Pittsburgh Rebels
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Rebels were a professional baseball
club based in Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
. The team was a member of the short-lived Federal League
, which was a minor league in 1913 but a full-fledged outlaw major league the next two years. The team was originally called the Pittsburgh Filipinos after their manager, Deacon Phillippe
, and began play in 1912 in the United States Baseball League
. The team then moved to the new Federal League in 1913 and, for a short time, was later renamed the Pittsburgh Stogies after an earlier Pittsburgh team
that played in the Union Association
in 1884. They finished the year as the Pittsburgh Rebels. The team played all of it's home games at Exposition Park
, located on Pittsburgh's Northside
. The Pittsburgh Pirates
of the National League
left the stadium for Forbes Field
in 1909. After the Rebels left Exposition Park in 1915, the field was demolished and its property became part of the rail yards.
. The team was known as the Pittsburgh Filipinos in honor of their manager, Deacon Phillippe, a former pitcher
with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a member of their 1901 and 1902 National League Championship teams as well as their 1909 World Series
team. The Filipinos finished in first place during the league's inaugural season, which lasted only one month, with a 19-7 record.
In early 1914, the Federal League president James Gilmore
discussed with Robert B. Ward, owner of the Brooklyn Tip Tops, that he was concerned about the financial backing of the Stogies franchise. Ward then found Edward Gwinner, a railroad contractor with deep pockets. Gwinner was then partnered with architect C. B. Comstock as the new backers of the Pittsburgh Stogies. Doc Gessler
was named the Stogies' manager. However he was fired after only one month. Gessler was replaced by player-manager, Rebel Oakes
. The team then took on the nickname of the Rebels, after Oakes took over as the team's manager. With some strong financial backing, the team did not fare so well on the field. They ended up in seventh place (next to last) that season, with a 64-86 record.
During the 1915 season, the team finished in third position with an 86-67 mark, 0.5 games behind the first place Chicago Whales
, who would go on to win the league pennant. That season Frank Allen
pitched the first no hitter of the season, after the Rebels defeated the St. Louis Terriers
2-0 on April 24, 1915.
and National
leagues experience. Pitcher
Cy Barger
played two seasons with the New York Highlanders (later renamed the New York Yankees) and another three seasons with the Brooklyn Superbas-Dodgers before joining the Rebels. Meanwhile fellow pitcher Howie Camnitz
, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1904 until 1913 and was a member of their 1909 World Series team. First baseman
Ed Konetchy
, played for the St. Louis Cardinals
and the Pirates, before playing for the Rebels. After the team and the league folded in 1915, Konetchy continued his playing career with the Boston Braves
, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies
.
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...
club based in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The team was a member of the short-lived Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
, which was a minor league in 1913 but a full-fledged outlaw major league the next two years. The team was originally called the Pittsburgh Filipinos after their manager, Deacon Phillippe
Deacon Phillippe
Charles Louis "Deacon" Phillippe was a turn-of-the-century pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates....
, and began play in 1912 in the United States Baseball League
United States Baseball League
The United States Baseball League was a short-lived hopeful third major-league that was established in New York City in 1912.In March 1912, organizers of the proposed league–described by members of the sports establishment as an "outlaw league"–met in New York's Hotel Imperial. The U.S...
. The team then moved to the new Federal League in 1913 and, for a short time, was later renamed the Pittsburgh Stogies after an earlier Pittsburgh team
Chicago Browns/Pittsburgh Stogies
The Chicago Browns/Pittsburgh Stogies were a short-lived professional baseball team in the Union Association of 1884. They were to battle the Chicago White Stockings, of the National League, for the Chicago baseball market, however the Browns lost that battle to the White Stockings...
that played in the Union Association
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
in 1884. They finished the year as the Pittsburgh Rebels. The team played all of it's home games at Exposition Park
Exposition Park (Pittsburgh)
Exposition Park was a baseball park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1890 to circa 1915. It was located on the north side of the Allegheny River across from Pittsburgh's downtown area. Prior to the construction of this version of Exposition Park, two previous ballparks of the same name were...
, located on Pittsburgh's Northside
Northside (Pittsburgh)
North Side refers to the region of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, located to the north of the Allegheny River and the Ohio River...
. The Pittsburgh 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...
of 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...
left the stadium for Forbes Field
Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
in 1909. After the Rebels left Exposition Park in 1915, the field was demolished and its property became part of the rail yards.
United States Baseball League
In 1912, a Pittsburgh-based team was established and began play in the outlaw United States Baseball LeagueUnited States Baseball League
The United States Baseball League was a short-lived hopeful third major-league that was established in New York City in 1912.In March 1912, organizers of the proposed league–described by members of the sports establishment as an "outlaw league"–met in New York's Hotel Imperial. The U.S...
. The team was known as the Pittsburgh Filipinos in honor of their manager, Deacon Phillippe, a former pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a member of their 1901 and 1902 National League Championship teams as well as their 1909 World Series
1909 World Series
The 1909 World Series featured the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates won the Series in seven games to capture their first championship of the modern Major League Baseball era and the second championship in the club's history....
team. The Filipinos finished in first place during the league's inaugural season, which lasted only one month, with a 19-7 record.
Federal League
In 1913 he moved his Pittsburgh team, still called the Filipinos, to the Federal League, a year before it became a "major" league. The Federal League was established in April 1913 and the Filipinos were one of the original teams established by the league. The team was later renamed the Stogies that season.In early 1914, the Federal League president James Gilmore
Jim Gilmore (baseball)
James "Jim" Gilmore was an American professional baseball player who played three games for the Washington Nationals during the season.He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and died there at the age of 75.-External links:...
discussed with Robert B. Ward, owner of the Brooklyn Tip Tops, that he was concerned about the financial backing of the Stogies franchise. Ward then found Edward Gwinner, a railroad contractor with deep pockets. Gwinner was then partnered with architect C. B. Comstock as the new backers of the Pittsburgh Stogies. Doc Gessler
Doc Gessler
Henry Homer "Doc" Gessler was a Major League Baseball player born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania who began his eight season career, at the age of 22, with the Detroit Tigers in . He played mainly as a right fielder in a career that totaled 880 games played, 2969 at bats, 831 hits, 363 RBIs and 14...
was named the Stogies' manager. However he was fired after only one month. Gessler was replaced by player-manager, Rebel Oakes
Rebel Oakes
Ennis Telfair "Rebel" Oakes was an American Major League Baseball player born in Lisbon, Louisiana. After attending Louisiana Industrial Institute, which is now Louisiana Tech University, Rebel turned his attention to playing professional baseball, eventually reaching the Majors when he was traded...
. The team then took on the nickname of the Rebels, after Oakes took over as the team's manager. With some strong financial backing, the team did not fare so well on the field. They ended up in seventh place (next to last) that season, with a 64-86 record.
During the 1915 season, the team finished in third position with an 86-67 mark, 0.5 games behind the first place Chicago Whales
Chicago Whales
The Chicago Whales were a professional baseball team based in Chicago. They played in the Federal League, a short-lived "third Major League", in 1914 and 1915. They originally lacked a formal nickname, and were known simply as the "Chicago Federals" to distinguish them from the Chicago Cubs and...
, who would go on to win the league pennant. That season Frank Allen
Frank Allen (baseball)
Frank Leon Allen was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1912-1917 for the Brooklyn Dodgers/Robins, Pittsburgh Rebels and Boston Braves.-External links:*...
pitched the first no hitter of the season, after the Rebels defeated the St. Louis Terriers
St. Louis Terriers
The St. Louis Terriers were a baseball club that played in the short-lived Federal League in and . They played their home games at Handlan's Park. The St. Louis Chapter of SABR placed a marker at the site of Handland's Park, now on the campus of St. Louis University, on October 17, 2007. The team...
2-0 on April 24, 1915.
Notable players
Some Rebels players had AmericanAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
and National
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...
leagues experience. Pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Cy Barger
Cy Barger
Eros Bolivar "Cy" Barger was a right-handed starting pitcher and left-handed batter who played in the American League for the New York Highlanders ; in the National League with the Brooklyn teams Superbas and Dodgers , and for the Pittsburgh Rebels in the Federal League.A native of Jamestown,...
played two seasons with the New York Highlanders (later renamed the New York Yankees) and another three seasons with the Brooklyn Superbas-Dodgers before joining the Rebels. Meanwhile fellow pitcher Howie Camnitz
Howie Camnitz
Samuel Howard Camnitz was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League and for the Pittsburgh Rebels in the Federal League...
, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1904 until 1913 and was a member of their 1909 World Series team. First baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Ed Konetchy
Ed Konetchy
Edward Joseph Konetchy , nicknamed "Big Ed" and "The Candy Kid", was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball for a number of teams, primarily in the National League, from to . He played for the St...
, played for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and the Pirates, before playing for the Rebels. After the team and the league folded in 1915, Konetchy continued his playing career with the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
See also
- Pittsburgh Rebels all-time rosterPittsburgh Rebels all-time rosterThe following is a list of players and who appeared in at least one game for the Pittsburgh Rebels franchise of the Federal League from through .-Keys:-List of players:-External links:*...
- 1914 Pittsburgh Rebels season1914 Pittsburgh Rebels seasonThe Pittsburgh Rebels season was a season in American baseball. The Rebels finished in 7th place in the Federal League, 22½ games behind the Indianapolis Hoosiers.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
- 1915 Pittsburgh Rebels season1915 Pittsburgh Rebels seasonThe Pittsburgh Rebels season was a season in American baseball. The Rebels finished in 3rd place in the Federal League, just one-half game behind the Chicago Whales and St. Louis Terriers.- Roster :- Starters by position :...