Mudville Baseball Club
Holliston’s very own vintage base ball team, the Mudville Base Ball Club, will be exchanging their familiar red, white and blue uniforms this upcoming weekend, as they appear as the Boston Red Stockings Vintage Base Ball Club at the Weston 300 celebration on Saturday.
The Red Stockings, comprised entirely of Holliston residents, will be playing the New York Gothams at 1PM at Weston High School on Route 30 in Weston. Photo taken at Boston home of baseball great George Wright.
The Red Stockings and Gothams represent two of the finest 19th century baseball clubs. The Gothams were one of the first organized clubs in the country, who faded from the scene with the introduction of professional play in the 1860’s, only to reemerge as New York’s National League entry in 1883. Their tremendous success led them soon to be called “Giants”, a name under which they continue to operate, albeit now in the form of the World Champion San Francisco Giants. Their vintage squad is travelling to the area specifically for this Boston-New York encounter.
The original Red Stockings were formed in 1871 and dominated the first professional base ball league, the National Association, in its five years of existence. It featured the remnants of the world famous Cincinnati Red Stockings, and included greats such as Harry and George Wright, Albert Spaulding, “Orator Jim” O’Rourke, and others.
The current club features Mudville players in the roles of their 19th century counterparts, thus bringing to life players who have long since gone to the big green diamond in the sky. Fans will have the opportunity to witness base ball as it was played in its infancy, by players in the role of some of the games earliest stars.
George Wright, considered the finest player of his time, played for both the Gothams and Red Stockings. In a back-to-the-future event, he will meet his great-grandson Denny George Wright, who is the Athletic Director at Brookline’s Dexter School, and will be throwing out the game’s first pitch.
For more information on the event, contact “Orator Jim” O’Rourke at 429-5222.