19th Century Player descriptions/profiles

[h2oya311]

I love the write-ups on the players that are on the Harper's Weekly Woodcut of the 1885 Chicago White Stockings, including Cap Anson, John Clarkson, Mike Kelly, and Billy Sunday...

My favorite text is of Billy Sunday: "William A. Sunday, right fielder, who is the only unmarried man in the nine, is twenty-one years of age, and is a native of Iowa...."

He also happens to be the only one w/out a 'stash. I suppose this was important back in the day (being married and having a 'stash).

The paper also finishes Clarkson's write-up by saying: "When not playing ball he is engaged in the jewelry business, and is a steady, sober, and industrious young man."

Again, being sober seems to be important for the times.

Lastly, did you know that Cap Anson was 6'2" / 250 lbs. He was huge!

Sorry if this has been covered before on the forum, but I just loved reading up on these guys (using text from the period)! I'd love to see some other interesting write-ups about players of the 19th Century, if you've got it!

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgranger/hofrookies1/websize/1885%20Clarkson21131.jpg

[BaseballWeirdo]

I love that sort of stuff too!

[Runscott]

Here is a paragraph from the 1887 Reach Guide that just arrived yesterday:

THE KELLY TRANSFER.

The latest "sensation in the circles of professional base ball, was the transfer to Boston from the Chicago Club of that bright, particular star of the diamond field, M. J. Kelly. The large sums of money which were named as the price of the transfer and the salary which he is to get, caused a nine days wonder and a great deal of comment. The event has no doubt undone a great deal of the good that has grown out of the Reserve Rule and the Limit Rule. A few more "Kelly Deals" and the prosperity of professional base ball will be jeopardized.

[cyseymour]

That is terrific, thanks for sharing. I ought to head down to my library and get out some old clippings myself.

Per the Kelly transfer, seems another prediction of the demise of baseball... should happen any day now. :)

[tedzan]

Here is one of my favorite Harper's illustrations and story.


http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/aharrywrightbigbat.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/aharpersweekly7241869.jpg


TED Z

[aquarius31]

Yes the write-ups for these woodcuts make them come to life! It is one of the reasons that I'm a proponent of keeping old newspapers in their original form. Below are 3 woodcuts each in their full publication.

The first one shows the match between the Excelsior and Atlantic Clubs and thanks to the exceptional work by John Thorn we know that the pitcher is James Creighton!
Image 1 (http://co.llect.com/i/2113/EuYw8.png)

Prior to a discussion on the match, the article states:

Once make Cricket and Base Ball and Quoits and Foot Ball and the rest of them national pasttimes, and there will be little room left for big crimes to grow among us. It is bad diseased people who commit murders, and arson...-rarely or never, your robust fellow who has a sound stomach, and well developed muscles.

The second woodcut is a tribute to that same Excelsior Club of 1860.
Image 2 (http://co.llect.com/i/2113/6heN.jpg)

In this game, after five innings had been completed, with a score of eight to six in favor of the Excelsiors-and they had begun to score runs in the sixth innings through errors by the Atlantics-the crowd of betting roughs, located among the spectators, began to "bulldoze" the Excelsiors by blackguarding them when they were in the field, and to such an extent was this carried on, that Captain Leggett very properly refused to have his men insulted, and took them off the field. There is but little doubt that had the game continued with the crowd present, who had bet largely on the game, would not have allowed their favorites to be defeated.

The third woodcut depicts the 1885 Championship Chicago White Stockings. The baseball articles associated with the publication are absolutely hysterical!
Image 3 (http://co.llect.com/i/2113/8YZ7q.jpg)

[tjb1952tjb]

Here is one of my favorite Harper's illustrations and story.


http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/aharrywrightbigbat.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/aharpersweekly7241869.jpg


TED Z

Where does this bat currently reside? Does anyone know?