Players Almanac: 1888

The following six players were added to the Rockway Times Baseball Players Almanac for the 1887 season.

Dave Clayden
Right Field.  Bats: Left.  Throws: Left.  Born: 20th November 1856, Ironfox.
Tond Union Club (1887-)

Dave Clayden was a rangy outfielder for the Tond team in the late 1880s. Solid hitter, placed in the top five in hits with 78 in both 1887 and 1888, finishing the latter year with the league's second-best average, .324.

Career - G: 118  AB: 475  H: 156  2B: 33  3B: 6  HR: 6  RBI: 52  R: 92  BB: 40  AVG: .328  SB: 8

Phil Jahn
Third Base.  Bats: Right.  Throws: Right.  Born: 12th November 1863, Corpach.
Johnstown Empire Club (1887-)

Phil Jahn was one of the stars of the dominant Johnstown Empire Club in the early days of the Clubs League. Devastatingly quick, a solid contact hitter and an outstanding defensive third baseman. Led the league in stolen bases in both 1887 and 1888. Awarded the Quality Fieldsmanship award at third base in 1888.

Career - G: 115  AB: 490  H: 133  2B: 19  3B: 16  HR: 1  RBI: 77  R: 98  BB: 33  AVG: .271  SB: 86

Hollis Kennedy
Pitcher.  Bats: Left.  Throws: Right.  Born: 16th June 1865, Johnstown.
Johnstown Empire Club (1887-)

Hollis Kennedy was the outstanding young pitcher as the Clubs League began play, leading the Empire Club to pennants in 1887 and 1888. Led the league in wins in 1887 and 1888, in strikeouts in 1887 and in earned run average in 1888 with a mark of 1.28. Pitched 8 complete game shutouts in 1888, including in back-to-back starts to open the season. Won 19 out of his first 22 starts in 1888, finished with a 23-1 record. Awarded the Outstanding Pitcher award in 1888 having been runner-up in 1887. Also an excellent hitter, batted .297 with 16 runs batted in in 1888.

Career - G: 55  GS: 53  W: 41  L: 7  SV: 0  ERA: 2.13  IP: 464.0  BB: 64  K: 277

Adam Mack
First Base.  Bats: Right.  Throws: Right.  Born: 21st November 1854, Johnstown.
Johnstown Professionals (1887-)

Adam Mack was the part-time first baseman for his home-town Professionals team in early Clubs League play. Battled several injuries in 1888. Powerful hitter, hit 7 homeruns - tied for third in the league - in 1888 as his team struggled.

Career - G: 49  AB: 191  H: 49  2B: 5  3B: 4  HR: 7  RBI: 29  R: 21  BB: 18  AVG: .257  SB: 3

Candy McDonnell
Pitcher.  Bats: Right.  Throws: Right.  Born: 4th December 1860, Brightwilde.
Stovepipe Mulligans (1887-)

Candy McDonnell was the star of the Stovepipe team as professional baseball arrived on Rockway. Workhorse pitcher, known for his iron arm. Finished in the top three in both wins and earned run average in 1887 and 1888, behind only the two Empire Club aces. Led the league in complete games in 1887. Pitched all 16 innings of a game in 1888, throwing 220 pitches and allowing just 8 hits and 2 unearned runs in claiming the win.

Career - G: 62  GS: 51  W: 31  L: 18  SV: 0  ERA: 2.03  IP: 473.2  BB: 111  K: 185

Frank Russell
Centre Field.  Bats: Left.  Throws: Left.  Born: 10th December 1858, Ocean Roar.
Moontree Moons (1887-)

Frank Russell was the everyday centrefielder for the Moontree team as the Clubs League began to play. Solid but inconsistent hitter, ranked in the top ten for hits and batting average in 1888. Scored 4 runs in a game in 1888, tying the League record at the time.

Career - G: 117  AB: 461  H: 133  2B: 20  3B: 10  HR: 1  RBI: 47  R: 78  BB: 34  AVG: .289  SB: 31

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Players Almanac: 1887

The following six players were added to the Rockway Times Baseball Players Almanac for the 1887 season.

Pat Beachy
Pitcher.  Bats: Right.  Throws: Right.  Born: 25th July 1859, Old Town.
Moontree Moons (1887-)

Pat Beachy was the lead pitcher for the Moontree team as the Clubs League got underway in 1887. Known primarily as a slow-ball pitcher. Put together a winning record in 1887 despite his team struggling, and led the league with 4 complete game shutouts. Won 15 games in 1888, led the league in complete games with 25, and won the Quality Fieldsmanship award.

Career - G: 59  GS: 55  W: 28  L: 23  SV: 0  ERA: 2.10  IP: 483.2  BB: 97  K: 194

Joe Cunningham
Catcher.  Bats: Left.  Throws: Right.  Born: 26th November 1859, Johnstown.
Stovepipe Mulligans (1887-)

Joe Cunningham was the Stovepipe backstop in the earliest days of professional baseball on the island. Solid and patient hitter, featured in the top 10 in batting average and walks in 1887. Struggled at the plate in 1888, but continued to get on base regularly via the walk.

Career - G: 117  AB: 457  H: 132  2B: 14  3B: 7  HR: 7  RBI: 75  R: 73  BB: 52  AVG: .289  SB: 3

Ira Dean
Shortstop.  Bats: Left.  Throws: Right.  Born: 11th February 1853, Moontree.
Ironfox Light Blues (1887-)

Ira Dean starred for the Ironfox Light Blues in the early days of organised baseball on Rockway. Stocky shortstop, could hit for some power as well as average. Led the league in hitting in 1887 with a .353 mark in an injury-shortened campaign, also featured in top five in doubles and homeruns. Continued good form in 1888 as his club struggled.

Career - G: 93  AB: 356  H: 119  2B: 31  3B: 0  HR: 10  RBI: 74  R: 60  BB: 29  AVG: .334  SB: 6

Dave Door
Pitcher.  Bats: Right.  Throws: Right.  Born: 20th May 1865, Yaxley.
Johnstown Empire Club (1887-)

Dave Door served as a backup pitcher for the Johnstown Empire Club team that won the pennant in the first two seasons of the Clubs League. Featured in 10 games, making one start in 1887, albeit with limited success. Saved three games that season, second-most in the league. Made just 7 appearances in 1888, but pitched a complete-game, 6-hit shutout in his only start.

Career - G: 17  GS: 2  W: 1  L: 6  SV: 5  ERA: 4.96  IP: 32.2  BB: 10  K: 16

Harry Memmer
Third Base.  Bats: Left.  Throws: Right.  Born: 7th November 1862, Yaxley.
Tond Union Club (1887-)

Harry Memmer was the everyday third baseman for the strong Tond club that just missed out on the first Clubs League pennant in 1887. Weak hitter, known primarily for his speed. Hit 16 triples in 1887, second-most in the league - also featured in the top ten in stolen bases. Led the league in triples in 1888 with 10.

Career - G: 115  AB: 459  H: 110  2B: 18  3B: 26  HR: 6  RBI: 75  R: 71  BB: 27  AVG: .240  SB: 39

Ren Steel
Second Base.  Bats: Right.  Throws: Right.  Born: 5th June 1847, Point Hook.
Johnstown Professionals (1887-88), Moontree Moons (1888-)

Ren Steel was a veteran of the amateur game - and of cricket before that - who made his professional sporting debut in the first Clubs League season during the year he turned 40. Despite his age, still shone with the bat, leading the league with 50 runs batted in during 1887 and compiling a league-high 22 game hit streak. Struggled at the plate in 1888, hitting just .212. Was traded mid-season to the Moontree Moons, before winning the Quality Fieldsmanship award at second base.

Career - G: 105  AB: 399  H: 107  2B: 16  3B: 14  HR: 1  RBI: 63  R: 66  BB: 29  AVG: .268  SB: 18

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