Once Upon A Summer 9/2/1921: Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars Split Games of Doubleheader at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Brooklyn Citizen, 

Tuesday, September 3, 1918

On Monday, September 2, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants and Cuban Stars split games of a doubleheader at Dexter Park.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, September 3, 1918

GAME ONE - In a back and forth affair, the Cuban Stars promptly pounce on George Robinson's offerings for two runs in the first inning and two in the third.  Facing Rafael Cruz of the Stars, the Royal Giants answer with three runs in the fourth, then two more in the sixth.  But their lead does not last.  In the seventh, the Cuban Stars even the score at five.  Afterwhich, southpaw John Donaldson enters the game in relief of George Robinson and tosses a scoreless eighth.  In the visitor's ninth, left fielder Julio Rojo triples home the go-ahead run.  Pitching in relief of starter Isidro Fabré, right-hander Evelio Calderín holds the Giants scoreless in their final at-bat for the win.  Hero of the game Julio Rojo goes 4 for 5 with two triples and two runs scored, José María Fernández wields three hits also including a triple, and first baseman Agspito Lázaga leads the Stars with three runs scored.  Despite yielding 13 hits, Rafael Cruz holds the Giants to five runs with three walks and three strikeouts for the win.  George Robinson walks off to a no-decision as John Donaldson (two hits, one strikeout) sustains the loss in relief.  Royal Giant right fielder Johnny Pugh goes 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored, Rafael Figarola collects two hits and scores, and although held hitless, shortstop John Henry Lloyd stars in the field for Brooklyn.

CUBAN STARS (EAST)

The Brooklyn Citizen, Tuesday, September 3, 1918

GAME TWO - Brooklyn unleashes a 17-hit barrage en route to a commanding 10-4 victory.  Cuban Stars starter Rafael Cruz is knocked out of the box before completing the second.  In relief, Isidro Fabré and Evelio Calderín yield another seven runs on eleven hits in an abbreviated seven-inning contest.  Both shortstop Peláyo Chacon and Isidro Fabré wield doubles and scored, and Julio Rojo swats his third triple of the afternoon.  John Henry Lloyd leads Brooklyn with four hits including a double and two runs scored, second baseman Irvin Brooks is next in with three hits, and center fielder William Parks scores twice.  Playing left field and batting fourth, John Donaldson collects two hits with a double and run scored.  In support of starter Shang Johnson, Brooklyn turns a triple-play: Figarola to Lloyd, to Oliver Marcell back to Figarola.  Otherwise, Johnson allows four runs on ten hits and a troublesome eight walks for the win.

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY), 

Tuesday, September 3, 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

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)

• LINE: 101 innings, 45 runs, 121 hits, 13 walks, 31 strikeouts, 4.01 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

Once Upon A Summer 8/18/1918: Tietjen & Lang Shipyard Nine Defeat John Donaldson and the Brooklyn Royal Giants at North Bergen, N.J.

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

New York Herald, Sunday, August 18, 1918

On Sunday, August 18, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants were defeated by the Tietjen & Lang Shipyard nine at Nurge's Field, North Bergen, New Jersey.

The Morning News (Wilmington, Delaware), 

Tuesday, August 20, 1918

Times Union (Brooklyn,, New York), 

Sunday, August 18, 1918

In accordance with the government's Work Or Fight edict, the Tietjen & Lang aggregation, similar to the New York Ship League Team, field a well-fortified nine featuring variously experienced major leaguers such as Paul Smith, former New York Yankees Ping Bodie, Hank Thormahlen, and their most recent arrival Ray Caldwell who by all indications quit the Yankees unbeknownst to manager Miller Huggins this very weekend.

Starting for Tietjen & Lang, left-hander Hank Thormahlen limits the Royal Giants to a pair of runs in the second inning.  Afterwhich, Thormahlen holds Brooklyn scoreless over the final seven innings with seven strikeouts (Smith putouts) for the win.  The Royal Giants are held to just five hits, two by first baseman Rafael Figarola, who, with catcher John Cason, score Brooklyn's only runs.  

Southpaw John Donaldson yields one run in the first, then hurls four scoreless frames before the Tietjen & Langs bunch together three decisive runs in the sixth.  The home team posts one last run in the eighth en route to a 5-2 final score.  Donaldson allows just five hits and strikes out four (Cason putouts) in the loss.  Ping Bodie with over 600 games of major league experience accounts for two of Tietjen & Lang's hits.

The New York Age (New York, New York), 

Saturday, August 24, 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.

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.)

• LINE: 81 innings, 32 runs, 86 hits, 12 walks, 29 strikeouts, 3.55 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 8/17/1918: New York Ship Wins Second Contest Against Brooklyn Royal Giants at Camden, N.J.

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), Friday, August 16, 1918

The Morning Post (Camden, NJ),

Friday, August 16, 1918

On Saturday, August 17, 1918, the Brooklyn Royal Giants, for a second time, meet defeat against the New York Ship League Team at the Third and Erie Streets ballpark, Camden, New Jersey.  Brooklyn previously lost to the New York Shippers here on July 18 by a score of 3 to 2.  The visitors again come away with two runs, but the Ship Team this time tallies five for the victory.

The Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer,

Saturday, August 17, 1918

Despite the Delaware River Ship Building A.A. League season reaching its conclusion, the Royal Giants and Ship Team nevertheless partake in an exhibition.

Starting pitcher, Jack Barnard yields just two runs on seven hits in a near mirror image of his previous start against the Royal Giants.  Through two games and 18 innings pitched against Brooklyn, Barnard has now allowed just four runs on twelve hits.  He held Brooklyn scoreless through the seventh until they ruined the shutout, scoring their runs in the eighth.  

Second baseman Joe Hewitt and third baseman Oliver Marcell score for Brooklyn.  Only Marcell and Rafael Figarola wield multiple hits and left fielder John Donaldson accounts for one.

Also making his second start against the Ship Team, right-hander Irvin Brooks yields an equal seven hits, but the shipbuilders do a better job bunching them together for two runs in the first, one in the third, and a retaliatory two runs in the home eighth.

MEANWHILE, out in the Midwest, rumors are running wild ... but have no fear, for John Donaldson is scheduled to pitch for Brooklyn in North Bergen, N.J., on Sunday.

 

St. Joseph News-Press (St. Joseph, MO), 

 Saturday, August 17, 1918

"Donaldson won fame with the All-Nations of Kansas City, and in one game against all stars from the National and American leagues, struck Ty Cobb out three times." 

⚾

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

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.)
8. 8/11/1918 - (W) 9 innings, 2 runs, 13 hits, (?) W, (?) K (Lincoln Giants, Olympic Field)

• LINE: 72 innings, 27 runs, 81 hits, 12 walks, 25 strikeouts, 3.37 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 8/7/1918: Brooklyn Royal Giants and Bethlehem Steel Duel to a Scoreless Tie

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Allentown Democrat (Allentown, PA),

Monday, August 5, 1918

On Wednesday, August 7, 1918, the visiting Brooklyn Royal Giants and Bethlehem Steel team duel to a nine-inning scoreless tie at the Bethlehem steelworker's field, Allentown, PA.

The Allentown Democrat (Allentown, PA),

Thursday, August 8, 1918

Right-hander Irvin Brooks yields just five hits (none for extra bases), and no walks with two strikeouts over nine complete.  

As a result of the government's Work or Fight edict, the well-fortified Bethlehem Steel team generate hits by shortstop Sammy Fishburne and experienced major leaguers right fielder Beebe Roth, center fielder Babe Twombly, first baseman Walter Holke, and second baseman Ed Fitzpatrick.  

Starting for Bethlehem, Kutz is relieved in the fifth by former major league twirler for both Philadelphia clubs, Stan Baumgartner.  Together they limit Brooklyn to just four hits.  Kuts walks two and strikes out as many, while Baumgartner walks none, fans one, and hits Giant shortstop Pop Lloyd with a pitch for good measure.

Brooklyn's great Western star John Donaldson wields the game's lone extra-base hit.  Second baseman Joe Hewitt, third baseman Oliver Marcell, and center fielder Jules Thomas account for the remaining balance of Brooklyn hits.

The game features superior fielding throughout, with the Royals committing no errors and Bethlehem just one.  First baseman Rafael Figarola leads the diamond with 15 putouts, and steelworker Sammy Fishburne leads fielders with six assists.

The Allentown Democrat (Allentown, PA),

Thursday, August 8, 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

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

Once Upon A Summer, 1918: John Donaldson Poised To Make Brooklyn/Queens Debut at Dexter Park

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS & THE DONALDSON NETWORK

The Royal Giants were to have started a western trip but chose to remain here for another week in order to play the Cubans on Thursday and the Lincoln Giants next Sunday. - The Sun (New York), July 1, 1918

CUBAN STARS

vs.

BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

On Thursday, July 4, 1918, in what is to be his Brooklyn/Queens debut, John Donaldson was slated to pitch the second game of a twin bill against the Cuban Stars (East) at Dexter Park, the home field of Max Rosner's Bushwick club.  

Last Sunday, June 30, while making his East/New York debut, southpaw John Donaldson allows just one run on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts through nine innings pitched and also wields a hit at the plate, albeit in a losing effort against the New York Lincoln Giants at Harlem's Olympic Field.  But as fate would have it, Donaldson's mound opponent, Smokey Joe Williams, hurls a two-hit shutout for the win.

The Cuban Stars are managed by the well-respected Pelayo Chacon, now in his third season.  John Donaldson's potential mound opponent could be one of three candidates: Juan Padron, Jose Maria Fernandez, or Elevio Calderin.

There can be little doubt Brooklyn's first baseman Rafael Figarola is looking forward to welcoming and competing against his compatriots.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 3, 1918

The Brooklyn Citizen, July 3, 1918

The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 

July 3, 1918

Time Union (Brooklyn, New York),

 July 3, 1918

ONCE UPON A SUMMER, 1918:

1. Brooklyn Royal Giants Acquire Midwest Pitching Great, John Donaldson
2. John Donaldson Loses Brooklyn Royal Giants Debut To New York Lincoln Giants

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.