- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
George Hodgson Townsend (1867-1930) must have been a catcher to his core. He began in pro ball in 1887 with Reading and moved up to the Philadelphia Athletics the same year, which was also the first and only year hitters got to look at four strikes. This must have made for longer days for the pitchers and catchers, but even such a temporary advantage for the batter was lost on George who could muster only a .193 average. He slumped to .155 the next year and moved down to Baltimore in ‘90 where he hit .239. One more sub-.200 campaign followed before Townsend returned to the minors for one year in the Eastern League with the Binghamton Bings and Rochester Flour Cities. Such was the life of the hard-working, much put-upon receivers of the eighties: mangled hands and slumping batting averages.
- George had come by the “tools of ignorance” via America’s higher education: he makes the honor roll as one of 13 NYU Violets in the major leagues
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
Harry Duffield Stovey (nee Stowe) (1856-1937) was a prolific slugger and base stealer. He was the 1st in MLB to get to 100 HRs, leading the league 5 times. Stovey began his career with the Worcester Ruby Legs in 1880 and retired as a player with the Bridegrooms in ’93. Considered the premier base thief of his era, Stovey was said to have innovated the feet-first slide.
- Harry didn’t want his mother reading of him in the press as she objected to his baseball ambitions, hence the name Stovey
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
William A. Sharsig (1855-1902) was the esteemed GM and field manager for the Philadelphia Athletics in both their incarnations from 1886-1891. As the founder and co-owner of the original Athletics franchise, Sharsig named himself field general several times. When the Players’ League folded in 1891, he continued in baseball with the Western League’s Indianapolis club.
- His prestige in MLB prompted the NL to invite him to consult on the decision to move the mound to 60’6” in 1893
- A Philadelphian born and bred, Sharsig died there at age 46 on the eve of accepting Connie Mack’s offer to return as business manager
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- 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
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Uncle Robbie (1863-1934). A durable catcher for 17 seasons with 3 teams, Robinson is credited as the 1st to play directly behind the plate at all times. Uncle Robbie once caught 5 games in two days. He also had 7 hits & 11 RBI in a single game. After his playing days were over, Robinson went on to manage for 18 seasons.
- Won 3 NL pennants as player
- Won 2 NL pennants as manager
- Won 5 NL pennants as pitching coach
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1945
- Although the Old Judge series features five known poses of Wilbert Robinson, I could not find one of suitable quality for this project. This image is taken from the Kalamazoo Bats (N690-1) series from 1887.
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