Cream Citys
Encyclopedia
The Cream City Club of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
was a baseball
team in the 1860s, usually known as the Cream Citys.
The Cream City Base Ball Club was organized in October 1865, with Henry H. West as its first president, and rose to the upper echelon of Midwestern amateur teams. At first they played at the old Fair Grounds field on Spring Street (now Wisconsin Avenue), which had been the site of Camp Scott during the Civil War
. After two years they moved closer to the lakefront, playing at the Prospect Avenue field (formerly Camp Reno).
Contrary to their success against amateur teams, the Cream Citys were clobbered 67–13 on June 22, 1868, when they hosted the Brooklyn Atlantics
—"a mostly pro contingent that had dominated the sport throughout most of the 1860s." On August 7 they lost by a slightly more respectable 43–16 to the visiting Union of Morrisania, another powerhouse featuring left-handed pitcher Charlie Pabor
, right fielder Steve Bellán
, and shortstop George Wright. At that time the Cream City lineup included J.H. Wood, first base; Archie MacFayden, shortstop; George L. Redlington, catcher and captain; Martin Larkin, Jr, center field; W.H. Dodsworth, right field; Clarence Smith, pitcher; E.C. Wells, left field; and Charles S. Norris, second base.
For that 1868 season the Cream Citys had joined the National Association of Base Ball Players
, which embraced hundreds of clubs by that time. Despite its desire to play against the best teams, Cream City remained proudly amateur when the NABBP first permitted openly pro clubs for 1869. That did not conflict with playing the best teams occasionally. On the contrary, building adequate grounds and fielding a competent amateur team were the ways that the "baseball fraternity" in a city ensured experiencing some top-quality baseball. On July 26, they lost to the undefeated, all-professional Cincinnati Red Stockings
by the lopsided score of 85–7.
Chicago and Rockford, Illinois
fielded professional teams in 1870, which both visited Milwaukee and won easily. So did the Harvard college team, evidently the strongest in the amateur field that summer (July 27, 47 to 13). Creation of a pro league in 1871, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
, further sidelined the club, which finally dissolved in 1876.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
was a baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team in the 1860s, usually known as the Cream Citys.
The Cream City Base Ball Club was organized in October 1865, with Henry H. West as its first president, and rose to the upper echelon of Midwestern amateur teams. At first they played at the old Fair Grounds field on Spring Street (now Wisconsin Avenue), which had been the site of Camp Scott during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. After two years they moved closer to the lakefront, playing at the Prospect Avenue field (formerly Camp Reno).
By February, 1868, the Grain Exchange proudly displayed the Milwaukee club's trophies and awards from 1866 and 1867. This success came at the expense of other Wisconsin clubs and its tournaments at ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Rockford, IllinoisRockford, IllinoisRockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
. MadisonMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, JanesvilleJanesville, WisconsinJanesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:...
, and BeloitBeloit, WisconsinBeloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, Beloit had a population of 36,966. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents.-Claim to fame:...
could put up their best, but it was to no avail. The Milwaukees would lose only one game in intrastate play during that period.
Contrary to their success against amateur teams, the Cream Citys were clobbered 67–13 on June 22, 1868, when they hosted the Brooklyn Atlantics
Brooklyn Atlantics
The Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty.Established in 1855, Atlantic was a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1857. In 1859, with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, Atlantic emerged as the recognized champions of...
—"a mostly pro contingent that had dominated the sport throughout most of the 1860s." On August 7 they lost by a slightly more respectable 43–16 to the visiting Union of Morrisania, another powerhouse featuring left-handed pitcher Charlie Pabor
Charlie Pabor
Charles Henry "Charlie" Pabor , also spelled Charley, nicknamed "The Old Woman in the Red Cap", was an American Major League Baseball left fielder and manager throughout the existence of the National Association, –....
, right fielder Steve Bellán
Steve Bellán
Estevan Enrique "Steve" Bellán , also known as Esteban, was a Cuban professional baseball player who played as a third baseman for six seasons in the United States , three in the National Association of Base Ball Players from 1868 to , and three in the National Association of Professional Base...
, and shortstop George Wright. At that time the Cream City lineup included J.H. Wood, first base; Archie MacFayden, shortstop; George L. Redlington, catcher and captain; Martin Larkin, Jr, center field; W.H. Dodsworth, right field; Clarence Smith, pitcher; E.C. Wells, left field; and Charles S. Norris, second base.
For that 1868 season the Cream Citys had joined the National Association of Base Ball Players
National Association of Base Ball Players
The National Association of Base Ball Players was the first organization governing American baseball. The first, 1857 convention of sixteen New York City clubs...
, which embraced hundreds of clubs by that time. Despite its desire to play against the best teams, Cream City remained proudly amateur when the NABBP first permitted openly pro clubs for 1869. That did not conflict with playing the best teams occasionally. On the contrary, building adequate grounds and fielding a competent amateur team were the ways that the "baseball fraternity" in a city ensured experiencing some top-quality baseball. On July 26, they lost to the undefeated, all-professional Cincinnati Red Stockings
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first fully professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players 1867–1870, a time of a transition that ambitious Cincinnati,...
by the lopsided score of 85–7.
Chicago and Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
fielded professional teams in 1870, which both visited Milwaukee and won easily. So did the Harvard college team, evidently the strongest in the amateur field that summer (July 27, 47 to 13). Creation of a pro league in 1871, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
, further sidelined the club, which finally dissolved in 1876.