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Nick Soulis · 11-05-2022, 03:55 PM

The Chronicle
March 1874
Version 4.3

National League Preview

1. Chicago White Stockings
Last year: 43-17 (Won World Series)
Manager: Charlie Pabor
Finally back home in Chicago, the White Stockings bring a championship with them and still one of the best rosters in all of baseball. Al Pratt has now won 50 games over his career having a special year last year going 23-4 with a 2.63 ERA. Cap Anson continues to be great but has stepped aise a bit for great talents like Ed Pinkham and Paul Hines. Pinkham had 18 triples and hit .313 while the young Hines lead the league with 114 hits and a .367 average. It will be an emotional scene on opening day at the new 23rd Street Grounds, but Chicago can be genuinely excited about this group.

2. Brooklyn Atlantics
Last year: 27-33 (3rd)
Manager: Bill Lennon
A down year for Brooklyn indeed who couldnt find the magic of their previous pennant winning season. One issue has been the aging of ace pitcher Cherokee Fisher who has now been replaced by George Bechtel who had modrate success with a 4.06 ERA. Davy Force did lead the league on offense with a .411 OBP but at the same time Irish native Jimmy Hallinanhit only .191 last season and despite playing in 153 games in 3 years, it may be time to replace him. Steve Brady is a top prospect at 22 years old that manager Bill Lennon is hoping he can count on. Brooklyn has some work to do as the Eckfords gained some fan share in the neighborhood after their big 1873 season.

3. New York Mutuals
Last year: 39-21 (2nd)
Manager: Joe Lemmens
New York remains an excellent team with the second best record in either league but were stuck behind Chicago. Cal McVey is as good as it gets at the catcher position with a .823 OPS and 103 hits. Dave Eggler lead the league in doubles and won the batting title at .386 while taking home the MVP award. Candy Cummings has finally lived up to his expectations with a 21-11 record and a 2.79 ERA proving that curve balls work. Ed Stratton had 4 'saves' out of relief. Bill Boyd also put together a very impressive rookie season at third base. So can the big city bring glory back to New York? Chicago is the biggest and likely only real advesary.

4. Baltimore Canaries
Last year: 24-36 (4th)
Manager: Scott Hastings
When will the Canaries actually start to win? Baltimore hasnt seen much improvement over their three years and doubts remain about their potential. Steve King is already 31 years old and is slowing down but Jim O'Rourke is the future of the team as he hit .356 last year with 16 SB. More is expected out of Chick Fulmer who hit only .264 last while catcher Elmer Smith hasnt improved nearly as much as thought. The star of the draft is Orator Schafer out of Philadelphia who scouts say has all the tools to be a star. Hugh Campbell will try and have better luck after 17 losses on the mound last season. It is all about the future for the Canaries, but the transition may not be as smooth as the fan base would like.

4. Philadelphia Whites
Last year: 22-38 (5th)
Manager: Lip Pike
The scene has become almost a nightmare for the new Philadelphia team that only won 22 games last season. Manager Lip Pike had a bounce back year including leading the league in steals with 23 but the rest of the lineup struggled including Jimmy Wood who started showing his age going from 2.9 WAR to 0.3. Cy Bentley has done his best to stay positive but his 25 losses and lack of support may have gotten to his head, In any event, rookie pitcher from Ireland named Tommy Bond at only 18 years old has many taking notice. Bond may be a difference maker for a team that needs one desperately. A local kid, Mike McGeary has proved quite a find for the club as he is becoming a star at short and definitively the most popular player in the lineup.

Washington Nationals
Last year: 21-39 (6th)
Manager: Angelo Wynn
The top pick in the country was 19 year old Dan Collins from St. Louis. Collins was the most sought after pitcher, even more so then Tommy Bond, and now has the task of trying to turn this Nationals club around. He will learn under Asa Brainard who lost 26 games last season with a 3.78 ERA. The lineup is still very much the worst in the game with maybe Jack Remsen hit .345 and should get better and short stop Pony Sager hit .306 with soft hands to make him an asset. Finally there is some hype to come out and see Collins pitch, and excitement has been something severely lacking for anyone rooting for these boys.

11-05-2022, 03:55 PM	#45
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,075 Blog Entries: 2	The Chronicle March 1874 Version 4.3 National League Preview 1. Chicago White Stockings Last year: 43-17 (Won World Series) Manager: Charlie Pabor Finally back home in Chicago, the White Stockings bring a championship with them and still one of the best rosters in all of baseball. Al Pratt has now won 50 games over his career having a special year last year going 23-4 with a 2.63 ERA. Cap Anson continues to be great but has stepped aise a bit for great talents like Ed Pinkham and Paul Hines. Pinkham had 18 triples and hit .313 while the young Hines lead the league with 114 hits and a .367 average. It will be an emotional scene on opening day at the new 23rd Street Grounds, but Chicago can be genuinely excited about this group. 2. Brooklyn Atlantics Last year: 27-33 (3rd) Manager: Bill Lennon A down year for Brooklyn indeed who couldnt find the magic of their previous pennant winning season. One issue has been the aging of ace pitcher Cherokee Fisher who has now been replaced by George Bechtel who had modrate success with a 4.06 ERA. Davy Force did lead the league on offense with a .411 OBP but at the same time Irish native Jimmy Hallinanhit only .191 last season and despite playing in 153 games in 3 years, it may be time to replace him. Steve Brady is a top prospect at 22 years old that manager Bill Lennon is hoping he can count on. Brooklyn has some work to do as the Eckfords gained some fan share in the neighborhood after their big 1873 season. 3. New York Mutuals Last year: 39-21 (2nd) Manager: Joe Lemmens New York remains an excellent team with the second best record in either league but were stuck behind Chicago. Cal McVey is as good as it gets at the catcher position with a .823 OPS and 103 hits. Dave Eggler lead the league in doubles and won the batting title at .386 while taking home the MVP award. Candy Cummings has finally lived up to his expectations with a 21-11 record and a 2.79 ERA proving that curve balls work. Ed Stratton had 4 'saves' out of relief. Bill Boyd also put together a very impressive rookie season at third base. So can the big city bring glory back to New York? Chicago is the biggest and likely only real advesary. 4. Baltimore Canaries Last year: 24-36 (4th) Manager: Scott Hastings When will the Canaries actually start to win? Baltimore hasnt seen much improvement over their three years and doubts remain about their potential. Steve King is already 31 years old and is slowing down but Jim O'Rourke is the future of the team as he hit .356 last year with 16 SB. More is expected out of Chick Fulmer who hit only .264 last while catcher Elmer Smith hasnt improved nearly as much as thought. The star of the draft is Orator Schafer out of Philadelphia who scouts say has all the tools to be a star. Hugh Campbell will try and have better luck after 17 losses on the mound last season. It is all about the future for the Canaries, but the transition may not be as smooth as the fan base would like. 4. Philadelphia Whites Last year: 22-38 (5th) Manager: Lip Pike The scene has become almost a nightmare for the new Philadelphia team that only won 22 games last season. Manager Lip Pike had a bounce back year including leading the league in steals with 23 but the rest of the lineup struggled including Jimmy Wood who started showing his age going from 2.9 WAR to 0.3. Cy Bentley has done his best to stay positive but his 25 losses and lack of support may have gotten to his head, In any event, rookie pitcher from Ireland named Tommy Bond at only 18 years old has many taking notice. Bond may be a difference maker for a team that needs one desperately. A local kid, Mike McGeary has proved quite a find for the club as he is becoming a star at short and definitively the most popular player in the lineup. Washington Nationals Last year: 21-39 (6th) Manager: Angelo Wynn The top pick in the country was 19 year old Dan Collins from St. Louis. Collins was the most sought after pitcher, even more so then Tommy Bond, and now has the task of trying to turn this Nationals club around. He will learn under Asa Brainard who lost 26 games last season with a 3.78 ERA. The lineup is still very much the worst in the game with maybe Jack Remsen hit .345 and should get better and short stop Pony Sager hit .306 with soft hands to make him an asset. Finally there is some hype to come out and see Collins pitch, and excitement has been something severely lacking for anyone rooting for these boys. Last edited by Nick Soulis; 11-05-2022 at 04:02 PM.