OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward

FuzzyRussianHat · 01-18-2026, 07:25 PM

One month into the 1885 season, the New York Yankees have Major League Baseball’s best record at 15-9 atop the American League East Division. Boston is behind them at 13-11 with Philadelphia at 12-12. Chicago and Kansas City are tied in the AL West at 13-11 with both Detroit and Minnesota at 12-12.

The #1 overall pick from the rookie draft, Denny Lyons, is already making a huge impact for Milwaukee. The 19-year old third baseman was AL Batter of the Month with a .453 average, 7 home runs, 26 RBI, 15 runs, and 20 stolen bases. Unsurprisingly, he was also Rookie of the Month. New York’s Dale Williams was named Pitcher of the Month, going 5-0 over 45 innings with a 2.20 ERA and 31 strikeouts.

The Boston Braves lead the National Least East at 14-10 while Pittsburgh, New York, and Philadelphia are 12-12. Indianapolis and Louisville are tied at 14-10 in the NL West with both New Orleans and St. Louis at 12-12. The biggest surprise is Buffalo, last year’s NL East champ. At 9-15, the Bisons are the only team below ten wins through April.

New York’s Dan Brouthers added another NL Batter of the Month award to his trophy case. The 26-year old 1B had a .506 average, 42 hits, 6 homers, 27 RBI, and 22 runs in April. Brooklyn’s Mickey Welch earned Pitcher of the Month with a 1.65 ERA over 49 innings, 6-0 record, and 30 strikeouts. #2 pick CF Mike Tiernan of Boston was Rookie of the Month with a .356 average, 8 homers, 23 RBI, and 24 runs.

MLB’s first-ever no-hitter was thrown on April 15 by Minnesota’s Toad Ramsey. Facing Cleveland, the 20-year old rookie gave up only four walks and struck out 10 over 98 pitches. Ramsey also on April 25 struck out 16 over 13 innings against Philadelphia, tying the single-game strikeout record. Also notable on April 7 was the second-ever six-hit game, courtesy of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Roger Connor against Louisville. St. Louis Browns 2B Fred Dunlap also notably hit for the cycle against Philadelphia on April 23.

In bad news for Detroit, pitcher Charlie Hodnet is out for the season with a torn flexor tendon. The 24-year old righty had a 3.34 ERA over 196.2 innings last year for the Tigers and is rated as a 50 overall.

01-18-2026, 07:25 PM	#16
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,204	1885 April One month into the 1885 season, the New York Yankees have Major League Baseball’s best record at 15-9 atop the American League East Division. Boston is behind them at 13-11 with Philadelphia at 12-12. Chicago and Kansas City are tied in the AL West at 13-11 with both Detroit and Minnesota at 12-12. The #1 overall pick from the rookie draft, Denny Lyons, is already making a huge impact for Milwaukee. The 19-year old third baseman was AL Batter of the Month with a .453 average, 7 home runs, 26 RBI, 15 runs, and 20 stolen bases. Unsurprisingly, he was also Rookie of the Month. New York’s Dale Williams was named Pitcher of the Month, going 5-0 over 45 innings with a 2.20 ERA and 31 strikeouts. The Boston Braves lead the National Least East at 14-10 while Pittsburgh, New York, and Philadelphia are 12-12. Indianapolis and Louisville are tied at 14-10 in the NL West with both New Orleans and St. Louis at 12-12. The biggest surprise is Buffalo, last year’s NL East champ. At 9-15, the Bisons are the only team below ten wins through April. New York’s Dan Brouthers added another NL Batter of the Month award to his trophy case. The 26-year old 1B had a .506 average, 42 hits, 6 homers, 27 RBI, and 22 runs in April. Brooklyn’s Mickey Welch earned Pitcher of the Month with a 1.65 ERA over 49 innings, 6-0 record, and 30 strikeouts. #2 pick CF Mike Tiernan of Boston was Rookie of the Month with a .356 average, 8 homers, 23 RBI, and 24 runs. MLB’s first-ever no-hitter was thrown on April 15 by Minnesota’s Toad Ramsey. Facing Cleveland, the 20-year old rookie gave up only four walks and struck out 10 over 98 pitches. Ramsey also on April 25 struck out 16 over 13 innings against Philadelphia, tying the single-game strikeout record. Also notable on April 7 was the second-ever six-hit game, courtesy of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Roger Connor against Louisville. St. Louis Browns 2B Fred Dunlap also notably hit for the cycle against Philadelphia on April 23. In bad news for Detroit, pitcher Charlie Hodnet is out for the season with a torn flexor tendon. The 24-year old righty had a 3.34 ERA over 196.2 innings last year for the Tigers and is rated as a 50 overall. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)