[Nick Soulis]

1875 Team Previews

National League

1. Mutuals of New York
Last Year: 38-22 (Won World Series)
Manager: Joe Lemmens
Reaching the top of the mountain and upsetting Boston in the World Series is the stuff of legend as the Mutuals look for another successful season. Cal McVey made headlines as he will try and become a fulltime pitcher after being the best hitter in 1874. Bill Craver took home the MVP with a .346 average with 15 steals while Dave Eggler remains a star in center with a 2.9 WAR last season. New York has the stuff and now ace Candy Cummings has to make room for McVey who makes one of the more intriging moves in baseball history.

2. Chicago White Stockings
Last Season: 30-30 (2nd)
Manager: Charlie Pabor
The White Stockngs biggest change in a down season was to pick up discarded ace Bill Stearns to help head up their pitching staff for the longer season. Paul Hines and Cap Anson are still an excellent duo in the lineup with Ed Pinkman providing his steady muscle for four home runs. Chicago is expected to be much better this season and challenge for the pennant that they took home two seasons ago.

3. Philadelphia Whites
Last Season: 30-30 (2nd)
Manager: Lip Pike
The Whites got a big year from power outfielder Gat Stires who belted six home runs and had the league talking. Still Jimmy Wood and Lip Pike will have to do more to get the offense up to speed with Jim Devlin and Bill Harbridge two new names in the order. Cy Bentley has to still make the next step to be considered one of the best pitchers in the game; he is capable.

4. New Haven Elms
Last Season: 24-36 (6th)
Manager: John Riker
The first team in league history to make a managerial change as John Rike takes over a team that will not only look much different on the field, but also leave Baltimore for New Haven. Orator Schafer and Jim O'Rourke will try and bring life to the lineup while Jim Clinton and young George Bradley will try and turnaround the pitching. Hugh Campbell is also still there but his commitment to winning has been questioned. A large baseball void has been create in Baltimore.

5. Brooklyn Atlantics
Record: 28-32 (4th)
Manager: Bill Lennon
Brooklyn have definitely fallen under hard times but did win the off field battle as the Eckfords have left town and the Atlantics have the market to themselves again. George Bechtel had 14 wins and 23 complete games last season with 28 strikeouts, he did not have the support he needed however. Young Charley Jones and Pop Snyder join the team to get the offense going as hopes remain that Fred Treacey and Davy Force can find their old strokes again. Lennon is on the hot seat for sure.

6. Philadelphia Centennials
Last Season: 26-34 (4th)
Manager: Angelo Wynn
Philadelphia welcomes its third club as owners just cant resist the market the old city has for the game. All the hype behind Dan Collins was hushed a bit but the young arm still had a fine season leading in WAR with 6. Still a new sensation has joined the team in 17 year old Pud Galvin who is said to be the young arm seen in years. Pony Sager is proving to be a nice talent with 88 hits last year but overall the offense was among the worst in the league. Hope does spring eternal whenever a team moves to a new home.

7. St. Louis Red Stockings
Expansion Team
Manager: Chris Davis
Baseball comes to St. Louis is a big way as two teams will make their debut there in 1875. Frank Fleet will get his big chance to be an ace starting pitcher in this league while Harry Schafer and Charlie Gould are two familiar names that were picked up in the expansion draft. Chris Davis is the man in charge and the hope being talent like young pitcher Fred Goldsmith will make for a fast start for these Reds.