1887 DMB World Series-Game #5

 

 

Bob Caruthers vs Pete Conway 10/14/1887, @ Washington Park

 

CARUTHERS DECLAWS WOLVERINES IN EASY BROWNS VICTORY

After getting hammered for 7 runs in only 2+ innings in yesterday’s ball game Bob Caruthers showed the undersized crowd at Washington Park why he is one of the best players in the game today. He allowed only 4 hits, all singles while shutting out the high flying Wolverines by a score of 10-0. Caruthers’ 2 run triple in the 2nd highlighted a 4 run outburst by the Browns. Charlie Comiskey added a 2 run triple in the 5th off starter Pete Conway.

All runs scored on Conway were unearned as the porous Wolverine defense committed 7 errors. Surprisingly none while playing 1st base by the much maligned Charlie Ganzel. Keeping with tradition, a group of disgruntled Wolverine fans grabbed Ganzel before he could leave the field, and tossed him into centerfield. Ganzel laid there like a slug……..it was his only defense!!

The traveling World Series road show will head across town to play at the Polo Grounds tomorrow for the 6th game in 6 days. The players were certainly not coddled by ownership in the 19th century!!!!

10/14/1887, STB87-Det87, Washington Park
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
1887 Browns            0  4  0  0  3  0  1  2  0    10 11  4     8  1
1887 Wolverines        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     0  4  7     8  1

Browns               AB  R  H BI   AVG    Wolverines           AB  R  H BI   AVG
Latham            3b  5  0  0  1  .148    Twitchell         rf  4  0  2  0  .550
Gleason           ss  5  1  2  0  .269    Rowe              ss  4  0  0  0  .318
Welch             cf  5  1  1  0  .348    Richardson        lf  4  0  1  0  .292
O’Neill           lf  5  2  1  2  .296    Thompson          cf  3  0  0  0  .368
Comiskey          1b  5  1  2  3  .440    White             3b  4  0  0  0  .300
Foutz             rf  4  1  2  1  .450    Dunlap            2b  4  0  1  0  .316
Robinson          2b  5  1  1  0  .300    Bennett           c   4  0  0  0  .286
Boyle             c   5  1  0  0  .143    Ganzel            1b  4  0  0  0  .111
Caruthers         p   4  2  2  2  .357    Conway            p   2  0  0  0  .143
                     43 10 11  9                               33  0  4  0

Browns                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Caruthers        W 2-2           9.0  4  0  0  1  0  94  62  5.34
                                 9.0  4  0  0  1  0  94  62

Wolverines                       INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Conway           L 0-2           9.0 11 10  0  2  4 152  98  2.65
                                 9.0 11 10  0  2  4 152  98

E-Gleason, O’Neill, Comiskey, Robinson, Rowe, White 3, Dunlap 2, Bennett.
2B-Robinson. 3B-Comiskey, Caruthers. SB-Foutz(3). K-Robinson 2, Boyle,
Caruthers. BB-Foutz, Caruthers, Thompson. HBP-Conway. HB-Caruthers.
Temperature: 54, Sky: partly cloudy, Wind: in from right at 15 MPH.

1887 DMB World Series-Game #4

 

 

Silver King vs. Lady Baldwin 10/13/1887, @ Recreation Park

 An actual scorecard from the 1887 World Series

WOLVERINES WIN EXTRA INNING HIGH SCORING EXTRAVAGANZA

The statisticians are still totaling up all the numbers but it looks like 37 runs, 37 hits, 18 errors and 12 stolen bases all add up to a 19-18 Wolverine victory in 10 innings.

Starters Silver King and Lady Baldwin made their 1st appearances in the series and they both brought their “A” games. Meaning Ahhhhhh……..can anybody get any outs here!!!! The Browns built a 12-5 lead after 6 innings against a completely ineffective Baldwin. Dave Foutz tripled in the first  run of the game in the 2nd, starting a string of 5 straight innings where the Browns would score at least one run against Baldwin. Tip O’Neill would steal home in the 3rd, 4 Browns’ runs would score after 2 outs in the 5th. Highlighted by a triple from Yank Robinson and Wolverine errors at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. 3 more runs in the 6th were aided by our old friend Charlie Ganzel at catcher. He threw a ball into centerfield on a Curt Welch steal, and showing off his versatility threw a ball into leftfield on a Tip O’Neill steal of 3rd.

The 12-5 lead was not enough however due to a 7 run Wolverine outburst in the 7th.  6 singles, 2 by relief pitcher Larry Twitchell, and 3 Browns’ errors allowed the Wolverines to tie the score at 12.

In the 8th the Browns scored 4 times on just 1 hit, a double by Curt Welch, but 2 walks and another throwing error by Ganzel allowed the Browns to take the 4 run lead.

With an overused Bob Caruthers on the mound the Wolverines tied the score at 16. Deacon White doubled in 2 runs, and Fred Dunlop doubled in another against Caruthers.

Surprisingly neither teams scored in the 9th setting up a wild 10th. Bill Gleason singled to open the inning, and scored on a Tip O’Neill single. O’Neill would score on a sac fly making the score 18-16.

With one out an exhausted Caruthers walked Ned Hanlon on 4 pitches, and was unable to reach a slow groundball off the bat of Charlie Ganzel. Another walk loaded the bases. Larry Twitchell reached on an infield single to drive in a run, and Jack Rowe would walk to force in the tying run.

The Wolverines tried to win the game on a suicide squeeze, but Hardy Richardson missed the bunt attempt, and Charlie Bennett was tagged out easily while trying to score. On the next pitch Hardy Richardson grounded weakly to 1st, setting up what looked like another inning, but the usually sure-handed Charlie Comiskey booted the easy grounder, allowing Larry Twitchell to score the winning run.

An elated Charley Ganzel threw himself into centerfield. His teammates ignored him.

 

10/13/1887, STB87-Det87, Recreation Park
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10     R  H  E   LOB DP
1887 Browns            0  2  2  1  4  3  0  4  0  2    18 16  6    13  1
1887 Wolverines        0  1  3  0  1  0  7  4  0  3    19 21 12     9  1

Browns               AB  R  H BI   AVG    Wolverines           AB  R  H BI   AVG
Latham            3b  7  0  0  0  .182    Twitchell         rf  7  1  4  1  .563
Gleason           ss  7  3  3  0  .238    Rowe              ss  6  3  3  3  .389
Welch             cf  4  2  2  1  .389    Richardson        lf  6  3  2  2  .300
O’Neill           lf  7  4  3  2  .318    Thompson          1b  5  3  3  1  .438
Comiskey          1b  7  2  4  1  .450    White             3b  5  2  3  4  .375
Foutz             rf  5  3  2  3  .438    Dunlap            2b  6  2  1  2  .333
Robinson          2b  5  2  2  3  .333    Hanlon            cf  5  2  1  2  .176
Boyle             c   5  1  0  1  .222    Ganzel            c   6  2  2  0  .143
King              p   4  0  0  1  .000    Baldwin           p   3  1  1  0  .333
Caruthers        ph  0  1  0  0  .300     Bennett          rf  2  0  1  1  .400
                     51 18 16 12                               51 19 21 16

Browns                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
King                             7.0 14 12  7  2  2 128  82  9.00
Caruthers        L 1-2           2.2  7  7  6  3  0  71  33  7.78
                                 9.2 21 19 13  5  2 199 115

Wolverines                       INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Baldwin                          6.0 10 12  9  4  0 134  80 11.57
Twitchell        W 1-0           4.0  6  6  1  4  0  94  55  2.25
                                10.0 16 18 10  8  0 228 135
STB: Caruthers batted for King in the 8th
     Caruthers moved to p in the 8th
Det: Twitchell moved to p in the 7th
     Bennett inserted at rf in the 7th

E-Latham 2, Comiskey, Robinson 2, Boyle, Twitchell, Rowe 2, Richardson,
Thompson 4, Dunlap, Ganzel 3. 2B-Welch, Comiskey, Rowe 2, White, Dunlap,
Baldwin. 3B-Foutz, Robinson. SB-Welch 2(3), O’Neill 2(2), Comiskey 3(7),
Foutz(2), Robinson 2(2), Boyle(1), Hanlon(1). CS-Twitchell, Bennett.
K-Twitchell, Ganzel. BB-Welch 2, Foutz, Robinson 2, Boyle, Caruthers 2, Rowe,
Thompson, White, Hanlon, Bennett. SH-Welch. SF-Foutz. HBP-Richardson.
HB-Caruthers.

 

1887 DMB World Series Game #3

 

Bob Caruthers vs. Charlie Getzien 10/12/1887, @, Recreation Park

 

 

 

WOLVERINES CLAW THEIR WAY BACK FOR A VICTORY

Bob Caruthers was cruising along with a 3 hitter and a 6-1 lead heading into the 6th when the Wolverines finally came to life.

A Tip O’Neill Home Run and a Yank Robinson double plated 3 runs for the Browns in the 5th that seemingly put this game away, but a Bill Gleason error at shortstop put 2 runners on with 1 out. in the 6th. Hardy Richardson singled and Deacon White lined a 2 out 2 strike single to left to drive in 2 more that got the Wolverines within 2 runs.

Single runs in the 7th and 8th once again put the Browns back on top by 4 runs.

In the bottom of the 8th pinch hitter Charlie Bennett singled to open up the inning. Larry Twitchell singled and shortstop Jack Rowe jacked a fastball into the rightfield stands for a 3 run HR pulling the Wolverines to within one run. A rattled Caruthers hit Sam Thompson, and then Deacon White split the outfielders for a game tying triple. White would score the go ahead run on a Fred Dunlop single.

The Browns came to bat in the 9th trailing by a run against the unfortunately named  reliever Lady Baldwin. In an unlady like move he walked the leadoff hitter Doc Bushong. After a Caruthers’ flyout, Bushong broke for 2nd on a steal attempt. Catcher Charlie Bennett feeling a little peckish, did his Charlie Ganzel impersonation and threw the ball into centerfield, allowing Bushong to scamper to 3rd. With the tying run at 3rd and only 1 out, Baldwin struck out the tough Arlie Latham, and then coaxed a soft line drive off the bat of Bill Gleason for the final out.

The elated Wolverine players grabbed catcher Charlie Ganzel and again threw him into centerfield.

10/12/1887, STB87-Det87, Recreation Park
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
1887 Browns            0  2  0  1  3  0  1  1  0     8 13  1    12  1
1887 Wolverines        1  0  0  0  0  3  0  5  x     9 10  6     2  1

Browns               AB  R  H BI   AVG    Wolverines           AB  R  H BI   AVG
Latham            3b  5  0  1  1  .267    Twitchell         rf  4  3  2  0  .556
Gleason           ss  6  0  1  0  .143    Rowe              ss  4  2  1  4  .333
Welch             cf  5  1  1  0  .357    Richardson        lf  4  1  1  1  .286
O’Neill           lf  5  2  2  1  .267    Thompson          1b  3  1  1  0  .364
Comiskey          1b  5  2  3  1  .385    White             3b  4  1  2  3  .273
Foutz             rf  3  1  1  1  .455    Dunlap            2b  4  0  2  1  .444
Robinson          2b  4  1  2  2  .300    Hanlon            cf  4  0  0  0  .167
Bushong           c   3  1  2  1  .667    Ganzel            c   4  0  0  0  .000
Caruthers         p   4  0  0  0  .300     Baldwin          p   0  0  0  0  .000
                     40  8 13  7          Getzien           p   1  0  0  0  .200
                                           Bennett          ph  1  1  1  0  .375
                                                               33  9 10  9

Browns                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Caruthers        L 1-1           8.0 10  9  6  1  1 104  63  5.82
                                 8.0 10  9  6  1  1 104  63

Wolverines                       INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Getzien          W 1-1           8.0 13  8  5  4  4 155  96  4.32
Baldwin          S 1             1.0  0  0  0  1  1  14   8  0.00
                                 9.0 13  8  5  5  5 169 104
Det: Bennett batted for Getzien in the 8th
     Bennett moved to c in the 9th

E-Gleason, Thompson 3, Ganzel, Getzien, Bennett. 2B-Robinson 2. 3B-Twitchell,
White. HR-O’Neill(1), Rowe(1). SB-Welch(1), Comiskey 2(4), Bushong(1),
Dunlap(1). CS-Caruthers. K-Latham 3, Foutz, Bushong, Getzien. BB-Latham,
Foutz, Robinson, Bushong, Caruthers, Getzien. SH-Foutz. SF-Bushong.
HBP-Thompson. PB-Bushong. HB-Caruthers.
GWRBI: Dunlap
Temperature: 66, Sky: clear, Wind: right to left at 9 MPH.

1887 DMB World Series-Game #2

 

 

Pete Conway vs. Dave Foutz 10/11/1887, @,Sportsmans Park I

 

BROWNS WIN ON WELCH BOMB

With 2 outs in the 8th, and trailing by a run, the Browns’ Curt Welch crushed a 1st pitch fastball deep into the leftfield seats  for a 3 run home run giving the Browns a game #2 9-7 victory.

The Browns had built a 5-1 lead heading into the 7th inning when Dave Foutz started to struggle with the strike zone. Jack Rowe walked to load the bases, and Dan Brouthers walked to drive in the 1st run of the inning. Two singles and a sac fly would tie the score at 5.

Bob Caruthers singled in a run in the bottom of the 7th to give the Browns a short lived lead. Dave Foutz continued to struggle in the 8th, giving up 3 singles and a walk to tie the score. Sam Thompson would walk with the bases loaded to put the Wolverines up by a run.

Curt Welch’s HR in the bottom of the 8th would seal the deal for the Browns.

Despite 6 steal attempts, not one ball was thrown into centerfield. After the game, the Wolverines would hoist game 1 catcher Charlie Ganzel on to their shoulders, and throw him once again into centerfield.

10/11/1887, Det87-STB87, Sportsmans Park I
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
1887 Wolverines        1  0  0  0  0  0  4  2  0     7  9  4    11  0
1887 Browns            0  1  3  0  1  0  1  3  x     9 11  5     7  1

Wolverines           AB  R  H BI   AVG    Browns               AB  R  H BI   AVG
Rowe              ss  3  2  1  0  .375    Latham            3b  5  1  1  0  .300
Richardson        lf  5  0  1  0  .300    Gleason           ss  4  2  1  0  .125
Brouthers         1b  4  1  0  1  .000    Welch             cf  5  2  3  3  .444
Thompson          rf  3  0  1  2  .375    O’Neill           lf  5  1  0  1  .200
White             3b  4  0  1  2  .143    Comiskey          1b  3  1  0  0  .250
Dunlap            2b  5  0  2  1  .400    Caruthers         rf  4  1  2  2  .500
Hanlon            cf  5  1  1  0  .250    Robinson          2b  3  1  1  1  .167
Bennett           c   4  1  1  0  .286    Bushong           c   3  0  2  0  .667
Conway            p   5  2  1  1  .200    Foutz             p   4  0  1  1  .500
                     38  7  9  7                               36  9 11  8

Wolverines                       INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Conway           L 0-1           8.0 11  9  5  1  3 132  84  5.63
                                 8.0 11  9  5  1  3 132  84
Browns                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Foutz            W 1-0           9.0  9  7  4  6  4 160  91  4.00
                                 9.0  9  7  4  6  4 160  91

E-Brouthers, White 2, Dunlap, Latham, Welch, Robinson 3. 2B-Gleason, Welch.
HR-Welch(1), Caruthers(1). SB-Rowe 2(3), Comiskey(2). CS-Thompson, Caruthers,
Foutz. K-Richardson 3, Bennett, Latham, Gleason, O’Neill. BB-Rowe 2,
Brouthers, Thompson 2, Bennett, Bushong. SH-Comiskey. SF-White. HBP-Gleason,
Robinson. HB-Conway 2.
GWRBI: Welch
Temperature: 74, Sky: partly cloudy, Wind: left to right at 16 MPH.

1887 DMB World Series-Game #1

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie Getzien vs. Bob Caruthers 10/10/1887, @, Sportsmans Park I

GANZEL THROWS AWAY A WOLVERINE VICTORY

Wolverine catcher Charlie Ganzel made 5 throwing errors, throwing 4 balls into centerfield on steal attempts, and misfiring on an Arlie Latham bunt, allowing 5 unearned runs to score and handing a game 1 victory to the Browns.

The Browns scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings, compliments of throwing errors by Mr. Ganzel.

A Hardy Richardson home run in the 4th tied the score, and a 2 out single by starting pitcher Getzien made the score 5-2 in favor of the Wolverines.

In the home 4th, Dave Foutz led off the inning with a long home run, but further damage was avoided when Yank Robinson was thrown out trying to steal home.

Trailing 6-3 in the 7th the Browns loaded the bases with nobody out after the ever ready Ganzel threw away an Arlie Latham bunt. A double play limited the damage to 2 runs, making the score 6-5 Wolverines.

The Browns tied the score in the 8th. Charlie Comiskey singled, stole 2nd and continued to 3rd on the 4th throwing error by the sure-handed Ganzel. A Dave Foutz single scored Comiskey for the tie.

The Wolverines took the lead in their half of the 9th when Jack Rowe reached 1st after Charlie Comiskey booted a groundball at 1st. Rowe broke for 2nd, and Browns catcher Jack Boyle joined the Charlie Ganzel Travelling Ball Show, by throwing the ball into center to allow Rowe to reach 3rd with 1 out. Sam Thompson grounded a clutch 2 strike, 2 out single into right to put the Wolverines up 7-6.

In the Browns’ 9th Arlie Latham was on 1st with 1 out. Latham was dancing off 1st considering a stolen base. Catcher Charlie Ganzel was considering early retirement. Latham broke for 2nd, Ganzel calmly reared back and fired the ball into centerfield for his 5th throwing error, putting Latham on 3rd with the tying run. With the infield in Billy Gleason grounded out to 1st, Latham surprisingly, stayed at 3rd. With 2 outs Curt Welch walked and Tip O’Neill singled in Latham to tie the score. Charlie Comiskey ended the game with a bloop single to center to score Welch.

 

As Charlie Ganzel walked off the field his Wolverine teammates picked him up and threw him into centerfield.

10/10/1887, Det87-STB87, Sportsmans Park I 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
1887 Wolverines        0  0  1  4  1  0  0  0  1     7 12  7     7  2
1887 Browns            1  1  0  1  0  0  2  1  2     8 13  3     7  1

Wolverines           AB  R  H BI   AVG    Browns               AB  R  H BI   AVG
Twitchell         rf  5  1  3  0  .600    Latham            3b  5  2  2  0  .400
Rowe              ss  5  1  2  1  .400    Gleason           ss  4  0  0  1  .000
Richardson        2b  5  2  2  1  .400    Welch             cf  4  1  1  1  .250
Thompson          lf  5  0  2  2  .400    O’Neill           lf  5  0  2  1  .400
White             3b  3  1  0  0  .000    Comiskey          1b  5  1  2  1  .400
Bennett           1b  3  1  1  0  .333    Foutz             rf  4  2  3  2  .750
Hanlon            cf  3  1  1  1  .333    Robinson          2b  3  0  0  0  .000
Ganzel            c   4  0  0  0  .000    Boyle             c   4  1  2  1  .500
Getzien           p   4  0  1  2  .250    Caruthers         p   2  1  1  0  .500
                     37  7 12  7                               36  8 13  7

Wolverines                       INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Getzien          L 0-1           8.2 13  8  3  4  2 129  78  3.12
                                 8.2 13  8  3  4  2 129  78
Browns                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Caruthers        W 1-0           9.0 12  7  5  3  2 148  95  5.00
                                 9.0 12  7  5  3  2 148  95

E-Thompson, Bennett, Ganzel 5, Comiskey, Foutz, Boyle. 2B-Hanlon.
3B-Richardson, O’Neill. HR-Richardson(1), Foutz(1). SB-Rowe(1), Latham 2(2),
Comiskey(1), Foutz(1). CS-Hanlon, Comiskey, Robinson. K-Getzien 2,
Robinson 2. BB-White, Bennett, Hanlon, Welch, Robinson, Caruthers 2.
SF-Gleason. HBP-White. PB-Boyle. HB-Caruthers.
GWRBI: Comiskey
Temperature: 65, Sky: clear, Wind: left to right at 15 MPH.

1887 DMB World Series-St Louis Browns

 

 

 

 

Blogger’s Note:  When posting a team picture it is my intention to supply the correct name with the appropriate ball player. Sometimes the photograph has the players listed, but for the 19th Century teams this is usually not the case. Matching the face with the name is virtually impossible. Every 19th Century ball player has a mustache, a bad haircut, and is cross eyed.  So I can’t vouch that I’m 100% accurate in my summations. Nobody smiles either, and there’s always 1 guy that’s not looking at the camera, and are Curt Welch and Silver King wearing tuxedos? Where are they going all gussied up?

The St Louis Browns win their 3rd straight American Association championship, winning 70 % of their games and besting the Cincinnati Reds by 14 games. The Browns won 30 of their first 35 games. They scored an amazing 1131 runs, an average of 8.19 runs per game. Tip O’Neill had one of the greatest seasons that any ball player has ever put together. Winning the triple crown and leading the league in 6 other offensive categories, including runs, triples, and doubles. Bob Caruthers batted .357 and went 29-9 on the mound. Arlie Latham scored 163 runs and stole 129 bases, and managed to finish 2nd in both categories. The team stole 581 bases to lead the league, but virtually every team stole over 450 bases. Charlie Comiskey  stole 117 bases…..”The Old Roman” stole 117 bases? Hard to believe this guy was a runner?

The Brown’s had 3- 20 game winners, Silver King(32), Bob Caruthers(29), and Dave Foutz(25).

Near the end of the season there was some animosity on the Browns between a couple of the players. Particularly between Tip O’Neill and Curt Welch and Bill Gleason. Tip O’Neill may have accidentally on purpose hit Curt Welch with a flying bat, after missing a pitch, while Welch was standing in the on deck circle.

Browns’ owner Chris Von Der Ahe promised his players only a $100 for playing in the 15 game post season series. The turmoil between the players, and the disdain for the stingy Von Der Ahe led to some pretty shoddy play by the Browns and they were trounced 10 game to 5. Disgusted by his team’s lackadaisical effort Von Der Ahe decided not to pay the players any money for playing those 15 games. Charlie Comiskey had to convince him it wouldn’t be wise to deny the players their money and he begrudgingly complied. Interestingly, one month later there was a fire at Sportsman’s Park that damaged the player’s club house, handball court and a saloon. It was suspected that Von Der Ahe may have had a hand in it. Regardless the love affair that Von Der Ahe had for his “poys” was irrevocably broken.

Prediction: The Wolverines destroyed an unmotivated Browns team in 1887, but this Browns team will not be handicapped by emotion. Add to the fact that Dan Brouthers will appear in only 1 game for the Wolverines, and it looks like the Browns will win their 3rd straight DMB Championship.

1887 DMB World Series-Detroit Wolverines

 

 

 

 

The Wolverines make their 1st and only appearance in the DMB World Series, as they will fold as a franchise after the 1888 season. Despite putting an exciting offensive team on the field, and managing a 43-17 home record the Wolverines only drew 95,000 fans through the turnstiles, averaging only a little more than the lowly Indianapolis Hoosiers.

Manager Bill Watkins’ offensive juggernaut was led by future Hall of Famers Dan Brouthers and Sam Thompson. Thompson would lead the league in hits,(203) average,(.372) triples(23) and an astounding 166 rbis in just 127 games. That works out to over 200 rbis in today’s 162 game season. Dan Brouthers led the league in doubles(36) and runs scored (153) to go with his .338 average.

The Wolverines led the league with a .299 team average and 969 runs scored.

On the mound the Wolverines spread the innings around with 5 pitchers throwing over 100 innings. Charlie Getzien led the team with 29 wins, and the unfortunately named Lady Baldwin  was 2nd with 13 wins. The also unfortunately named Stump Wiedman also managed 13 wins despite a lofty 5.36 ERA. Larry Twitchell finished the season with an 11-1 record. Their 3.95 team ERA was only good for 4th in the 8 team NL. Charlie Getzien also gave up a league leading 24 HRs.

The Wolverines won the never ending post season series 10-5, playing against a lackluster St Louis Browns. They clinched the series winning 8of the 1st 11 games. Playing in 9 different cities the series was not well received after game 10, with the final 2 games of the series drawing a total of only 1,100 diehard fans. Sam Thompson hit .362 with 2 HRs, while Dan Brouthers appeared in only 1 game.

The Wolverines lack of quality pitching and the absence of slugger Dan Brouthers could bode well for the St Louis Browns.

DMB World Series Biography- Silver King

 

 

Charles Frederick Koenig

Born: 1/11/1868-St Louis, Mo

Died: 5/14/1938-St Louis, Mo

Charles Koenig was nicknamed Silver because of his startlingly white colored hair, and he rec’d the surname of King after sportswriters anglicized the Germanic name Koenig. 

Silver debuted with the Kansas City Cowboys in 1886 at the age of 18, pitching in 5 games and compiling a 1-3 record. When the franchise folded, he signed on to play with the St. Louis Browns. King won his 1st 7 games with the Browns on his way to a 32-12 record.

Powerfully built, with long arms, and huge hands, he was known for his speed as well as his control.. King used a side arm motion, one of the 1st pitchers to do so, and he utilized the very edge of the pitcher’s box, making the ball appear to be coming from 3rd base.

His best season came in 1888, using his “crossfire” pitching motion he compiled a 45-21 record with a 1.64 ERA in 585 IP.

As a player Silver King was always complaining about his salary, so when the Player’s league formed in 1890 he followed the money and signed with the Chicago Pirates. King won 30 games, led the League in ERA, and actually pitched a no hitter that he lost by a score of 2-1.

When the Player’s League folded he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $5,000, becoming the highest paid player in the game. King got his money, and the Pirates got a 14-29 record from the King. “Thank you….thank you very much.”(Insert Elvis voice here). The Pirates released their high priced free agent, who then signed with the NY Giants.

After 1 1/2 fairly unsuccessful seasons he was released once again in 1893 and signed on with Reds. Some of Silver King’s problems may have been the introduction of the pitching rubber, which limited his pitching angle.

Complaining about the money once again, King retired and went to work for his father as a bricklayer, where he said he could make more money.

He attempted a comeback in 1896(Maybe bricklaying wasn’t all it was stacked up to be!!!!) signing with the Washington Senators for 2 uneventful seasons. After the 97 season he retired and hit the bricks once again.

 “I threw some curves, but I never knew about such things as a spitball, fade away, shine ball and all those tricks. You simply had to be a Colossus or you couldn’t stand the gaff.”-Silver King

Pitching Record
Year Team           G  GS  CG SHO  GF  SV   IP      H   BFP  HR    R   ER   BB   SO  SH  WP HBP  BK   W   L    ERA     
1886 KC  N          5   5   5   0   0   0   39     43   188   1   35   21    9   23       8       0   1   3   4.85   
1887 STL a         46  44  43   2   2   1  390    401  1666   4  231  164  109  128       0  17      32  12   3.78   
1888 STL a         66  65  64   6   1   0  585.2  437  2294   6  205  107   76  258       0   0      45  21   1.64   
1889 STL a         56  53  47   2   2   1  458    462  1920  15  257  160  125  188      29   0      35  16   3.14   
1890 CHI P         56  56  48   4   0   0  461    420  1975   5  233  138  163  185      13  17   0  30  22   2.69   
1891 PIT N         48  44  40   3   4   1  384.1  382     0   7  243  133  144  160      22   0   0  14  29   3.11   
1892 NY  N         51  47  45   1   5   0  410.1  392     0  15  250  151  171  170      21   0   0  22  24   3.31   
1893 NY  N          7   7   4   0   0   0   49     69     0   4   58   47   26   13       5   0   0   3   4   8.63   
1893 CIN N         17  15   8   1   2   1  105    119     0   2   69   57   56   30       0   0   0   5   6   4.89   
1893 TOT N         24  22  12   1   2   1  154    188     0   6  127  104   82   43       5   0   0   8  10   6.08   
1896 WAS N         22  16  12   0   6   1  145.1  179     0   3  106   66   43   35   0   4   0   0  10   7   4.09   
1897 WAS N         23  19  12   0   4   1  154    196     0   7  118   82   45   32   0   3  11   0   6   9   4.79   
Total NL(6 Years) 173 153 126   5  21   4 1287   1380   188  39  879  557  494  463   0i 63  11i  0  61  82   3.90   
Total AA(3 Years) 168 162 154  10   5   2 1433.2 1300  5880  25  693  431  310  574      29  17     112  49   2.71   
Total PL(1 Year )  56  56  48   4   0   0  461    420  1975   5  233  138  163  185      13  17   0  30  22   2.69   
Total (10 Years)  397 371 328  19  26   6 3181.2 3100  8043  69 1805 1126  967 1222   0i105  45i  0i203 153   3.19   
Year Team           G  GS  CG SHO  GF  SV   IP      H   BFP  HR    R   ER   BB   SO  SH  WP HBP  BK   W   L    ERA     

1887 Year In Review

 

 

 

1887 saw both leagues come together to agree on a couple of rule changes. The stolen base was now an official statistic, both leagues would now have the same hit batsmen rule, no team was allowed to play with less than 9 players, and all potential players must be on the bench and in uniform to be eligible to play that game. This would eliminate the common practice of recruiting players from the stands in the event of an injury. This also had the effect of greatly reducing the number of players in the baseball encyclopedia with the 1st name “?”, such as ? Smith, and        ? O’Rourke, among dozens of such entries.

Pitchers were now required to have their rear foot on the back line of the pitcher’s box(This was before the advent of the pitching rubber) making the distance  a more consistent 55’ 6”. 4 strikes were now an out, and 5 balls were needed for a walk. For this season only a walk would be counted as a hit, giving players some otherworldly batting averages for this season. Tip O’Neill would initially be credited with an average of .485, but because this rule was in place for just one season, MLB has refigured the stats to reflect the current, and previous rule. O’Neill would still hit .435 for the season. A batter was no longer allowed to request a high or a low pitch, so the strike zone was established as being  from the shoulders to the knees.

Behind the scenes the NL was able to coax the AA Pittsburgh Alleghenys away from the AA to replace the now defunct KC Cowboys, with little or no resistance from the Association. Also out were the St Louis Maroons, they would be replaced by the Indianapolis Hoosiers. The Cleveland Blues would join the AA thus maintaining the 8 team league.

Tired of his off field activities, Al Spalding would sell his star player Mike”King” Kelly to the Boston Beaneaters for a then unheard of price of $10,000. George Gore would also be sold to the NY Giants, moves that would hinder the offensive fire power of the White Stockings, and aiding them in their descent to 3rd place in the NL.

The Detroit Wolverines would win their only NL crown by edging out the Philadelphia Phillies, finishing the season with a 16 game winning streak.

Chris Von Der Ahe’s Browns would easily win their 3rd straight AA Championship, but chinks in the St. Louis armor began showing near seasons end. Grumbling among players, and against ownership would carry over to their postseason series against the Wolverines, and into the next season as well.

Both the Wolverines and Browns agreed to a 15 game “World Series” that was easily won by the Wolverines 10-5, thanks mostly in part to the lackluster play of some of the Browns’ players.

Some noteworthy accomplishments: Tip O’Neill(Stl) would win the triple crown, as well as lead the AA in slugging, hits, runs, total bases, doubles, triples, and OB%. The only player to ever lead the league in all those categories.

Mike Griffin(Balt) became the 1st player to hit a home run in his 1st at bat. Or did George “White Wings” Tebeau(Cinc)? Both players connected on 4/16 only minutes apart.

 

Fred Chapman would pitch 5 innings for the AA Philadelphia A’s, at the tender age of 14, the youngest player in major league history. He would never pitch again in the Major Leagues.

In a game against the White Stockings, NY pitcher Bill George walks a record 16 batters. 4 weeks later George Van Haltren would walk 16 in his debut for the White Stockings, he would convert to an outfielder and play in 17 seasons.

 

 

1887 Final Standings

NL

Team Name                        G    W    L    T   PCT    GB    RS   RA
Detroit Wolverines             126   79   45    2  .637     -   962  704
Philadelphia Phillies          128   75   48    5  .610   3.5   893  701
Chicago White Stockings        127   71   50    6  .587   6.5   813  715
New York Giants                129   68   55    6  .553  10.5   815  717
Boston Beaneaters              126   61   60    5  .504  16.5   826  786
Pittsburgh Alleghenys          125   55   69    1  .444  24.0   620  752
Washington Nationals           126   46   76    4  .377  32.0   600  817
Indianapolis Hoosiers          127   37   89    1  .294  43.0   626  963

AA

Team Name                        G    W    L    T   PCT    GB    RS   RA
St. Louis Browns               138   95   40    3  .704     -  1132  760
Cincinnati Reds                136   81   54    1  .600  14.0   893  746
Baltimore Orioles              141   77   58    6  .570  18.0   975  861
Louisville Colonels            139   76   60    3  .559  19.5   955  855
Philadelphia Athletics         137   64   69    4  .481  30.0   888  896
Brooklyn Grays                 138   60   74    4  .448  34.5   906  918
New York Metropolitans         138   44   89    5  .331  50.0   754 1091
Cleveland Blues                133   39   92    2  .298  54.0   729 1105

NATIONAL LEAGUE	AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
AVG: SAM THOMPSON(DET)- .372	AVG: TIP O’NEILL(STL)- .435
HRS: BILLY O’BRIEN(WASH)- 19	HRS: TIP O’NEILL(STL)- 14
RBIS: SAM THOMPSON(DET)- 166	RBIS: TIP O’NEILL(STL)- 123
WINS: JOHN CLARKSON(CHIC)- 38	WINS: MATT KILROY(BALT)- 46
K’S: JOHN CLARKSON(CHIC)- 237	K’S: TOAD RAMSEY(LSVL)- 355
ERA: DAN CASEY(PHIL)- 2.86	ERA: ELMER SMITH(CINC)- 2.94

Union Station, Minneapolis, 1887

 

WORLD EVENTS OF 1887:

BORN:

1/19-Chick Gandil(One of the Black Sox)

2/26- Grover Cleveland Alexander

3/22- Chico Marx(The “Italian” Marx brother)

3/24- Fatty Arbuckle(Silent film star)

5/2- Eddie Collins(Also played on the 1919 White Sox)

5/28- Jim Thorpe(Olympian, football and baseball player)

7/16- Shoeless Joe Jackson(Also of the 1919 Black Sox)

11/6- Walter Johnson

11/23- Boris Karloff(The Frankenstein monster, and the narrator of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”)

DIED:

11/8- Doc Holliday

EVENTS:

2/2- 1st Groundhogs Day is celebrated in Punxsutawny, Pa

8/31- Thomas Edison patents the kinetoscope(moving pictures)

1886 DMB World Series-Game #4

 

John Clarkson vs Dave Foutz 10/21/1886, @, Sportsman’s Park

BROWNS WIN PITCHER’S DUEL FOR 2ND DMB CHAMPIONSHIP

 

                                              SPORTSMAN’S PARK

The Browns took home their 2nd straight DMB Championship edging out a weary but gutsy John Clarkson and his Chicago White Stockings by a score of 2-1.

In the 3rd inning 2nd baseman Fred Pfeffer booted 2 groundballs to allow Browns’ pitcher Dave Foutz to reach 3rd base. A Bob Caruthers ground out would score him with the 1st run of the game. In the 4th the eventual winning run would score on a Curt Welch triple and a Bill Gleason groundout.

Dave Foutz would pitch shutout ball into the 8th, but after 1 run scored on a Cap Anson single, Foutz would get Jimmy Ryan to ground out with 2 men on to end the inning.

In the 9th the 1st batter would reach on a Yank Robinson error, but Foutz would get the next 3 outs easily, ending the game by getting Clarkson to ground out.

10/21/1886, CHI86-STL86, Sportsman’s Park
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
1886 White Stockings   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  0     1  8  5     8  1
1886 Browns            0  0  1  1  0  0  0  0  x     2  6  3     8  2

White Stockings      AB  R  H BI   AVG    Browns               AB  R  H BI   AVG
Kelly             c   4  1  2  0  .412    Latham            3b  4  0  2  0  .368
Gore              cf  4  0  1  0  .385    Comiskey          1b  4  0  0  0  .316
Anson             1b  3  0  2  1  .267    Caruthers         rf  3  0  1  1  .313
Pfeffer           2b  4  0  1  0  .250    O’Neill           lf  3  0  0  0  .250
Ryan              rf  4  0  1  0  .316    Robinson          2b  4  0  0  0  .176
Williamson        ss  4  0  0  0  .200    Welch             cf  4  1  3  0  .444
Burns             3b  4  0  1  0  .056    Gleason           ss  4  0  0  1  .125
Dalrymple         lf  4  0  0  0  .176    Bushong           c   3  0  0  0  .143
Clarkson          p   4  0  0  0  .250    Foutz             p   3  1  0  0  .182
                     35  1  8  1                               32  2  6  2

White Stockings                  INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Clarkson         L 0-3           8.0  6  2  1  1  0 116  75  4.50
                                 8.0  6  2  1  1  0 116  75
Browns                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Foutz            W 2-0           9.0  8  1  1  1  2 124  76  1.50
                                 9.0  8  1  1  1  2 124  76

E-Pfeffer 3, Ryan, Williamson, Caruthers, Robinson 2. 3B-Welch. SB-Burns(1),
Latham 2(3), Foutz(1). CS-Latham. K-Pfeffer, Williamson. BB-Anson, Caruthers.
HBP-O’Neill. HB-Clarkson. WP-Foutz 2.
GWRBI: Caruthers
Temperature: 57, Sky: clear, Wind: out to left at 2 MPH.

DMB team batting — 1886 Chicago White Stockings                         

                              League championship — as of 10/21/1886                              

S Name    P    AVG   OBP   SPC    G   AB    H  2B  3B  HR    R  RBI   BB    K HBP  IW  SB  CS

  Kelly   rf  .412  .421  .647    4   17    7   2   1   0    5    1    1    2   0   0   0   0

  Gore*   cf  .385  .556  .615    4   13    5   1   1   0    3    4    5    0   0   0   0   0

McCormick sp  .333  .333  .333    1    3    1   0   0   0    1    0    0    0   0   0   0   0

  Ryan    of  .316  .316  .368    4   19    6   1   0   0    1    4    0    2   0   0   0   0

  Anson   1b  .267  .421  .267    4   15    4   0   0   0    3    2    4    1   0   0   0   0

Clarkson  sp  .250  .250  .250    3   12    3   0   0   0    1    1    0    3   0   0   0   0

  Pfeffer 2b  .250  .316  .438    4   16    4   0   0   1    3    5    2    1   0   0   0   0

Williamsn ss  .200  .333  .333    4   15    3   2   0   0    0    1    3    6   0   0   1   0

Dalrymple*lf  .176  .222  .235    4   17    3   1   0   0    1    0    1    0   0   0   0   0

  Burns   3b  .056  .056  .056    4   18    1   0   0   0    1    0    0    3   0   0   1   0

  Flint   c   .000  .000  .000    0    0    0   0   0   0    0    0    0    0   0   0   0   0

  Sunday* rf  .000  .000  .000    1    1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0    1   0   0   0   0  

   Total      .253  .323  .349    4  146   37   7   2   1   19   18   16   19   0   0   2   0

                         

                    DMB team batting — 1886 St. Louis Browns                             

                        League championship — as of 10/21/1886                              

S Name    P    AVG   OBP   SPC    G   AB    H  2B  3B  HR    R  RBI   BB    K HBP  IW  SB  CS

  Welch   cf  .444  .444  .722    4   18    8   0   1   1    3    2    0    3   0   0   0   1

  Latham  3b  .368  .400  .368    4   19    7   0   0   0    4    0    1    0   0   0   3   1

Comiskey  1b  .316  .316  .368    4   19    6   1   0   0    5    4    0    1   0   0   3   0

Caruthers*sp  .313  .353  .625    4   16    5   0   1   1    3    8    1    1   0   0   0   0

  O’Neill lf  .250  .333  .375    4   16    4   0   1   0    3    2    0    0   2   0   0   1

  Hudson  sp  .250  .250  .250    1    4    1   0   0   0    1    1    0    0   0   0   0   0

  Foutz   sp  .182  .250  .182    3   11    2   0   0   0    5    1    1    0   0   0   1   0

Robinson  2b  .176  .222  .353    4   17    3   0   0   1    2    5    1    0   0   0   0   0

  Bushong c   .143  .188  .143    4   14    2   0   0   0    2    3    1    0   0   0   0   0

  Gleason ss  .125  .176  .313    4   16    2   0   0   1    3    3    1    3   0   0   0   0

  Total       .267  .302  .393    4  150   40   1   3   4   31   29    6    8   2   0   7   3

DMB team pitching — 1886 Chicago White Stockings                         
                              League championship — as of 10/21/1886                              

S Name       P     ERA   W   L   S   G  GS  CG SHO     INN    H    R   ER   BB    K  HR   
  Clarkson   sp   4.50   0   3   0   3   3   3   0    26.0   26   18   13    1    5   3     
  McCormick  sp   7.00   0   1   0   1   1   1   0     9.0   14   13    7    5    3   1     
  Total           5.14   0   4   0   4   4   4   0    35.0   40   31   20    6    8   4   -

   DMB team pitching — 1886 St. Louis Browns                             
                       League championship — as of 10/21/1886                              

S Name         P     ERA   W   L   S   G  GS  CG SHO     INN    H    R   ER   BB    K  HR   
  Foutz        sp   1.50   2   0   0   2   2   2   0    18.0   17    5    3    5    9   0 -    
  Caruthers    sp   5.00   2   0   0   2   2   2   0    18.0   20   14   10   11   10   1     
  Total             3.25   4   0   0   4   4   4   0    36.0   37   19   13   16   19   1    

                    

SUMMARY: The White Stockings entered this series with a depleted pitching staff. With Clarkson pitching in 3 games in 4 days in 1886 as well as in this replay they really didn’t have a chance. The Browns just simply outscored them.

The MVP is a tough on. Dave Foutz won 2 games and put together a fine 1.50 ERA. But Bob Caruthers also won 2 games, despite a 5.00 ERA. He hit .313 and led all players with 8 rbis.

                                                                                                       

                                                                          MVP-Bob Caruthers: 2-0, .313, HR, 8rbis