A Road Through Baseball History (1871-

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American Association Formed as Rival League

Many people were wondering if a day like this would ever arrive and today is that day. Just days after watching the Chicago White Stockings capture their 3rd straight National League crown, a group of entrepreneurs were putting the finishing touches on forming a new 6 team league that would compete with the National League. As for the teams meeting each other at the end of season, the newly formed AA does not seem to have any plan like that in place just yet. The league will be called the "American Association" and will place teams in the following cities:

Baltimore Orioles
Cincinnati Red Stockings
Louisville Eclipse
Philadelphia Athletics
Pittsburgh Alleghenys
St. Louis Brown Stockings

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Batting Leaders
BA: Arthur Irwin (WOR) .427
Hits: Arthur Irwin (WOR) 35
2B: Fred Dunlap (CLV), Sadie Houck (BOS), Harry Stovey (BUF) 9
3B: Fred Cone (WOR) 4
HR: Hardy Richardson (BUF) 5
RBI: Bill Phillips (CLV) 23
Runs: Bill Boyd (CHI) 22
SB: Cap Anson (BOS), George Wright (BUF) 6

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Bill Stearns (TRO), Tommy Bond (BOS) 2.00
Wins: John Clarkson (WOR) 11
Losses: Bill Stearns (TRO) 9
SHO: Jack Neagle (PRO) 2
K's: Tommy Bond (BOS) 74

Injuries
PRO- 2B Jimmy Wood (fractured ankle, 3 months)

Various News & Notes
5/1: The Providence Grays' season got off to an awful start from an offensive standpoint as 2B Jimmy Wood, one of the original 1871 National Association members, after another player slide into him at second. The diagnosis is 4 to 5 months of missed action.
5/2: One of the big storylines going into the 1882 season was the impressive 36 game hitting streak of Boston LF Abner Dalrymple. Well that lasted until the 2nd game of the season as Dalrymple compiled an 0 for 5 effort ending the streak at 37 games, still good for the best all time.
5/9: For only the 2nd time in baseball history, a player clubbed 3 home runs in one game! Buffalo Bisons 2B Hardy Richardson homered in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th innings en route to a 4 hit day as his club won 17-6 over Detroit.
5/29: Boston locked up one of the hottest arms in the game today as they signed P Tommy Bond to a 3 year, $6,117 extension.

Shutouts
5/1: BUF Len Lovett (1-0 win over CHI, 7 hits, 5 K) 1st of season
5/2: PRO Jack Neagle (7-0 win over TRO, 5 hits, 3 K) 1st of season
5/6: PRO Jack Neagle (5-0 win over WOR, 8 hits, 3 K) 2nd of season
5/16: DTN George Bradley (5-0 win over CLV, 6 hits, 3 K) 1st of season

5 hit games
5/5: CHI RF Hugh Nicol (5 for 6, 3B, 2 RBI in 13-9 win over CLV)
5/18: DTN 1B Martin Powell (5 for 5, RBI in 12-1 win over CLV)






Batting Leaders
BA: Davy Force (LOU) .351
Hits: Davy Force (LOU) 20
2B: Tom Burns (PIT), Joe Quest (STL) 6
3B: 12 tied with 1
HR: Charlie Bennett (PHA), Pete Browning (LOU), Jack Burdock (BAL) 2
RBI: Jack Gleason (CIN) 12
Runs: Jack Burdock (BAL), Guy Hecker (LOU) 12
SB: Tom Brown (BAL), Ned Cuthbert (PIT), Mike McGreary (STL) 5

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Charlie Bohn (LOU) 0.73
Wins: Sam Weaver (BAL) 10
Losses: Larry Corcoran (PHA), Flip Lafferty (CIN) 9
SHO: Sam Weaver (BAL) 2
K's: Larry Corcoran (PHA) 59

Injuries
STL- LF Fred Treacey (sprained ankle, 5 weeks)

Various News & Notes
NONE

Shutouts
5/3: BAL Sam Weaver (6-0 win over PHA, 5 hits, 3 K) 1st of season
5/16: PIT Gid Gardner (7-0 win over CIN, 3 hits, 1 K) 1st of season
5/19: BAL Sam Weaver (2-0 win over STL, 2 hits, 1 K) 2nd of season

5 hit games
NONE

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Batting Leaders
BA: King Kelly (BOS) .372
Hits: Deacon White (BOS) 62
2B: Harry Stovey (BUF) 15
3B: Fred Cone (WOR) 7
HR: Hardy Richardson (BUF) 7
RBI: King Kelly (BOS) 39
Runs: Cap Anson (BOS) 37
SB: Dan Brouthers (BOS), Hugh Nicol (CHI) 11

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Bill Stearns (TRO) 1.87
Wins: Tommy Bond (BOS) 19
Losses: Jack Neagle (PRO) 16
SHO: Jack Neagle (PRO), Monte Ward (CHI) 2
K's: Tommy Bond (BOS) 136

Injuries
PRO- 2B Jimmy Wood (fractured ankle, 2 months)

Various News & Notes
6/12: Buffalo 1B Harry Stovey is in an elite class when it comes to powerful bats and now he has a fatter wallet as he will bank $2,818 per season over the next two.
6/16: After watching what Buffalo gave Stovey, the Boston club sensed it had to steal back the spotlight. They did that in the form of securing LF Abner Dalrymple with a 2 year, $5000 extension.

Shutouts
6/6: BUF Stump Wiedman (4-0 win over PRO, 5 hits, 5 K) 1st of season
6/9: CHI Monte Ward (4-0 win over PRO, 4 hits, 8 K) 1st of season
6/14: BOS Tommy Bond (4-0 win over CHI, 4 hits, 5 K) 1st of season
6/19: CHI Monte Ward (4-0 win over DET, 6 hits, 1 K) 2nd of season

5 hit games
6/20: BOS RF Deacon White (5 for 6, 3 RBI in 14-6 win over CLV)
6/24: CLV Fred Dunlap (5 for 6, got 5th hit in 11th INN, 6-5 win over TRO)
6/26: BUF Hardy Richardson (5 for 7, 2 run HR in 10 in 15-8 loss vs BOS)





Batting Leaders
BA: Jack Gleason (CIN) .347
Hits: Charlie Bennett (PHA), Jack Gleason (CIN) 43
2B: Jimmy Wolf (LOU) 11
3B: Ross Barnes (PIT) 6
HR: Pete Browning (LOU) 4
RBI: Jack Gleason (CIN) 12
Runs: Ross Barnes (PIT) 28
SB: Mike McGreary (STL) 9

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Bert Dorr (STL) 1.03
Wins: Gid Gardner (PIT) 15
Losses: Flip Lafferty (CIN) 15
SHO: Sam Weaver (BAL), Bert Dorr (STL) 3
K's: Bert Dorr (STL) 127

Injuries
STL- LF Fred Treacey (sprained ankle, 3 days)

Various News & Notes
6/5: 24 year old standout Chicago RF Hugh Nicol inked a 2 year extension today that will see him making $2,097 each year.

Shutouts
6/6: STL Bert Dorr (2-0 win over PIT, 3 hits, 10 K) 1st of season
6/13: BAL Sam Weaver (1-0 win over STL, 1 hit, 1 K) 3rd of season
6/17: STL Bert Dorr (8-0 win over BAL, 4 hits, 7 K) 2nd of season
6/20: STL Bert Dorr (8-0 win over PHA, 5 hits, 4 K) 3rd of season
6/22: LOU Harry McCormick (4-0 win over BAL, 4 hits, 3 K) 1st of season

5 hit games
6/29: LOU Pete Browning (5 for 5, 4 RBI in 11-6 win over STL)

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Who Didn't See It Coming? Red Caps Halt Chicago's Reign At Top!

Louisville Clobbers All Competition, Captures Inaugural Association Title!

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BATTING


PITCHING

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BATTING


PITCHING

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National League
-Troy Trojans FOLD
-Worcester Ruby Legs FOLD
-New York Gothams FORM
-Philadelphia Quakers FORM
-Boston Red Caps change name to "Beaneaters"

American Association
-Columbus Buckeyes FORM
-New York Metropolitans FORM
-St. Louis Brown Stockings change name to "Browns"

For the upcoming season, both leagues will see 8 full time teams compete for the title in their respective leagues.

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TRANSACTIONS

11/3: Chicago re-signs SS Bill Boyd for another 3 years at a total of $5,325
11/14: After compiling a .325 average over his first 3 years, 1B Roger Connor was disappointed when he learned he would have to sign on with a new team for this year after his old club Troy folded. Well, I'm not sure he'll be too disappointed after signing a 1 year deal worth $3,051.
11/14: Providence signs C Jack Rowe to a 1 year, $2,751 contract.
11/14: Boston signs 1B Dan Brouthers to a 2 year extension worth $6,304. After just signing a 2 year extension last June, Big Dan signed on the dotted line once again as he has proven to be well worth it.
11/14: NY Gothams sign C Mike Dorgan to a 2 year, $3,944 contract.
11/15: NY Metropolitans sign 3B Jack "Pebbly Jack" Glasscock to a 2 year, $4,626 contract.
11/16: Columbus signs C Deacon White to a 4 year, $10,386 contract! REALLY!?!? Not sure where the new entry to the league managed these kind of funds. The 34 year old has been around pro ball since the National Association days.
11/17: Cleveland re-signs CF Ned Hanlon for 2 years @ $4,778 total.

12/5: NY Metropolitans sign C Charlie Bennett to a 2 year, $5,096 contract.

3/12: Pittsburgh signs P Tim Keefe to a 1 year deal worth $1,995. "Smiling Tim" is expected to be the ace of the rotation this year.
3/12: NY Gothams sign 1B Hick Carpenter to a 1 year, $1,873 contract.
3/15: NY Metropolitans sign P Tony Mullane to a 1 year, $1,029 contract. It is expected that the 24 year old will be the opening day starter.
3/21: Philadelphia Athletics sign SS Arthur Irwin to a 1 year, $1,024 contract.
3/27: Baltimore signs P Stump Wiedman to a 1 year, $2,316 contract.
3/27: Baltimore signs SS Sadie Houck to a 2 year, $4,368 contract. The 27 year old had a breakout season last year in Boston with 5 HR & 75 RBI while batting .309.


NOTABLE RETIREMENTS

P Ed Stratton (29) (9 seasons ('73-'81), 111 G, 21-51 record, 3.72 ERA, league high 40 L in '74)
3B Frank Selman (29) (11 seasons ('71-'81), .236, 296 H, 9 HR, 218 RBI in 370 games)

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It appears like the newly named Boston Beaneaters may be headed towards an easy NL pennant win as they have smashed their way through the competition in the first month of the season. Dan Brouthers (.365) and Cap Anson (.361) are blistering the ball while Tommy Bond (7-0, 2.51 ERA) is pitching good as ever on the mound. In fact, a closer look at the numbers show he has amassed 39 strikeouts to just 1 WALK! After only having 1 finish above 6th their first 5 years in the league, the Providence Grays are off to a better than normal start as they sit in 2nd with Jim O'Rourke's batting average of .345. Chicago star pitcher Monte Ward is once again mowing down hitters from the mound, but he is tied atop the strikeout leaders with Cleveland rookie Will Sawyer who has struck out all those hitters in pointless games as his team is 6-13.

Batting Leaders
BA: Bill Boyd (CHI) .389
Hits: Cap Anson (BOS), Bill Boyd (CHI), Dan Brouthers (BOS) 35
2B: Jud Birchall (DTN), Hugh Nicol (CHI) 9
3B: Arlie Latham (CLV) 3
HR: Cap Anson (BOS) 5
RBI: Cap Anson (BOS) 35
Runs: George Gore (BOS) 29
SB: Hugh Nicol (CHI) 10

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Jack Jones (DTN) 1.33
Wins: Tommy Bond (BOS) 7
Losses: Charlie Hilsey (PHI) 7
SHO: Tommy Bond (BOS) 2
K's: Will Sawyer (CLV), Monte Ward (CHI) 65

Injuries
NONE

Various News & Notes
5/4: The man they call Big Dan, Boston 1B Dan Brouthers went 5 for 7 paving the way for a 16-0 win over Philadelphia. Included in those hits were a 4th inning GRAND SLAM.
5/7: Detroit 1B Martin Powell delivered 5 hits as his team trumped Chicago 12-2.
5/10: Once again, Boston has shelled out a massive amount of cash as this time they locked up P Jim Britt to a 6 year, $10,511 extension. Britt has been around pro ball since 1872 when he debuted for the NA Brooklyn Atlantics, yet he is ONLY 27 year old! This move seems to be based off of his results this year as he has a 5-0 record in 8 starts. Looking at his career numbers, Britt has yet to reach double digit wins for a season, but he does have a 58-31 record.
5/11: Another hitting streak came to an end today as Boston 3B Cap Anson saw an 0 for 5 day doom his 26 game streak.




Led by a dynamic pitching duo of Tim Keefe (8-2, 1.74 ERA) and rookie Bob Barr (7-1, 2.51 ERA), the Alleghenys have raced out to a 2.5 game lead over a hot starting St. Louis Browns team. Last season's runaway winner Louisville is scuffling around to start the year as they sit in the middle of the pack.

Batting Leaders
BA: Everett Mills (NYM) .365
Hits: Jack Glasscock (NYM) 34
2B: Jack Glasscock (NYM) 13
3B: Tom Brown (BAL), Dickie Flowers (LOU) 5
HR: Pete Browning (LOU), Monk Cline (BAL), Fred Treacey (NYM) 3
RBI: George Wood (CIN) 22
Runs: Jack Glasscock (NYM) 25
SB: Bill McClellan (CIN) 6

Pitching Leaders
ERA: Bill Sweeney (PHA) 1.22
Wins: Tim Keefe (PIT) 8
Losses: Jersey Bakley (PHA), Lee Richmond (COL) 7
SHO: Bob Barr (PIT), Tim Keefe (PIT), Tony Mullane (NYM) 2
K's: Tim Keefe (PIT) 70

Injuries
CIN- P Larry Corcoran (partially torn labrum, 3 months)

Various News & Notes
5/2: Louisville SS Dickie Flowers carried a lengthy hitting streak into the start of the season, but in just the 2nd game of the season he saw that come to an end. An 0 for 5 effort snapped a 24 game streak.
5/3: NY Metropolitans 3B Jumbo Latham knocked 5 hits in 6 appearances in a 12-8 win over Baltimore.
5/17: Bad news broke out of the Ohio Valley region today as Cincinnati Red Stockings fans learned P Larry Corcoran suffered a partially torn labrum. However, maybe the faithful should be thankful he isn't out longer.