19th century redux

[Biggio509]

This is my second attempt at telling the story of my dynasties. The first began in 1871. The country was still recovering from the terrible war between the states. As the country went from These United States to The United States, baseball was changing too. In 1871, the first professional league the National Association was formed. These early pioneers had no idea what would be started by the first league.

Young Jim Smith was working under George Wright in Boston to build a team from nothing. The strategy was simple. We were Boston. We had cash and we were going to spend. There were the free wheeling days of a league centered around players and contracts that meant little beyond a season. Each of the best performers were targeted and Boston's main goal was to get as many top players as George Wright's money could buy. Boston would win 4 of the 5 championships under the unstable National Association. Although two would be shared tying the numbers of wins with another team. The league in its short time would have no less than 26 teams in its short existence. The rule of the day was any team that could field the $50 entry fee would be admitted to the league. Many of these teams would fold before half a season.

In the first year Boston would not be as good as I would have liked. My scouting seemed to be off when facing other professional caliber players. Boston would go 14-17 in the first year.
Final Standings.
Cleveland Forest Citys 19-10
Troy Haymakers 17-12
Athletic of Philadelphia 16-12
Rockford Forest Citys 14-11
Boston Red Stockings 14-17
Olympic of Washington 14-18
Mutual (NY) 14-19
Chicago White Stockings 11-17
Kekoinga (Fort Wayne) 8-11

Olympic's Mark Walker would lead the league with a .465 avg., 2 HRs, and 26 RBIs.
Cleveland's Corey Lander would be named best pitcher with a record of 18-8, ERA 2.56, 218 IP, and 20 Ks
Chicago's Chris Stower would be awarded youngster of the year with a 11-15 record, 2.65 ERA, 203.2 IP and 32 Ks