The Chronicle
September 1872
Edition 2.10
Four Cities Dream Of Pennant Glory
Washington And New York Struggles Open Door
The second half struggles of the Washington Olympians has seen them fall from grace in the American League as has the overall play of pennant winners from last season in the National League and the Mutuals. In the second season of pro ball, four new cities sit poised to compete and win their first pennant going into October.
Philadelphia - They have shown their intentions all season keeping pace with Washington and eventually overtaking them, never listening to the doubters along the way. Manager Dick McBride has his club on 35 wins with the best record in all the land. He gone 20-8 as the main starter on the team refusing at times to allow his team to lose. Dick Higham has lead an offense that has a .321 team average and the highest OPS at .739. Nat Hicks as a rookie catcher is hitting .331 while Joe McDermott is hitting .399. After going 1-4 in August, the Athletics won nine of 10 games in September as the peak at the perfect time. The team is 22-5 at home as Jefferson Street Grounds has been on the rally cry all season long. Holding their own in October to bring the pennant home is a challenge this teams seems more then ready for.
Cleveland - Few expected the Cleveland club to be sitting only 2 games behind the lead for the flag. The Forest Citys started the year 6-12 and seemed doomed to a season of frustration. Manager Bob Ferguson and his team had other ideas however going on a big run the last couple of months winning 20 of 27 games and 11 in September alone. Levi Meyerle is the star of the lineup with 57 RBI while Wes Fisler is hitting .436 with 47 RBI of his own. Fred Waterman is one of the core star catchers of the current league hitting .371 with 52 RBI. The combo of George Zettlein and Bill Stearns as pitchers has been excellent as both men find chances to rest and compliment each other to equal effect. Cleveland is a working mans city that hasnt always embraced this club whcih lacks real tradition and coverage. Now however there is a new buzz by the lakefront as an October fight for the flag awaits.
Middletown - It is an interesting dynamic in Middletown as the temporary Chicago ball club has brought joy to the region for their play but is almost assuredly leaving at the end of the season. For a long time the club was running away with things starting with a 19-3 record. The club for whatever the reason has played very poor over the last two months going 7-15 and now sit in a tie for the division lead. Cap Anson has taken the league by storm with his hitting now sitting at .467 with 67 RBI as the club leads the league in runs and batting average. The issue has been at pitching as Al Pratt has slowed down and manager Charlie Pabor has been forced to start to give Pratt a rest every few days. If this club should fail to bring home the flag, it would be a choke of substantial effect as the Middletown fans as well as the fans back in Chicago as well are frightened to look at the morning papers and the standings every day.
Brooklyn - Baseball in Brooklyn this season has exceeded everyones expectations as the first year club has taken over the region and likely now has the highest following in all the league. Legends die hard, and the Atlantics name has helped carry this team all the way back up the standings after an excellent recent run of 16 wins over the past 2 months. Now tied for first, the great Davy Force leads the lineup with his .439 average to go along with George Bechtel who hits behind him and Doug Allison who is yet another excellent catcher. On the mound pitcher Cherokee Fisher has put the pundits behind him winning an incredible 27 games and doing it without any support behind him. The big Chief's are has been the things of legend as it never tires and he never tells his manager Bill Lennon no. Brooklyn is poised to 'steal' the pennant in a remarkable year in which they virtually have eclipsed the Mutuals as the darlings of New York.
Finally, somewhere looming are the defending champions from Washington who should be counted out just yet remembering what they are capable of.
