The Top Twenty Games In 19th Century St. Louis Baseball History: # 2

2. July 9, 1860: Cyclones vs. Morning Stars

The First Base Ball Match In St. Louis - The first regular game of base ball played in our city will come off between the members of the "Cyclone" and "Morning Star" Base Ball Clubs, on Monday, the 9th inst., at 4 o'clock, P.M., in the field immediately west of the Fair Grounds.  The game, we understand is to be played according to the rules of the National Convention of Ball Players.  As the clerk of the weather has been consulted, everybody interested is anticipating a good afternoon's sport.  We rejoice to see the national game coming into such high favor with our young men.

-Missouri Republican, July 8, 1860

The Great Match of Base Ball-Victory By The Morning Star Club.-The announcement that the first match of base ball ever played in St. Louis would take place on Monday afternoon on the field west of the Fair Grounds, between the Cyclones and Morning Star Clubs, was sufficient to call out a large number of spectators, among whom were several ladies.  A very great interest was manifested by all present, who expressed their delight at the many instances of fine play displayed by both clubs.  The match resulted in the victory of the Morning Star by twenty-six runs...

-St. Louis Daily Bulletin, July 11, 1860


The first baseball match ever played in St. Louis, with the Morning Stars defeating the Cyclones 50-24.  While baseball, as defined by the rules of the National Association, had been played in the city in 1859, this was the first competitive match between two clubs.  In many ways, this is where St. Louis baseball history begins.

Playing for the Cyclones were Peters, ss; Alfred Bernoudy, c.f.; Merritt Griswold, p.; Edward Farrish, 3rd b.; Gamble (either Joseph or Rufus), c.;  Maurice Alexander, 1st b.; Fitch, 2nd b.; Edward Bernoudy, l.f.; and Edward Bredell, r.f.  Playing for the Morning Stars were Robert Henry, c.; Archibald Duff, 1st b.; David Naylor, r.f.; Case, 2nd b.; William Henry, s.s.; Finney, p.; John Henry, c.f.; Wilson, 3rd b.; and Rawson, l.f.  Peters and Fitch of the Cyclones and Case, Finney, Wilson, and Rawson of the Morning Star are all unidentified at the moment.

The scorers for the game were Jonathan Collier of the Cyclone Club and Joseph Franklin of the Morning Stars.  The umpire was S.L. Putnam, "formerly of the Metropolitan Club, New York."