1 The SABR(UK) Number 6 Examiner October 1995 THE JOURNAL OF THE BOBBY THOMSON CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN BASEBALL RESEARCH (UK) SABR(UK) 1995 AGM Report more historical group. In England, it alive and a request through SABR in On Saturday, 6 May 1995, is often the only chance our members the USA had produced someone who most of the world was celebrat- have to talk baseball. He noted that had researched seven members of the the Chapter’s main function is re- ing the fiftieth anniversary of U.S. team. Interest was mentioned in search, and reinforced his interest in the end of World War II. While the connections between baseball and the Spalding Trophy. Mike also said the final defeat of fascism in cricket, a complex and technical topic. that he was trying to bring Monte Irvin Mike Ross reported on his unusual this century was not far from over from his home in Florida, but encounter with a man who claimed to our minds, another, smaller, that funding would have to be found. have inside information about a long- And speaking of funding, Andy group spent the sweltering searched-for relic. It was a real Mal- Parkes gave his Treasurer’s report. weekend at the SABR(UK) An- tese Falcon episode; see Mike’s col- He said our assets were in four fig- umn on Page 2. “This is the stuff nual General Meeting, celebrat- ures, and that’s counting the deci- dreams are made of”, Bogart said. ing the return of baseball, the mals. Fundraising continues to be an Martin Hoerchner then reported issue. Andy mentioned that funds history of baseball, and just on the Newsletter. He said that it had could be raised through auctions of baseball in general. no regular schedule, but that the pub- certain items, such as his famous Our venue again was the won- lication would depend on his prior Stretford team’s memorabilia. He derfully quirky and extremely hospi- time commitments and numbers of pointed out that, as 1997 would be table Kings of Clerkenwell pub, ap- articles submitted for publication. the 50th anniversary of the founding propriately situated in the heart of There was applause from all present of the Saints, he would try to organise Clerkenwell in the heart of London. when the Examiner was described by a reunion of the players. And being a wonderfully sunny Satur- a member as “excellent”. Martin of Research then took centre stage. day, of course there was a wedding at course humbly demurred. Patrick Carroll, Chairman of the Brit- the church right outside the door. After the official business ended, ish Baseball Historical Committee, Life goes on despite anniversaries and the meeting continued with a viewing gave his report. He talked about the AGMs. SABR(UK) had had some of an “inning” of Ken Burns’ “Base- Burns’ Night meeting at Mike Ross’ smaller meetings in recent months, ball”. A vote was taken, and the flat; you’ll read about that later. One e.g. the Burns Night meeting and the Fifties was the decade chosen to central issue that interests the Com- Mark Alvarez get-together, but this is watch. A section of the silent film mittee is the ‘mists of time’ period, the first time in a while that the entire “Speedy” was also shown, in which otherwise known as the ‘black hole’ of group could get together. Harold Lloyd picks up Babe Ruth and British baseball. Why did it die out as Because of the timing, the Bobby whizzes him through the streets of a mass sport in the country of its Thomson Chapter accepted the apolo- New York. Afterwards Tony Darkin, origin? Patrick said that answers to gies from a number of key members SABR’s reigning statistician, gave an these questions would produce an who could not be present that week- exacting baseball quiz. It was won by essay which ultimately would be the end. After these were read, the Chap- a team headed by Patrick Carroll, but introductory chapter of a book on the ter took care of some of the usual only after a tie with the team headed history of baseball in the UK and business, like reading the last meet- by Martin Hoerchner was settled by a Ireland. ing’s minutes (I don’t think there were tie-breaker. Yeah, we wuz robbed! Patrick then listed projects that any, because we lack a Secretary). The food, as always, was incred- were in varying stages of completion. Mike Ross then stood up and ible, and the guv’nor, John Eichler, Among the topics of study were Welsh gave the Chairman’s report. He said showed hospitality supreme. It was baseball, Francis Ley (who built Der- that the Chapter had to be clear of its an afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by by’s “Baseball Ground”), semi-pro ball identity and its purpose. Unlike Ameri- all present. Baseball is and always in the West of England, the London can fans, he said, British baseball shall be, despite the troubles. fans don’t have the opportunity to major league of the mid-30’s, and the 1938 five-game Test Series between absorb baseball all the time. In the - Martin Hoerchner States, with baseball everywhere for England and America. On the last half the year, SABR becomes a much topic, Ross Kendrick’s widow was still 2 VIEW FROM THE CHAIR by Mike Ross Those of you who attended see copies of them I was told I phy had been stripped of its base- the very first meeting of SABR UK, could not, that he feared he would ball trimmings (here's the trav- or read the subsequent minutes, turing him with two trophies. One esty) and was converted into a portions of which have been pub- has been identified as the Spalding soccer trophy, before being re- lished by Martin Hoerchner in the Trophy which he claimed to be in tired to safety, who knows when. Examiner, will recall mention of his possession. I believe he has a Furthermore there is mention in the Spalding Cup which disap- Spalding Trophy, not the Spalding said article of the "John Moores peared around 100 years ago. At Trophy. Trophy" presented to Moores in the time I sort of jokingly sug- 1930's by John Heydler, Presi- gested that we should try to dis- I have been rather sworn to dent of the National League in the cover its whereabouts, and to treat secrecy so cannot name the man U.S., for the benefit of British the cup as the Holy Grail of British or the city but I am at liberty to say amateur baseball. This article Baseball. that the trophy was discovered states that the Moores trophy is several years ago in the safe of a "safely under lock and key in Liv- I believe - let's say dreamed - burnt-down hotel somewhere in erpool". Another item quoted at the mystery of the disappearance Britain, and that the gentleman the first meeting has it that "the of the cup and its subsequent in question was originally writing [Moores] trophy went missing in discovery would, lo and behold, a book on sports history for his the Liverpool area around 1959". take us back to the golden days of particular locale. He was not aware yesteryear, and with accompany- of who Spalding was, and when he A.G. Spalding, the master ing clues we would learn how the learned about the British tour of himself, presented his cup to hon- game went astray and failed as a 1874, he was surprised to find out our the champions of British base- British sport. that the affair was common knowl- ball. One has to wonder how edge to most SABR members. baseball's heavenly growth in In other words, the America and subsequent attempts Philistines who stole our cup and Recently, in hopes of getting at promotion over here, with all trivialised its significance surely him out of the closet and into the the enthusiasm put to the task by are the very villains that squelched SABR mainstream, I sent him a Spalding & Co., failed to make a the growth of the game. This is National Pastime and Research lasting impression. heady stuff for our SABR research Journal hoping he'll disclose his and part of our raison d'etre. full secret. I also sent him a Thinking further into the ca- illustrated article with the cap- lamitous situation: the game prin- Well, all joking aside, a few tion: "the London Thespians, UK cipally was invented in England clues have miraculously surfaced Champions 1893-4", who are seen and taken to America by its own that may lead us closer to the with "the Spalding sons, and developed there. With cup's whereabouts and perhaps Trophy...contested until 1896 its impeccable blood lines which to the other lost cups. when it was stolen. It has not lead back home to the dreamy been seen since." fields of yore, how did it fail to It all started one evening impress the land of its fathers, months back with a phone call This trophy, along with the cousins, uncles, brothers, sons from a gentleman claiming to have one from the burnt-out hotel, are and daughters? It is all a bit odd rare baseball photos for sale. The the ones pictured with his grand- if you ask me. I would like to price suggested that they were father on his wall of his home. He understand it. I need to under- printed on gold.