Players League info sought

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Posted By: runscott

Or there any Players League "experts" on the board? I have been accumulating info for an article for a while now, and any help would be appreciated. I'm especially interested in finding a reading copy of the "Sporting Life Official Baseball Guide" (1891) - if anyone has one and doesn't mind scanning some pages, that would do as well.

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Posted By: runscott

It's easy enough to find the data, but I'm looking for a "collaborator" who has familiarity with the "Players' League vs National League" intricacies, rather than the data. I haven't read the Spalding or Reach Guides from 1891, but I assume they would have some interesting narrative, especially the Spalding Guide since Al Spalding was associated with it. I have read the 1891 Sporting Life Guide (the only year it was published), and it has fascinating insight - unfortunately (stupidly), I sold a reading copy to a wealthy collector who promptly locked it up in a vault.

Any help is appreciated, and the end goal of this is an article, which I don't in the least mind sharing a by-line with the as-yet-undiscovered collaborator.

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Posted By: Jay Miller

Scott--I have read quite a bit about the PL and have some data. I would be happy to help if you like. Please email me at curl777@aol.com and tell me what you need.

Best---Jay

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Posted By: Todd

Rosters, scheds, league formation docs?
It's been years since I've read up on the subject, but as general narrative and discussion, Seymour's book on early baseball is great. You've probably read it, but others might want to give it a read.

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Posted By: Scott Forrest

At this point I'm looking for opposing viewpoints on both the formation of the league, and also the short-term and long-term effects of it. Any documents containing such information would be helpful.

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Posted By: Rhys

Scott

I recently read a book called "The Clever Baseballist" which is the life and times of John M. Ward. It is out of print but I got mine through Amazon or something and it cost about $10 used. It is without a doubt the most informative piece I have read about the Players league since he is the one who started it. It goes in depth about the events leading up to it (Ned Williamsons injury on the 1889 tour etc.) and goes through the entire season and its after affects, plus it is interesting and goes into Ward's affairs with women, him getting expelled from Penn State and all that stuff which people like to read about anyways.

It is a great book for the price and I would recommend reading it for some insight into the Players League.

Rhys

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Posted By: Scott Forrest

I posted about that one in a recent thread about books on baseball. It's good, but kind of a difficult read.

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Posted By: runscott

I'm still looking for additional resources for an article, especially contemporary accounts written in 1890/1891.

If anyone has reprints of the Reach, Spalding or Sporting Life guides, I would love to borrow them for research. I also have copies of the 1883 Spalding Guide available for trade.

My article won't involve stats or cards, so if anyone is interested in writing an accompanying article, I have a lot of the necessary resources.