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amead17 · 01-02-2026, 01:51 PM

SPORTING TIMES — October 17th, 1913
By Charles H. Wentworth

Delahanty Bids Farewell as a Generation Begins to Pass

With the arrival of the off-season, the familiar sound of farewell once again echoes through the grandstands of base ball. Each autumn brings its share of retirements, yet this year one name rises above all others and commands the full attention of the sporting world.

At 45 years of age, Ed Delahanty has announced his retirement, bringing to a close one of the longest and most distinguished careers the game has known. His departure marks the end of a remarkable 26-year journey that spanned 2,928 games and left an indelible mark upon the sport.

Delahanty first took the field with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1888, beginning a career that would soon see him move to the Cleveland Spiders in 1890. He returned to Philadelphia in 1891, remaining there until 1903 before crossing the city to join the Athletics at the start of the 1904 campaign. It was there that he would finish his playing days, remaining a central figure in the club’s fortunes for nearly a decade.

Across those many seasons, Delahanty compiled a towering record: a lifetime batting average of .325, 190 home runs, 1,865 runs batted in, and 1,954 runs scored. His excellence was matched by achievement, as he played a vital role in World Series triumphs in 1904 and 1905, and was further honored with the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1902.

While Delahanty’s retirement stands foremost, he is not alone in stepping away from the game this autumn. Also laying down their spikes are Bill Bradley, Joe Dolan, Charlie Irwin, Dan McGann, Danny Murphy, Elmer Smith, Earl Moore, George Mullin, Doc Newton, Roy Patterson, Jack Pfiester, and Frank Smith.

Together, their departures mark the close of an era, as the game turns once more toward the future, shaped by new hands but forever indebted to those who built its past.

01-02-2026, 01:51 PM	#605
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,114	SPORTING TIMES — October 17th, 1913 By Charles H. Wentworth Delahanty Bids Farewell as a Generation Begins to Pass With the arrival of the off-season, the familiar sound of farewell once again echoes through the grandstands of base ball. Each autumn brings its share of retirements, yet this year one name rises above all others and commands the full attention of the sporting world. At 45 years of age, Ed Delahanty has announced his retirement, bringing to a close one of the longest and most distinguished careers the game has known. His departure marks the end of a remarkable 26-year journey that spanned 2,928 games and left an indelible mark upon the sport. Delahanty first took the field with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1888, beginning a career that would soon see him move to the Cleveland Spiders in 1890. He returned to Philadelphia in 1891, remaining there until 1903 before crossing the city to join the Athletics at the start of the 1904 campaign. It was there that he would finish his playing days, remaining a central figure in the club’s fortunes for nearly a decade. Across those many seasons, Delahanty compiled a towering record: a lifetime batting average of .325, 190 home runs, 1,865 runs batted in, and 1,954 runs scored. His excellence was matched by achievement, as he played a vital role in World Series triumphs in 1904 and 1905, and was further honored with the National League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1902. While Delahanty’s retirement stands foremost, he is not alone in stepping away from the game this autumn. Also laying down their spikes are Bill Bradley, Joe Dolan, Charlie Irwin, Dan McGann, Danny Murphy, Elmer Smith, Earl Moore, George Mullin, Doc Newton, Roy Patterson, Jack Pfiester, and Frank Smith. Together, their departures mark the close of an era, as the game turns once more toward the future, shaped by new hands but forever indebted to those who built its past.