As the 2018 All-star Break comes to a close, we recall the 1st All-star series started 160 years ago today. The Fashion Race Course games were a series of 3 games played between All-Star teams (pick nines) comprised of the finest New York-area players versus the finest Brooklyn area players in the 1st real All-Star Games. It was also the 1st time admission was charged to watch a game. The games were played at the Fashion Race Course grounds which were located about a mile and a half from where Citi Field stands today.

The underdog New York team won the 1st game 22-18 on July 20, 1858.

On August 17, 1858, Brooklyn won easily 29-8 setting up the deciding game on September 10, 1858.

Surprisingly, New York won the 3rd and deciding game easily, 29-18.

The following is the box score from the 3rd and final game, played on September 10, 1858. The umpire for this important game was none other than Doc Adams of the Knickerbocker Club.

For more on the series, read “History Buried: America’s All-Star Game of 1858” by John Thorn, Official Historian of MLB.