1876: A New League Begins

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

HITTERS BY POSITION - CATCHER

(asterisked players will be free agents this offseason)

Terry Connell, Chicago White Stockings (0-16-.214-0) - Hard to believe he's the starting catcher on a pennant-winning team. Chicago may well be looking to upgrade here this offseason.

Barney Gilligan, Cincinnati Reds (0-29-.260-1) - This 20-year-old rookie had a pretty solid season, and looks to have a pretty good major league career ahead of him.

Bill Harbidge, Hartford Dark Blues (0-28-.277-0) - Like Gedney, he slumped mightily in the late season, which was probably why Hartford fell so far in the standings.

Tim McGinley, Louisville Grays (1-27-.238-0) - A pretty good fielder behind the plate, but probably not a good enough hitter to have a long career as a starter.

Cal McVey, Boston Red Caps (1-47-.326-7) - He's always a great hitter, and this season was no exception.

"Orator Jim" O'Rourke, New York Mutuals* (1-32-.374-3) - One of the best hitters in the league at any position, he will be one of the leading free agents this offseason.

Paddy Quinn, St. Louis Brown Stockings (0-41-.262-1) - He's been around professional base ball since its inception, sometimes as a starter, sometimes a backup. He's adequate, but nothing great.

Deacon White, Philadelphia Athletics* (0-42-.381-2) - Like O'Rourke, he will command a high price this offseason and should really help some team's pennant chances.

And the award for best catcher of 1876 goes to... JIM O'ROURKE OF THE NEW YORK MUTUALS. Very close voting in this one, as it could easily have gone to Deacon White. The two will likely battle for this award again next year - but with two different teams.

Catcher

1871 - Deacon White, Cleveland Forest Citys (0-28-.389-1)
1872 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Stockings (3-52-.405-18)
1873 - John Clapp, Baltimore Canaries (0-45-.345-4)
1874 - Jim O'Rourke, New York Mutuals (2-68-.365-3)
1875 - Cal McVey, Boston Red Stockings (1-79-.329-14)
1876 - Jim O'Rourke, New York Mutuals (1-32-.374-3)

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Thus, the overall awards by position:

C - Jim O'Rourke, New York Mutuals (second overall win)
1B - Cap Anson, Hartford Dark Blues (third consecutive win)
2B - Lip Pike, New York Mutuals (third overall win, first at this position)
SS - Tom Barlow, Chicago White Stockings (third overall win)
3B - Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings (second overall win)
LF - Count Gedney, Hartford Dark Blues (first win)
CF - Frank McCarton, New York Mutuals (second consecutive win)
RF - Orator Shaffer, Hartford Dark Blues (second consecutive win)

And the Gold Glove Awards by position:

P - Tommy Bond, Louisville Grays (first win)
C - Tim McGinley, Louisville Grays (first win)
1B - Jim Devlin, Chicago White Stockings (first win)
2B - Tom Carey, Chicago White Stockings (second win)
SS - George Wright, Boston Red Caps (first win)
3B - Fred Waterman, Hartford Dark Blues (second win)
LF - Al Thake, Chicago White Stockings (first win)
CF - Tom Foley, Hartford Dark Blues (second win)
RF - Orator Shaffer, Hartford Dark Blues (first win)

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

YEAR-BY-YEAR WINNERS, GOLD GLOVE AWARDS

Pitcher

1871 - Asa Brainard, Washington Olympics
1872 - John "Lefty" McMullin, Troy Haymakers
1873 - John "Lefty" McMullin, Baltimore Canaries
1874 - Frank Fleet, Philadelphia Whites
1875 - Frank Fleet, Philadelphia Whites
1876 - Tommy Bond, Louisville Grays

Catcher

1871 - Mike McGeary, Troy Haymakers
1872 - Mike McGeary, Troy Haymakers
1873 - Pop Snyder, Washington Blue Legs
1874 - Pop Snyder, Chicago White Stockings
1875 - Doug Allison, Philadelphia Whites
1876 - Tim McGinley, Louisville Grays

First Base

1871 - Denny Mack, Rockford Forest Citys
1872 - Charlie Gould, Boston Red Stockings
1873 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics
1874 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics
1875 - Denny Mack, Chicago White Stockings
1876 - Jim Devlin, Chicago White Stockings

Second Base

1871 - Tom Carey, Fort Wayne Kekiongas
1872 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings
1873 - Andy Leonard, Baltimore Canaries
1874 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings
1875 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings
1876 - Tom Carey, Chicago White Stockings

Shortstop

1871 - Dickie Flowers, Troy Haymakers
1872 - Ed Duffy, Brooklyn Eckfords
1873 - Jimmy Hallinan, Baltimore Canaries
1874 - Jimmy Hallinan, Baltimore Canaries
1875 - Tom Barlow, Brooklyn Atlantics
1876 - George Wright, Boston Red Caps

Third Base

1871 - Steve Bellan, Troy Haymakers
1872 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics
1873 - Davy Force, Philadelphia Whites
1874 - Fred Waterman, Brooklyn Atlantics
1875 - Ezra Sutton, Chicago White Stockings
1876 - Fred Waterman, Hartford Dark Blues

Left Field

1871 - Fred Treacey, Chicago White Stockings
1872 - Charlie Pabor, Cleveland Forest Citys
1873 - Fred Treacey, Philadelphia Athletics
1874 - Steve King, New York Mutuals
1875 - Fred Treacey, Philadelphia Athletics
1876 - Al Thake, Chicago White Stockings

Center Field

1871 - Tom Foley, Chicago White Stockings
1872 - Count Sensenderfer, Philadelphia Athletics
1873 - George Hall, Philadelphia Athletics
1874 - Paul Hines, Philadelphia Whites
1875 - Frank McCarton, New York Mutuals
1876 - Tom Foley, Hartford Dark Blues

Right Field

1871 - Lip Pike, Troy Haymakers
1872 - Elmer White, Cleveland Forest Citys
1873 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics
1874 - George Heubel, Philadelphia Athletics
1875 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics
1876 - Orator Shaffer, Hartford Dark Blues

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

The annual awards:

With only a few rookies to choose from, Foghorn Bradley of Boston won the Rookie of the Year award over Barney Gilligan of Cincinnati.

The Cartwright Award was close this year, but J. O'Neill of Chicago took it home for the first time, with Bond of Louisville in second and Hartford's Zettlein in third.

For Most Valuable Hitter, it was a three-man race between back-to-back winner Cap Anson, Jim O'Rourke of New York, and Levi Meyerle of Chicago. In the end, Meyerle's pennant win proved decisive, as he narrowly beat out Anson to win his first MVH award.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Most Valuable Hitter Awards

1871 - Dickie Flowers, Troy
1872 - Cal McVey, Boston
1873 - Jim Foran, Philadelphia (W)
1874 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn
1875 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn
1876 - Levi Meyerle, Chicago

Cartwright Award

1871 - Dick McBride, Philadelphia
1872 - Dick McBride, Philadelphia
1873 - Dick McBride, Philadelphia (A)
1874 - Dick McBride, Philadelphia (A)
1875 - Sam Weaver, Philadelphia (W)
1876 - J. O'Neill, Chicago

Rookie of the Year

1871 - Dickie Flowers, Troy
1872 - Frank McCarton, Middletown
1873 - Jack Manning, Boston
1874 - Steve Brady, Hartford
1875 - Sam Weaver, Philadelphia (W)
1876 - Foghorn Bradley, Boston

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

THE 1877 SEASON BEGINS

The National League enters its second season in some financial trouble. With the Philadelphia and New York clubs banished by President William Hulbert, the league now has a decidedly western flavor, with Boston and Hartford the only east coast cities remaining. Also, due to financial pressures Hartford will no longer be playing its home games in the city of Hartford, but over 100 miles away in Brooklyn, New York.

Among the western cities, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Louisville are also rather financially troubled. Indeed, only Hulbert's own Chicago club is the picture of financial health. It seems imperative that the league have a good pennant race this season, or it may not survive to see its third year.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

TEAM-BY-TEAM PROFILES - 1877 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER

BOSTON RED CAPS (31-39 in 1876)

A team in trouble. Due to financial concerns, Harry Wright was forced to let many of his key hitters walk, including superstar second baseman Ross Barnes. The new starters include untested players such as Gene Kimball and Frank Whitney, and washouts such as John Clapp. To make matters worse, Harry traded his popular brother George to St. Louis over the offseason. While the team did get back a useful player in Count Sensenderfer, some have suggested that Harry was simply trying to give George a chance to play on a winning team. They could well fall all the way to the cellar this season.

8 C Cal McVey (1-47-.326-7) - He should be the team's star this season. It is uncertain whether he will be willing to resign with the club if they fail to make some strides this year.
25 1B Jim Foran (2-45-.304-3) - He will again be counted upon as a centerpiece of Boston's offense. However, he will have far less support from his team-mates this year.
12 2B Gene Kimball (lifetime .261 hitter as a reserve) - With the departure of star Ross Barnes, he is the best remaining keystone player. Needless to say, this is a dramatic downgrade in talent.
9 SS Jimmy Hallinan (0-32-.249-2) - After spending two years trying unsuccessfully to convert him to a third baseman, Harry Wright shocked the world by trading his brother George and giving the starting shortstop job to Hallinan.
50 3B John Morrill (0-7-.269-0) - He was handed the starting third base job late in the season despite his total lack of big league experience, and did passably well. That was enough for him to be named this season's starter.
3 LF Frank Whitney (1 for 4 lifetime) - Boston's entire outfield from 1876 is gone, which will allow players like Whitney a chance in the big leagues.
14 CF Count Sensenderfer (0-7-.234-0 with St. Louis; lifetime .327 hitter) - Boston is gambling that he will regain his pre-1876 form. At the age of 29, he may well have plenty left in the tank.
31 RF John Clapp (0-17-.228-2) - His career has really taken a turn for the worse in the past few years, and this appears to be his big chance to rehabilitate himself.
44 P Foghorn Bradley (25-31, 2.76) - He pitched well as a rookie, but he will have his hands full trying to keep this team above water.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS (46-20 in 1876)

This club shows how strong a team can be - if their owner is the league president. William Hulbert brought together some talented players last season in Meyerle, Thake, Hines and Barlow, and added a few untested men such as Carey and O'Neill. The result was a perfectly blended championship team. This season, Hulbert used a thin pretext to eliminate Chicago's main competition, then added established stars Jim O'Rourke, Joe Start and John Bass. Expect Chicago to easily win their second consecutive National League crown.

30 C "Orator Jim" O'Rourke (1-32-.374-3 with New York) - This signing gives Chicago almost an embarrassment of riches in talent. He was one of the league's best hitters last year in New York, and fills a need in Chicago.
33 1B Joe "Old Reliable" Start (0-22-.283-2 with Philadelphia) - This 34-year-old veteran had a bit of a down year in 1876, but is still considered an upgrade in Chicago. Look for Jim Devlin to be ready to step in if he falters, however.
41 2B Tom Carey (1-37-.280-4) - He wasn't a star last year, but he proved to be a solid, steady middle infielder. That's what they'll be looking for from him again.
17 SS John Bass (0-47-.313-0 with Philadelphia) - This was the team's most controversial offseason move. Although they already had a star shortstop in Barlow, they picked up Bass and are planning to start him over the younger man. Some have suggested this move could blow up in their faces.
27 3B Levi Meyerle (2-53-.394-7) - If he can even do anything close to his 1876 MVH campaign, this club will be just fine.
35 LF Al Thake (1-53-.343-13) - Bringing him to the club was one of several moves last season by Hulbert that worked perfectly. They will be looking for him to duplicate this breakout season.
11 CF Paul Hines (1-59-.291-4) - He is usually a solid hitter, and last year was no exception. At age 22, there is still substantial room for him to improve.
28 RF Pete Donnelly (2-12-.322-0) - After excelling last season as a reserve, he is being given a chance to start this year.
13 P J. O'Neill (37-19, 2.70; lifetime 39-30) - He won the Cartwright Award last year, and has an even better team around him this season. Don't expect him to lose often.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

CINCINNATI REDS (22-43 in 1876)

They were a new team last season, and looked like one. This year, they have restocked their roster with players from the disbanded New York and Philadelphia clubs. It should be an improvement, but not enough of one to have them contending for anything but mediocrity.

8 C Dick Higham (0-19-.361-1 with New York; lifetime .334 hitter) - After six years in Gotham, Higham is heading west to ply his trade in the birthplace of professional base ball. He should be a significant upgrade over Barney Gilligan at the position.
36 1B Fred Goldsmith (0-21-.242-0) - He has failed to show any superstar potential to date, but at age 20 there is still time for him to improve. He is starting since the Red Stockings do not have any better options at first.
13 2B Bob "Magnet" Addy (1-20-.321-0 with Philadelphia; lifetime .300 hitter) - This 32-year-old veteran has always been a reliable hitter and fielder, and should be a solid addition to the club.
17 SS Wally Goldsmith (2 for 17 with New York in 1876; lifetime .229 hitter) - A good-field, no-hit shortstop who is no relation to the team's first baseman.
10 3B Chick Fulmer (reserve with New York in 1876; lifetime .255 hitter) - He hasn't been a full-time player in four years, but he did hit .298 in that season.
19 LF Steve King (0-30-.342-0 with New York; lifetime .314 hitter) - He's coming off a great season, but he will also turn 35 in June. Can he hold back Father Time long enough to help Cincinnati?
27 CF Tom Foley (0-29-.267-2 with Hartford; lifetime .275 hitter) - A steady, consistent player, Foley will be counted on to continue his solid ways with the Red Stockings.
6 RF George Bechtel (0-44-.249-9 with Philadelphia; lifetime .297 hitter) - His average has declined every year since 1873, and he sometimes struggled for playing time in Philly. However, he's being counted on as a mainstay here in Cincinnati.
3 P Bobby Mitchell (rookie) - This 21-year-old left-hander is said to be a very hard thrower. The team can certainly use all the help it can get.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

HARTFORD DARK BLUES (36-32 in 1876)

If any team is to challenge Chicago for supremacy in the National League this season, it will probably be this Hartford club. Although they lost the pennant by ten games in 1876, they have added some key players, including stars Deacon White and Lip Pike.

23 C Deacon White (0-42-.381-2 with Philadelphia) - This outstanding hitter was one of the free agent prizes of the offseason, and should be a big upgrade for Hartford.
5 1B Cap Anson (5-48-.383-6) - Simply put, he's the best player in professional base ball, and at age 24 he stands to continue improving.
27 2B Lip Pike (2-38-.314-6 with New York) - Hartford benefits from the fact that he did not want to leave the state of New York. He is another excellent hitter who should be a big upgrade for this club.
21 SS "Long Jim" Holdsworth (0-9-.364-0 with Philadelphia; lifetime .291 hitter) - He has been an excellent utility man for years with the Athletic club, and is now getting his first chance to be a full-time player.
8 3B Fred Waterman (1-57-.353-5) - He continues to be a star player at third base, and will be counted on as a key contributor.
4 LF Count Gedney (2-45-.342-4) - One of the big surprises of 1876. It remains to be seen whether his hot start was simply a fluke.
30 CF Henry Austin (0-3-.263-0; lifetime .246 hitter) - Veteran backup who is getting a chance to step up due to Tom Foley's departure.
26 RF Orator Shaffer (0-68-.339-0) - He is entering his fourth season with Hartford, and has blossomed into quite a quality contributor.
18 P George Zettlein (30-21, 2.85; lifetime 94-95) - Zettlein is a quality pitcher, and is one of the best players never to have won a pennant. He hopes to erase that latter distinction this season.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

LOUISVILLE GRAYS (24-42 in 1876)

This team has completely remade itself from the club that began last season, and this is probably a significant change for the better. Leonard and Barnes in particular are excellent acquisitions. Still, this club still has enough holes to make a run at the first division seem unlikely.

7 C Fergy Malone (1 for 7 with Philadelphia in 1876; lifetime .248 hitter) - It's not entirely clear how signing this 34-year-old backup catcher to start for them is a step forward.
17 1B Everett Mills (3 for 5 with New York in 1876; lifetime .351 hitter) - Another aging (32) player who hasn't been a starter in a long time. The injured Charlie Hautz should be back by midseason, and may give them an upgrade at the position.
20 2B Andy Leonard (0-40-.351-9 with Philadelphia) - Very good hitter and fielder. He should be a huge help for this club.
11 SS Ross Barnes (0-27-.337-5 with Boston) - He and Leonard should give this club a very strong defense up the middle, and both of them are standout hitters as well. Barnes has not played much shortstop before, but this team has nothing to lose putting him there.
34 3B Steve Bellan (1-35-.247-0 with Philadelphia) - This Cuban is a better fielder than he is a hitter.
9 LF Fred Treacey (0-4-.227-0 with Philadelphia; lifetime .294 hitter) - He seems to have lost his touch with the bat, although he remains an outstanding outfielder.
19 CF Art Allison (1-29-.285-3 with Boston) - After being miserable the past two seasons in Boston, he hopes to turns things around here in the west.
21 RF Steve Brady (0-27-.276-0 with Hartford) - This former Rookie of the Year has still never had a season as good as his inaugural 1874 campaign.
32 P Harry Arundel (4-5, 2.74; lifetime 20-9) - He did well after being given the starting job late in the year, and now will get a chance to show he deserves the promotion.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Eckstein 4 Prez

Also, due to financial pressures Hartford will no longer be playing its home games in the city of Hartford, but over 100 miles away in Brooklyn, New York.

That damned Mr Buckley had better not plan on any more dinners at the Clemons home.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

ST. LOUIS BROWN STOCKINGS (19-45 in 1876)

St. Louis, the last-place team in 1876, has really added some quality hitters in their attempt to turn the club around. While they should be much better than last season's club, they still have a long way to go before challenging clubs such as Hartford or Chicago.

14 C Frank Selman (0-16-.262-1 with New York; lifetime .290 hitter) - After five seasons in New York, Selman returns west to play for St. Louis and hopefully help them to a somewhat better record.
12 1B Clipper Flynn (0-39-.302-2 with New York) - He should be a big improvement at first base for this club.
18 2B Jimmy Wood (0-39-.304-6) - He claims to be ecstatic over the new players he'll be playing with. At 34, he is running out of time to get his first championship.
2 SS George Wright (2-25-.288-12 with Boston) - He came over in a trade for Count Sensenderfer, and rumor has it that it was partly because his brother Harry thought he'd have a better chance of winning in St. Louis.
10 3B Ezra Sutton (0-15-.236-1 with Chicago) - He's an excellent fielder at third, but has always been something of a disappointment at the bat.
28 LF Charley Jones (0-45-.291-1) - One of the few bright spots on last year's club, he is moving from center field to left this year.
22 CF Frank McCarton (1-38-.335-0 with New York) - Only 22 years old, he is already one of the league's better hitters. A huge signing for St. Louis.
37 RF Mike Dorgan (rookie) - This 23-year-old is said to be an excellent hitter.
45 P Pud Galvin (16-34, 2.98; lifetime 25-68) - He's suffered a lot of losses in his career, but observers say he's a good hurler nonetheless.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

That damned Mr Buckley had better not plan on any more dinners at the Clemons home.

Well, if it's any consolation they'll still be called Hartford this season. Or perhaps "The Hartford Dark Blues of Brooklyn."

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1st: Chicago White Stockings
2nd: Hartford Dark Blues
3rd: St. Louis Brown Stockings
4th: Louisville Grays
5th: Cincinnati Reds
6th: Boston Red Stockings

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 13, 1877 - Sunday Base Ball Report

Boston Red Caps 3-0
Cincinnati Reds 2-0
Chicago White Stockings 2-1
Hartford Dark Blues 0-2
Louisville Grays 0-2
St. Louis Brown Stockings 0-2

Boston is obviously the early surprise, as they capped an excellent week by defeating Chicago 14-12 in a game they trailed 12-3 before scoring eleven unanswered runs. Clearly it is still much too early to infer anything about any club's ultimate chances this season.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .625, Andy Leonard, Louisville Grays
On-Base Percentage - .625, Andy Leonard, Louisville Grays
Slugging Percentage - .750, Frank Selman, St. Louis Brown Stockings
OPS - 1.250, Andy Leonard, Louisville Grays
Hits - 6, 3 players tied
Doubles - 2, 5 players tied
Triples - 1, 5 players tied
Home Runs - 0
Extra Base Hits - 2, 7 players tied
Total Bases - 8, Paul Hines, Chicago White Stockings
Runs Batted In - 5, Paul Hines, Chicago White Stockings
Runs Scored - 7, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Stolen Bases - 2, Fred Cone, Louisville Grays
Walks - 1, 6 players tied
Strikeouts - 3, Chick Fulmer, Cincinnati Reds
RC/27 - 28.13, Andy Leonard, Louisville Grays
ISO - .375, Frank Selman, St. Louis Brown Stockings
VORP (Batting) - 2.3, Dick Higham, Cincinnati Reds

Earned Run Average - 0.00, Al Spalding, Boston Red Caps
Wins - 2, 3 players tied
Losses - 2, 3 players tied
Saves - 0
Innings Pitched - 26 1/3, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings
Shutouts - 0
Walks - 3, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
Strikeouts - 6, 4 players tied
H/9IP - 4.77, Al Spalding, Boston Red Caps
HR/9IP - 0.00, all players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, 6 players tied
K/9IP - 3.38, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
K/BB Ratio - cannot be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .150, Al Spalding, Boston Red Caps
WHIP - 0.53, Al Spalding, Boston Red Caps
VORP (Pitching) - 5.7, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 20, 1877 - Sunday Base Ball Report

Chicago White Stockings 5-1
Cincinnati Reds 4-1
Boston Red Caps 3-3
Hartford Dark Blues 2-3
Louisville Grays 2-3
St. Louis Brown Stockings 0-5

Chicago didn't take long in rising to the top of the league. If anything is to slow them down, it will probably have to be injuries. To that end, outfielder Al Thake is out for the next two to three months after suffering a leg injury this week. They seem to have ample depth to be able to carry on without him, but he is a very solid hitter - it might cause them some problems.

Cincinnati is doing surprisingly well, mostly on the strength of their 21-year-old rookie left-hander Bobby Mitchell. Their hitting has also been somewhat better than anticipated.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .533, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
On-Base Percentage - .533, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
Slugging Percentage - .690, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
OPS - 1.138, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Hits - 13, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Doubles - 4, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Triples - 1, 11 players tied
Home Runs - 1, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Extra Base Hits - 5, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Total Bases - 20, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Runs Batted In - 10, Tom Carey, Chicago White Stockings
Runs Scored - 11, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Stolen Bases - 3, Fred Cone, Louisville Grays
Walks - 2, Ross Barnes, Louisville and Jim O'Rourke, Chicago
Strikeouts - 5, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings
RC/27 - 15.13, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
ISO - .241, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
VORP (Batting) - 5.0, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings

Earned Run Average - 2.00, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
Wins - 4, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati and J. O'Neill, Chicago
Losses - 4, Pud Galvin, St. Louis Brown Stockings
Saves - 0
Innings Pitched - 49 2/3, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings
Shutouts - 0
Walks - 9, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
Strikeouts - 20, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
H/9IP - 8.40, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
HR/9IP - 0.00, 5 players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, J. O'Neill, Chicago and George Zettlein, Hartford
K/9IP - 4.19, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
K/BB Ratio - cannot be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .231, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
WHIP - 1.04, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
VORP (Pitching) - 10.0, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Eckstein 4 Prez

Well, if it's any consolation they'll still be called Hartford this season. Or perhaps "The Hartford Dark Blues of Brooklyn."

Everything old is new!

I have always found the short period before the implementation of the reserve clause to be interesting in that it so closely mimics much of what folks complain is ruining the game in our times. Greed, drugs, no loyalty, rotten owners, et cetera.

[CatKnight]

The Hartford Dark Blues of Brooklyn. Hmm..

In this universe, it's going to look very much like Hulburt maneuvered against the Mutuals and Philly just to secure Chicago dominance. As you say, there better be a really good pennant race this time around, or the NL might be in trouble.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I have always found the short period before the implementation of the reserve clause to be interesting in that it so closely mimics much of what folks complain is ruining the game in our times. Greed, drugs, no loyalty, rotten owners, et cetera.

It's interesting that you bring this up. I think major league baseball is one of the best test cases out there for the argument that regulated capitalism is the healthiest economic system.

Look at it this way: professional baseball has been played for 137 years now. For about 55 of those years (1915-70) the owners had complete and total control over the players - the opposite of a free market system. Now, the effect of this can be hard to track because there were two events that dramatically boosted baseball's popularity during this time: Babe Ruth's incredible personal popularity, which affected the entire sport, and westward expansion, which brought baseball to new areas that had previously not had it. (I would argue that the financial windfall from latter is largely what brought down the owner-dominated system, but that's an argument for another day.)

The thing is, if you take out the 1920-34 Babe Ruth years and the 1958-69 expansion years, baseball was dying. The minor leagues were collapsing on themselves, attendance was down - baseball's socialist system was "making the pie lower" for everyone.

I'm fascinated by the eras when those fights took place - the pre-reserve clause financial struggling, the reserve clause and the players' revolt of 1890, the Federal League and its direct connection with the Black Sox scandal, and of course the saga of Curt Flood, Marvin Miller, Messersmith and McNally, etc.

I'm sure someone more educated than me has written something scholarly about the fact that for baseball, socialism = bad health, unrestrained capitalism = bad health (see: 1870s baseball, Black Sox scandal), but regulated capitalism = gold mine. Someday I'll have to find it and read it.

Anyway... on to the important stuff. I'm not going to implement the reserve clause in this universe, so player movement will be a little more possible, although of course each player starts with the team for which he actually debuted.

May 27, 1877 - Sunday Base Ball Report

Chicago White Stockings 8-1
Hartford Dark Blues 4-3
Cincinnati Reds 4-4
Boston Red Caps 4-4
Louisville Grays 3-4
St. Louis Brown Stockings 0-7

Chicago seems intent on wiping out all thoughts of a pennant race rather quickly. As a team, they are currently batting .329, while the league itself hits at a more modest .274 clip. It simply does not appear that there are other teams out there that can challenge the supremacy of Hulbert's boys.

The result is that the other five teams are struggling financially. Cincinnati has already announced that their situation is dire - and they are not helped at all by this week's news. Their highest-paid player, veteran outfielder Steve King, went down to a season-ending injury. While the club will forge on without him, they are likely to see some struggles, both competitively and financially.

The current league leaders:

Batting Average - .526, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
On-Base Percentage - .526, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
Slugging Percentage - .591, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
OPS - 1.053, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
Hits - 18, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Doubles - 5, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Triples - 1, 17 players tied
Home Runs - 1, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Extra Base Hits - 6, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Total Bases - 26, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Runs Batted In - 16, Tom Carey, Chicago White Stockings
Runs Scored - 14, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Stolen Bases - 3, Fred Cone, Louisville Grays
Walks - 3, John Clapp, Boston and Jim O'Rourke, Chicago
Strikeouts - 5, 3 players tied
RC/27 - 10.05, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
ISO - .182, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
VORP (Batting) - 5.8, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings

Earned Run Average - 0.96, Will White, Boston Red Caps
Wins - 7, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings
Losses - 6, Pud Galvin, St. Louis Brown Stockings
Saves - 1, Pidgey Morgan, Hartford Dark Blues
Innings Pitched - 78 2/3, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings
Shutouts - 1, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings
Walks - 10, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
Strikeouts - 28, Bobby Mitchell, Cincinnati Reds
H/9IP - 8.68, Will White, Boston Red Caps
HR/9IP - 0.00, 7 players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, Tommy Bond, Louisville and George Zettlein, Hartford
K/9IP - 4.50, Harry Arundel, Louisville Grays
K/BB Ratio - cannot be computed for players with 0 walks
Opp. Avg. - .225, Will White, Boston Red Caps
WHIP - 1.04, George Zettlein, Hartford Dark Blues
VORP (Pitching) - 15.1, J. O'Neill, Chicago White Stockings

[CONN CHRIS]

...for baseball, socialism = bad health, unrestrained capitalism = bad health (see: 1870s baseball, Black Sox scandal), but regulated capitalism = gold mine.

Perfect way to capture the thought!