- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Boston
- Team: Beaneaters
- League: National League
Edward Christopher Tate (1860-1932) made his ML debut with the Boston Beaneaters at the end of the 1885 season. He stayed as a catcher for three more seasons before moving to the Orioles where his big league career ended in 1890. Tate went on to play four more years in the minors. His career batting average was .218 and he had two HRs.
- Tate played nine games in the outfield for Boston and subbed at 1B for Baltimore
- In 1926 Tate’s home town fans re-named Island Park in Richmond, VA Tate Field to honor one of their first baseball heroes
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Cleveland
- Team: Spiders
- League: National League
Elmer Ellsworth Sutcliffe (1862-1893) asked the famed Cap Anson for a tryout as a catcher. The Wheaton, IL native impressed “Uncle” Cap but wasn’t going to be a pushover. When Anson asked what he’d want to be paid, he is said to have replied “Well, Cap, I’ve been getting a dollar a day working out in Wheaton and I can’t afford to play ball for any less!” The 22-year-old signed on with the White Stockings for 2 years. Then, typical for the era, bounced from team to team: the Maroons, Wolverines, Spiders, Infants, Senators & finally, the Orioles in 1892. His lifetime BA of .288 was a composite of highs & lows. Sy’s best years were with Cleveland’s Infants (.329 in ’90) & .353 for the Senators in ’91 (the franchise’s 1st year, known then as the Statesmen).
- Although signed as a catcher, Sutcliffe had the versatility to play 1B, SS, and the outfield
- Sadly, the strapping 6’2” left-hander’s health gave out and he died at age 30, just months after his final game with Baltimore
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
William Ashley Sunday (1862-1935) was born into extreme poverty and rose to become a beloved pro player making a handsome salary. In 1891 he gave that all up to pursue Christian ministry, cutting his income by two-thirds. Al Spalding had signed Sunday to his Chicago White Stockings on the recommendation of Cap Anson in 1883. His speed was his greatest asset.
- In ’85 Chicago held an exhibition with Sunday racing the speediest AA player. Billy won easily.
- His integrity and popularity led Anson to name Sunday the team’s business manager
- Sunday was recruited for the Players’ League in 1890, but remained loyal to his employer
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
Martin C. Sullivan (1862-1894) played outfield for four teams over five years from 1887-91. His first two seasons were with the Chicago White Stockings where he got into 190 games and even pitched in relief in one. He moved on to the Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1889, spent part of the next two seasons with the Beaneaters before ending his ML tenure with one game for the Cleveland Spiders.
- His lifetime BA is variously reported as .256, .273 and .288 showing the variance in data in that era
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Boston
- Team: Beaneaters
- League: National League
William Jefferson Sowders (1864-1951) pitched for the Boston Beaneaters in 1888 and ’89, moved that year to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys and left MLB after the 1890 season. He compiled a 29-30 record, striking out 205 with a 3.34 ERA. Nicknamed “Little Bill,” this 6’ right-hander was a head taller than most of his peers. Bill was the middle of three Sowders brothers to play in the major leagues. Elder brother Len pitched for the Baltimore Orioles in ’86 and John played for the Hoosiers, the KC Cowboys and Ward’s Wonders of Brooklyn over three seasons.
- Played two minor league seasons (’87 & 91) in the Northwestern League for St. Paul and Joliet of the Illinois-Iowa League
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