The Chronicle
August 1872
Edition 2.9
Washington Not Only Offense
Mathews Dominates Pitching Once Again
The defensing champion Washington Olympics are well oon their way to doing it all over again as they lead the American League by 2.5 games over Philadelphia and have been leading all season long. The team once again has been excellent on offense scoring 374 runs for the most run average per game while the club has the best base running and defensive metrics in the game.
Often overlooked by the stars in the lineup such as Ross Barnes and Deacon White who are having excellent seasons again, is the one steady influence the team has had this season and last. Bobby Mathews is only 20 years old but lead the entire league in almost every pitching category last season like ERA, Innings pitched, wins, and strike outs. Manager Nick Young decided not to acquire a secondary pitcher during the offseason like most other teams leaving his young hurler as once again the only and best team option.
In 1872 Matthews is doing it all over again. Currently he leads the league with an impressive 25 wins with over a month left to play and has 46 wins in less then two seasons already. His ERA is even better then it was last season sitting at 2.70 and the only thing larger then his performance is the smile on his face while he is doing it. Exactly how the young man is so successful and mature for his age, many are looking for that formula.
"I was just fortunate enough to be signed by a team that is so talented and supportive." says the Baltimore native, "I did not need to leave far from home when I was chosen by this team, and a good home cooked meal everyday also makes me throw a little harder."
The Olympics effort for a second straight championship is not complete yet, they do have to hold on for the pennant and then face what will likely be Cap Anson and the Middletwon club in the Fall Classic.
Pike And Troy Still In Fight
Haymakers Still Feel They Can Chase Pennant
The emotional Middletown club had an incredible first half of the season but now seem to be coming back to earth as they have lost 8 of their last 13 games to raise some eyebrows in the pennant race.
Troy stood their ground in August winning four of 8 games but had a good July where they picked up 6 wins. They defeated the Mansfields both times they played them this month and sit only 4 games out of first place with plenty of games left to play. Last season the team came up just a little short finishing second to the Mutuals of New York, and although second is nice, manager Lip Pike and his team assure that they are ready to make a run.
The biggest question has been the play of Pike on the field. The player manager has had a dramatic drop in results as a player and doesnt seem to be half the hitter he used to be. Pike is hitting only .208 this campaign after hitting a league leading .463 last season. Reasons to why the decline has happened has been attributed to from anything like injury, stress, or even domestic disputes.
Pitcher Cy Bentley has held his own leading the entire league in strikeouts and holding 17 wins to his name. Third baseman Mike McGeary has been outstanding as maybe the best leadoff man in the league hitting .403 and stealing 23 bags. Jimmy Wood has also been excellent as one of the smartest and overlooked talents in the league hitting .359 with 59 RBI in 42 games.
Supporters of the Troy club have been hearing rumors all season that their club was on the verge of moving to a bigger urban area. So many fans are just enjoying the moment and hoping indeed that the tide has turned for a pennant race.
In the meantime Brooklyn has also made things interesting, also sitting only 4 games out in the same division having gone 5-1 in August.