Here's a hint: probably not.
Jim Creighton continues to be the greatest hurler in history, with another 29 wins, while batting a surreal .459 (264 OPS+), albeit in only half a season's at-bats.
The Centennial Cup playoffs have been expanded, but the Quarterfinals remain a one-game concern. First, the Red Stockings' Bill Atwater scattered nine hits as they eliminated Athletic, 6-1. Meanwhile, the Tri Mountains played a wild one in Rockford, scoring seven times before Forest City could even come to bat. Rockford wouldn't give up, though, as Bill Boyd drove in five runs as RFC cut the lead to 11-10 after six innings. But Boston would not be denied, putting up six more runs to win the highest-scoring game in Cup history, 17-10.
Next up was the Semifinals, which is now a best-of-three, with all contests in Cincinnati. Boston started the first game out right with four runs in the first two innings, but that was all they would get as Charley Mills' two-run double in the eighth would give the Red Stockings a 5-4 win. In the second game, in front of an overflow crowd at the Palace of the Fans, Tri Mountain would again take a quick lead with a run in the top of the first. But Cincy hurler Bill Atwater bore down both on the mound at the plate, lashing a double to give the Red Stox a 2-1 lead in the second. Boston threatened in the ninth, but the Reds held on to win, 3-2, and qualify for the Cup Finals.
