This Month In Baseball
June 1874
Edition 4.6
The Monstrous Swing Of Stires
Fans Flock To Philly To See Slugger
To see a baseball fly over 400 feet is something that most people have never witnessed before. Tales of such hitting skill have been spread for years along with fast pitches and great catches. Now that a professional league of baseball exists and the best talent in the game tours the country, many more can enjoy and authenticate such feats.
In Philadelphia, word has spread about the powerful swing of New Jersey Native Gat Stires, Starting his career in Troy a few years ago, the right fielder may have been just too raw to succeed. Since the team has up and moved to Philly and turned into the Whites, Stires has become a star. The 23 year old in 1874 has upped his batting average to .320 and continues to be a leader in triples with 33 in his career. Even more so however Stires has hit four home runs in 24 games this season making his career mark 9. The four long shots that he has hit have gone a long long way and fans are making the trip to see him swing in hopes that they will see one of those majestic blasts.
Stires has even put on exhibitions for fans on off days or before actual games and there is no doubt few have seen a mere man hit a baseball that far. Stires likes the attention he has been getting and the team front office loves the ticket sales, but the club as a whole assures that the most important thing for all of them is chasing the pennant and winning games.
The Whites are currently in third place, only 2.5 games out of first place and everything to play for.
A New Star In Boston
Rookie Second Baseman Dubbed As Savior
Harry Wright finally looks like the baseball genius everyone though that he was when the league started three years ago. Wright of course has suffered through some thin years amid the big expectations of Boston baseball but 1874 thus far looks like a different script. Much of the success has to do with a 24 year old second base talent that has brought fire to the club.
Wright found John Peters in New Orleans Louisiana of all places working on the dock of the Mississippi River. The rookie was playing i dependent ball there and was found and signed for 94 dollars this offseason. Peters has paid that all back and then some in the opening three months. He is leading the club in most offensive categories hitting .369 with 22 RBI, seven doubles, and two home runs. He even has a higher OPS then George Wright at .874. Peters is only 5 foot seven but is build stocky and muscular and a strong baserunner. Teammates love him for his positive energy and encouragement, something a team down on its confidence and luck really needed.
"I love the kid" says manager Wright, "He has brought a win and never give up fight that the team has identified with."
Boston of course is off to their best start ever going 18-8 and leading the American League by three games.