The National League's (and briefly American Association's) Los Angeles Dodgers franchise dates back to 1884, when the team was known as the Brooklyn Atlantics. Since then, the team has been referred to as the Brooklyn Grays (1885-1887), Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1888-1890, 1896-1898), Brooklyn Grooms (1891-1895) and Brooklyn Superbas (1899-1910). They first became known as the Dodgers in 1911 and 1912 before they were called the Superbas again for the 1913 season. Afterwards, Wilbert Robinson became manager of the club and for that time, they were known as the Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931). Since 1932, they have retained the Dodgers nickname, of course, moving to Los Angeles for the 1958 season.
Baseball in Brooklyn can be traced all the way back to 1855!
Baseball in Brooklyn can be traced all the way back to 1855!
The Atlantic Baseball Club of Brooklyn was formed in 1855 and lasted through the 1870 season. Sporting Life of 1916 used the accounts of former Atlantics player Jack Chapman as post game commentary of what was considered by the players and fans of the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn on June 14, 1870 as the greatest game ever played. The Atlantics were playing the Cincinnati Ball Club, known as being the best Base Ball team ever assembled to that point. The Cincinnati team had not lost a game at that point since 1868, going the entire 1869 season without a loss! The Atlantics charged an admission of 50 cents (the first time admission had ever been charged for an event like this). The Atlantics had been the last team to defeat Cincinnati, in 1868 and would win on a walk off thriller, 8-7, in 11 innings.
The Atlantics were treated as if they were heroes, most carried off the field by friends and fans who stormed the field. The reaction of the city of Brooklyn would have been similar to the city of Boston after last Sunday's Super Bowl victory. The Atlantics had won the game, not the World Series, but it was hard to convince the city that the victory was nothing short of championship caliber. Of course, we are talking about the year of 1870, before both the American Association and National League had started play. The more you think about it, the more it is understood how the reaction of a regular season game was what it was.
What other sports were getting any attention in 1880? A game that would just be another in a series of the longest season in all of professional sports was treated as if it was a one game World Series, or a Super Bowl. The Red Stockings season and a half winning streak was ended, in a historic way. It also could have been the first recorded "walk off" victory and one of not too many that were decided in more than 9 innings. I understand how players and coaches gave speeches afterwards and they even held a banquet soon after in commemoration of what just took place.
A more interesting game took place in Brooklyn on February 4, 1861 involving the Atlantics. In South Brooklyn, the Atlantics entertained the Charter Oak Club. The Atlantics were coming off a championship season. They agreed to play on a frozen waterway called the Littlefield Pond. Both teams played the game on ice skates, with Brooklyn winning the game 37-26. Many things come to mind when the thought of a baseball game being played on ice skates is brought to light. Obviously, it could not happen in today's game of baseball. I would assume the pitcher was soft tossing the balls underhanded which would explain the high score. The risk of going to a full wind up would endanger the pitcher, so that option had to be out. Imagine taking swings on a pair of ice skates. I am sure it was easier to dig into the batters box, but it must have been difficult to take a balanced swing and to even the center of gravity while waiting for said pitch.
It had to be worse for the fielders, particularly the infielders. I cannot imagine it being that easy to get down on the ball and I doubt anybody attempted to lunge to stop a ball or dive to make a catch. And any jump made in the field had to be at risk of the possibility of not properly landing. The one thing that was easier I'm sure was the base running, especially after the lanes were made after a couple runners made their way around. I assume regular bags were not used as bases. I am also not surprised that another similar game was ever played again. Was there?
The Atlantics were treated as if they were heroes, most carried off the field by friends and fans who stormed the field. The reaction of the city of Brooklyn would have been similar to the city of Boston after last Sunday's Super Bowl victory. The Atlantics had won the game, not the World Series, but it was hard to convince the city that the victory was nothing short of championship caliber. Of course, we are talking about the year of 1870, before both the American Association and National League had started play. The more you think about it, the more it is understood how the reaction of a regular season game was what it was.
What other sports were getting any attention in 1880? A game that would just be another in a series of the longest season in all of professional sports was treated as if it was a one game World Series, or a Super Bowl. The Red Stockings season and a half winning streak was ended, in a historic way. It also could have been the first recorded "walk off" victory and one of not too many that were decided in more than 9 innings. I understand how players and coaches gave speeches afterwards and they even held a banquet soon after in commemoration of what just took place.
A more interesting game took place in Brooklyn on February 4, 1861 involving the Atlantics. In South Brooklyn, the Atlantics entertained the Charter Oak Club. The Atlantics were coming off a championship season. They agreed to play on a frozen waterway called the Littlefield Pond. Both teams played the game on ice skates, with Brooklyn winning the game 37-26. Many things come to mind when the thought of a baseball game being played on ice skates is brought to light. Obviously, it could not happen in today's game of baseball. I would assume the pitcher was soft tossing the balls underhanded which would explain the high score. The risk of going to a full wind up would endanger the pitcher, so that option had to be out. Imagine taking swings on a pair of ice skates. I am sure it was easier to dig into the batters box, but it must have been difficult to take a balanced swing and to even the center of gravity while waiting for said pitch.
It had to be worse for the fielders, particularly the infielders. I cannot imagine it being that easy to get down on the ball and I doubt anybody attempted to lunge to stop a ball or dive to make a catch. And any jump made in the field had to be at risk of the possibility of not properly landing. The one thing that was easier I'm sure was the base running, especially after the lanes were made after a couple runners made their way around. I assume regular bags were not used as bases. I am also not surprised that another similar game was ever played again. Was there?
After taking the 1871 season off, the Atlantics returned to competitive play for the 1872 season, joining the National Association. They would remain there through the 1875 season. They would then take a hiatus before joining the American Association for the 1884 season, still known as the Atlantics. After the season, they were known as the Brooklyn Grays from 1885-1887 and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms from 1888-1889. Though they remained the Bridegrooms for the 1890 season, this became their first season in the National League. And obviously, the rest is history.
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