Archive for July, 2010

 

The first postseason National League meeting – early December 1876.

A glimpse here will tell a lot about the state of the game and the concerns of those involved.

Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune 12/10/1876.

Concern for the continuance of the league and the direction the professional game is headed:

Those present:

The Philadelphia and new York clubs were expelled from the league for failing to honor their schedules. This is rather ill-advised since those two cities have the greatest fan bases:

The Philadelphia club pleaded the NL to reconsider but it was a no-go. The NY club was not present and merely accepted its fate and didn’t plead with officials.

Jim Devlin appealed to the league to void his contract with Louisville because he claimed to be unfairly reprimanded by the club. Of course, we know that Devlin was expelled from the league at the end of 1877 for game-fixing:. The matter was later withdrawn.

Bob Ferguson sought the expulsion of Tommy Bond for “defamatory charges.” The NL decided not to take jurisdiction in the matter.

NL drew up provisions for accepting new clubs into the fold.

Strengthening of the blacklist:

Amendments to the playing rules:

Selecting umpires:

Scoring definitions and concerns were addressed extensively (not included here).

Also, the election of a new board:

Nick Apollonio was asked to accept the presidency but he declined, stating he was unsure of his committment to the sport. William Hulbert of Chicago was then elected president.

Next, a discussion of the ever-important tracking of gate receipts:

Respecting of contracts with other leagues – the fundamental building block of organized baseball:

Next meeting is set for Cleveland, 12/1877

Some Notes:

 

Dual-Ball Trick, one dead, one lively

Causes a near-riot

Baltimore Unions of the Union Association vs. Portsmouth, VA

Exhibition game on 8/13/1884 in Portsmouth

Actors:

• Baltimore first baseman Charlie Levis
• Baltimore shortstop Lou Say
• Baltimore left fielder Emmitt Seery

Baltimore Sun 8/14/1884

Washington Post 8/14/1884

I ran across the name Henry Tracy while researching Ed Pinkham. They lived together in the 1870 U.S. Census in Chicago.

Tracy is listed as a 25-year-old baseballist from New York, similar biographical data as Pinkham.

The Henry Tracy listing made me think of Fred Treacey who, like Pinkham, was with the Chicago White Stockings that year.

A couple of things:

• Not many New York baseballists were lured to Chicago before 1870 so he was probably a friend of Pinkham’s
• If it wasn’t Treacey (as the Henry doesn’t match), what team was Tracy recruited for?
• It seems obvious from the “baseballist” listing that Tracy was a professional.
• Haven’t located Fred Treacey in 1870 Census in Chicago

So who was Henry Tracy?

 

Open note to the SABR Biographical Committee and SABR College Database:

While searching Ancestry.com, I came across Peter Treacey with St. John’s College (Fordham) in the 1870 U.S. Census.

His middle initial is listed as “I.” (Listed as “Peter I. Treecy’)

Listed as 17 years old as of July 19, 1870

• Ancestry.com
• New York State
• Westchester County
• West Farms
• Page 151 of 242
• Line 27

 

Johnny Wright, the Forgotten #2
 

John Richard Wright

New Orleans-born, 5′11″, 175-lbs, righthanded pitcher Johnny Wright started his professional career with the New Orleans Zulus in 1936 at age 17. The Zulus were as much sports entertainment as a legitimate baseball team, in the mold of the Harlem Globetrotters of the era.

Playing in Louisville in 1937, Wright was picked up by the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League, a big league club. He also played for the Atlanta Black Crackers and Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1938, Toledo/Indianapolis Crawfords from 1939-40 before joining the famed Homestead Grays in 1941.

The Grays of the era won an unprecedented nine consecutive pennants. The club, managed by Candy Jim Taylor, boasted some of the game’s all-time greats: Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Howard Easterling, Sam Bankhead, Jud Wilson.

The club won its first Negro World Series in 1943 behind the pitching of Ray Brown, Roy Partlow and Wright. Wright won 25 games during the regular season and posted two shutouts during the series.

Wright was known as a speedy pitcher with good control and a sharp curve. Opponents described Wright as throwing harder than Satchel Paige. Monte Irvin, a former teammate and opponent, described Wright’s curve ball as “major-league quality.”

After the 1943 season, Wright joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. While in the Navy he pitched for the Great Lakes Naval Station team, a black club.

By 1945, he was playing for the Brooklyn Naval Air Base team where he posted a 15-4 record and was said to have the best ERA in the armed forces. Also in early 1945, he pitched well in an exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. At the end of the season in 1945, Wright joined the Grays and pitched in three contests; winning them all. He also appeared in the Negro World Series.

In late October 1945 Branch Rickey made the announcement of the jackie Robinson signing. Two+ weeks later, the Negro leagues were protesting to Commissioner Happy Chandler claiming that Rickey was tampering with their players. Wright and Robinson were the named players. (Chandler refused to hear the protest.)

So, soon after the Robinson announcement, the Dodgers were chasing Wright; in fact, reports suggest that Wright actually signed a contract on November 20 with the Dodgers.

However, the Dodgers made no such announcement until January 29, 1946. Thus, Wright became the second officially recognized African-American to sign a contract with organized baseball during the integration era.

Several reasons would later be given for Wright’s signing . Among them some speculate that Rickey merely wanted a compatriot for Robinson during his first spring in organized ball. Other strongly contest this, noting the skill and proven effectiveness of Wright on the mound.

Clyde Sukeforth, Rickey’s scout, chimed in, “I don’t think that the reports indicated that Johnny Wright was an outstanding pitcher, but apparently Mr. Rickey thought he would be an excellent companion.”

At the beginning of spring training on March 4, 1946 at about 9:30 am Robinson and Wright walked onto the field at Daytona Beach, Florida, the first openly-accepted black players of the 20th century.

Both men were married (Wright with two children); however, unlike Robinson, Wright did not have his family staying with him at Sanford that spring. Wright’s season wouldn’t go as well either.

In the spring Wright was hit hard in an intrasquad game against the Dodgers, giving up 8 runs on 10 hits in five innings. In another intrasquad game, he walked four in four innings, giving up two runs on three hits. In his last appearance, he walked four and hit another in one inning.

Both Robinson and Wright land with the Montreal Royals of the International League when the season began. In his first appearance (against Syracuse), Wright entered in relief. He gave up 4 runs and 5 hits over 3.1 innings.

The next time on the mound Wright pitched in Baltimore, the southern-most city in the
International League, and a hostile environment for black players. He entered in the sixth
inning behind by five. He retired the side and finished the game without giving up a hit. After that, he sat idle for two weeks and, despite the impressive outing, was demoted to Three Rivers (Quebec) of the Class-C Canadian-American League on May 14. Roy Partlow would join Wright at Three Rivers.

Wright went 12-8 with Three Rivers, plus winning the deciding game of the championship series. At the end of the season, Wright would barnstorm with Robinson’s “All-Star” squad.

Wright rejoined the Grays for 1947, making the All-Star team and winning eight games. H retired after the 1948 season, returning to New Orleans. There, he worked for National Gypsum Company, rarely discussing his baseball days.

 

Ed Pinkham

Edwin B. Pinkham was born to Joseph and Ann Pinkham in August 1846. Joseph, born circa 1803, and Ann, born circa 1819, were both born in England. Joseph was a leather dealer. Edwin had six siblings (all born in New York):

• Mary, circa 1837
• Emeline, circa 1839
• Joseph, 1842
• William, circa 1843
• Ann, circa 1849
• Charlotte, circa 1853

Ed and family appear in the 1850 U.S. Census living in New York City, Ward #17; thus, it is more likely that he was born in NYC than as normally stated in Brooklyn. By 1860, the family was indeed living in Brooklyn. His mother does not appear in the 1860 Census with the family but Ed is listed as living with her in Hampstead, New York in the 1870s.

Ed was exposed to baseball at a young age. His older brothers, Joseph by 4 years and William by 3 years, were also ballplayers. A Pinkham played left field with the Free and Easy club, a junior team, of Brooklyn in 1860. Ed would have been only 14 years old at the time. It might be more probable that it was Joseph or William.

Ed joined Company C, 47^th Infantry Regiment New York as a private on May 27, 1862 at age 15. He mustered out 3+ months later on September 1. His brother Joseph entered and left the same company on the same dates.

Ed sized out at around 5’7” and 142 pounds. He batted and threw lefthanded.

He played for the junior club of the Eckfords of Brooklyn at least in 1863 and ’64, perhaps earlier. On July 21, 1864, the 17-year-old Pinkham was called on to start the regular season for the parent Eckford club. He pitched well and won 37-22. According to Marshall Wright’s statistics in The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870, it was the club’s only victory during an abbreviated season during the war; nevertheless, Pinkham wasn’t used by the parent club again that season. Presumably, he picked up again with the junior club.

Brooklyn Eagle 7/22/1864

Eckfords – 1865

Pinkham rejoined the parent club for the 1865 season, playing mostly second base. George Zettlein was the club’s main pitcher.

Enterprise – 1866

He joined the Enterprise club of Brooklyn in 1866. He appeared in 14 games at pitcher and second base. The club posted a 9-6 record.

Orientals – 1867-1868

In 1867, Pinkham joined the Orientals of Greenpoint, New York. Today, Greenpoint is in the north part of the Brooklyn borough. He appeared in 15 games at pitcher. The club won 15 against 3 losses.

In 1868 the club was 8-3; Pinkham apeared in 10 games at pitcher and shortstop.

Eckfords – 1869

Pinkham returned to the Eckfords, now a professional squad, for the 1869 season. He appeared in 51 games mainly at shortstop and in the outfield. Al Martin was the club’s main pitcher. Pinkham pitched a fine game on October 19, defeating the Atlantics of Brooklyn 23-9.

Brooklyn Eagle 10/11/1869

White Stockings – 1870

Pinkham and several other easterners were recruited by the professional White Stockings of Chicago for the 1870 season. Eying the success of the Red Stockings of Cincinnati, Chicago spent heavily for its first professional squad to put them in a league with the strong eastern clubs and Cincinnati in the west.

EARLY CHICAGO BASEBALL

Ed, or Pink as he was known, can be found in the 1870 Census living in Chicago with a fellow ballplayer named “Henry Tracy.” Pinkham was working as a clerk in a store, as well as being paid to play ball. With the White Stockings, he played in 59 games, mostly in the box. He tossed 330 innings, being backed up by Levi Meyerle who gathered 217 innings pitched.

Chicago posted a 65-8 record and proved especially strong at the end of the year.

Cincinnati Commercial 10/11/1870

Chicago Tribune 1/15/1871

White Stockings – 1871

Chicago entered the new professional National Association in 1871. The club fought for the pennant all season, losing the championship on the final day, October 30, versus the Philadelphia Athletics in Brooklyn.

Zettlein was the main pitcher. Pinkham relieved him in three contests, 10.1 innings, for a 1-0 record and one save. He appeared in a total of 24 games, 18 at third base and 8 in right field.

Chicago lost its ballpark, uniforms and equipment in the Great Chicago Fire on October 9. Afterwards, Pinkham was said to wear a Mutual shirt and pants with red stockings during games.

Chicago, 1872-1874 and on

Pinkham and his good friend Ed Duffy joined the Chicago Aetnas in May 1872. Ed’s first appearance with the club came on the 21^st. He was ill over the previous winter and may not have played with the Aetnas long. On August 27, the club held a benefit game for him, raising almost $100.

In August 1873, Pinkham was signed by the newest version of the Chicago White Stockings. The club disbanded after the fire but would reenter the National Association in 1874. The winter roster listed him as a substitute for a $1000 salary.

He did indeed join the White Stockings during the preseason in April, but resigned the following month and returned home to New York.

Chicago Tribune 5/23/1874

By the end of 1874, Pinkham was working as a painter in Hempstead, New York and living there with his mother.

In June 1875, he participated in a baseball tournament at the Queens County Agricultural Fair. His presence became a bone of contention because he was a former pro. The following year, the tournament was strictly amateur.

In 1890, he was still living in Hempstead, with his brother. Ed Pinkham died on December 19, 1906 in Brooklyn at age 60. He was interred at Cypress Hills Cemetery.

SOURCE LIST

• Ancestry.com
• Baseball-reference.com
• Brooklyn Eagle, 1864-1875
• Chicago Tribune, 1869-1874
• Cincinnati Commercial, 1870
• Morris, Peter. A Game of Inches: The Story Behind the Innovations That Shaped Baseball, One-Volume Edition. Chicago, Ivan R. Dee, 2010.
• New York Clipper, 1860, 1871
• New York Times, 1872
• Retrosheet.org
• SABR Civil War Database
• Wright, Marshall D. The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2000.

 

Tommy John’s left elbow
 

On 9/23/1972 Tommy John took the mound against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. In the 3rd he singled and moved to 2nd on a Davel Lopes walk. Bill Buckner singled to right but John was thrown out at home, tagged by TSN’s NL Rookie of the Year Dave Rader. Sliding home, John banged his left elbow, jarring loose a bone fragment. John pitched into the 5th inning but that was it. He had surgery on the 28th.

John returned for 1973, posting 16-7-record.

On 7/17/1974 John faced the Expos in LA. After giving up a lead-off single to Willie Davis in the 3rd and a walk to Bob Bailey, John felt something snap in his left elbow. He had ruptured a ligament and was done for the season with a 13-3-record, missing the Dodgers’ pennant run.

The 31-year-old had surgery on 9/25/1974. Dr. Frank Jobe performed the two-hour surgery at Centinela Valley Hospital. Jobe removed a tendon from John’s right forearm and used it to reconstruct his left elbow.

Washington Post 9/26/1974

John’s arm remained in a splint for six weeks and was unsure he’d ever pitch again. He startedto consider coaching a college club. He returned to the majors in 1976.

Los Angeles Times 7/17/1975

Los Angeles Times 4/27/1976

Interestingly, it was not the first time such a radical surgery was performed on a MLer. 24-year-old, Boston Braves pitcher Harry Hulihan had a tendon from his thigh implanted into his pitching shoulder in 1923. The surgery wass deemed successful from a medical standpoint, as Hulihan’s pain was relieved; however, the pitcher lost velocity and his career. 

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