SABR Local Grants update: St. Louis celebrates 150 years of baseball with vintage game in Forest Park
By Brian Flaspohler
The morning of May 4, 1875, dawned threateningly, with clouds and rain in the St. Louis area. However, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported so descriptively, “As at noontide, old Phoebus sent a few stray weak heralds of radiance through the scattering vapor … and when it was evident that Jupiter Pluvius would have to replenish stock, a line of march was struck toward the Compton Park grounds, where two St. Louis clubs were to receive their professional baptism.”
The newly formed St. Louis Red Stockings hosted the newly formed St. Louis Brown Stockings in a National Association League match that day. The game was the first professional major league game in St. Louis. The Brown Stockings prevailed both that day, 15-9, and in history as the Red Stockings were shut out of the league after 19 games, while the Browns played the full season and were inaugural members of the National League when it was founded in 1876. They played two National League seasons and then folded due to financial issues and a gambling scandal.
The weather on the morning of May 31, 2025 was much better than that day 150 years before. The sun was shining and the temperature gauge topped out at 81 degrees. A fine cooling breeze from the west was also evident. A celebratory baseball event in Forest Park was planned for the day, and the weather cooperated completely.
SABR’s Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter organized a baseball match played by the rules of 1875 to amuse and entertain a modern audience. Two local vintage teams were recruited to play the game. These teams typically play by the rules of 1860 but were happy to oblige and take on the challenge of playing the ‘fly’ game, and pitching with more velocity than is typical in the older game. The 2025 St. Louis Brown Stockings were recruited to fill in for the 1875 St. Louis Brown Stockings, while the Belleville Stags were recruited to be their opponent. The Stags have a ‘B’ on their bib so they evoked the memory of the Boston Red Stockings, the most powerful team in the league. In 1875, the Brown Stockings were the first team to defeat the Bostons, after Al Spalding’s bunch started the year with 26 straight victories.
The local chapter also organized a book sale, some old-time concessions (peanuts, popcorn, and cracker jacks), and a history display. These were expertly overseen by SABR members Dan Vogan and Clem Hamilton. The Missouri History Museum and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum also were on hand with artifacts and information. A guitar/banjo/fiddle trio was also there to provide entertainment. Author and SABR member Bob Tiemann provided color commentary for the fans while the game was played. This event was partially funded through the SABR Local Grants program.
Promptly at 1:00 PM, umpire Rick Zucker flipped a coin. The Brown Stockings prevailed and chose to bat first, just as they had in 1875. They promptly made three outs, with one player reaching first on an error. The Reds scored five runs in their half of the first and four more in the second. The Browns made a brief comeback, scoring six in the third and one in the fourth to make the score 10-7 in favor of the Reds. However, that was the Browns’ highwater mark. The Reds scored nine runs in the fifth inning and the competitive nature of the game was over.
By the time the game was done, the younger Reds scored 31 runs on 37 hits while the Browns put up some resistance, scoring 12 runs on 19 hits. Both teams committed their fair share of errors in the field, which is only to be expected when no gloves were used.
Regardless of the lopsided nature of the scored, as evidenced by the official scorecard kept by Matt Garvey, the fans enjoyed the spectacle. SABR volunteers handed out more than 100 programs. A number of fans stayed for the entire game and asked many questions. A bonus attendee was Lynn McSorley, granddaughter of Trick McSorley, a St. Louis Red Stockings player who made his major league debut on May 4, 1875.
Thanks to Brian Flaspohler, who led the event organization, as well as to all the volunteers who made everything go so smoothly. Special thanks to Tony Wicker, captain of the Brown Stockings, who secured the field permit and set up the field for play.
Originally published: July 21, 2025. Last Updated: July 21, 2025.