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Nice to finally see these identities revealed. Good stuff so far! Go Balt.
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Absolutely love the look of the teams. Always happy to root for a Brooklyn team too.
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Pittsburgh Eagles Baseball Club:
Pittsburgh’s history is linked to everything the Giants aren’t. The squad was formed as a U.S. Steel company team, composed of primarily German immigrants. The team became a rallying cry of German immigrants in the city, and the nickname of the team became “Die Adler”, directly translating to “The Eagles”. The team picked up black and gold as its colors until the First World War, when the team changed its official colors to red, white, and blue. After the war, they resumed their black and gold identity, only to just go back to the RWB scheme as it became clear that the Nazis were in fact bad. Due to the overt patriotic changes, fans who were looked unfavorably on the changes started calling them the “Grand Ol’ Eagles”, as representations of the American flag
The Eagles are partially owned by U.S. Steel, and for a while featured the company name across the front of the jersey. When the team officially recognized the Eagles nickname, however, the fan ownership, about 60% of total control, voted to create a unique identity for the team.
Catcher Dave Sturtevant is the best player on this team and is almost certainly a lock for the all-star game, and second baseman Allen Haynie, third baseman Matt Steifer, and left fielder Kent Schwarz all have good chances too. First baseman Chris Merwin and center fielder Cave Romano are passable, but shortstop David Hollie and right fielder Jon Davi leave a lot left to be desired on the field. Starter Jason Stamm doesn’t inspire much confidence here, as well. They have literally no one worth talking about in the rest of the rotation OR the bullpen. This team will go as far as their pitching will take them, but it doesn’t look like the pitching will take them very far.
Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:36 pm)
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Capital City Baseball Club:
The Capitals were formed in 1903, immediately following the Association’s demise. Federal Athletic looked to be in an extremely poor position to retain any Mid-Atlantic power, so former pre-Association Federal Athletic player, and Washington diplomat, Elliot Scheevel formed his own squad to compete and win for the city. Involved in foreign policy, Scheevel was able to convince Aliza Scidmore, the largest proponent of planting cherry trees in Washington, to have some plant plant them outside his team’s ballpark. The original shipment had to be burned after it was learned that they were infested with parasite. One sportswriter at the time remarked the following June to comment on the team’s winning ways, “Just like the blossoms outside their park, Capital City is on fire.” The team nickname Cherry Blossoms became very popular by both admirers and detractors, and Scheevel was able to acquire some of the 2,000 trees shipped in 1913.
Scheevel’s estate has since sold off many of his shares of the club, and the organization has become a members association. This team’s fanbase, like many in the mid-atlantic, is extremely ravenous and boisterous. However, unlike many, the Capitals have a right to be, winning two EPL titles and consistently finishing top 5 in the year’s final standings.
If anyone has a chance of catching Brooklyn, it’s these guys. The infield of (first to third) Matt Dellnger, Tim Graverson, Jamie Chiaradonna, and John Jones is undoubtedly the best in the game, and the stellar defense of left fielder Bob Byers, Ryan Parshall, and Brian Malone have been given the nickname “Protectors of the Potomac” for their tendency to rob home runs that look like foregone conclusions. Their staring rotation of Andy Odgers, Matt Johnson, Ty Williams, Quinn Layden, and Collin Cross will simply have to manage the score, as the best batting order in the East is surely going to be the gamechanger. Scott Loven and Joe Magg, both young war vets, got some action last year in the pen and are looking to do the same this year. Watch out Brooklyn, this team has come to play.
Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:37 pm)
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Steelman wrote:
Nice to finally see these identities revealed. Good stuff so far! Go Balt.
It's just gonna keep getting better! I think Baltimore's logo works the best of all to fit the aesthetic of "kinda soccer, kinda baseball, super 40's type beat".
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Enigmajones wrote:
Absolutely love the look of the teams. Always happy to root for a Brooklyn team too.
I doubt you'll be disappointed in your decision
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Onto the Midwest!
Union Stock Yards Baseball Club:
Originally created in the late 1860’s by the sons of meat packers who worked at “The Yards”, USY has become one of the biggest teams in one of the biggest markets in the country. Becoming a professional team in 1880, the fanbase has become one of the most loyal in baseball, sticking with the team through thick and thin. The Blue Collar population of the city has gravitated towards the team over time, as the organization has honored the commitment that fans have had by placing the team’s nickname on the front of their home uniforms, but more importantly, by winning titles. Although dominant in a division surrounding lake Michigan, USY had become a force in the Midwestern Championship as well. The team’s other nickname, the Slaughter, comes from how they massacred their opponents on a near daily basis.
USY is owned and operated by a single man: Dave Perrin. A meat-packing business owner and certified cheapskate, Perrin’s main focus heading into the league is the bottom line. Although his team has a loyal fanbase, the squad’s stadium is a decrepit old 29,000 seat ballpark in the dirtiest part of town. Attendance has become a slight issue, and if Perrin doesn’t see dividends or reach a deal to secure a new lot for his new stadium, one of the most devoted fan bases in the sport will be without a team to call home.
Luckily for them, this squad might be good enough to sell out every game this year. The corner infielders of James LaCava and Ben Molitor have become some of the best bats in baseball, while the outfield of Travis Slaven, Dustin Nelson, and Kyle Yellen are possibly the most offensively gifted outfield in the Midwest. The pitching staff is strong as well, with a slightly-injury prone Jonathon West leading the rotation, along Nick Blase, Tad Seaman, Mike Reardon, and Brandon Brewer. Nate Deavers and Justin Huffer are solid relievers, and their only weaknesses seem to be in the catcher, second base, and shortstop spots with Nick Foster, Matt Marrin, and Armando Macias respectively. Expect this team to compete if everyone can stay healthy.
Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:37 pm)
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Chicago Republics Baseball Club:
Originally named Sporting Athletic Chicago, the team was to be sold after a scandal in the final game of 1901, when a pitcher walked 14 batters in the bottom of the 9th to lose a game on purpose. The team effectively bought itself and sold shares of the club in order to raise money for a new stadium. Rob De Jong, manager of the team until his death in 1936, is said to be the forefather of modern american baseball for his teachings about technique and the first to suggest that the Republics become a members association. The team’s colors are inspired by the city’s flag and the 1893 Statue of the Republic, while black was simply an aesthetic choice held onto since the 1920’s. The team’s long history of success, including multiple Midwestern championship trophies and barnstorming campaigns that saw them travel to everywhere in the country that would take them, have given them a large, cross-cultural fanbase all around the country. However, the team’s historic success haven’t been indicative of recent results, and this team is expected to finish last in the Midwest for the 47 campaign.
Their stadium is a marvelous 50,000 seat superstructure with a neoclassical facade along Lake Michigan. The stadium, although it has short fences, is known to be a pitcher’s park with how the wind blows into the stadium.
No sugarcoating here, everyone on this team is bad except for a 29 year-old catcher Taylor McShane, who lost most of his prime development time to war. The team boasts first-year pro Jose Gonzalez at first, Jesse Gurgenidze at second, Scoot Weeden at third, and Elijah Godley at short. Josh Lehr is in lef, Nate Staats is in center, and Marcus Murray is in right. Pitchers Kyle Sisk and Chase Shapiro are the only ones besides Gonzales that didn’t play for the team before the war, while Bobby Rogers, Casey Belknap, and Jake Kramer are all over-the-hill and fading. Kevin Bartlett and David Beedy lead a bullpen that is short on talent that tries to make up for it in experience and leadership. This team shouldn’t be expected to be much, but fun nonetheless.
Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:38 pm)
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I don't know why but I really gravitated towards Brooklyn and Union Stock Yards so far haha. By far my two favorites.
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Cincinnati Reds:
The most successful Midwestern Association team, the Reds had no problem sustaining success after they left. This team has over 40 years of sustained success, even after the club was sold to a member association over the course of the 1920’s. Since 1930, Cincinnati’s team president Josh Check has developed a powerhouse along the Ohio River through shrewd moves and commanding nature. With multiple championships with him at the helm, this team looks extremely strong heading into the first MABL season.
With Check in control, fans have enjoyed relative ease of mind about the club, knowing he will ensure success at any cost. However, the city of seven hills is anxious about this year. If Check doesn’t like what he sees, it’s known that heads will roll.
Luckily, the team seems to be in top shape. Catcher Matthew Jones, first baseman George Mersinger, second baseman Roman Lomax, third baseman Harry Simkins, an shortstop Allen Chaffee look to be one of the best infields in the game, while Craig Baer is the only slight blemish in the outfield, with Brian Greenfield and Tom Grossman occupying the other two spots. George Rogers II, the grandson of famed Milwaukee pitcher George Rogers, was an absolute stud last year in his age 23 season, and looks to do it again this year. He leads one of the most solid starting rotations in baseball, followed up by Eric Littlefield, Jorge Barrios, T.J. Hill, and Ryan Diallo. The bullpen of Ronnie Stout, Mike Moss, Dustin Skrip, and Andrew Fulton are the final pieces to this puzzle, and if everyone is healthy, expect a Cincinnati Midwestern crown.
Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:38 pm)