Yearly Archives: 2024

Bad Timing And Missed Opportunities

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Although A.G. Spalding had ulterior motives, as we all now know, he did recognize the Knickerbockers, including Doc Adams. “Are not some of these gentlemen still living? Or perhaps some of their heirs might throw some light on the early history especially the origin of baseball.” . Salt Lake Tribune (April 2, 1905) Sadly, Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. had died a little over 5 years earlier. Some people, however, did hear the call, and we know how that turned out. For Doc, this was the first of several miss-timed opportunities. Will Doc Adams be named on the Classic Baseball Era … Continue reading →

Doc Adams Elected For 3rd Term As KBBC President

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April 7, 1849, Doc Adams was elected to his third term as President of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club in New York City. The Club’s meeting was held at Abell’s, 474 Broadway. This was the last year of his first 3-year stint as president. In total, he served as president for 6 years.

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Doc Adams, A True Pioneer By Author Andrew J. Schiff

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There’s a plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, for a reputed figure in early baseball history. His name is Alexander Cartwright. He is credited for making the bases 90 feet apart, establishing nine innings as a game, and nine players for a team. He is also credited with spreading baseball throughout the United States when he left New York on his way to Hawaii. These are wonderful contributions for the man credited as The Father of Baseball. However, even though he has a plaque in the Baseball HOF, he is not the person responsible for … Continue reading →

The New York Game

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Kevin Baker’s book “The New York Game” details “baseball and the rise of a new city”. There can’t be a discussion about New York and early baseball (or even just early baseball) without a mention of Doc Adams. Baker doesn’t disappoint. Although his book covers a wide range of history, Adams is mentioned, albeit it somewhat brief. While it can’t be said that there was any one father of Baseball, the best claim to paternity is held by Adams. Son of an outspoken abolitionist, graduate of Yle and Harvard, he was a general practitioner who spent much time treating the … Continue reading →

For The Love Of The Game

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I received the latest copy of the official magazine of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Memories and Dreams (Opening Day 2024 Volume 46 Number 2), in the mail yesterday. The theme of this issue is “Dreaming Big, Amateur passion, baseball’s unyielding spirit.” Each issue is usually a fun easy read. Something in this issue caught my eye. Scott Pitoniak’s article “For The Love Of The Game” talks about how “amateur baseball has powered the National Pastime since its earliest days.” The article piqued my interest regarding what would be mentioned regarding the nascent amateur era – when Doc Adams … Continue reading →

Meet The American Who… Doc Adams

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On March 31, 2023, Doc Adams was profiled in Fox News Digital’s “Meet the American Who” series by Kerry Byrne. The article is well done and helped increase awareness of Doc Adams and his contributions to the game. The article captured Doc’s love of the game and the role he played in baseball’s development and growth during the National Pastime’s nascent period. The article can be read here. “… Baseball had no ‘fadder’; it jest growed.” Henry Chadwick, Hall of Fame Member, On Being referred to as “The Father of Baseball” Chadwick probably said it best. Baseball did not have … Continue reading →

Springfield Letter

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On March 31, 1845 Doc Adams’ father replied to a letter from his son. Below is an interesting excerpt from that letter. Unfortunately, the transcribed letter prior to this is dated June, 1844, so there is no way of knowing more about this “proposition” of “going to Springfield”. It certainly seems that some sort of employment position had been offered to Doc. This letter is also interesting because it is only one of two letters that provide a glimpse into Doc’s possible medical specialty of “stammerers”. Yet, his Harvard Medical School specialty (or maybe it was his graduate thesis?) lists … Continue reading →

Benjamin F. Brady

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John Thorn recently shared a very interesting obituary with me. The obituary was for an “expert penman” who died 136 years ago on March 30, 1888 at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. It was published in the April 2, 1888 edition of the New York Times. For anyone who may not be familiar with the term, n expert penman is someone highly skilled in the art of penmanship and calligraphy. Benjamin Franklin Brady (1834–1888) was a well-known artist in New York City and particularly recognized for his penmanship. He created a memorial for Congressman Webster Wagner, who tragically lost his life in a train wreck. Brady’s … Continue reading →

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks…

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It’s finally here; yesterday was Opening Day of baseball Season! To celebrate, Kerry J. Byrnes, wrote an article, “Crackerjack, immortalized in baseball anthem is a grand-slam recipe at home, too.” It highlights the history of that “salty, sweet, and crunchy” snack that has been associated with baseball for over a hundred years. John Thorn, the Official Historian of Major League Baseball provided historical context for the article. Cracker Jack was already a popular ballpark snack when Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote their iconic anthem in 1908, “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.” Byrnes also includes a recipe … Continue reading →