The Original Reds
Aaron B. Champion tells the story, and he was there
[The following article, written by the late Aaron B. Champion, appeared in SAXBY’S MAGAZINE for August, 1887. As this is the only authentic history of the original “Red Stockings,” it will, doubtless, prove highly interesting to those who are faithful lovers of the National Game. The drawings were made by “Dick” Outcalt (the creator of “Buster Brown”), who was the the staff artist of this magazine.]
Whence They Came — Who They Were — Where They Went — What They Did, and How They Did It.
THE march of Xenophon and his ten thousand, of Hannibal through Spain, of Napoleon over the Alps, and of Sherman to the sea, are regarded, as historical events of sufficient magnitude to place them conspicuously on the pages of history, but in the minds of those who participated in the march of our old “ Red Stocking Base Bail Club,” from Cincinnati to the sea, in 1869, there is yet a lingering doubt as to whether it is not the most important event that ever happened, and they yet indignantly flaunt the idea that in future histories it will not be chronicled as of equal importance to those named above. No historian, has yet written, nor has poet sung, of the tramp, tramp, of the immortal red-stockinged band, who, away from their homes, strangers in strange lands, overwhelmed their foes, piled victory on victory, and often snatched victory from defeat. But there yet may be, and there no doubt will be, discussed in school debating societies such questions as these: “Which was the greater General, Napoleon or Harry Wright?” or “Who was the greater short stop — Marshal Ney, stopping the advance of the Russian army, or George Wright?” or “Whether it is nobler to be or to have been a ‘Red’ Stocking’ in the year 1869.” It is easy to tell how the small boy will decide.
July 23, 1866, in the law office of Timen, Sherman & Moulton, Selves Building, this city, there gathered a number of distinguished members of the bar (distinguished by their lack of clients), and various and sundry citizens. Of the lawyers can be called to mind: Drausin Wulsin, J. William Johnston, Quint Corwin, Howard Tilden, A. B. Champion, Charles E. Callahan; of citizens: Captain H. A. Glassford, Chas. Scanlan, now of the Enquirer. The constitution adopted was a wonder, and the hair-splitting and debate thereon has only been equaled by that in the Constitutional Convention of Ohio, about the constitution that never has been. But after that ball club was organized, its constitution was, happily for its success, never used, and its whole career was unconstitutional. The name chosen: “Resolute Base Ball Club.” The officers: H. A. Glassford, President; J. Wm. Johnston, Secretary . The uniform: red cap, blue pants,white shirt — colors symbolical of patriotism. The playground: Millcreek bottom, foot of Eighth Street. The club house: a room in Blymyer’s foundry, where balls and bats were stored. One can yet see the gallant Wulsin, the elephantine Champion, the graceful Johnston, flying round after the ball through the weeds of Millcreek in that uniform — pictures of “Resoluteness” in pursuit of health, happiness and a base ball, under difficulties, not preserved on canvas, but dear yet to memory, and as picturesque as Pickwick’s escape from the militia.
Progress was rapid; the mud of Millcreek was too much for the Resolutes, and before a month had rolled around an alliance was made with the Union Cricket Club, through the President of the “Red Heads,”as they were humorously called: a joint tenancy of the Union grounds at the foot of Richmond Street was secured, and the name was changed to “Cincinnati Base Ball Club.” Harry Wright was then associated with the Union Cricket Club as a cricketer, but as he had been a baseball player with the old “ Excelsiors,” of Brooklyn, in the days of Bobby [Jim was intended — jt] Creighton, he was added to the nine, as was also Geo. B. Ellard, How, and others of the cricket eleven. The distinguished lawyers then retired from the active practice of baseball forever, and thereafter did their playing by proxy, preferring the brainwork of management to the hard work of the field. The season closed with five match games played. three won, two lost, and winners of the first prize at the tournament.
The club had vim and brains in it, and gathered strength each day. Early in 1867, among those already actively interested in it may be named A. T. Goshorn, John R. McLean, Johnny Joyce, Wm . Caldwell, Judge Worthington. Thos. G. Smith, S. S. Davis, Bellamy Storer, Jr., Joseph C. Butler, and others. At the annual election Johnny Joyce was elected Secretary — the most important single event in its history, for by his sagacity and judgment most of the after success of the club was attained. New grounds were taken behind Lincoln Park, fitted up, and the “Grand Duchess” constructed. These grounds and buildings were models, and have ever since been followed in other ball parks throughout the country, showing that these men knew what they were about. H. A. Glassford was elected President; A. B. Champion, Vice President; John P. Joyce, Secretary; Harry Wright, Captain of Nine.
The new grounds were opened July 4, 1867, with a game between the Cincinnati and Louisville Clubs, and was the first game in this city at which a crowd attended, an admission fee was charged, or a newspaper reporter wrote up a game — and such a report. The Cincinnatis were victorious by “a large majority.” July 10th the National Club, of Washington, made the first “tour” of a club, and, being composed of “professionals,” larruped our boys 54 to 10 — considered a handsome score, however, for the home team. Immediately after this game H. A. Glassford resigned the presidency and A.B. Champion was elected in his stead. No other game was lost this season, and it closed seventeen games played, one (with the Nationals) lost, and winners in the tournament, defeating the Hickorys, the venerable Judge Storer presenting the club the first prize.
In the spring of 1868 A. B. Champion declined re-election as president, and A. T. Goshorn was chosen to the position. Thos. G. Smith, Vice President; Wm. Worthington, Scorer; Harry Wright, Captain of the Nine, and J. P. Joyce, Secretary.
The Buckeye Club, composed of many of the best men of the town, had all this time been rivals and competitors for first honors, and it became evident that this year was to witness a life-and-death struggle between the two clubs.
The Buckeyes “constructed” new grounds immediately north of Lincoln Park, and Geo. F. Sands. Esq., the well known teacher, on a trip East, secured for its nine the then skilled players: Dockney, Fisher, Sweasy and Leonard: this they believed secured supremacy. Not to be outdone, the Cincinnatis dispatched Mr. Champion to New York, and he got Hatfield, Waterman and Brainard. Victory hung in the balance.
Now, be it known, that knickerbockers, to-day so common — the showing of the manly leg in varied-colored hose — were unheard of, and when Harry Wright occasionally appeared with the scarlet stockings, young ladies’ faces blushed as red, and many high-toned members of the club denounced the innovation as immoral and indecent. There were, however, strenuous supporters of the new idea, strong-headed radicals, and at a meeting on Third Street they got possession, “by strategy, my boy,” and adopted the uniform afterward to be a by-word, a nickname, a term of ridicule and finlly full of glory — “that is, baseball glory.”
The new grounds of the Buckeyes were opened in May. Enrolled as members of the Cincinnati Club, by this time, were at least five hundred of the best men of the town. The Buckeyes had nearly as many more. The game resulted in their defeat. The Athletics, the Atlantics, Unions, Eckfords and other clubs came this way, the Unions losing a game. Major Goshorn took the nine on its first trip, winning games at Columbus, Zanesville, Steubenville, Wheeling, and Pittsburg. In August , Joyce went East to secure Radcliff for catcher. Failing to get him, he spent a week quietly watching amateur games, perched on the fences surrounding brickyards in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and from among the players picked out and sent to Cincinnati Allison, the ingenuous, the simple, but the greatest catcher ever behind the bat — Allison, who, on his first morning here, was found by members of the club sitting at 11 o'clock A.M., in his hotel, hungry, waiting for the bell to ring for breakfast — Allison, who had to be dressed up for the occasion, in order that the "uppish" members of the club would not be dumbfounded by his appearance, but who, in five minutes behind the bat, won the hearts and heads of every one, and stepped at once above all other catchers.
In the fall of 1868 the second game with the Buckeyes took place. They had brought from Washington for the occasion four of the strongest players of the National Club. The night before the game President Goshorn was advised that treason was suspected in the ranks of his men, and, backed up by his directors, declined to permit Hatfield or Brainard to play in this game, and, though so weakened and its opponent so strengthened, the Reds were victorious, and then established the supremacy never again questioned here. In October Major Goshorn, accompanied by Secretary Joyce, took the nine a second trip (its first through the Eastern cities), winning games from most of the leading clubs, losing but few, and the season closed, showing thirty-six games played, twenty-eight won, eight lost. A season of social pleasure for the club, unequaled by any in its history and of almost marvelous success. Vim and brains had done their work.
Though successful, yet the club was deeply in debt, the expenses of fitting up the grounds in 1867 had not been paid, the trips had not been a source of income, and there existed a debt to Joseph C. Butler of $5,000 for money borrowed. The winter of 1868–69 was the “winter of discontent,” but only the chosen few knew the true condition: To the world all was prosperity and peace, but affairs were desperate. In the spring of 1869 Major Goshorn, owing to business engagements, declined a re-election after much solicitation. Mr. Champion a second time accepted the presidency — a position not of profit, for during its whole career no officer of this club received one cent of pay.
The other officers then re-elected were: Thos. G. Smith, Vice President; John P. Joyce, Secretary; Ed E. Townley, Treasurer; Directors — Drausin Wulsin, S.S. Davis, Colonel Nick Anderson, Wm. Caldwell, A. T. Goshorn, A. G. Corre; Harry Wright, Captain. This was to be the crowning year of the club’s life.
Johnny Joyce, when with the dub on its Eastern trip the previous year, with keen interest had seen that the game must soon come to be played by trained athletes instead of by amateurs (?), for to this time no “professionals” were allowed, though many amateurs ( ?) were under pay, and these “professional amateurs” had played when they chose — did as they pleased — and then, as now, many of them preferred to play “statues on the street,’’ or cards in a saloon, than baseball on the field. He saw that the first club, with a nine well organized, systematically disciplined, incessantly practiced, temperate, and regular in habits, would sweep the field, and all the players for the season were engaged with the understanding that they had hard work before them, and for the first time stringent written contracts were signed. The players and salaries were for a year:
All of these were seasoned players, except McVey, whom Joyce picked out from an amateur club in Indianapolis. Practice commenced early. Harry Wright entered heart and hand into the plans of the management; his superior judgment saw the weak points of the men, and trained them until they disappeared; his well-balanced head, his patience, his courage, his deportment, gave to the men confidence, dexterity, assurance, discipline. With modest heroism (for such it was ) he first yielded the position of pitcher, held since ’66, to Brainard, and then second base to Sweasy. For two months work was incessant. At the end of that time the nine was a trained machine and working without a jar, but yet unaware of its strength. An Eastern trip was projected for June. Then each club had to arrange games as best it could, and correspondence was immense. Five games had been played, and all were won. “ Rations’’ were very short. “Pony purses” had floated the nine thus far. Money was doled out by the single dollar. sometimes less. Where were the funds to come from to pay expenses to the East? This was to be done by a great game with the Live Oaks, Decoration Day. It fell on Saturday, and never before or since has it been so generally observed. Every store and office was closed. Alas! alas! another great plan went “aft aglee,” for at noon a tremendous storm destroyed all hopes of a game and of funds. Sunday morning a disconsolate lot of club members met in a Third Street office. A trip arranged as far as Boston; games fixed; published; on the morrow the start must be made; board bills of the nine must be paid; tickets purchased; bats and balls bought; and no funds. Ludicrous as it is now, and, as then, it didn’t seem a bit funny. The rather worn-out “pony purse” was resorted to, but, though subscriptions were numerous, it being Sunday, pockets were empty. Finally that devotee of art and baseball, the wit, genius, and good fellow, Will Noble, the artist ( peace to his ashes), remembered that his wife had husbanded $300, which she had at home, which he guessed she would loan the president on the guaranty of the others. He “guessed” correctly, and the financial cloud was lifted.
Monday morning early the start was made — ten players, President Champion, Secretary Joyce, Harry Miller, of the Commercial. No bands, no enthusiasm, no send-off. Tickets were in hand, but only $24 in money remained. Some members of the nine, forgetful of pledges, had touched “the rosy” too freely. All were cross. And the miraculous task of transporting this insubordinate band a couple of thousand miles on $24 and chance began.
The work of this year is summarized as follows:
The travelers, as equipped on leaving Cincinnati, had in their possession two dozen bats, one dozen balls, the club pennant, tickets for Boston, twenty-four dollars in cash, and a bottle of arnica.
A detailed account of the finances of this trip would look ludicrous. The first game at Yellow Springs was missed, a heavy rain prevailing all morning. At Mansfield the nine got out of town having just made enough to liquidate the board bill, with a like result at Cleveland, Buffalo and Rochester. They reached Troy penniless and hopeless, but had their hearts gladdened in the afternoon on receiving from the Troy manager $285 as their share of the admission fees.
This was all subsequently expended in Boston, where the chief game was played with the Lowells on the Commons, and the next with the Harvards, on the well-known Jarvis Fields. Rain prevented contests with the New Havens and Yales, and the nine landed in New York City bankrupt for the second time. The next three days, however, yielded $1,700, as follows: $300 from the Mutuals, $600 from the Atlantics, and $800 from the Athletics, and the club returned to Cincinnati, having made a clear profit of $ 1,600.
This was the trip which gave the Reds their fame, the home members confidently expecting that when Troy was reached the renowned Haymakers, considered the most powerful team in the East, would administer a dressing to the Cincinnatis — a thing they were not success ful in doing. Albany, Springfield, Boston and New York were visited in the order named, at the latter place occurring the great 4-2 game with the Mutuals, then unprecedented in its score, and, considering the lively ball used in those days, has never been equaled. It was also a great satisfaction to Cincinnatians when they heard that in this contest Renegade Hatfield did not make a run. The following day the champion Atlantics lowered their colors to the Ohioans, the result being 32 to 10. On Thursday a victory was won over the Eckfords. Success continued in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Wheeling, arousing Cincinnatians to a fever of excitement, as evinced by the following dispatches:
CINCINNATI, June 15, 1869.
Cincinnati B. B.C., Earle’ s Hotel, New York:
On behalf of the citizens of Cincinnati, we send you greeting. The streets are full of people, who give cheer after cheer for their pet club. Go on with the noble work. Our expectations have been met.
ALL THE CITIZENS OF CINCINNATI,
Per S. S. Davis.
CINCINNATI, June 21, 1869.
Champion and Joyce, C. B. B. C., Bingham House, Philadelphia:
Finest in the world. Prediction true. Imagine two thousand people in and around the Gibson House, waiting for the score. Every minute, yells and roars go up. Oh, how is this for high? A. G. CORRE.
The next dispatch, in addition to being bogus, must have been written by someone who had to pull his hat on the next morning with a shoe horn :
CINCINNATI, June 21, 1869.
To A. B. Champion, Pres’t C. C. B. B., Bingham House, Philadelphia:
For heaven ‘s sake coax the boys to sober up for to-day’s game, at least. An over-anxious public are still patiently awaiting something favorable on your tour. When do you play in New York ?
[Signed] Bellamy Storer, M. P. Gaddis, S. Moore, M. W. Myers, J r., Godfrey Martin, John D. Caldwell, Pioneer President of Typographical Association; J.L. Ruffin, C. of P. ; Jas. J. Faran, J. Benton McCullaugh, all proofreaders of Methodist Book Concern, traveling agents for Widows’ Home, C. W. Starbuck, Daniel Cobb, undertaker; B. Lewis, S. S. Davis, and others, in behalf of an anxious public.
CINCINNATI, June 21, 1869.
A. B. Champion, President Cincinnati Baseball Club, Philadelphia, Pa.:
All hail the victors! The Union Club congratulates the boys upon their brilliant victories and unprecedented success. Great excitement throughout the city , and the news of your victory to-day received with great joy. Play carefully — heavy bets pending upon the club returning home the winners of every game. A red-hot reception in store for you. All the women are wearing red stockings in honor of the noble nine, and your praise is on every tongue. UNION CLUB.
CINCINNATI, O., 7, 1869.
A. B. Champion, President Cincinnati Baseball Club, care President National Baseball Club:
Cincinnati crazy over your victory. Go on in your career of triumph. Bets are made that you will not lose a game in the whole tour. We are proud of you. Keep your temper and go it. Shouts arise on all sides, and we cry, “Three cheers for the champions!”
N. L. ANDERSON
A. B. Champion, Commanding Red Stockings, Cosmopolitan:
A thousand hearts beat happily; let joy be unconfined. J. & M.
The nine arrived home on July 1, and the Commercial of the following day thus describes its reception:
Cincinnati wore a holiday attire yesterday, in honor of the men who have carried her name victorious over everything that dared contest the supremacy. The Little Miami depot and the streets to the north were densely crowded, yesterday morning, by thousands of men, women and children, on the arrival of the train bearing the champion nine of the United States. As the train slowly entered the depot, the Zouave Band sounded the notes of welcome, and cheer after after cheer went up from thousands of lungs. The procession, headed by the band wagon, moved west to Pike, north to Fourth, west to Walnut, and north to the Gibson House. Along the line of march throngs lined the sidewalks, the men cheering and the ladies waving their handkerchiefs. On Fourth from Broadway to Elm, there was a gay sight of flags and banners, bearing hearty words of greeting. Many were on the streets who knew nothing of the game, but nevertheless felt a pride in the club. Said an old gentleman and prominent business man who looked earnestly at the nine as they filed slowly by in open carriages, “I know nothing of baseball, but it does me good to see those young fellows; they’ve dome something to add to the glory of the city.”
“Glory,” said an eager young merchant, “they’ve advertised the city — advertised us, sir, and helped our business, sir.” On arrival at the Gibson House, the nine were escorted upstairs to the balcony, in front of the parlors. When they made their appearance on the balcony, cheer after cheer was given, and demands were made for a speech from each of the players. In response to calls, Mr. Champion came forward, and in a few well-chosen words thanked the citizens for the interest manifested in the victorious career of the club, and for the splendid reception. In conclusion, he stated that the boys were tired with much playing and traveling, and that they all, in consequence, desired to be excused.
A reception game was played in the afternoon with a picked nine, and on the arrival there of the Red Stockings they were presented with a bat of ash twenty-seven feet in length, nineteen and a half inches in diameter at the butt, and nine and a half inches at the wrist. Handsomely painted on it were the names of the nine. A magnificent banquet was given at the Gibson House that night.
So ended the “March to the Sea.” In a few days trips were made t the Northwest, and in September to California. Every gam was won, and a record made which has never been equaled.
The year 1870 opened with same playing nine and officers, and the club free from debt: a trip to New Orleans in April: East again in June, and, after having played nearly eighty games without losing one — and year and half’s playing — the Atlantics, of Brooklyn, humiliated the conquerors and, in an an eleven-inning contest, won from them a game by the now famous figures of 8 to 7.
In September Mr. Champion resigned the presidency, and A.P.C. Bonte took his place and Mr. Corre, of the Gibson House, was elected Secretary in place of Mr. Joyce, resigned. Trips were made to various parts of the country and the season closed with only half a dozen games lost out of more than sixty played. A second season, which has never been equaled, though the glories of this season have been overshadowed by those of 1869, the season of 1870 was really the greatest, for nines all over he country had commenced steady and hard work, and were not to be taken by surprise, as they had been the previous year.
At the end of this season it became evident that the nine would be broken up, players were offered higher salaries elsewhere, and the people of Cincinnati, having been spoiled by the success of 1869,refused their support. A few f the club members, who had been present at its birth,seeing this, met at a residence on Seventh Street, in November, and decreed the club’s death. A public meeting of members was held, and the decree was put into effect. So ended the Cincinnati Base Ball Club, famous as the Red Stockings.
A few years ago Harry Wright was asked the question: “How would the Red Stocking nine compare with nines now playing?” He replied: “This was the best nine, the best-balanced nine, ever organized. Given the same men, with their age and practiced in the game as now played, and they would defeat every nine in the country.” No doubt his judgment would be now as then.
Baseball is not the beginning or the end of life, but, if played at all, is worth playing well. The old members of the Red Stocking club and nine can look back, see nothing to be ashamed of, and remember with pleasure the splendid social club and playing nine they had, and feel that what they did they did well.
[The following is a list of their games of 1869, following victories in informal games with picked nines on April 17 and 24. The first game of the California expedition was played in St. Louis on September 15.]
