The Baseball Chronicle
November 1883
Edition 12.7
1883 Amateur Draft
Round 1 Selections
Baltimore Orioles – C Jack Clements, Age 19
Louisville Eclipse – LF Sam Thompson, Age 23
Chicago White Stockings – C Fred Carroll, Age 19
Boston Beaneaters – C Jocko Milligan, Age 22
Brooklyn Atlantics – CF Henry Larkin, Age 23
Pittsburgh Alleghenys – C Deacon McGuire, Age 20
Providence Grays – SS Oyster Burns, Age 19
Cincinnati Red Stockings – SP Ed Morris, Age 21
Detroit Wolverines – SS Frank Fennelly, Age 23
Philadelphia Quakers – CF Dick Johnston, Age 20
Spotlight on #1 Pick:
Jack Clements, Catcher – Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles made a bold and decisive choice with the first overall pick of the 1883 Amateur Draft, selecting 19-year-old catcher Jack Clements straight out of high school in his hometown of Philadelphia.
At just 19, Clements already carries the reputation of a polished backstop with advanced defensive instincts well beyond his years. Scouts rave about his soft hands, quick release, and cannon-like arm behind the plate—tools that could make him one of the most formidable defensive catchers of his generation.
What sets Clements apart, however, is his left-handed bat—a rarity for a catcher. He has shown a smooth, natural swing with gap-to-gap power, and evaluators believe his offensive upside could develop into something extraordinary as he matures physically. For a franchise like Baltimore, still looking to establish itself in the league, Clements offers both immediate excitement and long-term cornerstone potential.
Some critics question whether a 19-year-old straight out of high school can handle the rigors of catching at the highest level so soon, but the Orioles are betting big on his raw ability, work ethic, and charisma to grow into the face of their franchise.
Baltimore’s front office statement:
“Jack Clements is the type of player you build around. He’s got the glove, the arm, and the bat. More importantly, he’s got the toughness to handle the position. We see him as a leader of this club for years to come.”
The Atlantics Are Back
Buffalo Club Moves To Historic Brooklyn
At long last, the Borough of Churches has its ballclub again. The announcement that the Buffalo Bisons will relocate to Brooklyn and revive the name Atlantics has sent a wave of jubilation through the city streets, saloons, and sandlots. The grand old game is coming home, and the people of Brooklyn could not be more eager to welcome it.
For years, Brooklyn fans have watched enviously as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia filled their ballparks, while the proud borough was left to recall only the memories of its once-mighty clubs. But now, the void is filled, and filled with promise. The Atlantics’ brass has pledged that this move is permanent, with deep commitments made to the community and the ball grounds that will host the new era of Brooklyn baseball.
“Brooklyn has always deserved a club worthy of its passion for the game,” declared the team’s leadership at a jubilant unveiling. “We are not here for a stopover; we are here to stay. The Atlantics belong to Brooklyn, now and forever.”
The club’s faithful will not be cheering for a band of unknowns, either. Fred Dunlap, one of the game’s most skillful second basemen, brings his steady glove and hot bat to the infield, while George Gore, a batting marvel with a keen eye, promises to be the heart of the lineup. Together, they are the banner-carriers of the new Atlantics, embodying both grit and brilliance in equal measure.
Dunlap’s reputation as a slick-fielding, fearless competitor will make him a quick favorite among Brooklyn’s workingmen, while Gore’s hitting prowess—already regarded as among the finest in the league—gives the lineup instant credibility.
For Brooklyn, this return is more than a shift of franchise geography. It is a homecoming, a reconnection of the borough with its baseball roots. The cheers of boys on the corner lots, the smoke rising from the stands, the songs sung in celebration—these will echo once again through the neighborhoods.
Crowds are expected in droves for Opening Day, with many already proclaiming the Atlantics as not just a team, but a rallying point for civic pride.
Brooklyn is back in the great base ball fraternity, and the people intend to show that no city cheers louder, no borough stands prouder, than theirs.
The Atlantics are home. And this time, they’re here to stay.