The Boston Pilgrims have felt very much like the Tri Mountain club's little brother since their formation in 1884, even "winning" the Wooden Spoon for finishing dead last in the UA in 1888. But things turned around when they won the Union pennant just two years later. In 1891, the Pilgrims grabbed the last spot in the American Cup playoffs, thanks to Duke Farrell's .332 average, eleven homers and 98 RBI, leading the team in all three categories.
In the Cup playoffs, Boston swept aside Toronto in two straight, sealing the deal with a six-run ninth to take Game 2, 12-7. Third-place Elizabeth took two from the second-seed Eckfords in two straight, and needed a win over Boston to clinch the third promotion spot; however, the Pilgrims had other ideas, taking out the Resolutes in four games, clinched with back-to-back 3-2 wins in the final two games.
After Toronto won the United Cup in 1890, the club from
la belle province decided to get in on the fun in 1891. The Montreal Royals finished in a first-place tie with Dayton in the UA, but the Vets were awarded top seed in the Cup playoffs based on their 4-2 record against Montreal. In the playoffs, the Royals took out Lowell in three games, then swept aside the Reading Actives in three straight.
