Louisville Colonels
Encyclopedia
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball
team that played in the American Association
throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882
until 1891
, first as the Louisville Eclipse (1882-1884) and later as the Louisville Colonels (1885-1891), the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonel
s. They then joined the National League
after the AA folded and played through the 1899 season. It was also the name of several minor league baseball
teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky
, in the 20th century.
, who had already achieved some measure of local fame. The team got off to a good start, finishing in second place that first season. That would be their best finish for several seasons.
Ownership troubles were also afoot, as managing partner Lyons resigned in mid-1888, with team secretary Mordecai Davidson
taking over. The following season, the team sank to a 27-111 record and a last place finish, and Davidson surrendered control of the team to the AA. The 1889 Colonels were the first team in major-league history to lose 100 games in a season.
The next season, the team, which had been purchased by Barney Dreyfuss
, would bounce back with a vengeance. The Colonels won the 1890 pennant in the AA, during a season in which the league was considered only the third-best behind the NL and the Players' League, and appeared in an early version of the World Series
which resulted in three wins for each team. Following up on their last place finish the previous year, they became the one and only team to rise from the cellar to the pennant in one season.
as part of a league merger, and played there until 1899. In 1900 Dreyfuss acquired controlling interest of the Pirates
and brought 14 Colonels players with him, including future Hall of Famers Honus Wagner
and Fred Clarke
.
s in the span of nine days; Tony Mullane
on Sept. 11, followed by Guy Hecker on Sept. 19. Other Louisville pitchers who threw no-hitters were Ben Sanders on August 22, 1892, and Deacon Phillippe
, a rookie, on May 25, 1899. Pete Browning
hit for the cycle twice for Louisville, on Aug. 8, 1886 and June 7, 1889.
* - denotes Louisville Colonels player in the Hall of Fame
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team that played in the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882
1882 in baseball
-Champions:*National League: Chicago def. Providence 5 games to 4*American Association: Cincinnati Red Stockings*League Alliance: New York MetropolitansInterleague*Chicago vs. Cincinnati tie 1 game each*Chicago def...
until 1891
1891 in baseball
-Champions:*National League: Boston Beaneaters*American Association: Boston RedsWorld Series: Boston declined to meet Boston -National League final standings:-American Association final standings:-National League statistical leaders:...
, first as the Louisville Eclipse (1882-1884) and later as the Louisville Colonels (1885-1891), the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
s. They then joined the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
after the AA folded and played through the 1899 season. It was also the name of several minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, in the 20th century.
American Association
After spending several years as a well-known semi-pro team, the Eclipse joined the new American Association in 1882. The team's backer, local distiller J. H. Pank, was named vice-president of the AA, and the team was to be run by a consortium led by W. L. Lyons. Accompanying them to the major leagues was their star player, infielder Pete BrowningPete Browning
Louis Rogers "Pete" Browning was an American center and left fielder in Major League Baseball from 1882 to 1894 who played primarily for the Louisville Eclipse/Colonels, becoming one of the sport's most accomplished batters of the 1880s...
, who had already achieved some measure of local fame. The team got off to a good start, finishing in second place that first season. That would be their best finish for several seasons.
Ownership troubles were also afoot, as managing partner Lyons resigned in mid-1888, with team secretary Mordecai Davidson
Mordecai Davidson
Mordecai Hamilton Davidson was a Major League Baseball owner and manager. He is best known as the primary owner of the Major League Baseball Louisville Colonels during the worst period of the team's history...
taking over. The following season, the team sank to a 27-111 record and a last place finish, and Davidson surrendered control of the team to the AA. The 1889 Colonels were the first team in major-league history to lose 100 games in a season.
The next season, the team, which had been purchased by Barney Dreyfuss
Barney Dreyfuss
Bernhard "Barney" Dreyfuss was an executive in Major League Baseball who owned the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise from 1900 to 1932....
, would bounce back with a vengeance. The Colonels won the 1890 pennant in the AA, during a season in which the league was considered only the third-best behind the NL and the Players' League, and appeared in an early version of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
which resulted in three wins for each team. Following up on their last place finish the previous year, they became the one and only team to rise from the cellar to the pennant in one season.
National League
In 1892 the team moved to the National League19th century National League teams
The following is a list of United States Major League Baseball teams that played in the National League during the 19th century.-Major league:*Boston Red Stockings 1876–1900 – now Atlanta Braves...
as part of a league merger, and played there until 1899. In 1900 Dreyfuss acquired controlling interest of the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and brought 14 Colonels players with him, including future Hall of Famers Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
and Fred Clarke
Fred Clarke
Fred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
.
Notable achievements
In September 1882, Louisville pitchers threw two no-hitterNo-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
s in the span of nine days; Tony Mullane
Tony Mullane
Anthony John "Tony" Mullane , nickamed "Count" and "The Apollo of the Box", was an Irish Major League Baseball player who pitched for seven teams during his 13-season career...
on Sept. 11, followed by Guy Hecker on Sept. 19. Other Louisville pitchers who threw no-hitters were Ben Sanders on August 22, 1892, and Deacon Phillippe
Deacon Phillippe
Charles Louis "Deacon" Phillippe was a turn-of-the-century pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates....
, a rookie, on May 25, 1899. Pete Browning
Pete Browning
Louis Rogers "Pete" Browning was an American center and left fielder in Major League Baseball from 1882 to 1894 who played primarily for the Louisville Eclipse/Colonels, becoming one of the sport's most accomplished batters of the 1880s...
hit for the cycle twice for Louisville, on Aug. 8, 1886 and June 7, 1889.
Notable Colonels players
- Pete BrowningPete BrowningLouis Rogers "Pete" Browning was an American center and left fielder in Major League Baseball from 1882 to 1894 who played primarily for the Louisville Eclipse/Colonels, becoming one of the sport's most accomplished batters of the 1880s...
(outfielder) - Fred ClarkeFred ClarkeFred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
(outfielder-manager)* - Harry Davis (first baseman-manager)
- Jerry DennyJerry DennyJeremiah Dennis Denny was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. Denny was a rarity: a left-handed thrower who played a position traditionally reserved for right-handers.Over 13 professional seasons he played for the Providence Grays , St...
(third baseman) - Jack GlasscockJack GlasscockJohn Wesley "Jack" Glasscock was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1879 to 1895 and was the top player at his position in the 1880s during the sport's bare-handed era...
(shortstop) - Dummy HoyDummy HoyWilliam Ellsworth Hoy , nicknamed "Dummy," was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds and two Washington, D.C...
(center fielder) - Ezra MidkiffEzra MidkiffEzra Millington "Salt Rock" Midkiff was a Major League Baseball third baseman who played in with the Cincinnati Reds and in and with the New York Highlanders...
(third baseman-manager) - Hughie JenningsHughie JenningsHugh Ambrose Jennings was a Major League Baseball player and manager from 1891 to 1925. Jennings was a leader, both as a batter and as a shortstop, with the Baltimore Orioles teams that won National League championships in 1894, 1895, and 1896. During the three championship seasons, Jennings had...
(shortstop)* - Tony MullaneTony MullaneAnthony John "Tony" Mullane , nickamed "Count" and "The Apollo of the Box", was an Irish Major League Baseball player who pitched for seven teams during his 13-season career...
(pitcher) - Honus WagnerHonus Wagner-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
(shortstop)* - Rube WaddellRube WaddellGeorge Edward Waddell was an American southpaw pitcher in Major League Baseball. In his thirteen-year career he played for the Louisville Colonels , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Orphans in the National League, and the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns in the American League...
(pitcher)* - Deacon PhillippeDeacon PhillippeCharles Louis "Deacon" Phillippe was a turn-of-the-century pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates....
(pitcher)