The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Worst Fielding Display Witnessed In St. Louis

Mr. John F. Morrill, second baseman of the Boston Base Ball Club, by the worst fielding display witnessed in St. Louis this season, yesterday afternoon presented the St. Louis Brown Stockings with a victory, for which they are duly thankful. The Boston players are great favorites wherever they go, and the cold weather did not cause about 800 of their friends to stay away from Grand Avenue Park. George Wright won the toss, and the home nine was sent to the bat, Mr. L.W. Burtis occupying the umpire's position and acquitting himself with credit. The first six innings were played superbly by both sides, Mack being the only one to cross the home plate. He reached first in the the fifth inning on Morrill's juggle, stole second, reached third on Dehlman's out, and home on Schaefer's muff of Murnan's throw. Boston secured a commanding lead in the seventh inning. wright was sent to first on called balls, and Leonard was spared at first by Dehlman's muff. O'Rourke filled the bases by a fine drive to right. Murnan then flew out to Pike, and Morrill to Blong. sharp playing by those fielders preventing any one from coming home. Manning was equal to the emergency, however, and by a fine drive to left center, he sent Wright and Leonard over the home plate, O'Rourke subsequently tallying by clever base running. In the eighth inning another error by Morrill gave Dehlman a run. With one to tie and two to win, the Browns went in for their half of the ninth inning. An execrable muff by Morrill spared the first striker, and he was ordered to left field, Andy Leonard relieving him at second. Two flies were then muffed by Morrill in left, which, coupled with errors by Murnan and Schaefer, and a fine hit by Blong, gave the Browns three unearned runs and the game, the Reds failing to tally in their half of the inning. The Browns were outbatted at the ratio of two to one, but outfielded their opponents, as they usually do. The feature of the game was George Wright's shortfielding, the veteran sustaining his well-earned reputation as the best in the business. Schaefer accomplished a splendid double play unaided. Clapp and Brown cuaght beautifully, and Battin, McGeary and Mack did some pretty infielding. Cuthbert and Leonard captured several difficult flies. Battin led at the bat for the Browns with a three-base hit and a single, and Manning for the Reds with a pair of doubles.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 4, 1876