Yearly Archives: 2024

The American National Game Of Base Ball (1856)

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The December 6, 1856 issue of Porter’s Spirit of the Times provided a season wrap-up of sorts including a description of the pioneer Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and its ballists. Of course, this includes a shorts capsule of the good doctor. The principal players in the club, and have usually composed their ‘First Nine’, … Adams, as short field has for many years, been deservedly distinguished. Excellent as a catcher and probably the most accurate thrower in any club. A ball sent by him to first base rarely fails in proving fatal to the runner. He strikes with great force, … Continue reading →

Roger Ratzenberger Summarizes Doc Adams’ Hall Of Fame Case

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This is a Reader’s Digest version of Doc’s Hall of Fame case with linked references. Just a note on this summary. Although Official Historian of MLB never takes a position on who should be in the Hall of Fame, we appreciate that he shared our post. We strive to share verified, factual information and material from respected baseball historians, authors, and writers to raise awareness about Doc Adams and his strong Hall of Fame case. My wife, Cathy, and I have enjoyed the Dr. Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams journey we’ve been on for the last thirteen years and would like … Continue reading →

Should Doc Adams Be In The Hall Of Fame? Of Course!

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The response to the initial “Of Course” video was so great and so many great videos had been submitted that the folks responsible for it decided to compile a second one. Enjoy! As was explained previously, the vintage base ball community is rallying behind Doc Adams this year. Teams around the country sponsored “A Pitch For Doc Adams” events this year to honor Adams and raise awareness of his role as a baseball pioneer among ballists and cranks alike. As teams have been holding these events, some recorded and submitted clips about Doc Adams’ Hall of Fame case. These clips … 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 →

Do You Know Doc Adams?

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Help us SHARE Doc Adams’ story with friends, on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky… Special thanks to Jake Schmidt for all his efforts on the “Do You Know Doc Adams?” videos. Did you know that the game of baseball as we know it today was significantly shaped by a man named Doc Adams in the mid-1800s? He wasn’t just a player; but was a pioneer who helped craft the foundation of the modern game. John Thorn, the official historian of Major League Baseball, referred to Doc Adams as “Baseball’s most important figure not in the Hall of Fame… More than … Continue reading →

Introducing Doc Adams

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If you want to learn about Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams, his life, and his contributions to our National Pastime and have a little time (about a half an hour), then check out this video presentation. If you don’t have that much time you can get a reader’s digest (e.g. social media reel) version of his baseball contributions in: Do You Know Doc Adams?

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Historians, Authors, And Writers Weigh In On Doc Adams

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“Anyone looking for the origins and development of the “New York Game,” what we know as baseball, invariably runs into “Doc” Adams at nearly every turn. The Doubleday and Cartwright founding myths have long been exploded. Yet, the man who was, to use a popular phrase, “in the room where it happened” and actually was the catalyst remains un-honored by the HOF. Now is the time to correct that error.” Robert D. Sampson, Historian “Doc” Adams was selected by a SABR wide election in 2014, as an Overlooked 19th Century Baseball Legend, implying that he is deserving, but not yet … Continue reading →

Doc In His Own Words

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A seminal interview of Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. appeared in The Sporting News on February 29, 1896. This is the only known first-hand account of Doc’s memories of the game. Similar interviews (or excerpts) began to appear in newspapers across the Midwest apparently originating in The Chicago Chronicle on June 23, 1895. These short reels were shared as a “Doc In His Own Words” series. The Chicago Chronicle (June 23, 1895) The Sporting News (February 29,1896)

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