I have learned a lot about Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams over the last decade, and have developed a great admiration for the ballist, the pioneer, the executive, his contributions to the game of baseball, his post-playing career, and his demonstrated love of the game. Noted baseball historian and author, Fred Ivor Campbell, once shared with Marjorie Adams, “Well you know Doc saved baseball“. It can easily be argued that Doc’s love of the game was instrumental in baseball’s development and survival. Please indulge me as I recount some of my favorite Doc quotes today.

Some of these quotes were recently shared in the “In His Own Words” series.

I have been content to consider myself one of the ordinary, every-day workers of the world, with no ambition to fill its high positions, and have no reason to complain of the results of my labor.

Biographical and Historical Record of the Class of 1835 in Yale College for the Fifty Years From the Admission of the Class to College

We had a great deal of trouble in getting balls made, and for six or seven years I made all the balls myself, not only for our club but also for other clubs when they were organized.

“Father of Baseball“, The Chicago Chronicle (June 23, 1895)

The bats had to be turned under my personal supervision, the workman stopping occasionally for me to ascertain when the right diameter and taper was secured.

“Dr. D. L. Adams: Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball”, The Sporting News (February 29, 1896)

I was chairman of the Committee on Rules and Regulations from the start and so long as I retained membership. I presented the first draft of rules, prepared after much careful study of the matter, and it was in the main adopted. The distance between bases I fixed at 30 yards, the only previous determination of distance being ‘the bases shall be from home to second base 42 paces, from first to third base 42 paces equidistant,’ which was rather vague. In every meeting of the National Association while a member, I advocated the fly-game, that is, not to allow first-bound catches, but I was always defeated on the vote. The change was made, however, soon after I left, as I predicted in my last speech on the subject before the convention.

“Dr. D. L. Adams: Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball”, The Sporting News (February 29, 1896)

I presented the first draft of rules prepared after much careful study of the matter.

“Dr. D. L. Adams: Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball”, The Sporting News (February 29, 1896)

I used to play shortstop and I believe I was the first to occupy that place, as it had formerly been left uncovered.

“Dr. D. L. Adams: Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball”, The Sporting News (February 29, 1896)

Our players were not very enthusiastic at first. and did not always turn out well on practice days. There was then no rivalry, as no other club formed until 1850 and during these five years base ball had a desperate struggle for existence.

“Father of Baseball“, The Chicago Chronicle (June 23, 1895)

In fact, base ball playing for the first six or seven years of its existence was the pursuit of pleasures under difficulties.

“Dr. D. L. Adams: Memoirs of the Father of Base Ball”, The Sporting News (February 29, 1896)

As captain, I had to employ all my rhetoric to induce attendance, and often thought it useless to continue the effort, but my love for the game, and the happy hours spent at ‘Elysian Fields’ led me to persevere.

“Father of Baseball“, The Chicago Chronicle (June 23, 1895)

Once there we were free of all restraint, and throwing off our coats we played until it was too dark to see any longer.

“Father of Baseball“, The Chicago Chronicle (June 23, 1895)

It will be impossible for me to play during the coming season, but 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.

Doc Adams’s Knickerbocker resignation letter (March 26, 1862)

My marriage was the crowning achievement of my life.

Biographical and Historical Record of the Class of 1835 in Yale College for the Fifty Years From the Admission of the Class to College