The 1884 Horses Vs. Bicycles Race: Why Didn't They Just Add The Quincy Club?

The original Chicago Unions, which have recently figured as the Pittsburg Unions have disbanded, and their place in the Union Association will be taken by the Milwaukee Club, of the defunct Northwestern League.  Daily, King, Gardner and Wheeler will go to the Baltimore Unions, which will make that organization a very strong one.  

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


All together now:  What kind of league was this?

The fifth day of the eight day race, bycycles vs. horses, ended last evening with the horses in the lead.  The Union Grounds were well patronized in the evening, the open seats to the south of the grand stand being crowded with spectators...When last night's racing was at an end Anderson led the combined score of the bicyclists, having scored 530 miles and 4 laps, to their 526 miles and 3 laps, a lead of three miles and one lap, the longest he has held since the opening day of the tournament.

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

It's going to be very difficult for Morgan and Armaindo to make up those three miles but it's possible.  Morgan had a very strong race up to this point and, I think, if he had had a better partner or Armaindo had come closer to Morgan's pace, the bikes would have won easily. 

The 1884 Horses Vs. Bicycles Race: Another Crushing Defeat For The Home Club

The fourth game between the St. Louis and Wilmington Unions resulted in another crushing defeat for the home club, who were not only weak at the bat, but fielded poorly.  The 3 runs made in the sixth inning all resulted from inexcusable errors.  Sweeney did not exert himself much, and the fielders, confident of the outcome of the game, played with wonderful steadiness and brilliancy, and although many of the home club's hits were apparently safe they were gathered in before the spectators had time to appreciate it.  Whitehead, Boyle, Quinn and Dunlap distinguished themselves for the visitors.  Bastian played one of the prettiest games ever seen here.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 11, 1884

There was a light attendance at the bicycle-horse race at the Union Base Ball Grounds yesterday afternoon, but in the evening a large crowd was present and much enthusiasm was manifested.  Anderson gained steadily on Armaindo, but Morgan, who at times showed wonderful bursts of speed, more than held his own with the horses.  

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 11, 1884

At the end of the fourth day, Anderson and the horses led Morgan, Armaindo and the bikes 426 miles and 1 lap to 422 miles and 4 laps.  I think it's over and there's no way the bikes can come back.  They have to be getting tired. 

The 1884 Maroons: Again With The Tedious

The third game between the Wilmington and St. Louis Unions resulted disastrously for the former.  They put Blakely, of the defunt Keystones, in to pitch and in the fourth inning the visitors hit him for eight singles and a triple, which, game them 9 runs.  The game became tedious.  Boyle pitched will, but two singles being made off him after the first inning.

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


In the horses vs. bicycles race at Union Park, the bikes were still hanging in there, although they lost their lead.  At the end of the third day, the horses had 319 miles and two laps while the bikes had 319 miles and one lap.  I'm rather impressed with the performance of the bicyclists so far.     

The 1884 Maroons: The Game Became Tedious

The game between the St. Louis and Wilmington Unions was notable on account of the terrible batting of the visitors, who hit the "Only" Nolan harder than he had been hit this season, while the home club could do very little with Sweeney, whose pitching excited general admiration.  In the sixth inning Sweeney accomplished a remarkable feat.  Snyder made a single and scored on Lynch's triple, but the next three men were retired on strikes.  All interest ceased after the fifth.  The game became tedious and was drawn by mutual consent at the end of the eight inning.  The attendance was 500.

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


Again: What kind of league was this?  The game is kind of boring and out of hand so let's just call it a day.  Ridiculous.  I'm honestly more interested in the big horse/bicycle race that was going on at Union Park than I am in the goings-on of the Maroons. 

By the way, after day one of the race, the horse had the led over the bicycles, 110 miles to 106.  However, on day two, the bikes had a good day and took a slim lead, 214 miles and two laps to 214 miles and one lap.  I don't think they can keep it up.  From what I can figure, there is a fresh horse everyday and the two guys on bikes are going to get worn out as this goes along.  I'm thinking the horse is going to win big. 

Horses Vs. Bicycles

The 19th century was awesome.  If there was something like this at Busch Stadium and they only charged twenty-five cents admission, I'd go everyday.