Baseball History, and (eventually) the rise of the Dodgers

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Mar 17 1882

Dear Joe,

As today is my birthday, some of the younger players who are trying to make the team took me out this afternoon following practice. It was a rousing good time, though we could not really “let loose” as there are more practices tomorrow and we are all struggling. Two of the men I have been talking too recently are a pitcher named Gardner and an infielder named Brouthers. Both of them have played for the big club a little, but have not secured a full time place. For Brouthers it is particularly hard luck as he started for the team at age 20 but has now been completely replaced by Connor at first base and he seems to have few prospects here.

Not much else to report for now – I simply hope to get the opportunity to play somewhere this season. As we get closer to opening day and I am still not secure in my place, going back to Louisville begins to sound better and better. If it comes to that I may see if Gardner and Brouthers want to join me there.

Best of luck in the battle for your position. Hopefully Mr. Craver will see that your experience with our pitchers is worth something.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Apr 1 1882

Fritz,

Good to hear from you and happy birthday, of course! I completely forgot it was approaching. Does 22 feel any older to you? It certainly did not for me – I am as fit as ever.

Of late it seems that I am not to be one of the team’s catchers this year, as I have been relegated to working with the players everyone expects to be sent out to pasture. No telling what this might mean for the future – I simply hope not to have to go back to the farm when the season begins. Keep me up to date on any developments there, and I hope you are doing better there in Troy than I am here in Louisville.

Yours,

J. Crotty

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Apr 30 1882

WESTERN UNION

MADE TROY CLUB STOP

TRAVEL TO PROVIDENCE TOMORROW FOR START OF SEASON STOP

AM TO BACK UP NELSON AT SECOND BASE STOP

REGARDS FRITZ

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 2 1882

Dear Joe,

Finally a chance to write a proper letter. As you can see from the postmark, I am writing you from Providence, Rhode Island. I saw the ocean for the first time coming in on the train – it is so large I have not the words to describe it.

If you got my telegram you saw that I made the Troy ball club. In the end, Candy Nelson won the second base job, but they kept both Hatfield and myself as backup infielders. My friends Brouthers and Gardner made it as well, and all of us spend the first game on the bench together, as we lost 4-2 to the boys from Providence. Brouthers did get into the game toward the end, as they took Nelson out in the ninth inning because of his weak bat and Brouthers got us a hit to prolong the game.

Nelson seems like a player I could beat out for the position soon. He got no hits in three trips up yesterday, and grounded into a double play. He also made two errors in the field, and one of them led to the inning that beat us. Bad news for the club but hopefully good news for me.

Write when you can – I hope you got my telegram. How are things there in Louisville? When does the season begin for you?

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 2 1882

Fritz,

I got your telegram just now – well done on making the squad. I was not so lucky, they told me I would be kept “in reserve” by Louisville. That means I can play for another squad but am subject to recall by Louisville and cannot join another Association or National League club. So, of all places, I ended up in Akron. They needed a catcher and I needed a paying position, so it has worked out. We start play today and I am the starting catcher and will bat sixth for the club today.

Hope things are well where you are. Write and tell me more about things in the National League. Did you get into a game yet?

Yours,

J. Crotty

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 3 1882

Dear Joe,

I got to play in my first National League game yesterday. The manager Mr. Vincent came to me an hour before the game and told me I was playing second base and batting seventh for us in the game. The Providence pitcher was a fellow named Mike Golden. I wonder if Nelson’s bad performance in the opener was the reason for my start. I hope not, for I scarcely did better than he in my first game. Four times at the plate and no hits, though the last one was a line drive to left field that felt like a good one. Also, I made an error early in the game and it led to a Providence run. At the time, we were losing 1-0 but our pitcher Keefe is a good one and he kept them scoreless the rest of the way and we won it 7-1.

Nelson and Hatfield would not even look at me during the game – I fear they may end up being trouble. But first I need to worry about being good enough to remain in the lineup, as no hits and an error probably will not be good enough.

I will keep you updated on my progress, and let me know how things go in Akron. I am sure if you keep playing the way you did last season when we were with the Louisvilles you will be back in the American Association soon. Best wishes and keep hitting.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 11 1882

Dear Joe,

Sorry to hear that things are not going so well in Akron. Keep at it, friend – you will be back with the Louisvilles in no time at all.

I seem to have failed my tryout at the second base job. I started two games and made only the one error, but did not get any hits in six tries at the plate and have not found my way into a game since. The team currently has three wins against four losses, so it is not such a good start considering we were hoping to challenge for the pennant.

However, Boston is only one game ahead of us right now – it is the Chicagos who are off to the best start with five wins and one loss. We are here in Worcester the rest of the week then return home to Troy on Monday night’s train. Maybe the Troy faithful will help me get things started, though at the moment no one seems to even know who I am.

Nelson has taken over the full time duties at second and though he is not hitting much either Mr. Vincent seems to feel better with a veteran on the job. I will keep you updated, though I fear that if we cannot turn things around, we may find ourselves together on a farm near Louisville again.

I hope it does not come to that. Stay strong, and we will make it in this trade.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 12 1882

Dear Joe,

You will not have even received my letter of yesterday, but I had to write to let you know that I played in last night’s game and got my first two hits as a National Leaguer. I got a single in the second inning and scored a run and another in the fifth to drive one in. We won the game 9-8, so both runs were important and what’s more, I made no errors in the field and caught a line drive in the bottom of the second. When I got back to the bench after that liner, Mr. Vincent said, “Nice play, kid.” It always amazes how this game will turn around so quickly. Keep your spirits up, friend – the same will happen for you if you remain steadfast.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

May 23 1882

Dear Joe,

Thanks for your letter, which I received yesterday. No, in spite of things going well in the game I spoke of in my last letter, I have not become a fixture in the lineup. In fact, I have not played since that day. I have high hopes of cracking the lineup soon, but at the moment the team is playing well and Mr. Vincent is unlikely to make any big changes. We currently have a record of 9-5, third best in the league behind Chicago and Boston. We are in the middle of a series against the Bostons now with Chicago to come to town next week. Perhaps I can get into one of those games, as we have a double-header scheduled against Chicago.

I was happy to hear that your average is back over .250 in Akron and that you are back to playing every day. In time good things will come.

In answer to the questions I know you will have, yes, I did see the top players from Boston – Barnes, Anson, the O’Rourke brothers, etc. Of course I did not talk with them, as you know how it is during a game and anyway who am I to them? So far, the big star of the team has been Roger Connor, as he is hitting .492 for us in the early going. Third baseman Fred Warner, shortstop Ed Caskin and outfielder Bloody Jake Evans are also over .300 for us. Tim Keefe and Frank Pearce have been splitting the pitching duties and both are going well. As a team, I must say we are one of the better ones. I only wish I could help the boys some.

I will write soon and keep you posted. Let me know if anything happens there in Akron.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

June 3 1882

Dear Joe,

Things are going well here in Troy. The team is still in third place, with a record of 13-8. We are running behind Boston, of course, who are leading at 16-5 and look like they might win for the seventh year in a row. I have started one more game since I talked with you last, and also came into another that went into 12 innings. For the season I have three hits in 13 trips to the plate.

However, in our last game the starting shortstop Ed Caskin had to come out of the game because of an injury. They are still figuring out how bad it is, but Mr. Vincent has said that if Caskin misses any time Nelson will move over to shortstop and I will be starting at second base. Of course this is not how I want to win the job, and anyway Caskin is hitting over .300 so we could use him on the club, but I will be glad for any opportunity to play.

Our next game is on Tuesday the 6th with Cleveland coming to town, so I should know by then whether I am to get any more playing time. I was glad to hear about your game winning hit in Akron the other day, but what is happening with Louisville? I see that they have the worst record in the American Association – have you heard anything from the boys about possible changes?

Stay well, and keep hitting. I am sure the chance will come for both of us.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

June 10 1882

Dear Joe,

No time for a proper letter now, but I enclose a clipping from today’s Albany Commercial Journal – my first newspaper mention as a National Leaguer. Hope all is well in Akron.

Fritz

ALBANY COMMERCIAL JOURNAL – June 10, 1882

Our National Game

The Troys won their fourth consecutive game yesterday, defeated Buffalo in Troy by a final score of 4-1. The big hit was a four-base hit provided by young Fred Pfeffer, who has seen time in the lineup of late with regular infielder Ed Caskin down due to injury. The lad has done well in his time, with local cranks calling him a Dandelion in the field and his batting at .280 on the young season. He appears to be destined for good things.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

June 21 1882

Dear Ida,

I hope things are well for you back in Louisville. I know it has been far too long since I have written, though things have been busy here in New York. No, it is not the big city we thought it might be – it turns out that Troy is smaller than Louisville and I have not been to New York even once, though we have visited some other big cities, including Philadelphia and Chicago. In Chicago there is a terrible odor from the stockyards that all the people pretend not to notice.

But the big news is that I have been made a starting player for a National League club. As I write this we sit in second place in the league with 22 wins and 9 losses, and the boys seem to have accepted me as a starting second baseman, though I only got the job because another man was injured. It seems true – a man really can make his way in the world as a ball player.

I hope you and your father will realize that my prospects are now greatly improved and perhaps when I arrive home this winter we can begin to plan for the future. Please write back soon and tell me that all is well for you there.

I am sending along a news clipping from today’s local paper, and as you will see it seems I have found a place here. However, I do long to walk along the river with you the way we used to in the old days – I hope we can do so very soon.

I remain

Yours

Fred Pfeffer

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

ALBANY COMMERCIAL JOURNAL – June 21, 1882

Our National Game

The local Troy club continues to play excellent baseball, bringing honor upon the region. They are currently in a pitched battle with Boston and Chicago for National League supremacy, and much of the reason is the young infield. Roger Connor, the first baseman, was expected to be a star, so his average of .361 is hardly a surprise. However, third baseman Fred Warner has raised his average to .331 and a dandy newcomer named Fred Pfeffer is batting an amazing .366. If these three can keep up their lofty play there seems no limit to what the Trojan boys can do.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

July 3 1882

Dear Ida,

Thank you for your letter. As for National League life changing me, I haven’t time for all that as I am trying to secure my place with the club. Our manager Mr. Vincent keeps me very busy and anyway Mrs. McGreevey at the boardinghouse does not allow us to keep late hours. I am glad you still think of me, and hope your father will agree that I have made my place once I return to Louisville.

As for the game itself, things haven’t gone so well of late. My average is down to .279, which is hopefully still good enough to keep the job, but it’s a tough racket. Just yesterday, the club traded away an outfielder to get a new shortstop from Providence – a man named Jacob Doyle who they say is a good fielder. I need to keep hitting to stay in this league for any amount of time.

We are still trailing Chicago, but remain in second place. I am enclosing a clipping from yesterday’s newspaper about how we might have a chance at winning this National League pennant. Meanwhile, I hear the boys from the old Louisville club have been doing better – if you see any of them send my regards and tell them I will see them soon.

Although I am enjoying the baseball life I look forward to seeing you soon. Give your best to your family, as I will be there to ask your father for your hand before long. I remain

Yours

Fred Pfeffer

ALBANY COMMERCIAL JOURNAL – July 2, 1882

Our National Game

The question on the minds of National League fans is this – could this be the year Boston surrenders the league pennant? The Bostons have won all six titles that have been contested thus far, but now the league is near halfway through the season and at 25-14 Boston sits behind both Chicago (30-7) and our hometown boys of Troy (27-11). Things will need to change soon or Boston will be watching another club battle in the inaugural World’s Series tournament in October.

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

July 17 1882

Dear Joe,

I am sorry to hear you are still in Akron, especially with the Louisvilles finally starting to play better. Is there any chance of being called to the club soon, do you think?

Things are well here in Troy. Mr. Vincent has been starting me at second base and we have been winning – 30 wins and 15 losses so far, which has us battling with Chicago and Boston. At present I am batting .261 for the season, which is a bit disappointing but it appears good enough for me to remain in the lineup. If we manage to take the pennant it will be due to the hitting of Connor and Bloody Jake Evans and to the pitching of Tim Keefe.

There are some rumors of late that the club may be having money trouble, but I have seen nothing of the sort. If it is so, I wonder if I shall be able to find another position playing the professional game. I hope so – if not, perhaps I will join you in Akron if the team needs another infielder.

Keep your head up, friend and no doubt we will both find our way in this game. Let me know if you end up back in Louisville.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

July 30 1882

Dear Ida,

We are on a road trip in Providence, Rhode Island at the moment but as we have the Sabbath off I thought I would take a moment to write to you. Things continue to go much as they were before – I am still starting at second for the Troys, and have an average of .295 for the season so I believe things are going well. However, we are trailing Chicago by three games in the standings so hopefully that part of things will improve.

I recently got a letter from old Joe Crotty, the catcher from our club last year who you will remember. He did not make it with the Louisvilles this season and is playing catcher for a club in Akron. I have tried to convince Mr. Vincent that he would be a good backup catcher for us, but Mr. Vincent said something strange about the club’s finances. I am beginning to worry that the club could be in some trouble if we do not manage to win the pennant this season.

However, things are mostly good here. I think I will keep my position with the club and we have a chance to play in the World’s Series tournament to decide the best club in the world. Can you imagine?

Tell me how things are there, as I greatly miss it. I shall see you in a few short months, and hopefully there will be good news for us after that. Until then I remain

Yours

Fred Pfeffer

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Aug 6 1882

Dear Ida,

Just time for a quick note. The team managed to win all three games this week, though we are still pursuing Chicago for the top spot in the league. However, Mr. Vincent told me after the latest game that I was in the running for an award at season’s end. The teams vote at the end of the season for the best first-year player in the league, and he said that right now it looks like I might win it if I can keep hitting! Just to be mentioned as a candidate for such a thing is almost more than I can hope for.

Perhaps in October when I return to ask your father for your hand, I will be able to do it as an award-winning player. Until then I will be counting the hours and I remain

Yours

Fred Pfeffer

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Aug 14 1882

Dear Joe,

Hope things are going well for you there in Akron. Here in Troy, I keep hearing that even tho the team is in second place just behind Chicago and ahead of Boston, we may not last beyond the season. There are rumors of money troubles and I have heard the league wants to have teams from larger cities. Troy is a nice place but it is not even as large as Louisville so we could be the ones to go.

I do not know if I will be able to find another place if this club dissolves. I hope so – I am hitting .279 now and the team is still playing well so maybe that will help. But it is hard to know.

Keep me informed about how things are going with you, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Fritz

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Aug 26 1882

Dear Ida,

Thank you for your recent letter, and I am glad to hear you are doing well and your brothers are recovering well from the measles. I am looking forward to seeing you soon, as I will arrive in Louisville either on October 2 or 3, or possibly some weeks later if we can catch Chicago.

That looks less likely now as we recently lost three games against them and now are 44-21 while they are 48-17. After our game against Cleveland today, we will head out onto the road and will be traveling for the rest of the season. Ida, there are some bad rumors about the team’s finances and I fear this may be the last game I get to play in Troy as the club may not be able to go on next year. If this is true, I hope it will not induce your father to withhold his consent to our marriage.

On the field, things continue to go well, though my batting is down a bit at .256. I hope to be able to write to you at least once while we are on the road, and hopefully I will know more about when I will be at home. I look forward to seeing you soon and give your brothers my best wishes on continued recovery.

Yours

Fred Pfeffer

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Sept 15 1882

Dear Joe,

Sorry to hear that you remain in Akron, although it is good to hear that you have a spot on the local club. Here in Troy it appears the worst is realized – the club will not return to the National League next season. I can only hope I have played well enough this season that some club will have a spot for me next year. Perhaps in the spring we can travel together to try out for any league clubs that will have us.

If not, I wonder whether I can remain in the game. I am going to ask Ida’s father for her hand next month, or I was going to when my place here seemed secure. Now everything is in turmoil.

It appears that we are to finish in second place, as the Chicagos have run away with the league. They shall be the first winners other than Boston, and it looks like Cincinnati or Philadelphia will play them in the World’s Series. It seems too much to hope that one day we might be on the field for such a series, but if our club could have just won a few more games we would be there.

Stay well, my friend. With luck we may both have careers ahead of us in the game.

Regards,

Fritz