Baseball from 1871

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The Baseball Times
April 22nd, 1897

O'Neill Announces Retirement After 1897 Season



Veteran outfielder Tip O'Neill, 37, has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the 1897 season, bringing his distinguished career to a close. O'Neill, who has been with the Washington Americans since 1886, expressed that the time has come to step away from the game.

"Time takes its toll on this old body. I can't do it as well as I want anymore. It's time to hang up the spikes and make way for a younger guy," O'Neill said in his announcement.

Throughout his career, O'Neill has been a steady performer at the plate, batting for a .283 lifetime average. He has accumulated 1466 hits, 52 home runs, and 760 RBIs. O'Neill began his career with the Baltimore Barons in 1884 before being traded to Washington, where he has spent the majority of his career.

Kilroy Dominates Hitmen in 3-0 Shutout



Matt Kilroy delivered a masterful performance on the mound, leading the Cincinnati Wildcats to a 3-0 shutout victory over the Brooklyn Hitmen at Wildcats Field. Kilroy pitched a gem, allowing just 7 hits while striking out 4 and walking 3 to earn the win.

“We barely made him work at all,” Brooklyn manager Harry Wright commented after the game. “Cincinnati could probably pitch him again tomorrow if they wanted.”

With the win, Kilroy improves to 4-0 on the season and maintains an impressive ERA of 1.50. His dominant outing further cements his status as one of the top pitchers in the league this year.

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The Baseball Times
April 24th, 1897

Inks Shuts Out Captains in 1-0 Victory



Bert Inks delivered a brilliant pitching performance today at Captains Ballpark, leading the Cleveland Royals to a 1-0 shutout victory over the Louisville Captains. Inks, making his first start of the season, allowed only 5 hits while striking out 1 and walking 3 to earn the win.

“We barely made him work at all,” Louisville manager John Carbine remarked after the game. “Cleveland could probably pitch him again tomorrow if they wanted.”

With the victory, Inks improves his record to 2-0, and his ERA remains a perfect 0.00 through 3 games.

Welch Extends Hit Streak in Bandits' 7-1 Win Over Bucks



Columbus Bandits center fielder Curt Welch continued his hot streak today, picking up 2 hits in 4 at-bats to help lead his team to a 7-1 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Bandits Ballpark. Welch’s performance stretched his hitting streak to an impressive 20 consecutive games.

Welch doubled in the 1st, singled in the 2nd, flied out in the 4th, grounded out in the 6th, and walked in the 8th inning.

So far in 1897, Welch is batting .329 with 24 hits in 73 at-bats. He has 7 RBIs, 16 runs scored, and a .380 OBP, continuing to be a standout performer for the Bandits.

Browning Injured in Barons’ Win Over Sox



There was a major setback for the Baltimore Barons today, as star first baseman Pete Browning left the game during their 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Sox. Browning has been diagnosed with an intercostal strain and will miss 2-3 weeks of action.

Browning has been a key contributor to the Barons' offense this season, batting .391 with 9 runs scored and 6 RBIs. His injury is a blow to the Barons as they look to maintain their strong start to the season.

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The Baseball Times
April 25th, 1897

Captains' German to Miss Four Months with Torn Labrum



The Louisville Captains received troubling news today regarding their starting pitcher Les German. After initially hoping for a less severe diagnosis following his injury against the Cleveland Royals, team doctors confirmed that German has suffered a partially torn labrum in his shoulder while throwing a pitch during today’s game.

The 28-year-old German will now be sidelined for the next four months, a significant blow to the Captains' pitching rotation.

So far this season, German has made 5 starts, posting a 1-2 record with 12 strikeouts in 38.1 innings pitched. He has compiled a 4.70 ERA. The injury leaves a substantial gap in the Captains' staff as they look to adjust for the rest of the season without the services of one of their key pitchers.

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The Baseball Times
April 26th, 1897

Caruthers Joins 2000-Hit Club in Bandits’ 8-6 Win



Columbus Bandits left fielder Bob Caruthers reached a significant milestone today, collecting his 2000th career hit during the Bandits' 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Caruthers finished the game with 1 hit in 3 at-bats, adding his name to the prestigious list of players in the Professional Baseball Association's 2000-hit club.

At 34 years old, Caruthers has had a remarkable career, batting .326 with 2000 hits, 342 doubles, 143 triples, and 91 home runs. His achievement solidifies his place among the league’s all-time greats as he continues to be a key contributor for the Bandits.

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The Baseball Times
April 28th, 1897

Bandits' Pitching Injury Woes Continue as Boyd Ruptures Tendon



The Columbus Bandits' pitching staff was dealt another blow today as Jake Boyd was forced to leave the game during the team’s 6-5 win over the Baltimore Barons. Post-game reports revealed that Boyd had ruptured a tendon in his finger, an injury that will sideline him for the next three months.

Boyd is the third pitcher to go down with an injury for the Bandits this season, further deepening the team’s pitching struggles. Before the injury, Boyd had posted a 1-2 record with a stellar 1.52 ERA in 2 starts and 5 games in total.

The Bandits now face the challenge of adjusting their pitching rotation yet again as they navigate this difficult stretch of injuries.

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The Baseball Times
April 30th, 1897

Welch Extends Streak Despite Bandits’ 2-1 Loss to Barons



The Columbus Bandits’ hopes of continuing their winning ways were dashed today as they fell to the Baltimore Barons, 2-1. However, despite the defeat, center fielder Curt Welch remained a shining star for the Bandits, extending his hitting streak to an impressive 25 games.

Welch collected 1 hit in 4 at-bats, a single in the 8th inning, after flying out in the 1st, 3rd, and grounding out in the 6th. Despite his continued success at the plate, Welch expressed frustration with the outcome, telling reporters, "Nothing else matters but the loss."

Bandits manager Henry Austin, however, remains hopeful that Welch’s red-hot play can help ignite his team. "Welch is playing great and is on fire right now. Hopefully his play can spark the rest of our team and help us pick up some wins," said Austin.

So far this season, Welch is batting .337 with no home runs, 8 RBIs, and 22 runs scored in 21 games.

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The Baseball Times
May 1st, 1897

Professional Baseball Association Reaches One-Month Mark of 1897 Season

As the 1897 season reaches its first month, teams across the Professional Baseball Association are beginning to assess their position for the year.

In the American Conference, the Columbus Bandits have emerged as early leaders, buoyed by a potent batting lineup that has helped overcome a series of pitching injuries. The Bandits hold a 3-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Meanwhile, in the National Conference, the Philadelphia Thunder have established themselves atop the standings, holding a slim 1-game lead over the Cincinnati Wildcats.

Bob Caruthers Wins American Conference Batter of the Month



Bob Caruthers of the Columbus Bandits was honored with the American Conference Batter of the Month trophy for his exceptional performance at the plate during April. Caruthers posted a .402 batting average with 17 RBIs and 24 runs scored, although he did not hit a home run.

"Bob might be getting older," said Columbus manager Henry Austin, "but he's been around long enough to know what it takes to put together a stretch like this. He doesn't keep that knowledge to himself—he's always talking to the younger guys in the clubhouse, helping them however he can. Bob's value to our team goes far beyond just the numbers he puts up on the field."

Denny Lyons Claims National Conference Batter of the Month Award



Denny Lyons of the Pittsburgh Predators was named the National Conference Batter of the Month after a stellar April performance. Lyons hit .459 with 4 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 24 runs scored in 21 games, showcasing his consistency and power.

"I've been around the Professional Baseball Association long enough to know that it takes hard work day in and day out to achieve this kind of success," said the 32-year-old Lyons. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not be on the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together like it did this past month."

Standings

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Southern Association


Empire State League


New England Baseball League


Old North State League

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The Baseball Times
May 2nd, 1897

Tom Brown to Retire at Season's End



Local reports have confirmed that Tom Brown, veteran outfielder for the Brooklyn Hitmen, will retire from professional baseball at the conclusion of the current season. Brown, who began his career in 1882 with the Boston Bears, was traded to the Brooklyn Hitmen following the 1886 season.

Over an illustrious career spanning 15 seasons, Brown has played in 1,592 games and maintained a lifetime batting average of .260. He has amassed 1,484 hits, including 146 doubles and 92 triples, and has hit 26 home runs. Brown has contributed 529 RBIs and crossed the plate 847 times.

Willie Keeler's Streak Hits 20 Games



Chicago Cardinals’ first baseman Willie Keeler continues to dominate at the plate, extending his hitting streak to 20 consecutive games. Keeler’s hot streak continued in today’s game against the Brooklyn Hitmen, where he collected three hits. Despite Keeler’s performance, the Cardinals won a high-scoring affair, defeating the Hitmen 12-10.

During the game, Keeler singled in the 1st inning, added an RBI single in the 3rd, grounded out in the 5th, flied out in both the 7th and 8th, doubled in the 10th, and flied out again in the 12th.

“Definitely somebody’s going to stop me at some point,” Keeler said with a chuckle after the game. “I’ll enjoy it for the time being.”

Keeler’s impressive season statistics reflect a .410 batting average over 22 games, with 15 RBIs and 24 runs scored. Remarkably, he has yet to hit a home run this season.

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The Baseball Times
May 3rd, 1897

Pete Browning’s Return Delayed by Setback



The Baltimore Barons have announced that their first baseman, Pete Browning, will not return to action as quickly as initially expected. “There was a bit of a setback, but nothing to be concerned about,” a team official informed reporters. “Pete will probably miss another two weeks because of this, but everyone expects him to make a full recovery.”

Browning has been an essential part of the Barons' lineup, currently holding a .391 batting average with no home runs, 6 RBIs, and 9 runs scored.

Curt Welch’s 26-Game Hitting Streak Ends



The impressive 26-game hitting streak of Columbus Bandits’ center fielder Curt Welch has come to an end. Welch went 0-for-5 in his team's 8-7 victory over the Louisville Captains at Bandits Ballpark, marking the first time in 26 games that he failed to record a hit.

“I think I only made it to 26 games because I got lucky once or twice,” Welch commented after the game. “So I guess I can’t complain too much that I got unlucky and broke the streak.”

This season, the 36-year-old Welch has posted a .314 batting average, with 32 hits, no home runs, 9 RBIs, 6 walks, a .369 on-base percentage, and 23 runs scored.

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The Baseball Times
May 6th, 1897

Joe Corbett Shuts Out Philadelphia in Commanding Performance



Joe Corbett delivered an outstanding performance in his start against the Philadelphia Thunder, leading the Cincinnati Wildcats to a 2-0 shutout victory. Corbett allowed just 5 hits while recording 3 strikeouts and issuing 2 walks over the course of the game.

“A complete-game shutout is fun territory for me,” Corbett said in a postgame interview. “I had good balance and mechanics and was able to keep the ball down. When I do that, good things happen.”

So far this season, Corbett has made 7 starts and holds a 4-2 record with a 3.91 ERA. He has accumulated 14 strikeouts in 48.1 innings pitched.

George Mappes Out for Four Weeks with Fractured Hand



The Baltimore Barons will be without their third baseman, George Mappes, for the next four weeks due to a fractured hand. Mappes sustained the injury after being hit by a pitch during the Barons’ 8-4 victory over the Cleveland Royals.

This season, Mappes has played in 22 games, posting a .206 batting average with 8 runs scored and 9 RBIs.

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The Baseball Times
May 7th, 1897

Daisy Davis Dominates in Royals’ 3-0 Shutout Over Barons



Daisy Davis put on a masterful performance on the mound at Cleveland Grounds, leading the Cleveland Royals to a dominant 3-0 victory over the Baltimore Barons. The right-hander was in complete control throughout the game, limiting Baltimore to just five hits and recording two strikeouts with only one walk.

Baltimore’s skipper, Andy Leonard, praised Davis’ performance, saying, "He threw strikes and was always around the plate. The ball was doing everything he wanted it to do. We hit some balls hard, but they were all right at the fielders."

Davis' performance added to an impressive season so far. With seven starts under his belt, he boasts a 4-2 record, 13 strikeouts, and a solid 2.51 ERA across 57.1 innings.

Jocko Milligan Reaches Milestone of 2000 Hits



In a game that ended in a tough 5-4 loss to Chicago, Predators catcher Jocko Milligan made history by collecting his 2000th career hit. Milligan, who went 2-for-5 in the game, expressed his feelings about the achievement: “Overwhelmed. That’s how I feel about it right now.”

Milligan, who has played in 1617 games, is now firmly established among the greats in league history. Over the course of his career, he has maintained an impressive .318 batting average, with 120 home runs to go along with his 2001 career hits.

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The Baseball Times
May 8th, 1897

Frank Scheibeck’s Big Day Leads St. Louis Sox to 14-4 Victory



Frank Scheibeck delivered a standout performance at Boston Fields, leading the St. Louis Sox to a dominant 14-4 victory over the Boston Rebels. The outfielder went on an absolute tear, finishing the day 5-for-6, with hits in every inning except the sixth.

Scheibeck's offensive showcase included a single in the first, an RBI single in the second, a triple in the fourth, an RBI single in the eighth, and another single in the ninth. Despite his remarkable performance, Scheibeck kept his usual sense of humor, saying after the game, "Yeah, it'll be something nice to tell the grandkids, but it won't get me a hit tomorrow."

With a .358 batting average for the season, Scheibeck continues to be a consistent contributor for the Sox, even though he has yet to hit a home run this year.

Willie Keeler Extends Hitting Streak to 25 Games in Cardinals' 7-5 Win



Willie Keeler of the Chicago Cardinals extended his impressive hitting streak to 25 games with a hit in today’s 7-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Predators at Cardinals Ballpark.

Keeler, who continues to be a key player for the Cardinals, singled in the first inning, but was quiet the rest of the game, grounding out in the second and flying out in both the fourth and sixth innings.

Cardinals manager Zachary Taylor joked after the game, “Willie has been making it easy for me to pencil his name in the lineup every day.”

Keeler’s performance keeps his batting average at a stellar .403 for the season. While he has yet to hit a home run, he has driven in 19 RBIs over the course of the season.

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The Baseball Times
May 10th, 1897

Ed Beatin Leads Washington to 6-0 Shutout of Milwaukee Bucks



Ed Beatin may have described his performance as "sub-par," but the results were far from it as he pitched the Washington Americans to a dominant 6-0 shutout victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite not feeling at his best, Beatin limited the Bucks to just 2 hits and tallied 2 strikeouts over the course of the game.

"I didn’t feel quite right today, but I got a lot of help to get through," Beatin said after the game. "I trusted my catcher and the guys behind me bailed me out more than once when I screwed up."

Beatin’s effort, though not flawless, was enough to secure his team the victory. This season, he has a 2-4 record, 15 strikeouts, and a 4.34 ERA in 58 innings of work.

Roscoe Coughlin Dominates as Philadelphia Thunder Blank Brooklyn 6-0



Roscoe Coughlin delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching the Philadelphia Thunder to a 6-0 victory over the Brooklyn Hitmen. The right-hander exhibited excellent command, allowing only 5 hits, 3 walks, and striking out 7 in his complete game shutout.

"It felt like my catcher and I were on the same page all day, and Brooklyn was on a way, way different page," Coughlin remarked after the game.

The victory improves Coughlin’s season record to 3-1, with a 2.17 ERA. Over 5 starts, he has thrown 37.1 innings, registered 10 strikeouts, and 10 walks, continuing to impress for the Thunder.

John Clarkson of the Chicago Cardinals Injured in Loss to New York



Chicago Cardinals pitcher John Clarkson is expected to be sidelined for 2-3 weeks due to a biceps strain suffered during the team’s 7-6 loss to the New York Saints today. Clarkson, who has struggled this season, will now face an extended period on the injured list.

Clarkson's 1897 campaign has been a difficult one so far, with a 1-5 record and a 7.35 ERA over 8 starts. His absence will be felt as the Cardinals work to regroup from another tough loss.

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The Baseball Times
May 11th, 1897

Duff Cooley to Miss 4-5 Months with Concussion



Duff Cooley, a key player for the Washington Americans, has suffered a major blow to his season. Team doctors confirmed today that Cooley will be sidelined for 4-5 months after sustaining a concussion in a collision with a player at a base.

While officials from the Americans are optimistic that Cooley will make a full recovery, there remains some uncertainty about his ability to return at full strength after such a serious injury.

Cooley has been performing well this season, compiling a .325 batting average over 29 games. He has a .368 on-base percentage, with 2 home runs and 26 RBIs to his name. His absence will be a significant loss for the team as they adjust to life without one of their top contributors for the remainder of the season.

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The Baseball Times
May 12th, 1897

Jesse Tannehill Dominates in Wildcats' 1-0 Victory Over Roughnecks



Jesse Tannehill put on a masterful display on the mound, leading the Cincinnati Wildcats to a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Roughnecks at Wildcats Field. The left-handed pitcher was nearly untouchable, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing only 2 hits.

"I had everything working for me out there," Tannehill remarked after the game. "I used every one of my pitches, hit both sides of the plate really well and felt like I could do whatever I wanted."

Tannehill’s dominance continued throughout the game, as he struck out 5 and did not issue a single walk. With the win, his season record improves to 6-2, and he currently holds a 3.33 ERA across 8 starts, with 30 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched.

Boston Rebels' Henry Easterday Out for 6 Weeks with Elbow Inflammation



The Boston Rebels have suffered a significant blow to their lineup, as starting player Henry Easterday will be sidelined for the next 6 weeks with elbow inflammation. Easterday sustained the injury during the Rebels’ 11-8 loss to the Columbus Bandits today.

Easterday has been a consistent presence in the starting lineup this season, appearing in over 30 games. However, he has struggled at the plate, posting a .118 batting average with 4 runs and 5 RBIs. His absence will leave a hole in the Rebels' lineup as they navigate the coming weeks.

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The Baseball Times
May 14th, 1897

Lady Baldwin Wins 200th Career Game in Thunder's 5-1 Victory Over Pittsburgh



Lady Baldwin etched his name further into league history today, securing his 200th career victory as the Philadelphia Thunder defeated the Pittsburgh Predators 5-1 at Thunder Ballpark. Baldwin delivered a strong outing, scattering 8 hits over 9 innings while recording 1 strikeout and 2 walks.

"I've worked hard for this day," Baldwin reflected after the game. "Sometimes I didn’t think it would happen. Most of the time it seemed so far off. Now it’s here. It’s like a dream!"

Baldwin's victory today brings his career total to 200 wins and 146 losses. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has accumulated 1580 strikeouts in 3203.2 innings and boasts an impressive 2.83 ERA. The milestone is a testament to Baldwin’s consistency and excellence on the mound over the years, solidifying his legacy as one of the league’s top pitchers.

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The Baseball Times
May 15th, 1897

Willie Keeler Extends Hitting Streak to 30 Games in Cardinals' 7-5 Win



Willie Keeler’s impressive hitting streak continues to roll on. The 26-year-old first baseman collected 2 hits in today’s game at Cardinals Ballpark, extending his streak to 30 consecutive games with at least one hit. Keeler’s efforts were a key factor in the Chicago Cardinals’ 7-5 victory over the Cincinnati Wildcats.

"I'm happy I kept the streak going," Keeler said after the game, speaking to a standing-room-only crowd of reporters in the Chicago clubhouse. "Honestly though, I'm looking forward to going home and not thinking about this for the rest of the day."

In the game, Keeler grounded out in the 1st, drove in a run with an RBI single in the 3rd, grounded out again in the 5th, singled in the 7th, and flied out in the 8th.

Currently batting a phenomenal .425, Keeler has yet to hit a home run but has driven in 21 RBIs, continuing to be a standout performer for the Cardinals.

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The Baseball Times
May 16th, 1897

Charlie Sweeney Shuts Down Roughnecks in Brooklyn’s 6-0 Victory



Charlie Sweeney was in top form today, pitching a complete-game shutout as the Brooklyn Hitmen defeated the St. Louis Roughnecks 6-0 at Roughnecks Field. Sweeney limited the Roughnecks to just 3 hits while striking out 3 and walking 3, displaying control and dominance on the mound.

With the win, Sweeney improves his season record to 5-4, and he holds a 3.93 ERA, continuing to be a key contributor to the Hitmen’s pitching staff.

Honus Wagner Hits for Five, But Bears Fall to Saints 11-9



It was an incredible day at the plate for Boston’s Honus Wagner, who racked up 5 hits in the Bears’ 11-9 loss to the New York Saints. Wagner's performance included a two-run home run in the first inning, an RBI double in the third, a solo shot in the ninth, and two singles, one in the seventh and another in the 11th.

Despite Wagner's individual success, the Bears couldn’t overcome the Saints, and manager Hank Stine acknowledged his player’s effort. "There was no luck today," Stine said. "He got 5 hits because he has a solid approach to hitting and he put it all together, and we lost because the rest of us didn't put it together so well."

Wagner continues to be one of the league's top hitters, posting a .407 average this season with 7 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 30 runs scored in 113 at-bats.

Willie Keeler’s 30-Game Streak Ends, But Cardinals Hold Off Wildcats for 2-1 Win



For the first time in 30 games, Willie Keeler went hitless, but the Chicago Cardinals rallied around him to secure a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Wildcats. Keeler, who had been on a remarkable 30-game hitting streak, finished the day 0-for-3, which left him disappointed but not discouraged.

"Everybody did their job but me," Keeler said after the game, smiling. "Not that it was a huge problem – we still won the game. The streak was a good run though. I'll try to start another one tomorrow."

Keeler's streak may have ended, but he remains one of the league’s top hitters with a .416 average, 62 hits, 21 RBIs, and 34 runs scored. His .457 on-base percentage has been a key factor in the Cardinals' success this season.

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The Baseball Times
May 19th, 1897

Buck Gladmon to Miss 3-4 Weeks After Spraining Elbow in Bears’ Loss



The Boston Bears will be without third baseman Buck Gladmon for the next 3-4 weeks after he sprained his elbow during today’s 9-1 loss to the Chicago Cardinals.

Gladmon, who has been a regular starter for the Bears this season, has struggled at the plate, hitting .219 with 11 runs and 16 RBIs. His absence will leave a hole in the Bears' lineup as they try to recover from the tough defeat.

The team is hopeful that Gladmon will make a full recovery during his time on the injured list.