We do not propose to give the technicalities of this game, nor the gossip connected with the players, nor the bad "fielding" here and the worse "running" there; but we do propose to say that there is no excuse on earth for the Unions being beaten as badly as they were on Saturday.

The swoop of the Athletic eagle had been broad and pitiless, but the swarth mown by the Atlantics was wide and clean and perfect.  To get breath and to do well the Unions had played two games with the Empire Club.  In both of these games the Unions had striven well and won fairly; and the Empires had striven well, too, and lost.  

After the home games the Atlantics came.  Pearce was with them, a great athlete; Smith's bronzed face was tanned by the St. Louis sun; Start had his muscles perfect; Chapman ran like a deer; Zettlein's ball was as sure as a Parrott shell; Pratt had perfect hands to catch; Mills was superbly cool; Crane possessed iron nerve; and Ferguson was a splendid "left field."

The uniform of the Athletics assimilated to the uniform of the Unions; but after the playing commenced there was no more comparisons.  In their blue pants, their white caps, their white shirts, or in the blazon of the initial letters "U. and A.," the two clubs looked clean limbed and workers.  

A toss for position came and the Unions went to the field and the Atlantics to the bat.  From the first the game was in favor of the Atlantic.  More athletic; more thoroughly drilled; paying better attention and understanding perfectly the strategy of the game, was it any wonder that they won?  The day was pleasant, and the great June sun was bathing in the sea of the sky; and, to screen his naked majesty, cloud after cloud came up, and to introduce the clouds the winds sent their avant couriers.  Of the Unions, Lucas, Oran, Smith, Eastin, Duncan, and Carr played elegantly.  To criticise them it would be necessary to say that Oran had learnt strategy from the Athletics; that Duncan was a splendid fielder; that Carr ran swiftly; that Lucas was a good pitcher, and that Greenleaf was a better pitcher than Lucas; that Yore was good in the field, and that, as skirmishers, Yore, Eastin, Freeman and Cabanne were excellent...

The Unions were whitewashed on the first, fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth innings; and, as the game progressed, they played without animation and without any seeming interest.  Ferguson, of the Atlantics, a splendid player; Start, as good as Ferguson, and Mills, as good as either of them, made beautiful home runs.  Oran, the catcher of the Unions, played excellently; Duncan made a home run, the only one of the Union Club that accomplished it; Smith wanted energy; Greenleaf caught some beautiful "flys;" Carr made one or two bad "muffs;" Eastin was struck hard in the side, and felt it, and Cabanne did not play with his accustomed prestige.

-Missouri Republican, June 28, 1868

About one thousand spectators were present yesterday afternoon at the Compton avenue park to witness the first professional game ever played in St. Louis, the contestants being both St. Louis clubs, namely, the "Brown" and "Red Stockings."  The weather, which had prevented the games on Saturday and Monday, cleared off about noon and a more beautiful afternoon could not have been wished for.  Had the sun made an earlier appearance and the certainty of the game coming off been more generally known a much larger attendance would no doubt been the result.  

Considerable improvements are in course of construction at the Reds' park, which will be, when completed a great improvement over the accommodations afforded there in past years.  A more commodious place for reporters and scorers is one of the most pressing necessities, the present small, octagonal structure being entirely too small and in very bad shape.  

A pleasing change was noticed in the uniforms of the Red Stockings; the dark, heavy flannel shit has been discarded and a tight fitting flesh colored shirt substituted in its place, the change giving them a much brighter and more pleasing appearance.  Flint, the catcher of the Elephants, made his appearance at third base in place of McSorley, but was evidently not at home in the position or was too nervous to do himself justice.  In the innings Morgan cae in from left field and took his place.

Both nines were early on the field and for an hour amused themselves and the audience practising.  At five minutes of four o'clock, Capt. Sweazy having satisfied himself by a practial test that the "St. Louis club" ball, furnished according to the rules by the visiting club, was even "deader" than the one his club had been using, Mr. Mack of the Empire club called play.  Capt. Pearce having lost the toss sent Cuthbert to the bat to face Joe Blong's swift underhand throws.

First Innings.

Cuthy took his customary hitch at his trowsers, threw the ash over his shoulder, and called for a "high ball," after striking twice in vain, and two "balls" had been called on Blong, he succeeded in hitting the ball, but it went straight to Redmond, and from thence to Houtz, and first out for the Browns was duly recorded.  Pearce imitated his predecessor in the matter of strikes and balls, but could drive the ball no further than to the pitcher, who of course sent it to Charlie Houtz at first base, and Dick sought his companions to tell them exactly how it was.  Pike had some difficulty in getting one to suit him, but when Blong did favor him, he drove it over the right-fielder's head, and reached third in ample time.  Chapman indulged in some half-dozen foul hits, finally hitting a soft one towards first, which Houtz neglected to run in and take on the fly, but redeemed himself by quickly gathering it on the ground and touching Chap., ere the latter "pressed canvas" - no runs.

Joe Blong was the first representative of "home talent' that toed the plate and was likewise the first "out," as after hitting several foul balls, he drove a hot one to Dicky Pearce, and of course retired at first.  Packy Dillon was seduced into striking at a slow one from Brad, and the ball he intended to have sent over centre field went safely into Battin's hands at second; Battin also handed the swift grounder Morgan hit to him carefully to "Harmon, J.," and the side was out, the score even and nothing for both.  In the 

Second Innings.

Hague, by an overthrow of Redmond's not only reached first safely, but went all the way round to third.  Redmond did better for Bradley and Battin, too, found the lively left-hander could play short-stop "up to nature."  Hague in the meantime had scored the first run for the "Brown Stockings" by a passed ball.  Dehlman reached base No. 1 on a safe hit to right field, and took second on the wild throw in; he scored on Redmond's muff of high-base hit by Miller.  Cuthy hit hard to third base and reached first, Flint fumbling that ball badly.  Pearce closed the innings by sending a high fly to Morgan, the "Handsome Dan" of course taking it in.  For the Reds Houtz led off with a fly to Chapman; Sweazy hit one directly on the home plate and it bounded safely into Bradley's hands.  Cuthbert surprised the St. Louisans by dropping an easy fly from Redmond's bat.  Oran drove a beauty past Pearce and two men were on bases, Redmond being as far as third.  All eyes were on Croft, but a foul tip well caught on the bound by Miller ended the "trouble," leaving both men on bases and no runs.

Pike led off the 

Third Innings

With a high one to Croft and retired.  Champman, however, succeeded in getting to second base on a fair foul past third, Hague by a safe one along the right foul line sent him to third and reached first himself.  Sweazy fielded Bradley out at first and Redmond made a beautiful stop and throw that disposed of Battin - Chapman having in the interim crossed the marble on a wild pitch, Hague being left on third.

For the Reds Flint hit safe over Short, but was forced at second by Blong,, who was in turn forced out at the same place by Dillon's hit to Bradley, Morgan being put out at first by Pearce and Dehlman.

The Brown Stockings could get but one run in the

Fourth Innings,

Miller scoring; after driving a long one over the left-fielder's head he was sent to second by Cuthbert's hit to Morgan, who had taken Flint's place place at third, Pearce hit to Sweasy, Miller thereby getting third and Deck first; Cuthbert suffering an "out" at second, "Red" got his run on a wild pitch of Blong's.  Pike was given a base by fumbling at second but Chapman left them both, his weak hit to third base being carefully thrown at first by Morgan.

A pretty double play marked the fielding of the Browns, Houtz being on first by a safe hit over third base, Sweasy hit a hot ball to Battin, who, picking it up nicely, forced Houtz back towards first, and then threw to Dehlman in time to retire the striker, Dehlman returning the ball to Pearce who caught Houtz before he reached second.  Redmond and Oran afterwards reached first and second b hard hits that Battin could not do more than stop; Croft's hard hit, however, was safely fielded by Joe to Dehl in time and again the natives were blanked.

The Browns received their second blank in the 

Fifth Innings.

Redmond attending to Hague and Bradley, Flint making a surprising one hand catch that thoroughly disgusted Battin.  The other side fared no better, though Flint and Blong reached first, the latter on a safe hit that sent the former to second only to be forced at third by Hague and Pearce, Dillon being well caught on foul bound by Miller, Houtz retiring at first by the aid of Bad Dicky.

The score was now 4 to 0 and thus far a well played game.  The Browns went to bat in the 

Sixth Innings

With a determination to put a wider margin to their credit, the way the Reds were hanging on not being at all comfortable, their playing too was evidently improving.  A good rally was made and eight runs were scored by the good batting of Pearce, Pike, Bradley, Battin and Dehlman, the outs being Chapman at first and Miller twice by weak hits to Morgan and Blong.

Sweasy retired on a foul bound, Pearch after dropping an easy fly catch sent him by Redmond, took off his hat to Cuthbert, a sharp fly tip missed by Miller gave Oran a life which he improved by driving a safe one over second; Croft out on fly to Pike, Flint by a safe hit to left brought Redmond home and the first run was scored for the Reds amidst tumultuous applause from their friends.  Dick didn't miss Blong's fly, and the side was out for the one run.

Two more runs were secured by the professionals in the

Seventh Innings

On safe hits by Pearce and Cuthbert, assisted by Pike's out at first and a wild pitch, Chapman  being left on second, Redmond distinguishing himself by a splendid stop and throw that retired Hague, Bradley striking wind and out.

One, two, three was the order in which Dillon, Morgan and Houtz retired, the score standing fourteen to one, and the interest in the game apparently over.  But the home nine were certainly not satisfied with the state of affairs, and in the 

Eighth Innings

Retired Battin, Dehlman and Miller in the order named, Redmond attending to two of them, Packy Dillon catching Dehlman out on a foul bound.  At their turn at the stick, Sweasy, the first striker, was well caught by Bradley; Redmond succeeded in getting a safe on between first and second.  Oran sent him along one bag by a straight one over second that Battin almost got.  Croft sent him home by a liner over Cuthbert's head.  Cuthy made a splendid effort (and in his palmy days we have seen him take many a harder one) but he dropped it.  Flint went out on strikes and then the trouble commenced in earnest.  Blong, Dillon and Morgan followed with magnificent two-base hits each.  Houtz with a hot one past third for one bag, Hague with a hot one past third for one bag, Hague helping things along by a wild throw over Dehlman's head on Sweasy's hit.  Chapman finally taking in the fly Redmond sent him on his second turn at the bat.  The way the boys "let on" Bradley was a thing the "old man" never dreamed of.  Eight runs was the result and the Browns came in from the field looking queer indeed.  The 

Ninth Innings

Yielded the professionals one made by Cuthbert, the Reds going out in the order in which they toed the plate...

The general play of both nines was remarkably fine, Redmond bearing the honors of the day by his brilliant play at shortstop, he assisting no less than twelve times.  Houtz also deserves especial mention as the score will show.  

-St. Louis Republican, May 5, 1875

The pleasant weather and the attraction of a match game between [the Empire and Atlantic] clubs drew several hundred lovers of our national game to the Grand avenue park yesterday afternoon.  The game was, we understand, for practice only, and will not count in the games for the amateur championship of the state of Missouri.

Both clubs were out in full force, the Atlantics appearing in an entire new rig, consisting of blue and white caps, flesh-colored shirts, trimmed with blue, white knee-breeches and blue stockings, the costume presenting a very handsome appearance and reflecting credit upon the makers.

The nobby centre fielder of the Brown Stockings having been selected as umpire, called game at quarter past three o'clock, the Atlantics handling the ash and the Empires distributing themselves over the green turf preparatory to hunting the leather.

Up to the close of the sixth innings the game was very close and exciting.  The Empires playing very steadily in the field, "Shorty" and Zimmerman doing excellent pitching of Daniels, who, if he had been supported by a good catcher, would have carried his side through the game with a score much less one-sided.  All doubts as to the ultimate result were dispelled in the seventh innings, as the Empires, after disposing of their adversaries for two runs, went in with a vim and by some very fine batting scored seven runs, two of which were earned, thus placing their totals at thirteen to seven for the Atlantics.  The champions still further increased their lead in the ninth innings five tallies.  The Atlantics had apparantly lost heart and failed to add anything to their score, leaving the totals at eighteen to seven in favor of the Empires.

-St. Louis Republican, May 3, 1875

The professionals donned their new uniform in the game with the Empire on Thursday last, and the taste displayed in its make-up was very generally admired.  

-St. Louis Republican, April 18, 1875

The Reds have been practicing daily at their park during the past week.  They will not play to-day at the Atlantics have engaged the park for their own use.  The work on the new fence at the park is well under way and will soon be completed.  Their new uniforms will be done to-day.  This uniform consists of a gray cap, gray shirt and gray pants, all trimmed with red, and red stockings.  The nine is now definitely fixed with "Pack" Dillon, Dan. Morgan, Wm. Redmon, J. Blong, John McSorely, Chas. Houtz, Arthur Croft, Thos. Oran, and Chas. Sweasy.  John Dillon will be the tenth man.  Sweasy is a new man, and will arrive in the city on Tuesday.  He was one of the old Cincinnati Red Stockings and is a very strong player.


-St. Louis Republican, April 11, 1875

Our city will make its debut in the professional arena with a nine composed of Philadelphiane and Brooklynites...The difficulty of organizing and harmonizing a new nine had been appreciated by the directors, and proper steps taken to bring their men together and train them in season.  Everything possible for the comfort and convenience of the men has been done for them, and we have no doubt the players will make for themselves and their club a record to be proud of...

Wait and Hauge of the St. Louis team arrived last Tuesday morning.  Pike is expected this week.  The boys are all taking their work at the Missouri gymnasium regularly.  Their landlady noticed the fact with anything but a smile.

Miller and Pearce thought they were champions at hand-ball.  Cuthbert and Battin gave them the "drop" in a game 21 to 2 on Friday last...

The sample uniform for the St. Louis club will probably be ready for inspection this week.  White and brown will be the colors.

-St. Louis Republican, January 31, 1875