A Brief History of Baseball in Newport
By Newport Gulls Public Address Announcer Don O'Hanley
The Newport Gulls have revived local interest in our national game since they came here in 2001. They are heirs to a tradition that was first established about the time of the War Between the States when diamonds were located on the grounds of Fort Adams and the Naval Training Station. Intramural games between teams of the same branch of service soon evolved into inter-service rivalries involving the army, navy and marines. Visiting battleships and other large vessels boasted specially uniformed “nines” that would challenge shore-based forces.
By the early 1890’s, major league teams were stopping in Newport to play local all-star teams at Freebody Park on Sunday afternoons. There was no Sunday baseball played in either New York or Boston in compliance with the Blue Laws of the time, a situation that remained unchanged until 1920 and 1929 respectively. Newport was easily accessible by means of the New York New Haven & Hartford Railroad, the famed Fall River Line steamships, and local and suburban trolley lines. Major league clubs would finish a series in Boston, spend the night at the Ocean House or Perry House in Newport with special low rates, play at Freebody Park with several thousand “bugs” (a name that was replaced by “fans” much later) in attendance and then on to the New York boat or back to Boston on the “Dandy Express.” The big clubs were always happy to leave with cash in hand and satisfaction that their players were kept busy and away from pool rooms, saloons, and other amusements.
Interest in the national game was so strong that it was felt that Newport could support a professional club. In 1897 a franchise in the New England League was granted and the Newport Colts tied with the Brockton Shoemakers for first place, each club winning 70 games and losing 37. The Pawtucket Phenoms finished a distant third followed by the Fall River Indians, Taunton Herrings and New Bedford Whalers. The 1898 season was difficult financially for the New England League and it disbanded on July 5thwith the Newport Colts, also called the Dudes, in fourth place. The 1899 season saw franchise shifts and failures in a reorganized New England League. In a split season, Newport finished fourth in the first grouping and first in the second. Newporters were to be content with semi-pro ball in 1900. Major league teams continued their visits as well as clubs from the minor leagues. Frank Corridon, a native Newporter, enjoyed a six year major league career with the Cubs, Phillies and Cardinals in the early 1900s, after starring for Rogers High School and the Providence Grays of the Eastern League. He is credited with inventing the “spitball.”
The year 1908 witnessed the creation of the Atlantic Association, founded and funded by a group of Boston businessmen. Franchises were granted to the Newport Ponies, Attleboro Angels, Lewiston Mainers, Pawtucket Colts, Portland Blue Sox and Woonsocket Trotters. The Newport group built Wellington Park at the foot of Marchant Street. The wooden grandstand and outfield fences were completed in record time and the park was ready for opening day in early May. Cold weather was no deterrent and more than 3,000 fans turned out to see the newest Newport professional entry. Bad weather plagued the Atlantic Association and the league lasted from May 2ndto May 21st.Lewiston led with an 8-3 record. Pawtucket and Portland were each 6-3, Newport 4-4, Attleboro 1-11 and hapless Woonsocket 0-1. The Trotters opener with Pawtucket was scheduled on the same day as a Mill League game. No one showed up for the Atlantic Association contest. Woonsocket agreed to a forfeit. End of game, end of team, end of season for the Trotters. When the league disbanded Newport continued as an independent club drawing fine crowds to Wellington Park for the balance of the year.
The outstanding semi-professional team of the teens and twenties in Newport was the Trojans. They played every weekend, at Wellington Park, against visiting major and minor league clubs that were passing through town. Local service teams rounded out the schedule. Their high point was the defeat of John McGraw’s New York Giants at Wellington Park on the Sunday before Labor Day in 1916. The Trojans hired a pitcher named Oscar Tuero, from the Eastern League Lynn Pipers, to work the game with the Giants and he was worth whatever they paid him. Newport’s attack was led by third baseman Gleason with two hits and two runs. Second baseman Bill West had two hits and scored a run. Other scorers were Center fielder Charles Harris and catcher Bert Carr. Prominent Newporters who also played were “Flo” Harvey and Jim Martland. The Trojans humbled the New Yorkers 5-3. McGraw started regulars George Burns, Hans Lobert, Art Fletcher, Heinie Zimmerman and Benny Kauff. “Columbia” George Smith, a rookie pitcher, started and was relieved by first baseman George Kelly, a future Hall of Famer. The Giants, led by their furious manager, headed back to Boston for the Labor Day doubleheader with the Braves. The Giants returned to New York for the remainder of the month of September, all home games at the Polo Grounds. They swept the Dodgers, then the Phillies, Pirates, Reds, Cubs, Cardinals and split a doubleheader with the Braves on the final day of the season, ending the streak. The record of 26 straight victories stands to the present day. Brooklyn won the pennant that year and lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox. The Giants? They finished in fourth place but for the month of September were the greatest team in baseball history.
The Trojans continued to play at Wellington Park into the 1920s but time and termites took their toll. The stands and fences were dismantled and the area became a Fifth Ward vacant lot for many years. The Sunset League was organized in 1919 and set up shop at the Basin Lot across from the New Haven Railroad station at the foot of Marlborough Street. This was to become the location of Cardines Field.
The Sunset League grew and prospered through the years, achieving its greatest popularity during the World War II years. A number of major leaguers played for the various service clubs. In the years immediately after the war, colorful barnstorming clubs visited Newport such as the New York Cubans, House of David, Indianapolis Clowns, Kansas City Monarchs, New York Black Yankees and New England Hobos on Wednesday nights to play the Sunset Stars. The club, in smart navy blue trimmed uniforms, was composed of the best players in the Sunset League. Former major leaguer Sam Nahem was hired to pitch and his displays of location and control usually resulted in a Newport victory. His strikeout total was impressive. Crowds in excess of 3,000 were the rule with temporary seating set up in the outfield.
With the availability of the Boston Red Sox and Braves on television, local baseball attendance took a nosedive. The Sunset League carried on but the Stars games were a happy memory. Interest picked up for a time in the 1960s and 70s thanks to some excellent local talent drawn from the college ranks and the leadership of the late George Donnelly. By the 1990s the decline was back, perhaps due to cable TV and color coverage of the Red Sox and Atlanta Braves.
The New England Collegiate Baseball League was organized in 1993, centered in the state of Connecticut. Gradually teams were added in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. In 2001 the Rhode Island Gulls moved across Narragansett Bay and became the Newport Gulls. Maine and Vermont now have clubs and all New England states are represented. Newport’s strong and dedicated ownership has given the area a new dimension in entertainment for resident and tourist alike. They have added a rich chapter to the history of baseball in Newport.
