Breaking Down The $15,000 Slide

I was going to do this big post breaking down the contemporary accounts of the winning play of the 1886 series and then contrast that with later accounts to show how the myth of the $15,000 Slide developed but Jon David Cash, in Before They Were Cardinals, has already done that and has done it better than I could have. So I'm just going to let him tell the story (and if you haven't read Cash's book, you really should; it's a good read and strong on the Four Time Championship era):

In a relatively recent publication, Lowell Reidenbaugh of the Sporting News described the winning play of the 1886 World Series: "The deciding run was scored in the tenth inning of the final game by Curt Welch. Newspaper accounts of the day reported that Welch scored on a wild pitch. [Modern] history has recorded the play as a steal of home."

The uncertainty surrounding the winning run apparently stems from an account given by Charles Comiskey. In a 1919 biography, Gustav Axelson included Comiskey's recollection of the decisive run. Comiskey stated that Welch was running on the pitch, drew a pitchout, and crossed home safely on a "$15,000 Slide" that gave St. Louis the entire gate receipts of the winner-take-all World Series. Later, Arlie Latham related a similar version of Welch's "steal" to author Robert Smith, who included it in his landmark 1947 work Baseball and other books he wrote on the history of the sport. Together, Axelson and Smith ensured that the former Browns' narrative of the "$15,000 Slide" passed into baseball folklore.

One contemporary newspaper report seems to corroborate part of the description offered by Comiskey and Latham. According to the Chicago News, as soon as third baseman Burns "gave Kelly a signal to catch Welch at third," the Chicago catcher responded by calling a pitchout. A mishap transpired, though, between the Chicago batterymates: "Kelly played away from the plate...but Clarkson put a ball over the plate which Kelly just touched with his fingers and bounded away to the grandstand, while Welch came in with the winning run."

Other nineteenth-century newspapers said nothing about a steal, but instead debated whether Welch scored on a wild pitch or a passed ball. While the Chicago Tribune considered the play a passed ball on the part of Kelly, three St. Louis publications-the Republican, Globe-Democrat, and Sporting News-claimed Clarkson had been guilty of a wild pitch. The Post-Dispatch tried to settle the question by simply asking Kelly. The Chicago catcher seemed willing to accept responsibility ("I would say it was a passed ball"), yet he also emphasized how difficult it was to catch this particular pitch: "I signaled Clarkson for a low ball on one side, and when it came it was high up on the other. It struck my hand as I tried to get it...Clarkson told me that it slipped from his hands."

One might suspect that Comiskey and Latham embellished their tales of the play when they later recalled it, some thirty-three and sixty-one years after Welch scored. But it would be a very smug act on the part of present-day historians to state definitively that they understood an event better than two eyewitnesses. Without photographic evidence of any sort, we must rely on the various first-hand accounts to recreate what may have happened on the "$15,000 Slide." Except for the reminiscences of Comiskey and Latham, no primary sources indicate that Welch was running with the pitch or ever slid across the plate. Still, Comiskey's detailed analysis of the play cannot be altogether dismissed as mere baseball mythology. In fact, the Comiskey/Latham explanation meshes well in some aspects with some of the contemporary newspaper reports. For example, the two old Browns agreed with the Chicago News' assertion that Kelly called for a pitchout. On Clarkson's first pitch to Bushong, Welch danced down the third-base line, straying so far from the bag that Kelly "could have nailed him easily" with a throw. Seeing this, Burns and Kelly cooked up a scheme to trap the reckless Browns' runner in the snare of a pitchout. Meanwhile, Comiskey, stationed at the third-base coaching box, encouraged Welch to take another long lead. This strategy distressed Clarkson, and it would have enabled Welch to get a great start for home on any grounder hit by Bushong.

As the scene actually unfolded, the first of these advantages came into play. Clarkson, aware of Welch's capability to steal home, certainly seemed to ponder the prospect. While Welch scampered down the third-base line, the Globe-Democrat observed the disturbing effect this exerted upon the Chicago pitcher: "Clarkson, who is usually so cool, was visibly nervous. He rolled and twisted the ball around in his hands several times before he got in position to pitch it." A distracted pitcher, under such circumstances, might balk in a run, uncork a wild pitch, or even miss his catcher's signal for a pitchout. It appears plausible that Clarkson simply missed the pitchout signal and later, rather than admitting his mental mistake to Kelly, presented instead the physical alibi of a pitch that "slipped from his hands." So at the same moment Kelly moved away from the plate in expectation of a low outside pitchout that would allow him to make a quick throw to third, Clarkson let go a high inside fastball designed to jam Bushong and force a futile infield pop-up. Kelly barely managed to reach back and get his fingers on the ball, but he could not prevent it from rolling all the way to the grandstand as Welch scored the winning run.

The only question left to resolve is precisely what Welch did once the pitch was released. It is possible to surmise that Welch instantly recognized the miscommunication between the Chicago batterymates, and as soon as the ball left Clarkson's hand, galloped ahead thinking he could reach home before Kelly ever got the errant pitch. However, Ed Sheridan, reporting in both the Republican and the Sporting News, strongly suggested otherwise with his brief notation: "Welch trotted home." This same comment also indicates that, in all probability, Welch did not slide home.

The 1886 World Series: Kelly's Tribute

At the game between the two St. Louis clubs last Sunday [the day after game six], an immense floral tribute was presented to the champions. Mike Kelly was one of the spectators at the game, and he consented to make the presentation. Here is his speech: "Ladies and Gentlemen-it is my honor on this occasion to present to your champion club this floral tribute. They have earned it. They have beaten our club-the Chicago club-fairly (great applause), and they have beat us on the rattle. (More applause.) I can say that you have treated us well here, and we hope to meet you again in the future." (Cheers.)

-Boston Daily Globe, October 28, 1886

The 1886 World Series: So Much Glory

The St. Louis Browns have proven themselves, this year, the best ball club in the country. They won the championship of St. Louis, hands down, from the strong local League team; won the championship of the American Association for the second successive time very easily, with a margin of about a dozen games, and then topped all by rather easily defeating the supposed-to-be invincible Chicago Club, champions of the National League, in a series of games for the championship of the world and gate receipts aggregating $14,000. It is seldom, indeed, that so much glory falls to a club in a single season. Indeed, in all these particulars the record of this team of live young players has never been equalled. Carping critics may decry their achievement and pick and find fault as much as they please, and envious rivals may theorize and analyse, but the great record of the club stands out in bold relief before the public eye, and nothing injudicious friends and jealous enemies may say or do can wipe it out. Nothing succeeds like success, as has been amply demonstrated by this club for the last two years. The team stands pre-eminent for evenly-balanced strength, accurate, machine-like fielding, unequalled base-running and very fair batting ability.

-Sporting Life, November 3, 1886

The 1886 World Series: A Wail From Chicago

It would be a hard task for a Chicago man to attempt to regard with any degree of good humor the performances of the Chicago Base Ball Club at St. Louis yesterday. Admitting that base ball is a business conducted for pecuniary profit, there still can be no palliation for the offense of brazenly giving away a game as the game was given away...in St. Louis.

For half a century Phineas T. Barnum has been before the American public, fairly coining money on his reputation as a humbug; but the cleverness of his humbuggery has been the secret of his success. People do not object to being humbugged-nay, we think that they rather like it-but the humbug must be shrewd and plausible or it becomes at once simple intolerable.

The base-ball series in Chicago was cleverly worked; the public felt that it was being humbugged, but the hippodrome was so artistically played that there really was no inclination to cry out against it. In St. Louis, however, the pins have been set up awkwardly and the wires have been worked bunglingly...

We have a higher opinion of the forbearance of the St. Louis public than we have had before. We presume to say that if such a shameless farce had been attempted here in Chicago the conspirators and coconspirators would have been hooted off the field. That the whole business is understood in this city is evident in the common talk upon the streets and in the tone of proceedings at the pool-rooms last night.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1886 [originally published in the Chicago News]

The 1886 World Series: The Shouts Were Deafening

The scenes down-town and around the pool rooms, yesterday, have not been equaled for a long time. There was a very general idea and fear of a hippodrome, but it did not prevent crowds from assembling to get the bulletined result of the game as it progressed, and it seemed at the same time to increase instead of diminish the interest. The biggest jam and of the wildest enthusiasts of the season was seen around the Globe-Democrat office, even for distances from where the bulletin boards could not be seen. The pool-rooms were the same way, hundreds standing patiently all afternoon, though able only to hear the cheers and shouts of those near the boards, and form an idea of the game from those demonstrations. The Chicagos certainly had the call in the betting, with odds of $10 to $8. The Browns' friends wanted to sail in and take the money offering, but in the general idea of a hippodrome it was Chicago day, and the betting was limited, and became worse and worse as the Chicagos made one run, then a second and then a third. John Donovan at that time offered $100 to $10 on the Chicagos, having a large amount already on the Browns, but though it was estimated there were 1,000 men in his rooms the bet went begging until Bob Golsau took it. Then he made another of $50 to $10 and $25 to $5, but the crowd was all of one way of thinking, and there were not many takers of such bets. When the Browns piled up three runs in the eighth and tied the score the faith of their friends in the honesty of the game returned, and a number of bets were made at $10 to $7 in favor of the home club. Then the bulletins favored Chicago's probability of making runs, and the betting moved up to even money, and a number of bets were made at Donovan's, Wiseman's and other places. At that time the scene around the Globe-Democrat was one that will not soon be forgotten. Men and boys, silk hats and common ones, mingled together, yelled together, and, in fact, went crazy together, and during the playing of the ninth and tenth innings it was impossible to get through the crowd. The shouts when the winning run was scored in the tenth was deafening.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1886

The 1886 World Series: The Retreat Of The Vanquished

The vanquished Chicago nine quietly and unostentasiously took their departure from the Union Depot last evening. There was an immense crowd of Saturday night travelers, but none of them knew that the windy city nine from Michigan Lake was about to make its retreat. There was no flag or proud banner to announce their presence, not the sound of a fife or drum to tell where the breezy crew could be found. They refused an escort, preferring to straggle by ones and twos in the disguise of dudish attire into a Pullman, rather than attract humiliating attention from the busy throng. So quietly did they take passage that no one but the conductor knew who they were. There was no bluster in their midst, and they made a mournful-looking crowd, that reminded one more than anything else of a delegation of undertakers who had performed the last sad offices for a friend. The name of Chicago was not spoken, and the defeated ball-players who came from there looked sad at the thought of having to return. All the gush and sentiment usually displayed by them was suppressed, and they were silent. A Texan, who was escorting the Mexican Band to the State Fair at Dallas, discovered them and insisted on giving them a few lively beats of the drum, but St. Louis hospitality prevailed, and the crestfallen crowd was allowed to leave without any demonstration to emphasize their idea of fallen pride.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1886

The 1886 World Series: The Gate Receipts

After the game last evening President Von der Ahe sent a note to President Spaulding, suggesting that an exhibition game between the Browns and Chicagos be played in Cincinnati next Tuesday. This was Mr. Spaulding's reply:

Friend Von der Ahe: We must decline with our compliments. We know when we have had enough. Yours truly, A.G. Spaulding.

P.S. Anson joins me in the above message.

The gate receipts of the six games are as follows: In Chicago-Monday, $2,002; Tuesday, $2,831.75; Wednesday, $1,720.50.

In St. Louis-Thursday, $2,481.65; Friday, $2,384.20; Saturday, $2,500. Total, $13, 920.10.

One-half of this amount divided among twelve players gives each member of the team $580. The other half, $6,960, goes to Mr. Von der Ahe after all his expenses and the umpires' salaries have been deducted. Total attendance, 40,000.

In the six games played the Browns have scored 38 runs, made 49 hits, with a total of 79 bases, and are credited with 19 errors. The Chicagos made 28 runs, 36 hits, with a total of 56 bases and 27 errors. It will be seen that the Browns outplayed them all around.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1886

So, according to these numbers, the $15,000 Slide was actually worth $13, 920.10. Regardless, it was a nice payday for the players and Von der Ahe.

The 1886 World Series: Game Six, Part Two

The afternoon was dark and cloudy, and every moment it looked like rain. The threatening weather, however, did not keep the people away, and long before the time of calling the game every available seat was taken. The tops of the grand stand were utilized and a couple of thousand were content to stand back of the right foul line along the fence. By turn-stile count the attendance was 11,500. About 2:15 o'clock Mr. H. Clay Sexton and President Von Der Ahe appeared on the field. The Browns were stopped in their practice and called to the plate. Mr. Sexton, in a brief speech, presented Bushong with a handsome silver tea set, a gift from the members of the Merchants' Exchange. The set was manufactured by the E. Jaccard Jewelry Company. Mr. Sexton also assured the audience that the game was to be for blood, and that it was not a hippodrome. Grace Pierce was chosen umpire. He favored the Chicagos every time it was possible for him to do so. It was precisely 2:18 o'clock when time was called. The Chicagos were first at bat. Caruthers' work in the opening innings was anything but encouraging. He was batted much harder than the score shows. The outfielders were kept busy, and they did their work well. It was just the opposite with Clarkson.

He appeared to be in his best form and the Browns could not touch his deceptive balls. The side was retired on flies. Gore's went to O'Neil. Kelly's to Caruthers and Anson's to Foutz. For the Browns, Latham went out from pitcher to first. Caruthers struck and Bushong got his base on balls, but Gleason left him by striking out. In the second inning the Chicagos scored their first run. Pfeffer brought it in. He also scored the Chicagos' other two runs-a remarkable feature of the game. He made a safe hit to right and stole down to second, while Bushong's only passed ball let him go to third. Caruthers successfully struck out the next two men-Williamson and Burns-but Ryan made a single to left and Pfeffer came in. Dalrymple's liner to Welch retired the side. Comiskey, for the home club, went out at first on his grounder to Williamson, Welch struck out and Foutz knocked a fly to right. It looked to be safe, but Ryan made a run after it and caught it in fine style.

In the third, Gore went all the way to third base on Latham's wild throw of his grounder to first, after Caruthers had made a remarkable catch of a foul fly from Clarkson's bat. Kelly knocked a grounder to third, and Gore started to come in, but Latham's good throw to Bushong cut him off by several feet. The Browns were again retired in order. Pfeffer scored his second run in the fourth. He was the first batter, and almost the very first ball that Caruthers pitched to him he knocked into the right-field seats, and made the circuit of the bases before Foutz could recover the ball. In this same inning the Chicagos had two men left on bases, and only unfortunate batting prevented them from scoring runs. Williamson went out on a fly to Foutz and Burns made a drive to left for a single. Ryan knocked a liner to O'Neil, and Dalrymple batted the ball so slowly in the direction of second that he got his base before the ball could be handled quick enough to throw him out. A wild pitch advanced him to second and sent Burns to third. Clarkson's fly to Welch, however, left them both. Once more the Browns went out in order, Caruthers, O'Neil and Gleason coming to the bat.

The Chicagos were put out quickly, and on easy plays in the fifth. Gore and Anson went out from second to first, and Kelly from third to first. For the Browns, Welch went out from short to first, Welch struck out and Foutz's fly to right was captured by Ryan. The Chicagos' last run was made in the sixth. Pfeffer again scoring it. He knocked an easy grounder to second, which Robinson should have stopped without any trouble but he let it roll through him. Foutz backed up Robinson, and when the ball came to him he let it get by him. These two bad errors enabled Pfeffer to go all the way around to third and Williamson's fly to Foutz brought him in. Burns and Ryan, the next two men, were retired on easy flies. Robinson and Latham both struck out for the Browns and Bushong knocked the ball to Pfeffer, who easily threw him out. The Chicagos were retired in order in the seventh. Caruthers, the first batsman for the Browns, struck out. O'Neil then came to the bat and made the first hit, and was retired at third in the manner mentioned above. Gleason was thrown out at first on a bunt to Clarkson, although he came very near making his base. The Chicagos could now do nothing with Caruthers' pitching and went quickly. It was here, though, that the Browns made their three runs and tied the score. Comiskey made a good beginning by knocking the leather safely to right for a single. Welch made a safe hit to third, sending Comiskey made a good beginning by knocking the leather safely to right for a single. Welch made a safe hit to third, sending Comiskey to second. The latter went to third on a passed ball and scored on Foutz's sacrifice fly to center. Robinson went out on a fly to Anson, and Bushong got his base on balls. Latham now came to bat. Two strikes had been called on him when he lifted the ball to extreme left for three bases, sending Welch and Bushong home. Caruthers out from Burns to first left Latham on third.

Williamson opened the ninth for the Chicagos by striking out, but Burns followed with a two-bagger. The latter went to third on a sacrifice by Ryan, but Dalrymple left him by striking out. O'Neil was the first batter for the Browns and he sent the ball sailing to the right. It looked to be good for two bases, but Ryan jumped for it and made one of the most remarkable catches ever seen on the grounds. Gleason went out on a foul to Kelly and Comiskey from third to first. The tenth inning was commenced. Clarkson struck out and both Gore and Kelly knocked flies to left field. Welch was the first batsman for the Browns. He took a position pretty close to the plate and Clarkson hit him with the ball. Welch took first, Anson protested and a wrangle ensued. The umpire finally called Welch back, claiming that he tried to get hit with the ball. To the great delight of the audience, however, Welch knocked the first ball that was pitched to him for a single to center field. Foutz was the next man to handle the stick. He batted a grounder back of the pitcher, between short and first. Williamson made a run for it and fumbled it. Foutz, of course, got safe on the error, and Welch went to second. Robinson advanced both men on his sacrifice from short to first. With a man on second and another on third and only one out, the chances were good for a run. Bushong came to the bat, but he did not get an opportunity to hit the ball. Clarkson, who is usually so cool, was visibly nervous. He rolled and twisted the ball around in his hands several times before he got in position to pitch it. He finally delivered it, but it was far over Kelly's head. The latter made no effort to get it, and like the other member of the team, stood in a half dazed manner and watched Welch come in with the deciding run. The Chicagos packed up their bats and got off the grounds as quickly as possible.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1886

I going to discuss the "$15,000 Slide" in a separate post in a few days, after I finish covering the series itself. It's rather interesting that what has been described as the most famous play in the history of 19th century baseball was neither a slide nor worth $15,000. But I'll get into that latter. For now, the Browns are the 1886 world's champions and the rooster makes another appearance at TGOG. The series, itself, may not have been a great display of baseball but game six was certainly a humdinger. It's absolutely on the list of 19th century baseball games I'd like to have attended.

One thing that should be noted, in light of the discussions we've had about the attendance figures for the series, the Globe states that the attendance figure for game six was taken from the turnstile count.

The 1886 World Series: Game Six, Part One

The St. Louis Browns are champions of the world at the national game of base ball for another year at least. That was decided at Sportsman's Park yesterday afternoon by their great victory over the Chicagos in the sixth game of the world's championship series. No one-not even the most devoted friends and admirers of the Chicagos-can dispute their right to the title, or can say that it was won in anything but a fair, square and honest manner. The struggle was not such a hard one for the Browns, after all. Taking everything into consideration, they won the battle with comparative ease. Their victory, however, was not due to any luck, but was only secured by playing a superior game of ball. Their hard, steady and all-pull-together style of playing landed them on top on more than one occasion when defeat seemed inevitable. The Chicagos are an excellent team of ball players, but, as has already been mentioned, they are out of their class when they face the Browns in a contest, as has been plainly shown in the six games played between them. The Browns have made more runs, more hits, more total bases, less errors, have presented stronger batteries, and outplayed the Chicagos all around. It does not require any more facts to convince people which is the better club. Since the initial game was played in Chicago last Monday, there have been a number of people shouting hippodrome and claiming that the Chicagos would win the series without any trouble; that they were merely toying with the Browns; that they were merely working things to increase the gate receipts, but yesterday's play dispelled all suspicion.

The contest between the two clubs yesterday afternoon was the most exciting and most brilliantly played game ever seen in St. Louis, or any other city, in the history of the national sport. It was the hardest battle of all the six games, and it was not decided until a wild pitch allowed Welch to cross the plate with the winning run in the tenth inning. The Chicagos started out to play in a manner that meant business and it looked like defeat for the Browns. The home club never once gave up, though, and with the score standing 3 to 0 against them at the end of the seventh inning they played just as hard and steady as they did at the opening of the game. For six straight innings they went to the bat and six straight times they were retired without a hit, much less a run, or anything that looked like one. Bushong got his base in the first inning, but never advanced from the bag. In the seventh inning O'Neil made the first hit of the game for the Browns. He drove the ball far up in the air and out in the field beyond all reach of the fielders for three bases. But Jim in his effort to make third in safety, ran over the bag. The ball was fielded quickly and returned to Burns and as O'Neil went over the base, he was touched by the ball and put out. This terrible luck did not dishearten the Browns but they kept striving to get a run. In the seventh they tied the score and Latham assisted no little in doing it. With one run in, two men on the bases, two men out and two strikes and three balls called on Latham, the latter lifted the sphere to the left field over Dalrymple's head for three bases, sending in the two men.

The demonstrations on the part of the spectators when the score was tied was such that has never been equaled at any game of base ball before. The immense crowd seemed to go crazy. They yelled and cheered until they grew hoarse. Men and boys shook hands and embraced each other, turned summersaults on the grand-stand and in the field, and many actually wept tears of joy. The air was full of hats, handkerchiefs and umbrellas, and it was nearly five minutes before the crowd could be quieted sufficiently to go on with the game. It was a sight that will never be forgotten by those who were present. But the scene in the tenth inning when the winning run was scored and the Browns had secured the championship is almost beyond description. As soon as Welch had crossed the plate and the 10,000 people who filled the grand-stands and stood in rows ten or twelve deep in a circle around the field, more than half of them made a grand rush for the players, yelling and making all manner of noises and demonstrations. As soon as they would run up against a man in the Browns' uniform they would throw him upon their backs and carry him off the field. The entire nine were taken to the dressing-room in this manner. At various places in and around the park a crowd would congregate, and when some one would propose three cheers for the championship, they would be given with a will. Everybody was happy and everybody wanted to shake hands with everybody else. A crowd numbering perhaps 3,000 lingered around the park until after the members of the club had dressed. Wherever one of them was seen, a big crowd immediately circled around and cheer him heartily. It was long after dark before Sportsman's Park and vicinity had settled down to its usually quiet state. It is not likely that such scenes of enthusiasm will be seen again at St. Louis base ball parks for a long time to come.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1886

I thought it would be a good idea to divide this rather long article into two parts and I'll have the second half, which is the inning by inning account of game six, tomorrow. There will be much more on game six and the aftermath of the 1886 series in the days to come.

The 1886 World Series: It Could Decide The Series

Have I ever mentioned how much I love 19th century newspaper ads? They're just fantastic and even these ads for the series, which are rather tame when compared to other newspaper ads of the day, are great. They knew how to do advertising back in the 19th century with great, eye-grabbing graphics. And the products were sometimes rather bizarre. Reading the 19th century classifieds is like taking a trip to a museum of quackery. Great stuff.

The 1886 World Series: Help Wanted

Wanted-To-day, 20 waiters at Sportsman's Base Ball Park, Grand ave.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 23, 1886

I just thought this was really neat. It's an ad that appeared in the Help Wanted section of the Globe and speaks, I think, to the size of the crowds that were coming out for the series.

The 1886 World Series: Sixteen Thousand?

The attendance was large, it being estimated that 16,000 witnessed the game.

-The Atchison Daily Champion, October 23, 1886

Sixteen thousand people witnessed to-day's contest.

-Bangor Daily Whig & Courier, October 23, 1886

...the crowd, estimated at 16,000...

-The Daily Inter Ocean, October 23, 1886

I think the sixteen thousand number is a mistake that began with the Inter Ocean's game account and spread to other papers. The Inter Ocean's account is, word for word, the same as that in the Tribune that I've already posted except that the Trib has the attendance at 10,000 and the Inter Ocean has it at 16,000. I think the Inter Ocean read 10,000 as 16,000 and printed that mistake. When I first saw the number in the Atchison paper, I wasn't sure if it said 16,000 or 10,000 so I can understand how this happened.

And this, of course, doesn't even address the question of whether or not there was really ten thousand people at Sportsman's Park for game five. But I'm rather comfortable saying that there sure wasn't sixteen thousand at the ballpark on October 22, 1886.

The 1886 World Series: Joy Reigns Supreme

The St. Louis Browns won the fifth game of the series with the Chicago club for the world's base ball championship, and as a consequence joy reigns supreme at the west end of the big bridge, while doubtless a cloud of gloom thicker than the aroma from their river towers over the people of the village by the lake. The game was not what could be called a great one, nor were there many very brilliant plays. But it was a great victory, all the same.

The weather was warmer than yesterday, and the crowd assembled earlier and waited rather impatiently for the hour for the beginning of the game. It had been announced that Flynn or Baldwin would pitch for the visitors and Hudson was to occupy the box for the home club. The friends of the home club gave expression to many misgivings on Hudson's account. He was by many considered of too small calibre for the contest, but he came out strong...

-Boston Daily Globe, October 23, 1886

The 1886 World Series: A Flood-Tide

Never in the history of the National game has the base-ball crank been so numerous and pronounced as in St. Louis today. Even in the old days of '76, when the original Browns came so near wresting the championship from the Bostons, the enthusiasm never reached the flood-tide at which it is now running. It finds vent in a thousand ways, but cruelly in the uncalled-for ridicule and abuse of the visiting League Champions. Anson today elected to pitch Baldwin, a young twirler who won the Northwestern championship for the Duluth club and who was signed by Chicago. Baldwin donned the blue uniform and came on the field. Immediately the 10,000 people present howled their objection, and the Browns took it up and refused to play with Baldwin. As Flynn's arm was very sore, this kick left the Chicago team without a pitcher. Pierce had been selected to umpire for the Browns, but was late, and McQuade took his place, Kelly acting as referee and Quest appearing for Chicago.

-Chicago Daily Tribune, October 23, 1886

The 1886 World Series: A Tribute To The Browns

The Missouri Pacific branches (Council Grove, Osage City and Ottawa Railway), seventy-eight miles long, forty-two miles completed, stations named after the members of the Browns, i.e.: Ottawa to Foutz, 36.7 miles; Ottawa to Latham, 41.3 miles; Ottawa to Admire City, 47.5 miles; Ottawa to Bushong, 56 miles, and Ottawa to Comiskey, 62.5 miles.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 23, 1886

I think that's kind of neat.

The 1886 World Series: Betting On The Game

The scenes around the pool-rooms were much the same as they had been on the preceding four games, though the betting was less. Starting in even, the Browns soon had the call, and on the third inning $100 to $15 was offered, a very small inducement to the Chicagos' admirers, and betting was about given up on the game and confined to innings and to-day's game and the series. There were all kinds of offers on to-day's game, both sides evidently being a little uncertain, more on account of a general understanding that a seventh game had been practically agreed upon than anything else. The Chicagos nervously offered $4 to $5, while the Browns freely announced their willingness to gamble even, but there were several offers of $100 to $70 on the Browns, and there seemed to be more who were more willing to give odds on that than on the issue of to-day's struggle.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 23, 1886

I freely admit that my favorite part of the coverage of the 1886 series is all the gambling stuff. Don't ask me why. I just find it highly entertaining.

The 1886 World Series: Game Five

The Chicagos are now fully convinced that there is at least one base ball club in the country that knows as much if not a little more about the game than they do. Until they ran up against the St. Louis Browns they had an inflated idea that they were simply invincible on the diamond. The Browns gave them another lesson in ball playing at Sportsman's Park yesterday afternoon. They are improving in their work very rapidly and it is safe to say that if they meet the home club in another half dozen games, they will be able to make a fair showing against the champions of the world. At present, however, they are out of their class, and though it is rather late, they have discovered that fact. Yesterday's contest between the two clubs, the fifth one in the world's championship series, was a veritable walkover for the Browns. They got the lead in the first inning and kept it throughout. They outplayed the League champions at all points. A big wrangle occurred, just as the game was to be called, about the Chicago pitcher.

On Wednesday last President Spaulding announced that he had signed Baldwin, the left-handed pitcher of the Duluth Club, of the Northwestern League, who made such a good showing this season, and has a record of nineteen strike outs in a single game. Mr. Spaulding stated, though, that he was engaged for 1887, and that he would not do any work this season. It was noticed, however, that while he was in Chicago he was constantly practicing. He accompanied the club to St. Louis, and yesterday his name appeared on the score card as either the pitcher or right-fielder, while the same positions were marked after Flynn's name. It was the Chicagos' intention to put Baldwin in first and if he was batted hard Flynn was to succeed him. As soon as President Von der Ahe became acquainted with this fact he made a vigorous protest. He said that the articles of agreement called for games between the two clubs of 1886, and that he did not propose to allow the Chicagos to present an outside pitcher; that Mr. Spaulding had refused to allow him to strengthen his batteries by signing Ramsey, of the Louisvilles, as he could have done, and that Baldwin could therefore not pitch, or, if he did, the game would not be played. Spaulding made long objections and excuses, but Mr. Von der Ahe would listen to none of them. The umpires were appealed to by the Chicagos' President, but they gave him no satisfaction and nothing remained for Mr. Spaulding but to put in another pitcher, which he did.

Ryan was to play left field and Dalrymple was to lay off. Ryan was sent to right field in the first inning, and Dalrymple had to dress and go to left. Williamson was put in to pitch, and Kelly went to short, while Silver Flint did the back-stop work. Three hits were made off Williamson in the first inning. He also sent a man to base on balls, and as a result the Browns scored two runs. That was the last of Williamson's pitching. He retired to his regular position at short, Kelly going to third and Burns to right. Ryan came in and pitched through the remaining innings. He was very wild, and that his balls were not very deceptive may be seen at once in the total base column. Flint also had a hard time catching him. There was another delay when the captains selected the umpire. Grace Pierce was chosen, but he was not on the grounds, as a long search revealed. It was then decided to try the three umpire system, which worked so well in Chicago last Tuesday. Quest was selected umpire for the Chicagos, and McQuade for St. Louis, while John Kelly officiated as referee. The latter was decidedly against the home club and made many unjust decisions, while he favored the Chicagos on every opportunity. Even when Quest and McQuade decided alike, and Anson saw any chance for a kick, he would appeal to Kelly and the latter would invariably reverse the umpires' decision. Hudson, who pitched for the Browns, made another excellent showing. All the "sluggers" could make off his delivery were but three hits and two of these were decidedly questionable. One was a grounder to Gleason which the latter got to first certainly as quick as the runner, and the other was a grounder to third which Latham handled very slowly. Anson's two-bagger to center was the only clean hit that was made; also the longest on the Chicagos' side. The Browns had their batting clothes on. Caruthers did the best work with the stick. Out of three times at the bat he made two singles and a three-bagger. Welch and Comiskey made doubles, and Hudson is credited with a triple. Gleason also did excellently. He made two singles out of three times at the bat.

It was nearly 3:20 before the game was called. The Browns chose the outs. Gore, the first batter for the Chicagos, struck out, and the crowd applauded Hudson's good beginning. Kelly knocked a fly to Welch, Anson and Pfeffer both secured their bases on balls, and when they were each advanced a bag on a passed ball it looked like runs. Williamson's out from short to first left both men on the bases. for the Browns, Latham, by his successful fouling of balls, got his base. He made a brilliant steal to second, and Caruthers' safe hit to right close to the foul line advanced him to third, and O'Neil's single to center brought him across the plate. Caruthers, however, in trying to stretch his hit into a two-bagger, was thrown out at second. O'Neil went down to second on a passed ball and came in on a hit to left by Gleason. The latter tried to make second on the throw in, but perished at second. Comiskey's fly to Pfeffer wound up the inning. The Chicagos scored their first run in the second inning. Burns, the first man, went out from pitcher to first, and Ryan was hit with a pitched ball. The latter, of course, took his base. He stole second. Dalrymple then knocked a hard grounder to short, and Gleason made a bad error by letting it roll between his legs. Ryan scored on the play. Flint struck out and Gore knocked a foul fly in the direction of first. It was in close to the stand, but Comiskey made a run for it. He got past the ball, but as it was coming down he reached out his right hand and succeeded in making one of the most remarkable catches ever seen on the grounds. This retired the side.

The Browns in their half of the inning made another run. Welch struck at three bad balls and retired to the bench, but Robinson made a beautiful hit to left, and a wild enabled him to go down to second. He started for third, and Flint's bad throw to head him off let him reach there in safety, and another wild pitch brought him across the plate. Hudson struck out, and Bushong got his base on balls, but the latter was left by Latham's out from third to first. Robinson is responsible for the run that the Chicagos made in the third inning. Kelly, the first batter, was thrown out at first on his grounder to short. Anson again got his base on balls, but Pfeffer forced him out at second. The latter stole down to bag No. 2. Williamson then knocked a slow and easy grounder to Robinson. Williamson thought there could be no doubt about his being thrown out, and almost stopped running. Robinson made several grabs for the ball, but could not get it up, although it lay right at his feet. Pfeffer came in on the bad error. Burns retired the side with a fly to O'Neil. The Browns' four runs in this inning put at rest all doubts about their winning the game. Caruthers made an encouraging beginning by driving the ball to the bulletin board for a good three bases, and a passed ball let him home. O'Neil struck out, although the heavy batter made a great kick on the strikes that were called. Gleason got his base on balls, and Comiskey brought him home with a two-bagger to right. Burns, however, let the ball get by him and the Browns' captain went all the way to score. Welch made a clean steal to third, but Flint's wild throw to Kelly to head him off enabled him to come in. Robinson went out from third to first, and Ryan sent Hudson to first on balls. The latter was left, however, by Bushong's liner to Gore.

The Chicagos made a run, the last of the game, in the fourth. Ryan led off with a hit to left. Latham fielded the ball and held it in his hands while Ryan went down to second. Sacrifices by Dalrymple and Flint brought Ryan home, and Gore went out on a fly to Welch. A very funny incident occurred in the Browns' half of this inning. Latham was the first batter, and he commenced to work for his base by fouling balls. Ryan pitched no less than seventeen balls to him without retiring him. Anson became angry, and leaving first base, walked over near the grand stand to the right of Flint, with the intention of catching some of Latham's fouls. Latham, however, observing that first was not covered, tried to knock the ball in that direction. He succeeded in doing so, but Pfeffer, suspecting his intention, played rather close to the bag. As luck would have it, Latham knocked the ball directly to him, and was consequently put out. The play greatly interested the crowd. Caruthers and O'Neil, the next two men, were retired on easy plays.

The Chicagos had two men left on the bases in the fifth. Kelly knocked a grounder to Gleason, and got his base on a questionable decision of the umpire. He stole second. Anson knocked a fly to Caruthers, and Pfeffer went out on a grounder to Comiskey, sending Kelly to third. Williamson got his base on balls and stole second. Burns' grounder to short, on which he was thrown out at first, retired the side. The Browns went out quickly. Gleason knocked a fly to second. Comiskey went out from Ryan to first and Welch from short to first. In the sixth Ryan was thrown out at first on his grounder to Latham, Dalrymple struck out and Flint went out from second to first. The Browns' three runs in this inning brought their total up to ten. Robinson struck out, but Hudson made one of the prettiest hits of the day, sending the ball to extreme center for three bases. He scored on a passed ball. Buschong got his base on balls, but Latham forced him out at second. A wild pitch enabled Latham to advance a base, and Caruthers' single to left brought him in. O'Neil hit safely to right, Caruthers going to second. A wild pitch sent Caruthers to third. Gleason hit safely to right and Caruthers scored. O'Neil tried to make third on Gleason's hit, but was easily thrown out, finishing the inning. The Chicago men went to bat in the seventh, but it was so dark that it was almost impossible to see the ball, and when they had been retired the game was called, although Anson, at first, insisted on playing. Gore went out from third to first and Kelly from pitcher to first. Anson made a beautiful drive to extreme center over the fielder's head, but Welch's quick handling of the ball prevented Anson from getting beyond second. Pfeffer's line drive to Welch made the third out, left Anson standing on second with his head drooping like a faded flower and finished the game. The attendance was about the same as on Thursday.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 23, 1886

The 1886 World Series: Another Great Game

An ad for game five that appeared in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat on October 22, 1886:

The 1886 World Series: Of The Hoodlum Order

Just after the Browns had tied the score, in the fifth inning, yesterday, some devoted admirers of the Chicagos thought that the spectators were applauding a little too much, and one of them, doubtless a Chicagoan, made a rather uncomplimentary remark concerning "the St. Louis cranks" and their actions, which he thought decidedly rude. A second later the young man who had been so free in expressing his opinion of St. Louis base ball audiences was rolling around the ground in a rough-and-tumble fight with a Brown enthusiast. At the same time several other fights occurred in about the same locality, but the timely arrival of the police prevented any serious disturbance.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 22, 1886

The 1886 World Series: Down-Town Scenes

There was interest in the closing one of the Chicago-Browns games played at Chicago, but there was much greater interest in the opening one of the Browns-Chicago games played at Sportsmen's Park yesterday. The pool-rooms were all crowded, and around the Globe-Democrat office and on the Pine street side there was such a jam that the street was almost impassable. The base ball patrons were not all at the park, though there were 12,000 and more of them there. The first inning of the game had hardly begun when the ringing of the Bell Telephone and the rattle of the Pan Electric began in both the editorial rooms and the business department of the Globe-Democrat, where, as in all cases, the people turn for information. The entire time of two strong-lunged young men was occupied in answering these calls, and even then the answers were short and sharp. The St. Louis sports and patrons were thus thoroughly aroused, though Chicago had not warmed up to sending as much money to St. Louis as St. Louis had sent to Chicago. Everybody around the Merchants' Exchange who could get off went to the park, but there were enough left to pack the pool rooms to their capacity. Wiseman's also had much more than its usual crowd; and at both places the betting was very lively, though it was only for a few moments that all of the Browns' money could find takers. Before the opening of the game the Browns had the call at $10 to $8. The St. Louis crowd was paralyzed by the Chicagos making three runs in their first inning, and deserted their standards, the Chicagos then having the call at $10 to $5, but this was soon changed, and all of the Browns' courage returning the betting was soon changed to $10 to $5 in favor of the Browns, at which it continued.

On to-day's game there was considerable betting during the progress of yesterday's game at even money, and later at $10 to $8. At night the Browns had the call very strongly at Wiseman's, the betting being $20 to $15, and even on the series, $200 being posted on the latter without a taker. After the close of the game some of the on 'Change crowd made some good bets on the series at Donovan's, putting up $100 to $80 on the Browns.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 22, 1886