Postcards from the Ballpark: The Holloway Family’s Baseball Chronicles - Page 7

amead17 · 04-09-2025, 12:35 PM

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.

amead17 · 04-10-2025, 10:43 AM

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.

amead17 · 04-10-2025, 10:43 AM

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.

amead17 · 04-11-2025, 08:36 AM

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.

amead17 · 04-11-2025, 08:37 AM

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.

amead17 · Yesterday, 08:49 AM

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.

amead17 · Yesterday, 08:51 AM

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.

amead17 · Today, 02:41 PM

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.

amead17 · Today, 02:41 PM

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.

04-09-2025, 12:35 PM	#121
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	November 25th 1901 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.

04-10-2025, 10:43 AM	#122
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	December 2nd 1901 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.

04-10-2025, 10:43 AM	#123
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	December 15 1901 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.

04-11-2025, 08:36 AM	#124
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	December 25th 1901 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.

04-11-2025, 08:37 AM	#125
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	January 1st 1902 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.

Yesterday, 08:49 AM	#126
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	January 15th 1902 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.

Yesterday, 08:51 AM	#127
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	February 1st 1902 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.

Today, 02:41 PM	#128
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	March 18th 1902 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.

Today, 02:41 PM	#129
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,388	March 28th 1902 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.