1879 FABL Recap

1879 Century League Season Recap

Final Standings

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.