Cleveland Blues (NL) all-time roster


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The Cleveland Blues were a professional baseball franchise that operated in the National League (NL), a "major" league, from 1879 until 1884.[1] They were organized by businessmen William Hollinger, and J. Ford Evans in 1878 as the Forest Citys, and played a season as an independent team.[2][3] The NL expanded from six teams to eight before the 1879 season, and the Forest Citys accepted an invitation to join the league.[2] Evans became their president and stayed in that capacity until C. H. Bulkeley assumed the role in 1882.[4][5] In their six seasons in the NL, the team never finished higher than third place in the standings.[1] They played their home games in League Park.[1][6]

A baseball team is posing for a photograph. There are four men standing, five men sitting, and two men are laying on the ground.
The 1879 Cleveland Blues baseball team

For their first season in the NL, the franchise (now named the Blues due to their dark blue uniforms) employed Jim McCormick as the manager as well as the ace of their pitching staff.[1][7] Cleveland did not fare well, winning just 27 games against 55 losses, with a league-low .223 batting average.[1][2] The 1880 season was better, however, as the team increased its win total to 47 against 37 losses and a tie,[1] McCormick winning a league-leading 45 of those victories.[8] Over the next two seasons, the team changed the on-field leadership often; employing Mike McGeary and John Clapp as player-managers in 1881, and Fred Dunlap in 1882. The changes did not prove effective as the team was unable to finish higher than fifth place during that span.[1] The team had their best record and highest win total in 1883 under manager Frank Bancroft.[1] On September 13, 1883, Hugh Daily threw the franchise's lone no-hitter.[9]

An upstart baseball league was created in 1884 by Henry Lucas called the Union Association (UA). Several member of the Blues' signed contracts with teams in the UA despite being subject to the reserve clause: including star players McCormick, Dunlap, and Jack Glasscock.[7] These moves caused the Blues to become financially unstable. However, the franchise was able to secure a deal with the league for a better share of gate receipts.[10] This deal was not enough for the franchise to profit, and Bulkeley sold the team to Lucas for $2,500 ($71,530 current dollar adjustment) following the conclusion of the 1884 season.[10]

 
Doc Bushong was the Blues' starting catcher in 1883 and 1884.
 
John Clapp was the player-manager of the 1883 Blues.
 
Hugh Daily pitched the only no-hitter in franchise history.
 
Fred Dunlap was the player-manager of the 1882 Blues.
 
Jack Glasscock played in each of the Blues' seasons.
 
Hall of Fame manager Ned Hanlon began his playing career with the 1880 team.
 
Jim McCormick was the franchise's all-time leader in pitching wins with 174, and was the team's player-manager from 1879 to 1880.
 
Bill Phillips was the franchise's all-time leader in most batting categories.
 
Orator Shafer was the franchise's starting right fielder for three seasons.
 
Tom York led the league in most games played by a left fielder in 1883.
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Cleveland Blues (1879–1884)". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Purdy, p. 98
  3. ^ Egan, p. 88
  4. ^ "Forest City Baseball Club – The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History". ech.case.edu. Case Western Reserve University. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  5. ^ Spink, p. 289
  6. ^ "League Park I in Cleveland, OH". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Purdy, p. 99
  8. ^ a b "Jim McCormick". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  9. ^ a b "No Hitters Chronologically". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  10. ^ a b Purdy, p. 100
  11. ^ "Jack Allen". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  12. ^ "Joe Ardner". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  13. ^ "George Bradley". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  14. ^ "Fatty Briody". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  15. ^ "Cal Broughton". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  16. ^ "Ernie Burch". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  17. ^ "Doc Bushong". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  18. ^ "Charlie Cady". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  19. ^ "Tom Carey". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  20. ^ "John Clapp". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  21. ^ "Bill Crowley". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  22. ^ "Hugh Daily". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  23. ^ "Herm Doscher". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  24. ^ "Fred Dunlap". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  25. ^ "John Dwyer". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  26. ^ "Charlie Eden". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  27. ^ "Dude Esterbrook". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  28. ^ "Jake Evans". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  29. ^ "George Fisher". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  30. ^ "Gid Gardner". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  31. ^ "Barney Gilligan". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  32. ^ "Pit Gilman". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  33. ^ "Jack Glasscock". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  34. ^ "Fred Gunkle". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  35. ^ "Al Hall". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  36. ^ "Frank Hankinson". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  37. ^ "Ned Hanlon". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  38. ^ "John Harkins". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  39. ^ "John Henry". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  40. ^ "Sonny Hoffman". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  41. ^ "Pete Hotaling". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  42. ^ "Lem Hunter". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  43. ^ "John Kelly". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  44. ^ "Rudy Kemmler". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  45. ^ "Doc Kennedy". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  46. ^ a b "Cleveland Blues Career Leaders". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  47. ^ "Mike McGeary". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  48. ^ "Bill McGunnigle". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  49. ^ "Bobby Mitchell". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  50. ^ "Sam Moffet". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  51. ^ "Jerry Moore". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  52. ^ "Mike Moynahan". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  53. ^ "Mike Muldoon". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  54. ^ "Willie Murphy". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  55. ^ "The Only Nolan". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  56. ^ "Bill Phillips". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  57. ^ "George Pinkney". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  58. ^ "Phil Powers". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  59. ^ "Blondie Purcell". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  60. ^ "Jack Remsen". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  61. ^ "John Richmond". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  62. ^ "Billy Riley". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  63. ^ "Dave Rowe". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  64. ^ "Will Sawyer". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  65. ^ "Orator Shafer". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  66. ^ "Bill Smith". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  67. ^ "Germany Smith". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  68. ^ "Pop Smith". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  69. ^ "Len Stockwell". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  70. ^ "George Strief". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  71. ^ "Billy Taylor". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  72. ^ "John Tilley". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  73. ^ "Fred Warner". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  74. ^ "Harry Wheeler". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  75. ^ "Guerdon Whiteley". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  76. ^ "Julius Willigrod". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  77. ^ "Tom York". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  • Egan, James M. (2008). Base Ball on the Western Reserve: The Early Game in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, Year by Year and Town by Town, 1865–1900 (illustrated ed.). McFarland. ISBN 0786430672.
  • Purdy, Dennis (2010). Kiss 'Em Goodbye: An ESPN Treasury of Failed, Forgotten, and Departed Teams (illustrated ed.). Random House Digital, Inc. ISBN 0345520122.
  • Spink, Alfred Henry (1911). The National Game. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. ISBN 0809323044.