The Strange History of the Dodgers

So this weekend I delivered my third and final speech in a college speech class I'm enrolled in. Naturally, I chose to talk about the Dodgers. Look, I even made an awesome time line:


But I digress. In researching the topic, I came across the Dodgers History page from the official site.

And in looking through the history of the Dodgers, I learned something interesting... the Dodgers have some weird-ass moments in their history.

And now, I'd like to share some of my favorite moments with you.

"June 12, 1890: Brooklyn beats the Giants, 12-6, at Washington Park in the first game to feature a passionate dispute between the two clubs in the National League, ignited by Brooklyn third-base coach Darby O'Brien, who pretended to be a baserunner and drew a throw over to third."

-What now? How does this even happen? Did the pitcher have such short term memory that he couldn't remember there wasn't a runner on third? That's such an 1890s thing, a third base coach acting like a runner and trying to trick the pitcher. That's crazy... I mean, could you imagine Larry Bowa trying that today? ... Eh, bad example.

"Sept. 1, 1890: Let's play three? Brooklyn dispatches Pittsburgh three times in one day."

-The triple header? Nice. "I'm ready for a fourth!" says Dodger center fielder Cornelius "One-eyed" Jackson.

"May 29, 1892: Eight days after losing 28-year-old outfielder George "Hub" Collins to typhoid fever, the Bridegrooms and St. Louis Browns put on a benefit All-Star Game to raise money for his widow."

-They lost an outfielder to typhoid fever?! "Suck it up, Hub!" says polio-stricken Dodger first baseman Cornelius "Wheelchair" Jackson. That's definitely another thing that's very 1890s, a player catching typhoid fever. I mean, what would your reaction be if you learned Manny caught typhoid fever? ... Eh, bad example.

"May 30, 1893: William "Brickyard" Kennedy beats Louisville, 3-0 and 6-2, in both games of a twin bill, allowing just eight hits all day. He's the first Major Leaguer to pitch and win two games on the same day since the mound was moved to 60 feet, six inches from the plate."

-Good ol' "Brickyard" Kennedy tossed a double header. I know men were men in those days, but still, didn't their arms ever get sore?

"July 21, 1900: Deacon McGuire sticks his bat out to avoid being intentionally walked, and connects to allow the winning run to cross the plate."

-No one pulls a fast one over Deacon McGuire!

"Sept. 12, 1900: "Iron Man" Joe McGinnity, who has appeared in every game of the week, closes out both ends of a twin bill on a good day for the Superbas and not so good day for the Reds, who commit a record 17 errors in the doubleheader."

-Nothing too weird here, just love the idea of being referred to as "Iron Man" McGinnity. Though 17 errors? I'd put much of the blame for that at the feet of the Reds manager for starting Reginald "No-arms" McIntyre at first.


I love the timeline here:

"April 17, 1904: Blue Laws prevent charging for ballgames on Sundays, but Charles Ebbets holds a game anyway, selling scorecards to all fans instead of tickets."

"June 17, 1906: Charles Ebbets and manager Ned Hanlon are arrested after a scheme to charge fans after a Sunday game to avoid the Blue Laws doesn't pass muster with the local authorities."

-No one escapes Johnny Law, Ebbets!

"March 13, 1915: Wilbert Robinson, after bragging that he could catch a baseball dropped from an airplane, is set to prove his mettle. But when aviation pioneer Ruth Law forgets to bring the baseball, she drops a grapefruit, which explodes on impact in Robbie's glove."

-Well, that seems like a reasonable bet. This is even more fun when you realize Robinson was the manager at the time. This time the question actually works: can you imagine Joe Torre trying out a stunt like this? That would be amazing to watch.

By the way, if your only job is to fly the plane and drop the baseball, how do you forget the baseball? And what makes you think dropping a grapefruit in it's place is a good idea?

"July 1, 1917: Another Sunday, another attempt by Charles Ebbets to find a way to play baseball, despite Blue Laws prohibiting him from charging admission. Ebbets claims the money is going to charity and has a band and exhibition to prove it, but the police who arrest him and his manager Wilbert Robinson are unconvinced."

-That Ebbets, what a sneaky guy... Whenever you get worried about the Dodgers being negatively affected by the McCourts divorce, just comfort yourself with this: at least neither of them has been arrested multiple times.

"June 6, 1918: Casey Stengel, making his return to Ebbets Field after being traded during the offseason, tips his cap to the crowd and a sparrow flies out from under it."

-That's mildly creepy. And yet, unfortunately, another thing I don't have trouble imagining Manny doing.

"April 30, 1919: Burleigh Grimes pitches 20 long innings, but Philadelphia's Joe Oeschger matches him and the game ends in a 9-9 tie."

-Ha HA! Burleigh Grimes sees "Brickyard" Kennedy tossing a double header and says: "I'll pitch two more innings than you! And I'll do it without a break!"

"Sept. 7, 1924: Thousands of fans show up early and use crowbars to tear the gates open at Ebbets Field for a chance to watch Brooklyn battle the Giants."

-Well, you got to admire a fan's passion... Weird thing is, these were still the days when people wore their Sunday best to go out to the ballpark. Suits, fedoras, and crowbars. That, my friends, is a recipe for awesome.

"April 18, 1925: Charles Ebbets dies from heart failure. Co-owner Edward McKeever catches a cold at Ebbets' funeral and dies 11 days after Ebbets. Wilbert Robinson will be elected president."

-NOOO WILBERT! THE POSITION IS CUR-SED!!!

"Jan. 24, 1934: Giants skipper Bill Terry flippantly asks "Brooklyn? Is Brooklyn still in the league?"

-Nice that this is considered part of our history... "You haberdasher!" replies Dodgers bench coach/reserve outfielder Cornelius "Father Time" Jackson.

"Aug. 2, 1938: Larry MacPhail introduces yellow baseballs, which only see action in three games."

-I guess that idea Mac-failed! Hey-oh!

"July 19, 1942: Pete Reiser suffers a concussion after crashing into the outfield wall at Sportsman's Park, one of 11 times the outfielder had to be carried off the field in his career."

-"Get up, you scalawag!" yells Cornelius "How old is this guy?!" Jackson. "My record is 15 times!"

"June 4, 1947: A priest administers last rights to Dodgers outfielder Pete Reiser after he crashes into the wall, but holds on to the ball in a 9-4 victory over the Pirates. Reiser recovered after a stint in the hospital."

-"Impressive work, Mr. Reiser!" says Cornelius "Deathbed" Jackson. "But get back to me after you've been buried alive for three days only to play a double header on the fourth!"

April 23, 1950: Cornelius "Dead" Jackson dies. It is the last time anything weird ever happens to the Dodgers.


The End.