Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-19


were unanimously agreed to be the cham
pfons Of the country. This was before the
days Of schedules A club that defeated
other clubs or large majority of the other
quent owing to the expense attached, and
when club from another city did come, it
was a great occasion. A holiday was vir-
tually declared and every one adjourned to
the ball grounds to see the game. The
western trip of the Nationals was an I'M
heard of thing, and too much credit cannot
he given its projectors. The Nationals
swept everything before Them They de-
feated the crack clubs of Cincinnati. Co.
lumbus, Indianapolis, st. Louis and Chica-
so. Mr.. German, Mr.. Coon, Mr. Chadwick
and Col Frank Jones went along with the
club. the latter undertaking the manage
ment of the trip. The club had just beaten
the St Louis club and were turning their
faces eastward when they received a chal-
lenge from the young Rockfordans. They
probably smiled contemptuously and agreed
to go over to Rockford and show the boys
how to play. But they moderated their op-
ponents and We're soundy trounced-l2 to ;,
Ihere was young man in the box for
Rockford who was destined to make h..
mark in the world and it was largely to
his prowess that the Nationals owed their
defeat. 1t was Albert G. Spalding, known
for years in the base ball world as AL
IL was on the strength of this game that he
was afterward secured to pitch by the Bos-
ton champions, and his career began. Fra
dition says that Pop Ansons father play
ed first base for Rockford that day and
That there was a certain fiery headed
younSster on third named Adrian. At any
rate Capt Arson became a ball player at
Rockford, and it is diamonds to dough-.
nuts that he played if it was possible. The
next day, burning for revenge, the Nationals
met ChicaSo's foremost nine. the Excel
slors, and gave them the worst drubbing
in the clubs history. Then they came home
to be received with much rejoicing.
Billy Williams Pitching.
great deal of the success of the Ma
tionals must be credited to Billy Williams
pitching. He pitched a remarkably swift
ball. An old base ball patron who saw him
pitch frequently says that ne once saw
Williams pitch a ball that was struck at
ana which lit the backStop before striking
lhe ground. 1t was probably a skillfully
disguised underhand throw. The ulnpires.
who, by the way, had much easier time
then than now. could not positively declare
that it was not pitch, and did not rule it
out. According to the rule. the arm had
to swing perpendicular to the ground and
parallel with the body. Mcbride of the
Athletics was also a swift pitcher of the
same class. and to his ability the great sue
cess of Al. Reach's nine was due.
Pitchers nowadays talk of overwork. but
In those days it was work to pitch game
henry Chadwick writes that he knew a
pitcher pitching sixty balls to a batsman
before he got strike. Games lasted four
and five hours. The Nationals game with
u.
hours and forty minutes in being played.
The great success of the Nationals in 1867
marked the climax of base ball enthusiasm
in this city. Fewer clubs sent delegates to
the national convention and in 1858, when
TIE convention was held at MetZerott Hall
In this city. December 9, only five clubs
were representative Olympias, Potomacs.
Jetfersons, Nationals ard Unions Mr.. K.
NJ DTinkaId of this city was nominated
for president, but Thos. Tassie of New
York was successful. Mr.. Chas. E. Coon
was, however, chosen recording secretary
without opposition. Mr.. Chadwick. who
represented the Potomacs of this city. was
made chairman of the rules committee;
Mr.. Drinkard, chairman of the nominations
committee ara Mr.. A. r. Benner. repre-
senting the Nationals, member OF the
judiciary committee.
beginning of Professionalism.
Professionalism now began to creep in
Harry Wright in 1860 organized the famous
Cincinnati Reds. and hired the best base
ball talent They defeated everything.
Other clubs followed suit. Boston in turn
engaged the best men en- the Cincinnati
team. The sport became L business. Then
the organization OF tie first professional
Lase ball association followed in 1871. The
Olympics had come to the front with
The strongest local team. and they sent del
aeates to a convention in New York. The
other clubs represented were Athletics of
Philadelphia, the Bostons. Chicagos, Mu-
tuals of New York, Haynakers of Troy,
Ny; Clevelands. Keckicngas of Fort
WAYNE and our old friends the Rockfords.
The Olympics finished fifth, winning six
teen and losing fifteen games. Eacn club
played four games with every other CLUB
Two more clubs came in next year. the Ma
tionals of this city being one. But their
ole infielder, George Wright, w3s with
Boston, who had the invincDle Spalding as
pitcher. and the Nationals JAILED to win
game. losing eleven. The Olympics won
two and lost seven. In 1913 the Olympics
dropped out. The Nationals improved
somewhat. and went from the tail end up
to third from last. winning eight games
too much, and the capital city dropped out,
and was not represented in 1874. The next
year was the last of the association. Wash
ington took another try. and finished
fourth from last, winning four and losing
twenty-five games.
So many abuses had crept into the game
that 1t was decided TO organize new
ISOLATION, and the National League was
formed February >. 1876. Washington was
not at first represented
Washington, however. went into the ma
tional association. and achieved an honor
able rank. They finished second in 1879.
Albany winning first place and HoIyoke,
third. The other clubs in the association
were Worcester. Utica, Springfield. Mass;
New Bedford and Manchester. The ma
tional team consisted OF Houck, McClelland,
Derby, Phil Baker, John Lynch Ellick.
Booth. Beiaski, Sam Trott, Myerle, Tier
ney. Glenn, Battin, Mack, Latham and
Sweeney.
The following year the Nationals were
greatly strengthened. Charley Snyder
caught. Lynch pitched and Joe Gerhardt
covered second. The others were G. H.
Latham, F. J. Warner. McClelland. S. E.
Dignan. Phil Baker, G. H. Derby, Morrisy
and S. w. Trott.
1t was crack team in every way. The
Chcagos won the National League cham
pionship that year and We're challenged by
the Washington team to series of twelve
games. They accepted. The Nationals
won seven, two were tied and lost only
three. Arson declared afterward that it
was the greatest team In the country. Col.
A. F. Rockwell was president of the club.
Chas. E White. first vice president; Chas.
II. Brown, second vice president: Joseph Y.
Potts, secretary, and Henry b. Bennett,
treasurer
The game which gave Washington the
victory was played on the 18th street
grounds in this city. 1t was the last in
was at bat. Morr;sy had
two strikes on him and two were out. A
good ball came and M0rrsy drove 1t for
two bags and brought in the winning run.
The scene of wild enthusiasm that follow
ed can hardly be described. Many citizens
have not yet recovered.
The Nationals easily led the association,
which disbanded before the season was
finished.
American md Union Associations.
Tho leapua would have gladly taken in