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

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May 19th, 1901
Portland, Maine

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

After enjoying another restful day yesterday, Edwin and I resumed our quest to attend a game at each of the New England Baseball League grounds. Today’s destination brought us to Portland, following a pleasant two-and-a-half-hour journey on the Maine Central Railroad from Bangor.

The day's matchup featured the Portland Baseball Club facing off against the Haverhill Hustlers. While our expectations were modest, given that both teams heavily rely on local talent, we were hopeful for a more thrilling contest than the previous two games we had witnessed.

Our hopes were rewarded as, for the first time on this journey, we experienced the excitement of extra innings. The Portland Baseball Club triumphed with a 7-4 victory in the 10th inning. Francis Connolly emerged as the standout performer, delivering an exceptional batting display. He went 4-for-6, including three doubles—a feat we were informed sets a New England Baseball League regular season record. Connolly capped his stellar performance with a game-clinching three-run homer in the 10th inning. Additionally, he scored twice and batted in five runs, securing his place as the hero of the day.

In contrast, it was a challenging outing for Haverhill’s pitcher, Red Owens, who struggled with his control, issuing eight walks that ultimately contributed to his team’s defeat.

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May 20th, 1901
Lewiston, Maine

Percival Holloway's Travel Journal Entry

This morning, Edwin and I embarked on a brief yet pleasant one-hour rail journey from Portland to Lewiston, eager to witness the Lewiston Baseball Club square off against the Bangor Baseball Club at A.A.A. Park. The weather was cool at 50 degrees, partly cloudy, with a steady 9 mph breeze blowing in from right field. We joined 732 fellow patrons, all anticipating an engaging contest.

Our hopes had been set on seeing Patsy Dougherty take the mound for Lewiston, but to our slight disappointment, he was not pitching today. However, fortune favored us as we were still able to see Dougherty in action, manning left field with his usual vigor.

Lewiston emerged victorious with a 3-1 win in a game marked by scarce hitting—only nine hits were recorded between both teams. Dougherty had a modest day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, struggling much like the other batters against strong pitching.

The standout performance of the day came from Red Long of Lewiston, who earned both the win and the title of Player of the Game. His commanding presence on the mound saw him surrender just three hits over nine innings, securing a well-deserved victory for Lewiston.

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May 21st, 1901
Albany, New York

My Dearest Susannah,

It has been a few days since I last wrote, and I must tell you how much I miss you. The thought of home lingers in my mind, and I am hopeful that our schedule in early June may allow for a few precious days together. That possibility alone keeps my spirits high.

We arrived in Albany this morning after enduring a grueling five-hour overnight journey from Lewiston, Maine, on the Boston and Albany Railroad. The fatigue of travel is ever-present, but the excitement of seeing new teams and stadiums in the New York State League keeps us pressing on.

Our first game here featured the Albany Senators hosting the Binghamton Bingoes at Hawkins Stadium. As with much of the baseball at this level, most of the players are local talent, striving to make a name for themselves. However, there is one promising young player for Binghamton, Danny Murphy, whom we were eager to see in action. The crowd numbered 874, braving the cool 52-degree weather, with a steady 11 mph wind drifting from right to left beneath partly cloudy skies.

The game itself turned into an epic battle, stretching to 14 innings before Albany secured a hard-fought 6-5 victory. Young Murphy had a quiet outing, going just 1-for-7, though he did manage to score a run and drive in another. The Bingoes saw home runs from Lem Cross and Edmund Hanscomb, while the Senators were led by their catcher, Roy Loman, who had an outstanding day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two walks and two runs scored. The game ended in dramatic fashion, as a local lad—whose name I, regrettably, did not catch—delivered a thrilling solo walk-off home run in the bottom of the 14th.

It was a long day, but one filled with the kind of baseball that reminds me why I embarked on this journey. Still, my heart remains with you, and I look forward to the day when we can share these travels together.

With all my love,
Percival

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May 22nd, 1901
Troy, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

Yesterday evening, Edwin and I took a pleasant half-hour journey on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad from Albany to Troy, arriving just in time to catch the news that Bobby Wallace of the St. Louis Cardinals had extended his hitting streak to 20 games. Unfortunately, we are unlikely to witness his remarkable run in person, as our schedule does not bring us to St. Louis until mid-July.

Today's game brought us to Troy Ballpark, where the Troy Trojans faced off against the Schenectady Electricians. Given Schenectady’s strong start to the season, they entered the game as clear favorites. The weather was cool, with a temperature of 50 degrees under cloudy skies, and an 11 mph wind blowing out of left field. We joined 632 other spectators, hopeful for a competitive match.

However, the game turned into a one-sided affair, as the Electricians dominated from start to finish, cruising to a decisive 10-1 victory. Two local players launched home runs for Schenectady, and one of them—whose name I, unfortunately, did not catch—earned player of the game honors.

It was a tough day for Troy, but for the neutral observer, the Electricians put on an impressive display of power and precision.

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May 23rd, 1901
Utica, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

Today’s journey took us from Troy to Utica via the New York Central Railroad, a steady two-and-a-half-hour trip. Despite the travel time, we arrived with plenty of time to take in the day’s game at Donovan Stadium.

A crowd of 792 gathered to watch the Utica Utes take on the Troy Trojans, braving the cool 55-degree weather under partly cloudy skies, with a 9 mph wind blowing out of center field.

The game itself was an engaging contest, with Utica securing a 7-3 victory. The Utes struck early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning before Troy responded with a run in the third. The teams traded scores through the middle innings, with Utica holding a narrow 4-2 advantage after five. The turning point came in the seventh, when the Utes put up three more runs to effectively put the game out of reach. Troy managed to add one final run in the ninth, but it was too little, too late.

A concerning moment occurred in the fifth inning when Troy’s starting pitcher, Elmer Horton, was forced to leave the game due to injury. This marks the first injury we have witnessed on our trip, and it was unfortunate to see a player exit under such circumstances. He appeared to be holding his back as he left the field, though we will likely hear more details from the club in due course.

Despite the loss, Troy’s Harry Aubury provided a highlight with a home run, while Utica’s Clarence Lyttle delivered an impressive performance on the mound, going the full nine innings and allowing 11 hits to earn both the win and player of the game honors.

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May 24th, 1901
Rome, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

Edwin and I embarked on another short journey today, traveling an hour west on the New York Central Railroad from Utica to Rome. Our destination: Riverside Park, where the league-leading Schenectady Electricians were set to take on the Rome Romans.

The game unfolded under cloudy skies, with a cool 56-degree temperature and a steady 9 mph wind blowing in from right field. We took our places among the 672 spectators, eager to see if Rome’s home-field advantage could prove decisive against the formidable visitors.

The opening innings were evenly contested, with both teams trading runs to reach a 2-2 deadlock through the third. However, from that point on, Rome took complete control, scoring six unanswered runs over the remaining frames to secure an emphatic 8-2 victory.

Pitcher Si Mulkey was the star of the day, shaking off early struggles to deliver a dominant performance. Over nine innings, he allowed 11 hits but struck out 12, conceding just the two early runs. His stellar effort earned him well-deserved player of the game honors and ensured that the home fans went home happy.

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May 25th, 1901
Binghamton, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal

Our journey today took us three hours east from Rome to Binghamton via the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. With both teams holding similar records, we anticipated a closely contested matchup between the Binghamton Bingoes and the Waverly Wagonmakers. Once again, Edwin and I were eager to see Binghamton’s promising second baseman, Danny Murphy, in action.

The game was played at Binghamton Ballpark in front of 852 fans, despite persistent rain and a cool 61-degree temperature, with an 11 mph wind blowing in from center. There was some doubt as to whether the game would proceed, but the players took the field as scheduled.

The Bingoes struck first, scoring a run in the 1st, another in the 3rd, and two more in the 5th to build a 4-0 lead. Waverly attempted a comeback with two runs in the 6th, but Binghamton responded with a run in the bottom of the inning and added two more in the 8th before a 33-minute rain delay temporarily halted play. The Wagonmakers managed two late runs in the 9th, but it wasn’t enough, as the Bingoes secured a 7-4 victory.

Danny Murphy had a solid performance, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. The game also featured home runs from Grant Johnson and a local player, both for the Bingoes. Johnson’s impressive outing—going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs—earned him player of the game honors.

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May 26th, 1901
Binghamton, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal

Today, Edwin and I enjoyed a well-earned day of rest. Of course, that did not mean a day without baseball. We pored over the latest reports from the big leagues, eager to catch up on the latest action.

One of the most remarkable feats we read about was Nap Lajoie’s incredible performance against the Boston Beaneaters. The Pittsburgh Pirates star delivered a sensational six-hit game and hit for the cycle, leading his team to a 7-5 victory.

Another notable highlight was Jimmy Collins of the Baltimore Orioles extending his hitting streak to 20 games, a remarkable achievement that has us eager to see how long he can keep it going.

Even on a day without a game to attend, baseball remains very much at the forefront of our travels.

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May 27th, 1901
Schenectady, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal

Our journey today took us two hours from Binghamton to Schenectady via the New York Central Railroad.

We arrived in time to watch the Schenectady Electricians host the Albany Senators at Island Park. Edwin and I were fortunate to secure seats directly behind home plate, giving us an excellent view of the action. A crowd of 695 joined us on this partly cloudy, 61-degree afternoon, with a steady 9 mph wind blowing out of left field.

While we had hoped for an exciting contest, the game turned into a one-sided affair, and by the end, it took on a rather somber tone. The Electricians dominated, shutting out the Senators 8-0. Jack Doscher was on the verge of completing a brilliant shutout when disaster struck. Pitching in the ninth inning, he suddenly let out a sharp cry and clutched his shoulder in pain. The medical staff rushed onto the field, and after a brief evaluation, they escorted him off to the clubhouse.

James Baird and a couple of local players hit home runs for Schenectady, adding to Albany’s misery.

Later that evening, we learned troubling news from a fellow guest at our lodging. He had heard from team sources that Doscher had suffered a torn labrum and could potentially miss the rest of the season. It was heartbreaking news, especially after such a commanding performance on the mound.

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May 28th, 1901
Waverly, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal

Today’s travels took us on another two-hour rail journey via the New York Central Railroad, moving from Schenectady to Waverly. During the ride, Edwin and I caught up on the latest big-league news. We noted that Jimmy Collins' impressive hitting streak had come to an end, but Bobby Wallace remained on a tear, extending his own streak to 25 games.

Our game for the day featured the Waverly Wagonmakers hosting the Ilion Typewriters at Waverly Ballpark. Spirits were high among the 852 fans in attendance, perhaps due to their team’s strong performance this season or simply the anticipation of seeing them tested against another formidable opponent.

The game was played under clear skies with a comfortable 61-degree temperature and a steady 9 mph wind from right field. Fortunately, this contest provided far more excitement than the previous day’s one-sided affair. The Wagonmakers secured a 5-2 victory, breaking through in the fourth with a solo home run from a local player. They doubled their lead in the sixth before a flurry of action in the seventh saw Ilion briefly claw back with two runs in the top of the inning. However, Waverly responded swiftly, tacking on three more in the bottom half to put the game out of reach.

Neither Edwin nor I managed to catch the name of the local player who hit the home run and earned Player of the Game honors, but we certainly wish him luck in his future endeavors.

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May 30th, 1901
Ilion, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal

After taking a much-needed day off yesterday, Edwin and I resumed our travels today, making the one-and-a-half-hour trip from Waverly to Ilion via the New York Central Railroad. This marked the final stop in our tour of the New York State League’s teams and ballparks. During our journey, we read in the papers that Bobby Wallace’s impressive 26-game hitting streak had come to an end.

The day's game at Russell Park featured the Ilion Typewriters hosting the Utica Utes. Under partly cloudy skies and a cool 59-degree temperature, with a 10 mph wind blowing in from center, 754 fans gathered to witness what turned out to be a true classic.

Utica ultimately triumphed 9-8 in a thrilling contest that stretched to 10 innings. The Typewriters jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first five innings, only for the Utes to storm back with seven runs across the sixth and seventh to claim a 7-4 advantage. Ilion responded with two runs in the eighth to make it 7-6, but Utica appeared to secure victory by tacking on another in the top of the ninth. The Typewriters, however, refused to go quietly, plating two runs in the bottom of the inning to send the game into extras.

A local Utica player provided the highlight of the day with a grand slam in the seventh, while Frank King and another hometown player hit home runs for Ilion in the eighth and ninth innings. In the tenth, the Utes managed to scratch across a decisive run before their bullpen shut the door to seal the win.

A fantastic game and a fitting way to conclude our tour of the league.

[amead17]

May 31st, 1901
Niagara Falls, New York

My Dearest Mary,

Today, Percival and I took a brief respite from our travels to visit the magnificent Niagara Falls. It felt only right to take in such a sight before continuing our journey through the ballparks of New York State. Words can hardly do justice to the beauty before us—the cascading waters tumbling with such force, yet bringing a sense of tranquility as the sound of the rushing river filled the air. Standing there, watching the mist rise and feeling the cool spray upon my face, I found a renewed energy for the road ahead.

As much as I am enjoying this journey, my heart longs for home, and I take comfort in knowing that in just a few days—on June 6th—I will be back in your arms, if only for a short while. We have three more games to see before then, and after our brief return home, our travels will take us into Canada.

I miss you dearly, Mary, and I count the days until I see you again.

With all my love,
Edwin

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June 1st, 1901
Buffalo, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

Following our visit to Niagara Falls yesterday, we spent the morning poring over the latest monthly awards from the big leagues. The American League recognized George Van Haltren of the Cleveland Blues for his outstanding batting in May, while Cy Young of the Detroit Tigers earned top pitching honors. In the National League, Nap Lajoie of the Pittsburgh Pirates was named the best hitter of the month, and Roger Denzer of the New York Giants stood out as the premier pitcher.

Once we had reviewed the awards, we made the short trip from Niagara Falls to Buffalo for our next game. This matchup featured the Buffalo Bisons taking on the Montreal Royals in the International League. Being just one step below the major leagues, the International League offers a chance to see emerging talent, though we were disappointed to learn that Buffalo’s biggest attraction, Addie Joss, would not be pitching today.

We arrived at Buffalo Baseball Park alongside 987 other spectators. The weather had turned cloudy with a slight chance of rain in the air, while the temperature stood at 65 degrees with an 11 mph wind blowing from center field.

The game itself was a lively affair, with both teams exchanging runs early. Montreal took a 2-1 lead through the first two innings before Buffalo responded with five runs in the fourth and fifth, swinging the score in their favor at 6-2. The Royals mounted a challenge with three runs in the top of the seventh, but Buffalo answered back with two of their own in the bottom half and added another insurance run in the eighth to secure the victory. A brief rain delay of 21 minutes occurred in the fifth inning.

Montreal’s scoring was highlighted by three home runs, courtesy of Herman Shincel, Louis Knau, and Howard Earl. However, the standout performance of the day belonged to Ed Cermak of the Buffalo Bisons, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with five RBIs, including two doubles.

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June 2nd, 1901
Syracuse, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

Today, we embarked on a two-hour journey via the New York Central Railroad, traveling from Buffalo to Syracuse.

Our destination was Newell Park, where we joined 1,245 fans to watch the Syracuse Stars host the Providence Grays in an International League matchup. We had high hopes of seeing future big-league talents in Ed Abbaticchio of Providence and George Browne of Syracuse.

The game took place under clear skies, with a temperature of 57 degrees and a 9 mph wind blowing from left to right. What unfolded was a thrilling contest that stretched into extra innings, as the hometown Stars eked out a 7-6 victory in the 10th.

The action began with an offensive surge, as both teams plated two runs in the first inning. Providence seized control in the fifth with a four-run outburst, but Syracuse refused to back down. The Stars chipped away with a run in the sixth, another in the seventh, and two more in the eighth to level the score at 6-6. A scoreless ninth sent the game to extra innings, where Syracuse finally broke through, bringing home the winning run in the 10th.

Unfortunately for Edwin and me, we didn’t get to see the best of either Abbaticchio or Browne. Abbaticchio did not start for Providence and made only a brief pinch-hit appearance in the 10th. Browne, meanwhile, started for Syracuse but had a quiet day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.

The standout performer of the day was Michael McCann of the Grays. Despite his team’s loss, he went 2-for-4, including a two-run home run in the fifth, and drove in another run earlier in the game, making him the most impactful player on the field.

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June 4th 1901
Syracuse, New York

Pericaval Holloway Travel journal entry

Edwin and myself have had a couple of days off since the last game we watched. This has given us time to go over the big league tables and leader boards to see how things are moving along in the league.

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June 5th, 1901
Rochester, New York

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

This morning, we took the two-hour journey from Syracuse to Rochester on the New York Central Railroad, knowing it would be our last game before a brief break back home. Both Edwin and I have thoroughly enjoyed the first leg of our journey and the games we’ve witnessed, but we’re eager to see our families for a short while.

Today's matchup featured the Rochester Bronchos against the Worcester Chiefs at Culver Field. We joined 1,625 fans under dark clouds that threatened rain. The temperature was a chilly 56 degrees, with a 10 mph wind blowing out of center field. Both teams had promising young pitchers on the mound—Billy Milligan for Rochester and Frank Corridon for Worcester—each with the potential to reach the big leagues someday.

It was a relatively low-scoring affair as both pitchers put in solid performances. Rochester struck first with a run in the opening inning and added another in the fourth, taking a 2-1 lead after Worcester answered with a run of their own in the fourth. Just as the tension was building, rain arrived in the fifth inning, causing a 34-minute delay. The pause seemed to invigorate the Bronchos, who returned to the field with renewed energy, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Worcester managed to add another run in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough, as Rochester secured a 4-2 victory.

Despite the win, there was concerning news for Rochester as Billy Milligan exited the game in the sixth inning with a minor arm injury. Nevertheless, his performance up to that point was enough to earn him the title of Player of the Game.

The day also featured some powerful hitting, with home runs from Jake Atz of Worcester, as well as James Maloney and Johnny Siegle of Rochester.

As the game concluded, Edwin and I couldn’t help but reflect on the wonderful experiences we’ve had so far. We’re looking forward to our brief respite at home before continuing our baseball adventure.

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June 7th, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percival Holloway’s Travel Journal Entry

After an exhausting overnight journey from Rochester, New York, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both Edwin and I were relieved to be back home, even if only for a couple of days. It’s a welcome break, allowing us to see our wives and other family members and share the stories of our adventures so far.

Our father remains skeptical about this endeavor and made his disapproval known when we visited him. Yet, I believe the business opportunities we’ve seized along the way have softened his stance somewhat.

Our wives were thrilled to have us home and were already discussing our upcoming trip to New England in the fall, where we plan to visit Thomas Grainger and his wife. It seems they’re as eager about our journey as we are.

As for baseball, the season rolls on, and I anticipate that we’ll have ample time on the 10th and 11th of this month to catch up on the standings and review the season’s progress. Those days will find us traveling from our home here in Philadelphia to Toronto, where the next leg of our adventure awaits.

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June 11th, 1901
Toronto, Ontario

My Dearest Susannah,

I wanted to write to let you know that Edwin and I have safely arrived in Toronto. It was quite a journey to get here, traveling through New York, Buffalo, and Niagara along the way. We took the Pennsylvania Railroad to New York, then continued on the New York Central Railroad to Buffalo, and finally boarded the Grand Trunk Railway to reach Toronto. In total, the trip took about 18 hours across the 10th and 11th of June, including stops for passport control and other layovers.

Even though it has only been a short time since we parted, I find myself missing your company dearly. Those couple of days at home were a cherished respite, and I already long to be by your side again.

Rest assured, I will make sure we are back home around the 16th, once we have completed our visit to both Toronto and Montreal. After that, we will prepare for the next leg of our journey.

Take care, my love, and give my regards to everyone at home. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

News on the Baseball front has Nap Lajoie of the Pittsburgh Pirates hitting a 20 game streak at the moment.

Yours always,
Percival

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June 12th, 1901
Toronto, Ontario

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

After seven days without any live baseball, Edwin and I were eager to get back to the ballpark. Today, we visited Diamond Park in Toronto to watch the Maple Leafs take on the Buffalo Bisons in an International League game. Unfortunately, once again, we missed the chance to see Buffalo's up and coming youngster, Addie Joss, as he wasn’t scheduled to start.

The weather was partly cloudy and cool at 59 degrees, with a brisk 14 mph wind blowing out to right field. We settled into our seats with high hopes, but the game quickly turned disappointing for the home fans. The Maple Leafs struggled on the mound and ultimately fell 7-2 to the Bisons.

Toronto took an early 1-0 lead but surrendered 3 runs in the 3rd inning. They clawed back to 3-2 in the 5th before Buffalo sealed the win with 1 run in the 8th and 3 more in the 9th.

It was certainly a tough day for pitchers. Buffalo’s Louis Dobbs threw an impressive 8 innings before he was forced to leave the game in the 9th due to a hamstring injury. We learned afterward that he will be sidelined for several weeks. On the other side, Toronto’s Cy Stackpole had a game to forget. In 8 innings, he issued a club record 9 walks, repeatedly giving Buffalo opportunities to get men on base.

The highlight for Toronto came from Henry Lynch, who hit a home run in the 5th inning. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback. We’re hoping for better luck in the next game.

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June 14th, 1901
Montreal, Quebec

Percival Holloway Travel Journal Entry

Yesterday, Edwin and I made the 5-hour journey from Toronto to Montreal on the Great Trunk Railway, eager to catch today’s game. In the big leagues, as one streak ends, another begins. Nap Lajoie’s impressive hitting streak ended at 20 games, while Willie Keeler of the New York Giants extended his own to 20 games with a hit yesterday.

Today, we found ourselves at Atwater Park in Montreal, watching the Royals take on the Hartford Bees. There were a few promising young players on the field who could make it to the big leagues soon, the most notable being Tom Fisher, who took the mound as Hartford's starting pitcher.

The weather was pleasant, with partly cloudy skies, a temperature of 66 degrees, and a 12 mph wind blowing out to center field. The game started with a flurry of runs as both teams got on the scoreboard early. By the end of the 2nd inning, the score was tied at 3-3. At this point, the spirited Montreal crowd rallied behind their team, spurring them on as they held the Bees scoreless for the rest of the game and secured a 7-3 victory.

Charles Moss of Hartford did his best to change his team’s fortunes, finishing 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI, including a home run in the 2nd inning. However, his efforts weren’t enough to bring home a win. On the Montreal side, pitchers Bob Ewing and George Wilson contributed to the victory with home runs of their own.

With this game behind us, we now prepare to head back home for a brief respite before embarking on the Great Lakes and Midwest portion of our journey.