The First Shortstop

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Due to the unfortunate postponement of the Induction of the Class of 2020, we had an opportunity for a very unique situation with the 2021 Hall of Fame Induction. Derek Jeter is the latest shortstop to be elected as a member of the Class of 2020. Jeter is the 26th shortstop to be bestowed the honor of a plaque in Cooperstown. If the Early Baseball Era Committee elected Doc Adams as a member of the Class of 2021, Jeter would be inducted alongside the man who created the shortstop position. Alas, it was not meant to be as the Early … Continue reading →

Final Petition Update

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Our petition to recognize Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams’s role as a founding father of our National Pastime has garnered 2,072 signatures! Marjorie Adams set a lofty goal for petition signatures! Although, we did not achieve her goal, it was still a successful effort! We continue the Doc Adams education campaign in her honor. The show of support via our petition demonstrates that we are successfully communicating Doc Adams’s story. Additionally, it demonstrates support for Hall of Fame recognition of an individual who independant historians view as an important founding father of our National Pastime. Our hope is that Doc is … Continue reading →

Baseball Rules And Medical Practices

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In our continuing quest to find more Doc Adams references, we came across an article in the Spring 1999 Harvard Medical Alumni magazine. The excellent article, “Baseball Rules”, by James S. Distlehorst is extremely accurate. The article summarizes Doc’s base ball life and contributions, and also includes his post-baseball life. An interesting addendum is another article by Distlehorst, “Treating the Knickerbockers”. It describes the medical practices of the time and what Adams’ practice would be like and the care he would provide. You can read both articles here or within the complete magazine edition on Internet Archive. Distlehorst quotes two … Continue reading →

Peverelly’s “American Pastimes”: 1857

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Doc Adams is mentioned often in Charles A. Peverelly’s 1868 book, “American Pastimes – Containing a History of the Principal Base Ball, Cricket, Rowing, and Yachting Clubs of the United States“. The Book of American Pastimes  is an American classic and one of the most significant baseball books ever written and is considered the first “official” baseball history in existence. 180 pages out of 556 are devoted to the game of baseball and team histories. It contains tough to find information regarding rosters and game scores during the 1850’s-60’s. 

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The American National Game Of Base Ball (1856)

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The December 6, 1856 issue of Porter’s Spirit of the Times provided a season wrap-up of sorts including a description of the pioneer Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and its ballists. Of course, this includes a shorts capsule of the good doctor. The principal players in the club, and have usually composed their ‘First Nine’, … Adams, as short field has for many years, been deservedly distinguished. Excellent as a catcher and probably the most accurate thrower in any club. A ball sent by him to first base rarely fails in proving fatal to the runner. He strikes with great force, … 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 →

One Week Left: The Last Push…

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… for our petition. This will be our last push; however, we will leave our petition active until Doc Adams is rightfully elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Our petition to recognize Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams’ role as a founding father of our National Pastime has now garnered 2,070 signatures! The show of support via our petition demonstrates that we are successfully telling Doc Adams’ story. Additionally it demonstrates support for Hall of Fame recognition of an individual who independant historians view as an important founding father of our National Pastime. Our hope is that Doc is recognized … Continue reading →

Peverelly’s “American Pastimes”: 1856

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Doc Adams is mentioned often in Charles A. Peverelly’s 1868 book, “American Pastimes – Containing a History of the Principal Base Ball, Cricket, Rowing, and Yachting Clubs of the United States“. The Book of American Pastimes  is an American classic and one of the most significant baseball books ever written and is considered the first “official” baseball history in existence. 180 pages out of 556 are devoted to the game of baseball and team histories. It contains tough to find information regarding rosters and game scores during the 1850’s-60’s. 

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6 Years Ago Doc Adams Appeared On Hall Of Fame Ballot For The 1st Time

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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 →