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 →

Doc Adams Base Ball Card?

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Yes, actually there are a few of Doc Adams baseball cards. Ars Longa is the Latin translation of a phrase from an aphorism written by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. The aphorism contains the phrase: ars longa, vita brevis, which is commonly translated as “Art is long, Life is short.” After finding the Ars Longa card, we were surprised to find another couple of cards. Tri-star Obak produced a card, #62 in the “Game Changers” subset of the set their 2010 set. There is a bit of controversy about the source of the photo used on this card as was … Continue reading →

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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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 Elected For 4th Term As KBBC President

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Doc Adams was elected president of the Knickerbockers for the fourth time, winning an election held at the club’s April 5, 1856, meeting. This started his second 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 →

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 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 artistic … Continue reading →