The Story of Candy Cummings: The First Professional Baseball Player

The Story of Candy Cummings: The First Professional baseball player is a must read for any baseball fan Featuring never before seen photos and exclusive interviews, this book tells the fascinating story of the game’s earliest days.

Introduction

Candy Cummings is widely credited as the inventor of the curveball. Cummings was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1848, and he began playing baseball at a young age. He played for several amateur teams before finally joining a professional team in 1869. Although his career was short-lived, Cummings had a profound impact on the Game of Baseball

Early Life

Candy Cummings was born in Ware, Massachusetts on May 11, 1848. His father was a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker. Cummings was the second oldest of seven children. When he was five years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. It was there that he first became interested in baseball. He began playing informally with other boys in his neighborhood. As he got older, he began playing for local semi-professional teams.

Developing a Passion for Baseball

Candy Cummings was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1848. His given name was actually Sidney, but to this day no one is quite sure how he got the nickname Candy. As a Young Boy Candy showed an early interest in baseball. He would often be seen playing the game with the other kids in his neighborhood.

One day, while Playing catch with his father, Candy noticed that the ball seemed to curve when he threw it. He experimented with this new pitch and found that he could make the ball curve consistently. When he pitched to his friends, they started calling him “Candy” because his pitches were so sweet (or because he was always eating candy, depending on who you ask!)

Candy honed his pitching skills and eventually made a name for himself as one of the best pitchers in Brooklyn. In 1866, at the age of 18, he became the first professional baseball player when he signed a contract with the Brooklyn Entries of the National Association of Base Ball Players.

During his career, Cummings helped pioneer several new pitches, including the curveball and slider. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.

Learning the Game

In the summer of 1866, a 17-year-old Candy Cummings boarded a train in Newark, New Jersey bound for Brooklyn. He was on his way to play baseball for the Excelsiors, one of the best teams in the country. It was a huge opportunity for the young player but he had no idea that he would soon make history.

Cummings was born in Brooklyn in 1848, and he learned to play baseball on the streets with other kids. He was a natural athlete, and he quickly became one of the best players in the city. By the time he was 17, he was good enough to play with the Excelsiors.

The Excelsiors were part of a new baseball league called the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP). The NABBP was founded in 1858, and it was the first Professional Baseball League Cummings became one of the first professional players when he joined the Excelsiors in 1866.

Cummings quickly became known for his pitching ability. He developed a curveball that baffled hitters, and he soon became one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 1868, he helped lead the Excelsiors to a victory in the first ever professional Baseball Championship

Candy Cummings is considered one of the pioneers of baseball. He was one of the first professional players, and he helped popularize the game with his incredible pitching skills. His legacy continues to this day, and he is immortalized in both the Baseball Hall of Fame and National Baseball Hall of Fame

Turning Pro

In 1866, at the age of nineteen, Cummings signed a professional contract with the Brooklyn Eckfords of the National Association of Base Ball Players, becoming baseball’s first professional player. Though other players had been paid under the table by their teams in the past, Cummings’ signing marked the first time that a player had been openly paid to play baseball Cummings played for three seasons with the Eckfords, before the team folded in 1868. He then joined the New York Mutuals, where he played for two more seasons. In 1870, Cummings threw baseball’s first known curveball during a game against the Cincinnati Reds

Making History

In 1866, a young man named Candy Cummings pitched the first professional baseball game in history. His innovative pitching style soon caught on, and by the end of his career he had set numerous records. Today, Cummings is considered one of the most important figures in baseball history

The Legacy of Candy Cummings

Candy Cummings is considered one of the most important players in baseball history He was the first professional baseball player and his innovations changed the game forever.

During his career, Cummings invented the curveball, which quickly became one of the most popular pitches in baseball. It was so effective that it was soon banned by many amateur leagues. Even today, pitchers who can throw a curveball are highly sought after.

Cummings also played an important role in popularizing baseball as a sport. He traveled around the country giving pitching demonstrations and even appeared in a few Hollywood films. His charisma and skill helped make baseball one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Although he retired from baseball in 1887, Cummings’ impact on the game is still felt today. He is a member of both the national baseball Hall of Fame and the National Museum of Sports Hall of Fame His innovative pitching technique changed the game of baseball forever and his legacy continues to inspire players and fans alike.

10 Interesting Facts about Candy Cummings

Candy Cummings was the first professional Baseball player Here are 10 interesting facts about this groundbreaking athlete:

1. Cummings was born in 1848 in Brooklyn, New York.

2. He began playing baseball at a young age and was a member of the Excelsior Club, one of the first organized baseball clubs in the United States

3. Cummings was the inventor of the curveball. He developed this pitch while playing sandlot baseball and it quickly became his trademark.

4. In 1869, Cummings signed a professional contract with the Brooklyn Atlantics, making him the first professional baseball player

5. He played for several professional teams during his career, including the Hartford Dark Blues and the Philadelphia Athletics.

6. Cummings retired from baseball in 1877 with a career record of 135-64.

7. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, becoming one of the first players to be so honored.

8. Cummings died in 1924 at the age of 76.

Quotes from Candy Cummings

“I learned how to put a curve on a baseball before I ever knew how to throw a straight one.”

“I started playing baseball when I was seven years old. My father taught me how to throw a knuckleball and a curveball. Of course, I didn’t know at the time that those were special pitches. I just knew that I could make the ball do different things than anybody else I knew could make it do.”

“My grandmother used to tell me that God gave me the ability to throw a curveball because He knew that there would come a time when I would need it more than anyone else.”

Further Reading

If you want to learn more about the life of Candy Cummings, there are a few great books that you can check out. One option is “A Ballplayer’s Life: The Incredible true story of Candy Cummings, Baseball’s First Professional Player” by Tim Hashaw. This book tells the story of Cummings’ life, from his humble beginnings in Brooklyn to his professional career in the National Association.

Another great book is “Candy Cummings: The true story of baseball’s First Knuckleballer” by Bill Gutman. This book goes into detail about Cummings’ Baseball Career as well as his personal life. You’ll learn about how he developed the knuckleball pitch and how he used it to become one of the best players in the game.

If you’re looking for a more general history of baseball, “The History of Baseball: From the Early Days to the Modern Era” by George Foreman is a great option This book covers the entire history of baseball, from its roots in America to its place in popular culture today. You’ll learn about all the major players and teams, as well as the game’s biggest moments.