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Nick Soulis · 11-05-2022, 01:41 PM

The Chronicle
March 1874
Version 4.2

American league Preview

1. Boston Red Stockings
Last year: 28-32 (5th)
Manager: Harry Wright
After seriously contemplating calling it quits, Harry Wright was talked back into the manager position for the upcoming season but faces a backlash of criticism that his baseball ways are well outdated. Al Spalding continues to baffle as many would say he has the best talent of any pitcher, but still has a losing record for his career (43-46). George Wright has moved from short to second base and rookie John Peters from down south in New Orleans tries to ignite the club. Eighteen year old Jim Britt will also be expected to mature along with another top prospect, Martin Mullin who will likely win the outfield job. Boston has the least amount of expectations of any season going into 1874.

2. Hartford Dark Blues
Last year: 35-26 (Lost World Series)
Manager: Bob Ferguson
Good memories and tidings as the Resolutes from Elizabeth who won the pennant now move yet again, this time to Hartford. Andy Leonard is the new star of the roster as the Irish Men hit .327 with 44 RBI to couple with Levi Meyerle who batted .363 and isnt slowing down at 24. Manager Ferguseon still pitches when he feels fit but it is George Zettlein who is back coming off a 2.44 ERA and a great partnership with Bill Stearns. The city of Hartford is very fortunate to welcome this winning club to their local Ball Grounds for what they hope is a pennant winning season.

3. Philadelphia Athletics
Last year: 28-32 (4th)
Manager: Dick McBride
Trying to solve why the champion Athletics fell off so badly last season is one of those things in the game that isnt easy to solve. Rookie pitcher John Hatfield will add some real life to the pitching staff but Dick McBride will continue to use himself for most of the work. Henry Kessler and Jim Tipper join a lineup anchored by Dick Higham who had a down season last year hitting just .297 and center fielder George Hall who still can do it all. Hall hit .363 with 14 doubles and his usual good defensive work. Most expect Philly to rebound this season, no drastic moves were made in hopes that 1873 was just an aberration.

4. Washington Blue Legs
Last year: 30-30 (3rd)
Manager: Nick Young
At 19 years old Frank McCarton has made a name for himself hitting .345 with 58 runs scored last season. The Blue Leg offense has always been among the best with Ross Barnes still dominating pitchers and Deacon White hitting ropes almost every time up. The talent level of this team is much too good for them to be at .500 but the lack of pitching depth has been the issue with once again Bobby Mathews being the only real option for manager Nick Young. Mathews lead the league with 37 starts and 337 innings pitched and has thrown over 1000 innings in three seasons. Finding the magic of 1871 will not be easy, especially if manager Young hasn't realized that the game has already evolved since then.

5. Brooklyn Eckfords
Last year: 34-27 (2nd)
Manager: Shamar Pate
Thinking of a single moment and an error all year isn't going to do anyone any good going into a new season. Warren White had to endure it all for his error that cost the pennant, and that is why many feel a position change to catcher has taken place for him. Still Brooklyn did have a great season, Oscar Bielaski has come into his own as a talent driving in 50 runs last season while Jack Burdock and Tom Barlow make a good infield combination. Frank Buttery had a 2.45 ERA last year and was much better then he was as a rookie not to mention the strong innings the team has had from John Greason. It wont be easy to match the magic for the Eckfords from a season ago, but as far as they have come in just two seasons says a lot about manager Shamar Tate and his grip on the game.

11-05-2022, 01:41 PM	#44
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,075 Blog Entries: 2	1874 AL Preview The Chronicle March 1874 Version 4.2 American league Preview 1. Boston Red Stockings Last year: 28-32 (5th) Manager: Harry Wright After seriously contemplating calling it quits, Harry Wright was talked back into the manager position for the upcoming season but faces a backlash of criticism that his baseball ways are well outdated. Al Spalding continues to baffle as many would say he has the best talent of any pitcher, but still has a losing record for his career (43-46). George Wright has moved from short to second base and rookie John Peters from down south in New Orleans tries to ignite the club. Eighteen year old Jim Britt will also be expected to mature along with another top prospect, Martin Mullin who will likely win the outfield job. Boston has the least amount of expectations of any season going into 1874. 2. Hartford Dark Blues Last year: 35-26 (Lost World Series) Manager: Bob Ferguson Good memories and tidings as the Resolutes from Elizabeth who won the pennant now move yet again, this time to Hartford. Andy Leonard is the new star of the roster as the Irish Men hit .327 with 44 RBI to couple with Levi Meyerle who batted .363 and isnt slowing down at 24. Manager Ferguseon still pitches when he feels fit but it is George Zettlein who is back coming off a 2.44 ERA and a great partnership with Bill Stearns. The city of Hartford is very fortunate to welcome this winning club to their local Ball Grounds for what they hope is a pennant winning season. 3. Philadelphia Athletics Last year: 28-32 (4th) Manager: Dick McBride Trying to solve why the champion Athletics fell off so badly last season is one of those things in the game that isnt easy to solve. Rookie pitcher John Hatfield will add some real life to the pitching staff but Dick McBride will continue to use himself for most of the work. Henry Kessler and Jim Tipper join a lineup anchored by Dick Higham who had a down season last year hitting just .297 and center fielder George Hall who still can do it all. Hall hit .363 with 14 doubles and his usual good defensive work. Most expect Philly to rebound this season, no drastic moves were made in hopes that 1873 was just an aberration. 4. Washington Blue Legs Last year: 30-30 (3rd) Manager: Nick Young At 19 years old Frank McCarton has made a name for himself hitting .345 with 58 runs scored last season. The Blue Leg offense has always been among the best with Ross Barnes still dominating pitchers and Deacon White hitting ropes almost every time up. The talent level of this team is much too good for them to be at .500 but the lack of pitching depth has been the issue with once again Bobby Mathews being the only real option for manager Nick Young. Mathews lead the league with 37 starts and 337 innings pitched and has thrown over 1000 innings in three seasons. Finding the magic of 1871 will not be easy, especially if manager Young hasn't realized that the game has already evolved since then. 5. Brooklyn Eckfords Last year: 34-27 (2nd) Manager: Shamar Pate Thinking of a single moment and an error all year isn't going to do anyone any good going into a new season. Warren White had to endure it all for his error that cost the pennant, and that is why many feel a position change to catcher has taken place for him. Still Brooklyn did have a great season, Oscar Bielaski has come into his own as a talent driving in 50 runs last season while Jack Burdock and Tom Barlow make a good infield combination. Frank Buttery had a 2.45 ERA last year and was much better then he was as a rookie not to mention the strong innings the team has had from John Greason. It wont be easy to match the magic for the Eckfords from a season ago, but as far as they have come in just two seasons says a lot about manager Shamar Tate and his grip on the game.