A seminal interview of Daniel Lucius Adams, M.D. appeared in The Sporting News on February 29, 1896. This is the only known first-hand account of Doc’s memories of the game. Similar interviews (or excerpts) began to appear in newspapers across the Midwest apparently originating in The Chicago Chronicle on June 23, 1895.

This is the first chapter in a nine-part series, excerpts from those two mentioned articles and are Doc Adams’ recollections of the game and its early history, in his own words.

This first chapter is titled: “Enthusiasm”.

He never talked about baseball. We have not one thing in the family, that Doc ever wrote about his time in baseball. 

Marjorie Adams, Baseball and BBQ Episode #87: Marjorie Adams

Although there was not a single “Father of Baseball”, Doc Adams was clearly “A Father of Baseball” and these recollections provide some insight into Our National Pastime’s nascent period and an overlooked baseball pioneer.

For his role in making baseball the success it is, Doc Adams may be counted as first among the Fathers of Baseball.

Doc Adams’ SABR Biography, John Thorn, the Official Historian of Major League Baseball