Buck Ewing's MLB debut came in 1880 with the Troy Trojans; here’s a letter from team owner Gardner Earl to HoFer William Hulbert
When the baseball Hall of Fame decided to vote on players from the 1800s, the top vote-getter was catcher Buck Ewing. One of the most respected players of his day, Ewing got his start in Major League Baseball in 1880 with the Troy Trojans. The owner of the club was Gardner Earl whose family made the
Buck Ewing's MLB debut came in 1880 with the Troy Trojans; here’s a letter from team owner Gardner Earl to HoFer William Hulbert
When the baseball Hall of Fame decided to vote on players from the 1800s, the top vote-getter was catcher Buck Ewing. One of the most respected players of his day, Ewing got his start in Major League Baseball in 1880 with the Troy Trojans. The owner of the club was Gardner Earl whose family made their fortune in the Troy’s textile industry.
In the collection is this letter from Earl dated October 12, 1880, a month after Ewing’s big league debut. Trojans owner Earl writes the letter to National League president and Hall of Famer William Hulbert. Baseball letters from the 1800s are few and far between; this one from a team owner to a Hall of Fame executive is a rare find.
Buck Ewing's Hall of Fame plaque
The Hall of Fame charged the Centennial Commission — Commissioner Landis, and League Presidents Ford Frick and William Harridge — to elect the best 19th century players to the Hall of Fame. The commission came up with Buck Ewing, Albert Spalding, Cap Anson, Charles Comiskey, Old Hoss Radbourn, and Candy Cummings. With a 1906 death year, Ewing signature remains elusive for even the most advanced collectors. His autograph is
The Hall of Fame charged the Centennial Commission — Commissioner Landis, and League Presidents Ford Frick and William Harridge — to elect the best 19th century players to the Hall of Fame.