THE 1878 MILWAUKEE GRAYS

May 13, 1878

There were no games in the National League from May 11-14. The Grays prepared for their first home game, and already there was grumbling in Milwaukee. No surprise, I guess, when you look at the standings:

Team       Record Runs for Runs against
Cincinnati     6-0        33         12
Chicago        3-3        17         23
Boston         2-2        20         16
Providence   2-2         16         20
Indianapolis  2-4-1      16         17
Milwaukee    1-5-1      12         26

The Milwaukee Daily News posted this item in the edition on the 14th:

The batting order of the Milwaukees is changed, and they will play as follows in this week’s games: Dalrymple, l.f.; Peters, 2d b,; Goodman, 1st b.; Foley 3d b.; Bennett, c.f.; Holbert, c.; Redmond, s.s.; Golden, r.f.; Weaver, p. The Cincinnatis will probably play their men in the same batting order as in the last six games. Manager Chapman reports the boys in fine condition and able to give the visitors “a general demoralizing.”

Game will be played at the Milwaukees’ Park as follows:

With the Cincinnatis – May 14, 16 and 18. With the Indianapolis Club – May 21, 23 and 25.

The grounds are in excellent condition, and a series of interesting games is expected. The Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Base Ball Association held a meeting, yesterday afternoon, in consequence of the prevalence of rumors concerning changes in the nine. The members of the nine were present and were informed that all such rumors were false. [note: except for changing the lineup around, of course]

In case you are curious, the lineup the Grays had been using was: Peters, 2b; Holbert, c; Bennett, cf; Dalrymple, lf; Golden, rf; Redmond, ss; Foley, 3b, Goodman, 1b; Weaver, p.

By the way, manager Jack Chapman was known as “Death to Flying Things” during his playing days (another player, Robert Ferguson, was also called this, but Chapman had the moniker first). Chapman played in the 1860s for the Atlantics and Quaker City, then played in the National Association and also the National League. He was player-manager for the Louisville Grays in 1876, then served just as manager in 1877. This is when Louisville had its gambling scandal which resulted in four players being banned and Louisville dropping from the league – and Milwaukee taking over, hiring its manager and adopting its nickname. Chapman had no part in the gambling scandal, but he does seem a bit clueless throughout the whole thing. If you’re interested in more about the scandal, here’s more on it.

Chapman is in the picture below of the 1889 Syracuse Stars. He is in the middle without the uniform.