Ross Barnes
 

I'm still looking for anything related to Ross Barnes. This includes photographs, scorecards, woodcuts, etc. This includes items related to the 1866-1870 Rockford Forest Cities, 1871-1875 Red Stockings, 1876-1877 Chicagoes, 1878 Tecumsehs, 1879 Cincinnatis, and 1881 Bostons. Thanks.

Good luck, Gary. I'm hoping you can dig something up.

I have had the pleasure of dealing with Gary twice in the past year (Both Ross Barnes Items) and both transactions went smooth and I know my items found a good home.
Jonathan Sterling

Thanks for the kind words Jeremy and Jonathan. I always remain optimistic that something will come up.

I'm still looking.

I don’t have anything to offer you
 

But your post inspired me to look up Ross. My god, what a stud he was! His stats suggest he was first ballot Hall of Fame if he had played longer. Do we know why his career was so short?

Tim

His career was shortened by illness. He died of Bright's Disease at the age of 30. Famous folk who succumbed to Bright's Disease include Chester Arthur, Emily Dickenson, and others.

Ross BARNES
 

I think you are talking about Ross Youngs.

Ross BARNES was born in 1850 and died in 1915, so that is not the explanation.

Barnes career actually spanned from 1866 to 1881. He had 15 seasons of pre-professional and professional baseball under his belt. When he retired at the age of 31 he was actually one of the older players in professional baseball. Careers generally tended to start at an earlier age and also end at an earlier age in 19th century baseball. Without question Barnes was the first star of professional baseball and was the greatest hitter/player of the National Association from 1871-1875. He also dominated the National League's first season in 1876. Unfortunately, Barnes developed an illness in 1877 and was never the same player afterwards. Also, a rule change eliminating the "fair-foul" hit impacted his production. Barnes was the undisputed master of the fair-foul hit. Prior to the rule change for the 1877 season, for a batted ground ball to be fair, it need only make its first contact in fair territory. The hit was considered a fair ball wherever it went thereafter.
Barnes should be in the Hall of Fame. Many, if not most, 19th century baseball historians are in agreement on this. Barnes problem is the requirement that a player play 10 major league seasons to be considered for induction. Barnes played 9 or 4 seasons, if his 5 National Association years are not counted. This requirement is ludicrous for players who played all or part of their careers in the pre-professional era, but that is the Hall of Fame for you.

You are right. i shouldn't post when I have been out late.

I'm still in the hunt.

I imagine you've already got this, or it's far too new; however, I do have a copy of this SABR publication from the year 2000. Let me know if you have any interest.

Thanks, Eric. Yes, I do have that publication.

Bump on Barnes 172nd birthday.

Here is one

I've got that one Jay as a cdv.

Wow, Jay! Great item!

Any One Considering......
 

....parting with a treasure to Gary...please do so. I have corresponded with him (Years ago) about baseball in the Rockford/Northern Illinois Area and found him to be a avid and knowledgeable collector. Your item/treasure will go to a very good home. My conversation with Gary centered around F.W. Plane celebrated shortstop and "Champion" batter of the Belvidere Mystics...who fell to the Rockford Forest Cities 123-8 in 1866.

Gary-Contact me if you want to buy the scorecard from the first Chicago-Boston game in Boston in 1876.