Nothing Relating To The Project Could Be Learned

There are no new developments in local base ball affairs.  None of the parties interested in the effort to place the Union Club in the League were at home yesterday, and nothing relating to the project could be learned.  Base ball patrons generally expressed the hope that St. Louis would have a League member, and that games would be played between the local clubs.  It was also argued that games between the home clubs would be the most profitable of an entire season.  With respect to the Unions, a Globe-Democrat reporter was informed that the overtures for League membership came from the League and not from Mr. Lucas.  Four members of the League offered to vote for the admission of St. Louis, with the privilege of Sunday games, providing Mr. Lucas would apply.  It is conceded that Cleveland will not be in the field another season, and the position of Detroit is so doubtful that the league people have no faith in its existence, and they are consequently looking for new members that will be of value to them.  They know they can not get a member in a better base ball city than St. Louis, and that is why they are anxious to take in the Unions.  With Cleveland and Detroit out, the League can not do better than take in the St. Louis and Cincinnati Unions.

What The League Wants.

The League did not want Indianapolis or any place of its size if it could get a large place.  Public support being necessary for the maintenance of clubs, the League financiers were naturally calculating which would be the most profitable cities to take in, and but little figuring was necessary to prove that St. Louis was more desirable that any other point.  This is substantially the view expressed by one who is familiar with all the negotiations that have taken place.

Referring to the question of black-listed players, Vice President Espenschied said: "There is no possible way by which Mr. Lucas could be induced to go back on Dunlap, Shafer, Sweeny, Gleason, Rowe, and Dolan.  I know he is not that kind of a man, and I guess everybody acquainted with him knows it too.  I don't think we will go into the League.  They want us, but if they do get us it will have to be on our terms.  We don't want to quarrel with any association and have to fight them for another year, but we are not going to sacrifice any of the players that helped us in the fight last season.  We know for a fact that neither the League nor American Association want another such fight, and will not force us into another as they did last year.  If the Union Association becomes a strictly Western organization it will be all the better.  The West is a pretty good place for base ball to flourish in."

The situation at Indianapolis is unsettled.  The Cleveland Club is trying to dispose of its League franchise and reserved players to the Indianapolis Club, and President Lucas is trying to get Indianapolis into the Union Association.  A few days will determine its position.

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

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 Old Time Skill And Vigor

For the first time since their return from the East, the St. Louis Unions yesterday batted and fielded with their old-time skill and vigor, and the result was the complete rout of the Louisvilles.  Hecker, the Louisvilles' pitcher, was batted as he was never batted before.  Fifteen runs, eight of them earned; nineteen clean hits, with a total of twenty-eight bases, tells the story.  The Louisvilles, on the other hand, could no nothing with Sweeney, and the two clean hits the visitors got in the last inning were all they were allowed to score in the game.  In the third inning Sweeney surprised his opponents by striking out McLaughlin, Browning and Wolff in succession.  That the Louisvilles batted poorly is reflected by the fact that only two of them retired on flies to the outfield.  Dunlap was back in his old place, while Dolan appeared as Sweeney's support.  The presence of these three braced up the whole nine, and they played a winning game from the start.  On the Louisvilles' side Browning did great service in center-field, two of his catches out there saving three-base hits.

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

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. 

This Series Actually Happened

The Louisvilles arrived last night. They are in charge of Phil. Hinkle and Joe Gerhardt.  The latter says Manager Sullivan, of the Kansas City Club, brought the Louisvilles up there to play three games and then refused to play them - his only excuse being that the weather was too cold.  As a result the Louisvilles are here ahead of time, and instead of playing games here on only Saturday and Sunday next, they will now try to arrange a regular series of three or five games.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 23, 1884

I'm a little surprised that this series actually took place.  I had mentioned the possibility of the series some time ago but just assumed that, for political reasons, it wouldn't come off.  But the Louisvilles were in town and they were going to play the Maroons. 

Exhibition Season

A very small attendance of spectators witnessed the exhibition game of base ball between the Cincinnati Unions and St. Louis Unions to-day.  The St. Louis Club went first to the bat.  Dunlap opened with a home run.  Shaffer followed with a safe hit, and then Rowe struck for three bases...

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 22, 1884

And that was all the scoring in the exhibition game.  Sweeney scattered six hits and only on Cincinnati player got as far as third. 

The Series Proposed

Charlie Comiskey desires to say that he has expressed no opinion regarding the series proposed between the St. Louis Browns and Unions.  He is satisfied that the games can not take place.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 22, 1884

Am I Really Going To Do This?

Fred Dunlap, of the Unions, having heard that Capt. Comiskey, of the Browns, has said that the only condition upon which the latter club will play the Unions is that each player in each nine shall put up $100 to be played for, declares that he is ready to accept the proposition, and if any member of his nine lacks the stipulated amount he will put up for him.  He will bet $100 and his share of the gate receipts if a series of three games are arranged.

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


The most interesting thing about the Maroons' 1884 season was the pre-season and all of the machinations in setting up the league and the club.  My assumption is that the off-season, with the collapse of the UA and the Maroons entry into the NL, will be every bit as interesting.

I'm not sure if I have the stomach for more Maroons stuff but I think it's something I have to do.  

The 1884 Maroons: Our Long National Nightmare Is Over

A very large crowd witnessed the last championship game in St. Louis this year, which was played yesterday between the Boston and St. Louis Unions.  The home team were treated to a coat of whitewash but, notwithstanding that fact, the game was one of the most interesting of the season, and from the opening to the closing innings, the spectators were demonstratively enthusiastic.  

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


And that's that. 

Finally, at long last, I can say I've gone through the Maroons' 1884 season and that I have all of their box scores.  Hurray for me. 

The 1884 Maroons: The Penultimate Game

The St. Louis Unions and the Bostons played the last game but one of their championship series yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a good-sized gathering.  Before they commenced play each team had won seven games of the series of sixteen.  When they had finished St. Louis had won eight to the Bostons seven, so that to-day the Bostons will have to win to tie, while if the St. Louis should win the series will be theirs.  

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 19, 1884

The 1884 Maroons: Professional's Day

Yesterday was "professional's day" at the Union Grounds, and as a result the attendance at the Boston-St. Louis game embraced many theatrical people.  The day was the first of the kind, and proved a success on every particular.  It was the St. Louis team that had won seven of the thirteen games previously played by the same clubs, but at the close of yesterday's contest the Bostons were even up...

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 17, 1884


The headline from the database I'm using refers to the Boston club as the Boston Colonys, which is something I've never seen before.  Not sure where they came up with that one. 

The 1884 Maroons: Exercising Their Risibilities

There was a very fair attendance at the Union Grounds yesterday to witness the game between the St. Louis and Boston Unions.  Among the occupants of the grand stand was Governor Crittenden.  Shaw, the left-handed "Wizard," pitched for the visitors and proved very effective.  Dunlap made two hits, one a two-bagger...As soon as Shaw revealed his peculiar delivery the crowd roared with laughter, and when Shaffer faced him and vainly endeavored to hit the ball the scene became so ludicrous that the spectators' risibilities were exercised to almost uncontrollable degree.  Sweeney pitched a splendid game for the home nine, but was not well supported...

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 15, 1884

The 1884 Maroons: No One Raised The Slightest Objection

The St. Paul Club faced the St. Louis Unions yesterday afternoon.  Brown, who pitched for the former, was suffering with a lame arm, and as a result he was hit hard all through the game.  After seven innings play, in which the St. Louis scored 14 runs to the St. Pauls 1, the umpire called the game so as to allow the St. Pauls time to catch the early train for the North.  No one raised the slightest objection to this proceeding, and the game ended...

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


Insert joke about the UA here. 

The 1884 Maroons: Done With Washington

The Nationals of Washington closed their championship series with the St. Louis yesterday afternoon and barring the last inning, when the Nationals got in a batting streak and earned 4 of the 5 runs they scored, the game was woefully one-sided.

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

The 1884 Maroons: The Baby Act

Yesterday's game between the St. Louis Unions and the Nationals of Washington was a very brief contest, the visitors quitting the field after three innings play, on account of a decision by Umpire McCaffery which they did not relish.  Yesterday's game, like all other contests which have taken place at the Union grounds during the past three weeks, was played with two balls.  That is, a new ball was thrown in just as soon as the one previously used was knocked outside the grounds, the object being to avoid delay.  Of the two balls used yesterday one at the conclusion of the third inning was quite badly used up, while the other looked white and lively.  In the fourth inning, after there were two out, Boyle knocked a foul past McCormick, and the ball bounded over the low fence just in front of the seats in the left field.  McCormick ran after the ball, and vaulting the fence, pretended to be hunting for it.  In the meanwhile Capt. Baker shouted to the umpire to throw in the other ball, which was comparatively new.  Baker evidently saw that with the new ball he would have the best of it, as they had but one more man to put out when they would have their turn at the bat.  Dunlap seemed to view the situation in the same light, and ran over and found the ball which McCormick had gone after.  Then throwing the old ball to Gagus, the Nationals' pitcher, he told him "to pitch that."  Captain Baker objected, and insisted on the new ball being thrown out.  McCaffery decided that the old ball had not been "outside" the grounds, and hence they must continue playing with it.  Baker refused to abide by the decision of the umpire and withdrew his team from the field.  The umpire then decided the game in favor of St. Louis by a score of 9 to 0.  At the end of the third inning, however, the score stood 1 to 0 in favor of St. Louis.  Checks admitting the holder to to-day's game were given those in attendance so that barring the loss of time no one suffered by the baby act of the Nationals.

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

The 1884 Maroons: Feeling Sore And Anxious

The Nationals of Washington won yesterday's game from the St. Louis Unions and the contest proved one of the most exciting and close-fought of the year.  The visitors seemed to be in fine fettle, and while they batted Sweeney's lightning curves from the word go, their field work was sharp and clean and three double plays attest the rapidity of their movements.  Besides that they were feeling sore over their defeat of the previous day, which they justly laid at the hands of the umpire, and they were more than anxious to show their friends the fact that they were capable of better things.  This they succeeded in doing, their playing from the opening to the close being plucky as well as brilliant.  The St. Louis, although beaten, also played a plucky game, but luck was not with them this time, and in a close contest luck generally plays an important part.

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

The 1884 Maroons: P.H. Devinney Strikes Again

The Nationals, of Washington, and the St. Louis Unions played the thirteenth game of their championship series yesterday afternoon.  This fact, coupled with the fine weather, brought fully 3,000 persons to the Union Grounds.  The Nationals appeared in bright white and red uniforms and presented a much stronger team then that which visited here three months ago, and that they were beaten so badly yesterday was due mainly to a decision of Umpire Devinney in the second inning, he deciding Baker safe at hoe when he was plainly out.  The decision not only gave St. Louis a run, but filled the bases, and before the third man was retired six runs were secured.  This unfortunate happening robbed the game of all interest and the Nationals losing heart, never played ball afterward.

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

The 1884 Maroons: How About You Just Give Them A Ring?

President Lucas said yesterday that as the players of the St. Louis Union Club had won the championship of the Union Association, he would give them a benefit in the shape of a game at the Union grounds between either the St. Louis and Bostons, or St. Louis and Cincinnati Unions.  It will be played as soon as possible after the St. Louis return from Cincinnati on October 21.

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


Well, that's nice and all but, if I was a member of the Maroons, I think I'd just rather have the cash and not have to play the game.  This is kind of like having to pay for your own trophy.    

The 1884 Maroons: Exhibitions

October 6, 1884

October 7, 1884

So the Maroons played two exhibition games against Cincinnati on October 6 and 7 and these contests pitted the two best clubs in the league.  Cincinnati was a vastly improved club after poaching some real players and were probably the equal of the Maroons.  I've said this before but if the Cincinnatis had started the season with the players they had at the end of the season, they would have challenged for the UA championship.  They were every bit as good as the Maroons. 

But that isn't saying much.  And, in all honesty, I don't have much enthusiasm for the Maroons' league games and have developed a extreme dislike of all things UA.  So I apologize for not giving you the game accounts of two exhibition games played between two clubs from a minor league.  But I will pass along the box scores.

The truth of the matter is that these were actually well played games between two evenly matched teams.  But while two crappy games between the Maroons and St. Paul counted in the standings, even though neither went nine innings, these two games, played between the best two teams in the league, didn't count.  And that's the Union Association for you.     

The 1884 Maroons: My God - They Lost To St. Paul

The St. Paul Club again proved themselves a fine lot of ball players yesterday by defeating the St. Louis Unions, before a gathering of nearly 5,000 persons.  In the opening inning Sweeny was sent in to pitch for St. Louis, and in the two innings in which he held the position six of the visitors struck out in the order of their coming to the bat.  Not caring to make a record against the St. Pauls, however, and just to give the fielders a chance, Sweeny went to left field and Boyle went in to pitch.  He did quite well, and honors would have remained easy but that in the fourth inning, after Carroll had flown out to Whitehead, the latter fumbled a grounder sent him by Barnes.  After reaching first Barnes lost no time in stealing second.  Hengle hit to Boyle and the ball was thrown to first.  Barnes ran at top speed for third.  Quinn threw over there to catch him but threw too low and the ball getting by Gleason, Barnes came home.  In the fifth threatening clouds hovered above the park and the home team tried hard to even things up but failed and before a sixth inning could be played the clouds broke and the rain came down in torrents...[After] the expiration of thirty minutes Umpire McCaffery pronounced the field too wet to play upon and called the game.  

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


It took an act of God but St. Paul beat the Maroons.

And this tells you everything you need to know about the UA:  "Not caring to make a record against the St. Pauls, however, and just to give the fielders a chance, Sweeny went to left field and Boyle went in to pitch."