year hurt, following an off-season injury. With a solid starting outfield of Harry Lumley, Jimmy Slagle and Jack McCarthy, rumors of a trade to take place when Winston is back from injury are circulating through camp.

Pittsburgh, in its second season without John McGraw, grabbed knuckleball artist Homer Hillebrand to bolster the mound corps. With a lineup built around Mike Donlin and Willie Keeler, Ed Barrow's Rivermen didn't need offensive help. Barrow intimated that Hillebrand probably isn't ready and so, although reserved, he will likely start out in the Eastern League.

The big guns of both leagues added some spare parts, though New York's inking of shortstop George Wright was a surprise move that has some speculating on the possibility of incumbent Gene DeMontreville moving to a new address. Portland, whose lineup suffered a severe lack of firepower after the departure of Honus Wagner, hopes to improve with the addition of Frank "Wildfire" Schulte, a promising young outfielder. Philadelphia added pitcher King Brady and McGraw is pleased with the progress of last year's top reserve, Ned Monaghan, though the youngster is not yet ready to take Honus' spot. Columbia and San Diego added George Stone and Joe Harris, respectively. Neither is expected to much to improve these teams - but as pennant winners, they're already very good ballclubs.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 8, 1905:

A CONFEDERATE LOOP? - News from our men in the bushes in Richmond indicate that the one-time Rebels are about to launch their own professional baseball loop. Word is that Minister of Sport William H. Cobb has agreed to sanction a pro loop under the direction of Mr. Clark Griffith of Missouri.

"It's about time," said U.S. magnate Albert Spalding. "There are some fine ballplayers in the Confederacy and it's high time they got themselves organized."

The story circulating the capital is that an eight-team loop, to start play in 1906 is planned. Possible franchise locations include Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Louisville, St. Louis, Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta. In keeping with the Confederate society's rigid social strata, the so-called "Dixie" league would be segregated.

Good news for the champions of equality is the second part of the rumor - that of an integrated league to be centered around the Confederacy's Latin American territories which would also begin play next season. Sites for clubs in this circuit could include Miami, Havana, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Houston, El Paso, Hamptonburg - and possibly, Mexico City.

[Fallschirmjager]

Oh great, we get to play under Clark Griffith. We will be lucky to make 25 cents a week

[legendsport]

from the London Times, April 1, 1905:

Despite pressure from the capitals of several world powers - including His Majesty's here in London, the President of the Confederate States of America and his hoard of ravenous imperialists have swallowed whole the formerly independent nation of Mexico.

The Treaty of Guadalajara, ratified last week by the Confederate Senate, vanishes an entire sovereign nation in a trick defter than any Picadilly magician's. The component states of Mexico will now become a single Confederate state of Mexico, while the capital city - Mexico City - will henceforth be known as Leesburg. All residents will be required to learn English - the first step - it is supposed, in wiping out the Mexican culture.

With Mexico and several Caribbean islands, a canal zone in Panama, bases in Venezuela, etc, etc, one can only wonder where the avaricious eye of the Confederacy will turn next...

[legendsport]

Another update on the AHD site - US Development and Major World Events page have been added.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

from the London Times, April 1, 1905:

Despite pressure from the capitals of several world powers - including His Majesty's here in London, the President of the Confederate States of America and his hoard of ravenous imperialists have swallowed whole the formerly independent nation of Mexico.

The Treaty of Guadalajara, ratified last week by the Confederate Senate, vanishes an entire sovereign nation in a trick defter than any Picadilly magician's. The component states of Mexico will now become a single Confederate state of Mexico, while the capital city - Mexico City - will henceforth be known as Leesburg. All residents will be required to learn English - the first step - it is supposed, in wiping out the Mexican culture.

With Mexico and several Caribbean islands, a canal zone in Panama, bases in Venezuela, etc, etc, one can only wonder where the avaricious eye of the Confederacy will turn next...

I wonder what actions these governments will take ot protest such rampant imperialism?

Also Mexico as one state? Territory maybe, with division later on, but tha'ts one massive state.

I also wonder if they will have rebellion issues in the Yucatan. Something tells me the folks there, which fought the Mexican sof rindependance mroe than once, may seize this chance to finally escape the yoke....with some help of course.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

Another update on the AHD site - US Development and Major World Events page have been added.

ummm where's the site?

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

I wonder what actions these governments will take ot protest such rampant imperialism?

All in good time...

Also Mexico as one state? Territory maybe, with division later on, but tha'ts one massive state.

Smaller than Alaska - and it's also only the "rump" of Mexico that was left after the CSA bought Sonora and Chihuahua. The reasoning here is that adding a bunch of Mexican states would water down the Planter/Aristocracy's majority in the Senate (since each state gets 2 senators), so the powers-that-be would want 1 big state with much less of a voice in the democratic process.

I also wonder if they will have rebellion issues in the Yucatan. Something tells me the folks there, which fought the Mexican sof rindependance mroe than once, may seize this chance to finally escape the yoke....with some help of course.

Umm... no comment

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

ummm where's the site?

Added to my sig

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

Added to my sig

that's ****in awesome

although I see youré using a present day map of Canada here's what it looked like in 1906. Nit picking I know but figured I'm bored why not.

http://atlas.gc.ca/site/english/maps...storical/page1

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

All in good time...

Excellent

Originally Posted by legendsport

Smaller than Alaska

Really? Learned something new today.

Originally Posted by legendsport

- and it's also only the "rump" of Mexico that was left after the CSA bought Sonora and Chihuahua. The reasoning here is that adding a bunch of Mexican states would water down the Planter/Aristocracy's majority in the Senate (since each state gets 2 senators), so the powers-that-be would want 1 big state with much less of a voice in the democratic process.

And basically keep the control to the 'proper'people So by rump is that the Yucatan, Baja, or something else?

Originally Posted by legendsport

Umm... no comment

Sweet, Armed insurgency. Mexico looks to be a harder nut to crack, especially with the new regime demanding English being 'taught'

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, May 2, 1905:

Al Spalding's brainchild got underway for its fourth season a couple of weeks back, and the Way is going to reflect on the season so far...

HOT HITTERS IN THE PAC LEAGUE - Three batsmen got off to a blistering start in the Pacific League, recording averages of over .400: keystone-man Danny Murphy of the Redwoods leads all creation in hitting with a smoking .458 start, while Seals' flychaser Joe Kelley sits pretty with a .429 mark and Portland's "Piano Legs" Hickman has brought a smile to the normally stoic Connie Mack with an even .400 mark, scoring 14 runs in the 14 games played thus far.

Interesting tidbit - hitless on opening day, Joe Kelley has recorded safeties in the last 13 games...

WHAT'S GOING ON IN GOTHAM? - The Giants, once the class of the Federal League, have swooned out of the gate, going 6-8 in April and finding themselves in a last-place tie with the Chicago Colts. The big reason: a streak of gutless play that saw them win just once in their first eight games. Promising is their 5-1 record since then.

COLUMBIA ROOKIE GETS OFF TO QUICK START - George Stone, freshman flychaser for the defending-Federal League champion Senators, went 18-for-53 to start the year, a .340 mark and has moved up from hitting seventh, to a firm slot in the three spot.

THE BIG DEAL - McGraw's at it again. The czar of Philadelphia pulled off another big trade, snatching third base phenom Saul Eisenkamp from Boston in exchange for last year's big news, outfielder Andrew "Jap" Payne. Eisenkamp joins fellow left-side-of-the-infield star in the making Ned Monaghan on the farm. McGraw's got his heart of the order set up for the next fifteen years...

Hitting Leaders

# 	TOP 10 AVG - FEDERAL	AVG
1 	G. Stone (COL)		.340
2 	E. Flick (BOS)		.327
3 	F. Chance (COL)		.314
4 	J. Jackson (BOS)	.304
4 	B. Freeman (NY)		.304
6 	B. Coughlin (BOS)	.296
7 	W. Keeler (PIT)		.292
8 	M. Donlin (PIT)		.288
9 	T. Leach (PHI)		.283
10 	H. Hearne (NY)		.283

# 	TOP 10 AVG - PACIFIC	AVG
1 	D. Murphy (SAC)		.458
2 	J. Kelley (SF)		.429
3 	C. Hickman (POR)	.400
3 	C. Ritchey (SD)		.400
5 	P. Carney (SF)		.367
6 	C. Seymour (OAK)	.365
7 	G. Beaumont (SD)	.364
8 	J. Sheckard (SAC)	.353
9 	D. Jones (SF)		.352
10 	B. Wallace (SF)		.333

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

So by rump is that the Yucatan, Baja, or something else?

Central Mexico, Southern Mexico, Baja and the Yucatan.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

Central Mexico, Southern Mexico, Baja and the Yucatan.

hmmm so they really didn't get as much as I thought then

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

hmmm so they really didn't get as much as I thought then

No it's pretty big - almost as large as Alaska, since Alaska is part of Canada, easily the biggest state in either the U.S. or C.S.

I updated the map to reflect the 1905 status of the U.S. & C.S. - Canada's still incorrect, but I'm going to leave it be for the time being.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

No it's pretty big - almost as large as Alaska, since Alaska is part of Canada, easily the biggest state in either the U.S. or C.S.

I updated the map to reflect the 1905 status of the U.S. & C.S. - Canada's still incorrect, but I'm going to leave it be for the time being.

so I though that only certain sections of Mexico were under CSA control, or they took over the whole coutnry? Sorry I probably mis-read somewhere.

And for Canada is no biggie. Most fo the stuff is off the map, and I would oný care

Wonder if they'd have Alaska as a province, a territory, or jsut add it to the Yukon?

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

so I though that only certain sections of Mexico were under CSA control, or they took over the whole coutnry? Sorry I probably mis-read somewhere.

They had purchased Sonora and Chihuahua, and annexed everything else at the end of the Second Mexican War.

Wonder if they'd have Alaska as a province, a territory, or jsut add it to the Yukon?

In 1905 I'd guess it would be a territory, but it probably would get provincial status eventually.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by legendsport

They had purchased Sonora and Chihuahua, and annexed everything else at the end of the Second Mexican War.

Ok that makes sense. I"m picturing some defiante unrest though, especially in the South. They're still having issues there.

Originally Posted by legendsport

In 1905 I'd guess it would be a territory, but it probably would get provincial status eventually.

Hmm...dpends. how many are in Alaska? There's only like maybe 50,000 now in the Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut, so it could take a while....if ever