Dr. D. L. Adams: Memoirs Of The Father Of Base Ball

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On February 29, 1896, the Sporting News published an article on Dr. D. L. Adams sub-titled ‘Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball’. The article is based on an interview of Doc and details his contributions to the nascent National Pastime. The article seems to derive from one found in the Chicago Chronicle (23 June 1895). Below is the Sporting News article. The rediscovery of Adams’s handwritten “Laws of Base Ball” provided tangible primary, evidence in support of this article. DR. D. L. ADAMSMEMOIRS OF THE FATHER OF BASE BALLHE RESIDES IN NEW HAVEN AND RETAINS AN INTEREST IN THE … Continue reading →

Baseball’s History Rewritten

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In 2016, not long after the vote on the 2016 Pre-integration Era Ballot, with Doc Adams receiving 10 of the 12 needed votes for election, the re-discovery of his handwritten “Laws of Base Ball” was announced. When this rare, seminal document sold at auction for $3.26 million, stories were published everywhere (most of them derivatives of Andrew Dalton’s AP story). It was hoped that his concluding statement would prove prophetic and that Doc Adams’ rediscovered, handwritten “Laws of Base Ball” would turns\ out to be just what the doctor ordered for this year’s MLB Winter Meetings. The Special Early Baseball … Continue reading →

Senator Richard Blumenthal’s Endorsement Of Doc Adams

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Senator Richard Blumenthal endorsed Doc Adams, in the early days of our quest. When hoping to see Doc Adams on the 2013 Pre-Integration Era Committee ballot for consideration with a goal of Doc being recognized with induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the nascent National Pastime. Unfortunately, Doc Adams did not appear on the 2013 ballot. However, with the boost of Doc’s recognition as the Society of American Baseball Research’s 2014 19th Century Overlooked Baseball Legend, Adams appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot in 2016 for the first time, falling 2 votes short … Continue reading →

Doc Adams Base Ball Biography (Preface)

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For the next several weeks, we will recount Doc’s base ball (yes, it was two words when Doc played) biography to provide more information to those who may wonder who this 19th century Doctor was and why it is unconscionable that he is not being considered for enshrinement in baseball’s “hallowed hall”. Before we get into his base ball career next week, we’ll describe his early life in his post. Daniel Lucius Adams was born in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire on November 1, 1814 to Dr. Daniel Adams MD and Nancy Mulliken.  It is not known where Doc received his … Continue reading →

Doc Adams Left Off Early Baseball Era Ballot

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As we waited with great anticipation for this year’s Early Baseball Era Committee vote, we were dumbfounded to hear that the “Special” Early Baseball Overview Committee inexplicably left Doc Adams off the 2022 ballot. Let’s revisit the undisputed facts about Adams’s contributions and accomplishments: Elected Vice-President of the Knickerbockers, and President in ’47-’49, ’56, ’57 and ’61, served as a director in other years. Created the position of shortstop and was the first to occupy it. Personally made the balls and oversaw the making of bats, for the Knickerbockers and later for other NYC clubs, to standardize the game’s equipment. … Continue reading →

Jay Jaffe Of FanGraphs On The Early Baseball Ballot

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Jay Jaffe, a supporter of Doc Adams who was quoted in Sports Illustrated saying, ” if he’s good enough for John Thorn, he ought to be good enough for Cooperstown” was as surprised as the rest of us by Adams’ mysterious omission from the 2022 Early Baseball Era ballot. As with any Era Committee ballot, a few omissions inevitably stand out. First and foremost for the Early Baseball group is that of Doc Adams, a pioneer who on the 2016 ballot led all candidates with 10 out of 16 votes. No less an authority than MLB official historian John Thorn … Continue reading →

A Biography of “The Father of Baseball”

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Doc Adams role as a baseball pioneer is highlighted in “The Father of Baseball”, A Biography of Henry Chadwick by Andrew J. Schiff. This is a biography of a baseball Hall of Famer who also bears the moniker of “Father of Baseball”. The following is an excerpt from the book.

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Baseball’s Book Of Firsts

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‘Baseball’s Book of Firsts‘ by Lloyd Johnson is a “A comprehensive guide to the record-setting achievements of baseball’s greatest players”. Now what would a baseball book of firsts be if it didn’t recognize the first ever shortstop, Doc Adams, the pioneer credited with creating the position. On February 29, 1896, the Sporting News published an article on Dr. D. L. Adams sub-titled ‘Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball’ in which Doc talks about his contributions to the nascent National Pastime.  In this article, Doc Adams is quoted as saying, I used to play shortstop, and I believe I was … Continue reading →

It Must Be True, It’s In The Encyclopedia Britannica

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In answer to the question, “who really invented baseball?“ Some semblance of what baseball would become can be traced to 1800s New York as groups of men started crafting their own sets of rules. The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York gets the credit for the first true effort, with a group of men on the rules committee outlining a 20-rule parameter, dubbed the Knickerbocker Rules, which set foul lines, the paces between bases, the limit of three outs, and, (in a safety-first mentality, no doubt) eliminated the dodgeball-style rule that to get a runner out you could hit … Continue reading →

Doc at Shortstop

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Doc Adams on the shortstop position from the February 29, 1896 Sporting News interview. “I used to play shortstop, and I believe I was the first to occupy that place, as it had formerly been left uncovered. At different times I have, however, played in every position except that of pitcher. We had a splendid catcher in the person of Charles S. Debost, who would be a credit to the position even to-day, I am sure. He was a good batter also, and a famous player in his day. Thw Spoering Newa (February 29, 1896) John Thorn tweeted the reason … Continue reading →