Young pitcher Fred Goldsmith demonstrates at a public exhibition at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, NY that the curve ball is a real pitch and not simply an optical illusion

Young pitcher Fred Goldsmith demonstrates at a public exhibition at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, NY that the curve ball is a real pitch and not simply an optical illusion

ByThis Day in Baseball

1870 – Young pitcher Fred Goldsmith demonstrates at a public exhibition at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, NY that the curve ball is a real pitch and not simply an optical illusion, as he manages to make a ball bend around three parallel stakes placed in the ground. Henry Chadwick is among those in attendance and reports on the event in the next day’s paper. Goldsmith’s claim to have invented the pitch will be disputed by Candy Cummings, however.

1870 – In what is considered by many historians the greatest baseball game of the 19th century, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball’s first all-professional team see their winning streak stopped at 89 in a wild 11-inning battle with the Atlantic of Brooklyn team, 8 – 7. The game is tied 5 – 5 after nine innings of play, and the Atlantic players are happy to have a draw but Cincinnati captain Harry Wright insists that the game be played to a decision. The Red Stockings score twice in the 11th inning, but the Atlantic come back with three in their half to win. The game is notable as being the first extra-inning game between professional clubs, and as one of the lowest-scoring games of its day. As is the practice of the day, Atlantic continues to bat after having clinched the game, but no further runs are scored.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1870 – In what is considered by many historians the greatest baseball game of the 19th century, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball’s first all-professional team see their winning streak stopped at 89 in a wild 11-inning battle with the Atlantic of Brooklyn team, 8 – 7. The game is tied 5 – 5 after nine innings of play, and the Atlantic players are happy to have a draw but Cincinnati captain Harry Wright insists that the game be played to a decision. The Red Stockings score twice in the 11th inning, but the Atlantic come back with three in their half to win. The game is notable as being the first extra-inning game between professional clubs, and as one of the lowest-scoring games of its day. As is the practice of the day, Atlantic continues to bat after having clinched the game, but no further runs are scored.

The champion Brooklyn Eckfords Club begins a new Championship series

The champion Brooklyn Eckfords Club begins a new Championship series

ByThis Day in Baseball

1869 – The champion Brooklyn Eckfords Club begins a new Championship series with the ex-champion New York Mutuals‚ a most unusual event to occur so soon after the title changed hands. Despite a high wind‚ the Mutuals defeat the Eckfords with 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win‚ 28 – 25.

The first rain out involving a professional baseball team occurs when heavy rain postpones the Red Stockings’ tune up game against the Antioch Nine, a Yellow Springs, Ohio college team. Aaron B. Champion, Cincinnati’s owner, had been a student at the school in the 1850s.

ByTom

The first rain out involving a professional baseball team occurs when heavy rain postpones the Red Stockings’ tune up game against the Antioch Nine, a Yellow Springs, Ohio college team. Aaron B. Champion, Cincinnati’s owner, had been a student at the school in the 1850s.

The Mutuals of New York journey to Boston, MA on a three-day visit‚ during which time they will beat the Tri-Mountains (69 – 17)‚ the Harvards (43 – 11)‚ and the Lowells (26 – 21).

ByBaseball

The Mutuals of New York journey to Boston, MA on a three-day visit‚ during which time they will beat the Tri-Mountains (69 – 17)‚ the Harvards (43 – 11)‚ and the Lowells (26 – 21).

The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first all-professional baseball team, start their first regular season with a 45 – 9 victory over the Great Westerns of Cincinnati.

ByBaseball

The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first all-professional baseball team, start their first regular season with a 45 – 9 victory over the Great Westerns of Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the rival Amateurs, 24-15, in baseball’s first professional game. Team captain Harry Wright had put all of his players under contract, making the club, that will become known as the Reds, the first pro team in sports history.

ByTom

The Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the rival Amateurs, 24-15, in baseball’s first professional game. Team captain Harry Wright had put all of his players under contract, making the club, that will become known as the Reds, the first pro team in sports history.

1869 – Hughie Jennings is born in Pittston, PA. Jennings will be a standout shortstop before making a successful transition to manager. He will lead the Baltimore Orioles National League club to four straight appearances in the 19th century Temple Cup World Championship Series from 1894 to 1897 and the Detroit Tigers to three consecutive American League pennants from 1907 to 1909. Jennings will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee in 1945.

ByBaseball

1869 – Hughie Jennings is born in Pittston, PA. Jennings will be a standout shortstop before making a successful transition to manager. He will lead the Baltimore Orioles National League club to four straight appearances in the 19th century Temple Cup World Championship Series from 1894 to 1897 and the Detroit Tigers to three consecutive American League pennants from 1907 to 1909. Jennings will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee in 1945.

In Rockford, IL‚ the Unions of Morrisania play before 5‚000‚ their biggest crowd on their tour

ByThis Day in Baseball

In Rockford, IL‚ the Unions of Morrisania play before 5‚000‚ their biggest crowd on their tour. They win their 11th straight‚ beating the Forest City Club‚ 23 – 17. George Wrighthits a homer off Al Spalding.

The Forest Citys, an amateur team organized by the Forest City Baseball Club in 1865, endure a devastating defeat when they are pummelled by the Philadelphia Athletics, 85-11. A professional Forest City team will take the field next season, losing the first pro baseball game ever played in Cleveland when they drop a 25-6 decision to the Cincinnati Red Stockings at Case Commons.

ByNational

The Forest Citys, an amateur team organized by the Forest City Baseball Club in 1865, endure a devastating defeat when they are pummelled by the Philadelphia Athletics, 85-11. A professional Forest City team will take the field next season, losing the first pro baseball game ever played in Cleveland when they drop a 25-6 decision to the Cincinnati Red Stockings at Case Commons.