Yearly Archives: 2021

Memories Of The Father Of Base Ball (Part 1)

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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 Knickerbockers were unquestionably the first organized base ball club, followed by the Gothams in 1850, and the Eagles of Brooklyn in 1852. Their membership was comprised of young lawyers, doctors, merchants, bank and insurance clerks and others who could … Continue reading →

The 24th Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival

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2021 marked the return of the Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival on July 31 – August 1 at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. In 2015, this longest running annual vintage base ball festival of its kind was renamed in honor of Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams. This year’s festival once again lived up its reputation as a must for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a a day of outdoor fun. The weekend produced 2 top 10 weather days. Players, both artists and muffins, and cranks alike had a great time. Sadly, this was the first festival … Continue reading →

Petition Signatures Surpass 1,500

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Our petition to recognize Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams’s role as a founding father of our National Pastime has now garnered 1,500 signatures! The show of support via the petition demonstrates that we are successfully telling Doc Adams story. The intent of the petition is to demonstrate support for Hall of Fame recognition for an individual who independant historians view as an important founding father of our National Pastime.When this journey started, few had heard of the great doctor. Our hope is that Doc is recognized with enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Marjorie Adams had set a lofty … Continue reading →

Doc Adams – SABR’s Overlooked 19th Century Baseball Legend

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On July 31, 2014, Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams (1814 – 1899) was selected as the 19th Century Overlooked Baseball Legend by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). This recognition came in the bi-centennial of his birth. Each year SABR honors a 19th century player, manager, executive or other baseball personality not yet inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Adams joined the New York Base Ball Club in 1840. By 1845, he became a member of the famed Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and was elected as its president two years later. In 1848, he … Continue reading →

23rd Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Tournament This Weekend

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The 2021 Annual Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball  Festival will take place next weekend, July 31 – August 1, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. In 2015, this longest running annual vintage base ball festival was renamed in honor of Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams. The festival is a must for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a a day of outdoor fun. Nancy Adams Downey, a great-granddaughter of Doc Adams, will be on-hand on Saturday. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year’s installment looks to to be a return to form and is expected to … Continue reading →

Peverelly’s “American Pastimes”: 1846

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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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John Thorn’s Five Inventors

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John Thorn, Official Baseball Historian for Major League Baseball, asks the questions “Who Is Baseball’s Edison? Its Leonardo?” in his recent post in Our Game. We are particularly interested in his thoughts on Doc Adams. Thorn’s entire post, “5 Inventors” can be read here. As usual, an excellent read – Take the time to read the whole article.

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The Daniel “Doc” Adams Affair

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An interesting, somewhat provocative article was recently posted on Ethics Alarms. The following excerpt highlights Marjorie’s efforts: This fiasco of historical incompetence and bias is highlighted today because it was announced that Marjorie Adams, the great-granddaughter of Daniel “Doc” Adams, died earlier this month. She had been laboring for years to get “Doc”—yes, he was a real M.D.— the recognition he deserved and to see him finally inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. She lobbied for him on a website, at conferences, at meetings of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and at vintage baseball festivals. … Continue reading →

Doc Adams’ Youngest Son’s Recollections Of His Father

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Roger Cook Adams wrote the “Nestor of Ball Players” about his father in August 1939. Besides some facts about Doc’s contributions, it’s interesting how Roger Cook Adams highlighted how Doc’s passion for the game was invaluable to the early game, 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 present, compelling them to play “old cat, one or two as the case might be.” The continued existence of the … Continue reading →