Parallel History of Baseball

[mjj55409]

The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players

Throughout the 1850s and 1860s interest in baseball was burgeoning. In 1858, members of the oldest amateur club, the Knickerbockers of New York City, called a convention of all similarly organized clubs in the metropolitan area. Twenty-two clubs were represented. They formed themselves into a permanent body: The National Association of Base Ball Players. This National Association governed baseball for thirteen years.

The post-Civil War period saw tremendous growth in baseball. From an organization of clubs in the New York metropolitan area, the National Association became truly national in scope. At the convention of 1865, ninety-one clubs from across the country were represented. And as America became more urban and more industrial, the demand for leisure activities increased. A demand that was increasingly met by attending baseball matches. This lead to the clubs beginning to charge for attendance. And since the National Association was an amateur association, prohibitions were in place against paying the players. But this of course just meant that the players were being paid underneath the table. Boss Tweed, a backer of the New York Mutual club, would lure players to the Mutuals by providing jobs on the city payroll.

In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings rejected the amateur tenets of the National Association and became the first openly professional team. The total payroll for the season of 1869, which in those days lasted from March 15 to November 15, was $9300. The team took on all comers, and they finished the season with a record of 56 victories, 1 tie, and 0 defeats. Professionalism in baseball had arrived.

By the end of 1869, the professionals were in virtual control of the Association convention and were bitterly attacked by last-ditch amateur supporters. At the 1870 convention, about twenty professional clubs were able to dominate the amateurs, who gave way under the pressure and adjourned.

So in March of 1871, nine professional clubs met at a saloon at 840 Broadway in New York City and formed the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players. Charter members of the first organized professional league were the Philadelphia Athletics, Washington Olympics, New York Mutuals, Troy Haymakers, Boston Red Stockings, Forest Citys of Rockford, Forest Citys of Cleveland, Chicago White Stockings, and the Kekiongas of Fort Wayne. It is important to note that this is still an association of players, not clubs.

The professional clubs arranged for match tours with each other. Typically, the Eastern clubs would make two trips west, and the Western clubs came east twice. There was no supervised scheduling; the clubs handled all scheduling themselves. Prior to 1871, any talk of a “championship” was informal. The National Association intended to formalize the pennant race. Any professional club could ante up the fee of $10 and join the “championship season.” Each club was to play a best three out of five series against every other club. The one winning the greatest number of games during the season would be declared champion by the championship committee at the convention following the close of the season. The club could then fly the championship "whip pennant" at its park the following season.

[mjj55409]

New York Times
October 31, 1871

The Whip Pennant Won by the Red Stockings Club of Boston

The last of the series of base-ball matches for the championship was played yesterday. The Boston Club easily finished the championship series with the most victories, having won two more than the Mutual Club of this city.



The Bostons were led by the duo of backstop Tom York and hurler Billy Hobbs. York tallied 69 bases and 41 runs. Hobbs won 19 Association matches against 9 losses.

The other Association batsman that should be mentioned is that of the Olympics -- John White. White is a master of the 3-base hit and tallied 86 bases, scoring 34 runs.


l-to-r, Tom York, Billy Hobbs, John White

[scott1964]

Looks good, How did you get a different number of games played for each team? And do you have a save to share if one would like to use what you have done.

[mjj55409]

Originally Posted by scott1964

Looks good, How did you get a different number of games played for each team?

I'm using the actual, as-played schedules. There is a file on OOTP Mods that contains the schedules, logos, jerseys, and caps for the National Association: https://ootpmods.com//tiki-download_...hp?fileId=3265

[mjj55409]

New York Times
February 25, 1872

The Various Clubs Preparing for the Coming Season

The entries for the championship of 1872 close May 1, and it is understood that the list will include the following six clubs: Athletic, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Haymaker and Mutual. With the exception of the Chicago, Rockford and Ft. Wayne Clubs, all of last year's nines will be in the field again, and to make up for the losses mentioned, there will be the Baltimore and the proposed Brooklyn clubs, whose organization will tend to centralize the interest in the game, since Cleveland will be the only representative of the West. There is considerable doubt at present concerning the Atlantics and the Eckfords, but it seems likely that the best players will unite to make up a first-class nine under the Atlantic flag. At this time last year the Atlantics had equally good chances of getting together a good string of players and failed to do so.

The Mutuals, of New-York, have succeeded in enrolling some excellent players, having signed in particular Billy Hobbs (19-9, 2.89) and Al Judge (.306/.340/.431), late of the Red Stockings. Hobbs will take over on the mound for the Mutual, and Judge will play right field.

Boston will have the formidable task of defending the whip-pennant. The shareholders of the club have pledged a sum of $4500. They have retained the services of backstop Tom York (.361/.381/.460). Youngster Bill Parish (6-16, 3.12), late of the Rockford club, will assume pitching duties for the Red Stockings.

The Athletic of Philadelphia will be a strong contender. They are led by Henry Pickett (9-13, 3.50) on the mound. They are expecting young outfielder Al Parks to come into his own as a batsman this season.

The backers of the Canaries of Baltimore, having made the jump from the amateur ranks, were quite active in securing players. They scored a big prize in hurler Henry Cade (15-11, 2.60), late of the White Stockings.

The Chicago fire has, for this season, banished the game from Illinois, and in Cleveland the West will have its only representative--the Forest City Club--including pitcher Bill Good (16-12, 2.80) and outfielder John Rees (.315/.333/.450).

It is expected that Troy, Mansfield, both entries from Brooklyn and from Washington will be the "second division" of the championship season.

The National Association meets in Cleveland next month. The consideration of proposed amendments to the rules will be the chief business of the session.


l-to-r, Al Judge, Bill Parish, Henry Pickett

[mjj55409]

Brooklyn Eagle
November 4, 1872

The Championship Record

The result of the season's play in the championship arena gives the whip pennant to the New York nine, as will be seen by the appended statistics.



Base-Ball Averages Compiled

Batting Leaders for 1872

Average
.365...Bob Hay, Boston
.364...Al Parks, Athletic
.362...Jim Lett, Mutual
.355...Tom York, Boston
.344...Joe Kelly, Athletic

Runs
61.....Charlie Gardiner, Mutual
60.....John Foley, Boston
60.....Jim Lett, Mutual
60.....Charlie Peck, Mutual
55.....Bobby Lyons, Baltimore

Total Bases
135....Jim Lett, Mutual
117....Al Judge, Mutual
111....Charlie Peck, Mutual
107....Bob Hay, Boston
106....John Foley, Boston


l-to-r, Jim Lett, Charlie Peck, Bob Hay

[mjj55409]

New York Times
March 1, 1873

The New Nines for 1873

The Mutual Club of this city are prepared to defend the championship it currently holds from what is certain to be determined resistance from the other championship clubs. The Mutual must overcome the loss of top batsman John Hatcher (.295/.302/.358), who signed with the Atlantic.

Speaking of the club from Brooklyn, the Atlantic have put together a nine that looks to be a formidable contender. The Atlantic backers have pledged $7000 for the season, allowing them to sign Bob Hay (.365./.361/.482) from Boston in addition to the aforementioned Hatcher.

The Boston club will once again be difficult to beat. They have the Association's top backstop in Tom York (.355/.368/.437). And they signed Sam Meeks (.337/.352/.375) from the Haymakers.

The Athletic nine will have an interesting club in 1873 after signing John Foley (.342/.362/.477) from the Red Stockings. Foley joins Al Parks (.364/.373/.436) in a strong batting lineup. The question for the Philadelphia club is how well will their hurlers perform.

Of the Championship clubs, the Whites of Philadelphia and the Canaries of Baltimore are not expected to fair as well, having failed to assembled strong nines.

Among the co-operatives, Elizabeth has Dave Green (.316/.339/.393) late of Troy. The Washington Club is debuting an intriguing amateur, Jack Rowley, in the out-field. The Maryland Club has employed hurler Henry Picket (22-18, 2.37) late of the Athletic.

[mjj55409]

Brooklyn Eagle
July 31, 1873

More amateur clubs play ball of a Saturday afternoon in and around the metropolis this season, than there were clubs in existence in all the States ten years ago. There are, in Philadelphia alone, no less than one hundred and sixty base ball clubs. Ten years ago the number of clubs represented in the National Convention was but twenty-eight. Peck and Snyder do a $10,000 a year business now in base ball materials alone.

July closes with the leading clubs occupying the following positions:

Clubs.               Won. Lost.Played.
Mutual................20    9   29
Baltimore.............20   19   39    
Philadelphia..........18   13   31
Boston................15   14   29   
Athletic..............13   14   27
Atlantic..............11   16   27

Among the co-operatives, Elizabeth has won 7 and lost 14; Washington won 7 and lost 12; and the Maryland Club has now disbanded, having won 3 and lost 3.

Tom Armstrong (40 bases, 20 runs) of the Mutual and Ben Hanna (89 bases, 34 runs) and John Reese (68 bases, 41 runs) of the Baltimore Club are among the leading batsmen of the Association. Philadelphia amateur Tom Fuller (73 bases, 27 runs) has proven that he belongs playing with the professionals.


l-to-r Tom Armstrong, Ben Hanna, John Reese, Tom Fuller

[mjj55409]

New York Times
October 31, 1873

The Championship Question

The championship question is now settled, and the New York Mutual will fly the championship pennant once again. The success of this club is certainly very gratifying to the friends and admirers of its honest and gentlemanly players, whose record is maintained without the slightest suspicion of knavish play. The Baltimore Club, who promised so well in the early part of the season, and maintained a winning pace through the end of July, finish second. The Philadelphia Club, who made a spirited run for the top position over the last two months of play, finish third.

Clubs.               Won. Lost.Played.
Mutual................34   19   53
Baltimore.............31   26   57    
Philadelphia..........29   24   53
Boston................29   31   60   
Athletic..............23   29   52
Atlantic..............24   31   55

Among the co-operatives Washington won 18 and lost 21, and Elizabeth won 8 against 15 losses.

Base-Ball Averages Compiled

Batting Leaders for 1873

Average
.388...William Jenkins, Atlantic
.381...Ike Andrews, Washington
.380...Joe Stone, Boston
.365...Bill Nichols, Mutual
.347...Ben Hanna, Baltimore

Runs
67.....Joe Stone, Boston
61.....John Rees, Baltimore
60.....Henry Ely, Atlantic
55.....Johnny Hawkins, Baltimore
55.....Jack Neff, Boston

Total Bases
120....Al Daniels, Atlantic
118....Joe Stone, Boston
116....Jack Neff, Boston
110....John Rees, Baltimore
108....Tom Fuller, Philadelphia


l-to-r, Joe Stone, Al Daniels

[mjj55409]

New York Times
February 19, 1874

The Coming Base-Ball Season

The prospects that the coming base-ball season will be a successful one with both amateur and professional ball-players seem very encouraging. Up to the present time seven first-class professional teams have entered the lists to compete for the whip pennant. The much-talked-of Connecticut "ten" will probably do so at the next meeting of the Professional Association. The new rule, which constitutes ten men and ten innings the legal game, is received with little favor by players in this vicinity, and there exist serious doubts of its adoption by the Association. The struggle for the professional championship promises to be a very lively one.


------


The New York Club has received the flag awarded them by the Championship Committee. It is described as a very handsome affair, having a broad white centre with edges of red and bears the following inscription in letters of blue: "New York. 1873 champions of the United States." They are led by pitcher Billy Hobbs (33-18, 2.28), Charlie Gardner (.295, 39 runs, 77 bases) at first base, and Bill Nichols (.365 40 runs, 107 bases) at second base.

The Chicago Club propose making things lively this season. They have secured Jim Lett (.296, 38 runs, 94 bases) late of the New York Club to man centre field and Jonah Rolfe (.308, 28 runs, 75 bases) late of Washington to play at short stop.

The Boston Club will be composed of first-class players, who will make a determined struggle for the pennant. Their nine for next season will include the following players: Tom York (.301, 39 runs, 93 bases) at catcher, Joe Stone (.380, 67 runs, 118 bases) in centre field, and Sam Meeks (.338, 53 runs, 105 bases) in left field.

The Athletic nine for this season will include: John Foley (.337, 52 runs, 91 bases) at second base and Al Parks (.325, 41 runs, 99 bases) in right field. They will debut local amateur moundsman Henry Hawkins.

The Philadelphia Club will be represented by a good nine, including the following players: John Stowers (.290, 53 runs, 91 bases) in centre field and Tom Fuller (.335, 46 runs, 108 bases) in left field.

The Atlantic Club includes the follow players: Henry Ely (.305, 60 runs, 84 bases) in left field and John Hatcher (.321, 47 runs, 90 bases) at short stop.

The Baltimore nine includes: Pat Frost (.345, 54 runs, 104 bases) at short stop and John Rees (.315, 88 runs, 110 bases) in left field. Kentucky amateur Cornelius Booth was enticed north to pitch.

The manager of the Hartford Club has secured the plot of ground on which they intend giving some very good exhibitions during the year. Their nine for this season will include: pitcher Henry Cade (22-25, 3.18) late of the Baltimore Club and Jim Keeley (.278, 20 runs, 39 bases) at first base. Keeley manned that position last season for the Bostons.