Category Archives: Recurring (2025)

The Gotham And The Knickerbockers

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On October 18, 1853, the Gotham and the Knickerbockers played what was referred to “the finest and at one time the closest match, that has ever been played between the two clubs”. The game was played at the Red House Grounds (106 Street and Second Avenue, NY). Knickerbockers prevailed by a score of 21-14 with Doc Adams scoring 3 runs. Note that at the time, matches (games) were decided by scoring 21 ‘aces ‘, or runs. It wasn’t until 1857 (re: “The Laws of Base Ball“) that the length of the game was changed to nine equal innings, rather than declaring the first … Continue reading →

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

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The vintage base ball community rallied behind Doc Adams in 2024. Teams around the country sponsored “A Pitch For Doc Adams” events to honor Adams and raise awareness of his role as a baseball pioneer among ballists and cranks alike. As teams held these events, some recorded and submitted clips about Doc Adams’ Hall of Fame case. These clips were reviewed, selected, and compiled into two videos. This is the final one of the two. Learn about Doc Adams and share it with family and friends. Help raise awareness of this long-overlooked baseball pioneer. More information on Doc Adams and … Continue reading →

Marjorie Adams Named The Inaugural Doc Adams Award Recipient

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On October 9, 2021, the general meeting of SABR’s Smoky Joe Wood Chapter had a 19th Century Base Ball theme. Presentations on the 1884 season by Bill Ryczek, the popular game of Wicket in CT by Joanne Hulbert, Sunday Base Ball by Alan Cohen, and annual Retro All Star selections for 1876 to 1899 by Michael Murphy were enjoyed by attendees. The capstone of the meeting was Chapter President Steve Krevisky announcing Marjorie Adams as the recipient of the Inaugural Doc Adams Award. Marjorie Adams’ tireless efforts to spread the story of her great-grandfather, Doc Adams, enlightened and inspired many … Continue reading →

Doc Adams Appeared On A Hall Of Fame Ballot For The 1st Time In 2015

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On October 5, 2015, Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, 153 years after he retired from the Knickerbockers. The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced Doc Adams as one of the 10 candidates on the 2016 Pre-integration Era ballot. This marked a major milestone on the road to recognizing Doc Adams with induction as a member of the Hall of Fame. Doc Adams has been dead since 1899; he is too well versed in the art of patience. John Thorn, Official Historian of Major League Baseball For a more detailed announcement … Continue reading →

Chadwick Letter

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Baseball Hall of Famer Henry Chadwick and Doc Adams remained friends until Doc’s death. They often corresponded and reminisced about the ‘old days’ as is evidenced by this letter from Chadwick. 257 Green AveBrooklynOct 4 My Dear Doctor, Your most welcome letter of the 3rd Sept was just handed me and I answer it at once. It was not two weeks ago since I passed through New Haven en route to my home after a month sojourn with relations in Canada on my golden wedding trip. When I do happen to enter the Elm City again, I shall certainly call … Continue reading →

Doc Adam Signs Dedicated In 2018

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In 2018, the highlight of Mont Vernon, NH’s annual Lamson Farm Day was the unveiling  signs recognizing Mont Vernon as Doc Adams’ birthplace and his role as a Founding Father of Base Ball. It was even more special with Doc’s great-granddaughters, Marjorie Adams and Nancy Downey, in attendance. The signs were attached to the Welcome to Mont Vernon signs on Route 13, becoming the 1st permanent tributes to Doc Adams and his role as a contributions to baseball. A special thank you to all who contributed to help make this great day possible! We appreciate all your support so much. Hopefully, … Continue reading →

1875 Knickerbocker Base Ball Club Reunion Game

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In 1875, at the invitation of his former Knickerbocker teammate, James Whyte Davis, Doc Adams was requested to play in a Knickerbocker Reunion game: “I really hope you will favor me with your company and with old associations and memories dear to all lovers of the game in the good old fashioned Knickerbocker style.” On September 27, 1875, the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club held the reunion game between the 1855  and 1865 teams. The youngsters whitewashed the veterans by a score of 21-0. The following summaries were published in The New York Sun on September 28, 1875, and Forest & … Continue reading →

Oliver Wendell Holmes

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While Doc Adams was at Harvard Medical School he made the acquaintance of Oliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.), as they roomed at the same boarding house. In a bit of an interesting twist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. has a tie to baseball as well. According to John Helyar’s classic, “Lords of the Realm,” baseball’s Reserve Clause dated to 1879, when the eight pro teams at the time opted to “reserve” five of their players apiece each year, preventing high salaries and free agency. The arrangement soon drew heated opposition, including in 1915 when owners of the short-lived Federal League brought an … Continue reading →

KBBC Game Ball (HOF)

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The oldest existing game ball from a scheduled baseball match is on display in Cooperstown. It is from the game between the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and the Gothams played on September 20, 1854. Doc Adams played in that game, batting 4th, had 6 Hands Lost and 1 Run scored. The Knickerbockers defeated the Gothams 24-13.

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2023 Doc Adams Memorial Classic

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The Doc Adams Memorial Classic was held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 to honor baseball pioneer Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams, M.D., one of baseball’s most consequential, yet overlooked, pioneers. Adams was a founding father of base ball and author of 1857 Laws of Base Ball. In 2023, the Doc Adams Birthplace Classic took a brief hiatus, as play shifted to Connecticut as the Doc Adams Memorial Classic. This marked the first time the annual event was hosted in the state where Doc Adams attended college (at Yale) and spent his “retirement” years. After his playing days, Adams moved to Ridgefield … Continue reading →