A Belgian Dynasty (est. 1884)

[Fullarmor]

This dynasty is not going to be about a league, a division nor a team but about an entire nation: Belgium.
In this thread, I will fictively report the birth, the early years, the emergence and the nationalization of baseball in a European way. The leagues will evolve; the teams will appear, grow, merge and disappear. Some things are written, others are totally left to chance and even diced.
Thank you for your reading, with the hope that you will find an interest in this dynasty.

1885 - 1886 - 1887

1888 - 1889 - 1890 - 1891 - 1892
1893 - 1894

1895 - 1896

1897 - 1898 - 1899 - 1900 - 1901
1902 - 1903

[Fullarmor]

Paxton and Williams, at the ages of twenty-three and twenty-five in 1884.

1884, Terrence Paxton and Victor Williams, two American friends, arrived like so many others in Belgium by the port of Antwerp as sailors. Rapidly, they became dockworkers and met other Belgian-Americans bored and upset by homesickness. Thus came the idea of organizing baseball games, a sport they were practicing and following in their country. So was born the club of the Antwerpen Zeilers (Antwerp Sailors).

Zeilers' badge in 1884, based on the Antwerp's flag.

They quickly took Belgian natives in their games which prompted the creation of a second team in February 1885: the Hoboken Club.

Hoboken's badge in 1885.

From March to June, they played twenty-six games at the Veldweg, a small pitch that they have themselves arranged. At the end of that first season was crowned the champion of the city of Antwerp, and at the same time the best team in Belgium. Unknowingly, Paxton and Williams had just launched a new national passion by bringing baseball in this country.

The Antwerp Trophy, first "honkbal" competition on the Belgian territory.

Not surprisingly, the Zeilers won without too many problems this first season, although the Belgians from Hoboken showed some fine things.

Impressive on the field, Paxton was voted best player of the year.

[Fullarmor]

Everyone is ready for the new season, although it looks already played in advance since no real changes have taken place in the league.

Nearly a .700 ratio! The Zeilers have trully mastered their opponent. Although the - unfortunately too few - fans knew that Antwerpen were going to won again, they didn't expect a so large difference. If Hoboken wants to worry his rival in the coming years, they will have to work much more on the quality of their recruits. In any case Sparnaay is ready.
Even if Janzen has shown a very good batting average, Paxton was close behind. Even better, he wore the number of home runs to six, a new record in the league while on the entire season Hoboken batted... none. A good season for Paxton that propels him a second time to the rank of most valuable player.
Wounded in the hip, his friend Williams was unable to prove his worth on the field during the 1886's exercise but promised to come back fresher than ever in the next season. Maybe for a third title.
In the meantime two new teams are expected for the 1887 season of the Antwerp Trophy, also based in that city. The districts of Ekeren and Berendrecht should be honored for what promises to be the first expansion in history. An evidence that baseball fascinates more and more young Belgians males.

[Fullarmor]

Two new teams! As announced, the league celebrates the arrival of the Dokwerkers of Berendrecht and the Ontduikers of Ekeren.
Whereas Hoboken and Zeilers played thus far in the same stadium, the Paxton & Williams' team has found a new field baptized Lambertsadion (with more than five thousand places!) for the occasion on the outskirts of the city. But that did not give more room for Hoboken since the Dokwerkers moved to the Veldweg. Finally, Ekeren found a pitch that can welcome a little less than two thousand people.
For this new season, the Zeilers are again favorites, while on the other side a no chance ticket is given to two new teams still inexperienced.

That did not happen as expected.
Even with a .404 batting average Paxton, Hoboken Club won the league for the first time. The deception is huge in the Zeilers' camp, but Hoboken have just proven that the little games have their importance. Despite their final position, Ekeren and Berendrecht gave a hard time to the two others. Which will make the competition more interesting in the coming years because Hoboken showed today that the regularity prevailed over large fleeting performances, while a place among the top is possible for Ekeren and Berendrecht if they continue in that way to tickle the leaders.

In the same year, thanks to the maritime word of mouth and immigration, a baseball team was born in another harbor town: Brugge. Unfortunately, they did not have enough players to create a second team and had to settle to simply play friendly games among themselves.
But the revolution is underway.

[Fullarmor]

Whether this is the manager, the players or the fans, everyone agrees on the Zeilers' boat that a victory is mandatory. Once again, the staff have not changed much and Hoboken hopes to repeat his achievement of the last season. However pay attention that the number of games to play doubled for the new season, for the greatest pleasure of fans.

The Zeilers reached the top with a .763 while Berendrecht is last with a .203. The best and the worst for the 1888's exercice, but the most important is that the Zeilers reassured themselves with this new victory. However, even if they are champions of Antwerp, they are not champions of Belgium yet.

Created last year, the Stars of Bruges participated in 1888 for the first time in a regional competition with the creation of the Unie of Nieuwpoort, what prompted at the same time the creation of the VHW, a competition covering the West Flanders. A tight championship that saw the victory of Bruges againt Newport in the end.
Antwerpen Zeilers versus Brugge Sterren, voilà the duel awaited by everyone and that will decide the coronation of the best team in Belgium at the final of the Champions' Cup.

Defeated.
The victory is even harder to accept since it was not expected that Brugge shows anything interesting. But the little guys did it, with the manner. Their nickname of stars was not usurped. They will now be able to put their names on the stone of champions, and thus join Hoboken (1887) and the Zeilers which remain first with two wins (1885 and 1886).

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 2
BRUGGE STERREN - 1
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1

Finally, Paxton remains undoubtedly the best player in the country, above everyone.

[baseballonly]

This is very interesting...

[baseballonly]

However, how did Paxton hit 42 home runs? That's almost 3x the Zieler's total from last year.

[Fullarmor]

The Zeilers came out with a very good season, and the Hoboken closely followed all along, surprisingly. All agree that they have here accomplished something great and they deserved to play the final. But in front of them, there are the famous Zeilers who gave, once again, everything.
Victor Williams, the co-founder of the Zeilers was elected MVP, Philippe Vigneron (who began his career with the Zeilers) was elected pitcher of the year and David Pierron rookie of the year at the age of twenty-five. The future looks bright in Antwerp.

With the unexpected victory of Brugge last season, a new craze has helped to create two new clubs in the area. And the least we can say is that the Kustmen of Oostende and the Zeebrugge Zon have proven their worth. Alexis Bourdin who played last year with Nieuwpoort is even voted the best player of the league, while Mohamed Vannier who stayed with the Unie is pitcher of the year. Who knows if Nieuwpoort would not have been champion if Bourdin had not changed team? Brugge and his rookie Brian Frolic won the league with only a single game ahead, the difference is small.

Nineteen to two! This is a game that will be remembered! The Zeilers had here their perfect revenge. Worse, that's a humiliation for the Sterren.

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 3
BRUGGE STERREN - 1
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1

[Fullarmor]

Originally Posted by baseballonly

However, how did Paxton hit 42 home runs? That's almost 3x the Zieler's total from last year.

The league format changes and went from twenty-six games to fifty-nine games. But even then, this does not explain such a high number of home runs. It was definitely the best season of his career.
Thank you anyway to comment!

[dynaboyj]

This does look really cool. Are you Belgian?

[Fullarmor]

Originally Posted by dynaboyj

This does look really cool. Are you Belgian?

Thank you and yes, I'm indeed a Belgian. So... sorry if some turns of phrase are a bit strange.

[Fullarmor]

The Zeilers still dominate easily, while Hoboken ended up further away than we thought earlier in the season. Still far behind, are found Ekeren and Berendrecht. Unfortunately, it seems that they have not managed to annoy the big teams as we expected from them on their arrival in the league.
Except for last year, Paxton has always been voted the best player in the league. David Loisel is pitcher of the year while the rookie award went to the Ekeren player (despite of their position) Guy Marie.
Only significant change this season: the exchange concluded between the Zeilers and Brugge who traded the last year best rookie (Pierron) against the veteran Carlos Rios.

The VHW is always much more interesting, because everything is possible. This year, the team of the Brugge-by-the-sea took the ticket that leaded to the national final.
This did not prevent the Sterren to place Jean-Paul Leroux and Bilal Duhamel to the spots of most valuable player of the year and pitcher of the Year, while the place of rookie of the year went to Michel Beguin whose club also finished last, like Ekeren.

It was close, so close.
After the slap of the last season, this time the Zeilers had more trouble to get rid of their opponent despite the help of a very good Paxton.
When we look at the statistics, the Zeilers have crushed everything in their path, but is it not partly due to the low level of the Antwerp Troffee, the level showed by Ekeren and Berendrecht?

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 4 (last time in 1890)
BRUGGE STERREN - 1 (last time in 1888)
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1 (last time in 1887)

[Fullarmor]

Another season in which we have been accustomed in the Antwerp Trophy. Not much to say except that Loisel and Paxton ended at the same place compared to the last year. Nikita Koojiman, the 1891's cuvée rookie comes from Hoboken.

Zeebrugge confirmed that they were a big piece on which we could rely. Mohamed Vannier was elected best pitcher and most valuable player of the league. Alexis Mathieu of the Sterren is the most promising young player althought he had already taken part in the 1890 edition under the... Zeebrugge's jersey.
Last fort the second time in a row, the Unie is far from its 1889 season in which they had failed to play the final.

Zeebrugge is a serious opponent, but it is not enough to worry the Zeilers. In any case, the Loisel-Vannier duel was interesting even if the Zon went home empty-handed for the seconde time.

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 5 (last time in 1891)
BRUGGE STERREN - 1 (last time in 1888)
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1 (last time in 1887)

[Fullarmor]

Discussions about a possible expansion began in 1890. Thing now made with the arrival of two clubs in the neighboring region: the Blacks of Ghent and the Eeklo Racing. Two teams that have also done an outstanding entry by immediately positioning to the second and third ranks, quickly followed by Hoboken. Sven Postuma (pitcher of the year) and Aad De Beun (rookie of the year) were applauded for their entry into the league.
For this season (and to celebrate their fifth title), Henry Lamberts Jr., the owner of the Zeilers, decided to put money on the table and offered to his team Mohamed Vannier (34, Zeebrugge), Bilal Duhamel (34, Sterren), Bjorn Domburg (32, Hoboken), Riccardo Meulmeester (30, Kustmen) and Jean-Paul Leroux (28, Sterren). A real dream team against which the Antwerp clubs could not do anything.
Unfortunately, the dream would even be more perfect if they had not lost in the transaction David Loisel, left for Zeebrugge. A choice that was not supported by the fans...

The Zon have also strengthened through David Loisel as said earlier, but also with the acquisition of Nikita Kooijman (ex Hoboken) who received once again the price of rookie of the year and was elected most valuable player of the year for the first time. Rémy Masson, who was elected best pitcher, completed the podium.
That's two big teams who will compete in the final.

Three to two for the West-Flemish! It was hard, but they did it. On their third finals, the Zon won finally the first title of their history thus joining Hoboken and Brugge Sterren.
After the investiments made, the Zeilers' owner can eat his hat. This will surely get him to change tactics in the coming years if it does not soon receive positive results.

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 5 (last time in 1891)
ZEEBRUGGE ZON - 1 (last time in 1892)
BRUGGE STERREN - 1 (last time in 1888)
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1 (last time in 1887)

[Fullarmor]

Unstoppable, the Zeilers registered a new record of .915 that will be hard to beat. What would they be by the way without Paxton, once again voted most valuable player of the league?
Marcos Martinez, a thirty years old Puerto Rican was elected rookie of the year after a strong second season with the Racing. Thus placing Eeklo to the second place. Finally, the pitcher award went to Vannier, a veteran who started his career in 1888 with Nieuwpoort.

After a 1892 season totally placed under the Zeebruggian sign, the Oostende manager decided to attract players capable of disloging the last Belgian champion. Notably by strengthening at the expense of their rivals. Thus arrived Lucien Deschamps (36), Jean-Louis L'Homme (26) and Dominique Guérin (20) from Brugge and Jeff Janzen (35), from Ghent.
Thunder transfers, since Janzen is elected MVP and allows his team to play the big final against Antwerpen. Feltse Fabre, is voted best pitcher on his second season with the Kustmen.
In the same time, Hadde Bourgoin is elected young talent of the year. Brugge is probably the club training the most interesting players.

Meulmeester, Williams, Duhamel, Paxton, Leroux. Well, that's a darn good team. The Zeilers were slow to find their cohesion, but simply by seeing their results in the regular phase, the Kustmen guys knew that this final would be an hard time for them. However, they have not fallen into the trap and fought with courage.
"Maybe, next time", said Philippe Vigneron with a bitter smile. After all, the Zon needed three finals.

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 6 (last time in 1893)
ZEEBRUGGE ZON - 1 (last time in 1892)
BRUGGE STERREN - 1 (last time in 1888)
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1 (last time in 1887)

[Fullarmor]

1894 is a chaotic edition. Not for its start, but for its end.
The year marked the arrival of the first francophone community-based competition in Belgium with the birth of the League of Liège. Two teams took part in this inaugural season: C.S. Liégeois and Verviers Sport, principally formed by inexperienced athletes. Two young formations that fought, until the end, in a very closed race.
On the side of the Trofee, the Zeilers easily obtained their golden ticket for their sixth time in a row since the creation of the Champions' Cup, while Hoboken (after their title in 1887) continued to go deeper and deeper in the hierarchy. One could also say the same about Brugge (1888 winner) which now only leaves their neighbors of Zeebrugge and the Kustmen competitive for the title.

Things began to darken with the announcement of the final phase, final phase that the CSL refused to take part in, thereby exposing two black dots.
The first one was that the great final was always played in Antwerp (Flanders) whereas it should be played on a neutral ground, like in Brussels (Brabant). This could prevent the teams from the north to be advantaged. Or why not move to a two games final? One home, one away.
But the second one directly targeted the general management, mainly Flemish. The League of Liège's commissioner went as far as incriminated his counterparts of the Beker of favoritism and mostly of flamingantism given by the Flemish name of the higher level of the competition who is supposed to be federal and federative.
The case made noise in the press and was brought before court who judged after months that the honkbal in Belgium should be regulated by a neutral body placed under the direct aegis of the Sport and Leisure Ministery. With this announcement, big changes are expected for the next seasons.
But that would be forgotten that the Zeilers and the Zon earned their ticket for the final and are not ready to forget it. With or without Walloon team, that final is going to be played, one last time in Antwerp.

A game where Paxton and Williams showed all their style.
Eight to two, whithout forgetting the nineteen to two of 1889, the Zeilers proved during the reign of the Beker van de Kampionen that they were the best of the best during this time, with five titles on seven years.
But Paxton and Williams gets older and times are changing.

BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:

ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 7 (last time in 1894)
ZEEBRUGGE ZON - 1 (last time in 1892)
BRUGGE STERREN - 1 (last time in 1888)
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1 (last time in 1887)

[baseballonly]

How old is Paxton now? He's still by far the best. I think the Zieler's still have at last five more titles in his era, but we'll see.

[xepicx2729]

Originally Posted by baseballonly

How old is Paxton now? He's still by far the best. I think the Zieler's still have at last five more titles in his era, but we'll see.

33 y/o.

[Fullarmor]

Stahp sayin' Zielers, is there an English meaning that I don't see here, ha ha?
Zeilers simply means Sailors in Flemish.
And yes, Paxton is the best since the begining, by far, even if Victor Williams is (on the paper) not that far away from the potential of his American fellow. Let's just say that he lacks of some strokes of genius.

[baseballonly]

Originally Posted by Fullarmor

Stahp sayin' Zielers, is there an English meaning that I don't see here, ha ha?
Zeilers simply means Sailors in Flemish.

Oh....in English we have this I before E rule, ya' know? It threw me off.