The United Baseball Association: The New York Chronicle (1918)

[Young Drachma]

Extremely well put together league you've got here. I really like it.

[JetsIn06]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Really like the flavor you have created here. The names of the players are very appropriate to the time period as well, I have never experienced this running an OOTP fictional league. Are you using a modified file of some sort?

Yep...someone on the OOTP board put together a historic names file. It adds so, so much to my enjoyment.

[JetsIn06]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Extremely well put together league you've got here. I really like it.

Thanks a lot DC. You have some excellent dynasties, so that means a lot.

[JetsIn06]

Cleveland Second Baseman has Solid May

CLEVELAND, OH. June 1, 1915 - Snooks Vincent, the 31-year-old second baseman for the second-place Cleveland Maroons had a terrific May and has been named the Player of the Month.

Vincent led the Maroons to a 21-7 record in May by hitting 4 home runs, driving in 25 men, and scoring 20 runs. His 11 walks gave him an impressive .409 on-base average.

[JetsIn06]

Chicago's Bedell Wins CL May Award

CHICAGO, IL. June 2, 1915 - Timothy Bedell, a starting pitcher for the first place Chicago Whales, has been named the Columbia League's best player in May.

In the month, Bedell compiled a 6-2 record with a 1.27 ERA

[JetsIn06]

Washington Best Team so Far

WASHINGTON, DC. June 26, 1915 - The Washington Grays have put together a solid year so far, going 51-23 which currently is the best record in the league.

One team they can thank is the expansion Boston Shipbuilders. The Boston club has been dismal, winning just 15 of 73 games. The Grays have won all nine games that they have played against Boston. The Grays have a losing record against just one team, the second-place Reading Reds. Washington has won 6 and lost 7 against the Reds.

The team's best pitcher has been Emile Gamble, a 33-year-old New York native. He's 12-3 with a 2.51 ERA. He's typically pitched the game after Theo Murrell, who has been great as well. His 12-5 record with a 2.83 ERA has given the Grays a solid one-two punch.

[JetsIn06]

Washington, Chicago in First Place

NEW YORK, NY. July 3, 1915 - While Washington and Chicago have kept their distance away from the second place teams, there is still a lot of time left. Here are what the standings look like so far after three months.

United League Standings
		W	L	GB
Washington		54	26
Cleveland		48	32	6
Chicago		45	35	9
Reading		41	39	13
Detroit		40	40	14
New York		39	41	15
Pittsburgh		36	44	18
Boston		17	63	37
Columbia League Standings
		W	L	GB
Chicago		49	30
St. Paul		43	36	6
Newark		42	37	7
Kansas City		40	39	9
Baltimore		39	40	10
St. Louis		38	41	11
Brooklyn		34	45	15
Philadelphia		31	48	18

[JetsIn06]

Injury Sidelines Bedell For Year

CHICAGO, IL. July, 24, 1915 - Dealing with injuries is part of the game and now Timothy Bedell of the Whales knows this firsthand. He was injured against the St. Paul Saints while throwing a pitch. Diagnosed as a torn triceps, the Chicago starting pitcher is expected to miss 7 months. Bedell was a little upset, but understands it comes with the territory. "Baseball can be a contact sport. You try to be careful, but no matter how careful you are, injuries happen."

In 24 starts this season, Bedell has picked up 16 wins while suffering 6 losses. He has pitched 198 innings, allowed 123 hits, struck out 79 and posted a 2.27 ERA.

[JetsIn06]

Gotham's Ed Gale Dominates in July

NEW YORK, NY. August 1, 1915 - The Player of the Month has been chosen and the United League trophy went to New York hurler, Ed Gale.

During the month, Gale was impressive with a 1.61 ERA and 7 wins and 1 loss. In 67 innings he struck out 57 and gave up 39 hits and 20 walks.

This season Gale has registered 16 wins and 5 losses in 24 starts with a 1.68 ERA.

[JetsIn06]

Gipson Garners CL Player of the Month Award

KANSAS CITY, MO. August 2, 1915 - Nobody was better with the bat in July! Clarence Gipson caught everyone's attention with some hot hitting and today he came away with the Player of the Month award.

Kansas City's center fielder put together a solid month with a .349 batting average, 1 home run, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

This year Gipson has collected a .303 batting average to date with 118 hits in 390 at-bats, 46 RBIs, 2 home runs and scored 51 times. He has played in 100 games.

[JetsIn06]

League's Best Pitcher Calls it Quits

READING, PA. August 8, 1915 - For the first three years of the United Baseball Association, Owen Chaney was arguably the best pitcher in the league. In April of this year, Chaney injured his arm badly in a game against the Boston Shipbuilders.

The 28-year-old pitcher was on his way to becoming an all-time legend of the game. In the league's inaugural season, Chaney was named the best pitcher in the game. His 18-10 record and 2.77 ERA showed that he was definitely reading for the big leagues at 25.

His 1913 season was excellent, but his team was poor. His 14-18 record was lackluster, but his 2.62 ERA showed how great he was.

But his 1914 season was just flat-out legendary. A 21-10 record and a 1.90 ERA was capped off by his second championship win. And at 27-years-old, he had at least ten more years of pitching to look forward to.

However, on April 9, 1915, his future was derailed when he tore a ligament in his shoulder. He spent the last four months trying to come back, but today he announced that he would never pitch again and has retired from the game. He plans to become a coach in the UBA soon.

[JetsIn06]

Will the 1915 Boston Shipbuilders be the Worst Team in History?

BOSTON, MA. August 7, 1915 - Twenty-two wins, eighty-nine losses. A .198 winning percentage. Twenty-six games back of the second-worst team (Brooklyn Tip-Tops: 48-63).Seventeen straight losses as of today. Will any team ever be this bad again?

While the United Baseball League is in just it's fourth season, we believe that the foundation is in place for this league to succeed for a very long time. We hope that it does, and for this article, we're going to assume that it does indeed continue to succeed.

Will any team, in the next one-hundred seasons, be as bad as the Boston Shipbuilders are in this 1915 campaign?

For starters, the team cannot blame the fact that they are an expansion team and had to select from other team's unprotected players. There were three other expansion teams. One of them, the St. Paul Saints, are three games behind the first place Chicago Whales and have put together a 63-48 record. The Centennials of Philadelphia are in 7th place with a 49-62 record. The Detroit Wolverines are the team ahead of Boston in the UL and have a 51-60 record.

Again, the Boston Shipbuilders are 22-89. This record could stand for a long, long time.

[JetsIn06]

Mirror Races in United Baseball Association

NEW YORK, NY. September 2, 1915 - As of this morning, both the Washington Grays of the United League and the Chicago Whales of the Columbia League have five game leads over their league's second place teams.

The Grays, led by manager Francisco Tracey, are finishing what they started last season. Finishing two games behind the Reading Reds, the Grays wanted revenge this season, and so far they've got it. With just six games to go, two wins would clinch the United League pennant.

The Whales also have a five game lead for first place. The team chasing them? The expansion St. Paul Saints, who by all accounts have defied expectations. With all three of the other expansion teams at the bottom of the standings, the Saints have surprised everyone with the success they've had. But they've come up just short with six games left and need a miracle to win the pennant.

Chicago, if they do in fact win the pennant, will get a chance to do what they couldn't do last seasonl; Win the Presidents Cup Series.

[JetsIn06]

Washington and Chicago Clinch Pennants

NEW YORK, NY. September 4, 1915 - Yesterday, the Washington Grays and the Chicago Whales clinched their leagues and will face off in the Presidents Cup Series.

This is the Grays first pennant win. The Whales won the Columbia League pennant last season, but lost in the Presidents Cup Series to the Reading Reds.

Congratulations to both teams.

[JetsIn06]

1915 Final Standings

NEW YORK, NY. September 7, 1915 - The 1915 regular season came to a close yesterday when the Kansas City Packers held Newark scoreless in the last inning to win 3-1. This seasons series will pit the UL's Washington Grays against the CL's Chicago Whales. We wish good luck to both teams. Here are the final standings for the 1915 season:

United League Standings
		W	L	GB
Washington		90	50
Cleveland		84	56	6
Chicago		79	61	11
New York		79	61	11
Reading		75	65	15
Pittsburgh		64	76	26
Detroit		60	80	30
Boston		29	111	61
Columbia League Standings
		W	L	GB
Chicago		84	56
St. Paul		76	64	8
Kansas City		71	69	13
Baltimore		70	70	14
Newark		70	70	14
St. Louis		65	75	19
Philadelphia		64	76	20
Brooklyn		60	80	24

[JetsIn06]

1915 Presidents Cup Series Preview: Washington Grays

WASHINGTON, DC. September 8, 1915 - This afternoon, the Chicago Whales will begin their first two-game tour of D.C. against the Grays.

The Washington Grays came close to making it here last year, but finished two games back. And now they get to face off against a team that wants revenge after losing in the series last year.

The D.C. based team is owned by E.C. Landgraf. Originally from Richmond, the owner moved his team and himself to the Washington, D.C. area hoping for a better baseball marketplace. The 39-year-old stays fairly quiet, but he loves to win. While other owners are purely about the bottom line, Landgraf proved that he's willing to sacrifice his wealth by having the top payroll in the league. At the same time, his spending has brought top players to the team and in turn, attendance is now second in the league. It will be interesting to see if his team payroll stays at the top when real free agency starts.

The Grays club is managed by Francisco Tracey. Tracey started his UBA career in Cincinnati with the Ruby Legs. After they disbanded, he did not manage in 1913 but did hold a job as a coach for Washington. Last year, he took the open manager position and has been very successful. Here is the lineup that we've seen all year from Washington:

1. SS Byron Ervin (.306, 19 Doubles, 5 Home Runs, 69 RBIs, 24 SB)
2. CF Max Clark (.268, 12 Doubles, 8 Triples, 48 RBIs)
3. RF Ambrose Todd (.243, 17 Doubles, 11 Triples, 48 RBIs, 89 SB)
4. 3B Rip Boyce (.274, 11 Doubles, 62 RBIs)
5. LF Freeman Willis (.299, 23 Doubles, 3 Home Runs, 43 RBIs)
6. 1B Bloop Bryant (.272, 25 Doubles, 5 Home Runs, 51 RBIs in Class A Ball)
7. 2B Ducky Bunn (.275, 5 Doubles, 21 RBIs)
8. C Heinrich Crews (.274, 4 Doubles, 14 RBs in Class A Ball)

Their pitching rotation is as follows:

1. RHP Theo Murrell (20-11, 2.84 ERA, 166 K)
2. RHP Lorenzo Dubois (16-12, 3.30 ERA, 83 K)
3. RHP Emile Gamble (17-12, 2.50 ERA, 139 K)
4. RHP Otto Worley (22-9, 2.58 ERA, 67 K)

Games One, Two, Five, Six, and Nine, will be played at Liberty Park in Washington. The ballpark holds 11,700 spectators and is a good park for right handed hitters and might even be home to a few home runs.

LF: 318'
CF: 426'
RF: 324'

The Grays wear white shirts and white knickers with dark, navy blue stockings. Navy blue pinstripes adorn the entire shirt and knickers. Their caps are navy blue with a white "W" embroidered onto it.

[JetsIn06]

1915 Presidents Cup Series Preview: Chicago Whales

WASHINGTON, DC. September 8, 1915 - The Chicago Whales will open up the series today at Liberty Park against the Washington Grays.

The Whales are looking for revenge. Last season, they put together an outstanding regular season but then lost in the Presidents Cup Series to the Reading Reds.

Chicago is owned by Charles Weeghman, a diner magnate from the Chicago area. The Whales are managed by Judson Smoot who was with the team last year as well. Here is the lineup that we expect him to put on the field:

1. LF Smiley Zaring (.280, 15 Doubles, 34 RBIs, 52 SB)
2. SS Fatty Knott (.285, 19 Doubles, 26 RBIs)
3. 1B Jiggs Bard (.287, 6 Doubles, 17 RBIs)
4. RF Baptist Kutz (.286, 18 Doubles, 40 RBI)
5. 3B Connie Hayward (.289, 25 Doubles, 11 Triples, 4 Home Runs, 76 RBIs)
6. 2B Duck Butcher (.277, 34 Doubles, 4 Home Runs, 66 RBI)
7. CF Enos Teal (.265, 10 Doubles, 7 Triples, 53 RBIs, 21 SB)
8. C Ugene Scofield (.212, 9 Doubles, 8 Triples, 51 RBIs)

Their pitching rotation is as follows:

1. RHP Whitey Upchurch (22-11, 2.42 ERA, 227 K)
2. LHP Isham Farr (17-14, 3.11 ERA, 99 K)
3. LHP Erwin Monson (15-16, 3.30 ERA, 58 K)
4. RHP Charlie O'Donnell (11-4, 2.85 ERA, 50 K)

Games Three, Four, Seven, and Eight will be played in Chicago at the team's Weeghman Park. The ballpark holds 18,500 spectators and is a fairly big park. With such a deep centerfield, many doubles and triples are hit here. The dimensions are:

LF: 310'
CF: 440'
RF: 345'

The Whales wear white uniforms and wear a royal blue cap. A white "C" is stiched onto the cap, and blue pinstripes adorn the shirt and knickers. The team wears white stockings with blue stripes.

[JetsIn06]

Washington Takes First Game

WASHINGTON, DC. September 9, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Chicago		0	0	3	0	0	0	2	0	0			5	6	2
Washington		0	0	4	0	0	0	2	6	x			12	12	3

The first game of the 1915 Presidents Cup Series was a close back and forth affair until the bottom of the 8th inning, when the Grays unleashed a flurry of hits that regained them the lead after losing it in the 7th.

Heinrich Crews, the Grays catcher, has a very interesting game. He came up to bat four times with two outs by the start of the 8th inning and failed each team, leaving a whopping 7 runners on base himself.

But in the bottom of the 8th, he came up once again with two outs and the bases loaded and this time he came through. He ripped a line drive over the first baseman's head that rolled around the right field corner. All three runners scored, giving him the most RBIs for the game.

[JetsIn06]

Washington has Two Game Lead After Last Inning Victory

WASHINGTON, DC. September 10, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Chicago		1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0			3	8	1
Washington		0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	1			4	8	0

The Grays were down twice but came back both times, and finally took the lead in the bottom of the last inning to win game two of the series.

Lorezno Dubois was the player of the game, pitching a pretty solid game for the Grays. He went all nine innings, giving up 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and struck out 6.

Tomorrow is an off day and both teams will be traveling back to Chicago to play games three and four.

[JetsIn06]

Grays Come Close, but Chicago Takes Game Three

CHICAGO, IL. September 12, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Washington		0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	2			5	11	0
Chicago		0	0	3	0	1	0	0	2	x			6	9	1

Chicago kept their hopes alive today by winning the third game of the 1915 Presidents Cup Series.

Boots Groat, the second baseman of the Grays put together a great game, going 3 for 5, but it wasn't enough to overcome Chicago pitcher Erwin Monson. The southpaw gave up eleven hits and four earned run through nine innings, just good enough to pull out the win.

Up 6-3 going into the last inning, Monson got a bit too confident but also didn't get a ton of help from his defenders. An error, a walk, and then a single scored one, then another single drove home a second run.

But Monson, with a runner on second and one out, buckled down and struck out a batter and then forced an easy flyout to center field to clinch the victory.

[JetsIn06]

Chicago Comes Back, Wins Game Four

CHICAGO, IL. September 13, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11		R	H	E
Washington		2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0		6	12	4
Chicago		0	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	1		7	12	1

Down 6-4 as they went to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning, Chicago looked to their hitters to get on base to start a rally. But they ended up getting help from the opposition.

First, after a quick out, a Chicago batter got on base after an error. Then three straight singles later and it was a one run game with one out and the bases loaded.

Chicago's pitcher Worley needed a double play badly, and when a hot grounder made it's way to the second baseman, he was relieved. But when the short stop couldn't catch an easy toss to get the first out, the Whales tied up the game and had new life.

Two innings later, another error on the third baseman allowed a runner on base who then was driven in on a single.

Washington really shot themselves in the foot this game, but Chicago will take it. They've tied the series at 2-2 and we'll head back to Washington to play games five and six.

[JetsIn06]

Chicago Wins Three in a Row, Takes Lead 3-2

WASHINGTON, DC. September 15, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Chicago		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1		3	10	0
Washington		0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0		2	7	1

In another extra inning contest, the Chicago Whales came out on top and defeated the Washington Grays with a score of 3-2.

For a second straight game, the Grays were plagued by poor defense. This time, with two outs in the top of the ninth and ready to win the game, a line drive was hit to right field, but the fielder dropped it, allowing a run to score from third base. While that only tied the game, it allowed Chicago to bat again in the 10th, where they scored a run on a single between the third baseman and shortstop.

Tomorrow's game will be played in Washington.

[JetsIn06]

Washington Ties Up Series at 3-3

WASHINGTON, DC. September 16, 1916 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Chicago		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			0	6	3
Washington		5	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	x			9	11	1

Washington tied up the series at three yesterday with a rout of the Whales. It was all right fielder Clifton Clarkson of the Grays on offense. He went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 5 runs batted in. Two other players, Max Clark and Idus Seifert, had two hit games for the Grays.

Lorenzo Dubois pitched a complete game shutout, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks, and striking out three on 118 pitches.

The Whales hurler, Isham Farr, lasted just two innings after giving up 8 hits, 6 runs and a home run. However, only one of the runs was earned because of two errors in the first inning.

Tomorrow is an off day as the teams travel back to Illinois to play games seven and eight.

[JetsIn06]

Monson Pitches Brilliantly, Whales Up 4-3

CHICAGO, IL. September 18, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Washington		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2			2	4	1
Chicago		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	x			3	8	1

Chicago took a 4-3 lead in the series yesterday when pitcher Erwin Monson pitched a fabulous game that almost got away from him.

Through eight innings, Monson had only given up one hit. But in the 9th, a few singles, a passed ball, a double, and two walks culminated in a 3-2 game with 2 outs and the bases loaded for Clayton Parkhurst, a pinch hitter. On the second pitch, he hit a hard grounder right at the shortstop and was thrown out at 1st to end the game.

Today, Chicago can clinch the 1915 Presidents Cup with a win.

[JetsIn06]

Chicago Wins the 1915 Presidents Cup Series!

CHICAGO, IL. September 19, 1915 -

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Washington		0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0			4	6	1
Chicago		1	0	1	2	0	3	1	0	x			8	13	0

In front of 18, 370 of their own fans, the Chicago Whales beat the Grays 8-4 yesterday afternoon to win the 1915 Presidents Cup Series.

Charlie O'Donnell went all nine innings, giving up 6 hits, 7 walks, and 4 runs. His offense surely did help him out. Four players had two or more hits, and two players had three hits, one of which was the leadoff man Layman, who also hit a towering home run off of the Grays pitcher Worley.

Our MVP for the series is left fielder Baptist Kutz who hit .364 and had 6 RBIs in the eight games. Congratulations to Mr. Kutz and the rest of the Chicago Whales franchise!

[JetsIn06]

Commissioner Eagan Presents Presidents Cup to Charles Weeghman

CHICAGO, IL. September 23, 1915 - The Chicago Whales won the 1915 Presidents Cup Series with a 8-4 victory over the Washington Grays at Weeghman Park. They won the series 5-3 and it was 1st time the victors have won the league title.

During the Columbia League regular season Chicago posted a 84-56 record and claimed first place.

Yesterday in a press conference at the Chicago Beach Hotel, UBA Commissioner Washington Eagan delivered the Presidents Cup to Whales owner Charles Weeghman. The Chicago owner thanked his team's manager, the players, and the fans.

What's it like to win it all? "Words can't describe it," said jubilant Whales skipper Judson Smoot. "It really hasn't sunk in. Maybe it will sink in when we go ride around Chicago with the trophy. Right now, it's just a lot of fun. This is the one you work for ever since you first picked up a baseball. This is what you dream of and this is what you work toward all year."

In defeat, Grays manager Francisco Tracey told the press, "There's not that much difference. I know we got beat 5-3, but bad teams don't make it to the Presidents Cup Series. They just executed better than we did. We're a good baseball team. The Whales were just better this time around. We'll be back again."

[JetsIn06]

United League Awards Dinner

NEW YORK, NY. September 24, 1915 - Last night, the first annual United League Awards Dinner was held at the Hotel Imperial in New York City.

Ezekiel Peel of the Chicago Orphans proved that you can step out of the shadows and onto the stage if you've got the talent and the drive to hone your skills. Hard work, long hours and a tireless resolve paid off for him today in the form of the United League James A. Gilmore MVP Award.

Peel hit for a .311 average while collecting 128 hits, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 51 RBIs and scoring 74 times.

The W.A. Willman Pitcher of the Year Award for 1915 has been presented and the United League winner is Ed Gale of New York.

"It's always nice to receive an award like this," said Gale. "I just hope I can improve on my performance next year and be in the running again," the Gothams star told reporters.

Gale excelled with an impressive 21-8 record in 32 starts. In 262.1 innings he yielded 183 hits and 65 walks, while striking out 242 and compiling a fine 1.68 ERA.

They say first impressions are lasting impressions. If this is true, United League hitters had better be wary -- Tim Reilly could be around for years to come. The Detroit starter took home the 1915 UL Rookie of the Year Award today.

Reilly fashioned a 14-17 mark in 36 starts. He threw 260.2 innings, collected 133 strikeouts and put up a 3.63 ERA.

[JetsIn06]

Columbia League Awards Presented

NEW YORK, NY. September 25, 1915 - One night after the United League Awards were announced, the Columbia League had an event of their own to announce their best players.

It was a season to remember for Dave Mulligan. He was one of the most dangerous men in the league when he had a bat in his hand, and the Columbia League announced today that he has won the James A. Gilmore MVP Award for 1915 as well as the Columbia League Rookie of the Year Award.

The St. Louis first baseman dominated opposing pitchers with a .278 batting average, 25 doubles, 16 triples, 5 home runs and 46 RBIs while compiling a .404 on-base percentage and scoring 78 runs.

This year the top votegetter for the 1915 W.A. Willman Pitcher of the Year Award was Whitey Upchurch of the champion Chicago Whales, who finished with an outstanding 22-11 mark and an impressive 2.42 ERA.

In his award-winning season, the 29-year-old Whales star hurled 289.2 innings, chalking up 227 strikeouts and 105 walks, and limited hitters to a .224 batting average.

[JetsIn06]

Robert Ward Sells Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY. October 10, 1915 - In a press conference held yesterday at Washington Park in Brooklyn, Robert B. Ward, a key financier of the Columbia League and owner of the Tip-Tops announced the sale of the team to Gus Duke, a 35-year-old real estate mogul.

The sale was reportedly for $313,000. One thing to look forward to is a name change from the Brooklyn Squad. Robert Ward owns the Tip-Top Bakery, and used the team to promote his business. It is unlikely that Duke will keep the name.

[JetsIn06]

Owners Meetings Begin in NYC

NEW YORK, NY. October 30, 1915 - All sixteen owners of the United Baseball Association will meet today at the Imperial Hotel in New York City. The first thing they'll discuss? An expansion of the schedule to 154 games.

Also, expect to see a few trade deals come out of the meetings over the next few days.

[JetsIn06]

Schedule Expands to 154 Games

NEW YORK, NY. November 2, 1915 - League commissioner Washington Eagan announced yesterday that all sixteen owners agreed to expand the schedule from 140 games to 154 games.

[JetsIn06]

Duke Sends Pitcher Birch to Gothams for Young CF

BROOKLYN, NY. November 4, 1915 - Brooklyn owner Gus Duke made his first move yesterday when he sent 33-year-old starting pitcher Perry Birch to the New York Gothams for 40-year-old pitcher Jim Cornell and 21-year-old center fielder Pierre Fisk.

Birch pitched very well and posted a 2.82 ERA, but because of his poor team he went 13-21. Fisk, a rookie last season, hit .287, hit 12 doubles and stole 14 bases.

[JetsIn06]

Nine-Player Deal Brings Catcher Spider Snider to St. Paul

ST. PAUL, MN. November 5, 1915 - On the heels of a cross-town swap, the Boston Shipbuilders have sent two of their better offensive players to St. Paul and in return received seven young prospects.

It was a much needed move by Boston who posted a dismal 29-111 record in 1915.

Snider, a 27-year-old catcher hit .276 with 21 doubles, 8 triples, and 10 home runs for the Shipbuilders last season.

[JetsIn06]

Gus Duke Announces Brooklyn's New Nickname

BROOKLYN, NY. March 2, 1916 - In a bulletin yesterday, new Brooklyn owner Gus Duke announced that his team will now be known as the Brooklyn Titans.

The previous name, the Brooklyn Tip-Tops, was expected to change when Robert Ward of the Tip-Top Bakery sold the team.

[JetsIn06]

St. Paul Saints Move to Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. March 7, 1916 - After just one year of play in St. Paul, team owner Goose McCormick has moved the club to Indinapolis, Indiana.

The team will now be known as the Indiana Blues.

[JetsIn06]

Opening Day Arrives

NEW YORK, NY. April 1, 1916 - How sweet it is! The United Baseball Association starts play today. It is a new season and a new beginning for all the boys of baseball. Opening Day is here! It is a day of great excitement for everyone in the world of baseball -- players, fans, sportswriters, broadcasters, managers, coaches, scouts, groundkeepers, batboys, ballpark vendors, and the owners. Everybody is eagerly awaiting the first pitch of the game and the first home run. Old records will be broken and new marks set. It all gets under way today with this lineup of games:

Reading Reds @ Cleveland Maroons
Chicago Orphans @ New York Gothams
Washington Grays @ Detroit Wolverines
Pittsburgh Keystones @ Boston Shipbuilders
Indiana Blues @ Kansas City Packers
Brooklyn Titans @ Baltimore Terrapins
Philadelphia Centennials @ St. Louis Terriers
Chicago Whales @ Newark Peppers

[JetsIn06]

April's MVP Awards Handed Out

NEW YORK, NY. May 1, 1916 - The United League scribes have picked April's MVP of the Month and have given the trophy to Theo Murrell of Washington. He was devastating on the mound last month with a standout 7-1 mark.

The Grays star hurler made 7 starts with a 1.31 ERA and surrendered 51 hits in 68.2 innings. He struck out 38 and walked 16.

When Orson Sanford stepped up to the plate in April, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the Columbia League MVP of the Month award.

The young Chicago catcher posted a .400 batting average with no home runs, 20 RBIs and scored 9 runs. Sanford also worked pitchers for 5 walks to post a .440 on-base percentage.

[JetsIn06]

Chavez Runs Hit String to 35 Straight Games

CHICAGO, IL. May 7, 1916 - And the streak goes on.

Abner Chavez collected another hit in the Orphans 4-3 win over the Keystones. The Chicago left fielder was 2-for-4 in the game. After the game, Chavez commented on his 35-game hitting streak, "I'm not doing too much, just trying to get the bat on the ball and put it in play."

His manager told me, "Abner makes it easy for me to pencil his name in the lineup everyday."
Chavez tripled in the 1st, grounded out in the 3rd, grounded out in the 4th and singled in the 7th.

This season Chavez is swinging the bat at a .414 pace. He has hit no home runs and scored 8 times, while driving in 15. His on-base percentage is .444 and he has played in 15 games.

The streak started on August 15 of last season.

[JetsIn06]

Just a heads up for anyone who is following...I'm taking a slightly new approach to this dynasty. As of now, this thread (The United Baseball Association: The New York Chronicle) will be what it has always been, a league-wide, newspaper style update of whats going on in the UBA world.

There will be a few other mini-dynasties, however, that will go into further detail of a certain player, a certain team, a specific season...they will be short stories, letters between players and their families, and other things. Please, feel free to make a suggestion in this thread about different things I can do. I really enjoy chronicling this baseball universe but I want to go about it in different ways, rather than just stat-dumping or being so broad. So let me know your ideas.

The first mini-dynasty that will be coming over the next few days is...

The United Baseball Association: The Graveyard Letters

[JetsIn06]

Calhoun Shows Off, Hits for Cycle

WASHINGTON, DC. May 15, 1916 - There are four types of hits in baseball. It is a rarity for one player to get them all in one game. Eli Calhoun did it -- single, double, triple and a home run -- and sparked Washington to a 14-9 win over Boston at Liberty Park.

"Yeah, I was some kind of hitter in this game. It was like all I had to do was close my eyes and swing the bat. I don't think they could have gotten me out with a bazooka." Those were the words of Eli Calhoun of the Washington Grays reflecting on his great game against the Boston Shipbuilders.

He hit for the cycle and is headed for the record books. For the game the Grays third baseman banged out 5 hits in 6 at-bats and totaled 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Calhoun tripled in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 2nd, grounded out in the 4th, singled in the 5th, singled in the 7th and hit a two-run home run off C. Haag in the 9th.

This season Calhoun has hit at a .406 clip with 24 RBIs, 1 home runs and 33 runs scored.

[JetsIn06]

Cleveland's Moser Signs Huge Contract

CLEVELAND, OH. May 16, 1916 - Maroons fans were divided today as Clevelandconfirmed that the front office has signed Boardwalk Moser to a 1-year extension at a rate of $56,780 per year.

While many were enthusiastically behind the signing, others worried about Moser's age.

This is the first year that we've started to see teams extending contracts with players. After this season, every player with five years or more experience who is not under contract will be free to negotiate with any team they wish.

While we have seen free agency on a very small scale due to the contraction of the Cincinnati Ruby Legs and the Washington Statesmen, the highest paid player as of today is Boots Groat of Washington who is making $17,370 this season. However, he is just 23 years old and has an entire career ahead of him.

Moser is an old man compared to some of the players who will be available after this season. According to the financial experts here at the New York Chronicle, the Maroons should be able to field a team worth approximately $160,000 dollars. They now have nearly one-third of that budget going to a 42-year-old third baseman who is hitting .248.

So far this season Moser has hit .248 with no home runs, 17 RBIs and and scored 17 times.

[JetsIn06]

Many Stars Extending Contracts

PITTSBURGH, PA. May 18, 1916 - In the wake of the first big extension signed, another wave of signings have been made.

The most recent is 30-year-old Twig Kidder of the Keystones, who yesterday signed a two year extension worth $135,000.

In 1916 Kidder has compiled a 8-1 mark with a 2.28 ERA in 10 starts. In pitching 87 innings he has 41 strikeouts and 16 walks while limiting the opposition to a .249 batting average.

[JetsIn06]

Detroit Sends CF Laake to St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO. May 25, 1916 - A trade between St. Louis and Detroit was made official this morning. The Terriers have sent 29-year old center fielder Leander Eberly, 23-year old minor league catcher Wesley Moriarty and 24-year old minor league left fielder Theo Bolt to the Wolverines in exchange for 29-year old center fielder Simeon Laake.

In his 1916 season totals, Eberly has no home runs, .316 BA, .343 OBP, 20 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

This season Laake has delivered 37 hits in 117 at-bats for a .316 average with 1 home run. He is getting on base at a .339 clip and his totals also include 4 RBIs and 17 runs scored. This year Laake has played in 32 games.

While some are questioning the move because of Laake and Eberly's similar statistics, the Terriers know that Laake has historically been a much better player and that his numbers are much more likely to hold up through the long season.

The Wolverines were looking to get Laake off the books. He would have been a free agent next year, and the team brought in two top prospects to build for the future.

[JetsIn06]

Reds Mckay Down and Out for Year

READING, PA. May 29, 1916 - Reading fans will be disappointed to learn that Snooks Mckay developed a torn back muscle while running the bases in today's game. After the doctor informed the Reds manager that Mckay was expected to miss 8 months, the manager told the press that the rest of the team would have to step up their play until the right fielder could return. "You can't make excuses in baseball, because there's always a game tomorrow," said the team's skipper.

Mckay is hitting .332 so far this season with 28 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He has 67 hits including 1 home run, 10 walks and .361 OBP.

The Reds are 29-21 and four games out of first place behind the Washington Grays. Loosing Mckay will make it tough to catch up.

[JetsIn06]

Superstar SP Inks Deal with Gothams

NEW YORK, NY. May 30, 1916 - Happy times in New York as the Gothams and star starting pitcher Ed Gale put the finishing touches on a $232,740 contract extension that will keep the 30-year-old in town 3 years longer.

The signing is great news for New York because players of this caliber are hard to come by.

In 1916 Gale has a 6-7 record with a 2.47 ERA.

[JetsIn06]

To anyone reading out there...

Have you found yourself rooting for a specific team? I've found myself rooting for the Gothams. I grew up rooting for New York baseball teams, and always had an interest in the old New York Giants. The Gothams are based on them, their logo and uni's are the same and the Giants used to be called the Gothams as well.

So, who are you all rooting for?

[JetsIn06]

Also, I forgot to mention that my favorite player in this universe, Ed Gale, is on the Gothams.

It's a shame...Gale was the #1 pick in my first test run of this dynasty and put up monster numbers because his team was so good.

So when I started this, I turned the Gothams first starting pitcher they selected into Gale. However, his team has been pretty crappy despite their large budget (while free agency hasn't started yet, the disbanding of two teams allowed some players to be bid on). Washington jumped all over those players.

Gale just signed a huge contract and I think once they can start playing with their money they'll be ready to roll.

As for the smaller market teams, the St. Louis Terriers are my rooting interest.

[BYU 14]

Have to say I am a Gothams fan as well.....

Also following the Orphans.

[JetsIn06]

May Awards Handed Out

NEW YORK, NY. June 2, 1916 - In the last year of his deal with Washington, Eli Calhoun has created some waves by winning May's United League MVP of the Month title today.

He put up a solid .411 batting average with 1 home run, 15 RBIs and 20 runs scored. He also worked UL pitchers for 34 walks and a .565 on-base percentage.

If he keeps churning out numbers like these, the 32-year-old is sure to draw some attention, when contract time rolls around.

This year Calhoun has hit at a .389 clip with 75 hits, 1 home run, 29 RBIs and 44 runs scored.

--

The Columbia League MVP of the Month has been picked for May and the honor goes to the St. Louis Terriers Dave Mulligan.

He compiled a .343 batting average with 37 hits and 4 home runs, along with 14 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

This season Mulligan is batting .322 with 4 home runs.

[JetsIn06]

Chicago Orphans Lose SP Laney

CHICAGO, IL. June 4, 1916 - The Chicago Orphans of the United League lost one of their top pitchers yesterday when Bryant Laney, a 37-year-old right hander noticed tightness in his right shoulder.

Team physician Dr. Emil Maurer diagnosed the pitcher with rotator cuff inflation and said he's expected to be out for about three months.

This surely doesn't help the Orphans race for the pennant. The Chicago club is currently 4.5 games behind the Washington Grays with a 33-23 record. If all goes well, Laney should be ready to come back in September, the last month of the season.