1.
Detroit Wolverines
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The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th-century baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In total, they won 426 games and lost 437, taking their lone pennant in 1887, the team was disbanded following the 1888 season. Founded at the suggestion of Detroit mayor William G. Thompson and their home field was called Recreation Park, and it consisted of a wooden grandstand located between Brady Street and Willis Avenue. This stadium was demolished in 1894, though its location is indicated by a marker in what was once left field. The name of the club derives from Michigan being known as The Wolverine State. The team name Wolverines is now associated with University of Michigan sports. Though they folded after eight seasons, the Wolverines occupy an important place in baseball history. On September 6,1883, they conceded 18 runs in an inning against the Chicago White Stockings. In 1885, new owner Frederick Kimball Stearns began spending heavily in an attempt to create a super-team by buying high-priced players. Most notably, he purchased the entire Buffalo Bisons franchise that August, to secure the services of its stars, Dan Brouthers, Jack Rowe, Hardy Richardson, and Deacon White, the so-called Big Four. This strategy quickly met resistance from his owners, who changed the leagues rules governing the splitting of gate receipts. Detroit was not yet the Motor City, and its population was too small to support a highly paid team, the Wolverines home gate receipts were not sufficient to sustain their payroll, and Stearns was forced to sell his stars to other clubs. The Wolverines most successful season came in 1887, when they were crowned as the champion of the National League with a record of 79 wins and 45 losses. After the season, they defeated the St. Louis Browns, champion of the rival American Association, in a series of exhibition matches and these games were a predecessor to the modern World Series, which did not begin until 1903. Due to heavy losses, the team was disbanded following the 1888 season. Three Detroit players hit for the cycle, George Wood on June 13,1885, Mox McQuery on September 28,1885, and Jack Rowe on August 21,1886. com
2.
National League
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Both leagues currently have 15 teams. The two league champions of 1903 arranged to compete against each other in the inaugural World Series, after the 1904 champions failed to reach a similar agreement, the two leagues formalized the World Series as an arrangement between the leagues. National League teams have won 48 of the 112 World Series contested from 1903 to 2016, the 2016 National League champions are the Chicago Cubs. By 1875, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players was dangerously weak, additionally, Hulbert had a problem—five of his star players were threatened with expulsion from the NAPBBP because Hulbert had signed them to his club using what were considered questionable means. Hulbert had a vested interest in creating his own league. After recruiting St. Louis privately, four western clubs met in Louisville, Kentucky, Boston Red Stockings, the dominant team in the N. A. Hartford Dark Blues from the N. A. Mutual of New York from the N. A. St. Louis Brown Stockings from the N. A, the only strong club from 1875 excluded in 1876 was a second one in Philadelphia, often called the White Stockings or Phillies. The first game in National League history was played on April 22,1876, at Philadelphias Jefferson Street Grounds, 25th & Jefferson, the new leagues authority was tested after the first season. The National League operated with six clubs during 1877 and 1878, over the next several years, various teams joined and left the struggling league. By 1880, six of the eight members had folded. The two remaining original NL franchises, Boston and Chicago, remain in operation today as the Atlanta Braves, in 1883 the New York Gothams and Philadelphia Phillies began National League play. Both teams remain in the NL today, the Phillies in their original city, the NL encountered its first strong rival organization when the American Association began play in 1882. The A. A. played in cities where the NL did not have teams, offered Sunday games and alcoholic beverages in locales where permitted, the National League and the American Association participated in a version of the World Series seven times during their ten-year coexistence. These contests were less organized than the modern Series, lasting as few as three games and as many as fifteen, with two Series ending in disputed ties, the NL won four times and the A. A. only once, in 1886. Starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1887, the National League began to raid the American Association for franchises to replace NL teams that folded and this undercut the stability of the A. A. Other new leagues that rose to compete with the National League were the Union Association, the Union Association was established in 1884 and folded after playing only one season, its league champion St. Louis Maroons joining the NL. The NL suffered many defections of star players to the Players League, the Brooklyn, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York franchises of the NL absorbed their Players League counterparts. The labor strife of 1890 hastened the downfall of the American Association, after the 1891 season, the A. A. disbanded and merged with the NL, which became known legally for the next decade as the National League and American Association
3.
St. Louis Cardinals
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The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball as a club of the National League Central division. Busch Stadium has been their home ballpark since 2006, with origins as one of the early professional baseball clubs in St. Upon the discontinuation of the AA, St. Louis joined the NL in 1892, at time, they were called the Browns. One of the most successful franchises in history, the Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships. Their 19 National League pennants rank third in NL history, in addition, St. Louis has won 13 division titles in the East and Central divisions. While still in the AA, St. Louis won four league championships, the Cardinals have won 105 or more games in four different seasons and won 100 or more a total of nine times. Cardinals players have won 20 league MVPs, four batting Triple Crowns, and three Cy Young Awards. Baseball Hall of Fame inductees include Lou Brock, Dizzy Dean, Bob Gibson, Whitey Herzog, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Medwick, Stan Musial, Branch Rickey, Red Schoendienst, Ozzie Smith, and Bruce Sutter. In 2016, Forbes valued the Cardinals at $1.6 billion, making them the 7th-most valuable franchise in MLB, their revenue the year was $300 million. Since their purchase in 1995, owner William DeWitt, Jr. s investment group has seen enormous growth from the $147 million purchase price, John Mozeliak is the general manager and Mike Matheny is the manager. Professional baseball began in St. Louis with the inception of the Brown Stockings in the National Association in 1875, the NA folded following that season, and the next season, St. Louis joined the National League as a charter member, finishing in third place at 45-19. George Bradley hurled the first no-hitter in Major League history, the NL expelled St. Louis from the league after 1877 due to a game-fixing scandal and the team went bankrupt. Without a league, they continued play as a barnstorming team through 1881. For the 1882 season, Chris von der Ahe purchased the team, reorganized it, and made it a member of the American Association. 1882 is generally considered to be the first year existence of the St. Louis Cardinals, the next season, St. Louis shortened their name to the Browns. Soon thereafter they became the dominant team in the AA, as manager Charlie Comiskey guided St. Louis to four pennants in a row from 1885 to 1888. Pitcher and outfielder Bob Caruthers led the league in ERA and wins in 1885 and he also led the AA in OBP and OPS in 1886 and finished fourth in batting average in 1886 and fifth in 1887
4.
World Series
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The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball in North America, contested since 1903 between the American League champion team and the National League champion team. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a playoff. As the series is played in October, during the season in North America. As of 2016, the World Series has been contested 112 times, with the AL winning 64, the 2016 World Series took place between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs. Seven games were played, with the Cubs victorious after game seven, the final score was 8–7, the game went into extra innings after a tied score of 6–6. This was the third World Series won by the Cubs, as well as their first title since 1908, in the National League, the St. As of 2016, no team has won consecutive World Series championships since the New York Yankees in 1998,1999, all championships were awarded to the team with the best record at the end of the season, without a postseason series being played. From 1884 to 1890, the National League and the American Association faced each other in a series of games at the end of the season to determine an overall champion. These series were disorganized in comparison to the modern World Series, the number of games played ranged from as few as three in 1884, to a high of fifteen in 1887. Both the 1885 and 1890 Series ended in ties, each team having won three games with one tie game, the series was promoted and referred to as The Championship of the United States, Worlds Championship Series, or Worlds Series for short. In his book Krakatoa, The Day the World Exploded, August 27,1883, Simon Winchester mentions in passing that the World Series was named for the New York World newspaper, but this view is disputed. Until about 1960, some sources treated the 19th-century Series on a basis with the post-19th-century series. After about 1930, however, many authorities list the start of the World Series in 1903, following the collapse of the American Association after the 1891 season, the National League was again the only major league. The league championship was awarded in 1892 by a playoff between half-season champions and this scheme was abandoned after one season. Beginning in 1893—and continuing until divisional play was introduced in 1969—the pennant was awarded to the club in the standings at the end of the season. For four seasons, 1894–1897, the league played the runners-up in the post season championship series called the Temple Cup. A second attempt at this format was the Chronicle-Telegraph Cup series, in 1901, the American League was formed as a second major league. No championship series were played in 1901 or 1902 as the National and these series were arranged by the participating clubs, as the 1880s Worlds Series matches had been
5.
Bob Caruthers
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Robert Lee Caruthers, nicknamed Parisian Bob, was an American right-handed pitcher and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the St. Louis Browns and Brooklyn Bridegrooms. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Caruthers debuted with a four-hitter for the Browns in late 1884, Caruthers, who stood 57 and weighed 138 pounds, led the team to its first pennant the following year. He led the league in wins, ERA, shutouts and winning percentage in 1885, in 1886 he also played right field when not pitching, batting.334 to place him among the leagues top five hitters, and leading the league in on-base percentage. Brooklyn changed leagues following the 1889 season, joining the National League, in 1890, Caruthers posted a record of 23–11 as Brooklyn won the NL title in their first season in the league, he also saw considerable playing time in left field and batted.265. In 1891 his record slipped to 18–14, and he played occasionally in right field though he hit.281.277 with 69 RBI. He also managed the team for the third of the season. He continued to play in the leagues until 1898. During his career Caruthers threw 298 career complete games among his 310 starts, including 24 shutouts and he also batted.282 lifetime with 29 home runs and 359 RBI. He was the only 19th-century pitcher to lead the league in winning three times. Caruthers is often considered one of the most deserving candidates for the Baseball Hall of Fame, the reduction of two losses would increase his career winning percentage to.691, placing him behind only Spud Chandler who compiled a record of.717 over 150 decisions. On August 5,1911, Caruthers died after an illness in Peoria, Illinois. Caruthers was under a minor league baseball umpiring contract with the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League at the time of his death
6.
Charlie Getzein
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Charles H. Getzein was an American professional baseball player from 1883 to 1891. He played all or parts of nine seasons in Major League Baseball with four different National League teams from 1884 to 1891 and he was the first German in MLB history Getzein was known by the nickname Pretzels. Sources conflict as to whether the nickname was derived from his German ethnicity or from the belief that he was able to throw a curve following the curves of a pretzel. During nine major league seasons, Getzein compiled a 145-139 win-loss record and he threw 277 complete games, a total that ranks 58th in major league history. Only three pitchers threw complete games in major league careers shorter than Getzeins nine-year career. Getzein had his most extensive playing time with the Detroit Wolverines, compiling records of 30-11, in the 1887 World Series, Getzein pitched six complete games and compiled a 4-2 record with a 2.48 ERA. He also won 23 games for the Boston Beaneaters in 1890, Getzein was born in 1864, but sources are in conflict as to whether he was born in Chicago or Germany. Getzein began playing baseball as a boy in Chicago and he played as an amateur in the Chicago City League. During his career, Getzeins drew acclaim for his curveball, Getzeins version of the pitch was sometimes referred to as the pretzel curve. Sporting Life described Getzeins unusual delivery as follows, In delivering his pretzels Getz faces third base with one foot in either corner of the end of the box. Bending the left slightly, he draws his right arm well back. Then, straightening up quickly, he slides the left foot forward with a little skip. After a Getzein victory over the Kansas City Cowboys in 1886 and he went into the box to-day and pitched one of his finest, his curves circling around in the form of the delicious pastry from which Getz takes his sobriquet. However, the editor of the Grand Rapids World opined that Getzeins curved ball was a fiction, scientifically, this theory is utterly absurd. The curves are in the imagination of Getzeins admirers, when the ball leaves his hand it is beyond his control, and it moves forward from the impulse last given it as it leaves his hand. It is then controlled by the force of propulsion, the resistance of the atmosphere, the Scientific American magazine responded in July 1886 by publishing an article written by Henry Chadwick explaining the physics behind the curve ball pitch. Getzein was known by the nickname Pretzels, sources conflict as to whether the nickname was derived from his German ethnicity or from the belief that he was able to throw a double curve following the curves of a pretzel. Getzein was listed at 5 feet,10 inches, and 172 pounds, in 1882, Getzein made his professional baseball debut with the Grand Rapids, Michigan, team in the Northwestern League
7.
Lady Baldwin
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Lady Baldwin was an American left-handed pitcher. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Wolverines, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, and Buffalo Bisons. Baldwin had his best season in 1886 when he compiled a 42–13 record and a 2.24 earned run average, threw 55 complete games, and led the National League with 323 strikeouts. Baldwins 42 wins in 1886 set the league record for a left-handed pitcher. Baldwin also pitched five games for a 4–1 record and a 1.50 ERA in the 1887 World Series. Arm troubles cut short Baldwins major league career at age 31, Baldwin was born in 1859 in Oramel, Allegany County, New York, approximately 60 miles southeast of Buffalo. His father, Samuel Baldwin, was a farmer, as a boy, he moved with his family to Barry County in western Michigan, first to Johnstown Township and then to Hastings. Baldwin was introduced to baseball in Hastings and began his career for the Hastings team. His battery-mate on the Hastings team was Deacon McGuire, with whom he would play as a member of the Detroit Wolverines. Baldwin began his baseball career in 1883 playing for the Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1884, at age 25, Baldwin played for the Milwaukee Brewers of the Northwestern League and he compiled a 9-10 record in 22 games in the Northwestern League despite having an impressive 1.17 earned run average. The Northwestern Association disbanded during the 1884 season, and the Brewers became part of the Union Association, considered a major league, Baldwin made his major league debut with the Brewers on September 30,1884. He compiled a 1-1 record and 2.65 ERA in two games in the Union Association, in 1885, the Brewers became members of the Western Association. Baldwin pitched impressively for the Brewers in 1885, compiling an 11-4 record, Baldwin was given the nickname Lady because of his quiet ways and his refusal to swear or to come into contact with either tobacco or liquor. During the 1885 season, Baldwin was acquired by the Detroit Wolverines of the National League. He appeared in 21 games for Detroit in 1885 and, despite an impressive 1.86 ERA, managed only an 11-9 record for a team that finished in sixth place with a 41-67 record. Baldwin led the National League in walks plus hits per inning pitched and in strikeouts per nine innings pitched, in 1886, the Wolverines acquired The Big Four from Buffalo and improved to second place and an 87-36 record. Baldwin accounted for half of Detroits victories in 1886
8.
Charlie Ganzel
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Charles William Charlie Ganzel was an American professional baseball player from 1884 to 1897. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a catcher and his most extensive playing time came with the Detroit Wolverines and Boston Beaneaters. He was a member of five teams that won National League pennants, one in Detroit, a right-handed batter and thrower, Ganzel appeared in 786 major league games,579 as a catcher,120 as an infielder and 100 as an outfielder. He compiled a.259 batting average with 774 hits and 412 RBIs and his total of 229 career errors as catcher is the 30th highest in major league history, and his total of 180 passed balls ranks 53rd. Ganzel was born in Waterford, Wisconsin, in 1862 and his parents, Charles Ganzel, Sr. and Elizabeth Ganzel, moved the family to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1887. Ganzel reportedly played several years of independent baseball in the Midwest before his major career began in 1884. Ganzel began the 1884 season playing for the St. Paul Apostles in the Northwestern League and he appeared in 57 games for the Apostles,41 as a catcher, and compiled a.189 batting average in 212 at bats. Late in the 1884 season, the Apostles joined the short-lived Union Association as a replacement team, were renamed the St. Paul Saints and briefly became a major league team. Ganzel made his league debut on September 27,1884 with the newly renamed Saints and appeared in seven of the teams eight major league games. The Saints compiled a 2-6 major league record, and the Union Association disbanded at the end of the 1884 season, in 1885, Ganzel played with the Philadelphia Quakers managed by Harry Wright. Ganzel appeared in 33 games as catcher, sharing catching duties with Jack Clements who caught 41 games, Ganzel hit poorly for Philadelphia, compiling a.168 batting average that was 73 points below the National League average for 1885. Ganzel began the 1886 season with the Phillies, but the Phillies had acquired Deacon McGuire, accordingly, Ganzel was released after appearing in only one game with the 1886 Quakers. After Ganzels release by the Phillies, he was signed by manager Bill Watkins of the Detroit Wolverines, within days of the signing, Detroits correspondent to the Sporting Life was praising Ganzel and thanking Philadelphia, Philadelphia has earned Detroits sincere thanks. In Ganzel we have secured a first-class catcher and he is a jewel and will prove a splendid substitute for Charley Bennett. Ganzel was put in to catch the first game with Kansas City and he is an artistic catcher, and at once sprang into high favor with the audience. He accepted all his nine chances, threw Paul Rodford out at twice, made a timely hit. Ganzel remained with the Wolverines for three seasons, serving principally in a role to Charlie Bennett. Ganzel appeared in 45 games as catcher for the 1886 Detroit Wolverines team that compiled an 87-36 record, defensively, Ganzel struggled in his first season at Detroit, committing 37 errors in only 45 games as catcher—the fourth highest total among the leagues catchers
9.
Dan Brouthers
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Dennis Joseph Dan Brouthers was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned the period from 1879 to 1896, with a brief return in 1904. Nicknamed Big Dan for his size, he was 6 feet 2 inches and weighed 207 pounds and his career slugging percentage of.519 remained the Major League record for a player with at least 4,000 at bats until Ty Cobb edged ahead of him in 1922. At the time of his retirement, he also ranked second in career triples. A dominant hitter during the prime of his career, he led the league in most offensive categories, including batting average, runs scored, runs batted in, on-base percentage and hits. He led the league in batting five times, the most by a 19th-century player. Brouthers is one of only 29 players in history to date who have appeared in Major League games in four decades. He was also an active union member, and was elected vice president of the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players. Brouthers was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945 by the Veterans Committee. Born in Sylvan Lake, New York, he played organized baseball from the time that he was a child, from playing in the local sandlots to the semi-professional Actives of Wappingers Falls, New York. On July 7,1877, while running the bases, he collided at home plate with a catcher, named Johnny Quigley, Quigley was knocked unconscious, having suffered a traumatic head injury, and later died from these injuries on August 12. The 19-year-old Brouthers was cleared of any wrongdoing by the authorities, Brouthers made his Major League debut on June 23,1879, for the Troy Trojans, and contributed a single in a come-from-behind victory against the Syracuse Stars. Although he was a first baseman, he was called upon to pitch that season with the Trojans in three games, one of which was on August 21 against Tommy Bond and the Boston Red Caps. Brouthers lost 16–0, and within two weeks he was released from the club and he hit.274 that first season, with four home runs, and had 17 RBIs in 39 games played. He hit well enough in the minors to get another shot with the Trojans and he got his first chance to be an everyday player in 1881, when he was signed by the Bisons, the team that he did well against the previous year. That season he batted.319, and played with them until the team folded after the 1885 season, in his first season with the Bisons, he led the National League in home runs and slugging percentage. Brouthers, along with teammates Jack Rowe, Hardy Richardson and Deacon White, in 1882 and 1883 he won his first two batting titles, posting.368 and.374 averages, respectively. On July 19,1883, Brouthers went 6-for-6 with two doubles in a 25–5 defeat of the Philadelphia Quakers. At the end of the 1885 season, Buffalo was going through financial trouble and were forced to sell off their players, so The Big Four were sold to the Detroit Wolverines of the NL for US$7,000
10.
Sam Thompson
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Samuel Luther Big Sam Thompson was an American professional baseball player from 1884 to 1898 and with a brief comeback in 1906. At 6 feet,2 inches, the Indiana native was one of the players of his day and was known for his prominent handlebar mustache. He played as a fielder in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Wolverines, Philadelphia Phillies. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974, Thompson had a.331 career batting average and was one of the most prolific run producers in baseball history. His career run batted in to games played ratio of.923 remains the highest in league history. In 1895, Thompson averaged 1.44 RBIs per game, Thompson still holds the major league record for most RBIs in a single month with 61 in August 1894 while playing for the Phillies. Manager Bill Watkins in 1922 called Thompson the greatest natural hitter of all time, defensively, Thompson was known to have one of the strongest arms of any outfielder in the early decades of the game. He still ranks among the major league leaders with 61 double plays from the outfield and 283 outfield assists. Thompson also had good speed on the paths and, in 1889. Thompson was born in Danville, Indiana, in 1860 and he was the fifth of eleven children born to Jesse and Rebecca Thompson. He was educated at the Danville Graded School, after reaching adulthood, Thompson became employed as a carpenter in Danville. He and five of his brothers played on a local baseball team known as the Danville Browns. In July 1884, Thompson began his baseball career at age 24, playing for the Evansville, Indiana. A scout for Evansville travelled to Danville and was referred to Big Sam, Thompson was initially reluctant to give up his carpentry career and travel 150 miles to Evansville, but he ultimately agreed to give it a try. Unfortunately, the league folded in early August 1884, after five games. In five games at Evansville, Thompson compiled a.391 batting average, Thompson signed with the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the newly formed Western League in 1885. He compiled a.321 average in 30 games with the Hoosiers and he was approached by a Union Association team and offered more money, but in a show of steadfastness to his word, Thompson refused the offer and remained with Indianapolis at a pay of $100 per month. The Hoosiers were the dominant team in the Western League, compiling an.880 winning percentage, Thompson later told the colorful story of his acquisition by Detroit
11.
Washington, D.C.
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Washington, D. C. formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D. C. is the capital of the United States. The signing of the Residence Act on July 16,1790, Constitution provided for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress and the District is therefore not a part of any state. The states of Maryland and Virginia each donated land to form the federal district, named in honor of President George Washington, the City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the new national capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land ceded by Virginia, in 1871. Washington had an population of 681,170 as of July 2016. Commuters from the surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs raise the population to more than one million during the workweek. The Washington metropolitan area, of which the District is a part, has a population of over 6 million, the centers of all three branches of the federal government of the United States are in the District, including the Congress, President, and Supreme Court. Washington is home to national monuments and museums, which are primarily situated on or around the National Mall. The city hosts 176 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of international organizations, trade unions, non-profit organizations, lobbying groups. A locally elected mayor and a 13‑member council have governed the District since 1973, However, the Congress maintains supreme authority over the city and may overturn local laws. D. C. residents elect a non-voting, at-large congressional delegate to the House of Representatives, the District receives three electoral votes in presidential elections as permitted by the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1961. Various tribes of the Algonquian-speaking Piscataway people inhabited the lands around the Potomac River when Europeans first visited the area in the early 17th century, One group known as the Nacotchtank maintained settlements around the Anacostia River within the present-day District of Columbia. Conflicts with European colonists and neighboring tribes forced the relocation of the Piscataway people, some of whom established a new settlement in 1699 near Point of Rocks, Maryland. 43, published January 23,1788, James Madison argued that the new government would need authority over a national capital to provide for its own maintenance. Five years earlier, a band of unpaid soldiers besieged Congress while its members were meeting in Philadelphia, known as the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, the event emphasized the need for the national government not to rely on any state for its own security. However, the Constitution does not specify a location for the capital, on July 9,1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which approved the creation of a national capital on the Potomac River. The exact location was to be selected by President George Washington, formed from land donated by the states of Maryland and Virginia, the initial shape of the federal district was a square measuring 10 miles on each side, totaling 100 square miles. Two pre-existing settlements were included in the territory, the port of Georgetown, Maryland, founded in 1751, many of the stones are still standing
12.
Ed Beatin
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Ebenezer Ambrose Ed Beatin was an American baseball player. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Detroit Wolverines from 1887 to 1888. A 20-game winner in both 1889 and 1890, Beatin was known for having the best slow ball in the game and he was also a member of the 1887 Detroit Wolverines team that won the National League pennant. Beatin was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1866 and he began his professional baseball career at age 20 with the Allentown Peanut Eaters in the Pennsylvania State Association. He appeared in 25 games for Allentown, threw 22 complete games, after his strong showing at Allentown, a dispute arose between three National League clubs over which had the rights to Beatin. The dispute, referred to as The Beatin Case, became front page material in the Sporting Life throughout the month of August 1887, in the end, only Cincinnati and Detroit pressed their claims at a hearing before baseballs Board of Arbitration. Detroit president Frederick K. Stearns testified and produced telegrams showing that he had closed deals with Beatin and Kinslow on July 20, Detroit thus established priority to the players, and the Sporting Life described Cincinnatis case as having proved decidedly weak. The Board issued its ruling in September 1887, finding in favor of Detroit, Beatins best pitch was his slow ball. I should expect my release if I lobbed a slow one at such times, Cy Young, Mathewson, Ed Walsh, Mordecai Brown, Addie Joss or any of the artists would gladly separate from $5000 for a loaf ball like Beatins. The batter never knew when Beatin wound up whether the ball would come like Johnny Moisant or an A. D. T, teammate Ed McKean in 1905 opined that Beatin had the most astonishing slow ball that was ever offered up to a batter. However, the umpire ruled that the first swing counted as the third strike, when Stovey protested, the umpire replied, there is no rule allowing you two strikes at the same ball. You were out a second before you made that hit. Beatin pitched a complete game in his major league debut for Detroit on August 2,1887. The headline for the coverage in the Detroit Free Press read, A GOOD BEATIN, Both Detroit. Beatin pitched in one other game for Detroit in 1887 and concluded his first major league season with a 1-1 record. During the 1888 season, Beatin appeared in 12 games for Detroit and he compiled a 5-7 record and a 2.86 ERA. The team finished in place with a 68-63 record. With high salaries owed to the star players, and gate receipts declining markedly
13.
Charlie Bennett
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Charles Wesley Bennett was an American professional baseball player from 1875 or 1876 through the 1893 season. He played 15 years in Major League Baseball, principally as a catcher, with the Milwaukee Grays, Worcester Ruby Legs, Detroit Wolverines and Boston Beaneaters. He played on four pennant-winning teams, one in Detroit and three in Boston, and is one of two players to play with the Detroit Wolverines during all eight seasons of the clubs existence. Bennett compiled a.256 batting average and a.340 on-base percentage during his league career with 549 runs scored,203 doubles,67 triples,55 home runs and 533 runs batted in. His greatest value, however, was as one of the greatest defensive players of his era, Bennetts baseball career ended in January 1894 when he lost both legs in a train accident in Kansas. In 1896, Detroits new baseball stadium was named Bennett Park in his honor, the Detroit Tigers played their home games at Bennett Park from 1896 through the 1911 season. Bennett has also credited with inventing the first chest protector. Bennett was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1854 and his father, Silas Bennett, was a native of Connecticut. His mother, Catherine Bennett, was a native of Pennsylvania, Charlie was the eighth of their 11 children. Bennett began his career in organized baseball as the catcher for the Neshannock team in the Pennsylvania League, Bennett was described while playing for the Neshannocks as a hard hitter who nearly broke the directors of the club because of the number of balls knocked into the Shenango river. While playing for Neshannock, Bennett was the catcher for Cal Hawk, at the end of the 1876 season, at age 22, Bennett signed with the Detroit Aetnas. The Aetnas were originally a baseball team, but the club signed several professional players at the end of the 1876 season to aid in a rivalry with the Cass Club of Detroit. The professional players signed by the Aetnas included three members of the Neshannock team—Bennett, George Creamer and Ned Williamson, Bennetts first appearance for the Aetnas was on September 21,1876, against the Boston Red Stockings at the Woodward Avenue grounds in Detroit. Bennett played third base in the game and, in the first inning, hit a hot one that glanced off the pitcher, some sources state that Bennett signed with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1877 and played in one game for that team. He ultimately signed a contract to play in 1877 for the Milwaukee club at a salary of $150 per month, during Bennetts first season with Milwaukee, the team was part of the League Alliance, which has been classified as a minor league. The following year, the Milwaukee club was admitted to the National League, Bennett made his major league debut on May 1,1878, and appeared in 49 games,35 as a catcher and 20 in the outfield. He compiled a.245 batting average for the Grays with 16 runs scored and 12 RBIs and his battery-mate, Sam Weaver lost 31 games that season. In 1879, after the Milwaukee club disbanded, Bennett joined the Worcester Ruby Legs, the team played in the National Association, which has been rated as having been a minor league in 1879
14.
Fatty Briody
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Charles F. Fatty Briody, nicknamed Alderman, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1877 to 1888. He played eight seasons in Major League Baseball— for the Troy Trojans, Cleveland Blues, Cincinnati Outlaw Reds, St. Louis Maroons, Kansas City Cowboys, Detroit Wolverines, Briody was born in Lansingburgh, New York, four miles outside of Troy, New York. He spent most of his life in Lansingburgh, though he lived in Wisconsin for nine years as a child, Briody began his professional baseball career at age 18 playing for the Troy Haymakers of the League Alliance. By 1879, he was playing for New Bedford in the National Association, on June 16,1880, Briody received a one-game tryout in the major leagues with the Troy Trojans of the National League. Appearing as the catcher in a 9-5 loss against Cleveland, Briody went hitless in four at bats for a.000 batting average, during the 1881 season, Briody played in the Eastern Championship Association for the Washington Nationals and New York Metropolitans. Briody played at the position for the Cleveland Blues of the National League from 1882 to 1884. He made his league debut on June 16,1882. He compiled a.258 batting average with 13 doubles and 13 RBIs and he also compiled a.902 fielding percentage with 251 putouts and 89 assists. In 1883, the Blues acquired catcher Doc Bushong, and Briody became a backup to Bushong, Briody appeared 33 games as a catcher that year and also made appearances at first, second, and third bases. His batting average declined to.234, and his fielding percentage at catcher was.900 with 171 putouts and 46 assists, at the start of the 1884 season, Briody resumed his role as Bushongs backup. He appeared in 42 games as catcher and improved his fielding percentage to.922 with 243 putouts and 74 assists, however, his batting average declined markedly to.169. In the middle of the 1884 season, Briody jumped leagues, in 22games for the Outlaw Reds, Briodys batting average nearly doubled—he compiled a.169 average with Cleveland and hit.337 in 89 at bats for Cincinnati. After his short stint in the Union Association, Briody returned to the National League in 1885 and he was the Maroons catcher in 60 games and compiled an.893 fielding percentage with 243 putouts and 83 assists. However, on returning to the National League, Briodys batting average dropped to.195, in February 1886, St. Louis returned Briody to league control, and he was claimed by the Kansas City Cowboys the following month. Briody played in 54 games as a catcher for the Cowboys, in March 1887, after the Cowboys folded, Briody was again returned to league control where he was claimed by the Detroit Wolverines. The Wolverines had narrowly missed winning the 1886 National League pennant and were loaded with talent, including future Hall of Famers Dan Brouthers, Sam Thompson, Briody played in 33 games as the teams catcher, serving as the back-up to Charlie Ganzel and Charlie Bennett. Briody was suspended mid-season for drunkenness, the Wolverines won the National League pennant in 1887 and went on to defeat the St. Louis Browns in the 1887 World Series. Briody compiled a.227 batting average for Detroit, in 1888, Briody played his final season in the major leagues with the Kansas City Cowboys of the American Association
15.
Pete Conway
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Peter J. Conway was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for five seasons with the Buffalo Bisons, Kansas City Cowboys, Detroit Wolverines, and Pittsburg Alleghenys. He won two games for Detroit in the 1887 World Series and followed in 1888 with a record of 30 wins and 14 losses. He was also the first coach of the Michigan Wolverines baseball team in 1891 and 1892, in his five-year career, Conway had a record of 61–61 with 117 complete games and a 3.59 earned run average. He also played 44 games as an outfielder and his career batting average was.224 with nine home runs and 60 runs batted in. Conway was born in either 1866 or 1867 in the Burmont section of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania and he was the son of Irish immigrants, Francis and Grace Conway. His father was the superintendent of a guardroom and his mother came to the United States as a child in the 1850s. Conway had three brothers, Michael, James and Frank and his older brother James Conway played Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Brooklyn Atlantics and Philadelphia Athletics in 1884 and 1885. Conway began pitching in Major League Baseball with the Buffalo Bisons of the National League in 1885 and he made his Major League debut on August 10,1885. He pitched a complete game victory in his debut against his hometown team. The World of New York reported on Buffalos rookie pitcher, The Buffalo Club tried Conway, of the local Solar Tip Club, in the box today, and he proved quite a success. The six hits obtained by the Philadelphians were scattered, two being made in the first inning and one each in the second, third, fifth and sixth, in the fourth inning, Conway struck out the side, saving a man on third base. One day after his Major League debut, Conway pitched his second game victory. Conway allowed only four hits up to the inning in the game. Two days later, The New York Times took note, Conway, later that week, The New York Times added, Conway, Buffalos new pitcher, is said to be a first-class man. He appears to be doing good work, at the end of September 1885, Conway lost a game against the Brooklyn Giants at the Polo Grounds. Although Brooklyn won the game 11–2, The New York Times again praised the effort of the young Conway, With the exception of the second inning Conway pitched a good game, and was very effective. The support given him, however, was of the worst possible character, during the 1885 season, the 18-year-old rookie appeared in 27 games and pitched 26 complete games. As his debut came on August 11, his 26 complete games were thrown over a period in August
16.
Fred Dunlap
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Sure Shot Dunlap was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball from 1880 to 1891. He was the highest paid player in Major League Baseball from 1884 to 1889 and he has also been rated by some contemporary and modern sources as the greatest overall second baseman of the 19th century. He earned the nickname Sure Shot for the strength and accuracy of his throws to first base and he played for the Cleveland Blues from 1880 to 1883, where he secured his reputation as one of the best players in the game. As a rookie in 1880, he led the National League in doubles, while playing for Cleveland, he also compiled batting averages of.325 and.326 in 1881 and 1883 and led the league in assists by a second baseman and range factor. When the Union Association was formed in 1884, Dunlap was lured to play for the St. Louis Maroons where he became the highest paid player in baseball. His.412 batting average in 1884 was the highest ever recorded to that time in Major League Baseball and 56 points higher than any player in the major leagues in 1884 due to the lack of talent. After three years in St. Louis, Dunlap was sold to the Detroit Wolverines and helped that team win the 1887 National League pennant, Dunlaps baseball career ended in 1891 when he broke his leg sliding into a base. He went into the business and bet on the horses in the 1890s. By 1902, Dunlap was penniless and living in a boarding house. He died of consumption of the bowels in December 1902, Dunlap was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1859. Both of his parents died when he was age 10, Dunlap did not attend school after his parents died and spent his youth playing baseball. Lacking formal education, Dunlap remained illiterate throughout his life, Dunlap began playing semi-pro baseball at age 15 in 1874 for the Gloucester Club in Gloucester City, New Jersey. In 1875, he started the season with the Greighers of Camden, New Jersey and he played for Chester at the start of the 1876 season before joining the Quicksteps of Wilmington, Delaware, as a pitcher. In 1877, he began playing baseball as a second baseman for the Auburns of Auburn. In 1878, he played for teams in Hornellsville and Albany and he remained with Albany in 1879. In May 1880, Dunlap began a 12-year career in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Blues, in his first season, Dunlap immediately established himself as one of the games best players. For the 1880 season, Dunlap led the National League in doubles and ranked second in extra base hits and he also made a strong debut on defense, leading the National League in assists by a second baseman. Dunlap remained with the Cleveland Blues for four seasons and consistently ranked as one of the leading hitters and defensive second basemen in the National League
17.
Henry Gruber
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Henry John Gruber was an American professional baseball pitcher who played from 1885 through 1895. A right-hander, he played five years in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Wolverines and Spiders of the National League and he won 61 games and lost 78 in his career, and had a 3.67 earned run average. He was also the first professional coach hired by the Yale University baseball team, Gruber was born in Hamden, Connecticut, in December 1863. He began his baseball career at age 21, playing for the Hartford Babies of the Southern New England League. He compiled a 16-11 record and a remarkable 1.27 ERA in 241 innings pitched for the Babies, no records exist indicating where or whether Gruber pitched during the 1886 season. Gruber spent most of the 1887 season with the Hartford Dark Blues of the Eastern League and he compiled a 21-7 record and 1.48 ERA in 255 innings for the Dark Blues. After a second season in the minors, Gruber was deemed ready for the major leagues. He made his league debut on July 28,1887. He appeared in seven games for the 1887 Detroit Wolverines, compiling a 4-3 record and his 2.74 ERA was the lowest on a team that won the National League pennant and went on to defeat the St. Louis Browns in the 1887 World Series. Gruber did not appear in any World Series games, in 1888, Gruber remained with the Wolverines. The team had finished in first place with a 79-45 record in 1887, but dropped in 1888 to fifth place and a 68-63 record. Gruber improved his ERA from 2.74 in 1887 to 2.29 in 1888, however, as the teams fortunes declined, Gruber compiled a losing record of 11-14 in 1888. After the 1888 season ended, the Detroit Wolverines franchise was disbanded, in December 1888, the Cleveland Spiders purchased Gruber, Ed Beatin, Sy Sutcliffe and Larry Twitchell from the Wolverines. During the 1889 season, Gruber compiled a 7-16 record and 3.64 ERA in 25 games for the Spiders, in 1890, Gruber jumped to the Cleveland Infants in the newly formed Players League. He has notified the manager that his salary must be sure, Gruber appeared in a career high 48 games and pitched a career high 383 innings for the Infants in 1890. However, Grubers control of the strike zone declined markedly in 1890, after walking only 94 batters in 1889, Gruber walked 204 batters in 1890—the third highest total in the Players League. He also led the league with 36 wild pitches, in his Players League debut, Gruber walked 16 batters in a 23-2 loss to the Buffalo Bisons. Gruber finished the 1890 season as a 20-game winner, but had even more losses with a 22-23 record, the Players League lasted only one season, and Gruber returned to the Cleveland Spiders in 1891
18.
Ned Hanlon (baseball)
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He was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 by vote of the Veterans Committee. Hanlon was a manager in Major League Baseball from 1889 to 1907, compiling a 1 and he is best remembered as the manager of the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas. In the seven seasons from 1894 to 1900, Hanlon compiled a 635–315 record, during his years with the Orioles, Hanlon was also credited with inventing and perfecting the inside baseball strategy, including the hit and run play and the Baltimore chop. Hanlon also played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a center fielder and he played in over 800 games as an outfielder for the Detroit Wolverines, remaining with the team during all eight years of its existence from 1881 to 1888. He compiled a batting average of.260 and an on-base percentage of.325 with 930 runs scored and 1,317 hits. Although stolen base records are not available for the portion of his playing career. Hanlon was born in 1857 at Montville, Connecticut and his parents, Terrance and Mary Hanlon, were immigrants from Ireland. In 1870, Hanlons father worked as a railroad laborer while Ned, at age 13, along with his older brother James and younger brother OBrien worked in a cotton mill to help support the family. By 1880, the family had moved a few miles south to New London, Connecticut, Ned was saved from life in the mill by his talent for baseball. The 1880 census recorded his occupation, in contrast to his family members. Hanlon began his baseball career in 1876 at age 17 or 18 with the Providence. He played third base at Albany, posted a.315 batting average, Hanlon made his major league debut on May 1,1880, as a member of the Cleveland Blues of the National League. He appeared in 73 games for the Blues,69 as an outfielder and four as a shortstop, on June 12,1880, he made the final out of the first perfect game in major league history, a 1-0 victory by Lee Richmond of the Worcester Ruby Legs. Hanlon joined the newly formed Detroit Wolverines in 1881 and he is one of only two players, along with Charlie Bennett, who played for the Wolverines during all eight years of the teams existence. In his eight seasons with the Wolverines, Hanlon compiled a.261 batting average and he hit over.300 only once in his career, compiling a.302 batting average in 1885. During his time with Detroit, Hanlon was considered to be an excellent base-runner, although stolen base records are not available for the years before 1886, Hanlon stole 329 bases in his last six years as a full-time player. His base-running prowess is also evidenced by his scoring 623 runs on only 879 hits for the Wolverines, the Sporting News called him a wonderful base runner and a spark plug. And Buck is one of the best throwers in the League, Hanlon had excellent range in center field, leading the league in outfield putouts in 1882 and 1884 and ranking among the league leaders every year from 1882 to 1887
19.
Jim Manning (baseball)
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James Henry Manning was an American professional baseball player, manager, executive and team owner. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as an outfielder, but also as a second baseman, shortstop and he played four years in the National League with the Boston Beaneaters and the Detroit Wolverines. Manning was one of the three organizers of the Western League in 1893 and was the owner and manager of the Kansas City Cowboys/Blues from 1894 to 1900. He was also one of the organizers of the American League. Manning was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1862 and his parents, Thomas and Catherine Manning, were immigrants from Ireland. His father worked as a common laborer, Manning had three younger sisters, Julia, Elizabeth and Mary. Manning made his debut in professional baseball playing for the Springfield, Massachusetts and he made his major league debut for the Boston Beaneaters in May 1884. At age 22, he appeared in 89 games for the Beaneaters,73 as an outfielder, nine each at second base and shortstop and he compiled a.241 batting average in 345 at bats, and totaled 52 runs,83 hits and 35 RBIs in 89 games. In 1885, Manning appeared in 84 games for Boston,83 of them as an outfielder and his batting average dropped to.206 in 306 at bats. In September 1885, the Detroit Wolverines purchased Manning from the Beaneaters for $500, Manning appeared in 20 games, all at shortstop, for the 1885 Wolverines. The following year, he served as an outfielder for the 1886 Wolverines. After batting.269 in 1885 for Detroit, his average dropped 83 points to.186 in 1886. Manning began the 1887 season in Detroit, but the team was loaded with talent, the Sporting Life opined in February 1887, Jimmy Manning ought not be a substitute in any nine. He is too good a player to be idle most of the time. In May 1887, the Wolverines sent their extra men to the Kansas City Cowboys in order to relieve the club of salary obligations for players it did not need. Manning played in Kansas City for the two months of the 1887 season, but Detroit reclaimed Manning in July, after an injury to second baseman Fred Dunlap. Manning appeared in only 13 games for the 1887 Wolverines,10 in the outfield, in late July 1887, The Sporting News reported that Manning was troubled with malaria that he had contracted in Kansas City. Manning spent all or parts of six seasons with the Kansas City Cowboys from 1887 to 1892 and he was reclaimed by Detroit for 13 games in July, but then returned to Kansas City in the middle of August
20.
Hardy Richardson
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Abram Harding Hardy Richardson, also known as Hardie and Old True Blue, was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1875 to 1892 with a brief minor league comeback in 1898. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, playing at position, including 585 games at second base,544 games in the outfield. Richardson played for six major league teams, with his longest stretches having been for the Buffalo Bisons, Detroit Wolverines, Richardson was born in 1855 at Clarksboro, which is located in the existing municipality of East Greenwich Township, New Jersey. His father, Robert D. Richardson, was a New Jersey native who worked in 1870 as a house carpenter and his mother, Naomi Richardson, was a Pennsylvania native. Richardson grew up in Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, and Gloucester City, by 1870, Richardson, at age 15, was working on a farm. Richardson began playing organized baseball with semipro teams in South Jersey, in 1875, he played at third base and catcher for the Gloucester City, New Jersey club. For a portion of the 1876 season, he played with the Philadelphias, Richardson next played for the Crickets from Binghamton, New York, during the 1876 and 1877 seasons. In 1878, he played for the Utica, New York club in the International Association for Professional Base Ball Players, while playing for Utica, the New York Clipper called him the best fielding center fielder in baseball, he also won The Clipper medal for best fielding average. Richardson joined the Buffalo Bisons of the National League in 1879, as a rookie, Richardson made his major league debut on May 1,1879, and promptly became Buffalos starting third baseman. He compiled a.283 batting average, earned a 2.5 Wins Above Replacement rating and he also led the leagues third basemen in games played, double plays turned, and errors, and ranked second at the position in assists, putouts, and fielding percentage. In 1880, Richardson was again positioned at third base and he saw his batting average drop to.259 and his WAR rating drop to 1.1. He still hit for power and ranked among the leaders with eight triples and 26 extra base hits. Defensively, his performance suffered as he ranked second among the leagues third basemen with 47 errors, after a poor defensive performance in 1880, Richardson was moved to the outfield in 1881. With the move, his average jumped to.291. Showing good power, he ranked among the leaders with nine triples,53 RBIs,29 extra base hits,62 runs scored,100 hits. The move to the outfield also suited Richardson defensively and he led the leagues outfielders with 45 assists and a range factor of 2.84 and ranked third with 179 putouts. Richardsons total of 45 outfield assists was five short of Orator Shafers major league record, in 1882, and despite his solid defensive performance in the outfield, Richardson switched positions for the second time in as many years. This time, he was moved to base, where he played 83 games
21.
Jack Rowe
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John Charles Jack Rowe was an American professional baseball player, manager and team owner from 1877 to 1898. He played 12 years in Major League Baseball, as a shortstop, catcher and his longest stretches were in the National League with the Buffalo Bisons and Detroit Wolverines. He was also a player-manager and part owner of the Buffalo Bisons of the Players League in 1890, and his older brother, Dave Rowe, also played and managed in the major leagues between 1877 to 1888. At age 19, Rowe began his career in organized baseball in 1876 with a club in Jacksonville, in 1877, he played for the Milwaukee club in the League Alliance. He also played in 1877 and/or 1878 under Tom Loftus with the Peoria Reds, in 1879, Rowe and his brother, Dave Rowe, signed with the Rockford, Illinois team in the Northwestern League. At Rockford, Rowe earned a reputation as a hitter and one of the best bare-handed catchers in the game, after the Northwestern League folded in early July 1878, Rowe signed with the Buffalo Bisons of the National League. He made his league debut on September 6,1879, at age 22. Rowe remained with Buffalo for seven years from 1879 to 1885, during the 1879 to 1884 seasons, Rowe was principally a catcher, appearing in 272 games at that position,91 games as an outfielder,55 as a shortstop and 20 at third base. In 1881, he compiled a.333 batting average and led the National League with 11 triples, two of Rowes triples came in one game against the Chicago White Stockings on August 16,1881. His.480 slugging percentage in 1881 was the third highest in the league, in 1882, he registered a 2.7 WAR rating and did not strike out even once in 329 plate appearances. He also hit for the cycle on August 25,1883, Rowe was one of four Buffalo players who became known as the Big Four. The Big Four were regarded for many years as the greatest quartette in the history of the national pastime, during the 1884 season, the Big Four led Buffalo to a third place finish and a 64–47 record – the highest winning percentage in the clubs history. Rowe registered a career high 4.6 WAR rating in 1884 and ranked among the leaders with 14 triples, a.450 slugging percentage. He also led the National Leagues catchers in 1884 with a.943 fielding percentage, in 1885, Rowe transitioned from a catcher to a shortstop, catching 23 games and playing shortstop in 65 games. Despite the strong bats of the Big Four, the Bisons had the worst pitching in the National League with a 4.28 earned run average, the team finished in seventh place with a 38-74 record. The Bisons left the National League after the 1885 season, in September 1885, the Big Four were sold by Buffalo to the Detroit Wolverines. All four remained with the Wolverines for three seasons, until the team disbanded after the 1888 season, during the 1886 season, Rowe appeared in 111 games and was Detroits starting shortstop. He also appeared in three games as a catcher and he compiled a 4.2 Wins Above Replacement rating during the 1886 season, the eighth highest rating among all position players in the National League
22.
Billy Shindle
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William D. Shindle batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Gloucester City, New Jersey and he was slightly built at 5 ft 8 in and 158 pounds. Shindles range factor of 4.34 in 1892 for the Baltimore Orioles is the highest rating recorded by a third baseman in the history of Major League Baseball. He also had range factors over 4.0 for Baltimore in 1888, while his range factor demonstrates his superior speed and ability to get to the ball, Shindle was not as talented at handling the balls once he got to them. In 1890, Shindle played shortstop for Philadelphia in the Players League and was charged with 122 errors, shindles 122 errors in 1890 are tied for the all-time record for most errors by a major league player at any position. Shindle was ranked as the 95th best third baseman of all time in The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract. In a 13-season career, Shindle was a.269 hitter in 1422 games, with 31 home runs,355 extra base hits,992 runs,758 RBI,226 doubles,97 triples, and 318 stolen bases. In 1890, Shindle batted a career-high.322, led the Players League with 282 total bases, Shindle played third base for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms from 1894 to 1898. His 3.7 lifetime Range factor makes him the one defensive third baseman in Dodgers history. In 1894, the 34-year-old Shindle hit.296 with 94 runs scored and 96 RBIs and he retired after the 1898 season at age 38. Shindle died in Lakeland, New Jersey at age 75, List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders Baseball Reference Retrosheet
23.
Larry Twitchell
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Lawrence Grant Twitchell was a professional baseball player from 1886 to 1896. He played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as an outfielder but occasionally as a pitcher and his best seasons were spent with the Detroit Wolverines from 1886 to 1888, the Cleveland Spiders in 1889, and the Louisville Colonels from 1893 to 1894. Known for his throwing arm, Twitchell once reportedly threw a baseball 407 feet. He also served as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1895 and 1896 seasons, Twitchell was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1864. He first built his reputation as a player while playing for the Oberlin College team. Twitchells major league career began inauspiciously in 1886 as a pitcher for the Detroit Wolverines and he was the starting pitcher in four games, threw two complete games, and compiled an 0-2 record with a 6.48 earned run average. He had one hit and two strikeouts in 16 at bats for a.063 batting average. In 1887, Twitchell spent his first full league season with the 1887 Detroit team that won the National League pennant. Twitchell continued to pitch for Detroit in 1887 and also appeared in 53 games as an outfielder, as a pitcher, he compiled the best winning percentage on the championship team with an 11-1 record. He appeared in 15 games as a pitcher,12 as a starter, pitched 11 complete games, Twitchell also proved valuable as a batter with a.333 batting average, six triples,51 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Twitchell also hit well in the World Series where he hit a home run, in 1888, Twitchell completed his evolution from pitcher to outfielder. He appeared in 131 games in Detroits outfield and pitched four innings in relief. However, his average dropped by 90 points from.333 in 1887 to.244 in 1888. He also contributed 19 doubles, four triples, five runs,67 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. After winning the pennant in 1887, the 1888 team finished in place with a 68-63 record. With high salaries owed to the star players, and gate receipts declining markedly. Twitchell was sold in December 1888 to the Cleveland Spiders along with Ed Beatin, Henry Gruber, Twitchell was known for his strong throwing arm, contributing to his success as both a pitcher and an outfielder. One newspaper account published in 1905 states that he held the record for the longest throw of a baseball at 407 feet
24.
Deacon White
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James Laurie Deacon White was an American baseball player who was one of the principal stars during the first two decades of the sports professional era. Although he was already 28 when the NL was established, White played 15 seasons in the major leagues, in 1871, White was the first batter to come to the plate in the National Association, the first professional baseball league. For three years afterward, he joined his younger brother Will, a pitcher, with the Cincinnati Reds. In his mid-30s he became a third baseman when the toil of catching had become too great. Over the 20-year period of his career, White batted.312 and had more RBI than any player except Cap Anson, upon his retirement, he was among baseballs all-time leaders in career games, at bats, hits and total bases. He ranked fourth in total chances at third base, fifth in assists. White was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2013, White was born in Caton, New York, the son of farmer Lester S. White and his wife Adeline. Whites ancestors likely immigrated to America during the Colonial period and his cousin Elmer White also played baseball professionally as James teammate in 1871, in March 1872, Elmer was the first recorded professional baseball player to die. White learned baseball from a Union soldier who returned to his hometown after the Civil War in 1865 and his pro career began in 1868 with the Cleveland Forest Citys club, at a time when no team was entirely composed of professional players. White led his league in batting twice, and in RBI three times, not until 1953, when Roy Campanella topped the NL, would another catcher lead his league in RBI. White started out early enough to have played against the undefeated Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869, on May 16,1884 White recorded 11 assists at third base, which remains the major league record for a nine-inning game although eight other players have since tied the mark. In the rough-and-tumble 19th-century baseball era, White was a nonsmoking, Bible-toting, church-going deacon. In 1889, the contracts of White and teammate Jack Rowe were sold to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, eventually the two men were paid, with White telling a reporter, We appreciate the money, but we aint worth it. Im over 40 and my fielding aint so good, though I can still hit some, no man is going to sell my carcass unless I get half. Complaints like this were part of the reason that the Players League was formed in 1890, according to historian Lee Allen in The National League Story, White believed that the earth is flat. He tried and failed to convince his teammates that they were living on a plane and not a globe. Then one asked to be convinced, and the Deacon gave him an argument suited to the hypothesis that the earth is not really turning and he convinced the teammate but the argument would not prove that the earth is not a sphere. Whites playing career ended after the 1890 season, over the 20-year period from 1871 to 1890, White batted.312 and had more RBI than any player except Cap Anson, and also ranked fourth in career games, at bats, hits and total bases
25.
Stump Wiedman
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George Edward Stump Wiedman was an American professional baseball player from 1880 to 1893. He played nine years in Major League Baseball, principally as a pitcher and outfielder. He appeared in 379 major league games,279 as a pitcher and 122 as an outfielder, and his longest stretches were with the Detroit Wolverines, as a pitcher, he compiled a 101-156 win–loss record with a 3.61 earned run average in 2318 1⁄3 innings pitched. He led the National League in 1881 with a 1.80 ERA and he pitched more innings for the Wolverines than any other pitcher in the clubs history. Wiedman was born in Rochester, New York, in 1861 and he attended Rochester University and was a pitcher on the baseball team there in 1880. He also played for the Hop Hitters Club of Rochester, with Buck Ewing as his catcher, Wiedman made his major league debut with the Buffalo Bisons on August 26,1880. In the final weeks of the 1880 season, Wiedman started 13 games for the Bisons and he compiled a 0–9 record and 3.40 earned run average in 113 2⁄3 innings pitched. Wiedman began the 1881 season with the Washington Nationals, then joined the Albany, New York, after the Albany team folded, Wiedman joined the Detroit Wolverines and brought his catcher Sam Trott with him. Wiedman and Trott made their debut for Detroit on September 3,1881, Wiedman started 13 games for Detroit in the last month of the season, compiling an 8-5 record and 1.18 ERA in 115 innings pitched. He led the National League in ERA and had the lowest WHIP rating at 1.043, Wiedman had another strong year in 1882, winning 25 games, pitching 411 innings and 43 complete games with a WHIP rating of 1.046. On August 17,1882, he was the pitcher in one of the great pitching duels in baseball history. Monte Ward was the pitcher for the Providence Grays, and he, Wiedman allowed only seven hits but lost the game in the 18th inning on a home run by Old Hoss Radbourn, who was playing in right field. While he won 25 games in 1882, Wiedman also ranked among the leaders with 20 losses. Wiedman lost at least 20 games for five seasons from 1882 to 1886. Wiedman also appeared 88 games as an outfielder for the Wolverines during the 1883 and 1884 seasons and he scored 58 runs, had 50 RBIs, and compiled a.175 batting average during those seasons. Applying the sabermetric Wins Above Replacement model, Wiedman earned negative ratings of -1.6, in 1887, Wiedman returned to the Wolverines, where he went 13–7, helping them to the 1887 National League pennant. Over the course of six seasons, Wiedman pitched more innings for the Wolverines than any pitcher in the clubs history. After the 1885 season, Wiedman was released by the Wolverines to league control and he appeared in 51 games as a starting pitcher for the Cowboys, including 48 complete games, and also appeared in three games as an outfielder
26.
Bill Watkins
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He began playing organized baseball in Canada and Michigan and played one season of Major League Baseball as an infielder for the Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1884. He led the 1887 Detroit Wolverines to the first professional sports championship for Detroit with a National League pennant and he was also the business manager of the 1914 Indianapolis Hoosiers team that won the Federal League pennant, the first and only major league baseball championship for Indianapolis. Watkins was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, in 1858 and his parents, John Harton Watkins and Eliza Jane Watkins, were immigrants to Canada from Wales and Ireland, respectively. His mother died in 1868, and he was raised by his maternal grandparents in Erin. Watkins attended Upper Canada College in Toronto for one year, and he began playing organized baseball in 1876 as part of the team in Milton, Ontario. He also held jobs as an apprentice for a manufacturer of novelty games, in 1879, at age 21, Watkins moved to Port Huron, Michigan, where he lived for the next 40 years. From 1879 to 1880, Watkins played for the Maple Leafs of Guelph in Southwestern Ontario, the Maple Leafs won the Canadian amateur championship while Watkins was a player. In 1881 and/or 1882, he was a player-manager for the Atlantic Club of St. Thomas and he led the Athletics to the Ontario provincial baseball championship in 1881. Watkins joined the Port Huron, Michigan, baseball club late in the 1882 season, in 1883, he served as player-manager for the Port Huron club, playing at third base, and leading the club to a Michigan State League championship. In September 1883, Watkins was hired to take over as manager of the Bay City and he led Bay City to a tie for first place in the Northwest League when the team disbanded in July 1884. On August 1,1884, Watkins made his league debut with the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the American Association. Watkins appeared in 34 games,23 at third base, nine at second base, Watkins also took over as the Hoosiers manager, compiling a 4-18 record. On August 26,1884, Watkins was hit on the head by a pitch from Gus Shallix, the Cincinnati Enquirer described the incident as follows, With two out, Watkins came to bat and fell a victim to one of the swift curves of Shallix. The poor fellow ducked his head, but it was too late, and he rolled over into the diamond, while a thrill of horror passed through the hearts of those in the stands. He was half carried, writhing nervously with pain, to the directors room, newspaper accounts indicate that he hovered between life and death for five days. It took two weeks for him to recover and during time, he lost 16 pounds. Watkins returned briefly as a player after the injury, but his performance was substantially diminished, on September 14,1884, Watkins error at second base let in most of Baltimores runs in a 4-4 tie game. He appeared in his game as a player on October 13,1884
27.
1887 Detroit Wolverines season
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The 1887 Detroit Wolverines season was a season in American baseball. The team won the 1887 National League pennant, then defeated the St. Louis Browns in the 1887 World Series, the season was the teams seventh since it entered the National League in 1881. It was the first World Series championship for the Detroit Wolverines, on March 13, after training in Macon, Georgia‚ the Wolverines began a six-week exhibition tour through the South and Midwest. Catching duties were divided between Charlie Ganzel and Charlie Bennett, both were good defensive catchers, though neither hit particularly well. Bennett had a fielding percentage than Ganzel, but Ganzel was stronger in range factor. Bennetts career in baseball ended when he lost both his legs in a train accident, when the Detroit Tigers opened their new ballpark in 1896, they named it Bennett Park in his honor. It remained Bennett Park until 1912, when the newly built stadium on the site was named Navin Field. First baseman Dan Brouthers was the first of four future Hall of Famers to play for the 1887 Wolverines, Brouthers won five batting titles and seven slugging titles, and his career batting average of.342 is the 9th highest in major league history. Brouthers was a key to the Wolverines offensive output in 1887 as he led the National League in runs, doubles, extra base hits, on-base percentage, times on base, and OPS. He was also among the leaders with a.338 batting average.562 slugging percentage,20 triples,12 home runs,101 RBIs,71 walks. The second baseman duties were split between Fred Dunlap and Hardy Richardson, Dunlap played 65 games at second base but missed two months due to an injury. As a result, Richardson played 64 games at second base in addition to 58 games as the left fielder. Richardson was a big contributor to the 1887 Wolverines, as he hit for a.327 average with 51 extra base hits,131 runs scored,178 hits and 94 RBIs, Richardson was also a good fielder both at second base and in left field. Jack Rowe played 124 games at shortstop for the 1887 Wolverines, Rowe was part of “The Big Four” that Detroit owner Fred Stearns purchased from the Buffalo Bisons for $7,000 before the 1886 season. The purchase of four of the best players in all at one time drew wide attention. Rowe had a big year for the Wolverines, with a.318 batting average,135 runs scored,171 hits,96 RBIs,30 extra base hits, Rowe hit for the cycle for the Wolverines on August 21,1886. Rowe later suffered a breakdown and died at age 54. Third baseman Deacon White was also part of The Big Four acquired from Buffalo before the 1886 season, White won two batting crowns earlier in his career but was 39 years old in 1887
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Detroit
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Detroit is the most populous city in the U. S. state of Michigan, the fourth-largest city in the Midwest and the largest city on the United States–Canada border. It is the seat of Wayne County, the most populous county in the state, the municipality of Detroit had a 2015 estimated population of 677,116, making it the 21st-most populous city in the United States. Roughly one-half of Michigans population lives in Metro Detroit alone, the Detroit–Windsor area, a commercial link straddling the Canada–U. S. Border, has a population of about 5.7 million. Detroit is a port on the Detroit River, a strait that connects the Great Lakes system to the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is among the most important hubs in the United States, the City of Detroit anchors the second-largest economic region in the Midwest, behind Chicago, and the thirteenth-largest in the United States. Detroit and its neighboring Canadian city Windsor are connected through a tunnel and various bridges, Detroit was founded on July 24,1701 by the French explorer and adventurer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and a party of settlers. During the 19th century, it became an important industrial hub at the center of the Great Lakes region, with expansion of the American automobile industry in the early 20th century, the Detroit area emerged as a significant metropolitan region within the United States. The city became the fourth-largest in the country for a period, in the 1950s and 1960s, suburban expansion continued with construction of a regional freeway system. A great portion of Detroits public transport was abandoned in favour of becoming a city in the post-war period. Due to industrial restructuring and loss of jobs in the auto industry, between 2000 and 2010 the citys population fell by 25 percent, changing its ranking from the nations 10th-largest city to 18th. In 2010, the city had a population of 713,777 and this resulted from suburbanization, corruption, industrial restructuring and the decline of Detroits auto industry. In 2013, the state of Michigan declared an emergency for the city. Detroit has experienced urban decay as its population and jobs have shifted to its suburbs or elsewhere, conservation efforts managed to save many architectural pieces since the 2000s and allowed several large-scale revitalisations. More recently, the population of Downtown Detroit, Midtown Detroit, paleo-Indian people inhabited areas near Detroit as early as 11,000 years ago. In the 17th century, the region was inhabited by Huron, Odawa, Potawatomi, for the next hundred years, virtually no British, colonist, or French action was contemplated without consultation with, or consideration of the Iroquois likely response. When the French and Indian War evicted the Kingdom of France from Canada, the 1798 raids and resultant 1799 decisive Sullivan Expedition reopened the Ohio Country to westward emigration, which began almost immediately, and by 1800 white settlers were pouring westwards. By 1773, the population of Detroit was 1,400, by 1778, its population was up to 2,144 and it was the third-largest city in the Province of Quebec
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Recreation Park (Detroit)
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Recreation Park was a ballpark located in Detroit. The ballpark was home to the Detroit Wolverines of the National League from 1881 to 1888, the Wolverines won the National League Pennant while playing at Recreation Park during the 1887 season. Recreation Park was also home to league teams in Detroit during 1889-1891 before being demolished in 1894. The first major league game in Detroit was played here on May 2nd,1881. The Park was on a site some distance north of the downtown. The field was laid out so that the foul lines hit the fences at a 135° angle, similar to the Polo Grounds and various other parks of that era. It was bounded on the south by Brady Street, on the east by Beaubien Street, Brush Street made a T-intersection against Brady at the southwest corner of the lot where the main entrance gate was. For that reason, the location is given as simply Brady. A dirt track surrounded the field and wooden stands. Although the ballpark is long gone, Harper Hospital still exists, housed in a new building, a historical marker commemorating Recreation Park is placed in what was once left field, among the buildings of the present Detroit Medical Center
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1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers season
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The 1887 Indianapolis Hoosiers finished with a 37–89 record in the National League, finishing in last place in their first season in Indianapolis. They had played the three seasons in St. Louis, Missouri as the Maroons. Following the 1886 season, the Maroons franchise was purchased by the National League, on March 8, the Hoosiers additionally purchased a number of players who were under league control. Technically, these players were purchased from the Maroons franchise, among these players were Henry Boyle, John Cahill, Jerry Denny, Jack Glasscock, Egyptian Healy, John Kirby, Jack McGeachey, George Myers, Otto Schomberg and Emmett Seery. March 9,1887, The Hoosiers obtained Mert Hackett and Charley Bassett, july 2,1887, John Kirby was sold by the Hoosiers to the Cleveland Blues for $800 to $1000. August 15,1887, Lev Shreve was purchased by the Hoosiers from the Baltimore Orioles, august 19,1887, Tom Brown was signed by the Hoosiers as a free agent. Note, Pos = Position, G = Games played, AB = At bats, H = Hits, = Batting average, HR = Home runs, RBI = Runs batted in Note, G = Games played, AB = At bats, H = Hits, Avg
