Nashville Tigers

Nashville Tigers
18931894
Nashville, Tennessee
Class-level
Previous Class B
Minor league affiliations
Previous leagues
Southern League
Major league affiliations
Previous Unaffiliated
Minor league titles
League titles 1894 (Second-half)*

*The Tigers were in first place in the second-half standings when the league disbanded.[1]
Team data
Nickname Nashville Tigers
Ballpark Athletic Park
George Stallings, player-manager of the 1894 Tigers

The Nashville Tigers were a minor league baseball team that played in the Class B Southern League from 1893 to 1894. They were located in Nashville, Tennessee, and played their home games at Athletic Park. The Tigers are credited with playing the first night baseball game in Nashville on July 6, 1894.[2]

Team history

1893 Season

After the Nashville Blues left the Class B Southern League following the 1887 season, Nashville was without a professional baseball team for five years. That changed in 1893 when the Nashville Tigers joined the Southern League.[3] The 12-team circuit also included the Atlanta Windjammers, Augusta Electricians, Birmingham Grays/Blues, Charleston Seagulls, Chattanooga Warriors, Macon Central City/Hornets, Memphis Fever Germs, Mobile Blackbirds, Montgomery Colts, New Orleans Pelicans, and Savannah Electrics/Rabbits.[4] The Tigers played their home games at Athletic Park, which would later come to be known as Sulphur Dell. The Tigers were managed by former major league player and manager Ted Sullivan in their inaugural season.[5]

Before the season started, a number of Southern League teams, including Nashville, participated in exhibition games against clubs from the National League. On March 24, the Tigers faced the St. Louis Browns, a 9–0 loss which Nashville forfeited.[6] That April, they participated in a two-game exhibition series against the Baltimore Orioles.[7] In the first game of the series, Baltimore's George Treadway hit a double, scoring John McGraw in the first inning. Tredway added to their lead with a home run in the sixth. McGraw was hit by a pitch in the eighth and later scored on Harry Stovey's triple. The Orioles outscored Nashville by a final tally of 3–0.[7] During the fourth inning of the next day's game, the umpire was removed due to the Baltimore club disagreeing with some of his calls. He was replaced by Tom Vickery, Nashville's pitcher from the previous day's contest.[7] The game was called in the ninth inning due to darkness, resulting in a tie score (9–9).[7]

The Tigers finished the first half of the season, called the first series, in twelfth (last) place with a 20–44 (.313) record.[4] Financial problems forced Nashville's owners, as well as those of the Birmingham Grays/Blues and the Charleston Seagulls, to surrender their teams to the league,[8] which continued to operate the clubs.[9] Continuing league-wide financial problems forced a premature end to the season on August 12.[8] Their second series record was an improvement over the first, having compiled a 13–16–3 (.448) record, earning them an eighth-place finish.[4] Overall, the team finished last with a 33–60 (.355) record.[10]

Record vs. opponents

1893 Nashville record vs. opponents[11]
Team First series Second series Composite
Atlanta 1–5 0–0 1–5
Augusta 1–5 0–0 1–5
Birmingham 3–3 4–2 7–5
Charleston 0–6 0–0 0–6
Chattanooga 2–4 0–0 2–4
Macon 1–5 0–0 1–5
Memphis 2–3 3–4 5–7
Mobile 4–2 2–3 6–5
Montgomery 2–4 2–4 4–8
New Orleans 2–3 2–3 4–6
Savannah 2–4 0–0 2–4
Totals 20–44 13–16 33–60

1894 Season

When the Tigers returned to play in 1894, the Southern League had been reduced to eight teams: the Atlanta Atlantas, Charleston Seagulls, Macon Hornets, Memphis Giants, Mobile Bluebirds, New Orleans Pelicans, and Savannah Modocs.[1] George Stallings served as both the team's manager and as an outfielder.[12]

The Tigers opened the season at home on April 11 with an 8–8 tied game against the Memphis Giants that was called on account of darkness in the eighth inning.[13]

On July 4, Nashville and Macon were scheduled to play a night game at Athletic Park. This was long before ballparks were equipped with electric lights, and night games were seen only as gimmicks. To put time into perspective, the first major league night game was not played until over thirty years later in 1935.[14] The game was rained out twice, but finally rescheduled for July 6 as a tripleheader against New Orleans. The first two games would be played during the day, with the special night game to be played that evening.[2]

The teams spilt the day-doubleheader, each winning one game. That evening, 54 large electric lights were placed around Athletic Park to light the field; the baseball was also covered with phosphorus to aid visibility.[2] Adding to the novelty of a night game, players came onto the field wearing costumes that included grass skirts, ballet costumes, loud suits, bonnets, and dresses.[2] The decidedly unusual contest drew an estimated 4,000 spectators; typical games drew only a few hundred.[2] Nashville won the game by a score of three runs to two.[2] This marked the first time that a night baseball game was played in Nashville. This feat is often incorrectly attributed to the Nashville Vols in 1931.[2]

Nashville compiled a record of 24–35–3 (.407) during the first half of the season.[1] Teams across the league had been experiencing financial difficulties throughout the season. Some teams were forced to sell their players to other clubs in order to stay financially solvent, while others refused to continue play in the second half. Only Nashville, Mobile, New Orleans, and Memphis competed after the season's midpoint.[1] This prompted the Southern League to call the rest of the season off nine games into the second half.[2] As of the final game, the Tigers were in first place with a 6–3 record (.667).[1] Nashville's composite record for the season was 30–38 (.441), putting them in sixth place.[10]

In 1895, the Tigers were replaced by the Nashville Seraphs in the Southern League.

Schedule

The 1894 Southern League's 126-game schedule was arranged so that each club would play six three-game series against every team in the league—three series at home and three series on the road. It included several long road trips of six to seven series each, which meant spending nearly an entire month on the road at times. Nashville was scheduled to start the season on April 11 against Memphis at Athletic Park and conclude the season on September at home against Macon. The only scheduled doubleheader was on July 4.[15]

Dates Opponent
April 11, 12, & 13 Memphis
April 15, 16, & 17 at New Orleans
April 19, 20, & 22 at Mobile
April 24, 25, & 26 at Savannah
April 27, 28, & 30 at Charleston
May 1, 2, & 3 at Atlanta
May 4, 5, & 7 at Macon
May 9, 10, & 11 New Orleans
May 12, 14, & 15 Mobile
May 16, 17, & 18 at Memphis
May 19, 21, & 23 Savannah
May 24, 25, & 26 Charleston
May 29, 30, & 31 Atlanta
June 1, 2, & 4 Macon
June 6, 7, & 8 at Atlanta
June 9, 11, & 12 at Macon
June 13, 14, & 15 at Savannah
June 16, 18, & 19 at Charleston
June 21, 22, & 24 at Mobile
June 25, 26, & 27 at New Orleans
June 29 & 30 and July 2 Memphis
July 3, 4, & 4 Mobile
July 5, 6, & 7 New Orleans
July 9, 10, & 11 at Memphis
July 13, 14, & 16 Macon
July 17, 18, & 19 Atlanta
July 21, 23, & 24 Savannah
July 25, 26, & 27 Charleston
July 30 & 31 and August 1 Memphis
August 2, 3, & 4 at Memphis
August 6, 7, & 8 at Mobile
August 9, 10, & 11 at New Orleans
August 14, 15, & 16 at Atlanta
August 17, 18, & 20 at Macon
August 21, 22, & 23 at Savannah
August 25, 25, & 27 at Charleston
August 29, 30, & 31 New Orleans
September 1, 3, & 4 Mobile
September 6, 7, & 8 Charleston
September 10, 11, & 12 Savannah
September 14, 15, & 17 Atlanta
September 18, 19, & 20 Macon

Season-by-season results

Year Wins Losses Ties Win % GB Finish
1893[10]33603.35522.512th
1894[10]30383.441176th

Roster

Paul Hines had the second-highest slugging percentage (.429) among his 1893 teammates.[5]
Bob Langsford had the second-highest batting average (.328) on the 1893 squad.[5]
Sam Moran also pitched for the Nashville Seraphs (1895). He is shown here in his Seraphs uniform.
Billy O'Brien had a .259 batting average with 10 doubles and 2 home runs in 1893.[5]
Pete Sweeney had a .278 batting average with 4 home runs, as well as 28 stolen bases in 1894.[16]
Harry Truby led the 1893 Tigers with 7 triples.[5]
Milt Whitehead hit 7 home runs in 1894—two shy of the team lead.[16]

Of the 68 men who played for the Tigers, 39 also played for major league teams during their careers.[5][16]

Name Season Position(s)[P] Major league experience
Bailey, KingKing Bailey1893Outfielder/PitcherCincinnati Reds (1895)
Beard, OllieOllie Beard1894ShortstopCincinnati Red Stockings/Reds (1889–90)
Louisville Colonels (1891)
Berte, HarryHarry Berte1893Outfielder/ShortstopSt. Louis Cardinals (1903)
Daniel Boland1893Outfielder/Catcher
Borchers, GeorgeGeorge Borchers1894PitcherChicago White Stockings (1888)
Louisville Colonels (1895)
Albert Boxendale1893Pitcher
Burke, JoeJoe Burke1893Third basemanSt. Louis Browns (1890)
Cincinnati Kelly's Killers (1891)
George Cleve1894Outfielder/Pitcher
Cline1894Outfielder
Jim Collopy1894Shortstop/Third baseman
Josh Conley1893First baseman
Dolan, JohnJohn Dolan1893PitcherCincinnati Reds (1890)
Columbus Solons (1891)
Washington Senators (1892)
St. Louis Browns (1893)
Chicago Colts (1895)
Charles Dooley1894First baseman
Fisher, IkeIke Fisher1893OutfielderPhiladelphia Phillies (1898)
Frank Fletcher1894Catcher
Flynn, CarneyCarney Flynn1894PitcherCincinnati Reds (1894)
History of the New York Giants (1896)
Washington Senators (1896)
Geiss, BillBill Geiss1893Third basemanBaltimore Orioles (1882)
Detroit Wolverines (1884)
Thomas Gillen1893Pitcher
Harper, GeorgeGeorge Harper1894PitcherPhiladelphia Phillies (1894)
Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1896)
Henley1893Outfielder
Hines, PaulPaul Hines1893OutfielderWashington Nationals (NA) (1872)
Washington Blue Legs (1873)
Chicago White Stockings (1874–77)
Providence Grays (1878–85)
Washington Nationals (NL) (1886–87)
Indianapolis Hoosiers (1888–89)
Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1890)
Boston Beaneaters (1890)
Washington Statesmen (1891)
Hoffer, BillBill Hoffer1893Pitcher/OutfielderBaltimore Orioles (1895–98)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1898–99)
Cleveland Blues (1901)
Hughes1893Outfielder
Jackson1894Outfielder
Keenan, JackJack Keenan1893Pitcher/OutfielderCincinnati Kelly's Killers (1891)
Kinsler, WilliamWilliam Kinsler1894CatcherHistory of the New York Giants (1893)
Krieg, BillBill Krieg1893OutfielderChicago Browns/Pittsburgh Stogies (1884)
Brooklyn Grays (1885)
Chicago White Stockings (1885)
Washington Nationals (1886–87)
Frank Lacourage1893Outfielder
Laird1893Outfielder
Langsford, BobBob Langsford1893ShortstopLouisville Colonels (1899)
LaRocque, SamSam LaRocque1893Second baseman/ShortstopDetroit Wolverines (1888)
Pittsburgh Alleghenys/Pirates (1890–91)
Louisville Colonels (1891)
Leiter1893Shortstop/Outfielder
Letcher, TomTom Letcher1893OutfielderMilwaukee Brewers (1891)
Jacob Lookabaugh1894Pitcher
Lucid, ConCon Lucid1893Outfielder/PitcherLouisville Colonels (1893)
Brooklyn Grooms (1894–95)
Philadelphia Phillies (1895–96)
St. Louis Browns (1897)
Mack, ReddyReddy Mack1893Second basemanLouisville Colonels (1885–88)
Baltimore Orioles (1889–90)
McQuaid, MartMart McQuaid1893Shortstop/OutfielderSt. Louis Browns (1891)
Washington Senators (1898)
Jack Meara1894Outfielder
Meeker1894Pitcher
Miller, DustyDusty Miller1893OutfielderBaltimore Orioles (1889)
St. Louis Browns (1890)
Cincinnati Reds (1895–99)
St. Louis Perfectos (1899)
Moran, SamSam Moran1894Outfielder/PitcherPittsburgh Pirates (1895)
Newman, CharlieCharlie Newman1893First basemanNew York Giants (1892)
Chicago Colts (1892)
O'Brien, BillyBilly O'Brien1893First basemanSt. Paul White Caps (1884)
Kansas City Cowboys (1884)
Washington Nationals (1887–89)
Brooklyn Gladiators (1890)
O'Brien, JohnJohn O'Brien1894Second basemanBrooklyn Grooms (1891)
Chicago Colts (1893)
Louisville Colonels (1895–96)
Washington Senators (1896–1897)
Baltimore Orioles (1899)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1899)
Peralto1894Pitcher
Phelan, DickDick Phelan1893Second basemanBaltimore Monumentals (1884)
Buffalo Bisons (1885)
St. Louis Maroons (1885)
Phillips, BillBill Phillips1893PitcherPittsburgh Alleghenys (1890)
Cincinnati Reds (1895, 1899–1903)
Powell, AbnerAbner Powell1894OutfielderWashington Nationals (1884)
Baltimore Orioles (1886)
Cincinnati Red Stockings (1886)
Pat Ready1893Outfielder
Reilly, JoshJosh Reilly1894ShortstopChicago Colts (1896)
Shaw, SamSam Shaw1894PitcherBaltimore Orioles (1888)
Chicago Colts (1893)
Smith1893Outfielder
Sowders1893Outfielder
Stallings, GeorgeGeorge Stallings1894Outfielder/CatcherBrooklyn Bridegrooms (1890)
Philadelphia Phillies (1897–98)
Sullivan1893Outfielder
Sullivan, TedTed Sullivan1893Pitcher/OutfielderKansas City Cowboys (1884)
Summers, KidKid Summers1893CatcherSt. Louis Browns (1893)
Sweeney, PetePete Sweeney1894Outfielder/ShortstopWashington Nationals (1888–89)
St. Louis Browns (1889–90)
Louisville Colonels (1890)
Philadelphia Athletics (1890)
Swett, PopPop Swett1894CatcherBoston Reds (1890)
Truby, HarryHarry Truby1893Second baseman/ShortstopChicago Colts (1895–96)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1896)
Turner1893Pitcher
Vickery, TomTom Vickery1893PitcherPhiladelphia Phillies (1890, 1893)
Chicago Colts (1891)
Baltimore Orioles (1892)
Webster1894Outfielder/Catcher
William Wetterer1893Shortstop
Whitehead, MiltMilt Whitehead1894Third basemanSt. Louis Maroons (1884)
Kansas City Cowboys (1884)
Wood1893Outfielder
William Works1894Outfielder
William York1893Outfielder

Notes

References

General
Specific
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "1894 Southern Association Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Traughber, Bill (August 4, 2008). "Looking Back: Nashville Plays Night Baseball In 1894". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  3. Traughber, Bill (April 26, 2010). "Looking Back: The 1887 Nashville Blues". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "1893 Southern Association Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "1893 Nashville Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  6. Reach's Official Base Ball Guide for 1894, p. 40
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Traughber, Bill (August 2, 2010). "Looking Back: 1893 Orioles Visit Nashville". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Reach's Official Base Ball Guide for 1894, pp. 38–39
  9. O'Neal, Bill (1994), The Southern League: Baseball in Dixie, 1885–1994, Eakin Press, p. 14, ISBN 0890159521
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Timeline". Southern Association Baseball. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  11. Reach's Official Base Ball Guide for 1894, pp. 39–40
  12. Nipper, Skip (January 18, 2015). "T’was Walks That Killed The “Miracle Man”". 262 Down Right. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  13. "Tied Game at Nashville". The Washington Times (Washington, D.C.). April 12, 1894. p. 4. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  14. "Night Baseball Arrives in the Majors". Crosley Field. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  15. Reach's Official Base Ball Guide for 1894, pp. 120–121
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 "1894 Nashville Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 29, 2015.