The Baseball Chronicle
August 1883
Edition 12.4
Gotham Glory
New York Captures 1883 Pennant Without King Kelly
The baseball world expected Philadelphia. What it got was New York.
The New York Gothams, long overshadowed and even threatened in their own city, have stunned the league by capturing the 1883 pennant. Overcoming the heavily favored Philadelphia Quakers and doing so without their injured star King Kelly, the Gothams turned the season into a triumph that has made their city proud once again.
With a final record of 65–47, New York edged out Philadelphia by just two games to clinch their third pennant in franchise history — and their first since 1874. The victory carries even more weight this season, as the rival New York Metropolitans had just moved into the city last offseason. If there was any doubt about which club truly belonged to New York, the Gothams answered it emphatically.
At the center of the Gothams’ success stood the venerable Cal McVey, the old legend whose steady bat and leadoff presence (.299 average, 40 stolen bases) set the tone for the lineup. Alongside him, John McMullin drove in 69 runs and paced the club with 5 home runs, while Pop Smith and Bill Craver provided needed support in the heart of the order.
But the true engine of the Gothams’ run came from the mound. Tony Mullane was nothing short of dominant, winning 26 games and posting a sparkling 2.04 ERA, backed by 162 strikeouts in 325 innings. His brilliance anchored a staff that included Bert Dorr and Charlie Buffinton, both providing crucial victories as the pennant race tightened down the stretch.
The resilience of this team is what will be remembered most. Playing without Kelly — their injured right fielder and most dynamic personality — the Gothams dug deep and delivered a season that reminded the city why they remain New York’s team.
Now, the challenge grows even larger. Waiting in the World Series are the defending champion St. Louis Browns, a powerhouse club once again favored to repeat. Yet if 1883 has proven anything, it is that these Gothams thrive when counted out.
New York is back on top of the baseball world, and for the first time in nearly a decade, Gotham baseball matters again.
St. Louis Prepares For Excellence
Browns and Gothams Set for 1883 World Series Showdown
The stage is set. In one corner stand the New York Gothams, the surprise champions of the East, overcoming the favored Philadelphia Quakers and doing so without their injured star King Kelly. In the other, the St. Louis Browns, defending champions and widely regarded as the greatest ballclub ever assembled.
This best-of-seven promises to be a collision of grit and greatness.
The St. Louis Browns arrive with an unprecedented 80–32 record, setting a new league standard for dominance. Their roster is loaded with both power and precision. Offensively, they led the league in nearly every category: first in runs scored (671), home runs (26), and stolen bases (263), while hitting a collective .266 as a team. Behind the plate and in the field, their defense and base running added further dimensions to an already suffocating machine.
The anchor of this powerhouse is none other than John Ward, already hailed as one of the greats of his generation. Ward won 30 games, posted a sterling 2.11 ERA, and added 145 strikeouts in 336 innings. He is supported by a formidable rotation — Harry Salisbury (28 wins, 2.38 ERA, 148 strikeouts) and Fred Goldsmith (15 wins, 2.71 ERA). Together, this trio makes scoring on the Browns an exercise in futility.
At the plate, John Ward is just as dangerous, leading the team with 8 home runs while driving in 60 runs. Sluggers like Buck Ewing (62 RBI, 6 homers) and Al Thake (61 RBI, .302 average) add balance to a relentless lineup. In short, St. Louis does everything — and does it better than anyone else.
Standing in their way are the resilient New York Gothams, pennant winners for the first time since 1874. Finishing at 65–47, they leaned on the savvy of veteran Cal McVey, the run production of John McMullin (69 RBI), and the brilliance of Tony Mullane, who delivered 26 victories with a 2.04 ERA.
The Gotham faithful have already celebrated one triumph this season — proving that despite the arrival of the rival Metropolitans, New York still belongs to the Gothams. Their run has brought pride back to the city, and now they will try to shock the baseball world once again.
On paper, the Browns appear untouchable. They are deeper, faster, and more explosive than New York in nearly every measurable way. The Gothams’ path to victory rests on Mullane’s ability to duel with Ward and Salisbury on even terms, while McVey and McMullin must spark an offense that can withstand the Browns’ relentless pitching.
The Browns, meanwhile, enter as overwhelming favorites. Anything short of a second consecutive championship will be considered a disappointment.
For St. Louis, this is about dynasty and validation — proving that their 1882 crown was no fluke. For New York, it is about belief — proving that heart, resilience, and tradition can topple even the most imposing of giants.
The 1883 World Series is more than a battle for a trophy. It is a contest between the best team ever assembled and a Gotham squad that has already rewritten expectations. If New York can shock the Browns, it would go down as one of the greatest upsets in baseball history.
Game 1 cannot come soon enough.