This Month In Baseball
May 1877
Edition 7.3
Pitching Is Back!
Early Returns From 1877 Season Show Offense Down
The numbers that the 1876 season created doe hitters was surely a joy for the casual spectators to watch but concern throughout the game that offense and batting was too easy was a prevalent topic in the recent offseason.
In closed door meetings the league adopted a few new rules to allow hitters to get back on track with the most significant being that a batter would be charged with a strike on a foul ball. Defenses also improved with better positioning that included the second baseman playing more of the bag and in the hole.
The numbers do not lie and hitting is down to a .260 clip miles away from where it ended last season at .332. Pitching ERA's have fallen to 2.50 in comparison to over 4 last season. No doubt also adding to the cause of the pitcher has been an influx of new talent to the league and pitchers that throw harder and have more movement on their balls. The old original regime lead by the likes of Al Splading seem to be taking back seat. Spalding himself now works exclusively as a reliever.
The best of the new batch surely seems to be Laurie Reis of Keokuk who has already pitched an amazing three shutouts on the short season. Terry Larkin of Philadelphia and Joe Blong of Hartford are also among other young arms that seem to be turning the tide.
Even Ross Barnes is hitting a modest .308 over the first two full months of the season.
For the Love Of The Game
King of Cincinnati Defeating Father Time
Most adults at the age of 35 have long left games behind them and have settled down with children and a more relaxed life. In a game that sees mostly kids under the age of 25 dominate the headlines, there is an exception to all of this still roaming the outfield in Cincinnati.
Steve King has never missed a ballgame in his career playing in 426 straight. he lead the National league with a .451 batting average last season including being first in OBP at .459. He has already scored 375 yards in his career along with 135 doubles, 43 of them which came last season. He more then holds his own on the field with the young folk and his experience in the outfield often sees him get to the ball sooner then others due to his great anticipation off the bat.
The Cincinnati club has seen an incredible resurgence in both following and play on the field. This season they lead the league with a 16-6 record and hope they can fight through the pennant race all season long. King has a central role as a mentor and a positive influence to his teammates and is someone that everyone appreciates, including manager Jon Riker.
When questions and talk come about to King about slowing down, he has not intention to consider the option.
"What is happening here in Cincinnati is something special. This is the center of the baseball world there really are no better fans then what we have." King says with a smile, "I would have to be crazy to walk away from this."
The Reds of course could not agree more, and would be crazy to take the field without him.