Left Centerfield Wall Still Stands
as Part of Con Edison Yard
1914
The Brooklyn Tip-Tops completed the inaugural season of the Federal League at 77-77, 11.5 games behind the champion Indianapolis Hoosiers. The Tip-Tops were named after Tip-Top Bread which was owned by owner Robert Ward. Brooklyn ended June with a 25-32 record but jumped back into contention with a sizzling 21-8 record in July. The Tip-Tops faded sown the stretch posting a 31-37 record the rest of the way. Bill Bradley managed Brooklyn during its first season.
The Brooklyn offense was led by a quartet of players. First baseman Hap Myers (.220/1/29) led the team with 43 stolen bases. Second baseman Solly Hofman hit .287 with five home runs and 83 RBIs. Third baseman Tex Wisterzil (.257/0/66) led the Federal League in hit by pitches with eleven on the season. The standout performer on the Tip-Tops was outfielder Steve Evans (.348/12/96). Evans topped the Fed League in triples (15), slugging percentage (.556and OPS+ (177).
F. L. Co-Triples Leader (15)
Steve Evans (BKN)
The Tip-Top pitching staff was anchored by three main starters: Tom Seaton (25/3.03/172), Ed Lafitte (18/2.63/137) and Joseph Finneran (12/3.18/54). The three hurlers would start 94 of Brooklyn’s 154 games with Lafitte allowing a league high 127 free passes. Byron Houck (2/3.13/45), Dan Marion (3/3.93/41), Rudy Sommers (2/4.06/40) and Jim Bluejacket (4/3.76/29) would relieve and provide spot starting duties.
1915
The Tip-Tops finished the second and final season of the Federal League in 7th place, 16 games behind the champion Chicago Whales. A 9-6 start in April could not keep Brooklyn in the hunt as they struggled to play .500 ball the rest of the campaign. On June 28th, Brooklyn charged no admission for their game against the Chicago Whales.
Middle infielders Lee Magee (.323/4/49) and Fred Smith (.247/5/58) provided some pop to Brooklyn’s batting order. Outfielder Claude Cooper contributed a .294 average with two home runs and sixty-three runs batted in. The most valuable player on the Tip-Tops and possibly the league was Benny Kauff (.342/12/83). Kauff led the Federal League in WAR (6.8), stolen bases (55), batting average (.342), on-base percentage (.446), slugging percentage (.509), OPS (.955) and OPS+ (180).
F. L. Batting Champion (.342)
Benny Kauff (BKN)
F. L. Stolen Base Leader (55)
Benny Kauff (BKN)
The Brooklyn staff was mediocre and allowed twenty-six more runs than the offense could produce. Fiur starters managed double-digit wins: Joseph Finneran (10/2.80/68), Dan Marion (12/3.20/46), Tom Seaton (11/4.42/86) and Jim Bluejacket (10/3.15/48). Fellow starters Ed Lafitte (6/3.90/34) and Fin Wilson (1/3.78/47) would combine for a 7-17 record.
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