The Restoration of 1881: Determined To Win Back The Laurels

The St. Louis Brown Stockings appeared on the ball field yesterday in a reorganized condition and determined to win back the laurels lost a week a go. Their opponents were the Athletics, of Philadelphia, a team that has been doing much good work in the Quaker City and New York, and which at times has held its own with league organizations, winning more than one game from the strongest of them. The visiting club is composed of such players as Gardner, Battin and Fulmer, all ex-members of the league, and a lot of younger experts of national fame who play ball from the word go. Against such a team it was not to be supposed that the Browns would more than hold their own, and the odds in betting were against them from the start.

The Game.

Notwithstanding this fact the home team went in confident and willing. From the very opening of the contest they showed the large gathering that they were on their mettle. There was no slobbering over balls nor wild throwing, but any amount of sharp pick-ups and quick handling of the leather. In the send-off both teams drew blanks. In the second and third innings the visitors were retired without scoring, while the Browns got in two runs. In the fourth inning Jack Gleason ran in front of his brother, thus allowing a bounder to get by both of them and the striker went to first. Another of the visitors was given first on called balls. Then Fulmer hit to right short and forced O’Brien out at second. A moment later Fulmer stole second. Gardner occupying first. Then Stricker came along, hitting the ball hard on the line to right, bringing in two runs and taking second. The next man flew out and the score was a tie. In the sixth inning the Browns again assumed the lead, but a moment later the Athletics were up to them. So the contest progressed until the eighth inning, when a run was badly wanted. Seward led off with a pretty drive to right. Baker was fielded out. Then McGinnis hit hard to center, and while Phillips was handling the ball on the bound, Seward came home. The next inning the Athletics were again blanked. The Browns went into their ninth inning with Jack Gleason at the bat. He hit hard to left for one of his old-time three-basers. Billy Gleason, not to be outdone by his big brother, hit safe to right, earning Jack’s run. Baker then batted Billy home, earning another run. In their half of the last inning the Athletics were retired in lightning style by W. Gleason and McCaffrey, the latter putting out unassisted the last two men. McCaffrey’s exhibition at first was one of the best of the year. Levis, the new man at second, was too eager to do well, and did not do his skill justice. Dan Morgan, who played center, was not given a chance to do anything. For the visitors the playing of Gardner at first and Joe Battin at third were the features most admired. The Athletics look the picture of their old-time namesakes in their white uniforms and blue stockings. They play the Browns again this afternoon, and as the days are growing short so rapidly the fun will commence at 3 o’clock instead of 3:30, as announced on the posters…

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 4, 1881

"Slobbering over the ball" is a great phrase and should always be used when describing a team that is playing poorly in the field.  I think it's a lot more evocative than "kicking the ball around."  

One thing that should be noted about this game is the appearance of Eddie Fusselback, who would go on to play with the 1882 Brown Stockings during the club's first season in the AA.  Yesterday, I noted the fact that Joe Battin was playing with the Philadelphias and I guess I should also point out the fact that Chick Fulmer was a pretty fine ballplayer who had been playing baseball at a high level since 1871.  The pitcher for Philadelphia was Denny Driscoll, who would lead the AA in ERA in 1882, although he only had twenty-three starts for Pittsburgh that season.