Somewhat Disastrous

The St. Louis Unions for the first time in their career yesterday faced an American Association nine and the result was somewhat disastrous to the champions of the Union Association.  In justice to the St. Louis as well as the Louisvilles, however, it should be stated that the contest was in no way a fair test of the strength of the two nines.  The Louisvilles were minus services of Hecker, their great pitcher, although Reccius, who filled his position did the work splendidly, while the support rendered him by Sweeney was brilliant.  The other positions in the team were also well filled, and the statement that the nine as a whole were better able to play good ball than at any time during the season was borne out by the action of the men in the field as well as at the bat.  In the latter particular they were very effective, and the double strokes which came early and often were generally scored at the right time.  The Unions lacked the services of their best pitcher, while Dunlap, who seems to be the keystone of the nine, was also absent.  Behind the bat the home team played Baker, and his work in the beginning was so poor that Brennan was brought in from the field to take his place.  Brennan had not filled the position for weeks, and Boyle no sooner put on speed than the ball got by him.  This of course discouraged the whole team and they seemed to quit playing.  Their base running was slovenly and they apparently made no effort whatever to get around the bases.  In bright contrast to the listless work of the home team was the spirit shown by the visitors.  For their good work they were continually cheered.  About the only shouting for the home nine was when some friend of Sweeney called to him to come in and pitch.  The game was lost, however, before he had time to go to the rescue.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 25, 1884


Louisville finished third in the AA in 1884, a half game in front of the Browns.  They were a good, but not great, team and they came to St. Louis and beat the Maroons handily.  They beat them without Guy Hecker, who won 52 games in 1884, on the mound.  Maybe the Maroons did not take the game seriously - it was, after all, an exhibition - but this game is a bit of foreshadowing for the two seasons that the club would spend in the NL.  This game against Louisville was a step up in competition for the Maroons and it didn't go well.