Blackguards and Red Stockings - the National Association

[jduteau]

The year is 1871. The Red Stockings of Cincinnati have just finished a fine two-year tour across the country, taking on all-comers and proving that the professional game had validity. Other cities have put money together to build their own teams and the professional teams have basically taken over access of the National Association. In March 1871, ten professional clubs met and formed the new National Association of Professional Base Ball Players. The charter members of the league are:

• Philadelphia Athletics
• Washington Olympics
• Washington Nationals
• New York Mutuals
• Unions of Troy
• Boston Red Stockings
• Forest Citys of Rockford
• Forest Citys of Cleveland
• Chicago White Stockings
• Kekiongas of Fort Wayne

Of the charter members, the Nationals decided not to play, but the other nine played a varying number of games in this first professional season. Each of these teams arranged for tours with each other and introduced new regulations governing the championship. Each club just had to pay $10 to compete and the intent was that each club would play a best of five against every other club. However, no formal season schedule was drawn up and it was left to each club to make their own arrangements. This ended up with most games being played between clubs that didn't have to travel too far - East vs East and West vs West.

This replay, part of a bigger series of replays that I have envisioned, tries to recreate the National Association teams and players and style, but without the "tom-foolery" that occurred throughout the season. Rockford's catcher/manager Scott Hastings will be allowed to play and no forfeiting of his games will occur. Fort Wayne will have to finish the season and keep paying its players. Philadelphia will have to start the season whether their star player is sick or not. In this history, the league schedule is made and each team will play every other team a set number of times (4 for this first season).

In terms of OOTP, here are the settings:
Injuries - Very Low
Position Player Fatigue - Low
Suspension - Very Low

No trading allowed, No finances turned on, no Spring Training and no playoffs.

I have set up the jersey and caps and I am using nice logos to give a more modern feel to the league.

[jduteau]

Team: Boston Red Stockings
Ballpark: South End Grounds

Harry Wright brought some of his team from Cincinnati to Boston, under the urgings of businessman Ivers Whitney Adams. Along with the heart of his team, Harry Wright had snagged the best players from last year's Rockford team. They certainly have the talent to play and many pundits are predicting them to take the pennant in this first season.

Pitcher: Al Spalding
Catcher: Cal McVey
First Baseman: Charlie Gould
Second Baseman: Ross Barnes
Third Baseman: Harry Schafer
Shortstop: George Wright
Left Field: Fred Cone
Center Field: Harry Wright
Right Field: Frank Barrows
Utility Men: Dave Birdsall, Sam Jackson

[jduteau]

Team: Chicago White Stockings
Ballpark: Union Grounds

The team in Chicago was built to compete with the Cincinnati squad as Chicago enthusiasts put up $20,000 in 1870 and advertised for players in newspapers and sports journals. They have gladly joined the National Association to show off their prowess.

Pitcher: George Zettlein
Catcher: Charlie Hodes
First Baseman: Bub McAtee
Second Baseman: Jimmy Wood
Third Baseman: Ed Pinkham
Shortstop: Ed Duffy
Left Field: Fred Treacey
Center Field: Tom Foley
Right Field: Joe Simmons
Utility Men: Marshall King, Mike Brannock

[jduteau]

Team: Philadelphia Athletics
Ballpark: Jefferson Street Grounds

Philadelphia's backers consisted of several liquor store owners, billiard parlour operators, and city councilmen. They have managed to put together a powerful crew and look forward to taking home the pennant.

Pitcher: Dick McBride
Catcher: Fergy Malone
First Baseman: Wes Fisler
Second Baseman: Al Reach
Third Baseman: Levi Meyerle
Shortstop: John Radcliff
Left Field: Ned Cuthbert
Center Field: Count Sensenderfer
Right Field: George Bechtel
Utility Men: Tom Pratt, Tom Berry, George Heubel, Nate Berkenstock

[jduteau]

Team: New York Mutuals
Ballpark: Union Grounds

The Mutuals were founded by the firemen of Mutual Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. Boss Tweed has been rumoured to have invested $7,500 in the club. Gamblers seem to be all over the New York Union Grounds which is not good for the league. The team is ranked to be one of the best in the association, so if they do not contend for the pennant, there will be lots of people wondering.

Pitcher: Rynie Wolters, Frank Fleet
Catcher: Charlie Mills
First Baseman: Joe Start
Second Baseman: John Hatfield
Third Baseman: Charlie Smith
Shortstop: Dickey Pearce
Left Field: Tom Patterson
Center Field: Dave Eggler
Right Field: Dick Higham
Utility Men: Bob Ferguson

[jduteau]

Team: Troy Haymakers
Ballpark: Rensselaer Park

The Troy team is renowned for being a hard-playing team. They gave the Cincinnati nine trouble and were the only tie in 1869, as they walked off the field during a game in the sixth inning. Like the Mutuals, there is some concern about the makeup of the team ownership.

Pitcher: John McMullin
Catcher: Mike McGeary
First Baseman: Ned Connor
Second Baseman: Lip Pike
Third Baseman: Steve Bellan
Shortstop: Dickie Flowers
Left Field: Steve King
Center Field: Tom York
Right Field: Clipper Flynn
Utility Men: Bill Craver (Manager), Frank Abercrombie, Edward Beavens

[jduteau]

Team: Washington Olympics
Ballpark: Olympics Grounds

With Andy Leonard, Doug Allison, and Asa Brainard from the Cincinnati squad, this is the other half of the Red Stockings - those who didn't follow Harry Wright to Boston.

Pitcher: Asa Brainard, Bill Stearns
Catcher: Doug Allison
First Baseman: Everett Mills
Second Baseman: Andy Leonard
Third Baseman: Fred Waterman
Shortstop: Davy Force
Left Field: Henry Burroughs
Center Field: George Hall
Right Field: John Glenn
Utility Men: Harry Berthrong, Charlie Sweasy, Frank Norton, Tommy Beals, Warren White

[jduteau]

Team: Cleveland Forest Citys
Ballpark: National Association Grounds

The Cleveland team was formed right after the success of the Cincinnati squad and they were the first professional team in Cleveland. They played as an independent squad in 1870 and joined the Association when it began play.

Pitcher: Al Pratt
Catcher: Deacon White
First Baseman: Jim Carleton
Second Baseman: Gene Kimball
Third Baseman: Ezra Sutton
Shortstop: John Bass
Left Field: Charlie Pabor
Center Field: Art Allison
Right Field: Elmer White
Utility Men: Joe Quest, Joe Battin, George Ewell, Caleb Johnson

[jduteau]

Team: Rockford Forest Citys
Ballpark: Agricultural Society Fair Grounds

One of the first ball clubs to pay its players, Rockford had Cap Anson, Denny Mack, Ross Barnes, and Al Spalding. With Harry Wright luring Barnes and Spalding away, this club is not as powerful as it has been, but there is still optimism in Rockford.

Pitcher: Cherokee Fisher
Catcher: Scott Hastings
First Baseman: Denny Mack
Second Baseman: Bob Addy
Third Baseman: Cap Anson
Shortstop: Chick Fulmer
Left Field: Ralph Ham
Center Field: George Bird
Right Field: Gat Stires
Utility Men: Al Barker, Pony Sager

[jduteau]

Team: Fort Wayne Kekiongas
Ballpark: Hamilton Field (aka The Grand Duchess)

The only community-owned team in the National Association, most of the players call Baltimore home and were recruited to come play in Fort Wayne. The finances don't look so good for the team, so it hoped that they can keep up with the rest of the teams in the Assocation.

Pitcher: Bobby Mathews
Catcher: Bill Lennon
First Baseman: Jim Foran
Second Baseman: Tom Carey
Third Baseman: Frank Sellman
Shortstop: Wally Goldsmith
Left Field: Ed Mincher
Center Field: Robert Armstrong
Right Field: Bill Kelly
Utility Men: Bill Barrett, Paddy Quinn, Charles Bierman, Nealy Phelps, Jimmy Hallinan, Harry Deane, Joe McDermott, Pete Donnelly

[jduteau]

After looking at the teams, the clear winner seems to be the Mutuals of New York. They have the pitching arm of Rynie Wolters but they also have some good bats in Higham, Hatfield and Eggler. The best offence looks to be the crew that Harry Wright has assembled in Boston, but it is unknown whether Spalding can befuddle the other teams with his arm.

1 - New York Mutuals
2 - Chicago White Stockings
3 - Boston Red Stockings
4 - Philadelphia Athletics
5 - Washington Olympics
6 - Cleveland Forest Citys
7 - Rockford Forest Citys
8 - Troy Haymakers
9 - Fort Wayne Kekiongas

Hitters
1 - Ross Barnes, BOS
2 - Cal McVey, BOS
3 - Levi Meyerle, PHI

Pitchers
1 - Rynie Wolters, NY
2 - George Zettlein, CHI
3 - Al Spalding, BOS

[jduteau]

MAY 1, 1871
The first game in Professional League history was played on May 1st, 1871 at 1:05pm. The Troy Haymakers visited New York to take on the Mutuals. Mike McGeary got the first hit against Mutuals pitcher Rynie Wolters with a double up the first-base line. McGeary stole 3rd and then scored on Clipper Flynn's ground out also scoring the first run.

After that initial half-inning, the game turned out to be all New York as they took a 5-1 lead after one inning. The game ended 16-9 for New York. There was quite a few errors - 23 in all - as the jitters of the day got to the players. Charlie Mills was voted player of the game for his three hits and four RBIs.

Troy Haymakers - 9 9 12
New York Mutuals - 16 15 11
POTG: Charlie Mills NY (3 for 6, 3 Runs, 4 RBI)

In Chicago, the second game of the season was the marquee matchup as the Boston Red Stockings came to town. Festivities were grand as the Chicago faithful hoped for a royal shellacking. Unfortunately, the abilities of the Boston nine were quickly shown as they went up 8-1 after two innings. The game ended 13-2 for Boston who managed only two errors for the entire game.

Boston Red Stockings - 13 14 2
Chicago White Stockings - 2 7 11
POTG: Al Spalding BOS (7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 for 3)

MAY 2, 1871
Rockford Forest Citys - 7 13 4
Philadelphia Athletics - 4 9 5
POTG: John Radcliff PHI (4 for 5, 1 Run, 1 RBI)

Fort Wayne Kekiongas - 17 14 6
Washington Olympics - 18 16 19
POTG: Andy Leonard WAS (4 for 6, 2 Runs, 4 RBI)

Standings
Boston - 1-0 --
New York - 1-0 --
Rockford - 1-0 --
Washington - 1-0 --
Cleveland - 0-0 1/2
Chicago - 0-1 1
Fort Wayne - 0-1 1
Philadelphia - 0-1 1
Troy - 0-1 1

[jduteau]

May 5, 1871
Our marquee matchup had Boston travelling from Chicago to Cleveland and it was a doozy. Boston was sailing along up 8-2 after 6-1/2 innings. But then the Forest City squad fought back and tied the game with 3 runnings in the 7th, 1 in the 8th, and 2 in the 9th. Boston scored first in the extra frame but Cleveland tied it up again. In the twelfth inning, Boston scored 3 more runs and then kept Cleveland off the board.

Boston Red Stockings - 12 17 10
Cleveland Forest Citys - 9 16 15
POTG: Cal McVey BOS (4 for 7, 1 2B, 5 RBI)

May 6, 1871
Washington Olympics - 5 12 7
Philadelphia Athletics - 2 3 5
POTG: Asa Brainard WAS (3 H, 2 R, 0 ER)

Chicago White Stockings - 10 14 3
Fort Wayne Kekiongas - 3 8 7
POTG: George Zettlein CHI (8 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 for 5)

Troy Haymakers - 9 9 7
Rockford Forest Citys - 10 14 13
POTG: John McMullin TRO (14 H, 10 R, 6 ER, 2 for 4)

Standings
Boston - 2-0 --
Rockford - 2-0 --
Washington - 2-0 --
New York - 1-0 1/2
Chicago - 1-1 1
Cleveland - 0-1 1-1/2
Fort Wayne - 0-2 2
Philadelphia - 0-2 2
Troy - 0-2 2

[scott1964]

Is everyone on their original teams or did you do a draft? My prediction will be Cal McVey or Ross Barnes will be the top hitters and the pitchers will be Rynie Wolters and Al Spalding

[sportsfan80]

Great Effort, Hoping to a more read ...

[jduteau]

Originally Posted by scott1964

Is everyone on their original teams or did you do a draft? My prediction will be Cal McVey or Ross Barnes will be the top hitters and the pitchers will be Rynie Wolters and Al Spalding

Everyone is on their original team. I'm planning on recreating history by having the same teams, same players, but with less volatility by having consistent schedules and a better understanding of who wins the league.

As well, I'm letting the AI be the managers and set lineups/depth charts. I'll be moving players around semi-historically but letting the AI do its thing.

[jduteau]

May 8, 1871
The first of this week's marquee games sees the two Forest City teams meet up in Cleveland. Rockford took the early lead, scoring in the first three innings. Cleveland came back in the middle frames and it was 7-6 for Rockford heading into the last part of the game. Cleveland then blew the game open in the 8th with five runs and won the game 13-9.

Rockford Forest Citys - 9 15 7
Cleveland Forest Citys - 13 16 3
POTG: John Bass CLE (4 for 5, 2 Runs, 4 RBI)

Philadelphia Athletics - 6 8 9
Fort Wayne Kekiongas - 7 11 8
POTG: Bobby Mathews FTW (8 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 1 for 3)

May 9, 1871
Chicago White Stockings - 8 12 5
Troy Haymakers - 9 12 2
POTG: Ned Connor TRO (2 for 3, 1 Triple, 1 Run, 2 RBI)

May 10, 1871
The other marquee game saw New York travel to Boston to take on the Red Stockings. This game was poorly played with both teams making plenty of mental and physical lapses. Boston went up 7-0 after two but it was 11-10 for New York after 6 innings. The game went into extra innings, tied up at 13 runs apiece. New York scored one run in the extra frame but could not put Boston away as they scored two to win 15-14.

New York Mutuals - 14 15 9
Boston Red Stockings - 15 21 13
POTG: Dave Eggler NY (6 for 7, 3 Runs, 4 RBI)

Standings
Boston - 3-0 --
Washington - 2-0 1/2
Rockford - 2-1 1
Cleveland - 1-1 1-1/2
New York - 1-1 1-1/2
Chicago - 1-2 2
Fort Wayne - 1-2 2
Troy - 1-2 2
Philadelphia - 0-3 3

[jduteau]

May 12, 1871
Fort Wayne Kekiongas - 12 10 7
Boston Red Stockings - 7 17 11
POTG: Ross Barnes BOS (4 for 5, 1 Run, 1 RBI)

May 13, 1871
Two teams that were expected to be Association powerhouses are struggling and they meet today with the White Stockings of Chicago heading to Philadelphia to take on the Athletics. The game was a back-and-forth see-saw battle and Chicago got its 2nd win and kept Philadelphia winless.
Chicago White Stockings - 11 12 6
Philadelphia Athletics - 8 10 10
POTG: Joe Simmons CHI (3 for 5, 3 Runs, 1 RBI)

Cleveland Forest Citys - 6 13 6
New York Mutuals - 4 10 6
POTG: Al Pratt CLE (10 H, 4R, 1 ER, 2 for 4)

Washington Olympics - 6 11 7
Troy Haymakers - 4 7 7
POTG: Asa Brainard WAS (7 H, 4 R, 2 ER)

Standings
Washington - 3-0 --
Boston - 3-1 1/2
Cleveland - 2-1 1
Rockford - 2-1 1
Chicago - 2-2 1-1/2
Fort Wayne - 2-2 1-1/2
New York - 1-2 2
Troy - 1-3 2-1/2
Philadelphia - 0-4 3-1/2

[jduteau]

May 16, 1871
Fort Wayne Kekiongas - 12 13 5
Troy Haymakers - 6 13 6
POTG: Nealy Phelps FTW (3 for 5, 2 Runs, 3 RBI, 2 Doubles)

New York Mutuals - 11 14 8
Rockford Forest Citys - 4 7 14
POTG: Ryan Wolters NY (7 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 1 for 4)

May 17, 1871
The Athletics got their first win of the season and it came against the slumping Red Stockings. Manager Harry Wright is not impressed with his squad and things that they are eating too much rare meat. Even the escapades of his brother George who hit a home run today was not enough to quell his ire. Their defensive play is what is killing the team, but the Athletics do not care how they win - just that they did.
Philadelphia Athletics - 11 14 5
Boston Red Stockings - 8 16 11
POTG: George Wright BOS (2 for 5, 2 Runs, 3 RBI, 1 HR)

Asa Brainard has been putting on a pitching clinic for the Olympics. With an ERA that is half of Al Spalding's, Washington has vaulted to the top of the standings. It doesn't hurt that their offence is also storming full-speed with George Hall and Andy Leonard, just two names on a stalwart crew.
Washington Olympics - 8 18 7
Cleveland Forest Citys - 2 5 4
POTG: Asa Brainard WAS (5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 for 4)

Standings
Washington - 4-0 --
Boston - 3-2 1-1/2
Fort Wayne - 3-2 1-1/2
Chicago - 2-2 2
Cleveland - 2-2 2
New York - 2-2 2
Rockford - 2-2 2
Philadelphia - 1-4 3-1/2
Troy - 1-4 3-1/2

[jduteau]

May 19, 1871
Boston reversed its losing ways by turning up in Rockford and scoring a bunch of runs. Ross Barnes had a great day and Al Spalding scattered the Forest City hits around.
Boston Red Stockings - 10 12 6
Rockford Forest Citys - 5 12 7
POTG: Ross Barnes BOS (3 for 4, 2 Runs, 1 RBI)

May 20, 1871
Washington is going to ride Asa Brainard's arm off until it falls off and he keeps pitching gems. His effort against New York was again spectacular and the Olympics remain undefeated.
Washington Olympics - 12 10 8
New York Mutuals - 4 5 13
POTG: Asa Brainard WAS (5 H, 4 R, 1 ER)

Philadelphia Athletics - 4 10 3
Troy Haymakers - 2 8 4
POTG: Dick McBride PHI (8 H, 2 R, 0 ER)

Cleveland Forest Citys - 6 9 6
Chicago White Stockings - 10 12 8
POTG: George Zettlein CHI (9 H, 6 R, 1 ER)

Standings
Washington - 5-0 --
Boston - 4-2 1-1/2
Chicago - 3-2 2
Fort Wayne - 3-2 2
Cleveland - 2-3 3
New York - 2-3 3
Rockford - 2-3 3
Philadephia - 2-4 3-1/2
Troy - 1-5 4-1/2