THE 1878 MILWAUKEE GRAYS

May 20, 1878

No game, but this note appeared in the Milwaukee Daily News:

If the weather permits, the Milwaukee nine will meet the Indianapolis boys at the home grounds, today. The two nines have already met three times, resulting in two victories for the Indianapolis boys and one for the Milwaukees. They are nearly matched, and a highly interesting game may be expected this afternoon. The Indianapolis club has three of its old members, Nolan [sic – really Nolen], the pitcher, Fleet, the catcher, and Quest, at second. Dan Morgan, who has earned a national reputation at base ball, is to be associated with the Milwaukees again, having entered into contract with Manager Chapman. He is to take Redmond’s place in the nine. By this change, the club will be materially strengthened. Morgan’s friends in this city will be pleased to welcome him back. He is expected to be here today. The game will begin at 3:45.

Notes:
- First of all, Redmond’s last name is really Redmon. Or Redmund. His gravestone is listed as Readmon. So who knows.
- I’m not sure why Dan Morgan was nationally known. He played 19 games for the St. Louis Red Stockings of the National Association in 1875. He did hit 261/311/319 (OPS+ of 129, so that was a decent season – the team batting average was .201), but that was it for him in major-league caliber ball. He obviously must have played for a Milwaukee semi-pro team sometime in between.
- Morgan’s nickname was Pidgey. I have no idea why or what that means. And, not to give anything away, but suffice to say Morgan would not be an upgrade over Billy Redmon either at the plate or in the field (and in fact, Morgan would never play SS for the Grays, which is what Redmon had been manning these first games).
- According to baseball-reference.com, Redmon both hit and threw left. And he played second and short (as well as third and outfield) in 1878. In 1875, he even caught.
- As far as Indianapolis goes, they had no “Fleet” at catcher, but did have Silver Flint. Indy wasn’t a major-league team in 1877, so they probably just brought along a few players from its semi-pro team.
- Neither Flint nor Quest were as colorful as The Only Nolan (see previous item on him), but Joe Quest supposedly is the one who came up with the name Charley horse.