Excelsior of Brooklyn facts for kids
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| Full name | Excelsior Base Ball Club of Brooklyn |
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| Nickname(s) | Jolly Young Bachelor Base Ball Club Motto Ever Ownward! |
| Founded | December 8, 1854 at Florence's Hotel, Broadway and Howards Streets in NY |
| Ground | Carroll Park (1854-1859) South End of Court Street Red Hook (1859-1870) Presidents Jeremiah Nelson Tappan (1854-1857) Dr. Joseph Bainbridge Jones (1857-1865) Richard K. Cooke (1865-1866) Dr. Joseph Bainbridge Jones (1866-1870) |
| League | NABBP Uniform Belt with 'Excelsior' written in Blackletter Font Bow ties Black Baseball caps with white brims Dark Pants White shirts with a button-on shield with a black 'E' |
The Brooklyn Excelsiors were a famous amateur baseball team. They played in Brooklyn, New York. The team started in 1854. It featured star players like Jim Creighton, Asa Brainard, and Candy Cummings.
The Excelsiors are known for creating the "Brooklyn-style" baseball cap. This cap was an early version of the modern baseball cap. They were also one of the first baseball clubs to travel far to play other teams.
The Excelsiors' Amazing 1860 Season
In 1860, the Excelsior team went on a famous trip. They traveled around New York State and nearby states. They beat many strong teams. These included the Champion Club of Albany and the Buffalo Niagaras. They also defeated the powerful Brooklyn Atlantics.
This trip was very important for baseball. It started the idea of teams traveling long distances to play. The tour also helped make baseball more popular outside of the New York area.
1860 Season Record and Champions
In 1860, the Excelsiors had a great record. They won 19 games and lost only two. They were champions of the National Association. They tied with the Brooklyn Atlantics Club for the top spot. However, the Atlantics were generally seen as the true champions that year.
The Famous Brooklyn-Style Cap
During the 1860 season, the Excelsiors started wearing a new kind of cap. It was an early version of the modern, snug-fitting baseball cap. This cap had a long visor and a button on top. This cap became very popular by the 1900s. It was known as the "Brooklyn-style" cap. It was the most common baseball cap until the 1940s.
