When was Doc Adams first referred to as a “Father of Baseball”?

June 23, 1895

On June 23, 1895, the “Side Lights on the Ball Field” column of the Chicago Chronicle stated “The Father of the National Game Still Living in New Haven”.

In it, Doc is referred to as the “Father of Baseball”.

Full disclosure, this may not be the earliest; however, it is currently the earliest that we have been able to identify.