Yearly Archives: 2026

Rewriting History

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Andrew Forbes released an updated version of his book, The Utility of Boredom: Baseball Essays, featuring a minor correction in the essay “Madison Bumgarner and the Beautiful Lie.” This change addresses an important historical detail regarding the origins of baseball, specifically correcting the attribution of the game’s founding from Alexander Cartwright to Doc Adams, based on recent research by John Thorn, Major League Baseball’s Official Historian. Thorn’s findings, which include the discovery of the “Laws of Base Ball,” provide evidence for this correction. Forbes hoped the National Baseball Hall of Fame Baseball Era Committee would follow suit.

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Exploring Doc Adams Baseball Cards

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The text discusses the collection of Doc Adams baseball cards, highlighting the rarity of the Ars Longa card and the significance of cards in preserving baseball history. It emphasizes how baseball cards transformed the sport into a national phenomenon, fostering fan engagement and celebrating players. New cards, including a Hall of Fame plaque, are hoped for.

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The Rules Of Base Ball Coming In The Taking The Field Exhibit

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Doc Adams’ “Laws of Base Ball” will soon debut in the Hall of Fame’s “Taking the Field” exhibit, showcasing their historical significance. The unveiling is set for May 22, coinciding with the Memorial Day Weekend celebration. Visitors will learn about these foundational documents and their impact on baseball’s evolution.

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A Stroll Through Time…Ballard Park

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Doc Adams was mentioned in an 068 Magazine March/April 2022 article. The article, “A Stroll Through Time“, by Jack Sanders is about “one of Ridgefield’s most historic pieces of land. Treasured today as a place of recreation and relaxation, Ballard Park has for centuries been a home of noteworthy people who’ve contributed to not only the town but also the nation.” Here’s more on Doc Adams’ Ridgefield residence, the Ridgefield Savings Bank, and the Ridgefield Library.

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“Laws Of Base Ball” To Debut At The Hall Of Fame Next Month

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As a reminder, next month, as part of the Hall of Fame’s Memorial Day Weekend, Doc Adams’ handwritten “Laws of Base Ball” debuted in the Taking the Field exhibit. The “Laws of Base Ball” will be on long-term loan and on display in the National Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY thanks to their owner, Hayden Trubitt. The documents have been described by the Hall of Fame as follows: The rules of baseball are engrained in the American culture to a magnitude unlike those of almost any other game. But those regulations changed repeatedly as they coalesced in the national … Continue reading →

Doc Adams Next Eligible For The Class of 2028

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On April 22, 2022, The National Baseball Hall of Fame again announced a restructuring of their Era committees. Per the Hall’s announcement: … the Classic Baseball Era, consisting of the period prior to 1980 and including Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues stars. … each ballot consisting of eight candidates. … December 2024 (for Class of 2025) – Classic Baseball. This cycle will repeat every three years… National Baseball Hall of Fame The good news is that the Classic Baseball Era is on a 3-year cycle, Doc Adams will be eligible for the Class of 2028 (the December 2027 ballot. But … Continue reading →

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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The Call Was Late But There’s Still Time To Answer

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In April of 1905, a call went out from Albert Spalding looking to learn about the “origin of baseball”. Based on the Knickerbocker members he listed; his call was about ten to fifteen years too late. Now granted, the Knickerbockers weren’t really the first base ball club. And yes, Spalding had a personal agenda that eventually led to the establishment of the Abner Doubleday myth. Was Spalding even aware of the Doc Adams interview in the February 29, 1896, issue of the Sporting News (et al)? Not likely. Adams was humble and could not foresee what baseball would become; however, … Continue reading →