OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - At the Keystone: The Philadelphia Keystones of the FABL

gstatman · 06-10-2019, 08:11 AM

The Centennials changed their name to the Keystones in 1884 and their success in the Century League initially carried over with their name change, but that quickly gave way to an uneven performance from year to year. The 1884 schedule topped 100 games for the first time in professional baseball history and the Keystones had plenty of power to spare, setting a team record that still stood at the end of the “pre-play” era. Philadelphia hit 101 home runs and five players reached double figures, led by Scott Wilkes’s 19 homers. But, the team finished in fourth place, 15 games back of league champion Boston.

In these nine seasons, Philadelphia had a .545 winning percentage (633-529), but the winds were changing, both in professional baseball writ large and in the City of Brotherly Love. A new team burst onto the scene in the fledgling Border Association in 1889 that also called Philadelphia home. The Sailors infringed on the Keystones territory and had more success in 1889-90, but the Keystones were the better team in 1891-92.

In fact, the Keystones lost a close battle for the Century pennant with the Washington Eagles in 1891 before running away with the newly-minted Federal Association of the Federally Aligned Baseball Leagues (FABL) in 1892 over the New York Gothams. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Sailors were slotted into the Continental Association of the FABL and finished 23 games off the pace.

The 1892 Keystones were dominant, allowing 308 fewer runs than they scored. Their 94-38 record (.712 winning percentage) is the best season in franchise history and it is not even close, as the second-best win total was 85 (1909). Fred Roby, nicknamed the “Rhode Island Ripper”, became a household name in 1892. Roby hit a hefty .360 with a wRC+ of 160, scored 110 runs, swiped 60 bases, and drove in 102 runs despite only three round-trippers. Philadelphia’s pitching was elite, with George Banks (26-10, 2.03 ERA), Wesley Stout (29-14, 2.52 ERA), Charlie Johnson (17-6, 1.96 ERA), and Alexander Elliott (16-4, 1.92 ERA) giving the Keystones an excellent chance to win every day.

During this upheaval between the early stages of professional “base ball” and the game we know today, the Keystones were in the middle of those changes, almost bringing home the last Century League pennant, winning the first Federal Association title in only season played with one “major league” without a championship series.

06-10-2019, 08:11 AM	#4
gstatman Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 25	The Pre-Series Era: Philadelphia Keystones (1884-1892) The Centennials changed their name to the Keystones in 1884 and their success in the Century League initially carried over with their name change, but that quickly gave way to an uneven performance from year to year. The 1884 schedule topped 100 games for the first time in professional baseball history and the Keystones had plenty of power to spare, setting a team record that still stood at the end of the “pre-play” era. Philadelphia hit 101 home runs and five players reached double figures, led by Scott Wilkes’s 19 homers. But, the team finished in fourth place, 15 games back of league champion Boston. In these nine seasons, Philadelphia had a .545 winning percentage (633-529), but the winds were changing, both in professional baseball writ large and in the City of Brotherly Love. A new team burst onto the scene in the fledgling Border Association in 1889 that also called Philadelphia home. The Sailors infringed on the Keystones territory and had more success in 1889-90, but the Keystones were the better team in 1891-92. In fact, the Keystones lost a close battle for the Century pennant with the Washington Eagles in 1891 before running away with the newly-minted Federal Association of the Federally Aligned Baseball Leagues (FABL) in 1892 over the New York Gothams. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Sailors were slotted into the Continental Association of the FABL and finished 23 games off the pace. The 1892 Keystones were dominant, allowing 308 fewer runs than they scored. Their 94-38 record (.712 winning percentage) is the best season in franchise history and it is not even close, as the second-best win total was 85 (1909). Fred Roby, nicknamed the “Rhode Island Ripper”, became a household name in 1892. Roby hit a hefty .360 with a wRC+ of 160, scored 110 runs, swiped 60 bases, and drove in 102 runs despite only three round-trippers. Philadelphia’s pitching was elite, with George Banks (26-10, 2.03 ERA), Wesley Stout (29-14, 2.52 ERA), Charlie Johnson (17-6, 1.96 ERA), and Alexander Elliott (16-4, 1.92 ERA) giving the Keystones an excellent chance to win every day. During this upheaval between the early stages of professional “base ball” and the game we know today, the Keystones were in the middle of those changes, almost bringing home the last Century League pennant, winning the first Federal Association title in only season played with one “major league” without a championship series. Attached Images __________________ Figment League: Baseball: Philadelphia Keystones (1926-52, 1962-63, 1975) Hockey: Boston Bees (1946-52, 1962-63, 1975) Basketball: Washington Statesmen (1947-52) Football: New York Stars (1975) Boxing: Alter ego of Johnny Bologna OOTP Dynasty Reports: At the Keystone: The Philadelphia Keystones of the FABL Greatest Team Tournament Last edited by gstatman; 06-10-2019 at 08:26 AM.