America Through Baseball

Reserve Clause

A clause in a player's standard contract that gives a team the option to renew the player for the following season. Allowed other teams to reserve players after their contract expires. No other teams can sign a reserved player with an expired contract. Helped keep cost down of players salaries

Knights of Labor

American labor organization founded in 1869 to protect the rights of workers, Organized by industry not craft. Wanted higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. Accepted skilled/unskilled workers

Adrian "Cap" Anson

Baseballs first superstar. Played for Chicago White Stockings in 1876 and stayed for 22 years. Anson become manager of the White Stockings "cap" for captain and helped the dominate. Transformed baseball from a leasuirley game to a compettive game

National Agreement

Creation of a baseball trust. All teams got together to recognize each leagues control over players. This eliminated compettions in players salaries. Teams agreed to respect ecahothers contracts and territories

Alexis de Tocqueville

French democrat who came to US to study prisons. He was impressed with the absence of great wealth and poverty in the US and was so intrigued that he wrote a book called Democracy in America. Intrigued with how all men thought they were all equal to one another.

Moses Fleetwood Walker

Known as the last black player to compete in the major leagues before the color barrier set in during the late 1880s.

William Hulbert

President of the Chicago White Stockings who formed the National League in 1876. Wanted league to be more orderly and disciplined

1888-18889 Tour

Splading world tour was during this time and showed people from all over the world the game of baseball. Spalding hoped to increase his personal business of selling baseball gear but to also extend the American presence and spread imperalism.

Harry Stevens

became obsessed with baseball and sold/designed sports first scorecard

KnickerBocker Baseball Club

club started by Alexander Cartwright in 1842, first baseball club and started competition between other baseball teams

American Association

established in 1882 with six teams, a much rowdier game with alcohol and gambling

Red Stockings

first professional baseball team in 1869, other teams inspired to be like them

Robber Barrons/Captains of Industry

preditor without wielded accountability and practiced predatory business techniques

Players League

started in 1890 by Brotherhood. will compete against National League and American Association, inspired by Knights of Labor

Market Revolution

the major change in the US economy produced by people's beginning to buy and sell goods rather than make them for themselves. creates a national market and business cycle