A Baseball House Divided

[legendsport]

from the personal diary of Frank Grant, March 11, 1894:

Finally received my posting - I'm to be a fireman on the USS Maine, one of the Navy's newest and most powerful battleships. It's an exciting posting, the rumor amongst the crew is that we'll be heading for blockade duty in the Gulf of Mexico, off New Orleans, should a war start.

The Maine has put together a nine to square off with some of the other ships' teams here in the Philadelphia Naval Yard. When Ensign Keeler heard I had toured with Spalding, he signed me up. I'll be holding down the second base position and batting first. We've got a game coming up tomorrow. Keeler, who is the captain of the team, is a smallish fellow, but I've heard he is a great batsman, and covers the outfield very well. We shall see.


The USS Maine baseball team

[legendsport]

from the personal diary of Jesse Tannehill, March 11, 1894:

Well, rain postponed the execution of that idiot Booth for a day, but today the sun was shining and it was time to do my duty.

Colonel Cobb, who's a congressman from Georgia when not serving, was put in command of the firing squad detail. They took one sharpshooter from six different companies, and the 1st Kentucky was one of the six, with yours truly drawing the short straw.

I'd never fired my rifle at a fellow man before, but I reckon with a war apparently coming, it was probably better to have my first time be someone who wasn't shooting back.

They gave each of us a cartridge, half of them blanks, so that while we'd all shoot at Booth, only three of us would actually be firing live rounds. I don't want to dwell on the actual execution, suffice to say I did my duty - I honestly do not know if my cartridge was live or not, but I stood beside the five others and we all did our duty, and Booth is in his grave.

When I returned to the company, the boys were setting up a game of base ball. Normally I would join in, and several of the boys begged me to pitch, but I just couldn't do it. Maybe tomorrow, I told them, and went off for a smoke.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, March 14, 1894:

The United States and Confederate States went to war yesterday, with the U.S. Army invading Maryland and also pushing across the border in Kentucky, Missouri and Texas. First reports indicate that Confederate forces are falling back, and casualties on both sides, thus far, are light.

from the Columbia Patriot, March 17, 1894:

FIFTH CORPS CAPTURES FREDERICK - The U.S. Army's Fifth Corps, under General William Shafter, captured the town of Frederick, Maryland yesterday. According to Shafter's aide-de-camp, Lt. Denton Young, the defenders "ran off like scalded cats."

from the Columbia Patriot, March 21, 1894:

REFUGEES STREAM INTO KANSAS - Confederate citizens from Texas began streaming into Kansas yesterday, seeking to escape the war, as US troops under General Arthur MacArthur, Jr approached Dallas. One of the families seeking refuge was the Foster family, whose son, Andrew, spoke briefly to this reporter. "We're getting out while the getting is good," said the strapping young man, who gave his age as 14.


Major General Arthur MacArthur, Jr.

[legendsport]

from the diary of Lt. Denton Young, US V Corps, March 31, 1894:

We got our tails kicked today. Things looked promising as General Shafter's plan of assault on Sharpsburg seemed to be perfect. Then everything went wrong.

Several of the units jumped off late, the artillerymen did not have the right range and fired on our own troops, and the Confederates sprung a trap which nearly wiped out five Pennsylvania regiments and ended up capturing several hundred of our best men.

Shafter himself was wounded. Private Wagner and I carried him by stretcher to the field hospital, where the surgeons plied their bloody trade and thankfully saved the general, who is recuperating in Frederick. Our best thrust has been thwarted, and unless more troops are sent, I fear we will soon be sent scurrying back into Pennsylvania.

from the Columbia Patriot, April 2, 1894:

The retreat is on. Fresh off their victory at Sharpsburg, the Confederates sent a fresh division into the flank of the Fifth Corps and Shafter's men were sent retreating back across the border, with the Southrons on their heels. Though the war in the West goes well, as news arrived from Texas that MacArthur has captured Dallas, while General Merrit's Third Corps has taken Springfield, Missouri. But all know that it is in the East that the war will either be won, or lost.

from Casualty Report, US Fifth Corps, April 7, 1894:

The following soldiers are report as killed-in-action:
...Pvt. George Stovey, 25th Infantry
...Maj. Adrian Anson, 3rd Infantry

from the personal letters of Albert G. Spalding, April 8, 1894:

Ben,

Received word that our friend Cap Anson was killed in Pennsylvania two days ago. Here in Chicago, we plan a memorial service for Anson. He was a capital fellow, and one of the best ball players I've ever met.

from the US Naval Archives, Columbia, April 1894:

Ships reported lost in action versus enemy task force in Gulf of Mexico, on 14th of April, 1894: USS Niagara, USS Hudson, USS Maine. Reports indicate some survivors picked up by Confederate patrol boats...

from the personal letters of William Keeler, April 30, 1894:

Sent from Confederate POW camp, Andersonville, Georgia:

Dearest Mrs. Grant,

It is with the deepest condolences that I send word of the death of your son, Frank. I had the honor of getting acquainted with your son over the last month. He was a fine man and died doing his duty. When last I saw him, he was tending to his duties as fireman, battling the fires onboard the Maine before she blew up, three miles off New Orleans.

Sincerely,
Ens. William H. Keeler, USN

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, May 22, 1894:

The peace conference at Ottawa in Canada got underway today, with representatives of both sides expressing confidence that a status-quo-ante agreement will be reached, returning both nations to a peaceful co-existence wtihout any land changing hands.

from the Richmond Courier, June 3, 1894:

WAR ENDS - President Northen appeared on the steps of Grey House this morning to announce to the waiting throng that the state of war with the United States officially ends at midnight, June 4.
"It is unfortunate that this conflict took place. Thankfully the duration of the war was short, and we hope to get back to a normal way of life as soon as possible," Northen said.

from the personal diary of Jesse Tannehill, June 10, 1894:

It's back to Kentucky for me - with the war over, I've been released from the Army and will go back home. I hope to resume my normal routine, I'm not sure if any of the boys from the Louisville club were lost in the fighting - I hope not, but the Yankees did cross the river and there was fighting near Louisville, so anything is possible.

from the Steubenville Observer, June 12, 1894:

The town welcomed home its hero, Lt. Denton Young, yesterday. Lt. Young, who served as aide to commanding General Shafter, was released from his military duties last week. Asked what his plans were, Young said, "I plan on going to Chicago and looking up Mr. Spalding. We've got some business to discuss."

[legendsport]

from the Chicago Times, August 13, 1894:

SPALDING ANNOUNCES BASEBALL CIRCUIT - Chicago Sporting Goods magnate Albert G. Spalding, in partnership with Philadelphia's Benjamin Shibe (also a sporting goods magnate), announced the formation of the National Association of Amateur Base Ball clubs.

Spalding, in a prepared statement, said, "It is our fondest desire to see the creation of a professional circuit of baseball clubs. The recent war, however, has indefinitely delayed that dream. In the meantime, Mr. Shibe and I are forming an amateur association of eight clubs, spread across the U.S., which will tour this country, as well as the Confederacy, performing for the masses until such time as the economy is ready to support a professional league."


Albert G. Spalding

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, June 7, 1895:

ECONOMIC WOES CONTINUE - The Richmond stock market continued to fail yesterday, as the financial woes of the country continued.

...Senator-elect William H. Cobb (W-GA.) said, "The nation faces a crisis of unequaled severity. Each and every citizen must prepare for a prolonged period of hardship. The mettle of every man shall be tested."

from the Columbia Patriot, October 11, 1897:

A recent improvement in the New York Stock Exchange was apparently temporary, as stocks plummeted yesterday to record lows...

from the Pittsburgh Picayune, August 8, 1899:

NATIONAL GUARD CALLED OUT TO BATTLE STRIKERS - The Pennsylvania National Guard was called upon to break up a strike by the steel workers in Homestead. Sergeant Hans Wagner, himself a coal worker when not in Guard uniform, said "We will do what we have to do to keep the peace, but I don't enjoy fighting with men who struggle daily just to get by."

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, April 8, 1899:

In a tour of Cuba, recently liberated from the Spanish and annexed by the Confederacy, the baseball organization of Mr. A.G. Spalding of Chicago, USA, was warmly welcomed by the citizens of Havana...
... a tour of the Confederate island territory of Puerto Rico is also in Spalding's schedule.

from the Columbia Patriot, July 2, 1900:

The stock market resurgence continued yesterday, the fifth straight day of increasing values...

from the Chicago Times, August 3, 1900:

SPALDING TO BACK MCKINLEY - Sporting Goods magnate Albert G. Spalding yesterday gave his backing to Republican presidential candidate William McKinley of Ohio. Spalding reported that he was breaking with his normally Democratic ideals because he can not support the campaign of William Jennings Bryan.
"McKinley is on the record as a sporting fellow and a supporter of baseball," said Spalding, who continues to press for a professional baseball circuit.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, November 7, 1900:

MCKINLEY WINS ELECTION - Ohioan William McKinley has been elected President, by a comfortable margin over Democrat William Jennings Bryan. For many voters, the recent depression was the main reason they went Republican as it was Democrat Arthur Sewall who resided in the Executive Mansion during the economic troubles...

from the Sporting Way, December 13, 1900:

President-elect McKinley has named Albert G. Spalding the head of the country's athletic foundation. Part of the responsibilities of this newly-created post are the management of the U.S. Olympic team for the 1904 games, the promotion of collegiate athletics, and most importantly, the fostering of a national baseball league, a long-time goal of Spalding's.

from the Sporting Way, January 13, 1901:

TOO LATE FOR 1901 SEASON - Albert G. Spalding, who will take office as the government's Athletic Foundation administrator in March, reported that there is not enough time to put together a professional baseball circuit for the 1901 season. He does however, plan on announcing the structure for a league which will begin play in the spring of 1902.

[legendsport]

from the Richmond Courier, November 8, 1901:

Nearing the end of his six-year term and hoping to be re-elected next fall, President Thomas S. Martin, taking a cue from our northern neighbors, has formed a committee on sport.
"We must maintain our position amongst nations in all endeavors, including the sporting world. To that end, I will create a government agency to manage the national teams of the Confederacy for the Olympic Games, as well as exploring the idea of a Confederate Baseball league."
The head of the search committee on Confederate sport is Georgia Senator William H. Cobb, whose 15-year old son, Tyrus, is considered a stellar athlete with baseball highest among his skills.


CS President Thomas S. Martin

from the Miami Sun, March 1, 1902:

CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES WILD ABOUT BASEBALL - The territories acquired from Spain have become a hotbed for the sport of baseball, which is also a growing concern in the Confederacy, though much less popular than it is in the United States.
The island residents of Cuba and Puerto Rico play baseball year round, and the game has also taken root in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Life, September, 5, 1901:

Al Spalding's dream is now a reality. The Minister of Sport welcomed reporters into his office, where he announced the formation of the first professional baseball leagues. That's right - leagues, plural. Not only has Spalding put together what he calls the "Eastern circuit," but he also has created a second pro loop which will play on the West Coast.

The first loop, which Spalding has named the Federal League, will have its league offices in Columbia and consists of the following clubs with their respective owners:

Boston Minutemen - Charles W. Somers, owner
Chicago Colts - Albert G. Spalding, owner
Columbia Senators - Charles H. Ebbets, owner
New York Giants - John T. Brush, owner
Philadelphia Patriots - Benjamin H. Shibe, owner
Pittsburgh Rivermen - Barney Dreyfuss, owner

The second loop, headquartered in San Francisco, will consists exclusively of clubs in the Pacific Coast states. Those teams, with their owners:

Los Angeles Angels -Alfred J. Reach, owner
Oakland Oaks - William H. Yawkey, owner
Portland Lumberjacks - John T. Mahon, owner
Sacramento Redwoods - Frederick Postal, owner
San Diego Conquistadors - Charles H. Comiskey, owner
San Francisco Seals - Frank J. Robison, owner

Field managers have not yet been announced. A meeting in which players will be dispersed, will be held at an unspecified future date.

[legendsport]

from the Columbia Patriot, March 15, 1902:

CONFEDERATES ANNEX DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, OFFER MEXICO DEAL ON TWO PROVINCES - The Confederate Congress today ratified a treaty annexing the Dominican Republic. In a move categorized by President McKinley as "pure imperialism," the Confederacy has added yet another former Spanish possession to its territory. The islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico are already Confederate Territories, with rumors swirling that both will be granted statehood within five years.
In other Confederate news, unconfirmed reports from Mexico City indicate that the Richmond government has made an offer to purchase two provinces from Mexico. These provinces, mostly desert, would benefit the Confederacy by giving them ports on the Pacific Ocean.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 1, 1902:

The following is the first in a series of team previews compiled by the Sporting Way's crack editorial staff, spotlighting the teams of the brand-new United States Professional Baseball Organization.

We begin with the Federal League's Boston entry, the Minutemen. Owned by New York-based financier Charles W. Somers, the Minutemen enter the inaugural campaign with a promising and talented roster.

The moundsmen are led by a youngster from Factoryville, PA by the name of Christy Mathewson. The skies the limit for young Mathewson, who was the first player selected by Somers in the dispersal draft.

Also on the roster is amateur star Fred Clarke, who will patrol the left pasture; Bedford, Ohio's Elmer Flick, a right fielder who earned a good reputation in amateur play for Spalding's touring teams; and shortstop Kid Elberfeld, another Ohioan, whose prickly temperament has earned him the moniker "The Tabasco Kid."

Piloting the Minutemen will be Spalding's old running-mate, Dan Brouthers.

In tomorrow's edition, we'll take a look at the Pacific League's Los Angeles team.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 2, 1902:

Second in a twelve-part series detailing the teams in the newly created US Professional Baseball Organization, the following takes a look at the Pacific League's Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels are owned by sporting goods magnate Alfred Reach, who relocated his management offices to the West Coast to allow his involvement in the day-to-day operations of his team.

Reach named former standout amateur Ned Hanlon to be the field manager of the Angels.

Bob Wicker, a pitcher from Indiana, was tapped with the team's first draft pick. Hanlon, who was running the draft, selected the very talented Napoleon Lajoie who as an amateur with the Providence, RI Athletic club, had shown amazing hitting ability. Hanlon's third pick was veteran Fielder Jones, a center fielder whose name says it all.

With other top players such as pitchers Dummy Taylor and Bill Duggleby, and outfielder Jesse Burkett, the Angels will be a tough match for any of the Pacific League teams.

Tomorrow, we'll look at the Chicago squad from the Federal League.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 3, 1902:

Third in a twelve-part series spotlighting the individual clubs in A.G. Spalding's US Professional Baseball Organization, this piece looks at the Chicago Colts, Spalding's own team, and the first - in keeping with the man's principles - integrated squad in America (ed. note - there are several other teams which integrated, but Spalding was first).

The first player who made the cut for Albert was Solomon White, long-time friend of Mr. Spalding's who made extensive tours with the Spalding/Shibe exhibitions over the past decade. White is, at 33, on the downside of his career, but is expected to battle for the starting position at second base.

But Spalding did not stop at White - he also signed an unknown refugee from the Confederacy by the name of Andrew Foster. The "Rube" as he is known (based on his very rural upbringing in Texas), is the only player in the entire organization to have been born in the Confederacy. Foster teams with "Iron Man" Joe McGinnity and Carl Lundgren to give Spalding's crew what is arguably the best mound corps in the Federal League.

Spalding rounded out the roster with some of his former touring pals, including Jimmy "Rabbit" Slagle, Hughie Jennings and Harry Bemis.

Spalding also made news when he announced that White would act as field manager.

Tomorrow, we go back to the Pacific League for a look at William Yawkey's Oakland Oaks.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 4, 1902:

Fourth in a twelve-part series examining the clubs of A.G. Spalding's new US Professional Baseball Organization, this article looks at the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific League, owned and operated by William H. Yawkey, a 26 year-old lumber and mining heir who invested in the USPBO because he "needed something to occupy myself."

The Oaks are an interesting squad, composed of a mixture of Spalding-Tour veterans and unprovens out of the amateur ranks. Anchoring the pitching staff is "Gettysburg" Eddie Plank - moniker not guaranteed to inspire confidence in Americans who remember the bitter defeat suffered there at the hands of the Confederates. But the 26-year-old Plank is a proven amateur hurler who will likely be a star in the Pacific League.

New Jerseyan Danny Green is the star batsman, a 25-year-old who proved himself on the very competitive New York City amateur circuit. Green will patrol the right field pasture. Attitude is provided by shortstop "Bad" Bill Dahlen, grizzled vet of the same New York circuit as Green who is known as a scrapper. And leading the squad is old Spalding star Wilbert Robinson, who will play the backstop position on occasion, and serve as field manager as well.

Tomorrow we go back to the Federal League for a look at the capital's team - the Columbia Senators.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 5, 1902:

Fifth in a twelve-part series examining the component clubs of A.G. Spalding's new US Professional Baseball Organization.

Today - the Columbia Senators.

The Senators look to have a balanced squad with top pitchers Jay Hughes, George Winter and Len Swormstedt complemented by the big bats of Spalding tour veteran George Davis and newcomer Sam Crawford, who lit up the Pennsylvania amateur circuit and will patrol left field. The Senators also boast perhaps the most talented of the non-Caucasian players - a fellow by the name of Pete Hill. According to team owner Charles H. Ebbets, Hill is a "breath-taking mixture of speed, grace and agility, who is a superb outfielder with a cannon arm and a sure shot with the bat."

Ebbets himself is a big story - a clerk who made an in with Albert G. Spalding by acting as secretary and records keeper for the Spalding Touring Company, Ebbets was rewarded with an opportunity to run the Columbia ballclub, despite financial credentials not on a par with the other club operators. A shrewd man from Brooklyn, Ebbets tapped the well-respected manager of the Brooklyn Amateur club, Frank Selee, to run the Senators.

Tomorrow will see the profile of the Pacific League's Portland Lumberjacks

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 6, 1902:

Sixth in a twelve-part series examining the component clubs of A.G. Spalding's US Professional Baseball Organization.

Today we'll look over the Pacific League's Portland Lumberjacks.

Financier John T. Mahon, who avows to knowing "nothing" of baseball, is either being less than truthful, or simply is extremely lucky, for his club has on the roster the greatest player in the United States.

Former soldier Honus Wagner is acknowledged by no less an authority than Albert G. Spalding himself as "the best player in the country, white or black, no question at all." Wagner's prescence makes the Lumberjacks a favorite in the Pacific League. Supported by one of the best moundsmen in Jack Chesbro and by Roy Thomas (Wagner's Pennsylvania buddy) and Norwegian-born "Honest" John Anderson, the 'Jacks will be a tough match for any Pacific League squad.

Portland is managed by former amateur catcher Cornelius McGillicudy, who goes by the moniker Connie Mack, a veteran of the Spalding Tours, who is a limited partner of Mahon's in the ownership group.

Tomorrow we'll examine the New York Giants of the Federal League.

[legendsport]

from the Sporting Way, March 7, 1902:

Seventh in a twelve-part series examining the component clubs of A.G. Spalding's US Professional Baseball Organization.

Today - the New York Giants

There's only one player who can give Portland's Honus Wagner a run for his money as the best player in the country. The man's name is Ed Delahanty, and he's a member of John T. Brush's New York Giants. "Big Ed" as he is known is possibly a better batsman than even the great Wagner, though Honus can beat you in more ways. A versatile player, Delahanty earned his reputation as the star attraction of the touring Spalding teams of the past few years. Now 34, he looks to perform on the national stage.

With Delahanty in left, the outfield is balanced by the presence of Buck Freeman in right. Freeman is also a veteran of the tours, and is well known as a dangerous batsmen, though his ability afield is said to be of indifferent quality.

The mound corps is anchored by George "Rube" Waddell, from the left side and John "Jock" Menefee from the right side. Both are dangerous, though Waddell is rumored to have a difficult personality.

Managing this bunch is Frank Dwyer, another former Spalding protege, who hung up his baseball shoes after losing a leg in the late war.

Tomorrow we'll examine the Sacramento club of the Pacific League.