Monthly Archives: August 2020

Jim Kaat, Former Teammates See Hall Of Fame Chances Pushed Back

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In his article “Jim Kaat, former teammates see Hall of Fame chances pushed back” in the Holland Sentinal, Dan D’Addona talks about the implications of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s decision to delay this year’s Committee votes. Of particular interest is his reference to Doc Adams: The Early Days Era Committee is also on hold. Likely finalists from this group were pioneer Doc Adams, shortstop Bill Dahlen and Negro Leagues candidates Buck O’Neil, John Donaldson and more. The Early Days Era Committee will also meet next year.

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Election Opportunity Delayed Again

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Today, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced that it is delaying the Era Committee Elections scheduled for the 2020 Meetings until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, Doc Adams will have to wait another year for an opportunity to appear on a ballot. This again delays Doc Adams next chance at being honored with election into the Hall. Doc waited 153 years before appearing for the first time on a ballot in 2015 (Pre-integration Era Committee). After falling 2 votes short of election, he would have been eligible again in 2018. However, the Hall revised it’s Era … Continue reading →

Peverelly’s “American Pastimes”: 1849

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Doc Adams is mentioned often in Charles A. Peverelly’s 1868 book, “American Pastimes – Containing a History of the Principal Base Ball, Cricket, Rowing, and Yachting Clubs of the United States“. The Book of American Pastimes  is an American classic and one of the most significant baseball books ever written and is considered the first “official” baseball history in existence. 180 pages out of 556 are devoted to the game of baseball and team histories. It contains tough to find information regarding rosters and game scores during the 1850’s-60’s. 

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Marjorie Adams – The Ridgefield Historical Society

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Marjorie Adams recently talked with the Ridgefield Historical Society about her great-grandfather, Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams, M.D. To steal a line from SABR, Marjorie draws on her family archives and ephemera in addition to more traditional sources to provide an in-depth look into the man John Thorn called “the true father of baseball – and you’ve never even heard of him!” The video presentation was posted to the Ridgefield Historical Society yesterday, August 19, 2020 and can be viewed below.

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Memories of the Father of Base Ball (part 2)

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Buffalo, New York August 1939 Written by: Roger Cook Adams “During the present year when the centennial of the first out-break of base ball is being celebrated at Cooperstown, it may be of interest to record the important part played in the development of the game by an early member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York.” … “The first five years of the existence of the Club were evidently the hardest. Enthusiasm waned and attendance lagged. There was no inter-club rivalry, and often Dr. Adams would go to Elysian Fields and find only two or three others … Continue reading →

Heading To The Baseball Hall Of Fame: Profile Of Doc Adams

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In their recent edition of “Scott House Journal” the Ridgefield Historical Society mentions Doc Adams and the hope that he will be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Early Baseball Era Committee this December. The article also publicizes the video presentation by Marjorie Adams, one of Doc’s great-granddaughters, that will be posted on the Ridgefield Historical Society website on August 20.

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Henry Chadwick On The Father of Baseball

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On August 16, 1898, Henry Chadwick wrote me responding to my letter congratulating him on the title of Father of Base Ball. Mr. Chadwick wrote: “That title of ‘Father of Base Ball’ is out of place. Base like Topsy ‘never had no fader’ it growed up.” Mr.Chadwick was being modest, however there were others who could share that title. The entire letter can be read here.

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New And Improved

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The migration to a new server is complete! DocAdamsBaseBall.org is now fully operational, stable, and secure. Thank you for your patience over the last couple of weeks. Sorry again for any inconvenience. We look forward to continuing our mission to educate fans about Dr. Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams, M.D. and the importance of his contributions to our National Pastime. Thanks for your interest and continued support. We hope this will result in him finally been recognized with enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Hopefully, as a member of the Class of 2021. Stay tuned for more information and … Continue reading →