Mordecai Davidson
Encyclopedia
Mordecai Hamilton Davidson (November 30, 1845 in Port Washington, Ohio
- September 6, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky
) 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. He was also one of three manager
s of the Colonels in 1888
, while he owned the team.
Davidson, a Union army veteran, was working for a local mercantile house in Louisville when he became a shareholder of the Colonels in 1887. Prior to the 1888 season, he was named the Colonels' secretary-treasurer, and on June 7 bought out most of the team's other shareholders. Two days later, Davidson relieved manager John Kelly
39 games into the season, and managed the team himself for three games, winning one. After John Kerins
managed the team for seven games, Davidson took over as manager once again and managed the team for the rest of the season. During his second tenure as manager, Davidson managed 90 games, winning 34 and losing 52 with 4 ties. Overall, Davidson's record as manager was 35 wins, 54 losses and 4 ties. It was his only experience as a major league manager.
Prior to the 1889 season, Davidson brought in Dude Esterbrook
as manager, while also seeking to sell the team. Esterbrook did not last long, either, and the club went through four managers during the season. By June, the players were in open revolt over Davidson's handling of the club, and several of them refused to play outright on June 14. A special meeting of the AA board was called, and Davidson was issued an ultimatum to strengthen the club or be forced out.
In July, Davidson surrendered the team to the control of the AA, and it was eventually purchased by Barney Dreyfuss
before the 1890 season.
Davidson was born on November 30, 1845 in Port Washington, Ohio
and died in Louisville, Kentucky
on September 6, 1940.
Port Washington, Ohio
Port Washington is a village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 552 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Port Washington is located at , along the Tuscarawas River....
- September 6, 1940 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...
) was a Major League Baseball
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...
owner and manager. He is best known as the primary owner of the Major League Baseball
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...
Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels
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 and later as the Louisville Colonels , the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonels...
during the worst period of the team's history. He was also one of three manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
s of the Colonels in 1888
1888 Louisville Colonels season
The 1888 Louisville Colonels season was a season in American baseball. The team finished with a 58-87 record, seventh place in the American Association.- Regular season :...
, while he owned the team.
Davidson, a Union army veteran, was working for a local mercantile house in Louisville when he became a shareholder of the Colonels in 1887. Prior to the 1888 season, he was named the Colonels' secretary-treasurer, and on June 7 bought out most of the team's other shareholders. Two days later, Davidson relieved manager John Kelly
Kick Kelly
John O. "Kick" Kelly , also nicknamed "Honest John" and "Diamond John," was an American catcher, manager and umpire in Major League Baseball who went on to become a boxing referee and to run gambling houses in his native New York City...
39 games into the season, and managed the team himself for three games, winning one. After John Kerins
John Kerins
John Nelson Kerins was an American Major League Baseball player born in Indianapolis, Indiana, who played mainly at first base, but played significant time at catcher. John began his major league career with the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the American Association...
managed the team for seven games, Davidson took over as manager once again and managed the team for the rest of the season. During his second tenure as manager, Davidson managed 90 games, winning 34 and losing 52 with 4 ties. Overall, Davidson's record as manager was 35 wins, 54 losses and 4 ties. It was his only experience as a major league manager.
Prior to the 1889 season, Davidson brought in Dude Esterbrook
Dude Esterbrook
Thomas John "Dude" Esterbrook was an American Major League Baseball player from Staten Island, New York who played the majority of his games at third base, but did play many games at first base...
as manager, while also seeking to sell the team. Esterbrook did not last long, either, and the club went through four managers during the season. By June, the players were in open revolt over Davidson's handling of the club, and several of them refused to play outright on June 14. A special meeting of the AA board was called, and Davidson was issued an ultimatum to strengthen the club or be forced out.
In July, Davidson surrendered the team to the control of the AA, and it was eventually 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....
before the 1890 season.
Davidson was born on November 30, 1845 in Port Washington, Ohio
Port Washington, Ohio
Port Washington is a village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 552 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Port Washington is located at , along the Tuscarawas River....
and died 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...
on September 6, 1940.