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Scandal, Survival, and the Century League’s Great Reckoning: The Tumultuous Season of 1877
By any measure, 1877 was a year unlike any other in the young history of the Century League. What began with optimism and full schedules ended in chaos, controversy, and the dissolution of nearly half the circuit. If 1876 was the league’s grand coming-out party, 1877 was the hangover that followed.
At the center of the storm stood William Whitney, ever the resolute steward of his baseball brainchild. The Chicago magnate had guided the Century League through its inaugural season with firm leadership and a clear vision. But even he could not have foreseen the storm that gathered in Detroit.
The Woodwards’ Fall from Grace
The Detroit Woodwards, owned by the conservative and profit-minded Horace Sutherland, entered the season with what many considered the most balanced roster in the loop. But talent failed to translate into wins. Detroit dropped 11 of 12 games in one confounding stretch, drawing whispers that something was amiss.
The whispers became shouts when pitcher Patrick O’Hanlon and outfielder Jake Sherman confessed to intentionally throwing games for gambling interests. They implicated two teammates, backup infielder Ray Preston and outfielder Ed Peacher, the latter hitting just .188 on the season, in a scheme that scandalized the league. Sutherland swiftly suspended all four players.
Whitney, with support from club owners and league loyalists, upheld the suspensions and declared a lifetime ban on all four men. It was the first major disciplinary action in league history, and one that sent shockwaves through the baseball world. Appeals were filed, but Whitney’s word was final. “The Century League will abide no dishonor,” he declared.
The damage, however, was done. Sutherland, never one to tolerate bad investment, folded the Woodwards after the season’s end. Their absence would be keenly felt, on the field, and on the ledger.
Boston and New York Bow Out
The Boston Pilgrims fared no better on the diamond, finishing dead last once again. Owner Ezra Whitcomb, wearied by two years of futility, attempted to fold the club in July. Whitney intervened, coaxing Whitcomb to complete the season, though Boston went dark for nearly two weeks before returning to the field.
Despite Whitney’s efforts, the writing was on the wall. Boston disbanded at season’s end, joining the New York Knights, who folded not due to failure but financial misfortune. Owner Lucius Belmont, a Wall Street man more than a base ball man, saw his fortune collapse in a market downturn and chose to withdraw from the sport altogether.
That left Whitney with a league in tatters: only three clubs remained, the stalwart Chicago Chiefs, the ever-steady Philadelphia Centennials, and the scrappy Brooklyn Unions. Two of the largest cities in the country, New York and Boston, were suddenly without professional clubs.
The Fight to Survive
Whitney responded the only way he knew how: rebuild and press on. A new version of the Boston Pilgrims was quickly arranged, though none of the previous players would return. Two entirely new clubs were hastily assembled, one based in Baltimore, the other in Washington. While they provided short-term relief, neither would last.
On the field, however, there was some continuity. The Chicago Chiefs, under the dual leadership of pitcher-manager Fritz Handelman, claimed their second straight pennant, edging out the Centennials by two games. Handelman, who had started every game in ’76, scaled back his workload but still won 29 of the club’s 37 victories. Rookie Steve Robertson filled in admirably when called upon.
Offensively, second baseman Jack Lewis remained the league’s most reliable bat, hitting .317, good for second-best behind Philadelphia catcher Jack Wakeham, who captured the batting title at .320.
Legacy of a Turbulent Year
The 1877 season will be remembered not for its champions, but for its scandals, stumbles, and the stern justice meted out by William Whitney. The league's very survival was in question, and yet, survive it did.
As the sun sets on a year that tested the mettle of base ball’s young institutions, one thing is certain: the Century League, scarred though it may be, lives on, and so too does the vision of the man who built it.
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1878 Century League Season Recap
Final Standings:
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Chiefs | 38 | 23 | .623 | - |
| Philadelphia Centennials | 36 | 25 | .590 | 2.0 |
| Boston Pilgrims | 33 | 28 | .541 | 5.0 |
| Washington Doves | 31 | 31 | .500 | 7.5 |
| Cleveland Blue Caps | 24 | 39 | .381 | 15.0 |
| Baltimore Clippers | 22 | 38 | .367 | 15.5 |
The Boston Revival
The biggest headline in the Century League's third campaign came from an unlikely source: Boston. The long-suffering Pilgrims, under new owner Clement R. Hale and boasting an entirely rebuilt roster, finally found their footing. Boston surged to a 33–28 finish, good for third place and respectability at last.
Much of the credit belonged to the grizzled warhorse Sam Cooper, who at 39 years of age still baffled batters with a 2.45 ERA—when available. Paired with the steady Bill Badway (16–10, 2.54 ERA), Boston finally had a competent staff. Veteran backstop-turned-third baseman Jack Wakeham paced both the team and the entire circuit with a .325 average, proving his bat had plenty of life left.
Chicago Stays on Top
Up top, it was business as usual. William Whitney’s Chicago Chiefs once again claimed the pennant, their third in as many years, finishing two games clear of Philadelphia. With Fritz Handelman shifting focus toward his growing business ventures (though still managing the club), it was Fin Anderson who stepped into the void. Anderson delivered a masterclass season: 31 wins, 1.82 ERA, and the durability to anchor the staff from wire to wire.
Philadelphia’s Close Call
Philadelphia made it interesting behind the arm of Will Ryan, who vacated his right field post to become the club’s workhorse pitcher. Ryan tossed nearly every game for the Centennials, compiling a 36–23 mark with a 2.40 ERA. Slugger Louis Thorebourne was once again a force, hitting .305 with a league-high eight home runs.
The Rest of the Pack
Washington’s Doves hovered around .500, while Cleveland’s new Blue Caps and Baltimore’s Clippers floundered. The experiment with D.C. and Baltimore representation ended swiftly—both teams shuttered operations as soon as the final out of the season was recorded.
Looking Ahead
At the league’s winter meetings, Boston’s Hale raised the issue of player loyalty, arguing for contractual rules that would tie players to clubs. Whitney, focused on stabilizing league membership more than systematizing its labor, dismissed the idea—for now. But Hale’s call would echo through the coming months as the Century League looked to grow from a makeshift circuit into a professional institution.
The league would return in 1879 with eight clubs, including a rebuilt Boston club and four more franchises to be named. What began as a centennial celebration continued to evolve into something far more enduring.
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1879 Century League Season Recap
Final Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Blue Caps | 59 | 24 | .711 | - |
| Rochester Robins | 50 | 21 | .704 | 3.0 |
| Philadelphia Centennials | 52 | 33 | .612 | 8.0 |
| Chicago Chiefs | 40 | 39 | .506 | 17.0 |
| Wilmington White Caps | 37 | 40 | .481 | 19.0 |
| Louisville Grays | 34 | 48 | .415 | 24.5 |
| Hartford Hawks | 25 | 56 | .309 | 33.0 |
| Boston Pilgrims | 24 | 60 | .286 | 35.5 |
The End of the Chiefs’ Reign
For the first time since the league's inception, the Chicago Chiefs did not claim the Century League pennant. That honor went to the resurgent Cleveland Blue Caps, who stormed to the top with a sterling 59-24 mark. The schedule had been expanded to 84 games, and Cleveland adjusted accordingly—using a two-man pitching rotation instead of relying solely on a single ironman.
That duo—Jonas Ware (37-14, 1.67 ERA) and Douglas Glover (22-10, 2.24 ERA)—proved to be a winning formula. Ware made 32 starts in right field when not pitching, while Glover, whose bat was better left in the rack, made only two outfield starts. Veteran slugger Jim Scarborough, at age 36, provided needed firepower alongside rising star Albert Bannock.
Rochester Surprises Everyone
Just three games behind Cleveland, the upstart Rochester Robins shocked the loop with a second-place finish. Their ace, Fritz Rehling, led all pitchers with a minuscule 1.36 ERA and a 33-11 record. His battery mate, Oliver Dunn, contributed a 17-10 mark and 2.06 ERA, making Rochester one of only two teams to successfully pull off the dual-ace model.
But the breakout star was shortstop Silas Dorn, a 26-year-old Century League rookie who paced all batters with a blistering .365 average.
Rookies and Standouts
It was a banner year for fresh faces. Jem MacCannon of Louisville drew both respect and pity as he pitched every game for the Grays, finishing 33-38 with a 2.25 ERA. He also led the league in innings pitched (639.2), walks (73), and strikeouts (297)—a classic case of overworked excellence.
Jim Jones of the Wilmington White Caps dazzled with a .343 batting average and added 9 home runs—second only to Willis Creed of Philadelphia, who hit 10.
Philadelphia Holds Steady, Chicago Slips
The Philadelphia Centennials quietly held onto third place, riding the golden arm of Will Ryan, who went 36-19 with a 2.76 ERA. Centerfielder Willis Creed contributed with a .330 average and topped the league in home runs.
As for Chicago, the wheels finally came off. While they managed a winning record, just barely, at 40-39, Whitney's personal squad fell from dominance (despite another outstanding pitching effort from Fin Anderson (27-15, 1.92) and a promising newcomer in rookie centefielder Will Wessels (.311). Still, his vision for a successful eight-club circuit had come to fruition. Financial health across the league was strong—even if Hartford folded and Boston once again languished in the cellar.
Owners Meet – And Change Baseball Forever
At the league’s annual business meeting on September 29, Boston owner Clement Hale again proposed a player “reserve” system—this time, with an audience ready to listen. His plan: allow each team to reserve five players from their roster. These lists would be submitted to the League office and kept confidential. No other team could negotiate with a player on a reserve list.
Whitney, now more pragmatic than idealistic, agreed in principle. Hale argued that the system would provide job security for the reserved players and preserve the league’s financial health. With no viable competition that could match the League’s salaries, this was effectively true.
Players, however, were furious. They saw it as a prison sentence in flannel—play for your assigned team or play for peanuts on the sandlots.
New Eyes on the Prize
As the news spread, it piqued the interest of men with ambition and means. Men who saw opportunity in the Century League’s growing clout. Names like James Tice, Adolph Fuchs, and many others began to circle, eager for a piece of the pie.
The game was growing up. And the fight for control had only just begun.
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1876 Century League Recap: Whitney’s Chiefs Dominate, Chaos Erupts in Cincinnati and St. Louis
In the centennial year of the nation, America’s newest professional base ball league launched with thunderclap ambition and no shortage of drama. The Century League, founded by Chicago industrialist and former Union officer William Washington Whitney, brought together eight clubs from the country’s largest cities — and by season’s end, not all of them would still be standing.
Chicago Sets the Standard
From the outset, it was clear that Whitney’s Chicago Chiefs were a cut above. Backed by financial discipline, tactical consistency, and relentless offensive pressure, the Chiefs closed the season with a 44–21 record, topping the standings and outpacing their nearest rival by 2.5 games.
They also led the league in runs scored (462), fueled by breakout star Jack Lewis, a 26-year-old second baseman who captured the league’s batting title with a blistering .379 average. Lewis set the table and cleared it, combining precision with poise.
On the mound, Fritz Handelman epitomized the era’s ironman ethos. Starting every game for Chicago, he logged 575.2 innings, finishing with a 2.33 ERA — third-best in the league — and earned all 44 of the team’s wins. In 1876, when pitchers were expected to finish what they started and substitutions were unheard of, Handelman was still a standout: reliable, efficient, and nearly unbeatable on most days.
He wasn’t alone in his endurance. Even last-place Boston, which finished a distant 24–46, relied on Willie Cadden for a league-high 67 starts and over 535 innings. It was an age where arms were workhorses, and pitchers either bent or broke. Handelman simply refused to bend.
Tension Turns to Turmoil
If Chicago’s dominance was the top headline, the real drama came late — in the form of a mutiny.
Two of the league’s worst-performing clubs — the Cincinnati Monarchs (22–35) and the St. Louis Brewers (23–37) — abruptly refused to complete their remaining road games, igniting a scandal that tested the very structure of the league.
The ringleader? None other than James Pembroke Tice, the blustery Cincinnati soap baron and self-styled thorn in Whitney’s side. Tice had long been critical of Whitney’s control over the Century League, and insiders believe he was deliberately testing the league’s charter in hopes of forcing a power struggle.
James P. Tice, circa 1876
He found an ally in Adolph Fuchs, owner of the St. Louis Brewers and operator of a thriving beer empire. Fuchs had his own longstanding grievance: Whitney’s “no alcohol” policy at ballparks — which Fuchs had famously circumvented by building an underground beer garden at Fuchs Park.
Together, the two men tried to undermine the league from within. But Whitney — organized, calculating, and still every bit the officer — called for a vote. The result: six to two, in favor of expelling both Cincinnati and St. Louis at season’s end.
It was a bold, perhaps unprecedented move — and a clear message. Whitney would tolerate dissent. He would not tolerate sabotage.
The Road Ahead
With Cincinnati and St. Louis ousted, the Century League ends its first season already reshaped by conflict. But if anything, the drama only confirms that the experiment worked: people cared. Cities rallied. Players bled. Owners schemed. The Century League wasn’t just a novelty — it was a battleground for the soul of base ball.
Philadelphia and New York will return strong in 1877. Detroit and Brooklyn may rise. Boston? Hard to say. But all eyes will remain fixed on Chicago, where Whitney’s machine hums — and Fritz Handelman’s arm shows no signs of rust.