Elmhurst Baseball: A Brief History
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Elmhurst baseball is a rich and storied tradition dating back to the 19th century. From the early days of the game to the modern ERA Elmhurst has been a hotbed for Baseball Talent
Follow the history of Elmhurst baseball from its humble beginnings to its present-day success. Learn about the Great players teams, and moments that have made Elmhurst baseball what it is today.
Origins of Elmhurst Baseball
Elmhurst baseball has its origins in the 19th century, when the game was first played in New York City The first recorded game took place in 1845, between the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Nine. The Knickerbockers, who were the first organized baseball team were defeated by the Nine, with a score of 23-1.
In 1857, the first professional baseball game was played in Cincinnati, between the Cincinnati Reds and the Louisville Grays. The Reds won this game, with a score of 7-4. professional baseball quickly spread throughout the country, and by 1869, there were already professional teams in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
Early Success of Elmhurst Baseball
Few cities can rival Elmhurst when it comes to baseball. The city has been home to some of the best teams in the history of the sport, and its players have gone on to find success at the highest levels of the game.
Elmhurst’s first professional team was formed in 1884, and it quickly established itself as one of the best teams in the country. The team won four championships in its first five years of existence, and it continued to be one of the top teams in the league for the next decade.
During this time, Elmhurst became known as a hotbed for baseball talent. Many of the game’s biggest stars began their careers in Elmhurst, and the city became known for producing top-level talent.
In recent years Elmhurst has continued to produce excellent ballplayers. Numerous Elmhurst natives have gone on to find success at the highest levels of baseball, and the city’s youth baseball programs are some of the best in the country.
The Modern Era of Elmhurst Baseball
In the modern era of Elmhurst baseball, the team has seen many great players come and go. Some of the most notable players include:
-Dustin Pedroia: Most well-known for his time with the Boston Red Sox Pedroia was drafted by Elmhurst in 2004 and played for the team until he was traded to Boston in 2006.
--Freddie Freeman Currently playing for the Atlanta Braves Freeman was drafted by Elmhurst in 2007 and played for the team until he was traded to Atlanta in 2010.
--Bryce Harper One of the most promising young players in Baseball Today Harper was drafted by Elmhurst in 2010 and played for the team until he was traded to Washington in 2012.
Elmhurst Baseball in the News
In 1948, the Elmhurst Baseball Team made up of local High School students, made it to the State Championships The team lost the first game 9-0, but they came back to win the second game 5-2. This was a huge accomplishment for the small town and the team was featured in several local newspapers.
The following year, 1949, the team made it back to the state championships but this time they won both games, becoming the first small town team to win the state title. Once again, Elmhurst made news headlines across the state.
The team had another successful season in 1950, but they were unable to make it back to the state championship game. After that, Elmhurst’s baseball program slowly declined and by 1955 the team had disbanded entirely.
Although short-lived, Elmhurst’s baseball team made a big splash in both 48’ and 49’. The town still celebrates their accomplishments today and every year on Labor Day weekend, they host a reuniting picnic for all of the former players.
Elmhurst Baseball Today
Elmhurst Baseball is a community-based organization that provides opportunities for youths to play baseball It is headquartered in Elmhurst, Illinois.
The organization was established in 2006, and its first season was 2007. Elmhurst baseball offers various levels of play, including T-Ball, Rookie, Minor, and Major. Elmhurst Baseball is open to youths ages 4-16.
Elmhurst Baseball relies on the support of volunteers, sponsors, and donations.
Elmhurst Baseball’s Future
Elmhurst baseball has a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of the sport. Today, the future of Elmhurst baseball is bright, with a new generation of players and fans taking up the mantle.
The Elmhurstbaseball.com website is a great resource for information on the history of the sport in Elmhurst. The site includes a brief history of the team, as well as a timeline of important milestones.
Elmhurst Baseball Players
Elmhurst Baseball has been a part of the Elmhurst community for over 100 years. The team was originally founded in 1913 and has since become a staple of the Elmhurst community.
The team has seen many great players come through its ranks over the years, including future Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig Gehrig played for Elmhurst from 1922-1923 before being called up to the New York Yankees
Other notable Elmhurst baseball alumni include:
-George Sisler: Sisler played for Elmhurst from 1910-1911 before going on to have a Hall of Fame career with the St. Louis Browns.
-Bobby Wallace: Wallace played for Elmhurst in 1912 before going on to have a 20-year MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers
--Jimmy Dykes Dykes played for Elmhurst in 1913 before embarking on a 23-year MLB career with the Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers
Elmhurst Baseball Coaches
Elmhurst Baseball has been around for over 100 years. The team has had many great coaches throughout its history. Below are some of the most notable coaches in Elmhurst baseball history
--Tommy Lasorda A legendary coach who led the team to two World Series titles.
--Joe Torre A former player who went on to become one of the most successful managers in baseball history
-Tony La Russa: A three-time World Series winning manager who is considered one of the greatest strategists in baseball history
Elmhurst Baseball Fans
Elmhurst baseball fans is a podcast dedicated to the history of the Elmhurst Eagles, a minor League Baseball team that existed from 1909 to 1914. The podcast is hosted by two lifelong Elmhurst residents, Chris and Tim.
Elmhurst baseball fans is a labor of love for Chris and Tim. They both grew up listening to stories about the Eagles from their fathers and grandfathers, and they are excited to share those stories with a new generation of fans.
The podcast will be launching on April 1st, 2019, and will be released on a bi-weekly basis.
Elmhurst Baseball’s Impact
Elmhurst Baseball has had a long and storied history dating back to the late 1800s. The team was a founding member of the Illinois-Iowa League in 1894 and won the League Championship in 1895. They also won championships in 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906. In 1907, Elmhurst joined the newly formed Chicago Federals League, but the team only played for one season before folding.
The team made a brief comeback in 1910 as a member of the Central Association before folding again. In 1915, Elmhurst joined the Chicago Suburban League and won the League Championship that year. They would go on to win the league title again in 1916 and 1917. The team folded for good after the 1917 season.
Despite their relatively short lifespan, Elmhurst Baseball made a significant impact on both the local community and baseball as a whole. Several of Elmhurst’s players went on to have successful Major League careers, including Frank Schulte ( who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973) and Ed Reulbach ( who pitched two shutouts in one day). Elmhurst also played a role in breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier; Frank Robinson ( who later became MLB’s first African American manager) played for Elmhurst briefly in 1953 before being called up to play for the Cincinnati Reds