Tag Archives: Correspondence

Springfield Letter

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On March 31, 1845 Doc Adams’ father replied to a letter from his son. Below is an interesting excerpt from that letter. Unfortunately, the transcribed letter prior to this is dated June, 1844, so there is no way of knowing more about this “proposition” of “going to Springfield”. It certainly seems that some sort of employment position had been offered to Doc. This letter is also interesting because it is only one of two letters that provide a glimpse into Doc’s possible medical specialty of “stammerers”. Yet, his Harvard Medical School specialty (or maybe it was his graduate thesis?) lists … Continue reading →

Chadwick Letter

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Baseball Hall of Famer Henry Chadwick and Doc Adams remained friends until Doc’s death. They often corresponded and reminisced about the ‘old days’ as is evidenced by this letter from Chadwick. 257 Green AveBrooklynOct 4 My Dear Doctor, Your most welcome letter of the 3rd Sept was just handed me and I answer it at once. It was not two weeks ago since I passed through New Haven en route to my home after a month sojourn with relations in Canada on my golden wedding trip. When I do happen to enter the Elm City again, I shall certainly call … Continue reading →

Oliver Wendell Holmes

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While Doc Adams was at Harvard Medical School he made the acquaintance of Oliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.), as they roomed at the same boarding house. In a bit of an interesting twist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. has a tie to baseball as well. According to John Helyar’s classic, “Lords of the Realm,” baseball’s Reserve Clause dated to 1879, when the eight pro teams at the time opted to “reserve” five of their players apiece each year, preventing high salaries and free agency. The arrangement soon drew heated opposition, including in 1915 when owners of the short-lived Federal League brought an … Continue reading →

Henry Chadwick On The Father Of Baseball

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On August 16, 1898, Henry Chadwick wrote to Doc Adams responding to Doc’s letter congratulating him on the title of “Father of Base Ball”. Mr. Chadwick wrote: “That title of ‘Father of Base Ball’ is out of place. Base like Topsy ‘never had no fader’ it growed up.” Mr. Chadwick was being modest, however there are others who he could share that title with, including the good doctor. For his role in making baseball the success it is, Doc Adams may be counted first among the Fathers of Baseball. “Doc Adams“, SABR Bio Project, John Thorn

Continue reading →

The Bat And Ball Letter

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

On June 15, 1832, Doc Adams received a letter from his 11-year old sister that has become known as the “Bat and Ball letter“. In the letter his sister Nancy sent to him at school, she said, “I have not played with your bat and ball as you bid me. I forget it every morning and indeed I have not seen it since you went away”. It is the earliest known evidence of Doc’s interest in the game. Doc was at Yale when he received this letter from his father with all the usual admonitions of you’re not studying hard … Continue reading →

Springfield Letter

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

On March 31, 1845 Doc Adams’ father replied to a letter from his son. Below is an interesting excerpt from that letter. Unfortunately, the transcribed letter prior to this is dated June, 1844, so there is no way of knowing more about this “proposition” of “going to Springfield”. It certainly seems that some sort of employment position had been offered to Doc. This letter is also interesting because it is only one of two letters that provide a glimpse into Doc’s possible medical specialty of “stammerers”. Yet, his Harvard Medical School specialty (or maybe it was his graduate thesis?) lists … Continue reading →

Chadwick Letter

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

Baseball Hall of Famer Henry Chadwick and Doc Adams remained friends until Doc’s death. They often corresponded and reminisced about the ‘old days’ as is evidenced by this letter from Chadwick. 257 Green AveBrooklynOct 4 My Dear Doctor, Your most welcome letter of the 3rd Sept was just handed me and I answer it at once. It was not two weeks ago since I passed through New Haven en route to my home after a month sojourn with relations in Canada on my golden wedding trip. When I do happen to enter the Elm City again, I shall certainly call … Continue reading →

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

While Doc Adams was at Harvard Medical School he made the acquaintance of Oliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.), as they roomed at the same boarding house. In a bit of an interesting twist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. has a tie to baseball as well. According to John Helyar’s classic, “Lords of the Realm,” baseball’s Reserve Clause dated to 1879, when the eight pro teams at the time opted to “reserve” five of their players apiece each year, preventing high salaries and free agency. The arrangement soon drew heated opposition, including in 1915 when owners of the short-lived Federal League brought an … Continue reading →

Henry Chadwick On The Father Of Baseball

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

On August 16, 1898, Henry Chadwick wrote to Doc Adams responding to Doc’s letter congratulating him on the title of “Father of Base Ball”. Mr. Chadwick wrote: “That title of ‘Father of Base Ball’ is out of place. Base like Topsy ‘never had no fader’ it growed up.” Mr. Chadwick was being modest, however there are others who he could share that title with, including the good doctor. For his role in making baseball the success it is, Doc Adams may be counted first among the Fathers of Baseball. “Doc Adams“, SABR Bio Project, John Thorn

Continue reading →

The Bat And Ball Letter

Doc Adams Base Ball (Official) Posted on by

On June 15, 1832, Doc Adams received a letter from his 11-year old sister that has become known as the “Bat and Ball letter“. In the letter his sister Nancy sent to him at school, she said, “I have not played with your bat and ball as you bid me. I forget it every morning and indeed I have not seen it since you went away”. It is the earliest known evidence of Doc’s interest in the game. Doc was at Yale when he received this letter from his father with all the usual admonitions of you’re not studying hard … Continue reading →