Detroit Robins
 
History: The team began amateur play in 1880 as a recreational team for employees of the Detroit, Monroe and Toledo Railroad. They went pro in 1899, but in 1903 turned control of the team over to team captain Alexander Quimby. Despite ending their official ties, the company and club do maintain a strong relationship. Quimby himself is a manager at DM&T, and many of the players that he signs work there in the offseason.
 
Leadership: Quimby has a good eye for talent, and tailback Oliver Andrews is an excellent coach.
 
Key Players: John White, though only 25 years old, may be the league’s best tackle, and is especially effective as a blocker.
 
Outlook: Despite the skill of Quimby at identifying talent, the leadership provided by Andrews, and the talent of White; the Robins figure to be middle of the pack at best. Unlike most teams, they aren’t backed by a significant source of wealth, so they struggle to attract top-tier talent, unless everyone else overlooks a player (as was the case with White).
 
Nickname: The team was originally named Detroit DM&T, but Quimby changed the name to the Robins, after the state bird, upon assuming control of the team.
 
Uniform: Bright red jerseys and socks with thin white strips on the sleeves.


 
Erie Lakers
 
History: Fifteen-year old Wolfgang Viktor Holtz came to the United States in 1861, and lied about his age to join the Union army.  He served with distinction, ultimately rising to the rank of captain. At the end of the war, he settled in Erie, Pennsylvania and opened Holtz Brewery. An enthusiastic athlete, he put together recreational teams in every sport he could think of, and by 1890, their football team dominated the local amateur circuit. He began paying his players in 1893, and the team has consistently been one of the best in the country.
 
Leadership: In addition to strong financial support from Holtz, the team has a brilliant coach in wingback John Luckner. The two have been together since 1910, and as long as they’re both there, Erie should be competitive. Prospective players know that Holtz will pay well and that Luckner will supply a winning gameplan, which helps with recruiting.
 
Key Players: It doesn’t seem fair, but the team with arguably the best owner and the best coach also has the main who is inarguably the best player. Tailback Francis Jacobs is so quick he seems to vanish when defenders manage to get a hand on him. Of course, to get to him defenders have to get through his former teammate at Carlisle Indian School, blocking back Jim Titus (who is probably the league’s best at his position).
 
Outlook: This team is far and away the favorite. Since Jacobs and Titus signed on two years ago, they have gone 19-1-3.
 
Nickname: The Lakers name is new this year. The team has always been called the Brewers, but after the 18th Amendment was ratified in January of 1919, it no longer seemed appropriate. Holtz’s brewery has been converted to produce ice cream, though there are persistent rumors that he continues to brew beer and runs a speakeasy. Not liking the sound of Ice Creamers, Holtz chose to call the team the Lakers after the body of water that shares the city’s name.
 
Uniform: Blue with vertical stripes on the chest and thin horizontal ones on the sleeves and socks. Holtz thinks that the uniforms look like the sun shining on the lake.  Nobody else agrees with him.

Being a Pennsylvanian myself I was hoping that Erie would be my favorite team In the league. After reading the excellent backstory on the team I can confirm they are my favorite team now.

Both Detroit and Erie look great keep it up

Both Detroit and Erie look pretty solid, I must admit! Although assuming my math is correct, the Lakers’ owner was born in 1846 and is currently 73 years old, I think? One would have to wonder if Erie can survive whenever he passes away. I also recognize John Luckner as having owned the Cleveland Ghosts back in the AFA, so it’s cool to see some characters from that old league be used here. Looking forward to the next team!

Last edited by Slapshot Kirby (5/16/2020 1:13 pm)

Slapshot Kirby wrote:

Both Detroit and Erie look pretty solid, I must admit! Although assuming my math is correct, the Lakers’ owner was born in 1846 and is currently 73 years old, I think? One would have to wonder if Erie can survive whenever he passes away. I also recognize John Luckner as having owned the Cleveland Ghosts back in the AFA, so it’s cool to see some characters from that old league be used here. Looking forward to the next team!

Good catch on Luckner. I thought that he was such a minor character that nobody would remember him. Another (more prominent) AFA owner will enter the league as a player within the next few years, and I thought that some might remember him, but I thought I was safe with Luckner.

And you're right - Holtz is by far the oldest person assiciated with the league. Life expectancy in the era was low to mid 50s (it was a bit higher than that for people who reached adulthood - high childhood and infant mortality deflated the number somewhat). Holtz still seems to be in good health, but it's not unreasonable to wonder what will happen when his time comes. He had two sons, one of which is involved with the family business (but not the football team) and the other is a successful sculptor living in Los Angeles, whose only involvement with the league is that he designed the championship trophy. It isn't at all clear what will happen.

Last edited by Veras (5/17/2020 8:30 am)