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Nick Soulis · 04-12-2024, 10:10 PM

This Month In Baseball
Special Edition

1880 National League Preview

Chicago White Stockings
1879 Record: 58-38 (2nd)
Manager: Nick Young
Predicted Finish: 4th

In a stunning move the Chicago club which has the best winning percentage in league history, did not bring back their long time manager Charlie Pabor but hired Nick Young who also has quite a resume. Pabor will stay on as a player and the roster is still full of talent especially with Cap Anson back to 100% health. The pitching however has some age to it as Al Pratt comes back for another season at 32 years old and more responsibility will be placed on Tom Healey to throw more then the 84 innings he threw last season.

Buffalo Bisons
1879 Record: 32-64 (7th)
Manager: Tim Krikorian
Predicted Finish: 6th

New hope in Buffalo as the top pick and exciting talent of Fred Dunlap come to the fold. Dunlap will bat leadoff and herald the team in hopes he is an immediate star. New manager Tim Krikorian has much work to do but his player friendly approach may help. Fred Corey will try and become the ace of the team but with the likes of old Cherokee Fisher on the roster the pitching staff is very thin. George Gore should have a nice season and the Bisons expect to be more relevant and win at least over 40 games in the new campaign. How good will Dunlap be?

New York Mutuals
1879 Record: 49-47 (4th)
Manager: Joe Lemmens
Predicted Record: 2nd

The Mutuals look to break free from the mire of mediocracy and can hope to do so with the maturity of some of their young talent. Curry Foley will be asked to take his turn leading the staff in a role that has been hard to fill. Twenty year old Mickey Welch is a real glimmer of hope and can also swing the bat as a to way player, he is known for his constant smile. Ned Williamson is hoping to take a big step in his 3rd MLB season but some say the lights of New York are a distraction. Cal McVey comes back for another season as the most decorated player in franchise history and he is still only 30 years of age.

Cincinnati Reds
1879 Record: 65-31 (1st)
Manager: Jon Riker
Predicted Finish: 3rd

The Reds came so close to winning it all last season and will surely be in the mix again this season with their excellent array of arms in George Bradley and Will White. World Series hero Blondie Purcell however is expected to hit only and forego his pitching talent; the decision is said to be mutual. The NL MVP Jim O'Rourke should make a good run for another award as he is 29 years old and looking as good as ever. Tom Burns is the young new addition at 3rd base who has great speed and will bat leadoff. Finally, yes, Steve King is back as the starting left fielder at 37 years old and no one is expecting him to slow down.

Troy Trojans
1879 Record: 55-41 (3rd)
Manager: Lip Pike
Predicted Finish: 1st

Even after all these years the Troy lineup can still produce runs in bunches and make pitchers suffer. Gat Stires lead the league in slugging percentage and is the all-time leader in home runs while Jim Snyder had a 3 WAR last year and Jimmy Wood remains a capable veteran. Roger Connor is the new name that didnt get much time last year as a rookie but is expected to showcase his skills this year. Jim Devlin and Cy Bentley can almost match the arms of Cincinnati and Devlin won 20 games last year and is one of the most underated and consistent names in the league. Lip Pike is the perfect leader for this side and many think they are the most likely to lift the pennant.

Philadelphia Centennials
1879 Record: 37-59 (5th)
Manager: Jeremiah Harris
Predicted Record: 50-46

Can this team finally break through and have a winning season? The new hope is rookie starter Tim Keefe who at 23 years of age has some of the best poise and command of anyone. Emil Gross is an up and coming catcher who hit .361 while short stop Pony Sager is a fan favorite and great teammate. George Knight is likely the best reliever in the league and is actually used and effective in high leverage situations. Pud Galvin may have 119 losses in his career but is still just 23 years old. Jeremiah Harris is a first year manager and will have a chance to possibly lead the Centen's to the best season in franchise history.

Providence Grays
1879 Record: 34-62 (6th)
Manager: Alex Segura
Predicted Record: 32-64

Little to no hope remain in Providence but they are looking for modest improvement this season. Young star Dan Brouthers has given up his pursuit as a pitcher and has proven very adept with the bat. Harry Stovey and Fred Cone make for a decent outfield duo but nothing really get excited about. In his second season Pete McManus will get his chance to lead the rotation and the 20 year old may be green but has the skill. Bobby Mitchell who was the star arm of 1878 had quite a slide last season going from winning 30 games to losing 25, many are calling him a one year wonder, he will get a chance again this year. The Grays again likely will be fodder for a very strong division of teams.

04-12-2024, 10:10 PM	#127
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,361	This Month In Baseball Special Edition 1880 National League Preview Chicago White Stockings 1879 Record: 58-38 (2nd) Manager: Nick Young Predicted Finish: 4th In a stunning move the Chicago club which has the best winning percentage in league history, did not bring back their long time manager Charlie Pabor but hired Nick Young who also has quite a resume. Pabor will stay on as a player and the roster is still full of talent especially with Cap Anson back to 100% health. The pitching however has some age to it as Al Pratt comes back for another season at 32 years old and more responsibility will be placed on Tom Healey to throw more then the 84 innings he threw last season. Buffalo Bisons 1879 Record: 32-64 (7th) Manager: Tim Krikorian Predicted Finish: 6th New hope in Buffalo as the top pick and exciting talent of Fred Dunlap come to the fold. Dunlap will bat leadoff and herald the team in hopes he is an immediate star. New manager Tim Krikorian has much work to do but his player friendly approach may help. Fred Corey will try and become the ace of the team but with the likes of old Cherokee Fisher on the roster the pitching staff is very thin. George Gore should have a nice season and the Bisons expect to be more relevant and win at least over 40 games in the new campaign. How good will Dunlap be? New York Mutuals 1879 Record: 49-47 (4th) Manager: Joe Lemmens Predicted Record: 2nd The Mutuals look to break free from the mire of mediocracy and can hope to do so with the maturity of some of their young talent. Curry Foley will be asked to take his turn leading the staff in a role that has been hard to fill. Twenty year old Mickey Welch is a real glimmer of hope and can also swing the bat as a to way player, he is known for his constant smile. Ned Williamson is hoping to take a big step in his 3rd MLB season but some say the lights of New York are a distraction. Cal McVey comes back for another season as the most decorated player in franchise history and he is still only 30 years of age. Cincinnati Reds 1879 Record: 65-31 (1st) Manager: Jon Riker Predicted Finish: 3rd The Reds came so close to winning it all last season and will surely be in the mix again this season with their excellent array of arms in George Bradley and Will White. World Series hero Blondie Purcell however is expected to hit only and forego his pitching talent; the decision is said to be mutual. The NL MVP Jim O'Rourke should make a good run for another award as he is 29 years old and looking as good as ever. Tom Burns is the young new addition at 3rd base who has great speed and will bat leadoff. Finally, yes, Steve King is back as the starting left fielder at 37 years old and no one is expecting him to slow down. Troy Trojans 1879 Record: 55-41 (3rd) Manager: Lip Pike Predicted Finish: 1st Even after all these years the Troy lineup can still produce runs in bunches and make pitchers suffer. Gat Stires lead the league in slugging percentage and is the all-time leader in home runs while Jim Snyder had a 3 WAR last year and Jimmy Wood remains a capable veteran. Roger Connor is the new name that didnt get much time last year as a rookie but is expected to showcase his skills this year. Jim Devlin and Cy Bentley can almost match the arms of Cincinnati and Devlin won 20 games last year and is one of the most underated and consistent names in the league. Lip Pike is the perfect leader for this side and many think they are the most likely to lift the pennant. Philadelphia Centennials 1879 Record: 37-59 (5th) Manager: Jeremiah Harris Predicted Record: 50-46 Can this team finally break through and have a winning season? The new hope is rookie starter Tim Keefe who at 23 years of age has some of the best poise and command of anyone. Emil Gross is an up and coming catcher who hit .361 while short stop Pony Sager is a fan favorite and great teammate. George Knight is likely the best reliever in the league and is actually used and effective in high leverage situations. Pud Galvin may have 119 losses in his career but is still just 23 years old. Jeremiah Harris is a first year manager and will have a chance to possibly lead the Centen's to the best season in franchise history. Providence Grays 1879 Record: 34-62 (6th) Manager: Alex Segura Predicted Record: 32-64 Little to no hope remain in Providence but they are looking for modest improvement this season. Young star Dan Brouthers has given up his pursuit as a pitcher and has proven very adept with the bat. Harry Stovey and Fred Cone make for a decent outfield duo but nothing really get excited about. In his second season Pete McManus will get his chance to lead the rotation and the 20 year old may be green but has the skill. Bobby Mitchell who was the star arm of 1878 had quite a slide last season going from winning 30 games to losing 25, many are calling him a one year wonder, he will get a chance again this year. The Grays again likely will be fodder for a very strong division of teams.