The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Clubs Might Have Played Until The Resurrection

The game at Grand Avenue Park, yesterday afternoon, which drew together 1,000 spectators, was interesting only from the fact that the Hartfords were Chicagoed for the first time this season, while St. Louis secured two tallies by the biggest kind of luck. Owing to a heavy shower of rain, the game was delayed for half an hour, and after the first inning the ball became so soaked with water that the contestants might as well have been playing with a wet rag. The two tallies were made by St. Louis in the first inning. After two hands had been disposed of, Pike struck out, but reached first on a fatal error by Harbidge, and Battin getting in a lucky hit, brought Pike, as well as Clapp, who had been given first on called balls, home. Whitewashes were then in order until the close of the game, it being impossible to drive the wet and unshapely ball out of the infield, and the clubs might have played until the resurrection came without changing the result.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 12, 1875

The Brown Stockings get two unearned runs, George Washington Bradley throws a four-hitter with the aid of a "wet and unshapely ball" and the he gets the first of his three consecutive shut-outs against Hartford, one of which was the first no-hitter in National League history. Not to give away the story or anything.

And just to keep the timeline straight, Bradley had signed with the Athletics for the 1877 season two days earlier.

On the same page as the game account, the Globe published this little nugget:

Will the Chicago Tribune be kind enough to retract the assertion that St. Louis had arranged to lose three games to the Hartfords this week?

Heh. But it does say a little something that the accusation that the Brown Stockings were going to throw a three game series didn't really make any news.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Mystery Deepens

Formal notices have been received of the engagement of Devlin and Snyder by the Louisville Club for 1877, and of Battin and Bradley by the Athletic Club for the same period.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 11, 1876

We have reports in the Globe on July 7 that the Brown Stockings signed Tricky Nichols for the 1877 season and here we have reports of George Washington Bradley and Joe Battin signing elsewhere for 1877. Leaving out the Battin signing for the moment, one would have to assume that the signings of Nichols and Bradley are related. Obviously, Bradley did not pitch for Philadelphia in 1877 (and Battin didn't play with them either, for that matter) but he did leave the Brown Stockings to pitch for Chicago. So it looks like Bradley was looking to leave St. Louis.

The timing of all of this is interesting. I don't think it's likely that Bradley's signing was a reaction to the Brown Stocking's signing of Nichols. There simply wasn't enough time between July 6 and July 10 for Bradley to get angry or upset over the Nichols signing, evaluate his situation and then engage in negotiations with the Athletics. Both the Nichols signing and the Bradley signing must have been in the works for a couple of weeks. It may be that Bradley was aware of the Brown Stockings interest in Nichols and reacted accordingly but I think it's more likely that the Brown Stockings were reacting to a desire by Bradley to leave the Brown Stockings.

Now, as I mentioned, neither Bradley nor Battin played with the Athletics in 1877 so it's possible that this was all rumor. I have a bit more work to do to run this down and the research is not complete. However, even if it is rumor (or something happened between the parties to nullify the agreement they made), it still is significant when looking at the 1876 season and the events that transpired to breakup the 1875/1876 Brown Stockings. It's also relevant to the events surrounding the 1877 Brown Stockings (and I think that's a nice euphemism).

But what this is telling me is that Bradley wanted out. And the question is why?

While I think I have enough evidence to answer the question, that is going to have to wait a few days. First, we have a great series between the Brown Stockings and Hartford to take a look at. Then I'll return to the question and talk about some rumors that were swirling around, show other players that were looking to leave St. Louis and present a rather shocking statement by Lip Pike that, I believe, ties everything together.

The Empire Club Defeated

The Atlantics, State Champions.

The veteran Empires were taken into camp for the second time this season by the Atlantics, at the Stocks' Park on Sunday. The Atlantics outfielded and outbatted their opponents. After a long delay on the part of the Empires, who were short one man, they substituted Gleason, formerly of the professional Stocks. A. Blong umpired the game to the satisfaction of all. With the stick, Gleason, of the Empires, made three of the seven base hits, and Levis, Jones and Rippey, of the Atlantics, also did excellent work. The former made a trio of two-base hits and two singles. The fielding of the Atlantics was excellent throughout. The pitching of Levis was effective, while Rippey supported him in his old style, and Duke at short distinguished himself by his many fine stops and excellent throws to first. On the whole, the fielding of the Atlantics was as good as has been seen on any field this season, while the Empires did poorly, and still worse at the bat.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 11, 1876

My assumption is that this victory over the Empires gave the Atlantics the championship (hence the headline). If this is true than the amateurs had changed their championship series from a best of five back to a best of three, as it had been in the 1860s.

A couple of more thoughts:

-The Atlantics were the first club other than the Empires and Unions to win the Missouri state amateur baseball championship. They were also the first club to wrest the championship from the Empires since the Unions in 1868. The Empires had held the championship for seven years and nine of the previous eleven years.

-Adam Wirth was the last of the old guard. Wirth had been a mainstay of the Empires' first nine for their entire championship run and it's a bit sad to see him playing on losing club. I've written elsewhere that I believe Wirth was the best St. Louis baseball player of his generation.

-It's impossible to say which Gleason we have here, Bill or Jack, because I have no record of either of them playing for the Stocks or the Empires. I'm inclined to say Bill because he worked (at some unknown point) for the St. Louis Fire Department and the Empires had deep ties to the StLFD. But I'd really like it to be Jack. Jack Gleason, in the course of his career, played for NL Brown Stockings, the AA Browns, the UA Maroons, the post-NA Reds, the NL Maroons, and Ted Sullivan's Dubuque club. It would be nice to add the Empire Club to that list.

The Half-Way Point Of The Season

The Boston game on July 8, 1876 was the half-way point of the season for the Brown Stockings. I figure this is a good point to stop and take a look at the standings and some stats. So here you go:

The 1876 Brown Stockings: Short And Sweet

The Brown Stockings beat the Bostons at Grand Avenue Park yesterday afternoon, by a score of 9 to 5. Not more than 500 spectators were present, and the game was by no means interesting.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 9, 1876

The Brown Stockings jumped out to a 6-0 lead and were up 9-4 after five. It looks like Pearce, Cuthbert and McGeary did most of the damage.

The Brown Stockings Sign Tricky Nichols

Nichols, the New Haven pitcher, has signed a contract to play with the Browns next season.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 7, 1876

You have George Washington Bradley on your team and he's having a fantastic season. You know it's not a fluke because he had a nice year for you in 1875. He's twenty-three years old and you figure he has a nice future in front of him. So what are you doing signing Tricky Nichols? There are a few different possible answers to this question but I think I'm just going to leave it for now and revisit the question in a few days. Let's just note that the Brown Stockings signed Tricky Nichols early in July of 1876.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: An Unusually Exciting Contest

The St. Louis Brown Stockings were again defeated by the Bostons, at Grand Avenue Park, yesterday afternoon, the Red Legs, as on Tuesday, outplaying their adversaries at every point, both at the bat and in the field. Morrill played second for the champions, in place of Leonard, Andy having been suddenly called home by the illness of his child. For the Browns Pearce was substituted for Mack at short, and Pike played second in the early part of the game, but was subsequently relieved by McGeary. The attendance was slim, and Mr. Burtis acted as umpire. He had a number of very close points to decide, and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of all. The Bostons again lost the toss, but the lead which they assumed in the third inning they maintained to the end. Brown's batting, and the magnificent way in which he attended to everything at the home plate, and Murnan's first base play were the features of the game...It was an unusually exciting contest throughout.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 7, 1876

It was indeed a rather exciting game. Down 5-3 going into the eighth, the Brown Stockings got within one on Lip Pike's two out triple which drove in Cuthbert. Pike was stranded when Battin grounded out. In the ninth, Bradley singled with one out and then stole second. Dehlman reached on an error, putting the go-ahead run on. Pearce "drove a bounder to right short, which was well fielded by Morrill to Murnan, and, as Bradley endeavored to tie the game on the hit, he was splendidly doubled up by Murnan's throw to Brown, and the home nine was again defeated by one run." That's a 4-3-2 double play to end the game. Can't say that you see that too often.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Centennial

The most exciting game of ball ever played in this city was that between the Bostons and Brown Stocks at Grand Avenue Park yesterday afternoon, which was witnessed by at least 6,000 spectators, who shouted themselves hoarse. All the seats were densely packed, and the limits of the field were encircled by a live cordon of sweltering humanity. The red-legged champions were unlucky enough to lose the toss, and Mr. Wm. Medart, of St. Louis, was chosen to act as umpire. The champions presented Geo. Wright, Leonard, Manning, Shaefer and O'Rourkke, of their old team, Tim Murnan, formerly of the Philadelphias, and Brown, Whitney and Morrill, three promising young players who had never before been seen on a St. Louis ball ground. All three created a favorable impression, Brown especially, who is without doubt one of the most effective catchers in the country. The Bostons took the lead in the third inning and maintained it until the ninth, when the Browns were allowed tp get even with them, principally by a bad muff of O'Rourke's. The tenth and eleventh innings did not add to the score, but in the twelfth, Morrill, by the errors of Clapp and Pike, and O'Rourke's timely hit, tallied, and this proved to be the winning run. The home team was outbatted and outfielded at all points...George Wright was the bright particular star.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 5, 1876

That's an odd reference to the "Brown Stocks" and I'm not certain if it's intentional or just a misprint.

We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident

In June it is too hot to work, but almost any honest, earnest, devout American will sit a whole afternoon in the sun to see a base ball match.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 2, 1876

God bless America.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: Saved By The Rain

The Brown Stockings have good cause to thank Providence and the weather clerk for saving them from a disastrous defeat at the hands of the Mutuals yesterday afternoon. The game opened with the visitors at the bat, and by Holdsworth's single, Start's double, and a series of errors, they secured three runs before the third hand was out. In the third inning, by the fine batting of Star and Treacy, and bad errors by Clapp and Mack, they added two additional tallies to their side of the ledger. For the Browns, Dehlman got in an unearned run in the third inning, and the score remained 5 to 1 when the first half of the fifth inning had been played. Another half inning would doubtless have settled the Browns, as far as the game was concerned, but the rain came to their aid, and rendered further play impossible. The Mutes batted Bradley very freely, and fielded with an earnestness which they had not hitherto shown in this city. The veteran Start secured three safe hits and four totals off Bradley, and went to the bat but three times. It was an off day for the home team, both at the bat and in the field.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 2, 1876

The 1876 Brown Stockings: Bad Dickey Covers Himself With Glory

The second game here between the Brown Stockings and Mutuals, yesterday afternoon, at the Grand Avenue Park, was witnessed by a small crowd, not over 800 persons being present. The slim attendance was no doubt due in a great degree to the weather, the sky being filled with dark, ominous-looking clouds, which threatened rain at every moment. McGeary was not able to play, not having recovered from the recent injury received to his hand, and Mack played second base, the veteran Pearce assuming his old position at short field, where, during the progress of the game, he covered himself with glory, and demonstrated his ability to still cover the post with honor, as he did in his palmiest days, years ago. The game was at first uninteresting, but the Browns got down to work and did some heavy batting before the close. They knocked poor Matthews' balls all over the field without difficulty, and aided by the miserable fielding of the Mutuals, scored eight runs and blanked the visiting club in the whole nine innings. Pearce and Battin did well at the stick, each securing three safe hits. Pearce batted free and hard, not attempting his fair fouls. The fielding of the Browns was very fair, the greatest feature, and one for which Pearce was enthusiastically cheered, was an exciting triple play, which was made in the sixth inning. Nichols was on third base, and Holdsworth on first. Start stepped up to bat, and drove a red hot liner to Pearce, who caught it, and quickly threw to first to head Holdsworth off, who had started for second. Dehlman caught the ball before Holdsworth could return to his base and then threw to Battin at third, thus cutting off Nichols, who had run in on the fly. The batting on the part of the Mutuals was very poor, Nichols and Hicks being the only men who batted safe, the former securing two and the latter one hit. In the field a number of glaring errors were committed, but Hallinan, with the exception of one ludicrous muff, Start, Nichols, Hicks and Booth did some fine playing.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 30, 1876

If you're scoring at home, the triple play went 6-3-5. Also, this was George Washington Bradley's eighth shutout of the year.

After getting swept by the Hartfords, the Brown Stockings rattled off seven wins in their next eight games, the only blemish being the 10-5 loss in Boston on June 15. And they picked up only one game in the standings. After going 7-1 in their last eight games (including six wins in a row), the Brown Stockings still found themselves five games back of Chicago. Between June 17 and July 24, the club would lose twice...and only pick up a half game on the White Stockings.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: A Very Tame Affair

About 1,500 people witnessed the game yesterday between the Mutuals and the Browns, at the Grand Avenue Park. About an hour before the game, the Howe Sewing-machine Band, of Peru, Indiana, which accompanies the delegation from that State, put in an appearance, they having volunteered their services for the occasion, and discoursed several popular and pleasing compositions. Music was had throughout the game, between every two innings, and this novel feature proved a source of delight to the patrons of the game. The day was a beautiful one for ball tossing, with a clear, cloudless sky overhead, and the grounds free from dust, and a gentle breeze sweeping over the field. Owing to the poor play of the visitors, the exhibition was a very tame affair. The New Yorkers were in sad trim, having arrived from Chicago behind time, and put up with crowded accommodations at their hotel. They were sadly in need of rest, and on the field had the appearance of worn-out, dejected men rather than hard, earnest workers for Centennial ball honors. The game was called at 4 o'clock, Mr. L.W. Burtis being chosen as umpire. His decisions were well rendered, and no discriminations were at any time shown. He gave general satisfaction to both clubs. The Browns won the toss, and sent the Mutuals to bat, and blanked them. The home nine scored one run this inning. In the second inning the Mutuals gained a tally and succeeded in blanking their opponents, but after that failed to secure a single run. By a streak of good batting the Browns scored three runs on the third inning, and then took zeros until the seventh inning, when they again scored. They made two more runs during the eighth inning, and went out with a whitewash in the ninth. The Browns played a fine fielding game and batted well, the only errors being charged to Clapp, Mack and "the old man."

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 28, 1876

As I've always said, you should never miss a chance to see the Howe Sewing-machine Band. They always put on a good show.

This appearance of the Howe Sewing-machine Band (of Peru, Indiana) got me thinking about the differences between the ballpark experience of 19th century fans and modern fans. We're all big St. Louis Blues fans in my family and, over the holidays, we were talking about our recent experiences at the arena, watching our hockey club. It's become this constant bombardment of audio and visual stimulation, to the point that it distracts from the game on the ice. I've grown to hate it with a passion. I love going to the hockey game but can't stand the music and the videos and the little contests and the stupid mascot and the non-stop instructions telling me to clap and cheer and yell. Just drop the puck and play hockey. The baseball experience in St. Louis is not quite as bad but it's getting there. Give me a little "When the Saints go marching in" and a "Let's go Blues" chant or a Budweiser jingle and "Let's go Cardinals" and I'm good. I don't need the fluff and filler. Just give me the Howe Sewing-machine Band between innings and that will do fine. I'm there to watch the game. I think I'm getting old.

And speaking of old, that's a nice reference to Bad Dickey Pearce as "the old man."

The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Charmer's Chagrin

Greater attractions at Forest Park and elsewhere caused the crowd at Grand Avenue Park, to witness the third game of the week between the Athletic and St. Louis clubs, to dwindle down to about 1,500 spectators. The Browns won the toss, and Mr. Burtis again occupied the umpire's position, where he gave universal satisfaction. The Athletics led off in splendid style, securing two earned runs on four elegant base hits, and, although McGeary was disabled and had to retire from the game in the second inning, they failed to maintain their advantage, losing the lead in the seventh inning, when Blong and Bradley led off with three-bag hits, much to "the charmer's" chagrin. The catchers of both nines were badly crippled, and, had it not been for the pretty display of batting, the game would have been a very tedious one.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 25, 1876

Thomas McNeary, The Brown Stockings, Eastern Trips And Bad Dickey

It is expected that the new grounds, negotiations for which are proceeding, will be inaugurated with a game with the Chicago Club, after which the St. Louis Club will set out on its first Eastern tour. The new grounds will, it is said, be very near the city (a desideratum the present grounds lack), and very ample both for the players and spectators.

-Chicago Tribune, November 22, 1874

I've been looking at the organization of the Brown Stockings in 1874 and thought this note from the Trib was particularly relevant.

Thomas McNeary was involved in the original meetings organizing the club and had gone so far as to purchase some of the club's stock. However, by the beginning of 1875, he was making plans to place the Red Stockings in the National Association in competition with the Brown Stockings. I had speculated that his plans changed once the Brown Stockings decided to play their home games at the Grand Avenue Grounds rather than McNeary's Compton Avenue Grounds.

The above article shows that the Brown Stockings did not originally intend to play their home games at the Grand Avenue Grounds and were looking for grounds closer to the population center of the city. While I can't say for certain that they were looking at playing at the Compton Avenue Grounds (even though I think it was a bit closer to the center of the city), I do think this lends a bit of evidence to the idea that McNeary got involved with the club in the hope of getting them to play at his baseball grounds.

Also of interest is the notion that the Brown Stockings had originally planned on making an early trip East in 1875. If I'm remembering correctly (and not confusing 1875 with 1876), the Globe was disappointed that the club did not play the Eastern clubs early on and instead opened the season against the weaker Western clubs. These original plans to go East in May helps explain the Globe's sense of disappointment.

Apropos of nothing, about eight times today I came across Dickey Pearce being referred to in 1874 as "Bad Dickey." I know there's been some discussion here and elsewhere about 19th century nicknames and how much they were used at the time and I thought I'd just pass it along. Even Harry Wright referred to Pearce as Bad Dickey in a letter. It is, by the way, a great nickname and reminiscent of Bad Henry Aaron. Oddly enough, B-Ref doesn't have it listed as Pearce's nickname.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: The New Catcher

This afternoon the Brown Stockings play the St. Louis University Nine, and the friends of the professionals will have a chance to see their new catcher, McGinley, at work as he is to play behind the bat. To-morrow the third game with the Athletics takes place.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 23, 1876

Changes in the Boston Nine.

...McGinley has been released, and has been engaged as change catcher for St. Louis.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 26, 1876

This is the first mention I've found of a new catcher to replace Tom Miller. Although there is no record of him playing in a League game for the Brown Stockings, McGinley is obviously Ted McGinley, who played in nine games for Boston in 1876. Doing a quick search, it appears that McGinley did play in several exhibition games for the Brown Stockings, giving John Clapp and his sore hands a needed rest.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: That St. Louis Goose

Twelve hundred spectators witnessed the reappearance of that St. Louis goose at Grand Avenue Park yesterday afternoon. The Athletics were made painfully aware of the presence of the bird of ill-omen at the termination of the fifth game of their series with the St. Louis club. The Athletics again won the toss, Fergy Malone taking Ritterson's place behind the bat, when the Browns went to the field. For the home nine Pike played second, Mack short, Blong right, Clapp center, and McGeary caught. The brilliant playing was all done by the home team, the visitors not coming up to the expectations either at the bat or in the field. The features of the contest were the short fielding of Mack, Battin's third base play, Pike's display at second and Bradley's pitching. Mack captured a hard-hit liner with one hand, for which he was applauded. Mack, Pike and McGeary accomplished a magnificent double play, which was eclipsed by Battin, Pike and Dehlman later in the game. Sutton and Meyerle played without an error. Fisler, Hall and Malone were the only Blue legs who could do anything with the stick, while all of the Browns, except Blong, got in a safe hit. The visitors were outplayed at every point, but want of space prevents further comment.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 23, 1876

Please note the appearance of Mr. L.W. Burtis as umpire. This is, I believe, the first Brown Stockings' game that Burtis ever umpired.

Comiskey The Manager

I was cleaning out my bookmarks the other day and found a link to The Hardball Times. It's an excerpt from Chris Jaffe's book Evaluating Baseball's Managers about Charles Comiskey. There's some interesting stuff about how Comiskey used his pitchers and the importance he placed on defense. However, I would disagree that the pitching/defense strategy of run prevention developed in St. Louis in the 1880s. As we've seen, the Brown Stockings were using the strategy in 1876 and the idea probably goes back to Jim Creighton. Although the role of the pitcher was still developing in the 1880s, I don't see Comiskey's use of a pitching/defense strategy as anything new but Jaffe does provide a unique perspective that's worth reading.

Jaffe also did a presentation on Comiskey the manager and I'm passing along the audio. It's good stuff. And while I'm passing along links, Ed Achorn has a new website. Lots of stuff about Hoss Radbourn and Ed's new book, Fifty-nine in '84.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: Home Sweet Home

The Eastern clubs put in an appearance on Western fields yesterday. At Grand Avenue Park 3,000 spectators assembled to witness the contest between the Athletics, of Philadelphia, and the St. Louis Brown Stockings. Mr. William Medart was chosen Umpire, and his errors in judgment were numerous. The Browns, who lost the toss, played Pearce at short, Mack at second, and McGeary behind the bat, Clapp's hands being still very sore. Rittenhouse caught for the Athletics, Malone also being used up. Glaring errors in the first inning gave the home team two runs and the visitors two. One of the three runs scored by the Browns was earned. An almost faultless game was then played by both sides until its close. The best fielding was done by Zettlein, Dehlman, Force, Pearce, Mack and Meyerle. The batting was weak, Hall, the noted hard hitter, getting in one of his long drives in the ninth inning. All the other safe hits were singles.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 21, 1876

The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Third Boston Game

The third game between the Boston and St. Louis clubs drew together a larger crowd than has yet greeted the visitors on their trip. The changes in the different nines can be noted [in the box score], a detailed description being impossible on account of our early departure home. It is sufficient to say that the playing on both sides was wretched...

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 18, 1876

It's tough to call this a successful road trip for the Brown Stockings. Yes, they went 8-4 over the trip but they also lost three games in the standings. Their pennant chances essentially died on the trip. Plus, you had the McGeary drama and the death of Miller. One has to assume they were all glad to get back home.

Happy New Year