This Month In Baseball
December 1879
Edition 9.9
The 1879 Amateur Draft
Number One Pick
Fred Dunlap - 2B - Buffalo Bisons
Straight out of Philadelphia the most heralded pick this year was that of 20 year old Fred Dunlap. It is the first time in many years that the top pick goes to a position player and Buffalo who lost 64 games last season needs all the help they can get. It is quite difficult to find a weakness in the second baseman's game and some are already claiming he is among the best fielders in the league. It is talent like this that is making this draft one of the better ones scouts say we have seen yet.
Champions Move Again
Worcester The New Home Of The Ruby Legs
In a stunning move the champion Syracuse Stars have left New York and gone to Massachusetts to continue their legacy of winning baseball. Although the league frowned upon the move, there was little they could do to stop the move as teams are looking for more revenue and bigger ballparks putting loyal fans on the back burner.
There were some red flags and internal complaints that the city of Syracuse did not embrace their team as expected. Attendance to games did pick up as the team won throughout the season but there was not the normal celebrations after the championship. This appears to be a college town and may not be the best setting for a team with such stars and legends.
Worcester on the other hand threw a parade for their new men and a new wooden stadium at the Agricultural County Fair Grounds will be a perfect place it would appear to settle in.