Postcards from the Ballpark: The Holloway Family’s Baseball Chronicles

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November 25th, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

The last ten days have brought renewed energy to the baseball world as clubs begin laying the groundwork for the 1902 season. Edwin and I have also turned our attention toward preparing for next year’s travels, steadily organizing our resources through our various business ventures.

Major League Baseball held its first winter meeting, where club representatives gathered to discuss the current state and future direction of the league. While the meeting itself yielded few significant outcomes, the trades that occurred in the days leading up to it were nothing short of remarkable.

In perhaps the most shocking move of the offseason so far, the Detroit Tigers traded away the legendary Cy Young, widely regarded as the finest pitcher in the game, to the Boston Beaneaters. In return, Detroit received young pitcher George Mullin. The Tigers appear to be pursuing a youth movement, though parting with a talent like Young is a bold—if not risky—decision.

Closer to home, New York baseball saw a shake-up between its two clubs. The Brooklyn Superbas acquired Jiggs Donahue and Homer Mock from the New York Giants, while the Giants received star pitcher Joe McGinnity and catcher Red Dooin in return. It’s always intriguing when city rivals make deals, and this one could have lasting implications for both clubs.

The offseason is far from over, and if these trades are any indication, we may be in for more surprises yet.

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December 2nd, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Edwin and I continue to enjoy the peace of the offseason, spending treasured time with our wives as they approach the final stages of their pregnancies. There's a quiet joy in these days, and a sense of excitement for what the new year will bring—both on and off the field.

While our personal lives are calm, the baseball world remains in motion as Major League Baseball steadily moves toward the eagerly anticipated first-year player draft.

In the meantime, two more trades have added intrigue to the winter news cycle.

The Philadelphia Athletics and Baltimore Orioles completed a player exchange, with Bill Phillips heading to Philadelphia and Ducky Holmes joining the Orioles.

Elsewhere, the Boston Americans acquired Bob Wood from the Cincinnati Reds, sending Sam Mertes in return.

With each move, teams inch closer to shaping their rosters for the 1902 season.

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December 15th, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Major League Baseball entered a brief lull in the days leading up to today’s highly anticipated First-Year Player Draft, as clubs across the league focused their attention on scouting and final preparations.

The draft marked a key milestone in the offseason, as teams sought fresh talent to bolster their rosters—some with an eye on immediate impact, others looking to build for the future.

Round 1 saw a strong focus on starting pitchers, with nearly every club aiming to strengthen their rotation. Here are the first-round selections:

Round 1, Pick 1 – St. Louis Browns: SP Ed Walsh, age 21

Round 1, Pick 2 – Washington Senators: SP Hooks Wiltse, age 23

Round 1, Pick 3 – Chicago White Sox: SP Frank Smith, age 23

Round 1, Pick 4 – Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Cy Falkenberg, age 22

Round 1, Pick 5 – Cincinnati Reds: SP Ed Killian, age 26

Round 1, Pick 6 – Brooklyn Superbas: SP Charlie Smith, age 22

Round 1, Pick 7 – Chicago Orphans: 2B Johnny Evers, age 21

Round 1, Pick 8 – Philadelphia Phillies: SP Carl Lundgren, age 22

Round 1, Pick 9 – New York Giants: SP Otto Hess, age 24

Round 1, Pick 10 – Detroit Tigers: RF Frank Schulte, age 20

Round 1, Pick 11 – Baltimore Orioles: SP Doc Scanlan, age 21

Round 1, Pick 12 – Boston Americans: SP Andy Coakley, age 20

Round 1, Pick 13 – Cleveland Bronchos: SP Cliff Curtis, age 21

Round 1, Pick 14 – St. Louis Cardinals: 3B Art Devlin, age 23

Round 1, Pick 15 – Boston Beaneaters: SP Al Mattern, age 19

Round 1, Pick 16 – Philadelphia Athletics: SP Jim Pastorius, age 21

It was a pitcher-heavy opening round, signaling that clubs are prioritizing arms for the coming seasons. Time will tell which of these young men will rise to stardom.

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December 25th, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

As I celebrate Christmas surrounded by my extended family, the warmth of the holiday season fills the air. Yet even amid the cheer, baseball reminds us that it has truly become a year-round pursuit. Not even Christmas can pause the wheels of roster moves and team reshuffling.

On Christmas Eve, the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Giants agreed to a trade. Outfielder Jack McCarthy will be joining the Athletics, while Joe Dolan and Doc Moskiman head to the Giants.

While today saw a further trade, as the Athletics remained busy. Philadelphia has acquired Bill Dahlen, a strong addition to their infield, while Deacon Maguire was sent to the Cincinnati Reds in return.

It seems that the spirit of giving applies just as much to player exchanges as it does to holiday gifts.

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January 1st, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

The new year has arrived, though I must admit I'm greeting it with a rather sore head after last night's revelries. Still, the dawn of 1902 brings with it no pause in baseball’s relentless pace—trades continue to fly as teams prepare for the season ahead.

On December 29th, the Washington Senators struck a deal with the Cincinnati Reds, sending Kid Gleason, Hugh Hill, and Bob Unglaub in exchange for Pat Carney.

Not content to rest, the Senators made another move on New Year’s Eve. They acquired promising infielder Frank LaPorte from the Detroit Tigers, giving up veteran Candy LaChance and catcher Larry McLean in the transaction.

It seems while most of us toasted the old year, baseball clubs were raising their glasses to new beginnings of their own.

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January 15th, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

We find ourselves halfway through January, and Philadelphia has been blanketed in snow for much of the month. It’s been a bitter stretch of weather, though Edwin and I continue to hold out hope that the skies will clear by the time our spring travels begin. A smooth journey demands fair skies.

But as always, snow or shine, the business of baseball carries on. With the 1902 season drawing ever nearer, teams are actively reshaping their rosters in anticipation. So far, January has brought us three notable trades:

The first saw Socks Seybold head to the Boston Beaneaters, while Harry Lumley was sent along to the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox weren’t done there. In a larger deal with Pittsburgh, they acquired Joe Kelley and Weldon Henley, sending Chick Stahl and Jim Jackson to the Pirates in return—a bold exchange of talent.

And just today came news of another transaction: the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Americans have swapped players, with Ed McFarland going to Baltimore and Bill Bernhard joining Boston.

If this pace continues, I expect we’ll see a flurry of further deals before the month is out—just as lively as the snowstorms swirling outside.

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February 1st, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

With January behind us, we’ve seen a slight break in the winter chill here in Philadelphia—though the pace of action in the baseball world has also cooled. Still, not all has been quiet.

Edwin, Thomas Grainger, and I have taken our first serious look at the tentative schedule for the upcoming season, and we’ve begun sketching out our travel plans. Last year, we aimed to visit every ballpark we could, regardless of size or league. This time, however, we’ve decided to take a more focused approach.

Our intention is to spend more time watching the major league clubs and seeking out promising prospects with a shot at the big leagues. As such, it’s likely we’ll forgo visiting the Northern League altogether, and we may bypass much of the New England and New York State circuits as well. The change in strategy should allow us to better observe top-tier talent and keep closer tabs on key teams.

On the transaction front, the only notable deal in the latter half of January came out of Detroit, where the Tigers acquired Doc McJames from the Washington Senators. Heading the other way were Bones Ely and Larry McLean—a trade that adds a proven arm to the Tigers' rotation.

We’ll see if February brings more movement. For now, we continue to prepare for what we hope will be a thrilling 1902 season.

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March 18th, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

These past few weeks have been a calm and pleasant time for both Edwin and myself. With February behind us and March well underway, we find ourselves balancing two great anticipations: the arrival of our first children and the fast-approaching start of the new baseball season.

The world of baseball, much like our own lives, has enjoyed a peaceful lull. No trades or player movements have occurred during this stretch, as teams seem content with their rosters for the moment. That said, the quiet is about to end.

With preseason now underway, clubs are shifting their focus to preparation—getting players back into form and ready for the grind of the 1902 campaign. The warm-up games and training sessions to come will reveal much about the shape of each team. Excitement is building, and soon, the crack of the bat and the cheer of the crowd will return.

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March 28th, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway – Offseason Baseball Diary

Yesterday brought the second greatest joy of my life—the birth of my son. At 3:15 in the morning, little Reginald made his entrance into the world, weighing in at a healthy six pounds with a strong voice that made itself known right away. Both Susannah and our newborn are doing wonderfully, and I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude and pride.

Naturally, my attention has been elsewhere these past few days, and the world of baseball has taken a temporary back seat. That said, there has been little movement to miss, as clubs remain focused on their preseason preparations. The real action is just over the horizon, but for now, my thoughts are firmly with my growing family.

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April 10th, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Letter from Percival Holloway to Thomas Grainger

Dear Thomas,

I’m thrilled to hear that you’ll be joining me for the first part of the trip, while Edwin stays behind, awaiting the arrival of his first child. I understand you’ll need to be in Boston by June 5th to begin your other ventures, so Edwin and I have come up with the attached itinerary to accommodate that. As you’ll see, we begin in New York on the 17th of April.

Please make sure to meet me at our boarding house just outside Central Park on the 16th, so we can start this year’s adventure in proper fashion.

Also, I’ve included a copy of the Philadelphia newspapers' predictions for the season. It should give you an interesting glimpse into who the locals think might make a run for the World Series this year.

Looking forward to seeing you soon, my friend.

Yours,
Percival

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April 17th, 1902
New York, New York

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

The 1902 season kicked off today with the National League getting underway. Thomas Grainger and I were in New York to witness the season opener, as the New York Giants hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams started with a clean slate, and we were eager to see some exciting baseball.

The Giants sent Doc White to the mound. After finishing last year with a 13-15 record and a 3.09 ERA, he was hoping for a better start to this season. The Phillies handed the ball to Carl Lundgren, a rookie making his debut after being drafted by Philadelphia in December. It would be interesting to see if the honor of opening day would be a boost or a burden for the young pitcher.

On the offensive side, Bill Keister led the charge for the Giants, while the Phillies looked to Jimmy Sheckard and Kip Selbach to get things going. It was also a debut day for Lew Drill, who was starting at second base after being drafted in December by Philadelphia.

Thomas and I joined 6,340 fans at the Polo Grounds, with a cool 51-degree temperature but clear skies and an 11 mph wind.

The game was a tightly contested affair, with both teams struggling to get the offense going. The Phillies were the first to strike, putting up 2 runs in the 4th inning to take the lead. The Giants tried to answer in the 6th, scoring a run, but couldn’t break through Carl Lundgren, who was having a fantastic debut. The Phillies took the game 2-1.

Lundgren earned Player of the Game honors, pitching a complete 9 innings, allowing just 6 hits and no earned runs.

Doc White had a solid outing until the 4th inning, when he injured his elbow and had to leave the game. A tough blow for the Giants, who will hope for a quick recovery.

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April 18th, 1902
New York, New York

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

Thomas Grainger and I remained in New York overnight in anticipation of today’s game, which also gave us ample time to discuss what this new season might hold.

Today’s matchup took us to Washington Park in Brooklyn, where we had the chance to see last year’s World Series runners-up, the Boston Beaneaters, take on the Superbas. The Beaneaters dropped their season opener and were hoping for a bounce-back performance, especially with the formidable Cy Young—last year’s American League Pitcher of the Year—taking the mound. Young came into the game off a 21–17 season with an impressive 1.69 ERA in 1901. The Superbas countered with Ed Doheny, who had a respectable campaign last year, going 18–18 with a 2.83 ERA.

At the plate, Brooklyn leaned on the bats of Mike Grady and Charlie Hemphill, with Patsy Dougherty making just his second appearance for the club in left field. The Beaneaters, meanwhile, fielded a seasoned lineup featuring Jesse Burkett, Socks Seybold, and Jake Beckley.

A crowd of 3,785 gathered under partly cloudy skies with a crisp 52-degree temperature and a breeze blowing at 10 mph.

The game began with fireworks on both sides. Jesse Burkett tripled in the top of the 1st to give the Beaneaters an early lead, but the Superbas responded with 2 runs in the bottom half to go up 2–1. The Beaneaters answered again in the 2nd, scoring twice to retake the lead, 3–2. Brooklyn tied the game at 3–3 with a run in the 4th, but the turning point came in the 6th inning, when the Beaneaters broke through with a 3-run frame—highlighted by Burkett’s second triple of the day.

Cy Young held strong through the latter innings, surrendering just one more run in the 9th, and the Beaneaters secured a 6–4 victory.

Jesse Burkett was deservedly named Player of the Game, going 4-for-5 with two triples, three runs scored, and two RBIs. A thrilling contest and a fine example of what veteran leadership and experience can bring to a ballclub.

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April 19th, 1902
New York, New York

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

Thomas Grainger and I remained in New York for a third consecutive night, eager to catch a final look at the early-season series between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies. The scheduling for this set has been rather unusual—game one was held here in New York, game two played yesterday in Philadelphia, and now the third and deciding contest returns to the Polo Grounds. The Phillies have claimed victory in the first two, and the Giants were hoping to salvage some pride today.

On the mound for New York stood Joe McGinnity. Last season was a difficult one for him—he posted a 5–14 record with a 4.35 ERA across 18 starts, while also picking up 4 saves in relief. For the Phillies, Earl Moore took the ball. He, too, had a trying season in 1901, finishing 14–19 despite a solid 2.51 ERA. Philadelphia once again looked to the hot bat of Jimmy Sheckard, who came in hitting .400. The Giants pinned their hopes on George Barclay, who’d started the year on a tear, hitting .444.

Conditions at the Polo Grounds were clear but chilly at 54 degrees, and a sharp wind blew through the ballpark at 18 mph, posing a challenge for both hitters and fielders alike. Alongside 3,977 other spectators, Thomas and I settled into our seats for what promised to be a closely contested affair.

As it turned out, the wind became the dominant force of the afternoon. Both lineups struggled to find their rhythm at the plate, as balls hung up in the air and routine plays became adventures. The game’s lone run came in the top of the third, when Burley Bayers of the Phillies ripped a triple into the gap. With Bayers in scoring position, pitcher Earl Moore helped his own cause by delivering a timely single to bring him home.

That single run proved to be enough, as Moore turned in a masterful performance. He held the Giants scoreless through nine innings, allowing just 7 hits while striking out three. Thanks to his efforts on both sides of the ball, Moore was rightfully named Player of the Game.

With that, the Phillies completed a clean sweep of the Giants—three wins to open their 1902 campaign. For us, it was another fine day of baseball, even if the wind made it a strange one.

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April 21st, 1902
New York, New York

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

After a restful Sunday spent exploring the sights and sounds of New York City, Thomas and I resumed our baseball travels today by crossing the Hudson River for our first minor league game of the season. I must confess, I didn't particularly enjoy the journey—though the ferry ride was brief and my stomach held firm, the mere idea of water travel is enough to unsettle me. Still, the destination promised an intriguing matchup: the Jersey City Skeeters hosting the Buffalo Bisons, with both clubs entering the game with identical 2–1 records.

Taking the mound for the Skeeters was George Harper, while Buffalo turned to Louis Dobbs. In the Bisons’ lineup were Jim Jackson and Ed Abbaticchio, both men eager to prove they belong in the major leagues. For Jersey City, William Hartman remains one to watch—a player with the ambition and potential to climb to the next level with consistent performances.

We were pleasantly surprised by the turnout at West Side Park, with 3,648 fans braving the cool spring air. Temperatures hovered around 50 degrees under partly cloudy skies, with a steady breeze blowing at 11 mph.

From the outset, the game belonged to Buffalo. M.T. Walsh opened the scoring with a home run in the second inning, setting the tone. In the fourth, Jim Jackson added another long ball to extend the Bisons’ lead to 5–0. Jersey City managed to claw back a run in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a Gus Zeimer solo shot, and tacked on another in the sixth, but the comeback fell short. Buffalo’s early surge proved too much to overcome, and the visitors secured a 5–2 victory.

Louis Dobbs delivered a fine performance on the mound, going the distance with a line of 9 innings, 2 earned runs, and 7 strikeouts. He was rightly named Player of the Game.

Despite the rocky boat ride, it was a good day of baseball—and a fine look at some of the talent pushing for major league recognition.

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April 23rd, 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

Thomas and I arrived back in Philadelphia yesterday, taking the Pennsylvania Railroad on a smooth two-and-a-half-hour journey. Our return was for several happy reasons—to check in on my family, introduce Thomas to my newborn son, Reginald, and catch up with Edwin and his wife as they await the birth of their first child.

Today offered the perfect opportunity for all three of us to enjoy a game together before Thomas and I move on to our next destination. The Philadelphia Phillies were hosting the Brooklyn Superbas at National League Park, and with the weather holding steady at 50 degrees under partly cloudy skies and a light 11 mph breeze, it felt like an ideal spring day for baseball.

The Phillies have made an impressive start to the season, sitting at 4–1 and already near the top of the standings. Brooklyn, meanwhile, came into the game with a 3–3 record and looking to build some early momentum.

Al Orth took the mound for Philadelphia, fresh off a win in his first outing of the season, while Clarence Currie started for the Superbas, also unbeaten. The matchup promised a tight contest—and it certainly delivered.

Of particular interest today was rookie Patsy Dougherty of Brooklyn, who came into the game hitting a remarkable .583 through six games. On the home side, both Lew Drill and Jimmy Sheckard continued to swing hot bats, each batting .429 to start the year.

A crowd of 4,105 fans gathered at the park, and we were all treated to a tense and evenly matched affair. The Phillies opened the scoring with single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but the Superbas answered with one run in both the 4th and 5th to tie the game. Each team then pushed another run across in the 7th, and from there, the game remained knotted at 3–3 through nine innings, sending us into our first extra-inning game of the year.

The 10th went scoreless, but Brooklyn finally broke through in the top of the 11th with a run that would prove decisive. The Phillies couldn’t respond in the bottom half, and the Superbas emerged with a hard-fought 4–3 victory.

Clarence Currie earned Player of the Game honors for his remarkable endurance and command, pitching all 11 innings while allowing 12 hits and 3 runs, striking out three along the way. It was a fine performance—and an excellent game shared with good friends.

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April 24th, 1902
Baltimore, Maryland

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

This morning, Thomas and I boarded the Pennsylvania Railroad once again, making the three-hour journey from Philadelphia to Baltimore. Today marked a pair of firsts: our first American League game of the season, and our first look at the reigning World Series champions, the Philadelphia Athletics, as they paid a visit to the Baltimore Orioles. The series opener had gone Baltimore’s way, with the Athletics stumbling out of the gate.

On the mound for the Orioles was Chick Fraser, who posted an even 18–18 record last year over 35 starts with a 3.29 ERA. The Athletics countered with Jock Menefee. Menefee split his 1901 season between starting for the Chicago Orphans and relieving for the Athletics after a midseason trade. With a 13–13 record last year, he now begins a new chapter as a starter once again.

Both teams featured seasoned hitters. Baltimore’s lineup was anchored by veterans Jimmy Collins and Topsy Hartsel, while the Athletics leaned on the bats of Frank Chance and the veteran Jimmy Ryan. Ryan, now 39, is attempting a return to top form after spending much of last season in the minors.

Oriole Park welcomed us with clear skies, a comfortable 56 degrees, and a 10 mph breeze blowing in from center field. A modest crowd of 2,751 fans joined us for the afternoon's contest.

Drama struck early when Cy Seymour of the Athletics pulled up injured in the first inning after stretching a double into a triple. He left the game immediately, replaced by a pinch runner, though no runs came from the opportunity.

The scoring began in the 3rd inning, with the Athletics putting one on the board. Baltimore found its rhythm in the 5th, scoring twice to take the lead, and added another in the 6th to go up 3–1. But the champs were not to be denied. Philadelphia rallied with three runs in the 7th to reclaim the lead, 4–3, and tacked on two more in the 8th. Baltimore narrowed the gap with a run in the bottom half of that inning, but the Athletics responded with yet another in the top of the 9th, making it 7–4.

The bottom of the 9th brought tension and excitement, as the Orioles pushed across two runs and seemed on the verge of a dramatic comeback. However, the Athletics held firm and secured the 7–6 victory.

Danny Green delivered a standout performance for Philadelphia, going 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs and a run scored, earning him Player of the Game honors. It was a thrilling affair and a reminder of why these reigning champions are still a team to be reckoned with.