OTD 9/22/1935: Brooklyn Eagles Split Twin Bill With Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

The Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), 

Monday, September 23, 1935

On Sunday, September 22, 1935, the Negro National League  Brooklyn Eagles and Glendale Farmers split games of a doubleheader at Farmer's Oval, Queens.

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Playing before 5,700 fans at Farmer's Oval, the home team takes the opening game from the Eagles.  Brooklyn starter Terris McDuffie is knocked out of the box as the Farmers seize a 6-2 lead through five.  Right-hander Elbert Williams enters the game in relief of McDuffie, and Billy Nicholas tosses a scoreless ninth.  Farmer's first baseman Gene Rogers connects for a three-run home run, and third baseman Roy Tarr also homers for Queens.  Glendale starter Jack LaRocca holds Brooklyn to three runs on nine hits for the win.  Left fielder Fats Jenkins leads the Eagles with three hits, right fielder Ed Stone goes 2 for 4 with a triple, and third baseman Javier Perez accounts for two of Brooklyn's three runs scored.

The Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), Monday, September 23, 1935

Right-hander Leon Day holds Glendale to four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in game two as the Eagles draw even with the Farmers for a twin bill split.  Brooklyn punishes Dominick Torpe's offerings to all corners of the yard for 17 hits resulting in six runs.  First baseman George Giles goes 4 for 5 with a triple and stolen base.  Catcher Clarence Palm also triples, and Ed Stone homers for Brooklyn.  The Eagles turn a key double-play in the eighth to help preserve the victory.

Once Upon A Summer 9/12/1918: Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale in Eleven Innings at Farmer's Oval, Queens

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, September 13, 1918

On Thursday, September 12, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants prevailed over Glendale in extra-innings at Farmer's Oval, Queens. With the victory, the Royal Giants win the season series against the Farmers for the first time in three years.

The Royal Giants grab a 2-0 lead with single runs in the third and fifth innings.  Glendale ties the game with two in the sixth.  The teams then traded runs in the seventh.  Afterwhich, the score remained unchanged through the ninth, and into extra innings, they went at Farmer's Oval.  

Brooklyn starter Irvin Brooks and Jimmy Hickman of the Dodgers hurling for Glendale continue their duel through the tenth.  The Giants breakthrough for three runs in the visitor's eleventh while in return the Farmers can only muster one. 

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 

Friday, September 13, 1918

Irvin Brooks holds the Farmers to four runs on eleven hits (one for extra bases) and five walks with four strikeouts for the win.

Jimmy Hickman the Trolley Dodger yields 17 hits.  Playing first base, John Henry "Pop" Lloyd bats a perfect 5 for 5 with a triple, stolen base, and a run scored.  Positioned this game at short, Joe Hewitt goes 4 for 6 with three runs scored, and John Donaldson wields three hits with one run scored and four putouts in left field. 

The Standard Union, 

Friday, September 13, 1918

⚾

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON'S LONE SEASON WITH THE BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

• 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
• 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
• 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
• 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
• 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill
• 7/13 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens
• 7/14 - John Donaldson Defeats Bushwick; Royal Giants Split Twin Bill At Dexter Park
• 7/15 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Series Opener From Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
• 7/16 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Game Two from Bacharach Giants; John Donaldson Earns The Victory
• 7/17 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Wrap Up Series With Bacharach Giants at Atlantic City
• 7/18 - N.Y. Ship League Team Defeat Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, New Jersey
• 7/21 - Cuban Stars Double-Up Brooklyn Royal Giants; John Donaldson Takes Loss at Dexter Park
• 7/24 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Bow To Stan Baumgartner and Bethlehem Steel at Allentown, PA
• 7/27 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Camp Dix Soldiers*
• 7/28 - Silk Sox Clout John Donaldson's Offerings; Brooklyn Royal Giants Fall at Doherty's Oval
• 8/3 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Prospect Heights at Hackensack*
• 8/4 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Forfeit Game To Glendale at Farmer's Oval
• 8/7 - Bethlehem Steel Team Hosts a Scoreless Tie Against Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 8/11 - New York Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill at Olympic Field; Joe "Cyclone" Williams Wins Opener, John Donaldson Wins Game Two
• 8/17 - New York Ship Wins Second Contest Against Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, N.J.
• 8/18 - The Tietjen & Lang Shipyard Nine Defeat John Donaldson and the Brooklyn Royal Giants, North Bergen, N.J.
• 8/24 - Morse Dry Dock BBC Defeat Royal Giants in John Donaldson's True Brooklyn Debut
• 8/25 - Irvin Brooks Twirls Shutout; Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer Oval, Queens
• 9/1 - New York Lincoln Giants Sweep Twin Bill From Royal Giants at Olympic Field; Joe "Cyclone" Williams Earns Dual Victory, John Donaldson Suffers Loss in Second Tilt
• 9/2 - Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars Split Games of a Doubleheader at Dexter Park
• 9/4 - Southpaw John Donaldson Hands Camp Mills Their First Loss This Season; Brooklyn Royal Giants Win, 7 to 6
• 9/8 - John Donaldson's Return Match Against Morse Dry Dock Along Brooklyn Waterfront Likely Rained Out

LHP - JOHN DONALDSON'S PITCHING RECORD w/ BROOKLYN:

1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 W, 2 K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 W, 6 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 W, 2 K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
4. 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 W, 5 K (Bushwick; Dexter Park)
5. 7/16/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, 6 K* (Atlantic City; Bacharach Park, N.J.)
6. 7/21/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
7. 7/28/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 9 runs, 16 hits, 2 W, 3 K (Silk Sox; Doherty's Oval, N.J.)
8. 8/11/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 2 runs, 13 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
9. 8/18/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, (?) W, 4 K (Tietjen & Lang; Nurge's Field, N.J.)
10. 8/24/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 8 runs, 19 hits, 1 W, 2 K (Morse Dry Dock; Brooklyn)
11. 9/1/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
12. 9/2/1918 - (L) 2 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 0 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
13. 9/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 6 runs, 7 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Camp Mills, Garden City, NY)

• LINE: 110 innings, 51 runs, 128 hits, 13 walks, 31 strikeouts, 4.17 ERA 

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST:

Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021

Once Upon A Summer 8/25/1918: Irving Brooks Twirls Shutout; Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer Oval

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) 

Saturday, August 24, 1918

On Sunday, August 25, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants avenged a previous loss at Farmer Oval with a fast and clear victory over the Farmers at Glendale, Queens. 

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 

Monday, August 26, 1918

Police were stationed outside the gates to enforce Mayor Hylan's order that no admission be charged. 

Inside the gates, Brooklyn right-hander Irvin Brooks limits the Glendale Farmers to just four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in a complete-game shutout victory.  With no outs in the second inning, Brooks pitches himself out of a bases-loaded jam.  

Starting this game at first base, John Cason and shortstop John Henry Lloyd served as defensive standouts.  Left fielder John Donaldson registers two putouts with an assist and Rafael Figarola 

started behind the plate.

The last time these teams met, the Royal Giants forfeited the game with the Farmers leading.  This time Brooklyn scores once in the second and three times in the eighth to secure a 4-0 victory.

At the bat, John Donaldson posts a hit, a stolen base, and a run scored.  Irvin Brooks doubled and scored, and center fielder William Parks and second baseman Joe Hewitt cross the plate.

Batting fourth for the Farmers, Brooklyn Robins outfielder Jim Hickman is held hitless but leads Glendale with five put-outs playing left field.  Starter Harry Heitman allows four runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts in a losing effort.

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY), 

Monday, August 26, 1918

⚾

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON'S LONE SEASON WITH THE BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

• 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
• 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
• 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
• 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
• 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill
• 7/13 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens
• 7/14 - John Donaldson Defeats Bushwick; Royal Giants Split Twin Bill At Dexter Park
• 7/15 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Series Opener From Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
• 7/16 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Game Two from Bacharach Giants; John Donaldson Earns The Victory
• 7/17 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Wrap Up Series With Bacharach Giants at Atlantic City
• 7/18 - N.Y. Ship League Team Defeat Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, New Jersey
• 7/21 - Cuban Stars Double-Up Brooklyn Royal Giants; John Donaldson Takes Loss at Dexter Park
• 7/24 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Bow To Stan Baumgartner and Bethlehem Steel at Allentown, PA
• 7/27 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Camp Dix Soldiers*
• 7/28 - Silk Sox Clout John Donaldson's Offerings; Brooklyn Royal Giants Fall at Doherty's Oval
• 8/3 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Prospect Heights at Hackensack*
• 8/4 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Forfeit Game To Glendale at Farmer's Oval
• 8/7 - Bethlehem Steel Team Hosts a Scoreless Tie Against Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 8/11 - New York Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill at Olympic Field; Joe "Cyclone" Williams Wins Opener, John Donaldson Wins Game Two
• 8/17 - New York Ship Wins Second Contest Against Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, N.J.
• 8/18 - The Tietjen & Lang Shipyard Nine Defeat John Donaldson and the Brooklyn Royal Giants, North Bergen, N.J.
• 8/24 - Morse Dry Dock BBC Defeat Royal Giants in John Donaldson's True Brooklyn Debut

LHP - JOHN DONALDSON'S STARTS w/ BROOKLYN:

1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 W, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 W, 6K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 W, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
4. 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 W, 5K (Bushwick; Dexter Park)
5. 7/16/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?) W, 6K* (Atlantic City; Bacharach Park, N.J.)
6. 7/21/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
7. 7/28/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 9 runs, 16 hits, 2 W, 3 K (Silk Sox, Doherty's Oval, N.J.)
8. 8/11/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 2 runs, 13 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants, Olympic Field)
9. 8/18/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, (?) W, 4 K (Tietjen & Lang, Nurge's Field, N.J.)
10. 8/24/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 8 runs, 19 hits, 1 W, 2 K (Morse Dry Dock, Brooklyn)

• LINE: 90 innings, 40 runs, 105 hits, 13 walks, 30 strikeouts, 4.00 ERA 

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST:

Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021

OTD Battle of the Boroughs 8/20/1935: Brooklyn Eagles are Defeated By Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens

From the desk: WHERE THE EAGLES LEARNED TO FLY

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Wednesday, August 21, 1935

On Tuesday, August 20, 1935, the Brooklyn Eagles of the Negro National League are defeated by the Glendale Farmers at their home oval in Queens.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Wednesday, August 21, 1935

NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE

BROOKLYN EAGLES

Returning to Ebbets Field later in the month, the Eagles visit neighboring Queens, playing into extra innings at Farmer Oval.  

Starting for Glendale, Matty Swanson yields three runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  He exits to a no-decision, relieved by Eddie Miller in the eighth.  Eagle starter Billy Nicholas, a product of Textile High School in New York City, likewise limits Glendale to three runs through nine.

Brooklyn opens the scoring with a run in the first.  Afterwhich, Matty Swanson grounds the Eagles with five scoreless innings.  Trailing 2-1 after six, Brooklyn breaks through with two runs in the seventh to seize a one-run lead.  But it does not last.  Glendale ties the game in the bottom half of the frame at three.

After a scoreless eighth and ninth, into extra innings, they go at Farmer Oval.  Still facing Eddie Miller, the Eagles go down quietly in the top half of the tenth.  In the home half of the frame, left fielder Jimmy Ashworth drives home catcher Ben Ferriola with the winning run.

This marks Glendale's first win against Brooklyn in three tries.  Eddie Miller earns the victory in relief of Matty Swanson, allowing no runs on just two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over the final three innings.  Jimmy Ashworth leads the Farmers with three hits and two runs batted in; Ben Ferriola wields two hits, scored twice, and drives home two; and third baseman Roy Tarr slashes a triple and drives home one.

Billy Nicholas allows all four runs on eleven hits and six walks with six strikeouts in a losing effort.  Both left fielder Fats Jenkins and second baseman Harry Williams post two hits and a stolen base.  Catcher Clarence Palm homers for Brooklyn.  Jenkins and third baseman Javier Perez account for the Eagles' two other runs scored.

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

Wednesday, August 21, 1935

Once Upon A Summer 8/4/1918: Brooklyn Royal Giants Forfeit Game to Glendale at Farmer's Oval

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

On Sunday, August 4, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants forfeited their game against Glendale at Farmer's Oval in an odd if not unnecessary incident. 

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY),

Monday, August 5, 1918

The matter centers around right fielder Johnny Pugh who, in the top of the eighth inning with a count of

no balls and two strikes, steps outside of the batter's box.  After a short delay, home plate umpire Wagner orders the participants to "play ball."  But a reticent Pugh refuses to comply.  After which, Farmer starter Chad See throws a pitch over the plate for strike three.  Pugh steps back into the batter's box in defiance of the umpire, citing his initial right to call for time.  But because he refuses to reenter the batter's box upon the order to resume play, and despite being afforded upwards of three minutes to return to the dugout, Pugh refuses to disperse promptly.  Thus, home plate umpire Wagner to the dismay of Pugh, follows through on his threat to declare the game a forfeit.

Fresh off a victory over the Prospect Heights nine at Hackensack, the Royal Giants bow quietly at Glendale.  Farmer starter Chad See allows just six hits (all singles) and seven walks in a complete-game shutout victory. 

With no outs and the bases loaded in the first inning, John Henry Lloyd, right fielder John Donaldson, and Johnny Pugh leave all runners stranded.  Brooklyn poses another threat in the seventh, but second baseman Joe Hewitt is thrown out at home while attempting to score on Pop Lloyd's base hit.

Giant starter Gifford McDonald puts forth a representative albeit losing effort, allowing two runs on six hits (only one for extra bases) and three walks.

With the Farmers victory, the season series between Glendale and Brooklyn is now tied at two.

⚾

• ICYMI: On Saturday, August 3, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants defeat the Prospect Heights club, 8 to 3.

 Sunday, August 4, 1918, Hackensack, N.J. 

"ROYAL GIANTS AGAIN TRIM PROSPECT NINE"

"The Royal Giants repeated their victory of last week again defeating the Prospect Heights team in a loosely played game that failed to hold the spectators' interest.  The final count stood 8 to 3.  The Giants succeeded in annexing twice as many hits as the losers, and the slugging of Wilson, Smith and Stewart was the feature of the battle." - Trenton (N.J.) Evening Times, Sunday, Aug. 4, 1918 / THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The keywords here are "last week" and "again," which entails a previously played game.  Their first encounter most likely took place on Friday, July 26, on Brooklyn's way back to New Jersey from Pennsylvania, where two days prior, they battled Bethlehem.  If not, then, on, about, or after Monday, July 29, a day after playing Doherty's Silk Sox.

⚾

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON'S LONE SEASON WITH THE BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

• 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
• 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
• 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
• 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
• 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill
• 7/13 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens
• 7/14 - John Donaldson Defeats Bushwick; Royal Giants Split Twin Bill At Dexter Park
• 7/15 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Series Opener From Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
• 7/16 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Take Game Two from Bacharach Giants; John Donaldson Earns The Victory
• 7/17 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Wrap Up Series With Bacharach Giants at Atlantic City
• 7/18 - N.Y. Ship League Team Defeat Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, New Jersey
• 7/21 - Cuban Stars Double-Up Brooklyn Royal Giants; John Donaldson Takes Loss at Dexter Park
• 7/24 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Bow To Stan Baumgartner and Bethlehem Steel at Allentown, PA
• 7/27 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Camp Dix Soldiers*
• 7/28 - Silk Sox Clout John Donaldson's Offerings; Brooklyn Royal Giants Fall at Doherty's Oval
• 8/3 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Prospect Heights at Hackensack*

LHP - JOHN DONALDSON'S STARTS w/ BROOKLYN:

1. 6/30/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 W, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
2. 7/4/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 0 RUNS, 5 hits, 1 W, 6K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
3. 7/7/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 W, 2K (Lincoln Giants; Olympic Field)
4. 7/14/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 1 W, 5K (Bushwick; Dexter Park)
5. 7/16/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 4 runs, 14 hits, (?)W, 6K* (Atlantic City; Bacharach Park)
6. 7/21/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 W, 1 K (Cuban Stars; Dexter Park)
7. 7/28/1918 - (L) 9 innings, 9 runs, 16 hits, 2 W, 3 K (Silk Sox, Doherty's Oval, N.J.)

• LINE: 63 innings, 25 runs, 68 hits, 12 walks, 25 strikeouts, 3.57 ERA

 

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST:

Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021

OTD 8/4/1935: Teenage Semipro Third Baseman Phil Rizzuto Goes 0 for 4 in Floral Park's Win Over Sheridan Casey's of Bay Ridge

From the desk: BROOKLYN KID DOES GOOD

Times Union (Brooklyn, NY) 

Monday, August 5, 1935

Hall of Fame shortstop and later a beloved broadcaster for the New York Yankees, Phil Rizzuto is born on Sept. 25, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York.  

His playing career, World Series performances, game accounts behind the mic, his nightly birthday wishes, and rush to get over the George Washington Bridge is indeed legendary.

Over in Woodhaven, Queens, part of playing at Dexter Park means performing before scouts.  Such is how a teenage Phil Rizzuto gets discovered by Paul Krichell 1, who would sign quite the clutch of talent for the Yankees.

Phil Rizzuto's abilities begin drawing attention once he starts playing for Richmond Hill High School, Queens.  By 18-years old, Phil is already playing semipro ball - something which never left his heart.  He is known to have played briefly for the Glendale Farmers of the same borough.

On Sunday, August 4, 1935, batting second in the order, third baseman Phil Rizzuto goes 0 for 4 as his Floral Park teammates defeat the Sheridan Casey's of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

The Scooter does not sign with the Yankees until the 1937 season.  Fast forward a few years, when the 1939 minor league season is over, many players from Glendale and vicinity, including Rizzuto, form a barnstorming team called the Minor League All-Stars.  A crowd of 10,000 assembles at Dexter Park, where the Minor League All-Stars take both games of a twin bill against host Bushwick. 2

Phil Rizzuto would make his major league debut for the New York Yankees in the 1941 season.  

1 & 2 - Baseball's Peerless Semipros; Thomas Barthel

Once Upon a Summer 7/13/1918: Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Glendale at Farmer's Oval, Queens

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Sunday, July 14, 1918

"SEVEN BIG LEAGUERS IN FARMERS-MERRITT GAME - The greatest attraction of the year is carded for this Sunday afternoon at Glendale, where the Camp Merritt team will meet the Farmers.  There will be seven big leaguers on the field in this game.  The Royal Giants are carded Saturday." - The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), Wednesday, July 10, 1918

Farmer Oval - "Saturday afternoon the Royal Giants are carded.  Special interest attaches to this visit as the colored stars will present their new wonders for the first time at Glendale: Douglass, the heavy hitting first sacker, Marcell at third, and Donaldson, the highest salaried colored twirler in the world.  Capt. Lloyd is again in good shape and will be at short." - The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), Thursday, July 11, 1918

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Sunday, July 14, 1918

On Saturday, July 13, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants defeated the Glendale Farmers at Farmer Oval, Queens.  

After each team traded runs in the first, Brooklyn's Scottie Hendrix shuts out Glendale over the final eight innings.  He allows just the lone run on nine hits (two for extra bases), two walks with seven strikeouts, and a hit batsman for good measure.  The Royal Giants play error-free ball in support of Hendrix.

The Royal Giants score three times in the sixth en route to a 4-1 victory.  Shortstop John Henry Lloyd and left fielder Johnny Pugh each account for two hits apiece.  Playing left field and batting cleanup before Sunday's return pitching engagement at Dexter Park, John Donaldson wields one hit and scores a run.  Lloyd, Joe Hewitt, and Eddie Douglass also score for Brooklyn.

⚾

NEXT: Sunday, 7/14/1918

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

vs.

BUSHWICK

FROM

DEXTER PARK

left; The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), Thursday, July 11, 1918

right; The Chat (Brooklyn, New York), Saturday, July 13, 1918

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York),

Saturday, July 13, 1918

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918: JOHN DONALDSON

• 6/28 - Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
• 6/30 - John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants
• 7/3 - John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut At Dexter Park
• 7/4 - John Donaldson Twirls Shutout Over Cuban Stars In Dexter Park Debut
• 7/7 - Joe Williams Wins Second Straight Decision Over John Donaldson; Lincoln Giants and Royal Giants Split Twin Bill

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST: Restoring Baseball Great John Donaldson's Lost Legacy With Negro Leagues Historian and Founder of The Donaldson Network, Peter Gorton.

Minnesota native Peter Gorton leads a group of historians dedicated to discovering the lost legacy of John Wesley Donaldson.  In this episode, we discuss the man, baseball career, and life of one of the more incredible and inspiring athletes to ever play the game, and how his amazing legacy became lost to a nation, most particularly Baseball's Hall of Fame.  

Original airdate: March 13, 2021.

OTD Fourth of July: Brooklyn Semipro Bay Parkways Play Ethiopian Clowns of Miami

From the desk: BROOKLYN SEMIPROS

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

July 5, 1933

On Tuesday, July 4, 1933, the Bay Parkways split games of a doubleheader with the Glendale Farmers.  

Tied at two after six innings, the Parkways score two runs in the eleventh inning.  Glendale answers with one run in the bottom of the frame to no avail.  Paul Schreiber allows three runs on 13 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts for the win.  

The Farmers take game two in a tightly contested 3-1 affair.  Gottlieb is the hard luck loser, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in a seven inning game.  After tying the score in the fifth inning, Glendale scores twice in the bottom of the sixth.  Bell throws a scoreless seventh and strikes out six batters for the win.

⚾

Times Union (Brooklyn, New York)

On Monday, July 4, 1936, the Bay Parkways traveled to Long Island, where they sweep both games of a doubleheader against New Brunswick at Freeport.

With three runs in the fifth, the Parkways secure a 5-1 victory in game one.  Henderson yields just three hits and one run for the win.  New Brunswick scores their lone run in the top of the fifth, ruining the shutout.  Mooney mirrors Henderson's effort in game two, allowing New Brunswick just one run on three hits for the win.  The lineup likewise matches their game one total with ten more hits.  Only this time, Bay Parkway overwhelms New Brunswick by a score of 13 to 1.

⚾

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday,

July 5, 1939

On Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the Bay Parkways defeat the Ethiopian Clowns in Red Bank, New Jersey.  Bill Affinito earns the victory.  Founded in the 1930s in Miami, Florida, the Ethiopian Clowns in the 1940s would become the Indianapolis Clowns. 

"The Bay Parkways, one of the Bushwick's oldest rivals and one of the founder clubs of the Metropolitan Baseball Association ... have compiled a good record at their home park, Erasmus Field, and are loathe to travel, but the rivalry with the Bushwicks is historic and so the series is maintained.  Invariably these games generate flashy, fine baseball.  The Parkways have been troublemakers for the Bushwicks for years ..." - Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 5, 1939