1897 Morse's Score Book w/Wagner
 

I recently came across a Morse's Baseball Score Book which has in pencil elaborate score sheets of around 16 different games with the Boston Beaneaters and various other NL teams. Names are Honus Wagner (his rookie year), Kid Nichols, Duggy, Ewing and many others. August 1897 is where most of the score sheets reference. I'm curious to know if this should be in the MLB HOF or some other historical library. Any advice would be appreciated.

I never knew Wags played center field....

Wagner played the outfield quite a bit during the first few years of his career before settling in at shortstop. Specific number of games played by position can be found on the Baseball-Reference.com website.

Here is one that sold at auction.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/...2013/1194.html

Given this is Wagner's rookie year, this has significant value, in my opinion, especially since he debuted with Lousiville on July 19th. It may be the earliest know reference to Wagner in a NL score book. If you are going to donate it, make sure it get seen. Many museums and libraries just stick stuff in their archives, never to be seen.

And if you are going to sell it, I would be interested.

Doug

+1

There are so few 19th century items that remain of Wagner from early in his career, so I agree this book definitely has historical importance and value.

Wow great book Here is mine from 1909 with a full list of Hall of Famers that are in it

Pulliam
 

One of the pages contains the name Pulliam. In 1897 he was president of the Louisville team, and, I believe, signed Wagner. I wonder in what context Pullim,s name appears in the book. Morse was a famous Boston sports writer who wrote an early, and rare, history of baseball entitled Spere and Ash.

Here is another pic of the score card book.
Appreciate all the feedback and if you're so inclined send me an offer.

More PICS & Notes
 

I've been in contact with both members and auction houses as to what to do with this scorebook. I've found 16 total MLB games scored and 2 unknown games early in the book, probably high school or college games, maybe even minor league, just not sure. Of the 16 MLB games, there are a total of 11 HOF players, such as Cap Anson, who was 45 years old in his last season with Chicago Colts, Honus Wagner, Rookie year and 4 games scored (see pics), Fred Clarke, Jimmy Collins, Hugh Duffy, Jesse Burkett, Kid Nichols, Bobby Wallace, Amos Rusie and George Davis. This score book is for the Boston Beaneaters, who took the National League Championship in 1897 and the games were against NY Giants, Washington, Pittsburg, Louisville, Cleveland Spiders and Chicago Colts, between August 11, 1897 and September 1, 1897. There are a lot of notes written on the different pages with names and comments.

Still undecided what to do with this, but in no hurry either without more research. Thanks for all the comments and messages.