The Alpha league is a progressive league that progresses 2 years at a time. Owners have the option each season of using either season. We have completed the 1895/1896 season and need a replacement for the Cleveland Indians franchise.

The Indians were owned by shawbigred, who has dropped from many progressive (and other) leagues with no explanation. This team frankly will require a major rehabilitation project as there are only 3 quality players available for the 1897/1898 season. The team has been entered for the 1897/1898 season and is now being offered as a free team to an owner who is willing to commit to at least 3 additional seasons. The new season will start soon.

The team roster is shown below. The  players taken in the 1897/98 draft are also shown. There are only 12 teams in the league but nevertheless there will be a shortage of players for the next 2 seasons, 1897/1898 and 1899/1900. There were only 12 major league teams in 1897-1899 and only 8 major league teams in 1900. With the addition of the AL in 1901 the player shortage will be dramatically reduced.

 The player shortage for the 1897/98 and 1899/00 seasons will be handled by drafting 2000-2010 $200k players and 10 or 12 average quality AAA players will be allowed who can be used to replace the $200k players.

While this is a rebuilding task, you will have the opportunity to be involved when the league moves into the modern era for the 1901/1902 season and you have an opportunity to build a team from the ground floor.

The team roster is in the following post.  If interested, please sign up below.

Cleveland Indians 1897/1898 Roster

Active Roster (8)
C   Tom Kinslow
1B Harry Davis, Farmer Vaughn
2B Jack Crooks
3B Bert Myers
P   Al Orth, Pink Hawley, Sadie McMahon

(Note-of the above, only Harry Davis is a regular and only Orth and Hawley are rotation pitchers)

Rettred (9)
SS Shorty Fuller, Frank Shannon
OF Tom Bannon, Dave Foutz, George Hogriever, Tom Niland
P    Tom Colcolough, Tom Parrott, Frank Sexton

There were also 8 $200k players and 10 AAA players for the 1895/1896 season.

Looking for an owner up to a real challenge

Did you ever find a replacement owner for this team? I may be interested.

No I haven't found a replacement owner. The draft is completed and I have drafted the following for the Indians:

P Vic Willis
SS Claude Ritchey
C Frank Bowerman
C Lou Criger
OF Zeke Wrigley
P Bill Damman
P Ralph Milller
1B Charlie Carr

 The Indians will have to draft 9 $200k scrubs from 2000-2010 (these may not be keepers) who will be replaced by AAA players

As noted above, this season and 1899/1900 will be rough. There are only about 64 rookies in 1899/1900 and more retirements than that so there will be a shortage. There were only 8 ML clubs in 1900. In 1901, with the arrival of the AL, the player shortage should be solved.

One other team has as big a shortage as the Indians and most teams are undermanned to lesser degrees.

I have given you temporary access to the private forum so you can get more information.

Team is still available

Looking for an owner up to a challenge who can show real skill in taking a very poor team and making it a winner in as short a time frame as possible. Who's up to this challenge ?

Still looking for an owner?

If you still need an owner I'll take the sad pathetic Indians.

Posted by followtheson on 5/28/2011 12:34:00 PM (view original):
If you still need an owner I'll take the sad pathetic Indians.

I will contact admin and transfer the team to you. I will give you immediate access to our private forum as well.

Thanks for joining and welcome to the league.