Yes, there is a Doc Adams baseball card, produced by Ars Longa. 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.”
Continue reading →In the Mar/Apr 2021 issue of San Diego Lawyer, George W. Brewster, Jr.’s regular history column covers the “The Basics of Baseball”. His column discusses early baseball, the rediscovery of Doc Adams’ handwritten “Laws of Base Ball“, and their “almost mythical cadence”. Brewster quotes John Thorn’s declaration of Doc Adams as “the true father of baseball”. He also talks to and about the super fan, Hayden Trubitt, the current owner of the “Laws of Base Ball”. Trubitt, a lawyer and former President of the San Diego County Bar Association, purchased the Laws at auction for over $3 million in 2016.
Continue reading →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 7 years.
Continue reading →Memories and Dreams is the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s bi-monthly magazine. It includes in-depth profiles of Hall of Famers and regular features on the historic artifacts, photographs and documents that comprise the Museum’s unparalleled collection. The magazine also features behind-the-scenes stories of the unforgettable legends and moments from the National Pastime. Featuring some of the most respected baseball writers in the world, participants in the Museum’s Membership program receive Memories and Dreams six times a year. In the article, “In Position”, Scott Pitoniak, describes how the games 10 primary positions (yes, including the Designated Hitter) evolved. However, he spent … Continue reading →
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 7 years.
Continue reading →On March 31, 1845 Doc Adams’ father replied to a letter from his son. Below is an interesting excerpt from that letter. Thanks goodness for baseball that Doc stayed in New York. How would things have changed had he moved to Springfield? Luckily, we’ll never know.
Continue reading →SABR‘s Ken Keltner Badger State Chapter held a virtual meeting on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The topic was “Doc Adams’s Role in Early Baseball” with Corky Gaskell and Marjorie Adams. To learn more, visit SABR.
Continue reading →On March 26, 1862, Doc tendered his resignation from the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, “… although absent in body, I shall be present in spirit. My interest in the Club will never cease, nor can I forget the many happy hours spent in communion with its members.” James Whyte Davis, the KBBC secretary, accepted his resignation, “I indulge the hope that the ‘spirit’ you express of being with us as always, may be accompanied by the body on the old Play Grounds. Playing commences on the 21st.” Doc was made an honorary member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and … Continue reading →
The Rules Committee, chaired by Dr. Daniel Adams of the Knickerbockers, had met in February to make recommendations to the convention on rule changes, and Adams reported that the committee was unanimously in favor of the fly game. A debate then ensued, with Judge Van Cott supporting the bound version and Dakin and Frank Pidgeon of the Eckfords arguing in favor of the fly game. Thirty-seven delegates voted for the fly game while 55 voted against it. For another year, at least as far as the official rules were concerned, the bound game would be the game of National Association … Continue reading →
Daniel Lucius Adams obtained n M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1838, Following his time in college, he joined his father’s medical practice. The pair worked in Mont Vernon, before the younger Adams relocated twice, first to Boston and then to New York City. Adams also worked for the New York Dispensaries, which provided medical care to poor residents.[He offered his assistance when outbreaks of cholera affected New York City. For providing vaccinations, Adams received yearly pay of $400 for a time. His field of employment gave rise to his nickname of “Doc”, which was given as “Dock” at the … Continue reading →
