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.