The Baseball Chronicle
November 1881
Edition 10.9
End Of An Era
Wright Is Out In Boston
As expected by many, the biggest name in the history of the game as an innovator and force in the formation of the league has been let go by the Boston Red Caps. Boston suffered an embarrassing season and the worst in their history finishing in last place at 39-57 bringing great ire by he fan base.
It was Wright however who was a three time manager of the year. Beyond that, Wright lead the club to three pennants including a 1875 championship that still brings back evidence that that club may have been the best there was. Even beyond this, Wright lead Boston before even the league was created and was an influential force in gathering the best talent in the nation to legitimize the league when it was formed in 1871.
Wright at first was a player also with his star brother George Wright and such legendary names like Albert Spalding and Ezra Sutton. He won 488 games with Boston and the team even with their past season still holds a .551 winning percentage.
"There are no hard feelings, "said Wright upon his exit, "the lads deserve better and a change had to be made. Thank you for the memories Boston."
At only 46 years old there is great speculation that a new club will savor the services of Wright as their manager including the two new formed expansion teams. Still the man has not decided if he wants to go on managing again or if his long tenure in the game has been enough. In any case the game and especially Boston are obligated to Wright and deserve to show him the respect and dignity he deserves upon his exit.
MVP Decision Sparks Debate
Closest Race On Record Snubs Chicago Star
In the first of its kind, a real debate on who the best player in the National League was this past season has erupted around the league. The MVP award has been fairly clear cut throughout the history of the National League and the voting press has never really been tasked with a tough decision. This season two stars emerge as worthy candidates and as the rules state and the vote showed, it was close to impossible to choose a winner.
Cap Anson of Chicago has come a long way to once again be considered what is likely the best pure hitter in the game. Anson finished the year batting an even .400 to lead the league with 167 hits and 40 doubles. He also lead the league in RBI with 87 and no one was better in the telling stat of WAR where he finished at 5.7. Many saw Anson's season as one of the best since the Ross Barnes/Deacon White days a few years ago.
In Troy of course is the prowess of Gat Stires and his ability to overpower his opponent. Stires hit 17 home runs this year, second of all time for a season, and he still leads the alltime home run total with 65. Stires slugged .648 with a league leading 1.061 OPS scoring 95 runs and finishing with a 4.7 WAR. Stires has been a star in the league for a while and many felt compelled that finally the Troy masher should be recognized with an MVP award.
The most telling factor in the end of course had to be the team performance factor. Chicago did have another winning season but it was Troy who finished ahead of them and of course went on to win the World Series. A winning side has alot to do with a winning vote it would appear.
Stires received 9 first place votes in the end to 6 for Anson. It was the type of debate that only garners more interest in the game and that many have passionate loyalty to. No one in the future will take their MVP vote for granted, that is for sure. Also no one can argue that both men are outstanding gentlemen and likely both deserve the award that only one can win.
Here were the final voting results:
Major League Shuffle, Baseball Adds Two Clubs
Boston To NL And Three New Cities Emerge
It was rumored all season with the continued great success of the league. Both the American and the National league worked together with endless negotiation to realign the league and expand the scope of its teams.
First the Boston Red Caps were moved from the American League over to the National, all this coming days after the departure of their manager Harry Wright. The move was anticipated as the league wanted Boston to enjoy strong league rivalries with both Chicago and New York.
Another existing club, the Philadelphia Centennials were finished with sharing the city with others and found a golden opportunity out West. The Centennials will move to Pittsburgh and be renamed the Allehenys for the great river that runs through the city. The anticipation for the move could not be greater as Pittsburgh has long been lobbying for a club and now their long awaited dream per say has come true.
Finally two brand new clubs join the American League in two cities that the league has been to before. The Baltimore Orioles have returned as the great baseball city will represent itself well. Louisville Kentucky is also back as their new side, "the Eclipse" will take the field expanding the national pull of the game.
To accommodate the new teams and fill their rosters, the league will hold an expansion draft next month as eah current club can only protect 12 players each. It will be fascinating to watch the new rosters form themselves before opening day dawns.