After winning four championships in six years, and then suffering their first World Series loss in 1910, the Outlaws entered into a time of mediocrity and irrelevance. After finishing in second place in 1911, the Outlaws sunk to the bottom of the NBC for three years. They came close in 1915 and 1916, finishing in second place both times. After a losing season in 1917, the Outlaws finally made it back to the World Series in 1918. However, they fell to the powerful New York Knights in five games. They contended for the pennant in 1919 in a wide open NBC where all 8 teams were within 5 games of first place on July 1. As teams began to fall away, the Outlaws hung in there. However, they lost out to the Yellow Jackets, finishing in third place behind them and the Eagles.
The Outlaws remain tied with the Eagles and Knights for the most championships won, with four. However, all is not well with this organization. The team is for sale, and while a move out of Chicago is highly unlikely, it cannot be ruled out. The team's owner has also gone public with allegations that several of his players conspired with gamblers to lose the pennant on purpose. They did lose several key games to Philadelphia late in the season, and several high profile gamblers did win big money when the Yellow Jackets won the pennant. However, several of them lost it all when Philadelphia fell in the World Series. As for the Outlaws' participation in this whole thing, it is unlikely that anything will be proven. Ownership's comments, however, are not helping.
There are also rumors that the team is being pressured to change its name, citing a concern that America's youth should not be idolizing a mascot known as the "outlaws," which some claim would influence young people to become criminals. More than likely, a new owner will make that decision.
Below is the Outlaws' history, and baseball cards of some of their key players from this season. Ever heard of these guys?
