Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-23
FIRST TRIP OF
A COLLEGE NINE
Overwhelming Defeat of the
Harvard Team by the 0Iym-
pics in 1870 Recalled.

The College Graduate crossed the line of
reticence and Joined the gossipers at
downtown resort. II have been listening
for a long time to you fellows speaking
about the epochmaking teams and times
Of the early days of base ball." he said.
land II any Of you knew what you were
talking about you would have long ago
mentioned the first trip made by a college
team, which made every bit as big stir
throughout the land as did the famous trip
Of the Nationals in 1896. b.,
THE first college team Of America to
make a tour Of this country was my alma
mater. Harvard You see, up to 1870 Bos-
ton had no outfit Of note in the professional
ranks. as our team walloped the only two
teams there. the Mountains and the
Lowells. with uniform regularity. Harvard
had a good team, and at a mass meeting
Of all the students it was decided to send
the nine on a long tour Of the country.
Il want to say right here that in 1870 that
Hafxard College team was as strong as any
OF the professional mines that hourished in
that year. and its record Of twenty victories
to five defeats when travelling was a note
worthy achievement for ,ollegians. one that
has never been equaled since the colleges
have taken up the game as fixture.
ven July 4 and ended in Boston August l6,
we defeated Yale. Rose Hill. the Hay
makers of Troy, Uticas Eckfords, Ontarios,
Niagaras, Forest City of Cleveland Eagles
Of Louisville. White Stockings Of Chicago,
Cream City. Milwaukees, Amateurs Of Chi
cago. Indianapolis. Olympics and Nationals
Of Washington, Maryland and Pastimes of
Baltimore, Intrepids Of Philadelphia and
Stars OF -Brooklyn: while their defeats were
at the hands of the Forest Citys of Cleve-
land, Red Stockings, Mutuals and Atlantics
Of New York, Athletics of Philadelphia, and
Olympics Of this city.
They arrived In Washington Wednesday,
August 8. travelling all the way from In
sdianapolis without rest or STOP which, 1t
must be remembered. was quite a different
matter in those days from what the same
trip is now. They put up at old Wizards
Hotel. and were the recipients Of all sorts
Of entertainments. from the White House
down through cabinet and departmental
life.
THE collegians expected an easy victory
over the Washington clubs, and their first
game here came up to their expectations.
they defeated the old National nine 80
to IL. The youngsters showed up splendid
ly in every department Of the game in this
contest, and every one predicted a great
contest when the Olympic team met the
collegians. as the Olympics were then the
stronger Of the two local outfits, owing to
the recent drafting Of some of the Ma
tionalS' stars
THE college lads. although played out
after their long journey and their fast game
with the Nationals. went into the opening
game with the Olympics confident of sue
cess, but with that unconscious tired feel
ing and nonchalance, which soon was made
manifest in a complete reversal of form
from that shown the previous day. But
some credit must be given to the Olympics,
for they had won the title of champions
of the south by their victories over the
much -demoralized Nationals and the two
teams of Baltimore. and were working hard
under the tutelage of Capt. Nick Young
who had developed a system OF team work
that woke the Harvard team up only too
late. Our lads clamored for revenge in the
next game, but the Olympics refused to
play and forfeited the ball. 8 to O.
Capt. Eustis Of Harvard said after the
game that his team made more errors in
their play that day than they did in all
their other games put together. and he at
tributed 1t to their fatigue after the long
and hot trip from Indianapolis to WASH
ington.
although It is my own college and all
that, and would naturally rather speak of
the victory than the defeat, the score Of the
defeat seems the more interesting owing to
the swollen error column of the collegians
This was their only real breakdown of
long and wearisome trip. and should not in
the least detract from their epoch-making
achievement"