History Never Repeats: An Alternative Baseball History

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Johnny Canuck

Nice to see Detroit get a franchise, but Denver is one heck of a roadtrip by rail!

I admit I did struggle with Denver quite a bit. I based the teams on the Western League of 1895, where they had teams in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, KC, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Toledo. I ruled out Grand Rapids and St. Paul because they were just too close. In 1901 the Western League had teams in Minneapolis, Denver, and Kansas City so I figured it was possible, just a little difficult.

It was an impulse decision though, which was stupid because I didn't follow my plan. I'm not too crazy about the first couple months of the season, so I hope I don't regret my impulse decision....

[NYY #23]

Just a quick note, I wanted to have a place where I kept the league's history, and decided to keep it here.

That blog post will contain links to a list of the league's champions, award winners, and leaderboards that I'll be keeping updated as things progress.

[NYY #23]

Trolleys off to hot start in title defense
May 1, 1894



The Cleveland Trolleys changed their name during the offseason, but the defending World Champions kept on winning. The Trolleys got off to a hot start with a 22-3 record during April. Cleveland started their season with 5 straight wins, before dropping their sixth game, and then reeled off another 8 straight wins. The Trolleys added a second eight game winning streak, and lead the Western League in both Batting Average (.351) and ERA (2.69).

The Trolleys are outscoring their opponents 233-96. Leading the way for the offense is Hughie Jennings, who was named the Western League Batter of the Month after hitting .482 with 36 RBI and 28 runs. Jennings finished the month with a 26 game hitting streak. Charlie Hodnett was named Western League Pitcher of the Month for the Trolleys after going 9-0 with a 1.56 ERA. The Trolleys hold a five game lead over the Milwaukee Broncos.

Over in the Eastern League the Syracuse Stars hold a 3 1/2 game lead over the New York Gothams and the Pittsburgh Rebels. The Rebels' Toad Ramsey was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month after going 8-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 81 innings.

Lou Bierbauer of the Brooklyn Wonders was named the Eastern League Batter of the Month. Bierbauer hit .443 with 3 home runs, 26 RBI, and 27 runs scored.

The Boston Americans received some bad news when right fielder Tuck Turner was forced to leave a game against the Baltimore Terrapins with an injury. Turner was hitting .419 for the season and is expected to miss the next five weeks because of his injury.

Gene Demontreville of the Brooklyn Wonders finished the month with a 26 game hitting streak and is hitting .415 for the year. Steve Brodie of the Milwaukee Broncos ended April hitting in the final 21 games of the month. Brodie is hitting .455 for the year.

Fred Carroll of the Syracuse Stars finished the 1893 season by hitting in the last 22 games. Carroll began the season by hitting in his first 8 games before an 0-5 night against the New York Gothams. Teammate George Van Haltren had a 21 game hitting streak before being held hitless by the Pittsburgh Rebels.

[NYY #23]

Quakers make their move in Eastern League
June 1, 1894



The Philadelphia Quakers finished an 18-8 month to pull within a half game of the Syracuse Stars for the Eastern League lead. Shortstop Monte Cross hit .362 for the month to lead the Quakers on offense with Ben Sanders finishing 7-2 for the month to lead the pitchers. The Quakers will start June on the road with two games against the Syracuse Stars.

Eastern League Notes
John Carney of the Syracuse Stars was named Eastern League Batter of the Month for May. Carney hit .413 with 4 home runs, 35 RBI, and scored 28 runs. In a May 14th game against the Baltimore Terrapins Carney also hit for the cycle, doubling in the first, singling in the third, adding a solo home run in the sixth, and collecting a triple in the eighth inning. Carney also delivered a 5-7 night against the New York Gothams earlier in the month.

While Carney achieved the rare feat, teammate Walt Preston saw a 23 game hitting streak end during the same May 14th game against the Baltimore Terrapins after going 0-4.

Gus "Cannonball" Weyhing finished May with a 13-5 record in 79 innings, compiling a 3.80 ERA, good enough to be named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month.

Gene Demontreville of the Brooklyn Wonders had a 33 game hitting streak snapped in a 0-5 outing against the Boston Americans in a 3-2 victory. For the season Demontreville is hitting .405 with 1 home run, 22 RBI and 25 runs scored.

Starting pitcher Al Atkinson of the Buffalo Bisons has won more than 25 games for the Bisons the past two years, but was forced to leave a recent game against the Washington Capitals after injuring his arm. The 33 year old Atkinson was 5-5 this year with a 3.75 ERA, and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Roy Thomas of the Washington Capitals collected 6 hits in 8 at bats in a 19-14 win over the Syracuse Stars. Collecting 6 hits in a game only happened twice during the previous 4 years in the Players League, but Thomas and three other Western League hitters achieved that feat this month.

Tub Welch of the Washington Capitals saw his 23 game hitting streak stopped after an 0-4 game against the Newark Bears.

Western League Notes
Bill Hassamaer of the Milwaukee Broncos earned Western League Batter of the Month honors after hitting .471 with 2 home runs, 31 RBI, and 33 runs scored. Hassamaer finished the month with a 26 game hitting streak. On May 6th, Hassamaer did something that has only been done twice before in the history of the Players League, getting 6 hits in a game. For the night Hassamaer was 6-6 with 3 triples, 1 home run, and a single.

Hassamaer wasn't the only hitter to collect six hits in a game this month, as Jesse Hoffmeister of the Milwaukee Broncos had 6 hits in 7 at bats. Hoffmeister needed 12 innings, but had 4 singles and 2 doubles. John McGraw of the Chicago Pirates also collected 6 hits in a 11-2 win against the Indianapolis Indians.

For the second straight month a Cleveland Trolley hurler was named Pitcher of the Month in the Western League. This month it was Red Ehret, who chalked up a 13-4 record during May and finished with a 3.65 ERA.

Another Trolley was in the news, as Hughie Jennings of the Cleveland Trolleys had the second longest streak in the history of the Players League when he hit in 38 straight games. Jennings streak finally came to an end on May 15th after an 0-4 night against the Indianapolis Indians.

It wasn't the only hitting streak that the Indianapolis Indians stopped this month, as they put an end to Steve Brodie's 27 game hitting streak. The Milwaukee Broncos centerfielder was 0-3 for the game.

Edward 'Cannonball' Morris of the St. Louis Browns fired a one hit shutout against the Minnesota Millers. Morris struck out 3 while walking 2 in the 12-0 blowout.

[NYY #23]

Quakers and Trolleys continue to roll
July 1, 1894



The World Champion Cleveland Trolleys continued to roll and have opened up a 9 game lead over the second place Denver Grizzlies. With a 63-17 record the Trolleys look unstoppable in the Western League. The Philadelphia Quakers jumped ahead of the Syracuse Stars during June, and now lead both the Stars and the Washington Capitals by 4 games.

Eastern League Notes
Toad Ramsey has been one of the best pitchers in the Players League since joining the league in the 1891 season, and added another award to his mantle, picking up the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month. Ramsey was a perfect 7-0 for the month, striking out 42 in 80 2/3 innings. Ramsey needs just one more win to reach 20 for the third straight season.

Eastern League Batter of the Month honors went to Walt Preston of the Syracuse Stars. Preston hit .402 for the month, going 41 for 102 and walking 12 times. The center fielder added 4 home runs, 27 RBI, and 29 runs scored.

21 year old Chick Stahl is still learning the ropes in the big leagues, but over the past 22 games for the New York Gothams Stahl has shown that he does belong, hitting .352 with 10 RBI and 10 runs scored. Stahl has raised his average for the season to .313.

The Pittsburgh Rebels had the first pick in the annual amateur draft and chose a young high school pitcher, Noodles Hahn with the pick. Other key picks include 18 year old pitcher Vic Willis, who was selected by the Newark Bears, and pitcher Bill Dineen was selected by the Cincinnati Cardinals.

Western League Notes
For the third straight month a Cleveland Trolley's pitcher was named Western League Pitcher of the Month. Jersey Bakely joins Red Ehret and Charlie Hodnett as Pitcher of the Month winners. Bakely finished the month with a 9-1 record and 2.33 ERA in 10 starts. For the year Bakely has a 23-3 record with a 2.52 ERA.

Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates was named Western League Batter of the Month after hitting .368 with 4 home runs and 34 RBI.

Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Trolleys hit safely in 37 straight games before going 0-5 against the St. Louis Browns. Delahanty's 37 game hitting streak was the third longest in the history of the Players League.

While many feel that the addition of four teams has watered down the competition, don't tell that to Thomas Gorman, Jr. of the Detroit Wolverines. The 30 year-old is making the most of his opportunity with the Wolverines after joining the team earlier this month. Gorman, Jr. is hitting .387 with 53 hits and 21 RBI.

The Denver Grizzlies selected highly touted pitcher Eddie Plank with their first pick in the amateur draft. Pitcher Buttons Briggs was selected by the Detroit Wolverines and outfielder Jimmy Barrett was selected by the Milwaukee Broncos.

[Johnny Canuck]

Wow, imagine being at .675 & still 9 games out of first! Cleveland must really be feasting on those weak expansion teams (other than Denver, of course).

[NYY #23]

Cleveland is a really good team, but their unbelievable pace is definitely aided by 4 expansion teams. Denver was a relocation, so they had a good core of players. I still don't know what I was thinking when I put four new teams in the same league.

[NYY #23]

Browns finish month with 22-3 record
August 1, 1894



While the Cleveland Trolleys still maintain a big 9 game lead, the St. Louis Browns have not given up hope for the year, finishing the month 22-3 to narrow the gap by 3 games. St. Louis players were awarded with both the Western League Pitcher of the Month and Batter of the Month as reward for their hot month.

Eastern League Notes
Amos Rusie of the Syracuse Stars was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month after finishing with a 7-1 record and a 2.63 ERA. For the season Rusie is 26-9.

Baltimore Terrapins outfielder Mike Tiernan was named the Eastern League Batter of the Month after putting up a .410 batting average with 3 home runs, 21 RBI, 30 runs, and 21 walks.

The Washington Capitals drafted outfielder Roy Thomas in the second round of last year's amateur draft, and Capital fans have been waiting for Thomas to get his chance to prove himself ever since. He got his opportunity to prove himself this month, hitting .413 with 1 home run and driving in 18 runs since joining the team.

Jack Doyle of the Philadelphia Quakers had a perfect 6-6 night in a game against the Syracuse Stars. Doyle had six singles in the 9-7 win and raised his batting average to .401.

Western League Notes
Pete Conway of the St. Louis Browns was named Western League Pitcher of the Month, ending the streak of Trolley pitchers picking up that honor. Conway was 7-1 during the month with a 1.67 ERA.

After a 22-3 month, the St. Louis Browns were also rewarded with a Batter of the Month award for Algie McBride. McBride hit .474 for the month, and scored 23 runs while driving in another 23 runs.

20 year old Honus Wagner made his debut for the Milwaukee Broncos earlier this season, and has continued to make big improvements each game he plays. During July Wagner hit .359 with 13 RBI.

Bill Hassamaer of the Milwaukee Broncos hit successfully in 28 straight games before an 0-4 night against the Minnesota Millers. The news wasn't all good for Hassamaer though, as he was injured later in the month and will miss the next three months. For the season he is hitting .391 with 61 RBI and 72 runs scored.

Another Milwaukee Bronco, Steve Brodie had a 33 game hitting streak finish in June with a 0-5 night against the Detroit Wolverines. Despite the hitting streak coming to an end the Broncos won the game 12-7. Brodie is hitting .439 for the year with 66 RBI and 78 runs scored.

[NYY #23]

Capitals take Eastern League lead
September 1, 1894



The Washington Capitals made their move in the Eastern League after a 21-8 month to overtake the Philadelphia Quakers for first place. The Capitals travelled to Philadelphia for a three game series in August, and came away with a sweep, knocking off the Quakers 9-0, 8-6, and 4-3. The teams have three games remaining in September which will be played in Washington. The Quakers will be without one of their best players, catcher Jack Doyle who will miss the rest of the season with a thumb injury.

Eastern League Notes
Frank Foreman of the Washington Capitals was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month after going 8-1 for the month. Foreman pitched 82 innings for the Capitals and finished the month with a 2.98 ERA. Foreman improved to 22-20 for the year.

After hitting .504 for the month, Tuck Turner of the Boston Americans was named Eastern League Batter of the Month. Turner collected 62 hits and drove in 27 runs while scoring another 30 runs. Turner improved his average to .438 for the year.

With a 50-83 record things can't get much worse for the Newark Bears, but they received more bad news when they found out they will lose centerfielder Pat Hannifan for the next three weeks after he injured himself in a recent game against he Baltimore Terrapins. Hannifan was hitting .302 for the season with 99 runs scored and 48 RBI.

Pittsburgh Rebel's catcher Lave Cross hit for the cycle in a 12-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons. Cross doubled in the second, homered in the fourth, tripled in the sixth, and got the cycle when he singled in the seventh inning.

'Wee Willie' Keeler of the Buffalo Bisons put a 31 game hitting streak on the line when he came in pinch hit during a 8-7 win against the Baltimore Terrapins. With just one pitch Keeler grounded out to see his hitting streak come to an end. Keeler is hitting .438 for the year.

Western League Notes
Ed Delahanty of the Cleveland Trolleys went 2-4 in a game against the Minnesota Millers yesterday to increase his hitting streak to 20 straight games. For the month Delahanty hit .432 with 29 RBI and 27 runs. For his efforts Delahanty was named Western League Batter of the Month.

Bill Whitrock of the Chicago Pirates was named the Western League Pitcher of the Month after going 8-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 10 starts. Whitrock improved his record to 22-12 with a 3.09 ERA in 43 starts.

The Milwaukee Broncos made an unconventional move in order to inject some offense into their lineup, handing the first base job to a 20 year old without any experience at that position. Young Honus Wagner is a shortstop by nature, but with Shorty Fuller holding down the position, the Broncos put Wagner in the lineup at first base to see if he could handle the position. Wagner hasn't disappointed, hitting .388 with 12 doubles, 6 triples, and a home run. He has also scored 29 runs and driven in another 28.

[NYY #23]

Philadelphia and Washington to play one game playoff to decide Eastern League winner
October 3, 1894



The Philadelphia Quakers and the Washington Capitals finished the regular season tied atop the Eastern League, each with a 95-67 record. For the last three games both teams were matching each others move, and as the Philadelphia Quakes were blown out 15-9 to lose to the Boston Americans, the Washington Capitals just needed to get by the Pittsburgh Rebels to advance to the World Series, but fell short 11-8.

The two teams will face off in a one game playoff where the winner will advance to the World Series. Bert Dorr will be taking the mound for Washington while Emil Geis will be opposing him for Philadelphia. Dorr is 31-19 for the year with a 3.47 ERA. Geis is 28-21 with a 3.39 ERA.

Waiting for the winner will be the Cleveland Trolleys, who will be returning to the World Series for the second straight year after dominating the Western League, which they won by 15 games after a remarkable 123-39 season. The Trolleys finished the season with a 9 game winning streak and will attempt to become the first team to become back to back World Champions.

Eastern League Notes
Stump Wiedman of the Syracuse Stars was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for the final full month of the season. Wiedman was 8-1 with a 4.09 ERA in 77 innings.

Tuck Turner of the Boston Americans hit successfully in 30 straight games, before an 0-4 night against the Philadelphia Quakers in a 16-3 loss. For the month Tucker was named the Eastern League Batter of the Month for hitting .500 with 21 RBI and 36 runs scored. For the season Turner hit .454, tops in the Eastern League, and the highest batting average in the history of the Players League.

Walt Preston of the Syracuse Stars had a 26 game hitting streak stopped in a game against the Baltimore Terrapins after an 0-3 night. Preston hit .356 for the season.

Western League Notes
Duke Farrell of the Chicago Pirates was named the Western League Batter of the Month after hitting .436 with 3 home runs, 32 RBI and 27 runs. For the year the Pirates catcher hit .336 with 136 RBI and 15 home runs.

Charlie Hodnett of the Cleveland Trolleys was named the Pitcher of the Month for September after a perfect 9-0 month. For the season Hodnett was 42-10 with a 2.41 ERA.

Teammate Ed Delahanty had a 39 game hitting streak snapped after an 0-4 night against the Denver Grizzlies. The 39 game hitting streak was the second longest in the history of the Players League.

Another Trolley won the Western League Batting title, as Hughie Jennings hit .403 to lead the league. Jennings collected 284 hits, 46 doubles, 24 triples, and 6 home runs. He also drove in 168 runs and scored another 154 times.

[NYY #23]

Washington tops Philadelphia to head to World Series
October 4, 1894

The Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Quakers entered today's game knowing that only one team would be playing baseball after today's game. Bert Dorr took the mound for the Capitals, with Emil Geis taking the mound for the Quakers.

After six innings the two teams played to a 1-1 tie, but the Capitals blew open the game in the top of the seventh inning, scoring six runs. The Capitals quickly loaded the bases, and jumped ahead when first baseman John Lloyd hit a grand slam.

The Quakers were unable to recover and the Capitals held on for a 8-1 victory to advance to the World Series and take on the Cleveland Trolleys, the defending World Champions who finished the season with a 123-39 record.

Clark Griffith will be starting game one of the series for Washington, with Charlie Hodnett taking the ball for Cleveland.

[NYY #23]

Cleveland wins second straight championship
October 11, 1894

The Cleveland Trolleys may have changed their name, but they continued their winning ways, knocking off the Washington Capitals four games to one on their way to their second straight Players League Championship. For the second straight year the Trolleys jumped out to a two games to none lead before losing game three. The Trolleys again came back to win games four and five to win the series.

Jersey Bakely led the Trolleys staff with a pair of complete game wins. In 19 innings Bakely finished with a 0.95 ERA. Ed Delahanty led the way for the offense, finishing with a .400 batting average, including a pair of home runs and 6 RBI. Henry Larkin hit .381 for the Trolleys. Leading the Capitals offense was Roy Thomas, who hit .476.

Game 1:
Trolleys 10, Capitals 9
W: Jim Britt (1-0)
L : Clark Griffith (0-1)
HR - CLE: Ed Delahanty 2 (2)

Game 2:
Trolleys 8, Capitals 6
W: Jersey Bakely (1-0)
L : Dupee Shaw (0-1)
HR - WAS: Jack Leiper (1), CLE: Henry Larkin (1), Cy Seymour (1)

Game 3:
Capitals 6, Trolleys 5
W: Clark Griffith (1-1)
L : Charlie Hodnett (0-1)
HR - WAS: Perry Werden (1)

Game 4:
Trolleys 7, Capitals 3
W: Jersey Bakely (2-0)
L : Bert Dorr (0-1)

Game 5:
Trolleys 2, Capitals 1
W: Red Ehret (1-0)
L : Frank Foreman (0-1)

Players League - World Series Winners
1890 - Pittsburgh Burghers (82-58) defeated the Brooklyn Ward Wonders (90-50) 2 games to 0
1891 - Baltimore Terrapins (91-59) defeated the Columbus Solons (90-61) 4 games to 3
1892 - Buffalo Bisons (86-64) defeated the Chicago Pirates (92-58) 4 games to 1
1893 - Cleveland Infants (94-56) defeated the New York Giants (82-68) 4 games to 1
1894 - Cleveland Trolleys (123-39) defeated the Washington Capitals (96-67) 4 games to 1

[Johnny Canuck]

A hundred years on, statheads will argue over whether the '94 Trolleys were the best team in Players League history, or just the beneficiary of playing four expansion teams.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Johnny Canuck

A hundred years on, statheads will argue over whether the '94 Trolleys were the best team in Players League history, or just the beneficiary of playing four expansion teams.

Probably a worth discussion. I created a monster in Cleveland, by mistake. It will be interesting to see how long their dominance lasts. Poor St. Louis too.

[NYY #23]

End of Year Awards and Records
November 1, 1894

With another season in the books the Players League announced the award winners for the 1894 season. Not surprisingly the end of season awards were dominated by the Cleveland Trolleys in the Western League, who won the World Series for the second straight year.

Hughie Jennings of the Trolleys was named Western League Batter of the Year. The 25 year old shortstop has really made a name for himself in Cleveland, hitting .403, with 284 hits, 46 doubles, 24 triples, and 6 home runs. Jennings also drove in 168 RBI and scored 154 times. Jennings now sits atop the season leaderboard with the most RBI in a season, most hits in a season, most singles in a season, and most total bases (396) in a season.

Teammate Charlie Hodnett took home the award for Western League Pitcher of the Year after going 42-10 with a 2.41 ERA. Hodnett struck out 70 batters in 470 innings while walking 81. Hodnett's wins and innings pitched totals set a Players League record for most in a season.

Over in the Eastern League Bert Dorr was named Pitcher of the Year after winning 32 games against 19 losses. Dorr pitched 459 2/3 innings and finished the year with a 3.43 ERA.

The Batter of the Year award went to Tuck Turner of the Boston Americans after hitting .454 with 26 doubles, 17 triples, 5 home runs, 92 RBI, and 119 runs scored.

The Players League announced a new award for the 1894 season that was given to the top rookie in each league. The inaugural award went to New York Gothams centerfielder Chick Stahl in the Eastern League and Milwaukee Broncos shortstop Honus Wagner in the Western League. Stahl hit .370 with 7 home runs, 92 RBI, and 88 runs scored. Wagner posted a .363 batting average, and added 5 home runs, 95 RBI, and 103 runs.

The gold glove winners were also handed out to the following players:
Eastern League:
Pitcher: Chick Frasier (Buffalo Bisons)
Catcher: Fred Donovan (Boston Americans)
First Baseman: Paddy Fox (Baltimore Terrapins)
Second Baseman: John Houseman (Pittsburgh Rebels)
Third Baseman: Pat Flaherty (New York Giants)
Shortstop: Monte Cross (Philadelphia Quakers)
Left Fielder: Bill Keister (Newark Bears)
Center Fielder: Jake Stenzel (Syracuse Stars)
Right Fielder: Mike Tiernan (Baltimore Terrapins)

Western League:
Pitcher: Sandy McDougal (Milwaukee Broncos)
Catcher: Lew Graulich (Detroit Wolverines)
First Baseman: Henry Larkin (Cleveland Trolleys)
Second Baseman: Bill Niles (Cincinnati Cardinals)
Third Baseman: Harvey Smith (Chicago Pirates)
Shortstop: Tom Lee (Minnesota Millers)
Left Fielder: Jack McCarthy (St. Louis Browns)
Center Fielder: John Hayes (Denver Grizzlies)
Right Fielder: Steve Brodie (Milwaukee Broncos)

With more games, 162, comes more opportunities to set records, and 1894 saw the setting of many season records. Tuck Turner of the Boston Americans hit .454, and for the first time we saw four hitters crack .400 for the season. Joining Turner was Willie Keeler of the Chicago Pirates (.419), Hughie Jennings of the Cleveland Trolleys (.403) and Steve Brodie of the Milwaukee Broncos (.402). In fact, with the offensive explosion of 1894 we saw the top 11 batting averages of all-time come during the season, along with 17 of the top 20 occurring in 1894.

Another American, Billy Hamilton set the record with 160 runs in a season. Jake Beckley of the Pittsburgh Rebels, Rusty Davis of the Kansas City Blues, and Hughie Jennings of the Cleveland Trolleys set a record with 46 doubles in a season. Hugh Duffy of the Chicago Pirates became the new home run king after hitting 19 home runs in 1894.

On the mound we already heard about Charlie Hodnett's records, but Jack McFetridge of the Minnesota Millers set a more dubious record with 37 losses in a season. With a 10-37 record and a 7.22 ERA the 25 year old McFetridge may be looking for a new job next season.

[Big Six]

Bummer...Rochester lost its franchise!

I shouldn't be surprised. After all, I was a Baltimore Colts fan when I was a kid, too. Who should I blame? Ban Johnson??

Now I have a decision to make. Should I follow the Broncs to Milwaukee, or keep my loyalties in upstate New York and back the Bisons or the Stars? I wonder if a true Rochester fan could ever root for a team from Buffalo or Syracuse.

Seriously, I'm enjoying the story. Keep up the good work!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Big Six

Bummer...Rochester lost its franchise!

I shouldn't be surprised. After all, I was a Baltimore Colts fan when I was a kid, too. Who should I blame? Ban Johnson??

Now I have a decision to make. Should I follow the Broncs to Milwaukee, or keep my loyalties in upstate New York and back the Bisons or the Stars? I wonder if a true Rochester fan could ever root for a team from Buffalo or Syracuse.

Seriously, I'm enjoying the story. Keep up the good work!

I thought about you when I made that fateful decision to play baseball God and yank the team away from Rochester. The virtual OOTP attendance figures just didn't like Rochester for some reason. Personally I thought there was quite a bit to like about Rochester, with Bill Hassamaer and Steve Brodie, and a young Honus Wagner on the way. Even decent pitching, but they have had a hard time putting it all together for some reason.

I find myself watching the Bisons closely because of 'Wee Willie' Keeler. Syracuse is one of those teams that ironically don't have a big star, but their lineup is pretty solid top to bottom. If they could find someone besides Amos Rusie to pitch they could turn into a winner. Right now they score a ton of runs, but also give up a ton.

Thanks for following along!

[NYY #23]

With 5 seasons in the books I've done a little bit more tinkering than planned. The next big move is to introduce divisional play around the turn of the century. Here is what I've come up with alignment so far:

Eastern League
North
Boston Americans
Brooklyn Wonders
Buffalo Bisons
New York Gothams
Syracuse Stars

South
Baltimore Terrapins
Newark Bears
Philadelphia Quakers
Pittsburgh Rebels
Washington Capitals

The Western League
North
Chicago Pirates -
Detroit Wolverines
Indianapolis Indians
Milwaukee Broncos
Minnesota Millers

South
Cincinnati Cardinals
Cleveland Trolleys
Denver Grizzlies
Kansas City Blues
St. Louis Browns

I'm open to feedback though. The Eastern League and Western League will stay the same, but both the names of the divisions and team alignment could change. North and South aren't exactly the most creative, so if you've got any thoughts let me know.

[Johnny Canuck]

For the Western League, what about splitting it up east-west instead of north-south, along the lines of:


Midwest

Detroit
Indianapolis
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Chicago


West

Milwaukee
Minnesota
Denver
Kansas City
St. Louis


If nothing else, it keeps teams closer to home for shorter road trips.

[NYY #23]

Trolleys continue to roll
May 1, 1895



The Cleveland Trolleys have won two straight World Series and started off the season how they ended last year, winning 20 of their first 25 games. The Trolleys jumped out to a 3 1/2 game lead over the second place Milwaukee Broncos.

Over in the Eastern League the Brooklyn Wonders took an early 2 1/2 game lead over the Baltimore Terrapins.

Eastern League Notes
John Lloyd of the Washington Capitals was named the Eastern League Batter of the Month after putting up a .414 batting average, hitting 1 home run, driving in 21 runs, and scoring another 24 runs.

Emil Geis of the Philadelphia Quakers was named Eastern league Pitcher of the Month. Geis was 5-1 in April with a 2.00 ERA.

Western League Notes
For the fourth time in his career Charlie Hodnett of the Cleveland Trolleys was named the Western League Pitcher of the Month. Hodnett was a perfect 7-0 for the month with a 1.77 ERA. The 33 year old Hodnett has been one of the best pitchers in the league since joining the Players League, and needs just 3 more wins to collect 100 for his career.

With 149 wins in his career, teammate Jersey Bakely took the mound against the Kansas City Blues, and left the game with career victory number 150, the most in the history of the Players League. Bakely pitched his team to a 12-0 victory, allowing just 2 hits in the complete game victory.

Another Trolley, Ed Delahanty was named the Western League Batter of the Month for the second time in his career. The 27 year-old hit .352 with 4 home runs, 26 RBI, and 33 runs scored. Delahanty needs just 31 more hits to reach 1000 for his career, and trails only Hugh Duffy (996) on the all-time hits list.

Steve Brodie of the Milwaukee Broncos finished the month with a 24 game hitting streak, and will look to continue his streak in May.

Another Bronco, Honus Wagner, continues to excel in the Players League. After winning the Rookie of the Year honors last year Wagner is off to a fast start, hitting .447, which is second best in the league.