Happy Birthday Alex C!

No, not Alex Cole, the man for whom the Indians famously moved the fences back in 1990, it’s Alexander Cartwright’s birthday today. Given that he’s 189 years-old, however, the celebration will remain low key.

For those unfamiliar, a Wiki-overview of why all of the banks and government offices are closed today:

Cartwright was a bookseller in Manhattan, and a volunteer fireman. Cartwright founded the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club (after the Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company) in 1842. They played a brand of stick-and-ball game called the town game. In 1845 Cartwright and a committee from his club drew up rules converting this playground game into a more elaborate and interesting sport to be played by adults. He and other firemen played on a field at 47th and 27th Streets. The rules of the modern game are based on their by-laws, and Cartwright is thought to be the first person to draw a diagram of a diamond shaped field. The Knickerbockers participated in the first competitive game (as opposed to intramural) under these rules on June 19, 1846. The Knickerbockers lost 23–1 to the New York Nine.

How bad do you have to suck in order to lose that badly even though you drew up the rules yourself? My daughter makes up little games to play with her brother and she wins every time, usually because she’s able to change the rules on the fly without him knowing. Sure, he’s only three so he’s easily fooled, but when you adjust for inflation, I’m pretty sure he has the same level of intelligence as a grown ballplayer in 1846 or Kyle Farnsworth today.

Anyway, happy birthday Alexander C.


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Chris H.
14 years ago

I’m moderately certain that a young child knows that if you keep throwing a no-movement-whatsoever fastball over and over, you’re going to get crushed no matter how fast the thing is.

Grant
14 years ago

Kyle Farnsworth jokes: The gift that keeps on giving. I haven’t gotten tired of them yet, and I don’t see it happening anytime soon.

Ron
14 years ago

Kyle Farnsworth is in Kansas City becasue Moe and Larry needed a Shemp.

ralphdibny
14 years ago

How does one play on a field at 47th AND 27th Streets?  Perhaps if the field had been a bit smaller than 20 city blocks, the game would’ve been more competitive.

Grant
14 years ago

There’s a 47th ave and 27th street in Queens (thanks, Google maps! though I guess I was vaguely aware that that’s how streets in Queens work).

Maybe they were in sunny Long Island for their game?

Ron
14 years ago

Try Hoboken. That’s were they played most of the games.

Luke
14 years ago

I had a bit of a mancrush on Alex Cole back in the day.  The goggles and insane speed get me every time!