Tag Archives: Doc Adams
Doc Adams’ Post-Baseball Accomplishments
When Doc no longer practiced medicine and considered himself fully retired, he became an involved, prominent and respected citizen of the town of Ridgefield, CT. In 1870, he was elected to one term in the Connecticut State Legislature. In 1871, he became the first President of the Ridgefield Savings Bank (now the Fairfield County Bank where his photo still hangs in the main office), a position he would hold in two separate terms for ten of the next fifteen years. He was the first treasurer of the Ridgefield Library (founded in 1871) and involved in the Land Improvement Association. He … Continue reading →
Peverelly’s “American Pastimes”: 1846-1861
Doc Adams is mentioned often in Charles A. Peverelly’s 1868 book, “American Pastimes – Containing a History of the Principal Base Ball, Cricket, Rowing, and Yachting Clubs of the United States“. The Book of American Pastimes is an American classic and one of the most significant baseball books ever written and is considered the first “official” baseball history in existence. 180 pages out of 556 are devoted to the game of baseball and team histories. It contains tough to find information regarding rosters and game scores during the 1850’s-60’s. 1846 Doc Adams is elected Vice-president of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club. … Continue reading →
Some Favorite Doc Quotes
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 … Continue reading →
Centerfield – The History Of Baseball
James Winters includes Doc Adams in his book, “Centerfield – The History Of Baseball”. He highlights his creation of the shortstop position and mentions his role in bat and ball manufacture and rules development and standardization.
Continue reading →Baseball’s Radical For All Seasons
In David Stevens’ book, “Baseball’s Radical For All Seasons” he mentions John Montgomery Ward’s letter crediting Doc Adams’s important role in baseball’s development. When in about the year 1842, or earlier, Dr. D.L. Adams, Alexander J. Cartwright, Colonel James Lee, Duncan F. Curry, E.R. Dupignac, William F. Ladd, and other prominent business and professional men of New York City, seeking some medium for outdoor exercise, turned to the boy’s game of Base Ball, there was not a code of rules nor any written records of the game, and their only guide to the method of playing was their own recollection … Continue reading →
Baseball State by State: New Hampshire
In his book, “Baseball State by State: Major and Negro League Players, Ballparks, Museums and Historical Sites“, Chris Jensen highlights Doc Adams for the state of New Hampshire.
Continue reading →The Call Was Late But There’s Still Time To Answer
In April of 1905, a call went out from Albert Spalding looking to learn about the “origin of baseball”. Based on the Knickerbocker members he listed; his call was about ten to fifteen years too late. Now granted, the Knickerbockers weren’t really the first base ball club. And yes, Spalding had a personal agenda that eventually led to the establishment of the Abner Doubleday myth. Was Spalding even aware of the Doc Adams interview in the February 29, 1896, issue of the Sporting News (et al)? Not likely. Adams was humble and could not foresee what baseball would become; however, … Continue reading →
Jay Jaffe Of FanGraphs Weighs In On the Classic Baseball Era Ballot
Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs, who has been a consistent supporter of Doc Adams Hall of Fame candidacy, weighed in on Doc Adams once again being left off the Hall of Fame ballot. I’m far less bothered by their omissions than I am that of an additional SABR Overlooked 19th Century Base Ball Legend, Daniel “Doc” Adams, whom Major League Baseball official historian John Thorn has called “first among the Fathers of Baseball” and “the most significant figure in the early history of baseball.” Adams’ contribution actually predates that 1871 date. Via his 1857 rulebook, “The Laws of Base Ball”, he bears the true … Continue reading →
In His Own Words Chapter 9: Legacy (The Sporting News)
This is the ninth and final chapter in a nine-part series, excerpts from an interview(s) in the “The Chicago Chronicle” and “The Sporting News”, both appearing in the mid-late 1890s. This chapter is titled: “Legacy”. The 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. He never talked about baseball. We have not one thing in the family, … Continue reading →