1876: A New League Begins

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

March 4, 1876 - On this chilly Saturday evening in New York City, Chicago White Stockings owner William Hulbert and James "Deacon" White, representative of the newly formed "Players' Brotherhood," negotiated furiously in a small hotel ballroom, as author Henry Chadwick desperately tried to mediate a compromise to save the 1876 season.

At issue: Hulbert's move, on February 2, to consolidate the power in professional base ball in the hands of the owners, with a "reserve clause" to bind players to their teams and a more stable schedule and league structure by forming a new "National League." The League would replace the struggling National Association, which had been beset by inconsistent levels of play and team instability - over half of the teams from the 1875 season were not going to be returning for the new year. Hulbert's proposal was that the six strongest clubs - from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford and St. Louis - would from the nucleus of the new League, along with new clubs in Cincinnati (which would carry on the tradition of the first-ever professional club) and Louisville.

Shortly after hearing of the move, White had gathered several player leaders, including McVey and Foran of Boston, Peters of Chicago, O'Rourke and Pike of New York, and Start of Philadelphia, to oppose the owners' precipitous move. They resolved not to play for any organization that tried to bind them to a team or otherwise restrict their freedom as players.

With only a month to go before the new season was to start, the two sides were at an impasse. Author Henry Chadwick, preparing the new version of his Beadle Base Ball Player, openly fretted that there would be no national premiere league in 1876. Finally, knowing that White and Hulbert were the only two men influential enough to be able to settle the controversy between them, Chadwick brokered the March 4 meeting, vowing not to let the two men out of the room without an agreement.

Finally, as the hour grew increasingly late, Chadwick turned wearily to White. "Now, James," said the frustrated scribe, "having a more stable league with stable teams would help you boys make more money and live better lives, wouldn't it?" Reluctantly, White allowed that it would.

"Now, Mr. Hulbert, you must know the top players will not submit to a system that gives them no control over their own destinies. So what is it that you and the other owners really want?"

After a long pause, Hulbert answered, "Six years. Give the teams the first six years of a player's career, so they will not simply lose him to another ball club after developing a young player. If a man joins the ball club at 18, he will control his own destiny at 24."

White mulled that over for a bit and said, "I can agree to that on one condition. Every man's National Association service counts toward that six years, so that longtime veterans such as myself will be free as soon as their contracts expire after the season."

With that, the agreement was made, the players and owners vowed to work together to make a new National League, and the 1876 season could commence.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Excerpt - THE 1876 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER

"Before we begin to discuss the ball clubs that will begin play in the new National League, a brief discussion of the recently-deceased Association is in order. While the Association was undoubtedly an ambitious undertaking, it simply proved impossible to sustain a true national competition of clubs when smaller western burgs such as Rockford, Ill., Keokuk, I., and the like were trying to compete with eastern hamlets similarly lacking in resources, such as Elizabeth and Middletown.

However, the quality of the competition was high and many of the fiercest players in the new League were also top hands in the Association. Thus, this summary of the Association years."

National Association Champions

1871 - Boston Red Stockings
1872 - Boston Red Stockings
1873 - Philadelphia Athletics
1874 - New York Mutuals
1875 - Philadelphia Athletics

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

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)

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)

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

YEAR-BY-YEAR TOP HITTERS BY POSITION

First Base

1871 - Clipper Flynn, Troy Haymakers (0-20-.361-1)
1872 - Joe Start, New York Mutuals (1-51-.330-3)
1873 - Jim Foran, Philadelphia Whites (0-35-.400-7)
1874 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics (0-44-.400-9)
1875 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics (3-41-.417-14)

Second Base

1871 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-31-.336-12)
1872 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-52-.429-12)
1873 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-49-.360-8)
1874 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (0-45-.331-11)
1875 - Ross Barnes, Boston Red Stockings (1-71-.347-13)

Shortstop

1871 - Dickie Flowers, Troy Haymakers (4-38-.374-10)
1872 - Dickie Flowers, Troy Haymakers (0-29-.407-4)
1873 - Tom Barlow, Brooklyn Atlantics (1-40-.341-3)
1874 - Tom Barlow, Brooklyn Atlantics (2-59-.316-3)
1875 - John Peters, Chicago White Stockings (1-27-.274-2)

Third Base

1871 - Levi Meyerle, Philadelphia Athletics (0-25-.400-3)
1872 - Cap Anson, Brooklyn Atlantics (0-37-.434-11)
1873 - Fred Waterman, Brooklyn Atlantics (2-50-.323-10)
1874 - Fred Waterman, Brooklyn Atlantics (0-47-.366-7)
1875 - Fred Waterman, Brooklyn Atlantics (3-44-.330-7)

Left Field

1871 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics (1-22-.333-6)
1872 - George Bechtel, Philadelphia Athletics (1-33-.333-9)
1873 - Al Thake, Brooklyn Atlantics (1-49-.344-5)
1874 - Steve King, New York Mutuals (1-71-.359-2)
1875 - Andy Leonard, Philadelphia Athletics (0-56-.309-13)

Center Field

1871 - Tom York, Troy Haymakers (1-19-.369-0)
1872 - Dave Eggler, New York Mutuals (1-66-.372-20)
1873 - Count Sensenderfer, Philadelphia Athletics-Brooklyn Atlantics (3-38-.354-2)
1874 - George Hall, Philadelphia Athletics (2-49-.336-4)
1875 - Frank McCarton, New York Mutuals (1-48-.354-0)

Right Field

1871 - Lip Pike, Troy Haymakers (0-22-.317-6)
1872 - George Heubel, Philadelphia Athletics (0-50-.333-4)
1873 - Lip Pike, New York Mutuals (1-48-.341-7)
1874 - Gat Stires, New York Mutuals (1-35-.312-7)
1875 - Orator Shaffer, Hartford Dark Blues (0-42-.257-4)

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)

[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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Excerpt - THE 1876 BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER

Meet the clubs - the teams that will begin play in the new National League. Herein are summaries of the teams and the men who have been announced as their starting nines.

BOSTON RED CAPS

The Bostons have fallen on hard times in recent years. Although they boast some of the stars from the National Association in Ross Barnes, Cal McVey and Jim Foran, they have struggled mightily since winning the first two Association flags. The team has made few changes since their mediocre 1875 campaign, so Harry Wright's boys seem to be hoping the change of scenery helps them.

25 1B Jim Foran (1-68-.363-15) - In 1875, his first season in Boston, Foran finished third in the Most Valuable Hitter voting.
11 2B Ross Barnes (1-71-.347-13) - The most consistent of the Association's stars, and second in 1875 MVH voting. The taciturn Barnes took no part in the Players' Brotherhood, and some of the other leading players resent this.
2 SS George Wright (1-54-.263-15) - Wright had his second consecutive down year in 1875, but it's easy to keep your starting job when the manager is your big brother.
9 3B Jimmy Hallinan (0-24-.291-0) - This position was unsettled all season for Boston. Hallinan is naturally a shortstop and struggled to adjust last year, but he appears to have won the battle for this job.
7 LF Tom York (1-70-.289-1) - York was a superstar for the 1871-72 Troy Haymakers, and he joined Boston in 1873 amid great fanfare. However, while he has been an adequate outfielder, he has never lived up to his billing.
19 CF Art Allison (1-51-.299-6) - Rumor has it that Allison is very unhappy in Boston. It is difficult to say exactly why, although he certainly preferred living in Baltimore and playing for the Association's old Canaries club. If he starts slowly, look for Harry Wright to find a replacement for him.
4 RF John Glenn (0-26-.276-4) - Another frustrated player whose Boston experience has not worked out as planned. Glenn was a .300 hitter for the Washington Blue Legs (1873) and Baltimore Canaries (1874) before heading north.
8 C Cal McVey (1-79-.329-14) - He is a lifetime .344 hitter who has been with Boston since its inception. However, with the new "free agency" system, he has announced that he will not long remain with the club unless it regains its winning ways.
44 SP Foghorn Bradley (rookie) - The Boston club has tried many changes over the past few years. This time, they are turning to this noisy rookie thrower in hopes of returning to the League's elite.

[lewis31lewis52]

Wow, this one looks awesome. I love 19th century stories, and considering you're writing this one, it should be a good one.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Originally Posted by lewis31lewis52

Wow, this one looks awesome. I love 19th century stories, and considering you're writing this one, it should be a good one.

Thanks. Hopefully I can live up to that...

And now that I'm done for the day with irritating things like "jobs" and "friends" and "kids" -

CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS

The White Stockings were also-rans in 1871, and then had their ball yard destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire. They did not field a team in 1872 or 1873, then had a terrible team in 1874 and an only slightly better one in 1875. The fact that owner William Hulbert has become the most influential man in base ball under these circumstances speaks volumes about his persuasiveness. On the field, they bought up a lot of players from the defunct teams over the offseason, so their product might be somewhat improved, but they are still probably not the equal of the true contenders.

2 1B Lou Say (1-41-.264-0) - He got his first-ever chance to start with Chicago last season, and did well enough to get another chance.
41 2B Tom Carey (0-5-.281-0 with Brooklyn) - He was a solid infielder in 1873-74 with Baltimore, and a utility man last season with the Atlantics.
16 SS Tom Barlow (1-20-.292-5 with Brooklyn) - One of base ball's better shortstops, his signing was a real coup, but it leaves last year's shortstop John Peters without a position.
27 3B Levi Meyerle (1-49-.294-11 with Phil. Whites) - Another big upgrade for the Chicagos, although he's always previously played in his native Philadelphia.
35 LF Al Thake (0-31-.229-4 with Brooklyn) - After having been one of the league's better outfielders, he slumped badly in 1875. If he regains his form, he'll be another great signing for the club.
11 CF Paul Hines (0-37-.261-4 with Phil. Whites) - Like Thake, he's coming off something of an off-year and hoping to regain his prior numbers.
37 RF Jim Devlin (2-53-.242-4 with Phil. Whites) - There was some talk of converting him to a pitcher, but Chicago had a greater need for a starting right fielder.
30 C Terry Connell (1-26-.221-0) - They're still short-handed at catcher, so he's what they've got.
13 SP J. O'Neill (2-11, 3.24 with Centennials) - He did fairly well as a rookie with the hapless Philadelphia Centennials, so he gets to move up to a move competitive club.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

CINCINNATI REDS

This club was added to the National League in a nod to professional base ball history, as the first-ever professional club was formed here seven years ago. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, all those players have moved on and all that remains is the team name. Do not look for the team name to win too many games this season, as this club is still building from the ground up.

46 1B Trick McSorley (0-10-.246-0 with St. Louis Red Stockings) - He did an adequate job with a poor team in 1875, and that's probably the best Cincinnati can hope for this season as well.
82 2B Bill Smiley (0-7-.333-0 with St. Louis Red Stockings) - This 19-year-old showed a little promise in 1875, although he'll need to play more than 12 games to prove he's ready for the big time.
11 SS Molly Moore (0 for 2 career with Brooklyn) - Is he really the best this club can do at shortstop? This could end up being a really long season.
56 3B Amos "Darling" Booth (rookie) - He may actually end up being the best member of this extremely inexperienced infield for the Reds.
34 LF "Big Jim" Clinton (lifetime 0-27-.299-3 for three teams in four seasons) - He's never really gotten much of a chance, even though he's hit fairly well as a reserve for several clubs. This appears to be the opportunity he's been waiting for.
18 CF Jack Remsen (lifetime .280 hitter as Brooklyn reserve) - An okay hitter, and a great fielder in center field. He should be one of Cincinnati's better players.
9 RF Jack "Death to Flying Things" Chapman (0-12-.165-4) - Another great fielder, but he simply cannot hit the ball.
37 C Barney Gilligan (rookie) - This 20-year-old is another good fielder. Hopefully defense will win them some games, because their hitting probably won't.
15 SP Dory Dean (rookie) - This Cincinnati native is said to be pretty good, but time will tell.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

HARTFORD DARK BLUES

This team has been extremely weak since its inception. Although they were the winners in the offseason's biggest player signing, they still probably do not have what it takes to compete in the National League at this point.

5 1B Cap Anson (3-41-.417-14 with Brooklyn) - It's not often that a 23-year-old star player is available on the open market. Hartford got a real gem in this competitive young hitter.
16 2B Ben Laughlin (0-28-.181-0) - A good-field, no-hit middle infielder with a lifetime .199 average.
14 SS Billy Redmon (0-8-.289-0 with St. Louis Red Stockings) - He seems to have some hitting ability, but really struggle to field his position at shortstop last year.
8 3B Fred Waterman (3-44-.330-7 with Brooklyn) - Purportedly, it was his signing that led Anson to believe Hartford was serious about competing, and three days later Anson himself signed. In addition to that coup, Waterman is a very good hitter in his own right.
4 LF Count Gedney (0-53-.282-0) - He was one of Hartford's best players last season, and he will be expected to bat just ahead of Anson and Waterman this year.
27 CF Tom Foley (0-36-.240-0) - He will have to have a good season if Hartford is to finish in the first division. He's been a good hitter before, but his last good season was in 1873 (.331).
26 RF Orator Shaffer (0-42-.257-4) - A good defender in right, but the jury is still out as to how good he'll become as a hitter.
79 C Bill Harbidge (1-45-.229-0) - A pretty good backstop, but not too much of a hitter.
18 SP George Zettlein (5-2, 2.59 with Phil. Whites) - This 31-year-old veteran had a 64-74 record in the National Association.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

LOUISVILLE GRAYS

Like Cincinnati, this is a brand new team starting out in the National League, and they will probably struggle as a result. While they are not a terrible group, they do not have any stars who will be able to lead the team.

16 1B Charlie Hautz (0-7-.237-2 with St. Louis Red Stockings) - He had an adequate rookie season, and while he does not look like a star, he'll be a serviceable starter for this club.
49 2B Ed Somerville (0-5-.086-0 with Phil. Centennials) - If he has big league ability, he has yet to demonstrate it on the field.
30 SS John Donnelly (0-2-.308-0 with Brooklyn; lifetime .231 hitter) - At age 31, this may be his last chance to show that he can be a quality contributor in professional base ball.
10 3B Warren White (0-3-.171-1 with St. Louis Red Stockings) - This lifetime .210 hitter is another veteran being given one final chance with Louisville.
13 LF Harry Berthrong (0-18-.190-9 with Phil. Whites) - A good defender, but probably does not provide nearly enough offense at the position.
22 CF Scott Hastings (lifetime .217 hitter) - Has never been much of a hitter, and therefore seems to see a lot of good pitches.
17 RF Bill Kelly (0-7-.254-0 with Keokuk) - He's become used to being something of a place-filler at the award ceremonies, and this year should be no exceptions.
15 C Tim McGinley (0-3-.167-0 with Centennials) - Another big question mark. There simply seem to be too many unknowns with this squad.
31 SP Tommy Bond (lifetime 4-1, 1.97 with Brooklyn) - This 19-year-old is being asked to turn this ragtag bunch into contenders.

[Prodigal Son]

A lawyer doing creative writing?








Just giving you a hard time, Eck. I'm sure it will be a good one.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Originally Posted by Prodigal Son

A lawyer doing creative writing?

I know. What a country! (If it's any comfort, I will continue to keep my creative writing at its usual mediocre level.)

Anyway, I want to finish these team previews before work today, so....

NEW YORK MUTUALS

Along with the Philadelphia Athletics and the now-defunct Brooklyn Atlantics and Philadelphia Whites, they stepped into the void left when Boston slipped from the top of the league in 1873, and have been leading competitors for the pennant ever since. Although they lost the flag to Philadelphia in 1873 and 1875, they did manage to win it all in 1874, and are hoping to repeat that success in the new National League. Look for them to be strong contenders all season.

11 1B Clipper Flynn (1-70-.319-0) - A lifetime .317 hitter. He's consistently been one of the better first baseman in base ball. He is rumored to be unhappy in Gotham, although he's played well there for three years.
27 2B Lip Pike (1-66-.320-14) - He is one of the most popular players in base ball, and also one of the best. Since he finally settled in at second base two years ago (prior to that he'd been primarily an outfielder), he's been an excellent, consistent middle infielder.
18 SS John Radcliffe (0-30-.240-3) - He had by far the worst season of his career in 1875. Generally, he's been a solid, .280-hitting shortstop, and the Mutual club really needs him to return to that form.
15 3B Ed Pinkham (0-30-.267-9) - He continues to be a solid though unspectacular third baseman. Can fill a hole a third adequately, but will never be a star.
19 LF Steve King (0-47-.276-5) - After hitting .359 and registering in the MVH voting in 1874, he slumped badly last season and the Mutuals have to hope he can regain his former form this year at the age of 33.
22 CF Frank McCarton (1-48-.354-0) - This 21-year-old budding star has been one of the pleasant surprises of recent years. After a Rookie of the Year season with Middletown in 1872, he had trouble getting a starting job in New York. Since taking over for Dave Eggler in mid-1874, he has been outstanding for the Mutuals.
29 RF Gat Stires (1-23-.212-4) - After having the worst year of his career, Stires is in serious danger of losing his starting job if he doesn't start the season well.
30 C "Orator Jim" O'Rourke (1-40-.306-4) - A very talented, dependable hitter and backstop. The outspoken star has emerged as one of the team's leaders and his frequent pre-game Shakespearean recitals entertain and edify.
97 SP Ed Stratton (41-20, 2.29) - Since taking over as New York's pitcher two years ago, he has won 80 games and lost just 36. One of the better throwers out there.

[CONN CHRIS]

Good to see you back and un-singed Eck!

I am still waiting to see where my favorite 19th century drunk lands.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS

The Athletics have been near or at the top of the standings every year in the National Association, and they look to remain so in the first year of the National League. Look for them to defend their 1875 pennant aggressively this season.

33 1B Joe "Old Reliable" Start (1-49-.342-0) - Although Joe is not getting any younger at age 33, he is still one of the best hitters out there at first base. A very good player who often does not get the publicity he deserves.
20 2B Andy Leonard (0-57-.309-13) - This talented Irishman finally seems to have solved Philadelphia's chronic problems at the keystone position.
17 SS John Bass (1-46-.280-0) - A talented, steady, popular shortstop who is both a solid fielder and a good hitter. He's one of the unsung heroes on this team.
34 3B Steve Bellan (0-44-.283-2) - After two years of having been used as a reserve by the Athletics, he was asked to step in and fill the void left by the trade of Levi Meyerle. All in all, this skilled Cuban did quite well.
5 LF George Bechtel (0-27-.265-6) - Although he's been somewhat of a fourth outfielder in recent years, this season he's being asked to step in as a starter due to the increasing ineffectiveness of previous left fielder Fred Treacey.
15 CF George Hall (1-47-.321-7) - This Englishman has a somewhat unsavory reputation, but there's no denying the fact that he's one of base ball's best hitters.
2 RF George Heubel (0-17-.330-2) - He had a huge year last season after beginning the year on the bench. There's no doubt about him having a starting spot this year, and if he can continue to be a .300 hitter he shouldn't have any trouble getting playing time.
23 C Deacon White (0-62-.329-1) - Along with being the players' negotiator in the "free agent" controversy, he's also one of the league's better players. Came to the Athletics in the Levi Meyerle trade following 1874. Has played for five different teams and been traded twice, perhaps due to his reputation as a center of controversy.
9 SP Lon Knight (44-19, 2.05) - This 22-year-old had an excellent pitching season as a rookie, and they hope he will continue his winning ways in this, his sophomore campaign.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Good to see you back and un-singed Eck!

I am still waiting to see where my favorite 19th century drunk lands.

Thanks. I always try to keep singing far, far away from me. As for your drunken pitcher, I think he's still on the trail of tears that is Philadelphia's bench, despite a 10-0 record as a fill-in starter in 1875.

ST. LOUIS BROWN STOCKINGS

This team was the worst team to finish the 1875 season in the Association. Nevertheless, they are back this season, with an almost-entirely new cast of characters. They still are nowhere near strong enough to contend for the crown, but at least this western club should stay out of last place.

4 1B Charlie Gould (0-22-.215-4) - Came to St. Louis as a cast-off from Boston who couldn't get any playing time. It's becoming increasingly clear why he spent so much time on the bench there.
18 2B Jimmy Wood (1-35-.324-12 with Brooklyn) - His signing was a big coup for the western club, which now can boast an actual established star in their lineup.
11 SS Fred Warner (0-5-.283-0 with Centennials) - This 20-year-old doesn't really seem equipped to be a starting shortstop, but he hit well with the short-lived Centennial club, so St. Louis will give him a chance here.
72 3B Henry Luff (0-24-.237-0 with New Haven) - Another player who had an adequate rookie year with a short-lived club, and is getting a chance with this patched-together team as a consequence.
32 LF Charlie Pabor (0-12-.235-0 with Phil. Whites) - He was a good outfielder for the old Cleveland Forest Citys, but has since spent two years as a part-time player in Philadelphia. Still, he should be somewhat of an improvement for this club.
28 CF Charley Jones (1-14-.369-0 with Keokuk) - He showed great promise with the Iowa club last season as a rookie, and St. Louis benefitted from his desire to remain near his home in the west. Look for him to be one of the finer hitters on the club.
27 RF Tim Murnane (0-9-.282-1 with St. Louis Red Stockings) - He's a talented hitter whose emergence as a star has been hampered by the fact that in his four years in the Association, his team disbanded at the end of each of those seasons. St. Louis hopes to finally give this career .333 hitter some stability.
8 C Paddy Quinn (0-18-.180-3 with New Haven) - A decent fielder, but he needs to improve his hitting stroke if he is to remain a starter.
1 SP George "Grin" Bradley (5-20, 2.25) - Although he lost a lot of games in his rookie season, that likely had more to do with the team behind him than anything he did.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

OFFICIAL BEADLE BASE BALL PLAYER PREDICTED FINISH, 1876

1st: Philadelphia Athletics
2nd: Boston Red Caps
3rd: New York Mutuals
4th: Hartford Dark Blues
5th: Chicago White Stockings
6th: St. Louis Brown Stockings
7th: Cincinnati Reds
8th: Louisville Grays

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

April 30, 1876 - Sunday Base Ball Report

On our first Sabbath since the season started in earnest, your Beadle Base Ball Player correspondent takes pen to paper to discuss the goings-on thus far in the new National League. Eight days ago, on April 22, 1876, the first-ever National League game was played between the Boston Red Caps and the defending champion Philadelphia Athletics. It was a hard-fought contest, narrowly won by the Athletic club when star catcher and negotiator James "Deacon" White hit a run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the home club a 3-2 triumph.

As of today, here are the standings in the National League:

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

And the leaders in various statistical categories:

Honest American Statistics

Batting Average - .667, "Orator Jim" O'Rourke, New York Mutuals
Hits - 8, 3 players tied
Doubles - 2, 7 players tied
Triples - 2, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
Home Runs - 1, 4 players tied
Runs Batted In - 7, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
Runs Scored - 5, Count Gedney, Hartford and Barney Gilligan, Cincinnati
Stolen Bases - 2, Harry Berthrong, Louisville Grays
Walks - 2, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Strikeouts - 3, Paddy Quinn, St. Louis Brown Stockings

Wins - 2, 4 players tied
Losses - 3, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
Innings Pitched - 31 2/3, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
Shutouts - 0
Walks - 4, Tommy Bond, Louisville Grays
Strikeouts - 6, Dory Dean, Cincinnati Reds

Suspicious-Sounding, Possibly Un-American Statistics

On-Base Percentage - .600, "Orator Jim" O'Rourke, New York and Fred Waterman, Hartford
Slugging Percentage - .941, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
Extra Base Hits - 4, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
Total Bases - 16, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps

Earned Run Average - 0.00, Lon Knight, Philadelphia Athletics
Saves - 0

Certainly Demon-Inspired Statistics From the Pit of Hell

OPS - 1.412, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
RC/27 - 33.84, "Orator Jim" O'Rourke, New York Mutuals
VORP (Batting) - 4.7, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
ISO - .471, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps

VORP (Pitching) - 7.9, George Bradley, St. Louis Brown Stockings
H/9IP - 2.70, George Knight, Cincinnati Reds
HR/9IP - 0.00, 7 players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, 3 players tied
K/9IP - 2.70, George Knight, Cincinnati Reds
K/BB Ratio - 6.00, Dory Dean, Cincinnati Reds
Opp. Avg. - .071, George Knight, Cincinnati Reds
WHIP - 0.30, George Knight, Cincinnati Reds

In other big news, Jim Foran of Boston became the second professional player ever to "hit for the cycle," as he almost-singlehandedly led the Bostons to a 13-5 triumph over New York on April 25. Foran managed a single, a double, two triples and a home run for the game, and also scored three runs while driving in seven. Outfielder Paul Hines is the only other player to have managed this feat - he did so while playing for the Philadelphia Whites in 1873.

[canadiancreed]

Man I leave for a week and I miss the master of 19th century rounders. Good to see the return

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 7, 1876 - Sunday Base Ball Report

In the past week, there have been some surprising early results:

Louisville Grays 5-1
Philadelphia Athletics 4-2
New York Mutuals 4-3
Chicago White Stockings 3-2
Hartford Dark Blues 2-3
Boston Red Caps 2-4
Cincinnati Reds 2-4
St. Louis Brown Stockings 1-4

Of course, Louisville has yet to play any of the eastern teams, so their 5-1 record is against less than stellar competition. In addition, their lineup really only has two players who are looking like starters for a contender: first baseman Charlie Hautz (.414) and right fielder Bill Kelly (.333). Thus, Philadelphia and New York are the real fast starters - no real surprise given that they have won the last three National Association championships.

Now for the current statistics:

Honest American Statistics

Batting Average - .536, Tom Barlow, Chicago White Stockings
Hits - 15, Tom Barlow, Chicago White Stockings
Doubles - 4, John Bass, Philadelphia Athletics
Triples - 2, Jim Foran, Boston and Charlie Gould, St. Louis
Home Runs - 1, 7 players tied
Runs Batted In - 9, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
Runs Scored - 12, Tom Barlow, Chicago and Count Gedney, Hartford
Stolen Bases - 3, 3 players tied
Walks - 4, Levi Meyerle, Chicago White Stockings
Strikeouts - 5, Paddy Quinn, St. Louis Brown Stockings

Wins - 5, Tommy Bond, Louisville Grays
Losses - 4, Foghorn Bradley, Boston Red Caps
Innings Pitched - 54, Tommy Bond, Louisville Grays
Shutouts - 0
Walks - 7, Lon Knight, Philadelphia Athletics
Strikeouts - 8, Dory Dean, Cincinnati Reds

Suspicious-Sounding, Possibly Un-American Statistics

On-Base Percentage - .536, Tom Barlow, Chicago White Stockings
Slugging Percentage - .749, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
Extra Base Hits - 4, 5 players tied
Total Bases - 22, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps

Earned Run Average - 0.94, Lon Knight, Philadelphia Athletics
Saves - 0

Certainly Demon-Inspired Statistics From the Pit of Hell

OPS - 1.241, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
RC/27 - 19.52, Count Gedney, Hartford Dark Blues
VORP (Batting) - 6.8, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps
ISO - .276, Jim Foran, Boston Red Caps

VORP (Pitching) - 17.5, Lon Knight, Philadelphia Athletics
H/9IP - 7.56, Bobby Mathews, Boston Red Caps
HR/9IP - 0.00, many players tied
BB/9IP - 0.00, 3 players tied
K/9IP - 3.24, Bobby Mathews, Boston Red Caps
K/BB Ratio - 8.00, Dory Dean, Cincinnati Reds
Opp. Avg. - .212, Bobby Mathews, Boston Red Caps
WHIP - 0.96, Bobby Mathews, Boston and J. O'Neill, Chicago

[rudel.dietrich]

Hmm gone a little short of forever

But glad to have you back