OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - 1871 re-imagined

RMc · 05-06-2025, 04:12 PM

Relegated from NA to AA: Elizabeth, Worcester and Brooklyn Eckfords

Promoted from AA to NA: Altoona, NY Giants and Toledo

Relegated from AA to UA: Jersey City, Buffalo and Philly Centennials

Promoted from UA to AA: Detroit Wolverines, Paterson and Wilmington

...at least, that was the way it was supposed to be. The Keokuk Westerns were apparently under the impression that, despite the club's fourth-place finish, their American Cup victory would automatically punch their ticket to the top-tier National Association in 1890. Baseball's brain trust, not wanting yet another bout of promotion and relegation drama, firmly turned Keokuk down -- especially since they were not exactly thrilled about the idea of adding a town of 14,000 to their ranks in the first place. The club promptly ordered a change of venue: from the ballfield to the courtroom -- and even got the Iowa Supreme Court to agree with them.

A young lawyer from Nebraska, William Jennings Bryan, argued the case in front of the federal Supreme Court. "The National Baseball Agreement clearly states that 'the top three teams shall advance to the National Association the following season'. Justices, the Western club proved their supremacy by winning the Cup! How could not be among 'the top three'?" Chief Justice Melville Fuller was unmoved, however, and the Court split, 5-4, against forcing the NA to admit Keokuk.

Once again, a new rule would be needed: from now on, the top two from the American and Union Associations would be promoted, and if the Cup winner was not among the top three, they would take on the third-place team for the other promotion spot in a winner-takes-all playoff. The ruling was too late for Keokuk, but the Western club remained defiant: "Just wait 'til next year...!"

05-06-2025, 04:12 PM	#125
RMc All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,687	Moving up, moving down in 1890 Relegated from NA to AA: Elizabeth, Worcester and Brooklyn Eckfords Promoted from AA to NA: Altoona, NY Giants and Toledo Relegated from AA to UA: Jersey City, Buffalo and Philly Centennials Promoted from UA to AA: Detroit Wolverines, Paterson and Wilmington ...at least, that was the way it was supposed to be. The Keokuk Westerns were apparently under the impression that, despite the club's fourth-place finish, their American Cup victory would automatically punch their ticket to the top-tier National Association in 1890. Baseball's brain trust, not wanting yet another bout of promotion and relegation drama, firmly turned Keokuk down -- especially since they were not exactly thrilled about the idea of adding a town of 14,000 to their ranks in the first place. The club promptly ordered a change of venue: from the ballfield to the courtroom -- and even got the Iowa Supreme Court to agree with them. A young lawyer from Nebraska, William Jennings Bryan, argued the case in front of the federal Supreme Court. "The National Baseball Agreement clearly states that 'the top three teams shall advance to the National Association the following season'. Justices, the Western club proved their supremacy by winning the Cup! How could not be among 'the top three'?" Chief Justice Melville Fuller was unmoved, however, and the Court split, 5-4, against forcing the NA to admit Keokuk. Once again, a new rule would be needed: from now on, the top two from the American and Union Associations would be promoted, and if the Cup winner was not among the top three, they would take on the third-place team for the other promotion spot in a winner-takes-all playoff. The ruling was too late for Keokuk, but the Western club remained defiant: "Just wait 'til next year...!" __________________ "We're all behind our baseball team..."