[scott1964]

1890 Playoffs

Pittsburg vs Louisville

Game 1 Pittsburg at Louisville
Tuesday 9/30
Louisville 5 Pittsburg 4 (10): Count Campau hits a 10th inning HR in the bottom of the 10th.

Game 2
Wednesday 10/1
Louisville 6 Pittsburg 4: Reddy Mack HR (1), 2 RBIs.

Game 3 Louisville at Pittsburg
Friday 10/3
Louisville 8 Pittsburg 2: Roger Connor 2 RBIs. Billy Clingman 3-4.

Game 4
Saturday 10/4
Louisville 7 Pittsburg 6: Billy Clingman 2-5, 2 RBIs. Roger Connor 2-4, 2 RBIs.

Colonels Sweep Pittsburg in Round 1
Saturday, October 4th, 1890: It was a glorious moment at Recreation Park when Louisville claimed the 1890 Round 1 title with a 7-6 victory. Louisville players were jubilant as they swamped each other on the diamond after completing the fantastic sweep of the Pittsburg Alleghenys.

Chants of "Thank you, Colonels" reverberated all around the ballpark when it was over.

But in the losing dugout, sadness reigned. Commenting to reporters, the Alleghenys skipper described what it's like to lose. "Your heart is heavy... you are hurting... it's a very difficult time. And to be swept... it's embarrassing. You just want to forget it ever happened."

But it was a season to remember for the Louisville Colonels. Their season record was 88-66 and good enough for first place in the American League. Then they topped it off by winning the Round 1 4-0.

What a year!

Off Season
NABL News: Draft Pool Revealed
Thursday, October 2nd, 1890: North American BaseBall League announced the 1890 amateur draft pool today, a scant 30 days in advance of the actual draft. For scouts, it is the toughest challenge of the season, trying to come up with an educated guess as to what a young man in his late teens or early twenties is going to do at the professional level a good five years down the road, at best. Some will go on gut instincts; some will rely on years of experience; but most will find it disconcerting how much their team is beholden to Lady Luck. Choose well and they are geniuses; choose poorly and they are unemployed.

The top players available (in no particular order) seem to be:
1. Frank McGinn, 21 year-old center fielder out of college.
2. Bert Inks, 19 year-old starting pitcher out of high-school.
3. John McGraw, 17 year-old shortstop out of high-school.
4. Joe Kelley, 18 year-old left fielder out of high-school.
5. Frank Killen, 19 year-old starting pitcher out of high-school.
6. George Davies, 22 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
7. Fred Lake, 23 year-old catcher out of college.
8. Kid Carsey, 19 year-old starting pitcher out of high-school.
9. Ted Breitenstein, 21 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
10. Bill Dahlen, 20 year-old third baseman out of college.

Retirements
Charlie Eden 810 games, 901 hits, 465 RBIs.

Team Name Changes
Pittsburg Pirates
Brooklyn Grooms

Awards
Best Defenders Announced by NL
Thursday, October 16th, 1890: "Flashing the leather" and "good with the glove" are ways to describe players who help their teams by playing great defense. Today the most dependable glovemen in the National League for 1890 were announced. Glove Wizard Awards will be presented to these top-notch defenders:

Pitcher: Scott Stratton (Chicago Colts)
Catcher: Jocko Halligan (New York Giants)
First Baseman: Jake Beckley (New York Giants)
Second Baseman: Bid McPhee (Boston Beaneaters)
Third Baseman: George Shoch (Cincinnati Reds)
Shortstop: Bobby Wheelock (Cincinnati Reds)
Left Fielder: Emmett Seery (New York Giants)
Center Fielder: Curt Welch (St. Louis Browns)
Right Fielder: Dusty Miller (St. Louis Browns)

AL Honors 1890 Glove Wizard Award Winners
Thursday, October 16th, 1890: Glove Wizard Awards are the symbol for defensive excellence, a recognition of the best of the best in defense. The American League Glove Wizard Award trophies for 1890 have been awarded to these outstanding fielders:

Pitcher: George Meakim (Boston Americans)
Catcher: Buck Ewing (Louisville Colonels)
First Baseman: Dan Brouthers (Philadelphia Athletics)
Second Baseman: Bob Glenalvin (Boston Americans)
Third Baseman: Denny Lyons (Philadelphia Athletics)
Shortstop: Jack Glasscock (Cleveland Spiders)
Left Fielder: Darby O'Brien (Chicago White Sox)
Center Fielder: Billy Hamilton (Cleveland Spiders)
Right Fielder: Otto Schomberg (Washington Statesmen)

National League Picks Premier Rookie
Friday, October 17th, 1890: In his initial season, Kid Nichols proved he could be a real big game pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was so good that he was christened with the National League Newcomer of the Year Award today.

Nichols put up a 31-18 record in 52 starts. The Philadelphia rookie recorded a 2.13 ERA in 444 innings as he fanned 206 hitters and walked 81.

American League Honors Boston's Meakim
Friday, October 17th, 1890: George Meakim's age didn't show very often in his first year. He performed more like a veteran on the hill for the Boston Americans and today he walked away with the 1890 American League Newcomer of the Year Award.

The 25-year-old starter registered a 30-21 record this season in 52 starts. Over 433.1 innings he gave up 432 hits, struck out 195 and issued 110 walks as he held the opposition to a .251 batting average and fashioned a 2.33 ERA.

Nichols Named NL Outstanding Pitcher Award Winner
Sunday, October 19th, 1890: The Philadelphia Phillies have a rising superstar or maybe even a budding Hall-of-Famer in the making.
It's Kid Nichols, this year's National League Outstanding Pitcher Award selection. This blossoming hurler wowed fans, peers and sportswriters with a fabulous performance.

Nichols compiled a 31-18 record in 52 starts, tallied 206 strikeouts in 444 innings and recorded a 2.13 ERA. Other clubs managed only a .252 batting average against him.

Boston Americans Hurler AL's Premier Pitcher
Sunday, October 19th, 1890: The Boston clubhouse staff referred to him as "the kid" this season. Next year George Meakim will have to have a new nickname. He earned it after winning the 1890 American League Outstanding Pitcher Award.

Meakim made 52 starts this year, winning 30 and losing 21. He threw 433.1 innings, fanned 195, allowed 432 hits and 110 walks, while holding opposing teams to a .251 average as he logged an impressive 2.33 ERA.

Tiernan Selected NL's Best Hitter
Monday, October 20th, 1890: Mike Tiernan of the New York Giants proved that you can step out of the shadows and onto the stage if you've got the talent and the drive to hone your skills. Hard work, long hours and a tireless resolve paid off for him today in the form of the National League Outstanding Hitter Award.

Tiernan hit for a .349 average while collecting 219 hits, 54 doubles, 7 triples, 22 home runs, 110 RBIs and scoring 132 times.

AL Names Outstanding Hitter Award Winner
Monday, October 20th, 1890: It's been a year of triumph for veteran Denny Lyons of the Philadelphia Athletics as he hit his way to the 1890 American League Outstanding Hitter Award.

The 24-year-old veteran compiled a .330 average and .378 on-base percentage by putting together 198 hits, 39 doubles, 1 triple, 21 home runs and 46 walks. He also scored 102 times and drove in 121 runs.

BNN Stats: Batting Leaders
Monday, October 27th, 1890: So, who is the leader in the North American BaseBall League in current hitting streak (games)?

Ross Barnes, -, 64
Ezra Sutton, -, 41
John Clapp, -, 35
Jim O'Rourke, -, 32
Paul Hines, Pittsburg, 31

Draft Results for Athletics
SP Will Calihan (RL 2 seasons)
1B Jack Darragh (RL one game)
MR John Doran (RL one season)
MR Kid Keenan (RL one game)
LF George Rooks (RL one season)