The 1888 Colonels-July Takes a Turn for the Better

Before we delve into the adventures of the 1888 Louisville Colonels, let me apologize for my lax blogging of late. My other love in addition to base ball is auto racing, the IndyCar Series in particular. Between attending the race at Mid-Ohio and working on a project for an esteemed motorsports writer, I've had little time for my blog. With the project approaching conclusion, I've gotten some time back for my blog.

As June faded to July, the Colonels started playing at a level approaching what the Falls City faithful hoped at the start of the season. Lack of talent at some positions as well as a wretched start doomed any chances Louisville had to contend for a winning season, much less the pennant, but the club played better as June went on.

Louisville opened the month on July 1 at home against the Baltimore Orioles and lost the first game 6-1. Ramsey, 20 pounds lighter as a result of his recent illness, pitched well, but the old bugaboo of poor defense bedeviled the Colonels again. At the bat, Louisville stranded nine runners and at the end of the day the Derby City throng of 3,500 went home disappointed.

In other news, the Courier-Journal stated the owners of Association clubs desired to meet to discuss reconsidering the $.50 fee for admittance to their games. Crowds dwindled at Association games, as the doubling of admission fees turned many potential spectators away. For clubs like Louisville, a poor record, combined with the increased price killed them at the turnstiles.

The next day saw Louisville pound Baltimore 13-6. Ice Box Chamberlain pitched well, not walking a single batter, which stood in stark contrast to the Orioles' John Smith, who walked nine Colonels.

This bright result on the scoreboard also contrasted with the dark tidings in the Courier-Journal. The Colonels finally released infielder Will White, White had recently been benched for "indifferent play," but he'd never really enjoyed playing in Louisville and the dissatisfaction on both sides culminated to this decision to let him go. 

Other teams offered Louisville money for White, but he requested part of the sale price to any of these clubs. Owner Mordecai Davidson refused, so after ten days he cleared waivers and could sign with any club he chose.

In addition, an unnamed western paper (probably from St. Louis or Kansas City, but I cannot corroborate this) stated there was a conspiracy among Toad Ramsey, Guy Hecker, and John Kerins to throw games. The allegation offered no proof, but with past accusations swirling around the club, especially with Hecker, it couldn't have been comforting for Louisville fans.

On July 3, both Louisville and Baltimore crossed the Ohio and went to New Albany for an exhibition. Scott Stratton pitched well for the Colonels, but they lost 4-3. 

The next day, Independence Day featured a twin bill between the Colonels and Orioles. The holiday promised to feature big crowds, and more baseball meant more spectators.

The first game saw Baltimore down Louisville 9-3 in front of 4,000. Second and third base let the Colonels down as Reddy Mack and Joe Werrick contributed the bulk of Louisville's ghastly 12 errors. 

Baltimore on the other hand fielded flawlessly and first baseman Tommy Tucker hit the first over the fence home run at Eclipse Park all season. To the modern fan, this may sound strange, but over-the-fence home runs didn't occur often in the pre-live ball era (1920 on). The outfield dimensions of most parks tended to be much bigger in this era, and the balls weren't as lively off the bat as they were later. If one saw a home run, it would've been an inside the park home run. 

The second game of the July 4 doubleheader proved a complete turnaround from the morning. Toad Ramsey "as lively as a lark," started for the Colonels and proved "almost invincible in the box." Louisville played a perfect game in the field, which "could hardly be expected after the miserable showing of the forenoon game," winning 4-1.

Baltimore's Bert Cunningham's curveball beguiled the Falls City nine, but the heart of the Louisville order managed to carry the day as Chicken Wolf and Pete Browning carried the day for the offense.

After a brief respite, Louisville welcomed Cleveland to Eclipse Park for a four game series starting on July 7 during a fierce heatwave in the Ohio Valley.

Louisville vanquished Cleveland 6-3 in the first game as a crowd of 800 sweltered. Chamberlain started for the Colonels and though wild, "pitched a winning game." 

Both teams hit hard, but ran poorly, leaving 18 runners total on base.

Louisville continued its winning ways the next day, winning 9-0 behind Toad Ramsey's "invincible as ever" pitching. Ramsey struck out seven as Louisville threw its first shutout of the season.

Louisville whitewashed Cleveland again the next day, 3-0 in front of 3,000. John Ewing, Louisville's recent addition pitched brilliantly and hit a triple. Chicken Wolf also hit a triple as the Colonels played an all-around solid game.

Louisville won five of the last six games. They did so without the services of Pete Browning, who'd been missing in action again (possibly due to alcohol). The Courier-Journal hinted if "The Gladiator" didn't change his ways, he'd be permanently replaced. Luckily for Louisville, pitcher Scott Stratton could also play an excellent centerfield (a 19th Century Shohei Ohtani).

The Colonels swept Cleveland the next day, winning 7-4. Browning miraculously returned and made several defensive plays in center. 

In other news, the St. Louis Browns signed Will White, he went from one of the worst teams in the Association to one of the best.

Louisville continued its homestand as the Philadelphia Athletics came to town next and promptly won 4-1. Toad Ramsey started for Louisville and walked six batters, at one point loading the bases with three straight walks. Louisville native Gus Weyhing started for the Athletics and had the Colonels at his will the whole of the contest.

Louisville evened the series the next day 14-4. The Colonels rapped out 19 hits and stole 13 bases as they batted around Mike Mattimore freely. Reserve first baseman Wally Andrews starred offensively for the Colonels, going 4-6 on the day.

Louisville won again the next day, 5-1 as Guy Hecker made his return from an injury suffered in St. Louis the month prior. He didn't strike out a single batter, but his pitching continually induced bad contact.

Poor Colonel baserunning and sparkling Philadelphia defense kept the game close. Louisville "ran the bases like a lot of plow horses." 

Browning went 3-5 but the superb Athletic defense robbed him of a home run. 

After the game, team captain John Kerins stated he'd invert his middle infielders, moving Reddy Mack to shortstop and Hub Collins to second.

The Athletics split the series the next day, winning 11-5. The recent success of the Colonels induced 4,500 to come out to on a Sunday, and their attitude could hardly be considered appropriate for the Sabbath. The throng proved loud and obnoxious, with the Philadelphia Times stating umpires ejected at least a dozen spectators. The cacophonous crowd delayed the game at times as the players could not hear the umpire.

Ice Box Chamberlain started for Louisville and got hit hard. He had poor control of his pitches and emotions, walking off the field in the sixth after hitting a batter. Scott Stratton came in to mop up, but little could be done as Gus Weyhing once again had the Colonels in his thrall.

Lave Cross caught for Louisville and had a rough day as he made multiple errors.

Though the first half of the month ended in a loss, the Colonels played much better. In spite of the usual issues with Pete Browning and rumors of throwing games (admittedly vastly unsubstantiated), things looked better. 

Once again, the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Daily News,  The Philadelphia Times, newspapers.com, and baseball-reference.com made this post possible.

The 1888 Colonels-June Takes a Turn for the Better Amidst Turmoil

The beginning of June saw the crises of the 1888 season come to a head. The ownership of the Louisville changed hands to Mordecai Davidson, manager John Kelly resigned, and the Colonels suffered a disastrous eastern road trip.

The battered Falls City aggregate arrived home on June 8 and at that time John Kelly formally handed in his resignation as manager and immediately accepted a job as umpire in the National League. Club owner Mordecai Davidson stated he'd assume the day-to-day responsibilities of running the Colonels.

The Courier-Journal conducted a postmortem of the season thus far and acknowledged bad luck, and most especially injuries to the catchers contributed mightily to the failures faced by the Louisville nine. The paper stated Louisville's pitchers could not throw as hard as usual due to injuries faced by the catchers. While the start proved discouraging, the paper seemed hopeful for a turnaround in the Colonels' fortunes.

The future indeed seemed brighter on June 9, as the Kansas City Cowboys arrived at Eclipse Park and promptly received a 14-4 thrashing by the Louisvilles. The game proved close until the sixth inning, when Louisville blew the game open. The Colonels played with the "old time vim and dash" exhibited by Falls City's clubs in years past. All Louisville players except Hub Collins got a hit and the crowd of 500 went home happy.

The next day saw another win for the Derby City boys, as they won 5-1 in a rain-shortened, six inning contest. 

They missed a sweep the next day, as Kansas City won 8-7.  Both clubs played well, but the Cowboys timed their hits just a little better. 

Considering the other world news of the day, things weren't so bad. Germany's Kaiser Frederick lay dying, the sovereign only recently assuming the throne from his father, Kaiser Wilhem I. Beloved American poet Walt Whitman fell ill and the nation feared the author of Leaves of Grass would soon join Kaiser Frederick in death. The fate of a ballclub in Louisville didn't seem so momentous in comparison.

After a short, three-game home stand, the Colonels boarded a train westward to face the St. Louis Browns and the Cowboys.

Louisville lost the first game against St. Louis 3-2 on June 13, after leading most of the day. A gruesome injury to Guy Hecker compounded the sorrowful tidings of the loss. He received a spike wound on his left hand in a play at the plate and subsequently fainted as a result of blood loss. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch stated Hecker would leave for Louisville that night to have a specialist look at his crippled hand.

In the words of the Post-Dispatch, Hecker's injury would "hurt Louisville's strength, if indeed such a thing be possible."

The next day, St. Louis again defeated the Falls City crowd 13-7 as Ramsey received "wretched support" from the Colonels. This defeat indeed seemed small, as news of the death of Kaiser Frederick reached America. Frederick's death meant Kaiser Wilhem II assumed the throne of Germany, as 1888 became the "Year of Three Emperors." The new Kaiser's policies in time helped contribute to the First World War, but that was 25 or so years in the future.

Back in Missouri, the Browns completed their sweep of the Colonels the next day, as they thumped the Colonels 12-3. St. Louis chased Ice Box Chamberlain out of the box in the second inning, and Louisville played in a "half-spirited, listless manner."

Louisville couldn't leave the Mound City fast enough, and the next day (June 16) they played the one team that almost guaranteed a break in a Colonel slump, Kansas City. Chamberlain again started and again got hit hard, but today he held on. In spite of being on the receiving end of a four-run first, the Colonels won 6-5. 

The Courier-Journal reported that day President Davidson lowered prices for all seats to $.50, with boys under 12 admitted for $.25, and ladies free on Thursdays when accompanied by a man. 

On June 17, the Colonels managed a two-game sweep of the Cowboys by the narrowest of margins, winning 7-6 as timely hitting saved the day for the Falls City club. 

After their 2-3 "Show-Me State" excursion, the Colonels made for the Queen City to play a four game tilt against the Reds, with two games in Cincinnati and two in Louisville.

The first game, played on June 21, shared headlines with the Republican National Convention, who set about determining their candidate for president. Being out of the White House, there was much more division than the Democrats encountered earlier in the month.

Louisville proved more decisive than the GOP as they defeated the slumping Reds 15-9. The Colonels took advantage of the Reds' suspect pitching and shoddy defense. Louisville hit well and in the words of the Cincinnati Enquirer, "presented a marked and favorable contrast to the banged-up, crippled, and dilapidated team" they'd played a month before.

The Reds evened the series the following day in dramatic fashion in the eleventh inning 10-8. This game surged back and forth (I would love to have seen a win percentage graph from this game) with the game being tied twice. Cincinnati took a 8-5 lead to the ninth, where Louisville promptly tied the score. The Colonels could do no more, however, and Cincinnati pushed two runs across in the top of the eleventh.

The next day, the series shifted to Louisville amidst a steady drizzle which fell upon the field all day. Rain stopped the game for 30 minutes during the third inning. The wet grounds and soggy ball contributed to the lackluster performance of both clubs and darkness mercifully put an end to the 10-10 game after the Reds scored two runs to tie it in the ninth. 

As a bit of an aside, Cincinnati's uniforms proved the second most interesting part of the "dreary, drawn out battle." I won't go into detail here, as the 19th Century base ball uniform database "Threads of Our Game" does a much better job of documenting the Reds' togs from that game than yours truly, though I'm happy to say my research of the Courier-Journal archives found a gem of a quote from this game about the Cincinnati uniforms, which certainly made me chuckle.

(Cincinnati's sartorial choices didn't elicit mockery alone, as the  Colonels' maroon uniforms elicited similar sneers, you can see their finery on "Threads of Our Game" as well. You're welcome in advance for all the valuable time you'll spend seeing the wonderful uniforms worn by base ball clubs in the 19th Century.)

The most interesting aspect of the third game in he series revolved around Pete Browning, who made his grand arrival in Louisville on June 23.  He'd lapsed from his temperance pledge made at the start of the season and got "roaring drunk" in Kansas City during the recent series with the Cowboys.

Browning got so intoxicated he bought a fishing pole and began fishing in a gutter in front of Louisville's hotel. As Louisville left for Cincinnati, Browning stayed and further enjoyed what Kansas City had to offer. 

Browning, "as is his usual" apologized and asked for mercy from Louisville's management, which was granted at a cost of a $100 fine (over $2,500 in 2018). As funny as this episode may sound, Browning's alcoholism had left a streak of such incidents through his playing career and would sadly contribute to an untimely and unfortunate death in the future for the "Gladiator."

Cincinnati closed out the series with Louisville in fine fashion, winning 11-4. The Colonels looked poor, as Scott Stratton got hit hard. Cincinnati pitcher Tony Mullane managed to stymie all but three Louisville batters that day. Browning, Chicken Wolf, and Joe Werrick all managed two hits apiece, but unfortunately the rest of the Louisvilles could do little against "The Count."

The generally listless showing this day infuriated President Davidson, as the defeat coupled with Browning's alcoholism and Toad Ramsey's mysterious illness which somehow managed to go away when he went to a saloon, proved too much. 

Shortstop Bill White became the target of Davidson's ire as he was suspended for his subpar performance in the recent days. However, in White's defense, he didn't carouse (at least not openly) and had been playing with a high fever the last few days. An indignant White demanded his release and if he could not obtain it, he'd retire to his Ohio home to run a general store. 

White's suspension wasn't the only personnel matter on the day, as the Colonels signed pitcher John Ewing and catcher Henry "Farmer" Vaughn from Memphis of the Southern League. The battery proved one of the best in the loop and the Courier-Journal hoped the duo would bolster the improving Louisville club.

In spite of the difficulties of the previous days, the Colonels had indeed played better than at any point during the season. Their better play came as a nasty surprise to the next club to come to the Falls City, the Association-leading Brooklyn Bridegrooms.

On June 26, the day after Benjamin Harrison won the Republican nomination for President, Louisville defeated Brooklyn 7-6.

A crowd of 1,000 saw Ice Box Chamberlain outduel Bob Caruthers, who uncharacteristically walked four batters. Louisville played a few men out of position, with Chicken Wolf at short, pitcher Scott Stratton in centerfield, and local amateur standout Hercules Burnett in right. In spite of the rearranged state of the club, the Colonels superbly supported Chamberlain and came back from an early deficit in the win. The win vaulted them out of the cellar, as the bumbling Kansas City Cowboys took possession of that exalted position. 

The Bill White situation further developed, as Davidson stated he'd attempt a trade with St. Louis for shortstop Joseph Herr.

Brooklyn evened the series the next day, winning 9-7. The Bridegrooms hit hard and often, and Brooklyn's pitching proved too tricky for the Colonels to fully overcome, as a late rally came up short.

Louisville won again the next day 6-1, dropping Brooklyn out of first place. The Courier-Journal stated "Chamberlain was invincible" and he received first-rate support from the rest of the club, especially Lave Cross at catcher. Wolf, still at shortstop and played it "as if he had been in that position all his life.

Louisville's new battery of John Ewing and Farmer Vaughn debuted in the closing match of the Brooklyn series and indeed the month of June. They performed well, with work that "was all that could be desired." Ewing's out curve and drop ball confounded the Brooklyn batters throughout the contest. However, Browning's sprained ankle and two runs scored off of errors by Chicken Wolf proved the difference in the 3-2 loss.

After a tumultuous start, June ended much more optimistically for Louisville. As June waned and July began, the American Association standings looked as such:

Club	W	L	Pct	GB
Brooklyn	39	18	.684	-
St. Louis	35	15	.700	.5
Philadelphia	32	19	.627	4.0
Cincinnati	32	22	.593	5.5
Baltimore	25	27	.481	11.5
Cleveland	17	35	.327	19.5
Louisville	16	38	.296	21.5
Kansas City	14	36	.280	21.5

Many valuable resources contributed to this post. Special thanks to Craig Brown at "Threads of Our Game" for allowing me to link to his pages on the uniforms for the 1888 Colonels and 1888 Reds. The Louisville Courier-Journal, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, www.newspapers.com, and www.baseball-reference.com all proved incalculably vital in compiling this post.

Thank you again for looking!

The 1888 Colonels- A Disastrous May Ends

When we left the Colonels, they'd just been swept handily by the Reds and limped out of the Queen City, on its way to the "City of Brotherly Love" to face the Athletics

On May 19, the Colonels opened the Athletic series with a 6-5 win. Louisville native Gus Weyhing took the box for the Athletics, Ramsey for the Colonels and both pitchers commenced to mow down each batting order. Ramsey struck out 11, Weyhing 13. Philadelphia took an early lead, but the Colonels promptly roared back, aided by two walks and a wild pitch by Weyhing that allowed three Louisville runs. The Courier-Journal, somewhat hyperbolically stated "All in all, the Louisvilles put up a game that was well-nigh invincible.

Falls City fans should've savored the win, they wouldn't see another the rest of the month.

The next game occurred Monday, May 21 as Philadelphia, like many cities east of the Alleghenies prohibited amusements of any kind on Sundays. These local "Blue Laws" determined to keep the Sabbath holy and had immense sticking power. Philadelphia clubs wouldn't play Sunday ball until the 1930s.

On that Monday, Louisville lost more than just 14-4. Catcher Lave Cross went down with a split finger that tore off his nail and opened it to the bone. The Courier-Journal reported Cross would be out a month and departed for Louisville to recuperate. John Kerins replaced him but was in no better condition. He had two sore fingers and a game leg.

The injuries forced a rash of position changes for the Colonels. Kerins disability contributed to the shellacking "Ice Box" Chamberlain and Scott Stratton took that afternoon. Descriptions of Louisville's effort that day varied depended on what city's paper one read. The Courier-Journal said the Colonels played "pluckily" while the Philadelphia Inquirer stated they "gave a wretched exhibition."

With Cross lamed and Kerins not at full tilt, Louisville determined to find a "first-class man" to sign as a fill-in. 

The next day saw Louisville put up a fight with the Athletics, but still come up short 6-5. Louisville's shoddy defense undercut their effort and Pete Browning's offensive heroics (3-3 with a triple) and stellar defense (outfield assist to first for a double play) could not make up for it.

In spite of the lackluster field work, Louisville had the lead until the eighth inning, when a three-run Athletics rally doomed the Colonels.

The Falls City Nine departed Philadelphia to go to Brooklyn, to face the surging Bridegrooms (so called after a season where many of their players got married).

The first tilt (May 25) between the Colonels and Bridegrooms fell to the Brooklyn club, 4-1. The "Red Devils" as the Brooklyn Daily Eagle referred to the Louisville club in its crimson uniforms "played ball like a lot of cigar signs," according to the Courier-Journal. A steady rain fell throughout  the game, more than likely contributing to the defense's less-than-stellar support of Toad Ramsey.

The next day, Brooklyn pitcher William "Adonis" Terry added to Louisville's spring of woe, as he no-hit the flailing Colonels in front of 4,875 "intensely gratified spectators" as the Bridegrooms won 4-0.

Toad Ramsey pitched for the second time in two days for the Colonels, as he was the only man the hobbled John Kerins could catch effectively. Ramsey pitched well in the losing effort, but second baseman George Mack's error in the sixth inning gave Brooklyn a lead Terry wouldn't let them relinquish.

The Courier-Journal mentioned the no-hitter in passing, as no-hitters in that era didn't get a lot of publicity, though they were rare. The reporter with the Courier-Journal had to telegraph the game report back to Louisville, and he tried to keep it short and cheap. Also, with the malaise surrounding a 9-20 start, a no-hit loss was just one more misery for the Louisville fans.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle gave the event more attention, and rejoiced in the win, but the hoopla that surrounds such doings in this modern age didn't avail itself in 1888.

Louisville performed much better the next day as a steady rain fell, but still came up short to the Bridegrooms 6-5. The Falls City contingent held a 5-1 lead going into the seventh, but a Brooklyn rally in the eighth cut the lead to 5-3. The rain fell harder in the ninth and made the ball difficult to grip, with Brooklyn taking advantage as they scored three runs and avoided a "signal defeat." The win propelled the Bridegrooms to second in the American Association standings.

According to the Courier-Journal, Ice Box Chamberlain pitched well, but the Colonel defense-as it had all year-looked poor, with Browning fielding "like a blind man" and Chicken Wolf not looking "lively enough" and allowing two pop flies to drop as hits.

Brooklyn swept Louisville the next day. Smelling blood in the water from the wounded Colonel nine, the Brooklyn manager refused to allow a Toad Ramsey for Guy Hecker substitution. Paul Cook, the Louisville catcher, who was hurt (of course!) had difficulty catching Hecker, but could catch Ramsey. Seeing how this could hurt his odds of winning, the Brooklyn manager didn't allow it, as was his prerogative. He did allow Kerins (hurt too) to replace Cook, but after one inning Kerins left the game as his injuries prohibited him from competently playing.

Chicken Wolf came in to catch, and pitcher Scott Stratton went to the outfield in his place. Stratton proved a bright spot on the day, going 3-3 with a walk. One of the few bright spots of the day for Louisville.

On the whole, this trip had been a nightmare so far for Louisville, Browning had gone hitless against Brooklyn and that was merely a symptom of the problems bedeviling the Louisville nine. No one knew exactly what was wrong, but the Courier-Journal stated "they seem, each and all, the pitchers excepted, to be listless before the game commences."

Defeats will do that, losses pile up and a previously confident team will go from optimism and pessimism in short order. Add injuries and slumps into the mix and the ingredients are all too perfect for a horrendous stretch of play, as evidenced by the record up to this time. However, that alone couldn't explain what was going on, the team did seem dissatisfied.

Louisville happily put Brooklyn, with its bridge, Navy Yard, and overwhelming ballclub (but no hipsters at this time) behind them as they rode the rails south to Baltimore, where they'd face the Orioles.

"The Louisville Club came upon the Baltimore grounds yesterday for the first time this year, casting a lurid glare over the place by the intense brilliancy of their cardinal costumes," stated the Baltimore Sun. This comment really proved the most memorable thing about the game for the Falls City faithful, as Louisville played its last game of May, losing 7-3.

Rain mercifully cancelled a game the next day, ending the month in appropriate fashion for the flatlining Colonel nine.

The end of May saw a fierce struggle at the top of the Association standings, Louisville did its part by losing a total of 12 games to league leaders Brooklyn, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. Louisville wasn't last, they could thank the still-worse Kansas City club for taking that honor by a half game, but things looked bleak. The Colonels seemed dead in the water, with most of the season yet to play.

Something seemed terribly wrong.

American Association Standings- 05/30/1888

Club                W     L   Pct   GB

Brooklyn        25     9   .735

Cincinnati      23     9   .719    1

St. Louis        19     8   .704    2.5        

Philadelphia  14     15  .483   8.5

Baltimore      13     15  .464   9

Cleveland      11     20  .355  12.5

Louisville       9      23  .281  15

Kansas City   7      22   .241  15.5

The 1888 Colonels-A Difficult May Begins

When we last left the Colonels, the Reds had just polished them off in Eclipse Park in Louisville. 

Life didn't get easier for the Colonels, as the three-time defending champion St. Louis Browns arrived at the Falls City.

The Colonels, behind the formerly recalcitrant "Ice Box" Chamberlain, surprised the Browns in the first game, winning 7-4. According to the Courier-Journal, they played almost perfect ball and Chamberlain would "win it or pitch his arm off."

The performance proved an anomaly, as the Louisvilles lost 7-5 in front of a small crowd as foul weather threatened throughout the day. However, those who did show up were "rewarded by witnessing a sharp and exciting game of base-ball."

Scott Stratton started for Louisville and pitched well, as the vaunted Browns lineup made "spasmodic but vain attempts to smash the ball." In the end, his efforts weren't enough, as St. Louis held the edge that afternoon after a four-run fifth inning. 

The next day could not be called a fine ballgame, as Louisville put on a "sorry exhibition of base-ball" according to the Courier-Journal, losing 18-1 to St. Louis.

"Toad" Ramsey took the box for the Colonels and didn't pitch badly, but the rest of the team fielded poorly. St. Louis took full advantage of every Louisville miscue and made no miscues in the field.

But facing the champs and poor fielding alone couldn't explain the shoddy play of the Louisville Club. The club had talent, but as The Courier-Journal stated "there is something radically wrong with the club," and dissention seemed to rack the team. The article pointed out that when Toad Ramsey and Scott Stratton pitched, the Louisville fielders performed poorly, but Ice Box Chamberlain benefitted from a seemingly competent Colonel defense. Things would not get better in the coming days.

On May 6, Louisville lost 4-2 to St. Louis as the Colonels ran themselves off of the bases. Ice Box Chamberlain again pitched well, but critically walked three and hit one batter. All of those contributed to the loss. Luckily for the Louisville fans, only 2,500 turned out on a perfectly fine Sunday to see the effort. The club's previous ineptitude kept many at home.

After an off day, the battered Colonels welcomed the Kansas City Cowboys to Eclipse Park. There were almost more participants than spectators present as only 500 bothered to show up. Those who did show saw Louisville win 6-3.

Guy Hecker pitched well and helped his own cause with a three-run single. Pete Browning, well-renowned for his hitting but not his fielding prowess, killed a Cowboy rally with a crucial assist from centerfield that put out Henry Porter at the plate.

The Colonels lassoed the Cowboys again the next day (May 9) as they won 18-6. Kansas City pitching walked eight Louisville batters and their "rotund catcher" Charles "Fatty" Briody (The 19th Century wasn't a period for those who were overly sensitive) allowed two passed balls.
 

Louisville hit, pitched, and fielded well. William "Chicken" Wolfe and George Mack both had three hits, and Pete Browning struck two doubles. 

Chamberlain started for Louisville and pitched well and "had the big Kansas City batters at his mercy." He pitched so well that he did so with both hands. He pitched right-handed the first five innings and with Louisville up by an almost insurmountable margin, pitched the sixth and seventh innings left-handed. Ambidexterity is a rare trait among pitchers, as it's difficult pitching well period, much less with both hands, but some players can do it. 

That was the good news, the bad news for the day featured Toad Ramsey. Manager John Kelly suspended him indefinitely and without pay. Ramsey quickly gave up the temperance pledge he'd made early in the season and routinely drank and showed up in no condition to pitch. 

The next day (May 10), Scott Stratton pitched well, but lost 2-1 to the Cowboys. Stratton pitched well, issuing no balls and giving up three hits. However, catcher John Kerins allowed three passed balls, which proved devastating to the Colonels. The Colonels hit well, but ran themselves off the bases. All-in-all, a frustrating day on the field.

The next day featured heavy hitting and four double plays between the two combatants and it looked like yet another defeat for Louisville, but a three run ninth tied the game and sent it to extra innings. Unfortunately, about half of the crowd left in frustration and didn't see the rally.

Pete Browning saved the game in the tenth, once again displaying his unheralded defensive prowess, making a circus catch for the third out, stranding two Kansas City players in scoring position.

"Chicken" Wolf drove in the winning runs in the eleventh, and Louisville eked out the win. 

After the game, the Colonels departed Louisville and went up the Ohio to the Queen City, to pay a visit to the Reds.

In the first game of the four game tilt, "The Louisville Club added another chapter to its spring serial of base-ball ill luck" as it lost 8-3 to the Reds.

The Colonels, in desperate need for help, met with Toad Ramsey and successfully came up with an agreement, lifting his suspension. Ramsey "looking fresh as a buttercup" pitched well, but not as well as Cincinnati's Lee Viau, who also had strong support from his Association-leading Reds. 

A steady rain fell the next day (May 15) as both teams hit well, but Cincinnati hit better, winning 8-4. Tony Mullane started for the Reds and the Colonels hit "The Apollo of the Box" hard (Browning going 4-4), but the Reds defense bailed him out throughout the contest.

The Cincinnati Enquirer stated the Colonels, "disgusted with Ramsey's conduct" were entertaining offers for Toad Ramsey. Louisville wanted $10,000.00 for their former ace, whom the Enquirer implied had seen better days. Even though the Colonels and Ramsey had came to an amicable agreement, Louisville felt they could lose as easily without their former star as with him. This was another indicator of the ill-mood of the club.

Louisville closed out the series on the business end of the broom as the Reds swept them with a 5-3 win. Despite Guy Hecker's pitching, "poor old Louisville (was) again the sufferer" according to the Enquirer. Hecker had good speed and Cincinnati had difficulty with his deliveries, but they managed to hit him nonetheless.

As May passed it's midpoint, the Colonels were in trouble, they stood seventh in the eight team American Association with an 8-16 record. Only the hapless Cowboys played worse ball at this point. As the Colonels chugged east to play Association stalwarts in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, things looked bleak indeed.

The Louisville Courier-Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, www.newspapers.com, and www.baseball-reference.com all contributed mightily to this article.