When the Society for American Baseball Research’s (SABR’s) Nineteenth Century Research Committee signed on to write and publish, “Base Ball’s 19th Century ‘Winter’ Meetings: 1857-1900” (the precursor to two volumes written by SABR’s Business of Baseball Research Committee covering 1901 – 2016’s Winter Meetings) we knew we had to start from the beginning.  And, that beginning was 1857, when baseball’s first true convention was held. Sixteen teams and forty-eight delegates in all met over two meeting dates in 1857 to codify the rules of play based on “the New York Game.”  They selected the then President of New York City’s … Continue reading →

Note: This was written before the Special Early Baseball Overview Committee inexplicably left Doc Adams off the Early Base Ball Era ballot; however, we still want to share Mr. Ryczek’s thoughts. In December, Hall of Fame electors will decide whether Daniel Lucius (Doc) Adams will be enshrined in baseball’s hallowed corridor, and if his plaque will join those of 333 others whose accomplishments and contributions to baseball earned them the sport’s highest honor.  Most Hall of Famers were selected because of their feats on the playing field.  They hit more home runs than their peers, won more games than other pitchers, … Continue reading →

I am writing this message today as an endorsement for Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His contributions to the game, as a player, manager, and general pioneer of the sport, put him head and shoulders above many other figures of his era. As has been confirmed by Major League Baseball’s official historian, John Thorn, and Baseball Hall of Fame researcher Freddy Berowski, Adams’s cultural impact on the game is defined by his contribution of the shortstop position, as well as helping establish the number of players in the field at a given time, … Continue reading →