A Grand Old Game

[mjj55409]

Leaders
Average: .469 - Steve King, Troy
Doubles: 12 - Dave Eggler, New York
Triples: 4 - Steve King, Troy
HR: 2 - Lip Pike, Troy; Deacon White, Cleveland
RBI : 29 - Lip Pike, Troy
Runs: 30 - Steve King, Troy
Stolen bases: 8 - Harry Schafer, Boston

Wins: 13 - Candy Cummings, New York
ERA: 2.09 - Martin Malone, Eckfords
WHIP: 1.24 - Cy Bentley, Middletown

[mjj55409]

Cleveland spent July touring the Eastern cities and further strengthened its hold on the Championship.



Leaders

Average: .438 - Jim Tipper, Middletown
Hits: 50 - Steve King, Troy
Doubles: 14 - Dave Eggler, New York
Triples: 4 - Steve King, Troy
HR: 2 - Cal McVey, Boston; Lip Pike, Troy; Deacon White, Cleveland
RBI: 31 - Lip Pike, Troy
Runs: 35 - Ross Barnes, Boston
SB: 12 - Harry Schafer, Boston

Wins: 16 - Candy Cummings, New York
ERA: 2.23 - Bill Stearns, Olympics
Losses: 18 - Al Spaulding, Baltimore
WHIP: 1.27 - Dick McBride, Philadelphia

[mjj55409]

Washington Clubs Stop Play
New York Times
August 9, 1872
The representatives of the Washington professional clubs have announced that they will not be completing the 1872 championship season. The financial losses that the clubs have incurred are too great, and the subscribers of the clubs are unwilling to put more money into the clubs when the players are demanding compensation in excess of the monies collected for the games.

In the game yester-day, the Mutuals of this city won their 19th match game of this year, besting the Canaries of Baltimore at Union Gounds. The score was 9 to 8.

[mjj55409]

Philadelphia Whitewashes Baltimore; Score 9 to 0.
New York Times
Philadelphia. August 10, 1872.
The 2372 spectators who came to the Jefferson Street Grounds this afternoon to see their Athletics play against the Canaries were treated to one of the best spectacles of our national game ever displayed in this city. The Canaries' strikers were helpless against MCBRIDE, collecting only two safe hits, both of which were struck by MACK.

[mjj55409]

With heavy bats and the steady pitching of ZETTLEIN, the Bostons have taken the command in championship match play. The Cleveland club, having been the class of the Association throughout most of the summer, has refused to schedule its remaining championship games. They, too, as with the Washington clubs, maintain that they are no longer financial solvent.



Leaders

Average: .431 – Jim Foran, Cleveland (.430 – Ross Barnes, Boston)
Hits: 68 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Doubles: 17 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Triples: 5 – Ross Barnes, Boston
HR: 2 – Tom Foley, Eckfords; Cal McVey, Boston; Lip Pike, Troy; Deacon White, Cleveland
RBI: 40 – Cal McVey, Boston
Runs: 49 – Ross Barnes, Boston
SB: 18 – Harry Schafer, Boston

Wins: 22 – Candy Cummings, New York; George Zettlein, Boston
ERA: 2.41 – Martin Malone, Eckfords
Losses: 27 – Al Spaulding, Baltimore
WHIP: 1.23 – Dick McBride, Philadelphia

[mjj55409]

Athletics Defeat Mutuals in Two Games
New York Times
September 3, 1872
Yesterday at the Jefferson Street Ground in Philadelphia and to-day at the Union Grounds in the Metropolis, the Athletics and the Mutuals met for a game of base-ball. In both instances, the Athletics proved superior, by a score of 11 to 8 yesterday, and by a score of 8 to 5 this afternoon. The game in this city was better contested, the outcome in doubt until Philadelphia tallied three in the 10th inning. The Philadelphia club has now been the victors in six consecutive matches.

[mjj55409]

Athletics defeat the Red Stockings--Score 9 to 3
New York Times
Boston. September 5, 1872.
The base-ball match in this city today was highly anticipated, as the Athletic of Philadelphia have won 21 Association contests this season and the Red Stockings have won 23 Association contests. On this day, the Athletic continued their fine play of late, handily winning their seventh consecutive match contest. MCBRIDE, of the Athletics, was feeling the effects of a long, hot summer, and as such, could not pitch the ball to-day. No matter, as FISCHER did a remarkable job in his role of switch pitcher. Here is the score

                            The Innings
                  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
Athletic..........0  2  0  2  2  0  3  0  0 - 9
Red Stockings.....2  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 - 3

Runs earned—2 each
Umpire—Mr. Ferguson, of the Mutual
Time of Game—Two hours and fifty-two minutes
Total Fielding Errors—3 for the Athletics; 8 for the Red Stockings

GAMES ELSEWHERE

In New York, the Eckfords defeated the Mutual by a score of 9 to 7; at Baltimore, the Atlantic defeated the Canaries by a score of 11 to 4.

[mjj55409]

Red Stockings Defeat Athletics—Score 8 to 5
New York Times
Philadelphia. September 9, 1872.
As a matter of revenge for their fine base-ball game of last week, the Bostons to-day got the better of the Athletics in front of 1892 spectators in this city. The Red Stockings played a most professional game, committing no errors in the field.

[mjj55409]

October 1872 Update

Both Boston and Philadelphia finished the month of September with 6 game winning streaks. Meanwhile New York at one point had an 8 game losing streak during the month, falling out of the race. Boston and Philadelphia play each other 3 times in October, the remaining 3 games of the season for Philadelphia (Boston has 7 games remaining).



Leaders

Average: .424 – Ross Barnes, Cleveland
Hits: 81 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Doubles: 19 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Triples: 7 – Ross Barnes, Boston
HR: 2 – Tom Barlow, Atlantics; Tom Foley, Eckfords; Cal McVey, Boston; Lip Pike, Troy; Deacon White, Cleveland
RBI: 46 – Cal McVey, Boston; Dave Eggler, New York
Runs: 59 – Ross Barnes, Boston
SB: 21 – Harry Schafer, Boston

Wins: 27 – George Zettlein, Boston
ERA: 2.23 – Bill Stearns, Olympics
Losses: 32 – Al Spaulding, Baltimore
WHIP: 1.22 – Dick McBride, Philadelphia

[mjj55409]

Boston Defeats Philadelphia--Score 13 to 9.
New York Times
Boston. October 8, 1872.
Boston resoundingly defeated the Athletics in the final championship match between the clubs. Boston won three matches against Philadelphia in the past week, and they have now won ten consecutive matches, firmly claiming the Whip-Pennant in its grasp.

[mjj55409]

Leaders

Average: .416 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Hits: 94 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Doubles: 26 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Triples: 8 – Ross Barnes, Boston
HR: 3 – Cal McVey, Boston
RBI: 62 – Cal McVey, Boston
Runs: 72 – Ross Barnes, Boston
SB: 26 – Harry Schafer, Boston

Wins: 34 – George Zettlein, Boston
ERA: 2.23 – Bill Stearns, Olympics
Losses: 37 – Al Spaulding, Baltimore
WHIP: 1.27 – Dick McBride, Philadelphia

VORP Positional Leaders
Catcher: 22.7 – Cal McVey, Boston
First: 15.3 – Jim Foran, Cleveland
Second: 34.1 – Ross Barnes, Boston
Third: 20.2 – Levi Meyerle, Philadelphia
Short: 17.9 – George Wright, Boston
Left: 17.2 – Steve King, Troy
Center: 10.2 – Thomas Foley, Eckfords
Right: 15.8 – Gat Stires, Cleveland

[mjj55409]

Annual Convention—National Association Awards
New York Times
Baltimore, March, 3, 1873—The professional base-ball players held their annual convention at the St. Clair Hotel, of this city, to-night, Robert Ferguson, of the Whites, of Philadelphia, presiding. Delegates were present from the Atlantics, of Brooklyn; Athletics, of Philadelphia; Baltimore Club, of Baltimore (Canaries); Boston Club, of Boston; Mutuals, of New York; Maryland Club, of Baltimore, Philadelphia Club, of Philadelphia (Whites), and the Resolutes, of Elizabeth, N.J. Not present, but pledging to take schedule championship matches was the Blue Legs, of Washington. For the first time in a number of years, no Western clubs will take part in the championship season. It is thought that the expense of undertaking tours of the Eastern cities is too great a financial burden for such clubs.

The Convention also presented the player awards for the 1872 season.

Cartwright Award: George Zettlein, Boston
Doubleday Award: Ross Barnes, Boston
Best Muffin: Candy Cummings, New York

[mjj55409]

New York Times
March, 5 1873—As the clubs prepare to take the field in the attempt to wrest the Championship from the grip of the Boston lads, herewith is a look at the newly formed nines.

Boston Red Stockings

Players.............Position
1. George Zettlein..Pitcher (34-12, 3.30) / Asa Brainard (2-0, 4.89 career)
2. Cal McVey........Catcher (.382, 55 runs, 62 rbi, 3 hr)
3. John Clapp.......First base (.331, 33 runs, 24 rbi with Middletown)
4. Ross Barnes......Second base (.416, 72 runs, 54 rbi, 26 doubles)
5. Jim Clinton......Third base (.206, 19 runs, 10 rbi with the Eckfords)
6. George Wright....Short stop (.370, 57 runs, 54 rbi, 18 doubles, 20 sb)
7. Fred Cone........Left field (.257, 50 runs, 27 rbi, 13 sb)
8. Paul Hines.......Centre field (.205 in 10 games with the Nationals)
9. Jack Manning.....Right field (rookie) / Dave Birdsall (.277, 20 sb)

Boston presents nearly the same nine, with the addition of young CLAPP at first base and HINES and BIRDSALL in the out field.

Philadelphia Athletics

Players.............Position
1. Dick McBride.....Pitcher (26-14 3.07) / Cherokee Fisher (4-3 2.58)
2. Doug Allison.....Catcher (.366 in career with Olympics)
3. Everett Mills....First base (.306, 4 hr in career with Olympics)
4. Eddie Booth......Second base (.364, 20 runs, 13 rbi with Middletown)
5. Levi Meyerle.....Third base (.347, 59 runs, 43 rbi, 17 doubles)
6. John Radcliff....Short stop (.320, 44 runs, 34 rbi, 17 doubles)
7. Tom York.........Left field (.345, 25 runs, 16 rbi with Troy)
8. Fred Treacey.....Centre field (.245, 21 runs, 18 rbi with Cleveland)
9. George Heubel....Right field (.318, 41 runs, 45 rbi)

Philadelphia brings in very good batsmen in MILLS, BOOTH, and YORK in an attempt to overtake the Bostons.

Baltimore Canaries

Players.............Position
1. Al Spaulding.....Pitcher (19-37, 3.53)
2. Chick Fulmer.....Catcher (.180 in 11 games with Nationals)
3. John Glenn.......First base (.343 in career with Olympics)
4. Candy Nelson.....Second base (.324 with Troy)
5. Art Allison......Third base (.315 in career with Cleveland)
6. Denny Mack.......Short stop (.311, 66 runs, 41 rbi, 20 doubles, 11 sb)
7. Steve King.......Left field (.431, 31 runs, 22 rbi with Troy)
8. Scott Hastings...Centre field (.275, 47 runs, 38 rbi, 16 doubles)
9. George Bechtel...Right field (.279, 48 runs, 40 rbi with Philadelphia)

The Baltimore club becomes stronger with an improvement at the infield positions (MACK moving from first base to the short fielder position).

New York Mutual

Players.............Position
1. Candy Cummings...Pitcher (29-25, 3.44) / Rynie Wolters (4-7, 4.29 with Nationals)
2. Frank Selman.....Catcher (.266, 48 runs, 30 rbi with Baltimore)
3. Joe Start........First base (.330, 55 runs, 42 rbi, 15 doubles)
4. Ed Beavens.......Second base (.420 with Troy)
5. Charles Smith....Third base (.273, 33 runs, 26 rbi)
6. Dickey Pearce....Short stop (.331, 46 runs, 51 rbi)
7. John Hatfield....Left field (.260, 40 runs, 29 rbi)
8. Dave Eggler......Centre field (.286, 52 runs, 50 rbi, 15 sb)
9. Tom Berry........Right field (3 AB for Philadelphia in ‘71-‘72)

With the addition of solid catcher SELMAN, late of the Baltimores, the Mutual are fielding a strong nine.

Baltimore Marylands

Players.............Position
1. Ed Stratton......Pitcher (rookie) / Al Pratt (14-5, 3.19 with Cleveland)
2. Deacon White.....Catcher (.284, 22 runs, 18 rbi, 2 hr with Cleveland)
3. Cap Anson........First base (.390, 27 runs, 28 rbi for Middletown)
4. Marty Simpson....Second base (rookie)
5. Mike Brannock....Third base (.283 for Nationals)
6. John Bass........Short stop (.396, 25 runs, 14 rbi for Cleveland)
7. John Tipper......Left field (.370, 23 runs, 28 rbi for Middletown)
8. Mart King........Centre field (.360 for Nationals)
9. Pete Donnelly....Right field (.282 in career with Troy) / Charlie Mills (.275 with New York)

The newly formed Maryland club will be a strong nine this summer, bringing in the formidable bats of WHITE and ANSON. Their outfield play should be especially strong.

Brooklyn Atlantics

Players.............Position
1. Jim Britt........Pitcher (10-27, 3.79)
2. Jack Burdock.....Catcher (.268, 32 runs)
3. Jim Foran........First base (.431, 30 runs, 26 rbi for Cleveland)
4. Jim Hall.........Second base (.340, 38 runs, 13 doubles)
5. Bill Boyd........Third base (.339, 32 runs)
6. Tom Barlow.......Short stop (.284, 37 runs)
7. Ralph Ham........Left field (.310, 15 doubles)
8. Jack Remsen......Centre field (.283, 28 rbi)
9. Frank Buttery....Right field (.319, 29 runs for Middletown)

The Atlantics are mostly unchanged, adding the strong bat of FORAN, late of Cleveland.

Elizabeth Resolutes
Players.............Position
1. Bobby Mathews....Pitcher (10-7 3.13 for Middletown) / Bill Stearns (5-4 2.23 for Nationals)
2. Mike McGeary.....Catcher (.292, 27 runs, 23 rbi for Troy)
3. Charlie Gould....First base (.320, 45 runs, 40 rbi for New York)
4. Ben Laughlin.....Second base (rookie)
5. Harry Schafer....Third base (.294, 66 runs, 49 rbi, 26 sb for Boston)
6. Bill Craver......Short stop (.295, 18 runs, 18 rbi for Troy)
7. Charlie Pabor....Left field (.364, 26 runs, 19 rbi for Cleveland)
8. Frank McCarton...Centre field (.311, 22 runs, 19 rbi for Middletown)
9. Gat Stires.......Right field (.398, 39 runs, 22 rbi, 15 doubles for Cleveland)

The Elizabeth club also did a good job at forming a nine. MATHEWS and STEARNS are strong pitchers; GOULD, SCHAFER, and STIRES are good strikers.

Philadelphia Whites

Players.............Position
1. Joe O’Rourke.....Pitcher (2-1 for Eckfords) / Lefty McMullin (10-15 3.96 for Troy)
2. Charlie Hodes....Catcher (.310 for Middletown)
3. Jim Devlin.......First base (rookie)
4. Wes Fisler.......Second base (.309 for Philadelphia)/Robert Ferguson (.303, 46 runs for New York)
5. Ezra Sutton......Third base (.292, 16 runs, 24 rbi for Cleveland)
6. James Snyder.....Short stop (.240, 26 runs for the Eckfords)
7. Johnny Ryan......Left field (rookie) /Sensenderfer (.322, 52 runs for Philadelphia)
8. Thomas Foley.....Centre field (.333, 2 hr for Eckfords)
9. Lip Pike.........Right field (.368, 26 runs, 31 rbi, 2 hr for Troy)

The new Philadelphia club has some good bats and, of course, the able leadership of FERGUSON, but the youth will likely excite an inconsistent play.

Washington Blue Legs

Players.............Position
1. John Greason.....Pitcher (rookie)
2. Jim O’Rourke.....Catcher (.319, 26 runs, 11 doubles for Middletown)
3. Herm Dehlman.....First base (.200 for the Atlantics)
4. Jimmy Wood.......Second base (.292, 25 runs for Cleveland)
5. Fred Waterman....Third base (.354 career with Olympics)
6. Davey Force......Short stop (.328 career with Olympics)
7. Count Gedney.....Left field (13 games with Troy)
8. George Bird......Centre field (14 games in career)
9. Fraley Rogers....Right field (.261, 20 runs for Eckfords)

The Washington club has some able bats, but is GREASON ready for professional play?

[mjj55409]

A slow start to the championship season in April, as per usual.

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Defeat of Canaries by White Stockings—Score 37 to 2
New York Times
Philadelphia, May 1, 1873—It was thought that a professional match was to be played today at the Jefferson Street Grounds. The play of the Baltimore club was anything but professional. The Whites of Philadelphia collected 27 safe hits, and the Canaries in the field made 24 errors. Candy Nelson, playing the short field, made 11 errors before he was removed from the game, perhaps for his own protection. Eight of the tallies by the Philadelphias were earned.

[mjj55409]

It is a good start to the season for the Philadelphia clubs. How bad is Baltimore? Very bad. They have George Bechtel playing out of position at third base and Candy Nelson playing at short stop. Bechtel, who was a good out fielder the last two years, has made 46 errors. Nelson, a mediocre second baseman, has made 52 errors at short. The left side of the infield does not make Spaulding’s job any easier.



Leaders

Average: .650 – John Clapp, Boston (26 hits in 40 at bats)
Hits: 27 – Denny Mack, Canaries
Doubles: 10 – George Bechtel, Canaries
Triples: 3 – Steve King, Canaries; Denny Mack, Canaries
HR: 2 – John Clapp, Boston
RBI: 19 – Ezra Sutton, Whites
Runs: 22 – Tom Foley, Whites
SB: 6 – Cal McVey, Boston

Wins: 10 – Joe O’Rourke, Whites
ERA: 1.04 – Asa Brainard, Boston (1.33 for Zettlein)
Losses: 14 – Al Spaulding, Baltimore.
WHIP: 1.19 – Joe O’Rourke, Whites
K: 12 – Spaulding

[Snap Wilson]

What is this "VORP?" You dabble in witchcraft, sir!

[mjj55409]

The Athletics continue their strong play. Even though pitcher McBride is suffering from a shoulder that does not allow him to pitch, switch pitcher Fischer has stepped in admirably.



Leaders

Average: .453 – John Clapp, Boston
Hits: 48 – John Clapp, Boston
Doubles: 12 – Ezra Sutton, Whites
Triples: 4 –Denny Mack, Canaries
HR: 3 – John Clapp, Boston
RBI: 30 – Ezra Sutton, Whites
Runs: 37 – Tom Foley, Whites
SB: 11 – Cal McVey, Boston

Wins: 14 – Joe O’Rourke, Whites
ERA: 1.85 – Dick McBride, Athletics
Losses: 21 – Al Spaulding, Baltimore.
WHIP: 1.21 – Dick McBride, Athletics
K: 17 – Jim Britt, Atlantics; Bobby Mathews, Elizabeth; Al Spaulding, Baltimore

Baltimore fielding watch:
George Bechtel, 81 errors
Candy Nelson, 73 errors

[mjj55409]

McBride has returned from his injury, and it would appear that the Athletics do not have a strong challenger. The Elizabeth club is a surprise, as Mathews has been pitching well.



Leaders

Average: .396 – Doug Allison, Athletics
Hits: 60 – Steve King, Canaries
Doubles: 15 – Ezra Sutton, Whites
Triples: 4 –Denny Mack, Canaries
HR: 3 – John Clapp, Boston
RBI: 40 – Steve King, Canaries
Runs: 48 – Denny Mack, Canaries
SB: 12 – Cal McVey, Boston

Wins: 16 – Joe O’Rourke, Whites
ERA: 2.08 – Dick McBride, Athletics
Losses: 28 – Al Spaulding, Canaries.
WHIP: 1.28 – Dick McBride, Athletics
K: 29 – Jim Britt, Atlantics

Baltimore fielding watch:
George Bechtel, 107 errors
Candy Nelson, 105 errors

[mjj55409]

The race for the Championship is shaping up nicely between the two Philadelphia clubs. The Elizabeth club is still playing well, but they perhaps have too much youth for the September matches. Time will tell. Boston cannot get any traction, and Boss Tweed is rather displeased with the play of the Mutuals.



Leaders

Average: .405 – Doug Allison, Athletics
Hits: 72 – Ezra Sutton, Whites
Doubles: 18 – Steve King, Canaries
Triples: 4 –Denny Mack, Canaries
HR: 3 – John Clapp, Boston
RBI: 45 – Steve King, Baltimore
Runs: 54 – Denny Mack, Baltimore
SB: 13 – Cal McVey, Boston

Wins: 20 – Joe O’Rourke, Whites
ERA: 1.94 – Dick McBride, Athletics
Losses: 32 – Al Spaulding, Baltimore.
WHIP: 1.16 – Dick McBride, Athletics
K: 33 – Jim Britt, Atlantics

Baltimore fielding watch:
George Bechtel, 118 errors
Candy Nelson, 115 errors