It was a cold, rainy day in New York when the train from Chicago arrived at Grand Central Station. The basic structure of the station, which he had visited for the first time many years prior, remained the same. However, layers of smoke and soot from the endless parade of locomotives had stripped the place…
Troy Bujak and Martin Pitsch reviewed their opening day options in the manager’s office. Unfortunately, the offseason wasn’t as pleasant as the Brewers’ leadership hoped, but the roster would still be strong enough to compete for the division title. A knock on the door interrupted the deep conversation. Pitsch and Bujak looked up, and the…
Below is an excerpt from the 1907 OSA Eastern League Guide. Brooklyn Whales – LBL No significant changes have occurred to the major league roster with the off-season focused on talentacquisition for the farm system. The plan appears to be to continue to feature strong infield defensebehind the gloves of Tinker Taylor, Clovis Juby and…
Libby Hill is buzzing with activity above Richmond this week, as all rostered players reported to the ballpark in preparation for the upcoming homestand opener against Providence. After a disappointing 1906 run, the Red Rebels of Richmond saw a flurry of moves and signings this offseason aimed at improving offensive production and defense up the…
It was the late afternoon of September 8, 1906. The Philadelphia Brewers lost the eighth game of the Legacy Cup to the Twin City Empire, who finally won it all in their fifth attempt within six years. Although the game was long over and the stands were empty, some players sat down near the first…
October 11th, 1906Manhattan, New York Baseball’s progressive faction under Commissioner Jacob Parker scored an undisputed political victory. Making good on his 1904 campaign promises, Parker convinced the General Managers of the Legacy Baseball League to support a significant increase in the league arbitration ballplayer salaries. With the threat of an organized strike hanging over the…
October 4th, 1906Manhattan, NY Just ahead of the 1906-7 LBL Meetings in Manhattan, Union President Thomas W. Hershey sent a letter to the Sporting Times detailing the increased membership of the LBL Players Union, including many popular stars across the league. Hershey included his “formal warning” to all LBL General Managers that anything but a…
For the first time in thirteen seasons, Robbie Salmon will not suit up for a Liberty Division ballclub. A man whose talents graced both the New York Bakers and Richmond Rifles since 1895, Salmon is one of the great LBL outfielders of the early era. He leads LBL Center Fielders in all-time RBIs and Hits,…
Camp Columbia, CubaSeptember 12th, 1906 Nate Kirby lifted the heavy bat from his shoulder and squinted, winnowing the well-worn column of ashwood and taunting the dark-skinned pitcher to send the baseball right down the middle of the pillow-buckle base. “Alright, you black son-of-a-bitch, throw that curve again.” The abandoned field was situated on the edge…
RECORD: 62-58 (.516)PLACE: 2nd Summary A down year for the Men in Maroon, the Rifles wandered through a frustrating spring and early summer behind a weak arsenal of bats and the devastating injury of rookie sensation Scud “Sweetheart” Scranton. Richmond managed the best ERA in the Eastern League, but allowed the third-most hits due to…