MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SEASON RECAP 1897

Season Recap: 1897

League Champion: Boston Beaneaters

Charles Radbourne

Charley Radbourn dies in Bloomington, Illinois, at age of 42

1897 – Cleveland Spiders president Frank DeHaas Robison proposes that National League clubs chip in to pay the 1896 salary of New York Giants stellar pitcher Amos Rusie, who refused to play due to a contract dispute. Robison and other NL officials want to avoid Rusie’s lawsuit, in which he seeks free agency. Although New York president Andrew Freedman vehemently opposes the plan, the $3,000 payment is made and Rusie rejoins the Giants.

Effa Manley is born in Philadelphia

Effa Manley is born in Philadelphia

With the New York Giants leading 7 – 0 after two innings, the Washington Senators start delaying the game in hopes that the imminent rainstorm will wash the game out. Umpire Tom Lynch forfeits the game to New York.

Nap Lajoie slugs two home runs and a double to lead the Phillies to a 13 – 1 rout of St. Louis. Lajoie continues the hitting streak he started on May 8th and will not go hitless until May 31st, a string of twenty games.

Jack Doyle hits an unusual home run for Baltimore, but Washington defeats the Orioles, 13 – 5. The home run is noteworthy in that the ball rolls to the fence where a ladder had been placed. It rolls up the ladder and disappears over the fence.

In National League action, Washington Senators catcher Duke Farrell picks up 8 assists in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. For many years, record books will credit him with 8 runners caught stealing, but that is incorrect. Only 5 of the assists were on stolen base attempts; one came on a pick-off and the last two on other fielding plays. In spite of Farrell’s efforts, the Senators lose anyway, 6 – 3.

Fans assemble for Cleveland’s first Sunday baseball game only to have the police arrest the players after the 1st inning. Players and umpire Tim Hurst are released on bail provided by Cleveland club owner Frank DeHaas Robison. A test case is made of rookie hurler John Powell. On June 10th, he will be found guilty of playing ball on Sunday and fined $5.

Bill Joyce hits four triples to lead the New York Giants to an 11 – 5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Exposition Park. This is the last time this feat has been accomplished in major league history. Previously, George Strief of the American Association Philadelphia Athletics hit four triples in a game on June 25, 1885.

A “shoot the chutes” waterslide opens at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. With the Browns in last place at 5-20‚ owner Chris Von der Ahe is trying to draw customers with a variety of amusement park attractions. It doesn’t help today as the Browns lose their 21st‚ 14 – 6‚ to Louisville.

The Cincinnati Reds acquire slick first baseman and good hitter Jake Beckley from the New York Giants.

The Cincinnati Reds acquire Jake Beckley 

Boston infield collects a record 18 hits

Boston infield collects a record 18 hits

Chicago’s versatile Nixey Callahan wears his pitching hat in an 8 – 5 victory at Washington. Nixey will be 12-9 this year‚ while hitting .292 in 94 games as an IF/OF as well as a pitcher.

For the second time in four days‚ manager Patsy Donovan’s aggressive tactics cost the Pirates a game by forfeit. With the weather threatening in the 4th inning‚ the Pirates stall egregiously hoping for a rainout‚ until umpire Jim McDonald declares a forfeit.

The Chicago Colts (Cubs) of the National League establish the record for most runs scored in a game by one team when they clobber the Louisville Colonels, 36-7. The Cardinals will beat the Phillies 28-6 at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl in 1929 to set the modern NL mark.

Louisville’s Tom McCreery hits three home runs, providing the difference in the Colonels’ 10-7 victory over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl. Each of the outfielder’s round-trippers is of the inside-the-park variety, and all are given up by Philadelphia right-hander Jack Taylor.

Cap-Anson-Swinging 3000 hit

Colts first baseman Cap Anson becomes the first major leaguer to collect 3000 hits 

Honus Wagner made his big league debut with the Louisville Colonels.

Honus Wagner made his big league debut with the Louisville Colonels.

Biz Mackey

One of the finest catchers in Negro leagues history is born in Eagle Pass, Texas. James “Biz” Mackey

John Grimes, who appeared in only three games during his one-year career with the St. Louis Brown Stockings, establishes a major league record by hitting six batters in a nine-inning game. The post-1900 record is four hit batsmen, a dubious mark shared by many pitchers.

Tim Hurst fires a beer bottle back at the fans

Tim Hurst fires a beer bottle back at the fans

1897 – Baltimore regains 2nd place with an 11 – 7 victory over its favorite opponent‚ Philadelphia.

Today is Bid McPhee Day at Cincinnati. The Reds lose the game‚ but the veteran 2B‚ playing in his 16th season‚ receives a check for $1‚800.

Philadelphia wins its tenth straight, defeating Pittsburgh, 13–6. The Phils are led by Sam Thompson who has a homer, triple and two singles.

Roger Bresnahan pitching

Washington Senator (NL) right-hander Roger Bresnahan makes his major league debut, shutting out the St. Louis Browns, 3-0, en route to posting a perfect 4-0 record along with a 3.95 ERA this season. The 18 year-old’s pitching time on the mound will be short-lived when the ‘The Duke Of Tralee’ switches to behind the plate to start a Hall of Fame career as a catcher.

9/8/1897: In the second game of a doubleheader in Washington, Kip Selbach of the home team bounced a ball into the stands for a home run in the fourth inning. However, the game was forfeited by Cleveland to Washington in the top of the fifth inning and the statistics did not count for the contest. (See forfeits page for details.)

Although he gives up 14 runs on 17 hits, Dave Wright of the Chicago Colts (Cubs) wins his first and only major league game. The 21 year-old Dennison, Ohio native is the beneficiary of Chicago’s 11-run fifth inning when the club beats the Pirates, 15-14.

Cap Anson closes out a remarkable 27-year career

Charles Ebbets

Charles Ebbets gains a controlling 80 percent interest of the Brooklyn Dodgers

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