Baseball box scores on the front page...
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September 05, 1859
THE NEW-YORK TIMES, from New York, dated September 5, 1859.
* Jim Creighton, baseball's 1st professional ?
* Early box scores
On the front page under "Base Ball" are the summaries and box scores of two baseball matches, and the very brief summary and box score of another match.
The summary of the first match, played between the Eagle and Pastime clubs, says the match was played at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, while the summary of the second match, played between the National club of Harlem, and the Morphy club of Jersey City, says they played at Mount Morris Square in Harlem.
The summary of the third match, played between the Star and Excelsior clubs, states that the match was played "...near the Penny Bridge, South Brooklyn..." plus mention that: "The contest was witnessed by the usual large number of ladies and gentlemen, who so frequently during the season favor the Excelsior grounds with their presence."
In the box score of this match Jim Creighton is listed as the pitcher for the Star club. Creighton was one of baseball's earliest stars. He played for just two seasons, dying from an internal hemorrhage after an organ ruptured when he hit a home run.
Although baseball coverage in newspapers dates to the mid-1840's, box scores were not included until later.
When the box scores were eventually included, the summaries and box scores were usually on an inside page, or the bkpg., and not on the front page like those in this issue!
A great, early baseball item.
Issue is in very good condition.
* Jim Creighton, baseball's 1st professional ?
* Early box scores
On the front page under "Base Ball" are the summaries and box scores of two baseball matches, and the very brief summary and box score of another match.
The summary of the first match, played between the Eagle and Pastime clubs, says the match was played at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, while the summary of the second match, played between the National club of Harlem, and the Morphy club of Jersey City, says they played at Mount Morris Square in Harlem.
The summary of the third match, played between the Star and Excelsior clubs, states that the match was played "...near the Penny Bridge, South Brooklyn..." plus mention that: "The contest was witnessed by the usual large number of ladies and gentlemen, who so frequently during the season favor the Excelsior grounds with their presence."
In the box score of this match Jim Creighton is listed as the pitcher for the Star club. Creighton was one of baseball's earliest stars. He played for just two seasons, dying from an internal hemorrhage after an organ ruptured when he hit a home run.
Although baseball coverage in newspapers dates to the mid-1840's, box scores were not included until later.
When the box scores were eventually included, the summaries and box scores were usually on an inside page, or the bkpg., and not on the front page like those in this issue!
A great, early baseball item.
Issue is in very good condition.
Category: Pre-Civil War
