The Washington herald., 1910-11-27


by reason OF the color OF the uniforms
in the olden days survive TO considerable
extent. There was not the uniformity OF
dress in the beginnings OF the game that
has been observed since. especially in the
color OF the tunics and knickerbockers.
but the stockings have long served as
a distinctive mark on the ield. When
teams carried only nine or ten men. as
was tho custom even as late as 1880, II
was no unusual sight to see a plcked-up
player, in on emergency, jump into the
game in his shirt sleeves and often give
a much better account OF himself than
did many OF those properly uniformed.
And in SOME cases. 1t was nondescript
group OF uniforms that assembled. IN
obedience to the umpire's play ball. =
The famous Cincinnati Red Stocking"
team OF 1863 that has come down in his
tory with such a glamour OF glory were
The first TO bear name based upon the
color Of the stockings. Then very quick
~ followed the Boston Reds, the Provi-
dence Grays, the ST. Louis Browns. Ma
rooms. and Cardinals; the Cincinnati
Reds. tha Chicago White SoX. a name
that obtains to-day. and in 1850 a Balti-
more team appeared with green stock
ings
Location and the name or the cities
whence club hailed has played prom
inent part in distinctive names. This
accounts for calling the Philadelphia Ma
tionals "Quakecs," ST. Louis club col
onels" the washington club Nationals
name that has had nothing to do with
the National League: the Baltimore
club Orioles" the Milwaukee club
Brewers" the Minneapolis club MIL
lers," and the like.
IL was from the two recent presidents
of the Boston Nationals - George B.
Dovey, 1g07-0S-09 and John 5 c. Dewey.
909-i0-that the name % Doves as APP
piled 10 that team. was derived. and not
from any alusion 10 the bird of peace.
Surface cars and narrow streets are re-
sponsble for BrOOklyns name OF ''TrOl-
ley Dodgers" A playful Interpretation
OF the initial letter of the Chicago Ma
tiOnais suggests Cubs" and the same
influence is seen in. the Pittsburg Pr
ates" and the Buffalo "Bisons. RecOg-
milton Of the great leading qualities OF
ajoie gives Cleveland the name Of
maps" as has also caused the Philadel-
phia Americans TO be known as the
"Mackmen." But the other name Of the
long tradition, for in the DAYS around the
early sos the Athletics was the one big
team ia that city, and Il carried the
fame Of Philadelphia on into the o4d
American Association with great credit.
The New York Nationals take the two
names Of Yankees and Giants" the
former by reason OF its Eastern location
and the latter frem the size of most of
its players such as big Roger Conner,
Buck Ewing, and many like them, when
the ne0.e was first applied. The team
has since tried % retain the name by
making up in prowess what It has lost
IN the stature Of players And these
names distinguish them from their more
elevated rivals. the "Highlanders." or
'.Hutoppers." The animal world has
been drawn upon Cor many names or
emhems of clubs and so there are the
Detroit Tigers" the Athletics as White
Elephants" and others already men
toned
In the early days "Haymakers" was
popular name which was probably first
jocuarly applied 10 the Unions Of Ian
singburg. n Y. back as far as 1853 The
name was afterWard adopted as that of
The leading club Of Troy. in the National
League
What is there that makes some men
over their fellows as they speak fsmil-
iarly Of an eminent baseball player by
his first name or his nickname? Is 1t
something Of the sort of feeling that
made the fellow feel good who had
shaken the hand that shook the hand that
shook the hand Of Sullivan? If only the
official records Of the old days had been
little freer with the use OF the first
names Of the Smiths, Millers, Sweeneys,
and some Of the others the baseball his
torian's work would be @suy easier to-
day.
Bat in the olden days much more than
now. II was considered mark of dis
tiuetion 10 greet batter coming 20 the
plate with familiar exhortauon 20 do
violent things 70 the ball for the honor
Of :he nome club, and II was on such oc-
casions that the familiar nieknames OF
PLAYERS were affectionately and admiring-
" brought into loud-mouthed service.
Many a player goes through his whole
career known only 10 the great majority
OF fans by his popular nickname. Few
are aware that Dixie" Walker is named
Evart. and so IL is with hundreds Of
other PLAYERS whose deeds are more ia
miiar than their given names
IN the giving OF nicknsmes, there may
be found the same influences at work, II
we care 20 trace them, as it is said
caused the giving of the surnames that
we all bear One of these is based upon
physical peculiaTities. Just rs the first
Armstrong had a strong arm, and the
FIRST Whitehead was so endowed so we
find Long John" Reilly. who covered
first base for Cincinnati and the old
Nets. between 1850 and 1890; SHORTY"
Fuller. who played with Washington and
St Louis A. A. between 1SSS and 1880;
big George Bell. the BROOKLYN pitcher;
big Bilr' LANCE, the left fielder Of the
Chicago Nationals. who was wise enough
10 retire in the heydav OF fame and for
tune 10 an eminent place in San Fran
cisco Then there has been kids in
Vulnerable. indicative Of both youth and
SMALL size, name FOR which TIE priZe
ring is perhaps largely responsible. The
EARLIEST OF the long line ~ kids" was
kid" Baldwin, who pitched Cor Boston
Nationals, CHICAGO Nationals. Cincinnati
A A.. Chicago Players League. Column
bus A. A. and pittshure Nationals be-
tween 1SN and 1893 kid Gleason was
the oldest second basemen who after
long service was with Philadelphia Ma
tiohais as late 81 1908 and was In no way
related 70 Jack and old Bill Of the
Kerry Patch" in ST Louis Among the
latest Is kid Elherfeld. Of our own
times Babe" Adams. or Charles B
Adams pitcher for Pittsburg and who
burst into prominence by his pitching in
The worlds series OF 1903 takes his name
from his youthful appearance.
TIE name Chic" seems 10 rival kid"
IN its application 10 PLAYERS. and Chic"
Stahl Chic" Brandon. and "Chic" Ev-
ans are remembered Jap" Barbeal d,
the Third hasemnn for Pittsburg ard ST
Louis Nationals In 1893 takes his name
Fror, hf rfI,tr eFyFv l,f..r-