- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
Louis W. Bierbauer (1865-1926) was the treasure, buried then in the snows of Lake Erie, who gave his beloved Pittsburgh team its new name. Ned Hanlon was the privateer who braved the icy waters of Presque Isle in winter to sign the second-baseman away from the Athletics. This “piratical” act became so celebrated it gave the Alleghenys their permanent identity. Louie had done very well by the Athletics’s for his first four years in MLB. His year in the Players’ League with Ward’s Wonders was equally effective, causing the canny Hanlon to seize on Philadelphia’s lapse (they had not “reserved” Bierbauer). Lou rewarded his new club with six fine years at second base. Over his 13-year career, Lou would hit .267 with a .656 OPS. His performance stumbled a bit after joining the Pirates, but Bierbauer remained a strong hitter and defender through the 1896 season.
- Per Sporting Life in ’89: “Bierbauer is undoubtedly the king-pin second-baseman of the [American] Association”
- Ended his major league tenure in 1898 but continued in the minors. Lou managed the Canadian League’s St. Thomas Saints in 1915, his final year in pro ball
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Cincinnati
- Team: Red Stockings (AA)
- League: American Association
Clarence G. Baldwin (1864-1897)
“Clarence Baldwin, known in the baseball world as ‘Kid’ Baldwin, once a famous catcher, has been taken to the Cincinnati Hospital as a charity patient, a hopeless wreck from dissipation. He cannot live long.” New York Times, June 3, 1897.
Baldwin died five weeks later, on July 10, 1897. It was a sad coda to the short, tumultuous life of an infamously strong-armed and strong-willed player.
- Kid's best offensive year was 1887, but stats never captured his prowess behind the plate
- Many in and out of the game tried to help Baldwin’s sobriety, but he evaded all aid
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Brooklyn
- Team: Grays (AA)
- League: American Association
William H. Terry (1864-1915) was the first pitcher in the MLB history of the Brooklyn franchise and went on to win 197 games in his 14 year career. He won 20+ 4x. Threw 2 no-hitters and led the Bridegrooms to the ’89 AA title with 22 wins, then led them to the NL title in ’90 with 26 wins.
- Surrendered all 4 of Ed Delahanty’s HRs but won the game 9-8 on 7/13/96
- Adoring fans gave him his nickname, reflecting both his appealing appearance and character
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Cincinnati
- Team: Red Stockings (AA)
- League: American Association
Charles N. Snyder’s (1854-1924) 18 year career was bookended by Washington clubs: the Blue Legs of the NA and the Statesmen of the AA. As a catcher, he set many records. He won the inaugural championship of the American Assoc in 1882 as player-mgr w/Cincinnati. He was also on the pennant-winning Boston Red Caps in ’78.
- Umpired for the Players’ League in ’91; went on to officiate in 4 leagues
- Records included putouts, assists, double plays and fielding %, all as catcher
- Series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
Edward William Seward (nee Sourhardt) (1867-1947) was just 20 years old when he teamed with Gus Weyhing on the mound as the Athletics’ formidable starting duo, combining for 51 of the team’s 63 wins. “Kid” Seward had begun in the minors at 16 so was something of a veteran when Philadelphia made him their ace. Ed started and finished 110 games in ’87 and ’88, winning 60. He was on fire in 1888, leading the American Association in strikeouts and shutouts while hurling a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Red Stockings on July 25. He went 35-19 with a 2.01 ERA. The phenom began to burn out the following year but still posted a strong 21-15 season. His final year with the A’s, 1890, saw the Kid fall off to 6-12. A brief look with the Cleveland Spiders the following year was his last, starting a mere three games and winning two. His mound-mate Weyhing matched his no-hitter a week after Ed’s. Nicknamed “Rubber Arm,” Weyhing indeed proved the more durable, going on to a 14-year career. Nevertheless, for a couple of seasons, these two strong-armed youngsters really lit it up in the city of brotherly love.
- Seward’s overall record was 89-72 with a 3.40 ERA and 589 strikeouts
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