A Grand Old Game

[mjj55409]

This will be my first attempt at a dynasty, so be gentle. Since version 6.0/6.5, the object of simming 19th c. baseball has fascinated me. 6.5 worked pretty well, but it was rather much of a chore to change the league structure each season. OOTP2007 makes this much easier to deal with.

I created a 10 team fictional league in 1870, with these teams:

Boston Red Stockings
Chicago White Stockings
Cincinnati Reds
Cleveland Forest City
Fort Wayne Kekiongas
New York Mutual
Rockford Forest City
Philadelphia Athletics
Troy Haymakers
Washington Olympics

I simmed a 30 game season, deleted the Cincinnati club, deleted all players and cleared the league history. I then pointed my database to the new GamboDB and set it to assign rookies to the original teams. Surprisingly enough, that works. No more individually entering each player id.

I'm also using the Financial Coefficient spreadsheet to generate the financial numbers. The salaries are a little high, but they are in a range that I can live with. I've enabled free agency, disabled arbitration, and set players to be eligible for free agency with 1 year of service. The "contracts" in this era were 1-year agreements between player and club. I'm trying to simulate that the best I can. Between these settings and a number of clubs disbanding each season, there should be plenty of player movement. So far, this seems to be working. I'd love a maximum contract length setting, though. Just saying.

I'll present the dynasty mainly through a series of newspaper articles. The style of newspaper writing from that era is so much fun to emulate. I'm sure I'll be able to work in other narrative and statistical pieces. There have been some great dynasties here (Big Six). I can only but aspire.

[mjj55409]

Approaching Inauguration of the Season
New York Times, March 1, 1871
It will be but a few weeks hence when the ball-fields of the Metropolis will again become the scene of the interesting contests of the base-ball season, and the promise is that we are to have the most exciting trials of skill on record in all the principal cities of the Union. The White Stockings of Chicago will again be on the field, after vigorously claiming the championship whip pennant of 1870. The Red Stockings club of Cincinnati after a decade or more of prominence will not be fielding a professional nine this year. The representatives of that club have indicated their displeasure with the monetary demands being made by certain players, and as a group they have refused to incur a debt to field a nine.

In all there are nine clubs that have declared their intention for championship match play in the coming year. Their organization is as follows.

White Stockings, Chicago
Players.....................Position
1. Charlie Hodes.........Catcher
2. George Zettlein.....Pitcher
3. Bub McAtee...........First base
4. Jim Wood..............Second base
5. Ed Pinkham............Third base
6. Ed Duffy................Short stop
7. Fred Treacey..........Left field
8. Tom Foley..............Centre field
9. Joe Simmons...........Right field

Olympics, Washington
Players....................Position
1. Doug Allison..........Catcher
2. Bill Stearns............Pitcher
3. Everett Mills..........First base
4. Tom Beal..............Second base
5. Fred Waterman......Third base
6. Davy Force...........Short stop
7. Harry Berthong.......Left field
8. George Hall............Centre field
9. John Glenn.............Right field

Red Stockings, Boston
Players...................Position
1. Cal McVey...........Catcher
2. Al Spaulding.........Pitcher
3. Charlie Gould........First base
4. Ross Barnes.........Second base
5. Harry Schafer.......Third base
6. George Wright......Short stop
7. Fred Cone............Left field
8. Harry Wright.........Centre field
9. Dave Birdsall.........Right field

Mutual, New York
Players.....................Position
1. Dick Higham...........Catcher
2. Rynie Wolters.........Pitcher
3. Joe Start...............First base
4. Robert Ferguson.....Second base
5. Charles Smith.........Third base
6. Dickey Pearce........Short stop
7. John Hatfield..........Left field
8. Dave Eggler...........Centre field
9. Chas Mills..............Right field

Athletic, Philadelphia
Players.......................Position
1. Fergy Malone...........Catcher
2. Dick McBride............Pitcher
3. Wes Fisler...............First base
4. Al Reach.................Second base
5. Levi Meyerle............Third base
6. John Radcliff............Short stop
7. George Bechtel.........Left field
8. Sensenderfer...........Centre field
9. George Heubel...........Right field

Forest City, Cleveland
Players...............Position
1. Deacon White..Catcher
2. Al Pratt...........Pitcher
3. Jim Carleton.....First base
4. Gene Kimball.....Second base
5. Ezra Sutton......Third base
6. John Bass.........Short stop
7. Charlie Pabor.....Left field
8. Art Allison.........Centre field
9. Elmer White.......Right field

Kekionga, Fort Wayne
Players.......................Position
1. Frank Selman...........Catcher
2. Bobby Mathews........Pitcher
3. Jim Foran.................First base
4. Tom Carey...............Second base
5. Henry Kohler.............Third base
6. Jimmy Hallihan...........Short stop
7. Ed Mincher................Left field
8. Joe McDermott...........Centre field
9. William Kelly...............Right field

Forest City, Rockford
Players......................Position
1. Chick Fulmer...........Catcher
2. Cherokee Fisher.......Pitcher
3. Clipper Flynn...........First base
4. Bob Addy...............Second base
5. Cap Anson..............Third base
6. Denny Mack............Short stop
7. Ralph Ham...............Left field
8. Scott Hastings.........Centre field
9. Gat Stires...............Right field

Haymakers, Troy
Players...................Position
1. Bill Craver...........Catcher
2. Lefty McMullin......Pitcher
3. Ned Connor.........First base
4. Lip Pike...............Second base
5. Steve Bellan........Third base
6. Mike McGeary.......Short stop
7. Steve King...........Left field
8. Tom York.............Centre field
9. Pete Donnelly........Right field

[mjj55409]

New York Times
Fort Wayne. May 4, 1871
The 1871 National Association Championship season began today with a match in Fort Wayne. The Forest City club of Cleveland visited the Kekiongas of Fort Wayne. Before 158 brave and hardy spectators on a cold, windy day, 19 year old local boy,MATHEWS pitched the ball brilliantly, as the fellows from Cleveland managed only 2 runs. PRATT of Cleveland was a good match for MATHEWS' throwing. The runs were even at two until the ninth inning when MINCHER of Fort Wayne secured First base with a hard hit to Right field, sending home KOHLER.

[mjj55409]

Defeat of the Kekiongas by the White Stockings – Score 4 to 0.
New York Times
Fort Wayne. May 13, 1871.
The finest game of base-ball ever witnessed in this country was played on the ground of the Kekiongas, of this city, this afternoon—the playing throughout being without a precedent in the annals of base-ball, the members of both clubs establishing beyond a doubt their reputation among the most skilled ball-players in the United States. Only five errors where committed by the Cleveland club, and seven by the Chicagos. The pitching was superior especially that of ZETTLEIN of the Chicago club, allowing the Kekiongas to drive home no runs. The spectators of this fine occasion only numbered 150, but they were an enthusiastic lot, turning their affections to the White Stockings once it was apparent that ZETTLEIN was on the top of his game. The following is the score:

Chicago: Two tallies in the first, one in the second, and one in the ninth.
Fort Wayne: Whitewashed
Base earned: Chicago, 9; Fort Wayne, 5
Umpires: J.L. Boake of Live Oaks, of Cincinnati
Scorers: B. Johnson of Chicago, W. Rockhill of Fort Wayne

[CatKnight]

Good start! Did you mean to have both Cleveland and Rockford be named 'Forest City' though? Fans could get confused.

I liked the different tone and style of the '1870s' articles. They feel authentic. Well done!

[mjj55409]

Originally Posted by CatKnight

Good start! Did you mean to have both Cleveland and Rockford be named 'Forest City' though? Fans could get confused.

I liked the different tone and style of the '1870s' articles. They feel authentic. Well done!

Team nicknames were rather informal in this period. But both of these clubs, in fact, were known as the Forest Citys.

I've been spending a lot of time digging around the NYTimes' archives reading baseball articles. Some of this material is directly quoted.

[mjj55409]

Cleveland Wins First Match, Defeat Kekiongas. Score 10 to 4.
New York Times
Cleveland. May 26, 1871.
The Cleveland Club had lost all seven of its Championship matches this season coming into to-day’s match with Fort Wayne. On this day, however, their heavy bats prevailed, taking fourteen bases and driving in ten runs against MATHEWS of the Kekiongas. The Cleveland pitcher, PRATT, meanwhile allowed Fort Wayne only a single earned tally.

[mjj55409]

Mills of the Washington Club Strikes Two Long Balls—Washington Defeats Cleveland—Score 7 to 6.
New York Times
Washington. June 26, 1871.
The base-ball spectators at the Olympics' Grounds were witness to-day to a rare spectacle, MILLS of the Olympics struck two balls into the Right field stands. The two long struck balls were part of a day in which MILLS safely secured a base all six times he came to bat. He alone counted for thirteen bases for the Olympics. His final long ball was struck in the tenth inning, driving home the winning tally.

[mjj55409]

In homage to the threads that first kindled my interest in simming 19th c. baseball (Baseball History League), I'll present monthly Association updates.

Team......................W – L  GB
Washington Olympics......12 – 3  --
Rockford Forest City......8 – 5  3.0
Chicago White Stockings...7 – 5  3.5
Troy Haymakers............5 – 5  4.5
Fort Wayne Kekiongas......4 – 5  5.0
Philadelphia Athletics....5 – 6  5.0
Boston Red Stockings......5 – 7  5.5
New York Mutuals..........4 – 8  6.5
Cleveland Forest City.....3 – 9  7.5

Leaders
Batting Avg: Jimmy Wood, Chicago, .434
Doubles: Everett Mills, Washington, 8
Triples: Ed Pinkham, Chicago, 3
Homeruns: Everett Mills, Washington, 2
RBI: John Glenn, Washington, 17
Runs: Everett Mills, Washington, 22
Stolen bases: Cal McVey, Boston, 6
Wins: Bill Stearns, Washington, 10
ERA: Asa Brainard, Washington, 1.50 (Stearns is second at 2.48)
WHIP: Asa Brainard, Washington, 1.17

It’s obvious why Washington has been doing so well. They are out-hitting everyone, and Bill Stearns imported as a pretty good pitcher.

[mjj55409]

Score 31 to 8.
New York Times
Fort Wayne. July 20, 1871
The 158 spectators who were at the Kekionga Base Ball Grounds to-day paid their $.40 to watch a professional base-ball match. Not a one would be taken to task for thinking that only one professional nine showed up. The boys from Fort Wayne did not fare well against the heavy bats of the Philadelphias. In the first inning, Philadelphia drove home eight runs, in the fourth inning there were ten more scores, until in the end, thirty-one tallies stood on the board for Philadelphia. MEYERLE had a brilliant day at the bat, coming to bat eight times, securing his place on the base-paths all eight times, driving home six scores while scoring five times himself.

[mjj55409]

End of July Update

Team......................W – L  GB
Washington Olympics......14 –  7 --
Rockford Forest City.....11 –  6 1.0
Chicago White Stockings..10 –  6 1.5
Troy Haymakers............8 –  5 2.0
Philadelphia Athletics...10 –  8 2.5
Fort Wayne Kekiongas......6 –  9 5.0
New York Mutuals..........8 – 12 5.5
Boston Red Stockings......5 – 12 7.0
Cleveland Forest City.....5 – 12 7.0

Leaders

Batting Avg: Jimmy Wood, Chicago, .444
Doubles: Robert Ferguson, New York, 11
Triples: Ed Pinkham, Chicago, 4
Homeruns: Pabor, Cleveland, Meyerle, Philadelphia, McBride, Philadelphia, Mills, Washington, 2
RBI: George Bechtel, Philadelphia, 23
Runs: Doug Allison, Washington, 25
Stolen bases: Fergie Malone, Philadelphia, 8

Wins: Bill Stearns, Washington, 12
ERA: Bill Stearns, Washington, 2.82
WHIP: Cherokee Fisher, Rockford, 1.31

Washington is falling back to the pack as some of the sheen is wearing off of Stearns. They are still scoring 8 runs per game, however, so they remain the team to beat. Rockford is hanging in there, and Philadelpia is starting to heat up. The big surprise, however, is Boston. They simply are not hitting. They are nowhere to be found on the batting leaderboards.

[mjj55409]

Team......................W – L  GB
Washington Olympics......17 –  9 --
Rockford Forest City.....14 –  8 1.0
Philadelphia Athletics...12 –  9 2.5
Chicago White Stockings..12 – 10 3.0
Troy Haymakers............9 –  7 3.0
Cleveland Forest City....11 – 12 4.5
New York Mutuals.........10 – 15 6.5
Fort Wayne Kekiongas......6 – 13 7.5
Boston Red Stockings......6 – 14 8.0

Leaders

Batting Avg: Tom York, Troy, .382
Doubles: Robert Ferguson, New York, 14
Triples: Ed Pinkham, Chicago, 4
Homeruns: Pabor, Cleveland, Meyerle, Philadelphia, McBride, Philadelphia, Mills, Washington, Pearce, New York, 2
RBI: George Bechtel, Philadelphia, 30
Runs: Everett Mills, Washington, 32
Stolen bases: Fergie Malone, Philadelphia, 8

Wins: Bill Stearns, Washington, 15
ERA: George Zettlein, Chicago, 2.84
WHIP: Cherokee Fisher, Rockford, 1.32

A light schedule this month, as the pace of life slows during the heat of the summer. Cleveland went on a tear, winning 6 in a row to get out of last place. Boston keeps sinking. And as expected, Philadelphia is entering the race.

[mjj55409]

Great Conflagration in the City of Chicago
New York Times
Chicago. October 8, 1871
The most terrible conflagration that ever occurred in this city broke out about 11 o'clock last night, and having already swept over six entire blocks, is still raging with almost unbated fury. The details are still emerging, but the devastation is immense, including the base ball park of the White Stockings club, destroying the uniforms, bats, and balls. With this terrible act of nature rendering impotent their most formidable opponent, the Olympics of Washington, winners of 19 match games this season, appear ready to accept the championship.

[mjj55409]

Chicago Plays Final Association Game; Defeats Philadelphia; Score 10 to 9.
New York Times
October 30, 1871
The White Stockings met the Athletics in the Metropolis to-day, playing the final scheduled game of the 1871 National Association season. The White Stockings, having been outfitted with uniforms and equipment provided by the other Association clubs, were permitted to host the Athletics here at Union Grounds. The victory a fitting conclusion to a dark month for the Chicagos. But the tragedy in Chicago is not to distract from the fine season of the Olympics. They have proved themselves the class of Association, striking the ball well from May to October, and the pitching of STEARNS was incomparable.

Team......................W – L  GB
Washington Olympics......19 – 10 --
Chicago White Stockings..17 – 11 1.5
Rockford Forest City.....15 – 10 2.0
Philadelphia Athletics...15 – 13 3.5
Cleveland Forest City....14 – 15 5.0
Troy Haymakers...........12 – 14 5.5
New York Mutuals.........14 – 19 7.0
Boston Red Stockings.....11 – 18 8.0
Fort Wayne Kekiongas......6 – 13 8.0

[mjj55409]

[mjj55409]

New York Times
November 15, 1871
The delegates from the professional clubs assembled at Collier's Rooms, on Broadway, last night, and began the proceedings for organizing the Association tours for 1872. It would appear that the Chicago club, not having recovered fully from the Great Fire, will not field a professional nine in 1872. Neither will Fort Wayne and Rockford, the Western teams not able to incur the expense of the Eastern tours. There is some interest from our amateur clubs in Brooklyn, the Eckfords and the Atlantics, to try their hand at the professional game.

The Association also took pains to highlight the best performances of the season just passed. It was announced that awards would be given to the players who best exemplified the game, both at the pitch and at the bat, and perhaps in a fit of sympathy for all the Chicago club had gone through, both awards were claimed by White Stockings. The Cartwright Award, in recognition of proficiency in pitching, was given to ZETTLEIN, and the Doubleday Award, for the most powerful bat, was given to WOOD.

[mjj55409]

New York Times
March 5, 1872

As we prepare for an exciting Championship Base Ball season, here is but one opinion on the potential of the professional clubs.

Washington Olympics
Players.............Position
1. Bill Stearns.....Pitcher (17-10 3.41) / Asa Brainard (2-0 5.08)
2. Doug Allison.....Catcher (.343, 36 runs, 17 rbi)
3. Everett Mills....First base (.343, 34 runs, 24 rbi, 3 hr)
4. Tommy Beals......Second base (.230, 22 runs, 15 rbi)
5. Fred Waterman....Third base (.348, 26 runs, 18 rbi)
6. Davy Force.......Short stop (.328, 33 runs, 26 rbi)
7. Harry Berthrong..Left field (.223, 21 runs, 22 rbi)
8. George Hall......Centre field (.285, 24 runs, 19 rbi)
9. John Glenn.......Right field (.348, 19 runs, 26 rbi)

There is controversy in Washington for the 1871 Champions—is Stearns the better pitcher than Brainard?

Boston Red Stockings
Players.............Position
1. George Zettlein..Pitcher (17-11, 3.04 with Chicago)
2. Cal McVey........Catcher (.290, 29 runs, 22 rbi, 2 hr)
3. Charlie Gould....First base (.254, 12 runs, 14 rbi)
4. Ross Barnes......Second base (.341, 34 runs, 27 rbi)
5. Harry Schafer....Third base (.243, 22 runs, 7 rbi)
6. George Wright....Short stop (.289, 22 runs, 16 rbi)
7. Fred Cone........Left field (.246, 11 runs, 13 rbi)
8. Harry Wright.....Centre field (.305, 19 runs, 5 rbi)
9. Dave Birdsall....Right field (.260, 16 runs, 16 rbi)

The Boston club was displeased with Spaulding’s pitching, so they convinced the 1871 Cartwright winner, Zettlein, to join their club. If the Wright boys can find the bats that they used during their times in Cincinnati, the Red Stockings will be the team to beat.

Philadelphia Athletics
Players.............Position
1. Dick McBride.....Pitcher (15-13 3.22) / Cherokee Fisher (15-10 3.02)
2. Fergy Malone.....Catcher (.341, 33 runs, 22 rbi)
3. Wes Fisler.......First base (.320, 26 runs, 24 rbi)
4. Al Reach.........Second base (.255, 29 runs, 18 rbi)
5. Levi Meyerle.....Third base (.360, 34 runs, 26 rbi)
6. John Radcliff....Short stop (.320, 27 runs, 26 rbi)
7. George Bechtel...Left field (.302, 23 runs, 34 rbi)
8. Sensenderfer.....Centre field (.394, 37 runs, 19 rbi)
9. George Heubel....Right field (.234, 20 runs, 17 rbi)

The Philadelphia club made no major changes for 1872 other than the signing of Cherokee Fisher as switch pitcher. A good club unable to overcome a slow start in 1871, they should be in the thick of pennant chase.

Baltimore Canaries
Players.............Position
1. Al Spaulding.....Pitcher (11-18, 3.76 with Boston)
2. Frank Selman.....Catcher (.244 with Fort Wayne)
3. Denny Mack.......First base (.280, 27 runs, 11 rbi with Rockford)
4. John Kenney......Second base (rookie)
5. Bill Allison.....Third base (rookie)
6. Jim Hallinan.....Short stop (.228 with Fort Wayne)
7. Josh Snyder......Left field (rookie)
8. Scott Hastings...Centre field (.336, 24 runs, 19 rbi with Rockford)
9. Joe Higby........Right field (rookie)

Baltimore has put together a judicious nine for 1872, signing Spaulding from Boston and slugging Mack from Rockford. They could be the best of the newly formed professional clubs.

New York Mutual
Players.............Position
1. Candy Cummings...Pitcher (rookie)
2. Dick Higham......Catcher (.333, 32 runs, 25 rbi)
3. Joe Start........First base (.329, 26 runs, 26 rbi)
4. Robert Ferguson..Second base (.314, 36 runs, 15 rbi)
5. Charles Smith....Third base (.308, 33 runs, 22 rbi)
6. Dickey Pearce....Short stop (.313, 23 runs, 31 rbi)
7. John Hatfield....Left field (.248, 19 runs, 28 rbi)
8. Dave Eggler......Centre field (.250, 27 runs, 18 rbi)
9. Charlie Mills....Right field (.254, 26 runs, 15 rbi)

The Mutual, disappointed in the pitching of Wolters last season, is bringing in heralded amateur Cummings to pitch for 1872. If Cummings can prove himself against the professionals, the Mutual will be a position for the championship.

Cleveland Forest City
Players.............Position
1. Al Pratt.........Pitcher (14-15 3.00)
2. Deacon White.....Catcher (.277, 21 runs, 24 rbi)
3. Jim Foran........First base (.281 12 runs, 12 rbi for Fort Wayne)
4. Jimmy Wood.......Second base (.386, 31 runs, 17 rbi for Chicago)
5. Ezra Sutton......Third base (.338, 21 runs, 21 rbi)
6. John Bass........Short stop (.325, 18 runs, 21 rbi)
7. Charlie Pabor....Left field (.340, 33 runs, 31 rbi)
8. Fred Treacey.....Centre field (.279, 27 runs, 20 rbi for Chicago)
9. Gat Stires.......Right field (.273, 21 runs, 20 rbi)

Doubleday Award winner, Wood, decided to join the Cleveland club for 1872, making them instant contenders.

Middletown Mansfields
Players.............Position
1. Bobby Mathews....Pitcher (6-13 3.71 for Fort Wayne)
2. John Clapp.......Catcher (rookie)
3. Jim O’Rourke.....First base (rookie)
4. Eddie Booth......Second base (rookie)
5. Cap Anson........Third base (.316, 22 runs, 21 rbi for Rockford)
6. Ham Allen........Short stop (rookie)
7. Jim Tipper.......Left field (rookie)
8. Frank McCarton...Centre field (rookie)
9. Frank Buttery....Right field (rookie)

The new club from Middletown added pitcher, Mathews, and Anson for third base. It will make them fun to watch, but there are too many muffins on this club.

Troy Haymakers
Players.............Position
1. Lefty McMullin...Pitcher (12-14 3.39)
2. Mike McGeary.....Catcher (.230, 28 runs, 17 rbi)
3. Ned Connor.......First base (.250, 12 runs, 10 rbi)
4. Lip Pike.........Second base (.313, 29 runs, 23 rbi)
5. Steve Bellan.....Third base (.291, 18 runs, 22 rbi)
6. Bill Craver......Short stop (.254, 23 runs, 14 rbi)
7. Steve King.......Left field (.310, 21 runs, 33 rbi)
8. Tom York.........Centre field (.392, 27 runs, 17 rbi)
9. Phonney Martin...Right field (rookie)

Troy also made no major changes. Too bad.

Brooklyn Atlantics
Players.............Position
1. Jim Britt........Pitcher (rookie)
2. Al Barker........Catcher (8 games for Rockford)
3. Bub McAtee.......First base (.288, 31 runs, 23 rbi for Chicago)
4. Jim Hall.........Second base (rookie)
5. Jack Burdock.....Third base (rookie)
6. Tom Barlow.......Short stop (rookie)
7. Ralph Ham........Left field (.206 for Rockford)
8. Jack Remsen......Centre field (rookie)
9. Jack McDonald....Right field (rookie)

All are excited to see Britt pitch against the professionals. Whether the young bats on this team can help him, is a big question.

Brooklyn Eckfords
Players.............Position
1. Martin Malone....Pitcher (rookie)
2. Joe Bestick......Catcher (rookie)
3. Andy Allison.....First base (rookie)
4. Bob Addy.........Second base (.226, 21 runs, 21 rbi with Rockford)
5. Jim Clinton......Third base (rookie)
6. Ed Duffy.........Short stop (.226, 24 runs, 13 rbi with Chicago)
7. Ed Mincher.......Left field (.190 for Fort Wayne)
8. Tom Foley........Centre field (.269, 19 runs, 29 rbi with Chicago)
9. Fraley Rogers....Right field (rookie)

The Eckfords picked up a few scrubs from the disbanded clubs. That probably won’t help them much.

Washington Nationals
Players.............Position
1. Rynie Wolters....Pitcher (14-18 4.26 for New York)
2. Chick Fulmer.....Catcher (.160 for Rockford)
3. Joe Kavanaugh....First base (rookie)
4. William Barrett..Second base (.238 in 7 games for Fort Wayne)
5. Mike Brannock....Third base (2 games for Chicago)
6. Thomas Carey.....Short stop (.121 for Fort Wayne)
7. Paul Hines.......Left field (rookie)
8. Mart King........Centre field (.188 for Chicago)
9. Oscar Bielaski...Right field (rookie)

Veteran pitcher Wolters will help this young club. Signing a bunch of backups won’t.

[mjj55409]

Baltimore Defeats Olympics. Score 6 to 2.
New York Times
Washington. April 18, 1872
An exciting game of Base Ball was played in our nation's capitol to-day, as 452 spectators watched the Olympics lose the first match in their defense of the whip-pennant. SPAULDING pitched the ball for his new team with tremendous vigor, allowing the Olympics to drive home only two runs in 13 innings. MACK had a memorable day at the bat, collecting four safe hits in six times at bat.

[mjj55409]

The pitching changes in Boston and New York have been effective so far. Philadelphia is off to a slow start once again.

[TBenzG]

Originally Posted by mjj55409

The new club from Middletown added pitcher, Mathews, and Anson for third base. It will make them fun to watch, but there are too many muffins on this club.

Muffins!