Right
Right, I knew you or Jay would get that one without even thinking. Not meaning to sidetrack your question, but do you think the reason Detroit is such an underrepresented team in the initial 1887 issue has to do with the other NL owners? I suspect this might have something to do with it.
For those that aren't familiar with all of the history of the Wolverines, I will reiterate a few key facts. Back in 1885, the new owner of the Wolverines, Stearns wanted to create a super team much like the Yankees of today. He bought the entire Buffalo Bisons including the Big 4 - Hardy Richardson, Rowe, Deacon White and Brouthers. This plan was met with a lot of resistance by the other NL owners and the rules were changed limiting the sharing of gate receipts to some marginal amount. Detroit wasn't the mecca of the auto industry yet and was considered a small town. Detroit could not support the payroll of the Super Team with only its gate receipts. Stearns couldn't afford to keep all of these high priced players - including Baldwin - and he eventually had to sell his star players. However, it took several years for the strategy to play out and starve Stearns. This meant that in 1886 and 1887 they were still playing with much of this talent and Baldwin had one of his best years in 1886. In 1887 Detroit won the NL penant; and folded shortly thereafter.
My theory is that the lack of Detroit cards in the initial 1887 issue (no Baldwin, Bennett or White), was due in part, to the influence of the other owners against Stearns.
Thoughts Joe?
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