Louisville Colonels facts for kids

1882 Louisville Eclipse team photo.

The Louisville Colonels were an important Major League Baseball team from the late 1800s. They played in two different major leagues during their time.

First, they were part of the American Association (AA) from 1882 to 1891. For their first few years (1882–1884), they were known as the Louisville Eclipse. Then, from 1885 to 1891, they changed their name to the Louisville Colonels. This name came from the historic title of the Kentucky Colonel.

After the American Association league closed down in 1891, the Colonels joined the National League. They continued to play there until the 1899 season. The name "Colonels" was also used later for several minor league baseball teams in Louisville, Kentucky.

Playing in the American Association

Before joining the major leagues, the Eclipse was a well-known semi-pro team. In 1882, they became part of the new American Association. Their star player was Pete Browning, a famous infielder who stayed with the team.

The team started strong, finishing in second place in their first season. This was their best finish for several years.

Tough Times and a Big Comeback

In 1889, the Colonels had a very tough year. They finished in last place with a record of 27 wins and 111 losses. This made them the first team in major league history to lose 100 games in a single season.

During this difficult year, they even lost five games in just two days. This included a rare tripleheader (three games in one day) on September 7. They then played a doubleheader (two games) the very next day.

But things changed quickly! In 1890, a new owner named Barney Dreyfuss bought the team. The Colonels made an amazing comeback. They won the 1890 league championship, called the pennant, in the American Association. They were the first and only team to go from last place to winning the championship in just one season!

Moving to the National League

In 1892, the American Association league ended. The Louisville Colonels then moved to the National League. They played in this league until 1899.

In 1900, the Colonels' owner, Barney Dreyfuss, also bought a major share of the Pittsburgh Pirates team. He brought 14 players from the Colonels with him to the Pirates. This included future Hall of Fame players like Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke. This move marked the end of the original Louisville Colonels team and of Louisville as a city with a Major League Baseball team.

Team Highlights and Famous Players

The Louisville Colonels had some exciting moments and many talented players.

Notable Achievements

• In September 1882, Louisville pitchers threw two no-hitters within nine days. A no-hitter is when a pitcher completes a game without allowing any opposing player to get a base hit.
  • Tony Mullane threw one on September 11.
  • Guy Hecker threw another on September 19.
• Other Colonels pitchers who threw no-hitters were Ben Sanders (August 22, 1892) and Deacon Phillippe (May 25, 1899).
• Pete Browning achieved a "cycle" twice for Louisville. Hitting for the cycle means a player gets a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game.
  • He did this on August 8, 1886.
  • He did it again on June 7, 1889.

Famous Colonels Players

• Pete Browning (outfielder)
• Fred Clarke (outfielder and manager)
• Harry Davis (first baseman and manager)
• Jerry Denny (third baseman)
• Jack Glasscock (shortstop)
• Dummy Hoy (center fielder)
• Hughie Jennings (shortstop)
• Tony Mullane (pitcher)
• Deacon Phillippe (pitcher)
• Toad Ramsey (pitcher)
• Rube Waddell (pitcher)
• Honus Wagner (shortstop)
• Nick Altrock (pitcher)
• Jimmy Collins (third baseman)

Baseball Hall of Famers

Some players who played for the Louisville Colonels later became so famous that they were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

See also

• Sports in Louisville, Kentucky