Claiming The Forfeit

The Red Stockings Club of St. Louis, Mo., claim forfeit of a game which the Philadelphia Club failed to play with them on Sunday, June 20...

On the 20th the Atlantic of St. Louis, Mo., surrendered to the Red Sox, who scored 36 to 4...

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume 4, 1856-1907


This is kind of interesting.  The Whites of Philadelphia played four games in St. Louis from June 14 to June 21, including one with the Reds on June 15, and I'm not sure what happened with the game that the Reds believed was supposed to be played on the 20th.  The Philadelphias were in town and didn't play the Brown Stockings that day, so they could have played the Reds.  Maybe they just chose not to play the game.  Regardless, it looks like the Reds picked up a game against the Atlantics after the game with Philadelphia fell through. 

September 27, 1874

Games at St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 27: Empire vs. Red Stockings, 19 to 9; Essex vs. Olympic, 20 to 16; Rover vs. Little Eagle, 41 to 15; Jackson vs. Silver Star, 32 to 11; Haymakers vs. Rapids, 25 to 7; Cows vs. Calves, 30 to 28; Alma vs. Granger, 9 to 0; Una vs. Currier, 9 to 0; Atlantic vs. Imperial, 31 to 27...

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume 4, 1856-1907


This must have been an interesting day of baseball in St. Louis, highlighted by the championship game between the Empires and the Reds. 

The Reds, Of Course, Were Not Allowed To Score A Run

On April 28 the amateur Red Stocking Club of St. Louis, called so in compliment to the Boston champions, met the professional White Stocking nine.  The players of the St. Louis "Reds" are lithe and active youngsters, who go in for fielding skill in preference to heavy hitting, and on this special occasion they gave the Chicago professionals about as close a fight as they are likely to have in their championship battles in the professional arena.  The contest up to the close of the fifth inning was marked by one of the prettiest displays of fielding ever seen in St. Louis, neither side scoring a single run.  In the sixth inning, owing to a wild throw of Redmond's, the Chicagos escaped a blank, and before the inning closed they had credited themselves with four runs, not one of which was earned.  In the seventh and eighth innings the "Reds" again "whitewashed" the "Whites," and it was only in the last inning that the Chicago nine even came near earning a run, errors giving them two more, which made their total 5.  The "Reds," of course, were not allowed to score a run.  The game was witnessed by a numerous assemblage of spectators, and the result of the game, so different from that anticipated, will have a tendency to give a new interest to the national pastime in St. Louis.

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume 2, 1870-1877


I'm always entertained, for some reason, by the whipping the Chicagos gave to the St. Louis clubs in 1874.  They went through the best that St. Louis had to offer like a knife through butter, like Sherman marching through the South, like something something through a goose.  And it's an important moment in the history of St. Louis baseball.  When the Chicagos got through chewing bubble gum and kicking butt, the baseball fraternity in St. Louis realized that it was time to put together a serious professional club, leading to the birth of the Brown Stockings.

They Play A Rattling Good Game

The St. Louis Reds. - This club is in better playing form now than ever.  Recently they secured the services of Tom Sullivan, a St. Louis amateur, to play centre field and change catcher.  He played behind the bat so well that the managers of the club intend keeping him there, and the regular catcher, Dolan, will play at centre hereafter.  The Reds are composed entirely of St. Louis players, and their team as now fixed upon is as follows: Morgan, p. and captain; Sullivan, c.; Croft, 1st b.; Dillon, 2d b.; Redmon, s.s.; Collins, 3d b. and change pitcher; Magner, l.f.; Dolan, c.f. and change catcher; Loftus, r.f., with Oran as tenth man.  The Reds have been trying to get clubs to visit them, but so far only the Stars of Covington have called on them.  The Reds have got a first-class park, and, as they play a rattling good game, they draw better than ever.  The two games they played with the Browns proves that they play well, and when they get a chance at other League clubs they intend to show what they can do.  The Reds are all strong batters, and by practicing regularly every day they are fast becoming good fielders.  All clubs wishing to play them should address the secretary, Mr. L.C. Waite, No. 3,001 Olive street, St. Louis, Mo.

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume 4, 1856-1907


This report on the 1876 Red Stockings comes from late May or earlier June.  It appears right under a piece (from the Clipper) about the death of Tom Miller, who passed away on May 29, 1876.  The Globe picked up the piece and ran it on June 8.  So this probably originally ran in the Clipper in early June.

Two things stood out to me.  First, Packy Dillon was playing second base for the club.  I probably already knew this and had forgotten it but I'm used to thinking of Dillon as a catcher.  Second, Tom Oran wasn't good enough to crack the starting nine.  One of the best players in the history of pioneer-era, St. Louis baseball, he was only 28 years old and couldn't start for a minor, independent, professional club.         

The New St. Louis Cops

The comments of The Clipper on baseball matters in St. Louis have had the effect of creating quite a little stir there in regard to the organization of nines to take part in the coming campaign of 1875.  One result is a proposition to organize another professional nine as a local rival to the St. Louis stock company club, the new club to be run on the co-operative principle.  Nothing better could be devised in the interest of the St. Louis Baseball Association than the organization of just such a rival team.  The advent of the Philadelphia nine in 1873 put thousands of dollars into the pockets of the Athletics, and the new Centennial nine of that city ought to help both the Philadelphia and Athletic nines this year, if it is properly managed.  There is nothing like rivalry to give interest to baseball contests.  Heretofore the West has had too little rivalry; but this coming season there will be plenty of it, ,what with the Chicago "Whites," the St. Louis, the Western Keokuks, and the new St. Louis "Cops," as the co-operatives are called.  The St. Louis stock company "regulars," it is proposed, shall be opposed by a co-operative nine composed of local players.  This will impart considerable interest to a series of matches between the eastern imported stock and the western native material.  The St. Louis club would by all means encourage the organization of the nine in question, and give them a chance to play upon their grounds.

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume Four, 1856-1907


This article raises a lot of questions.  Dating the articles in the Mears Collection can be a bit tricky and, to the best of my knowledge, this appeared in the Clipper in November of 1874, which throws a wrench into my thinking about when and why the Reds joined the NA.

The best available research shows that, in January of 1875, the Reds had still not made the decision to join the NA and that the decision wasn't made until February.  I believe that the reason the Reds eventually made the decision to join the professional ranks was that the Brown Stockings decided to play their home games at the Grand Avenue Grounds rather than the Compton Avenue Grounds, which was operated by Thomas McNeary.  McNeary, who also operated the Reds, was one of the early investors in the Brown Stockings and, I believe, had every intention of getting the new club to play at his ballpark.  In late November of 1874, the Brown Stockings had still not decided on a home ground.  Based on all of that information, my thinking has been that sometime in late 1874 or early 1875, the Brown Stockings decided to play their home games at the Grand Avenue ballpark and McNeary then began to consider the option of placing the Reds in the NA.  Even with the Brown Stockings playing on Grand, if McNeary entered the Reds into the NA, he would still have professional baseball, and the draw of the big professional clubs, at his ballpark.  The whole thing was about drawing fans to the Compton Avenue Grounds and making money.  McNeary's plan A, having the Brown Stockings play at his ballpark, fell through and he moved on to plan B, having the Reds play in the NA.

This article, however, brings all of that into question.  According to the Clipper, the idea of having another professional team in St. Louis, operating on the co-operative plan, dates to November of 1874, when the Browns had still not made up their minds about where to play.  The Clipper suggests that the whole scheme was about producing rivalries, building up interest in the game and, one would imagine, drawing more fans and making more money.  It's also insinuated that the idea for a second St. Louis team came from the Eastern baseball press (Henry Chadwick?) rather than being something that sprung up locally.  There is nothing here that suggests a fallout between the Brown Stockings and McNeary.

There is also nothing here that specifically mentions the Reds.  It's possible that the idea of a second club predated McNeary's decision to enter the Reds into the NA and he took up the idea after a previous attempt to organize a co-op club (the St. Louis Cops) failed.  It's possible but unknown.  The most likely explanation of all of this is that the Clipper is talking about the Reds but it's not it's not conclusive.

What we now know for a fact, however, is that the idea of a second St. Louis club competing in the NA in 1875 dates from November of 1874.   

Deep Red Stockings

The uniform of the St. Louis "Reds" will consist of gray pants, shirts and caps, with red trimmings, and stockings of deep red.  "Red Stockings," in small letters, will be worked on the shirts, and the words "St. Louis," over it.

-Mears Scrapbook, Volume 5


I have to admit that when I first read this description of the uniform of the 1875 Red Stockings, I believed that their stockings were "Jeep red" and I actually googled "Jeep red," hoping to discover what the heck that looked like.  Of course, I ended up with lots of descriptions and pictures of red Jeeps.  How was I supposed to know that there is no such thing as "Jeep red"?  I'm a guy.  I only recognize the existence of about ten colors.  How was I to know that some 19th century woman didn't come up with a weird shade of red and called it "Jeep red"?  It was a possibility. 

There are two lessons here.  First, red is red and there is no such thing as Baby Pink or Terra Cotta or Dark Sienna or Candy Apple Red.  Second, sometimes trying to decipher 19th century newspapers can be difficult.   

He Needs Practice, And A Great Deal Of It.

A practice gem of base ball was played last Saturday afternoon between the St. Louis Reds (professionals) and the Nationals (amateurs), at the Red Stocking Park, which resulted in a victory to the professionals by a score of 35 to 14 - report of which was crowded out of columns yesterday.  The weather was very disagreeable for playing ball, being entirely too cold and windy.  The attendance was small, not more than 200 spectators being on the grounds.  The game was not a brilliant one by any means, both sides indulging in muffing at a great rate, although there were at times some fine plays made.  The game was the first one the Nationals have played this season.  Bobb, their [pitcher], sent in the balls fearfully wild; the three players that attempted to catch him allowed twenty two balls to pass them.  He had no less than sixteen wild pitches charged to him during the game.  Fact is, Bobb never ought to pitch unless he can control the ball much better than he did.  He needs practice, and a great deal of it.  Boles, the catcher of the Nationals, is a good player and did well, he having made three fine base hits.  Lee, at short, did splendidly.  As for the Reds, they could have done much better, but, they did not seem to try.  Packey Dillon caught during most of the game, but his sore hand prevented him from doing his best.  Morgan put on a full head of steam and pitched well.  Old "Sweez," who, by the way, is a young man, only twenty-six years of age, played his base in good style, but did nothing with the stick.  Charley Houtz batted well...Indian Tommy (Oran) did nobly in the eighth inning; he and Houtz made a double play.  Joe Blong had nothing to do while in the field; he made a couple of fine base hits, and got in three runs for his side.  Litttle Croft and Redmond got in three base hits apiece.  

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume 5


Sixteen wild pitches.  I just want you to know how difficult it is to refrain from making Rick Ankiel jokes here.

The most interesting thing here is the reference to Tom Oran, the first Native-American to play in the major leagues, as "Indian Tom."  I've seen the reference in secondary sources but I believe that this is the first time I've seen it in contemporary accounts.

And like yesterday's game account, this appears to come from the St. Louis Democrat of April 20, 1875.     

The Western Team

The St. Louis Reds and Niagaras played a pretty game of base ball yesterday afternoon, on the grounds of the former club, which was witnessed by about 1,000 spectators.  The Niagaras gave the Reds a good close rub, and the game was therefore interesting from the beginning to the close, and was greatly enjoyed by all in attendance.  Both teams had on their new uniforms, which looked so much alike that it was hard to tell at times a Niagara player from a Red Stocking man.

Packy Dillon, the catcher of the Red Stockings, having a sore hand, could not play, so their substitute was put on, Redmond being placed behind the bat, Oran at third, and McSorley in short field.  "Old Swees" took a hand in the game, and played at second base, which position he filled right up to the handle...

The game was the best one that has been played here all season.  The Reds did not "show up" very well because some of their men did not play in their home positions.  The playing yesterday allows that they have got it in them to play a good, rattling game, and in a week or two, under old "Sweez's" coaching they will be able to do much better.

The Niagaras are no "slouches" in handling the ball, and should they improve in batting they will play a first-class game this season and give the Empires all they can do to get away with them.  

-Mears Baseball Scrapbook, Volume 5

It appears that this account of the game comes from the St. Louis Democrat of April 20, 1875.

The most interesting thing about this account, other than finding a Reds/Niagara game in the Mears scrapbook, is the appearance of the elusive John Dillon in the game.  Packy's brother played left field.  Also of note is that Pud Galvin pitched for the Niagaras. 

Sweasy Arrives In St. Louis

Charlie Sweazy, the veteran second baseman of the old Cincinnati Red Stockings, arrived in town yesterday morning, looking remarkably well and hearty.  The Red Sox will now get down to work in earnest.

-Missouri Republican, April 14, 1875

Andy Blong Goes To Philadelphia

Mr. A. Blong has gone to Philadelphia to look after the interests of the Red Stockings and will act as their delegate on the admission of the club into the Professional association.

-Missouri Republican, February 28, 1875

The Top Twenty Games In 19th Century St. Louis Baseball History: # 6

6. July 19, 1874: Empires vs. Reds

A game that drew one of the largest audiences took place on July 19 between the Empire and Red Stocking Clubs.  For two weeks prior it had been the main topic in ball circles and a large amount of money was staked on the result by adherents of the two clubs.  There was an attendance of over eight thousand and both clubs had their best players on deck...The game was won by hard battling and nerve, aided by Empire players becoming rattled early in the game and playing loosely.  It was not considered equal to the reputation of the two clubs and the result caused great excitement as well as much talk by the Empires protesting against Miller, late of that club.  Gorman took eight long flies and Spaulding captured four at second very neatly.  Redmon and Morgan did telling stick work as well as neat base running.  This victory gave the Reds the inside show for the Championship. 

-The Sporting News, January 25, 1896


The 1874 championship series between the defending champion Empire Club and the upstart Reds is one of the most significant baseball series ever played in St. Louis.  In 1873 and 1874, the rivalry between the two clubs had as profound an effect on St. Louis baseball as did the earlier Empire/Union rivalry.  The fact that the Reds were able to give the Empires everything they could handle and, for the first time in several years, gave them a serious challenge led to an increase in the popularity of baseball in the city that probably exceeded the baseball fever of the post-war years.  The city went baseball mad and this had a direct influence on the decision to place a professional club in the NA for the 1875 season.  The excitement of the 1874 season in St. Louis, symbolized by the Empire/Reds series, changed the history of baseball.

The Reds had won two games off the Empires in 1873 and were the favorites to win the St. Louis championship in 1874.  The club had been put together specifically to win the championship and I'm reasonably certain that they were a better team than the aging Empires.  But it was always something with this Reds club.  Just in 1874 alone, Packy Dillon got into an argument with Billy Redmon, after the later made a throwing error, and refused to play in several games.  Redmon contracted cholera.  Andy Blong, who was the captain, and his brother, the always entertaining Joseph Myles Blong, both missed games for unknown reasons.  In August, during a game against Keokuk, they walked off the field in protest against a call by the umpire.  Not even mentioning the stuff that happened in 1875, it was always nonstop drama with these guys.   

This game is the perfect example.  The Reds had won the first game of the series 11-5 and, after winning this game 11-9, they were in the driver's seat.  All they needed to do was win one out of the next three games against the Empires and they were the champions.  But on September 27, they lost 17-9.  And then the Missouri State Base Ball Association stripped them of their July 19th victory, upholding the Empires' protest over the Reds' use of Miller, a member of the Keokuks who the Reds had signed up.  All the sudden, instead of being up two games to zero, the Reds found themselves down 2-1.  Then on October 1, the Empires defeated the Reds 5-1 and won the championship for the sixth straight year.

It was a crazy season and the Reds were at the center of all of it.  This game is really the perfect symbol of a fantastic, insane baseball season and a fantastic, insane baseball club.  And just in case you were wondering, on Ocotber 19, the Reds defeated the Empires 6-5 in the fifth game of the series.                  

The Top Twenty Games In 19th Century St. Louis Baseball History: # 10

10. May 4, 1875: Brown Stockings vs. Red Stockings

About one thousand spectators were present yesterday afternoon at the Compton avenue park to witness the first professional game ever played in St. Louis, the contestants being both St. Louis clubs, namely, the "Brown" and "Red Stockings."  The weather, which had prevented the games on Saturday and Monday, cleared off about noon and a more beautiful afternoon could not have been wished for.  Had the sun made an earlier appearance and the certainty of the game coming off been more generally known a much larger attendance would no doubt have been the result.

-St. Louis Republican, May 5, 1875


This was the first major league baseball game in St. Louis history and the first game involving openly professional St. Louis baseball clubs.  I posted the game account from the Republican last month, so I'll spare you the whole thing.  I'll just say that it speaks to the extraordinary nature of 19th century St. Louis baseball history that the first major league game barely cracks my top ten list.  In most cities in the United States, a game like this would have been number one on the list.  But, according to the Republican, this wasn't even the game of the season.  It's kind of odd to be so casual about a game as important as this but, in all honesty, it was only the second most significant game of the 1875.  Still, this is where St. Louis major league history started and, as such, it's a worthy number ten.          

The Great Game Of The Season

The Great Game

Of the season, that is, to the people of St. Louis, will come off, weather permitting, next Thursday afternoon, when the nine that Chicago has been boasting of all the winter will play our Brown Stockings on the Grand Avenue park.

We can tell after the game is over as well as any one else which side wins the game, but predictions as to the probable result would be idle.  We can only express our confidence in the nine selected to represent us in the contest.  Their splendid physical condition, steady earnest play and mutual reliance one upon the other are qualities that if persevered in, will prove triumphant over stronger nines than our sister city has got together.

Persons desiring to avoid the rustle at the gates can purchase tickets at the base ball headquarters for any of the championship games the coming week.

-St. Louis Republican, May 2, 1875

Remember that this piece appeared in the Republican prior to the game between the Brown Stockings and the Reds.  I understand the build-up that went on in the off-season and the back and forth that was going on between the St. Louis and Chicago papers, as well as everyone's desire to see a St. Louis club beat the Chicagos.  But, come on.  You had the first league game in St. Louis history coming up in a couple of days and it pitted two St. Louis clubs against each other.  That wasn't the great game of the season (to date)?

Now obviously it wasn't and there really wasn't a comparison between the Reds and Brown Stockings.  But I didn't think that was recognized in St. Louis prior to May 4, 1875.  I might be wrong about that and it what is obvious in retrospect may have been obvious to the baseball fraternity of St. Louis at the beginning of the 1875 season.

In the end, the Republican is absolutely correct in saying that the first Brown Stocking/Chicago game was the game of the season.  Not only that, it's one of the most significant games in St. Louis baseball history.  As far as 19th century St. Louis baseball games are concerned, it might be the important game ever played by a St. Louis club.  If not, it ranks right up there with the $15,000 slide game and a couple of the games that the Empire Club played in 1865.

And now I have a new idea for a series of posts.  The only question is should I limit the list of the most significant 19th century baseball games to ten or go all out and put together a top twenty-five?  I can do ten off the top of my head so I'm thinking I'll have to do a top twenty-five.

But I digress.  The point here is that with the Reds/Brown Stockings tilt just a couple of days away, they're looking past that to the Brown Stocking/Chicago game.  And that's kind of fascinating.   

    

Just Your Run-Of-The-Mill Baseball Ad

Oh, but wait...

This is an advertisement for the first big league game in St. Louis baseball history.  Of course, the game as advertised didn't come off because of rain and the first big league game wasn't played until a few days later.  But still. 

Wanted: One Veteran Professional

We learn that our Red Stocking club have secured Dennis McGee, the "Mack" of the Philadelphia club last season, now playing with the Lone Stars of New Orleans as their second baseman.

-St. Louis Republican, February 21, 1875


This is pretty interesting.  Now, obviously McGee didn't sign with the Reds in 1875 but this shows that they were looking for a veteran, Eastern professional for the club.  That sheds a great deal of light on the Charlie Sweasy signing. 

Gossip

The Red Stockings of this city talk of running into the professional business with a co-operative nine, but we can learn nothing official in regard to their progress.

-St. Louis Republican, January 31, 1875


This was in a column titled "Base Ball Gossip."  I'm guessing that the Brown Stockings had made up their minds to play to the Grand Avenue Grounds and Thomas McNeary, the president of the Reds and an early investor in the Brown Stockings, was not pleased with the decision.   

May 4, 1875

Bat And Ball.

St. Louis vs. Red Stockings.

Description of the First Professional Game Ever Played in St. Louis.

Excellent Playing by Both Nines.

Redmond Bears off the Honors of the Day.

The St. Louis Victorious by a Score of 15 to 9.

About one thousand spectators were present yesterday afternoon at the Compton avenue park to witness the first professional game ever played in St. Louis, the contestants being both St. Louis clubs, namely, the "Brown" and "Red Stockings."  The weather, which had prevented the games on Saturday and Monday, cleared off about noon and a more beautiful afternoon could not have been wished for.  Had the sun made an earlier appearance and the certainty of the game coming off been more generally known a much larger attendance would no doubt have been the result.

Considerable improvements are in course of construction at the Reds' park, which will be, when completed, a great improvement over the accommodations afforded there in past years.  A more commodious place for reporters and scorers is one of the most pressing necessities, the present small, octagonal structure being entirely too small and in very bad shape.

A pleasing change was noticed in the uniform of the Red Stockings; the dark, heavy flannel shirt has been discarded and a tight fitting flesh colored shirt substituted in its place, the change giving them a much brighter and more pleasing appearance.  Flint, the catcher of the Elephants, made his appearance at third base in place of McSorley, but was evidently not at home in the position or was too nervous to do himself justice.  In the innings Morgan came in from left field and took his place.

Both nines were early on the field and for an hour amused themselves and the audience practising.  At five minutes of four o'clock, Capt. Sweazy having satisfied himself by a practical test that the "St. Louis club" ball, furnished according to the rules by the visiting club, was even "deader" than the one his club had been using, Mr. Mack of the Empire club called play.  Capt. Pearce having lost the toss sent Curthbert to the bat to face Joe Blong's swift underhand throws.

First Innings. 

Cuthy took his customary hitch at his trowsers, threw the ash over his shoulder, and called for a "high ball," after striking twice in vain, and two "balls" had been called on Blong, he succeeded in hitting the ball, but it went straight to Redmond, and from thence to Houtz, and first out for the Browns was duly recorded.  Pearce imitated his predecessor in the matter of strikes and balls, but could drive the ball no further than to the pitcher, who of course sent it to Charlie Houtz at first base, and Dick sought his companions to tell them exactly how it was.  Pike had some difficulty in getting one to suit him, but when Blong did favor him, he drove it over the right-fielder's head, and reached third in ample time.  Chapman indulged in some half-dozen foul hits, finally hitting a soft one towards first, which Houtz neglected to run in and take on the fly, but redeemed himself by quickly gathering it on the ground and touching Chap ere the latter "pressed canvas" - no runs.

Joe Blong was the first representative of "home talent" that toed the plate and was likewise the first "out," as after hitting several foul balls, he drove a hot one to Dicky Pearce, and of course retired at first.  Packy Dillon was seduced into striking at a slow one from Brad, and the ball he intended to have sent over centre field went safely into Battin's hands at second; Battin also handled the swift grounder Morgan hit to him carefully to "Harmon, J.," and the side was out, the score even and nothing for both.  In the

Second Innings.

Hague, by an overthrow of Redmond's, not only reached first safely, but went all the way round to third.  Redmond did better for Bradley and Battin, too, found the lively left-hander could play short-stop "up to nature."  Hague in the meantime had scored the first run for the "Brown Stockings" by a passed ball.  Dehlman reached base No. 1 on a safe hit to right field, and took second on the wild throw in; he scored on Redmond's muff of high-base hit by Miller.  Cuthy hit hard to third base and reached first, Flint fumbling that ball badly.  Pearce closed the innings by sending a high fly to Morgan, the "Handsome Dan" of course taking it in.  For the Reds Houtz led off with a fly to Chapman; Sweazy hit one directly on the home plate and it bounded safely into Bradley's hands.  Cuthbert surprised the St. Louisans by dropping an easy fly from Redmond's bat.  Oran drove a beauty past Pearce, and two men were on bases, Redmond being as far as third.  All eyes were on Croft, but a foul tip well caught on the bound by Miller ended the "trouble," leaving both men on baes and no runs.

Pike led off the

Third Innings.

With a high one to Croft and retired.  Chapman, however, succeeded in getting to second base on a fair foul past third, Hague by a safe one along the right foul line sent him to third and reached first himself.  Sweazy fielded Bradley out at first, and Redmond made a beautiful stop and throw that disposed of Battin - Chapman having in the interim crossed the marble on a wild pitch, Hague being left on third.

For the Reds Flint hit safe over Short, but was forced at second by Blong, who was in turn forced out at the same place by Dillon's hit to Bradley, Morgan being put out at first by Pearce and Dehlman.

The Brown Stockings could get but one run in the

Fourth Innings.

Miller scoring; after driving a long one over the left-fielder's head he was sent to second by Cuthbert's hit to Morgan, who had taken Flint's place at third, Pearce hit to Sweasy, Miller thereby getting third and Dick first; Cuthbert suffering an "out" at second, "Red" got his run on a wild pitch of Blong's, Pike was given a base by fumbling at second but Chapman left them both, his weak hit to third base being carefully thrown to first by Morgan.

A pretty double play marked the fielding of the Browns, Houtz being on first by a safe hit over third base, Sweasy hit a hot ball to Battin, who, picking it up nicely, forced Houtz back towards first, and then threw to Dehlman in time to retire the striker, Dehlman returning the ball to Pearce who caught Houtz before he reached second.  Redmond and Oran afterwards reached first and second by hard hits that Battin could not do more than stop; Croft's hard hit, however, was safely fielded by Joe to Dehlman in time and again the natives were blanked.

The Browns received their second blank in the

Fifth Innings.

Redmond attending to Hague and Bradley, Flint making a surprising one hand catch that thoroughly disgusted Battin.  The other side fared no better, though Flint and Blong reached first, the latter on a safe hit that sent the former to second only to be forced at third by Hague and Pearce, Dillon being well caught on Foul bound by Miller, Houtz retiring at first by the aid of Bad Dicky.

The score was now 4 to 0 and thus far a well played game.  The  Browns went to bat in the

Sixth Innings.

With a determination to put a wider margin to their credit, the way the Reds were hanging on not being at all comfortable, their playing too was evidently improving.  A good rally was made and eight runs were scored by the good batting of Pearce, Pike, Bradley, Battin and Dehlman, the outs being Chapman at first and Miller twice by weak hits to Morgan and Blong.

Sweasy retired on a foul bound, Pearce after dropping an easy fly catch sent him by Redmond, took off his hat to hat to Cuthbert, a sharp fly-tip missed by Miller gave Oran a life which he improved by driving a safe one over second; Croft out on fly to Pike, Flint by a safe hit to left brought Redmond home and the first run was scored for the Reds amidst tumultuous applause from their friends.  Dick didn't miss Blong's fly, and the side was out for the one run.

Two more runs were secured by the professionals in the

Seventh Innings.

On safe hits by Pearce and Cuthbert, assisted by Pike's out at first and a wild pitch, Chapman being left on second, Redmond distinguishing himself by a splendid stop and throw that retired Hague, Bradley striking wind and out.

One, two, three was the order in which Dillon, Morgan and Houtz retired, the score standing fourteen to one, and the interest in the game apparently over.  But the home nine were certainly not satisfied with the state of affairs, and in the

Eighth Innings.

Retired Battin, Dehlman and Miller in the order named, Redmond attending to two of them, Packy Dillon catching Dehlman out on a foul bound.  At their turn at the stick, Sweasy, the first striker, was well caught by Bradley; Redmond succeeded in getting a safe on between first and second.  Oran sent him along one bag by a straight one over second that Battin almost got.  Croft sent him home by a liner over Cuthbert's head.  Cuthy made a splendid effort (and in his palmy days we have seen him take many a harder one) but he dropped it.  Flint went out on strikes and then the trouble commenced in earnest.  Blong, Dillon and Morgan followed with magnificent two-base hits each.  Houtz with a hot one past third for one bag, Hague helping things along by a wild throw over Ehlman's head on Sweazy's hit.  Chapman finally taking in the fly Redmond sent him on his second turn at the bat.  The way the boys "let on" Bradley was a thing the "old man" never dreamed of.  Eight runs was the result and the Browns came in from the field looking queer indeed.  The

Ninth Innings.

Yielded the professionals one made by Cuthbert, the Reds going out in the order in which they toed the plate...

The general play of both nines was remarkably fine, Redmond bearing off the honors of the day by his brilliant play at shortstop, he assisting no less than twelve times.  Houtz also deserves especial mention as the score will show.

-St. Louis Republican, May 5, 1875


To honor the legacy of the first professional league game ever played in St. Louis, we're going with the bullet points:

• It took me a long time to find a digital copy of this box score.  The Globe-Democrat's digital archive that's available in the Nineteenth Century Newspapers database begins with issues from the middle of May 1875 and, therefore, doesn't have the account of this game.  Now that the State Historical Society of Missouri has the 1873-1876 issues of the Republican up, I was able to copy the box score and pass it along.  And this makes me very, very happy.  
• Ned Cuthbert was the first to take the bat in a St. Louis professional league game, Joseph Myles Blong threw the first pitch, Lipman Pike got the first hit, Billy Redmond made the first error and Bill Hauge scored the first run.  
• I have a serious suspicion that George Washington Bradley, after getting a fourteen run lead, eased up on the Reds, leading to their eight-run eighth inning.  
• It's always nice to see Bad Dicky Pearce referred to, in print, as Bad Dicky.  
• I also think that Handsome Dan is a much better nickname than Pidge.  
• I'd really like to tell you the story about the long road I took to finding this game account/box score and what it means to me but I think I'm going to save that for the blog anniversary, which is coming up in a couple of weeks.  I'll just say that this kind of takes me full-circle.  I started my research into 19th century baseball by looking into the 1875 Reds and, finally, here I am posting the box score from their first game.  I'm feeling rather satisfied right now and it's amazing to me how guys like Packy Dillon, Joe Blong, Trick McSorley, Bad Dicky, Lip Pike, G.W. Bradley and the rest of these guys seem like old friends.  It's almost comforting to write about these Red Stockings and Brown Stockings.          

It's Like Christmas Morning

The Reds have been practising daily at their park during the past week.  They will not play to-day as the Atlantics have engaged the park for their own use.  The work on the new fence at the park is well under way and will soon be completed.  Their new uniforms will be done to day.  This uniform consists of a gray cap, gray shirt and gray pants, all trimmed with red, and red stockings.  The nine is now definitely fixed with "Pack" Dillon, Dan. Morgan, Wm. Redmon, J. Blong, John McSorley, Chas. Houtz, Arthur Croft, Thos. Oran, and Chas. Sweasy.  John Dillon will be the tenth man.  Sweasy is a new man, and will arrive in the city on Tuesday [April 13].  He was one of the old Cincinnati Red Stockings and is a very strong player.

-St. Louis Republican, April 11, 1875


Issues of the St. Louis Republican, covering 1873 through 1876, are now online at the website of the State Historical Society of Missouri.  I'm giddy with excitement.  I spent like two minutes playing around with the search engine and found the date of Charlie Sweasy's arrival in St. Louis and a nice description of the Reds' uniforms.  I'm going to have a lot of fun with this.      

A Mention Of Art Croft's Death

Arthur Croft, known throughout the professional base ball world, died at St. Louis on Saturday of pneumonia. In 1877 he led the country in fielding, his home position being at first base, and that season he was a member of the Indianapolis Club, which was high in the championship race of the National League. He played professionally with the original St. Louis Browns, with the Browns of 1881, and with the old Troy Club.

-Cleveland Herald, March 18, 1884

Croft, of course, also played with the 1875 St. Louis Red Stockings.

Dan Collins' Obit

Danny Collins' Last Home Run

Daniel J. Collins, better known as "Danny," has made a home run. The popular, good-humored and expert ball player died on Friday morning. Danny's last games were played with the Clarkes, but he was better known as the pitcher of the Lee, and one of the first to introduce curve pitching here. He was about twenty-nine years of age and has been playing ball since boyhood. He was change pitcher of the Chicagos for a year, played with the St. Louis Reds, and was at one time with the Milwaukee club. Danny was of an open handed, warm hearted disposition, and did not leave much to support his wife and three children after his death. It is suggested that a game be played for their benefit, and no doubt all of his fellow-players will volunteer to make the event attractive and successful.

-New Orleans Times-Picyune, September 21, 1883

Hat-tip to Paul Batesel, who was kind enough to pass this along to me. Much thanks to Paul.

Collins had an interesting stint with the Reds. He joined the club in late 1875, after their NA season had fallen apart, and jumped the club in August of 1876 to join Louisville, creating a bit of a scandal. In 1874, he was playing with the Empire Club and, after the Chicagos came through town and crushed all St. Louis opposition, he was signed by the White Stockings. Chicago's signing of Collins (and John Peters) was one of the factors that led to the creation of the Brown Stockings.

And this is a total coincidence but Collins' death in the fall of 1883 fits in with the period we're currently exploring. I love it when a plan comes together.