Paying Our Respects

Saturday, Ed Achorn, Steve Pona and I went out to Bellefontaine Cemetery to pay our respects to Mr. Chris Von der Ahe.  We also got a quick tour of some of the more interesting and historically important graves at the cemetery by Richard Lay, who I had a chance to meet at Ed's presentation at Left Bank Books on Thursday evening.  Richard was a fantastic guide and I really appreciate the time he took showing us around, especially considering that we just kind of showed up unannounced.  He was very gracious, told some wonderful stories and even shared the contents of the cemetery's Von der Ahe file with us.  

I also want to thank everyone who showed up at Left Bank Books to see Ed.  I know that he was very appreciative and amazed at the turnout.  If you didn't make it, you absolutely missed out on a good time but I know that Ed signed a big stack of his books and left them at the store if you're interested in picking up a signed copy of The Summer of Beer and Whiskey.

It was great talking to everyone Thursday and I hope that we can find opportunities to get together again soon.  And, yes, that's me in the picture, standing next to the our boy's grave.

Back to our regular scheduled programming tomorrow.      

Deasley Out; Robinson In

A dispatch was yesterday received from President Von der Ahe, of the St. Louis Club, stating that he had released Tom Deasley, so that it may reasonably be surmised that the latter will go with the New York League Club next season.  Walter Latham expressed his willingness to catch if Deasley were released, and in that case the natty little third base-man will resume his old position as back-stop.  At Boston Mr. Von der Ahe engaged W.H. Robinson, who attracted so much attention last season while with the Baltimore Unions.  He will catch and alternate with Latham at third.  Krehmeyer will probably assist behind the bat, and another experienced catcher will be secured; also a noted infielder, who is a terrific batsman.  The Browns will go into the field better generally in shape than they ever were before, and will have certain positions capably filled for the first time.  At the same time the bad, unreliable and insubordinate element has been gotten rid of, and the team will be one of the best behaved and best disciplined in the base-ball arena.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 14, 1884


That last sentence was a shot at Deasley. 

Sensational Base Ball Negotiations

A few days ago a Globe-Democrat reporter was advised that an effort was being made to get the St. Louis Union Base Ball Club into the National League.  The information was to the effect that the franchise of the Cleveland Club was in the market and, in view of the probable dropping out of that organization, other League representatives were anxious to take the St. Louis Unions into membership.  If Cleveland should disband Detroit would probably follow, and in that event both the St. Louis and Cincinnati Unions would join the League.  A gentleman interested in the local Unions was asked about this information and said it was substantially correct, but that he did not think anything would come of the negotiations because some of the league clubs were disposed to insist on the ostracism of Dunlap, Shaffer, Sweeny, Gleason, McCormick, Briody, Glascock and others, which the Union Clubs would under no circumstance consent to. 

The League The Dictator.

He was asked if Mr. Von der Ahe refused to give his consent would the matter be dropped, and answered that it would not; that it was understood that Mr. Von der Ahe was in favor of the project, and thought it would be a benefit to his club, but whatever might be his action the league was looking out for itself, and would dictate terms to the American Association instead of being dictated to...

President Lucas, of the Unions, was approached on the subject, but said he had nothing to say except that he was going right along preparing for the Union Association Convention to be held in this city on next Thursday.

Yesterday morning the following appeared in Caylor's special to the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, reporting the proceeding of the American Association Convention:

The Crank's Version.

"Over and beyond the proceedings of the Convention, the sensation to-night has been a rumor in the corridors of the hotel, which was traced to a certainty after the meeting adjourned.  It was no less a fact than that Mr. Chase, the attorney of Henry V. Lucas, was on hand arranging for the transfer of the Lucas Club to the League.  I understand that Messrs. Chase and Day, of the New York League Club, and Mr. Von der Ahe were in consultation in the matter, and the result has been altogether favorable.  Von der Ahe's consent is necessary to effect the new membership.  He will of course require that Dunlap, Shaffer and Rowe be dropped, and that under no circumstance shall they be made eligible to play."

"It is understood that the League rules will be strictly enforced, namely, no bar, no Sunday games and a 50-cent tariff.  It is understood that Mr. Lucas wants to cater to the high-toned portions in St. Louis, and believes it will pay with a League club, and Von der Ahe is of the opinion that such a club would benefit him, rather than do him injury.  If Von der Ahe keeps this opinion till his return the deal will certainly be made.  Whether it is or not, however, it is absolutely certain that the Union Association is a goner."

The Union's Association Will Go On.

Vice President Espenched of the Unions was seen last night by a Globe-Democrat reporter.  He said his attention had been called to the Commercial Gazette's report by a telegram from the Cincinnati Enquirer, to which he replied: "Mr. Lucas is in Indianapolis arranging for a Union Club.  Assure our players they need have no fear."

The Union Association, he said, would go right along and would certainly protect its players.  The thought that it was "a goner" probably delighted Caylor, but his transport of joy would be blighted by the painful reality that his tormentor still lived and would continue to live.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 13, 1884


Somewhere, I think there has to be a record of a third game played between the Maroons and Louisville in October of 1884 but I can't find it.  The game was scheduled but there is nothing in the Globe about it.  But the Louisville exhibition series finished the season for the Maroons.  So we're moving on. 

And here we have the first mention that I've found of the possibility of the Maroons moving to the NL.  I don't think that the representation of Von der Ahe's attitude is correct or something, at some point, made him change his mind about supporting the Maroons move to the NL.  The process would not be an easy one.   

The Alleged Outrage

Ernest Rother, late book-keeper in the grocery store of Von der Ahe, of the St. Louis Base Ball Club, was arrested in [Columbus, Ohio,] to-day on a telegram from the Chief of Police of St. Louis, asking that he be detained on a charge of embezzlement.  Rother waived all formalities of a requisition, and left with an officer this evening on his return to St. Louis.  He states that he does not know what the special charges can be against him, though there is nothing wrong with his accounts or books, and he can make the matter clear when he arrives.  He thinks the arrest was made through the connivance of some of his enemies.

Rother was on his way to Germany.  While in the city he sent for James Williams, late manager of the St. Louis Club, who visited him at the prison and heard his story of the alleged outrage.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 1, 1884


I know that somewhere on this blog I've mentioned this story before but here it is again, coming up in the context of the 1884 season.  As a baseball story, there's not much there and the only interesting thing about the entire matter is the involvement of Von der Ahe and Williams. 

The Personal Attention Of Mr. Von Der Ahe

Manager James A. Williams has severed his connection with the St. Louis Base Ball Club, having tendered his resignation yesterday, the same having been accepted by the Directory.  There is no bad feeling or any but the kindliest sentiments between Mr. Williams and his late associates, but the club affairs required the personal attention and disciplining of Mr. Von der Ahe, who will strain every nerve to brace them up once more into winning form.  

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 5, 1884


I have no doubt that the club got the personal attention of Mr. Von der Ahe and that was one of the main reasons Mr. Williams resigned.  

Von Der Ahe And The St. Louis Amateurs

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Sportsman's Park was held at the grounds last evening, there being present Messrs. Von der Ahe, O'Neill, Nolker and Reid.  In answer to the call for the local amateur clubs desiring to compete for the handsome ebony bat and silver ball offered by the Directors, the following clubs were represented: Pinafore, by H.C. Hoener; Lyons, P.B. Golman; Comptons, N. Corbey; Wedge House, H. Sexton; Paragons, A. McHose; Westerns, Geo. Flood; St. Louis Grays, L.C. Waitt; Carr Place, A.W. Sumner; Enterprise, Wm. Cahill; Prickly Ash, H.E. Hobbs; Griesidicks, Geo. W. Alexander.  These clubs all expressed a desire to enter the competition and the Directors will decide upon those to be admitted very shortly and a schedule will be duly prepared.  No admission will be charged to the games and an effort will be made to develop the amateur talent of the city, Mr. Von der Ahe stating the willingness of the Sportsman's Park directory to stand all expense of advertising and ground appointments.  Another meeting will be held Thursday, September 4, when matters will be put in more definite shape.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 29, 1884


I've posted information about this amateur competition as I've found it and I'm hoping to find out how it all came out but it's rather interesting to see Von der Ahe promoting the amateur game in St. Louis, especially for the stated purpose of developing local talent.  I'm thinking that this has more to do with creating an alternative product to compete with the Maroons but I could be wrong.  Von der Ahe would, in the future, take unique steps to develop talent for the Browns - specifically the failed attempt at a farm team in 1888.   

The Breach Has Been Greatly Widened

A Globe-Democrat reporter, who was at the Sportsman's Park, interviewed Mr. Von der Ahe, President of the St. Louis Club, upon Dolan's jump.  He did not appear to be greatly disgruntled at the jump, and explained the matter so far as he could, as follows:

"Dolan's work so far as his catching was concerned was all satisfactory, but his throwing to bases was getting worse and worse, and cost us so many games that the other men did not feel safe with him behind the bat, and urged that Deasley catch on all occasions.  Dolan has been very hard to please.  When he did not catch he complained, and when he was put on to catch he kicked.  He was of little service to us of late, and men ran bases on him with impunity, and while making an occasional hit his batting and base running were ordinarily very poor.  We are through our hard work and with Deasley and Krehmeyer we can get along very well without him.  I had no thought of re-engaging him next year.  To-day I told him to put on his uniform when he objected and said he was going to quit.  I told him what the consequences would be to him and he made no answer, and I presume went straight from here to the Union Park.  He wanted to catch more and the men felt safer with Deasley - that was all there was in it.  He will never play on the St. Louis Browns again, even if he were younger and more capable."

Mr. Von der Ahe showed no feeling in the matter whatever, and smiled at the indignation expressed by the friends of the club, who were loud in their denunciation of Dolan's conduct, and openly expressed opinions that the jump was not the result of an impulse, but of a tempting offer from the Unions.  The breach between the two local professional base ball organizations has been greatly widened by the occurrence.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 24, 1884


I love that last sentence and find it to be a tasty bit of understatement.  You have to wonder if Dolan's name came up in the fall when Von der Ahe and Lucas where negotiating the Maroons' entry into the NL. 

Von der Ahe Secures Foutz

Dave Foutz

President Eugene Fifield and E.W. Bennett, Secretary and Treasurer of the Bay City, Northwestern League, Team, are in town, the guests of President Von der Ahe, of the Browns.  They come to see to-day's game. 

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 20, 1884


Now, what could this be all about?  Oh, wait.  I know:

David Foutz, of the Bay City Northwestern League club, whom President Von der Ahe, of the St. Louis Browns, has just secured, is a remarkable twirler for a young man of 23 years.  He first made a hit with the Leadville Blues in 1881, and of fifty-four games played by them that year Foutz pitched forty, and lost but one. He played with the Bay Citys last year, and up to date with them this year.  Last year he played in 43 games, and this year he has pitched 21 games, only 4 of which were lost.  He is tall and slim, standing 6 feet 2 inches in his stocking feet and weighing about 165 pounds.  He played with Bay City against the Browns last April, and but four hits were made off him.  He is quiet, gentlemanly, and cool and calculating in his work.  He not only pitches, but plays any position outside of a catcher.  President Von der Ahe is enthusiastic over his success in securing him, and says he will play his first game in Cincinnati July 29, when his ten days are up.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 20, 1884

Unions vs. Browns

Arrangements are reported to have been made for a series of seven games between the St. Louis Unions and the Browns, to be played on the Union Grounds between October 15 and November 1.  It is stated authoritatively that ten of the Browns, including McGinnis and O'Neill, will form a combination for the purpose of playing the proposed games, for which they will receive 50 per cent of the gate receipts.  Their contracts will expire on October 15, and they claim that they will then be free to play just where they please.  It is understood that Deasley will not be included in the combination, but in every other respect the regular Brown Stocking organization will be presented against the Unions.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 12, 1884


I'm going to guess and say that this series did not have the blessing of The Right Honorable Christ. Von der Ahe.

Fred Lewis Signs A Formidable Document; Crisis Averted

Fred Lewis was fortunate in not being proceeded against in the First District Police Court yesterday, and still more fortunate in being taken back by Von der Ahe to his old position.  But before he was reinstated he was brought before Justice P.J. Tauffe and there required to "swear off" literally, by signing a formidable document, by which he pledged himself to severely abstain from all fermented, vinous or alcoholic liquors during the remaining six months of his connection with the club under penalty of expulsion, etc., as provided in the constitution.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 10, 1884

And What Exactly Does Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil Have To Do With Fred Lewis?

President Von der Ahe bailed out Fred Lewis about 1 o'clock yesterday morning.  Lewis' failure to answer when his case was called was the result of a mistake as to time.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 9, 1884


And I guess that's a better excuse than "There we were minding our own business, just doing chores around the house, when kids started killing themselves all over my property."

I might as well give you the clip but, fair warning, it's kinda NSFW and a tad gruesome.  But it's funny.

And Here's The Suspension

At a meeting of the Directors of the St. Louis Base Ball Club last evening Messrs. Von der Ahe, Walker, Williams and Reid were present.  It was decided to suspend Fred Lewis for the season of 1884, which disbars him from playing with any club under the tripartite agreement.  Jim O'Neill claims that he had no connection with the trouble on Tuesday night, and that the reports regarding him were unfounded.  Tom Deasley was also fined heavily for insubordination and enthusiasm.  Mr. Von der Ahe gave the other men a quiet sensible talk and desired them to do their best and work in harmony and keep up their present good record.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 3, 1884


This is so good that I'm going to have to go with the bullet points to cover it all quickly:

-Well, of course, Lewis gets suspended.  You can't get all drunk and tear up a whorehouse and not expect to get suspended.

-I imagine Tip O'Neill standing with his hands up and saying "It wasn't me."

-Was Tom Deasley involved in all of this or was his fine a separate incident.  And how does one get fined for "enthusiasm"?  Have to assume they meant a lack of enthusiasm, or a general piss-poor attitude.

-I laughed out loud when I read that VdA gave the players "a quiet sensible talk."  Compare this treatment of VdA with the coverage from the 1890s.  If this was being reported in 1895, we'd get a made up quote from VdA's speech.  Something along the lines of "Now boys youse canks goes to de horse's house und mistreats de horse.  Dats bad far de horse's bisniss und de baseball bissniss."  

Trick McSorley Released By The Browns

Trick McSorley, the substitute player of the Brown Stockings, was released yesterday [June 4] by President Von der Ahe to the Memphis Club, where he will play short or third, and will probably manage the team.

-Sporting Life, June 9, 1886


McSorley's last game in the big leagues was May 6, 1886, against Pittsburgh.  He went 0-3 in his final game in with the Browns.

But this post is really just an excuse to show off this picture that was given to me by Lynn McSorley, the granddaughter of Trick McSorley.  I got to meet Lynn this weekend at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up and she was kind enough to give me all the files she had on her grandfather.  I can't tell you how great it was to meet Lynn and talk to her about her grandfather, who is one of my favorite 19th century ballplayers, as well as her and her family's efforts in researching his baseball career.  I'm honestly humbled and honored that she entrusted me with all the information that they had put together over the years.  

The 1884 Maroons: Rainchecks

Rainchecks given away at the Union grounds yesterday will be honored both to-morrow and Thursday, when the St. Louis and Keystones play regular championship games.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, May 26, 1884


This is kind of interesting.  First, the Maroons were issuing rainchecks in 1884.  The practice of issuing rainchecks was not universal at the time and there was some controversy in St. Louis in 1883 when Von der Ahe did not issue them.  Also, there was a story floating around in the late 1880s that Lucas formed the Maroons and the UA after he and a group of friends went to a Browns game in 1883 that got rained out and they were not issued rainchecks.  The fact that the Maroons were handing them out gives a bit of credence to that story.  Not a lot, but a bit.

Secondly, the Maroons' game that got rained out was not a UA game.  The Bostons wouldn't play on Sunday and they rearranged their schedule to get the series in before then.  The Maroons were scheduled to play an exhibition game against the Prickly Ash that day.  It's interesting that Lucas would issue rainchecks for an exhibition game and honor them for a league game.  I understand that Lucas did things a bit differently than others but it's a bit odd.  It's a possibility that this was an attempt to improve attendance, which except for Sunday, was a bit disappointing.  

The 1884 Maroons: Pounding The Ball All Over The Field

The St. Louis Unions won another victory from the Nationals, of Washington, yesterday, in a contest terminated by rain at the end of five innings.  The visitors played a poor fielding game, but at the bat they made a better showing.  The home team, as usual started in pounding the ball all over the field, and took all the vim out of their opponents.  In the first inning a three-base hit by Gleason and a single by Rowe, sided by errors of the Nationals scored three runs.  In the second hits by Rowe, Dunlap and Taylor assisted by wild throws added four more to the score.  In the third singles by Dunlap, Baker and Brennan, and wretched fielding by the opposing nine gave them three more.  A fine drive for three bases to the right field fence by Rowe, followed by Taylor's long hit to the left field fence, added another in the fourth, making a total of eleven.  The visitors scored two in the third, three in the fourth, and one in the fifth by hits of Wise, Evers, Moore, and McLaughlin.  Taylor pitched a fine game while Baker supported in fine style.  For the visitors Lockwood pitched, McKenna being his support.  There were about 1,500 people in attendance.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, May 12, 1884


Thirteen straight wins.  And the team was just battering that left-field fence.

What Did Dunlap Do?  The T-800 was two for three with a couple of runs scored.  Like a machine.

It should also be noted that while the Maroons drew 1,500 fans to their game, the Browns drew what the Globe described as the biggest baseball crowd of the season to their game against Columbus.  The crowd at Sportsman's Park was estimated at around 12,000.  It looks like, at that point in the season, Von der Ahe and the Browns were winning their fight against the upstart Maroons.  It remains to be seen how the Maroons would draw the rest of the season but to get only 1,500 on a Sunday in St. Louis was pretty weak.    

The 1884 Maroons: Visiting Sportsman's Park

The members of the Union Club, headed by President Lucas, attended the game between the Browns and the Bay City Club, at Sportsman's Park yesterday afternoon.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 26, 1884


How should we take this?  Was this a friendly visit?  Lucas and the players were baseball fans and enjoyed the game so it would make sense for them to go to Sportsman's Park and take in a Browns' game.  Or maybe this was a tactical move by Lucas.  Maybe this was a bit of showmanship on Lucas' part, attempting to show-up Von der Ahe at his own ballpark.  Maybe he was trying to goad him into arranging a game between the two clubs.  It's impossible to say but it is rather interesting.    

The 1884 Maroons: Advertising

I posted something awhile back about how the Browns were going to increase their advertising presence during the 1884 season.  This, of course, was a response to the excitement that surrounded the creation of the Maroons.  One of the more interesting story lines of the season will be how Von der Ahe responds to Lucas' challenge to the Browns' status as the top professional club in St. Louis and I expect to see a bit of an advertising war in the classified pages of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

The above ads, published in the Globe on April 19, 1884, is an example of this.  The two ads appeared, one just below the other, in the same column.  The Maroons' ad is a bit bigger and I can say from experience that it grabbed the eye better than the Browns ad did.

I have an even better example of St. Louis baseball advertising from 1884 coming up in a day or so.  

Very Attractive And Handsome

Quite a scene was enacted at the Directors' headquarters at Sportsman's Park yesterday, as President Von der Ahe displayed the magnificent new uniforms of the St. Louis and Reserve players...Those of the St. Louis players are beauties. They are of the purest white flannel, the shirts being of a soft, smooth texture, with the "St. Louis Browns" in brown cashmere handsomely woven across the center. Pretty silkcord lacings are used, giving the shirts a very attractive and handsome appearance. The breeches are of the blouse pattern, and look elegant on the players. The stockings are a beautiful brown, while the belt if of a fine brocaded silk woven material. Each player receives two suits, with each one of which goes a pair of garters and a pretty necktie. The caps have two brown stripes around them...

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 6, 1884

I Wonder Why?

The Browns are advertising heavier than ever before.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 5, 1884

I looked around and didn't see a lot of evidence that the Browns were advertising more than usual going into the 1884 season. However, would it be surprising if they were? The Maroons represented a threat to Von der Ahe's monopoly on major league, professional baseball in St. Louis and I'm sure Von der Ahe didn't take that threat lightly, given the tenuous hold he had on that monopoly.

A Palpable Falsehood

As the contracts of the St. Louis Browns and the reserve men went into effect yesterday and there was a full gathering of the forces at Sportsmen's Park at 3 p.m. Billy Gleason was on hand with the rest and took more than usual interest in matters. As regards the silly story that Mr. Von der Ahe had forbidden his men to visit the Lucas Park he indignantly denies it, and it is a palpable falsehood, as the men all know. Little Nicol is unreserved in his denial of the statement attributed to him. The men will be in practice every day and will continue to work from this to the close of the season, so that the ball may be said to be in active motion.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 2, 1884