Tag Archives: Hall of Fame

Meet The American Who… Doc Adams

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On March 31, 2023, Doc Adams was profiled in Fox News Digital’s “Meet the American Who” series by Kerry Byrne. The article is well done and helped increase awareness of Doc Adams and his contributions to the game. The article captured Doc’s love of the game and the role he played in baseball’s development and growth during the National Pastime’s nascent period. The article can be read here. “… Baseball had no ‘fadder’; it jest growed.” Henry Chadwick, Hall of Fame Member, On Being referred to as “The Father of Baseball” Chadwick probably said it best. Baseball did not have … Continue reading →

The Call Was Late But There’s Still Time To Answer

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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

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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)

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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 →

Another Doc Adams Baseball Card

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I just added a new Doc Adams card to my collection. It is from the 2024 LJA Cards “Pioneers of Base Ball the 1800s” set. Hopefully, we will soon see more to come, including a Hall of Fame plaque card. The #1 source for bespoke custom trading cardsAll of LJACards’ Custom Trading Cards are original artworks crafted by us. We take inspiration from historical designs and images to create something new. Each card is made by hand, ensuring that every one is unique.With a background in Anthropology and Historic Preservation, my goal is to celebrate history in a fun and … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 8: Rules (The Sporting News)

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This is the eighth 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: “Rules”. 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, that Doc … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 7: Executive (The Sporting News)

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This is the seventh 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: “Executive”. 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, that Doc … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 6: Knickerbockers (The Sporting News)

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This is the sixth 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: “Knickerbockers”. 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, that Doc … Continue reading →

In His Own Words Chapter 5: Exercise (The Sporting News)

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This is the fifth 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: “Exercise”. 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, that Doc … Continue reading →

Recalling The Ceremonial 1st “Pitch For Doc Adams”

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After the recent capstone event of this year’s “A Pitch For Doc Adams” at the M.A.C. Grounds at Fleischmanns Park, we’d like to flash back to its ceremonial 1st pitch. It seems like only yesterday that the first “Pitch For Doc Adams” was thrown on June 9, 2024 at Stroh Field, Hilltop Farm. Suffield, CT. The weather wasn’t the greatest; however, it cooperated enough to play and the ballists made the best of it. The Westfield Wheelmen hosted the first-ever Old Tyme Base Ball Festival on June 8 and 9 in Suffield. The team organized the two-day baseball festival at … Continue reading →