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Farmer Weaver

Outfield
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Louisville
  • Team: Colonels
  • League: American Association

William B. Weaver (1865-1943) was a proficient outfielder, steady hitter and all-around player who could catch when needed. Possessing keen baseball acumen, Weaver’s major league tenure lasted from 1888 to 1894 where he produced a solid .278 average. Earned a second nickname “Buck” in comparison to Buck Ewing in recognition of his prowess with the bat in his Texas League debut. Signed by Louisville, Weaver quickly impressed with his fine hitting and as a “splendid fielder and base-runner.” He experienced incredible highs and lows on field and off: in 1889 the team became first to lose 100 games, but next year won the pennant; then became one of a handful of major leaguers to go to prison for fathering a child with a minor, but lead prison teams to such accomplishments as to earn an early release.

  • Recorded two once-in-a-century entries in the annals: only player until 1989 to lead league in fielding %, POs and assists; and went 6-for-6 hitting the cycle, not done again until 2009
  • Shares a strange link with the other Buck Weaver of Chicago “Black Sox” infamy by coaching his integrated KS prison team – officially known as the Black Sox

Auction History

Farmer Vaughn

Catcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Louisville
  • Team: Colonels
  • League: American Association

Harry Francis Vaughn (1864-1914). A catcher for 13 professional seasons, Vaughn played for 6 different teams: Cincinnati Red Stockings, Louisville Colonels, New York Giants (PL), Cincinnati Kelly’s Killers, Milwaukee Brewers, & Cincinnati Reds.

  • Amassed 946 hits
  • Compiled a .274 lifetime batting average

Auction History

Phil Tomney

Catcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Louisville
  • Team: Colonels
  • League: American Association

Philip H. Tomney (1863-1892) was born on the banks of the Schuylkill River in the coal country of eastern Pennsylvania mere days before America’s bloodiest conflict would ensue at nearby Gettysburg. His short life would end just 28 years later when he succumbed to the pernicious effects of consumption, endemic to the area of his origins. “Buster” would devote nearly all of his brief adult life to the game of baseball, excelling to such a degree that in his nine year professional career, he would spend three at the pinnacle of the sport: the “big leagues.” Phil was a shortstop during his ML stint, all of it with the Louisville Colonels toward the end of their years in the American Association: 1888-90. It is reasonable to suppose that Tomney’s health drove him from the game. His final season stats indicate his best year with a .277 batting average in a career-high 386 ABs over 108 games. He drove in a solid total of 58 runs with an OBP that year of .357.

  • Slightly built at 5’7″ and 155 lbs, the right-hander’s final game was Oct 14, 1890
  • Died March 18, 1892 in his hometown of Reading

Auction History

Scott Stratton

Pitcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Louisville
  • Team: Colonels
  • League: American Association

Chilton Scott Stratton (1869-1939) pitched for four teams over eight years, from 1888-1895. He played primarily for the Louisville Colonels, a stint interrupted in 1891 by a partial season with the Pirates where he lost his only two games. Scott’s stand-out year was 1890 with the Colonels, winning 34 games and leading the league in win-loss % and ERA with 2.36. He set a major league record that still stands starting 25 consecutive games in which his team won. His team won the AA pennant that year as well. Stratton had one more 20-win season in Louisville in ’92 going 21-19. Overall, his career record was 97-114 with an ERA of 3.87.

  • Stratton’s career year in 1890 included a 34-14 record in 49 starts and one relief appearance
  • He was also a good enough hitter to play OF on his off days, compiling a lifetime .274 BA
  • Stratton’s uniform color on this card was changed in February, 2017 from blue to maroon to reflect recent reliable research by Craig Brown & friends at Threads of Our Game. Six cards had been previously released featuring a blue uniform

Auction History

Toad Ramsey

Pitcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Louisville
  • Team: Colonels
  • League: American Association

Thomas H. Ramsey (1864-1906). Toad pitched for the Louisville Colonels and St. Louis Browns from 1885-1890. In his rookie season, Ramsey only managed 66 complete games out of 67 starts! His 499 strikeouts that year still stand as the second-most all-time. His career flamed out after two stellar seasons, but Toad Ramsey left records that seem unthinkable today.

  • Credited with inventing the knuckleball thanks to a severed tendon in his left index finger
  • Died at age 41 of pneumonia in his hometown of Indianapolis
  • Ramsey’s uniform color on this card was changed in February, 2017 from black to maroon to reflect recent reliable research by Craig Brown & friends at Threads of Our Game. Nine cards had been previously released featuring a black uniform.

Auction History