1887 Philadelphia Quakers
Source: New York Public Library Digital Collections
Image Subject: Team photo of the 1887 Philadelphia Quakers that includes Hall of Fame member Harry Wright. Team players include:
Back row: Arthur Irwin (ss), Al Maul (p, of, 1B), Deacon McGuire (c), Charlie Ferguson (p), Jim Fogerty (of), Unknown player
Middle row: Sid Farrar (1b), Tom Gunning (c), Harry Wright (mgr, HOF), Jack Clements (c), Charlie Buffington (p)
Front Row: Charlie Bastian (2b, ss, 3b), Joe Mulvey (3b)
Fun Fact: Manager Harry Wright, a Brit by birth, is considered by some as the father of professional baseball. The origin of professional baseball goes back to 1869 when Harry assembled the best players he could find for his Cincinnati Red Stockings and paid them a salary. He then took his Red Stockings on the road, going town to town, and challenging the local teams. By the end of 1869, they had racked up a total of 65 wins without losing a game, and had turned a profit of $1.39.
The unbeaten streak continued into 1870 for 27 more wins until June 14, 1870 when they faced the Brooklyn Atlantics. By the end of nine innings, the Red Stockings and Atlantics were knotted at five runs each, and at that time, it was customary for the game to be considered a draw. But Harry Wright wanted win 93 and proposed the teams play “extra innings” until a winner could be determined.
Luck was not on the side of the Red Stockings as an error in the eleventh inning by first baseman Charlie Gould let an easy grounder roll between his legs allowing the winning run to score.
Painting Detail: Printed on 13” x 19” canvas and painted using Schmincke Mussini and Marshall’s oil paints. Finer details, like cap stripes, were made using Prismacolor pencils.
Acknowledgement: The Story of the 1870 Cincinnati Red Stockings, Kristen D. Cornette.