The largest crowd of the season assembled at Union Station's ballpark could not believe what they were seeing. They came to see their home club play the reigning national champion Boston Reds, but no one thought the Buckeyes had much chance of winning. Now it was the ninth inning and Reds catcher Lew Brown stepped to the plate with the Buckeyes up 7 to 5. Columbus pitcher Ed Nolan, well on his way to becoming a legend of the dead ball era, threw his pioneering curveball. Brown hit a towering shot, but Columbus center fielder Samuel Dodds was there and the game was over. The Ohio State Journal captured the scene: "There never was a time on the Buckeye grounds when a vast crowd were held in such eager suspense. All knew that the Bostons could not well afford to lose the game, yet the stern fact stared them in the face... The crowd rushed to the field and were as profuse in their congratulations as those extended to a successful candidate before a National Convention. The boys felt good all over and were satisfied they had done a pretty big thing. Thus ended the most successful, and by all odds the most interesting game played in the capital city this season."
Columbus Buckeyes
49-26-7, Independent
Buckeye Base Ball Grounds, North Union Station Depot
1876
In 1876, the Columbus Buckeyes cemented their place in history as the city's first professional baseball team. While baseball had been played in Columbus since at least 1865, this team marked a significant step forward, assembling a roster of paid players and competing at a high level against some of the best teams in the country. The Buckeyes operated as an independent club, unaffiliated with the newly formed National League (NL), the country's first major sports league. Yet, they competed with—and often held their own against—some of the NL’s top teams. Still, their legacy has been mostly relegated to the dustbin of history.
The game of "base ball" (still two words at the time) was growing rapidly in post-Civil War America, fueled by the sport’s popularity among soldiers. Columbus, with its population of just over 31,000, had a thriving baseball culture, but it lacked the size to secure a National League franchise. The Buckeyes, however, were determined to field a competitive team, paying salaries comparable to NL clubs, at least for star players like pitcher Ed Nolan. They played an impressive 82-game schedule, finishing with a record of 49-26-7.
This era of baseball was still in its "wild west" phase. The rules were evolving, gloves were rarely worn (except by catchers), and games often featured disputed calls and contested results. A coin flip typically determined who batted first, and foul balls could be caught on the fly or after one bounce for an out. Despite these quirks, the essence of baseball as we know it today was already largely in place.
The Buckeyes were led by business manager James Andrew Williams, who just one year later organized the International Association, playing a crucial role in what ultimately became minor league baseball. The club’s president, Charles Carroll Walcutt, was a Columbus-born Civil War general and future mayor of Columbus. He was also a maternal cousin of Davy Crockett, adding an extra layer of historical intrigue to the team’s leadership.
On the field, the team was captained by catcher Billy Barnie, a seasoned player who later became a well-known major league manager. Pitching duties fell to Edward Nolan, already a star in his Paterson, New Jersey hometown, known for his blazing fastball and pioneering curveball. He was one of the hardest-throwing pitchers of his time and later earned the nickname "The Only" due to his dominance on the mound. Other key players included second baseman George Strief, who later made history by hitting the first home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise, and outfielder Orator Shaffer, who joined the team on August 12 from Philadelphia. Now known as one of the best right fielders of his era, Shaffer played in left for the Bucks and went on to a 13-year career in the big leagues. Martin J. Nolan, a local Columbus favorite, was a versatile player who switched between infield and outfield positions throughout the season. Because there were two Nolans on the team, he was noted as “Martin” in the box scores. One of the few of the '76 Bucks not to go on to a big-league career, Martin became a lawyer in Columbus.
Despite their independent status, the Buckeyes played numerous games against National League teams, finishing with a respectable 5-5-2 record in those contests. They managed the victory over the 1875 National Association champion Boston Reds noted above and a win over the Hartford Dark Blues, two of the strongest teams of the time. Columbus faced the 1876 NL champion Chicago White Stockings and Hall of Fame pitcher Al Spalding twice, losing both games but remaining competitive. They beat the lowly Cincinnati Reds three times, including on the road with a 5 to 1 victory at the Avenue Grounds on October 5. With the formation of the International Association in 1877, initially as a rival to the National League, both leagues frowned on inter-league games, making 1876 somewhat unique in this respect.
The Buckeyes opened their season with a dominant 11-0 win over the Milfords on April 25, now honored as "Columbus' First Professional Game" with a plaque at Huntington Park. Their schedule was grueling, with games booked on the fly and weeks-long road trips by train.
The 1876 season was filled with dramatic moments. Edward Nolan, who would run into trouble for off-field antics throughout his career, briefly left the team in late May with Billy Barnie to travel to New Jersey for a court appearance over assault charges from a drunken brawl in Paterson just before he left for Columbus. After the June 20 game was called after the third inning due to heavy rain, the wind blew the roof covering the seats up and into Swan St. It skinned a small boy's nose, but fortunately no one was seriously hurt. James Henry Foran, a key first baseman, was dismissed in August for violating his contract, prompting the team to sign Orator Shaffer and move Joseph S. Simmons from the outfield to first base. Another standout, young outfielder Michael R. Mansell, left the team midseason due to pressure from his family to return home, showing how early professional baseball was still a precarious career path for many players.
Single-year contracts were standard in those days and as the season progressed, teams began trying to poach players from the Buckeyes roster with Ed Nolan as a primary target. By mid-May, the Cincinnati Reds were already trying to steal Nolan. The Indianapolis Capital Citys went after practically the entire team. Center fielder Eddie S. West left for Indy on June 2 by mutual consent. In July, Indianapolis went after Nolan and right fielder Dodds, who had moved to center after West left.
While the Buckeyes were making their mark on the baseball field, the United States was experiencing a pivotal year. 1876 was America’s centennial, a time of national celebration and political upheaval. Central Ohio native Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated at the 1876 Republican National Convention in Cincinnati and ended up locked in one of the most contentious presidential elections in U.S. history against Samuel J. Tilden. The disputed election results led to the controversial and historically murky Compromise of 1877, effectively ending Reconstruction and altering the course of American politics.
Meanwhile, Columbus itself was a growing city. Ohio State University, then known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, had been established in 1870 but had yet to graduate its first class. There were no athletics at the university until 1881 when the baseball team became its first organized sport. The city was expanding rapidly, but travel infrastructure was still developing, making the Buckeyes’ extensive road trips even more of a challenge.
Nationally, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the telephone, signaling the dawn of a new technological era. 1876 also saw the Battle of Little Bighorn, where General George Armstrong Custer and his troops were defeated by a coalition of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Meanwhile, in early August while the Buckeyes were earning second place in the Herkimer, New York baseball tournament, Colorado was admitted as the 38th U.S. state and Wild Bill Hickok was killed during a poker game in Deadwood, Dakota.
As the season began winding down in September, Indianapolis finally inked Ed Nolan for the 1877 season. He subsequently received more lurative offers from the St. Louis Brown Stockings and Hartford Dark Blues, both National Legue teams, but honored his contract with Indy. The Bucks ended the season in Indy, but with player contracts having expired, Nolan pitched for Indianapolis in the final game October 17, providing a bizarre twist to the Buckeyes' 5 to 2 loss in the finale.
By the season’s end, the Buckeyes had proven themselves as one of the strongest independent clubs in the country. Many of their players went on to major league careers, and their success set the stage for Columbus’ future in professional baseball.
In 1877, baseball’s structure began to change as minor leagues emerged, and the Buckeyes joined the newly formed International Association. Columbus later hosted major league teams in the American Association (1883-1884) and National League (1889-1891), but the 1876 Buckeyes remain a pioneering team in the city’s baseball history.
Their legacy lives on as a testament to the rich baseball tradition of Columbus, proving that even in baseball’s earliest days, the city was home to top-tier talent and passionate fans. The 1876 Buckeyes serve as a reminder of a forgotten time when Buckeyes didn’t play for Ohio State, football was just a novelty and baseball reigned supreme in Columbus.
The 1876 Buckeyes
James Andrew Williams - Secretary, owner, business manager
In 1876, the national pastime was solidified in Columbus as the Columbus Buckeyes became the first professional baseball team in the city, after a decade of amateur play as the Buckeye Baseball Club.
After one year of playing an independent schedule, the Columbus Buckeyes joined the nation’s first minor league, the International Association of Baseball, which was organized by Columbus native James “Jimmy” Williams. Williams, who is considered to be the “Father of Minor League Baseball,” also was the association’s first executive secretary.
A few years later, in 1883, the Buckeyes made their first major-league appearance in the newly formed American Association.
Charles Carroll Walcutt - president, director
(February 12, 1838 – May 2, 1898)
American surveyor, soldier, and politician, and a maternal cousin to Davy Crockett. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, in which he was wounded twice. In 1872 Walcutt was elected to the Columbus board of education, with seven years as its president, until April 1, 1894. In April 1883 he was elected mayor of Columbus, elected to a second term, and retired in April 1887.
William Harrison Barnie - catcher, captain
Born: Jan 26, 1853 in New York, NY
Major League Debut: May 07, 1874
Died: Jul 15, 1900 in Hartford, CT aged 49
At Columbus, Ohio, on June 25, 1875, Barnie was loaned to the “Buckeye” club to make things interesting, and he was magnificent. Fans there feted him at the Neil House that evening with the presentation of a gift: a cane. In the second exhibition on July 2, Barnie took note of Paterson pitcher Ed Nolan, who copied Mathews’ stunt of throwing every first pitch 10 feet over the batter’s head. Billy Barnie, born in New York City on January 26, 1853, began playing for amateur baseball clubs in Brooklyn at an early age, managing the Nassau club for three years beginning in 1870 and the Atlantics of Brooklyn in 1873. He initiated his professional career with Hartford in 1874, playing with the Buckeye club of Columbus, Ohio, in 1876 and managing it in 1877. Barnie played for and managed the Buffalo club later in 1877 and was a member of the Atlantics team that moved to New Haven, then Hartford, in 1878. After playing for the Knickerbocker club of San Francisco in 1879 and 1880, he returned to Brooklyn and organized an independent professional Atlantics club in April 1881, becoming its secretary.
Missed the May 25 game while travelling to New Jersey with Nolan. Did not catch the late game on August 4.
Edward Sylvester Nolan - pitcher
(November 7, 1857 – May 18, 1913)
Nolan was born in Canada in 1857, but grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, where he played cricket and baseball. At the age of 16 he began to play baseball for the Paterson Olympics, along with Jim McCormick and King Kelly. He was already a star in Paterson when he moved on to the Columbus Buckeyes, and starred for them in 1876. When Nolan signed with Indianapolis for 1877, McCormick replaced him as pitcher for the Buckeyes, with Kelly following on a few weeks later, as his catcher.
In February 1877 Nolan, fresh off a dazzling season with Columbus, accepted an offer of $2500 from club owner W.B. Pettit to pitch for Indianapolis.
Eddie stood 5’8” and had a muscular build. He could hurl a baseball with tremendous force, whipping the ball underhand, as the rules of the day dictated.
Eddie signed a professional contract with the Columbus Buckeyes at the age of 17 and was their best pitcher at 18, in 1876. Salary: $2,200 ($65k today)
Missed the May 25 game while traveling to New Jersey with Barnie for a court date. Did not pitch the late game on August 4. Played right field from the 4th inning on in the September 21 game. Pitched 5th inning on in the September 22 game. Played right field on September 28 and October 9. Pitched for Indianapolis in the Buckeyes final game of the 1876 season on October 17.
Little - pitcher
Was the pitcher for the 1875 Buckeyes. Pitched for a Picked Nine in an exhibition against the Bucks on April 18. Pitched for the Picked Ten against the Bucks on April 28. Pitched for the Bucks in the May 25 game vs. Mansfield while Nolan was out for a court date.
Callahan - change pitcher, right field
Callahan of the Jersey City Enterprise club joined on September 5 as a change pitcher. Played right field September 15, 19, the first 3 innings of the 21st, the 25th and October 3. Pitched 4th inning on in the September 21 game. Started the September 22 game and pitched through the 4th inning, replaced by Nolan. Played right field the rest of the game, Martin moving to left. Pitched September 28 and October 9.
James Henry Foran - first base, utility
Signed from Paterson Olympics. Played right field on May 27. Violated his contract, missing the game on July 6; left the team on August 12. Replaced by Shaffer. Known for playing in the first ever professional baseball game, between his Fort Wayne Kekiongas and the Cleveland Forest Citys on May 4, 1871.
Martin J. Nolan - second base, utility
Local Columbus player. Martin Nolan will be remembered as one of the safest and most popular players of the 1875 Buckeyes. Because there were two Nolans on the 1876 team, he was noted as “Martin” in the box scores. July 22 was his last game as the starting second baseman, George Strief replacing him. Did not play July 24, 25, 26. Played right field on August 1, 14, 18, 23, 24, 28, September 5, October 9, 10 and 15. Played center field August 2, 3, the first game on the 4th, 5, 8, 19, 22, September 18, 21 and 28. Played left field on August 9. Played third base September 19. Played both right and left in the September 22 game. Played left field for Cincinnati on October 3 due to an injury on the Reds. Became a lawyer. Passed away in July 1931.
George Andrew Strief - second base
(October 16, 1856 – April 1, 1946)
Joined the team from Covington on 2nd base, playing first game on July 24. Martin Nolan remains with the team. On May 3, 1882, Strief hit the first-ever home run in Pittsburgh Pirates history. Strief set the record for most triples in a game, four, in 1885. Also in 1885 he became the first player to collect five extra base hits in a game. Played first base on October 9, Martin taking second.
John Henry "Herm" Doscher, Sr. - third base, utility
(December 20, 1852 – March 20, 1934)
Signed from the Ludlow club in Cincinnati. He is from Brooklyn, and part of 1875 he was on a Washington team. He was in the Nassau club at one time. A New Yorker and former member of the Atlantics and Washington who could easily switch between infield and outfield, joined the Tecumsehs in 1877. Played three games with the Cubs in 1879. Expelled from the National League in 1882 for embezzlement. Reinstated in 1886 and began umpiring in 1887. His son Jack was the first son of a major leaguer to make the bigs. Pitched the late game on August 4. Did not play September 19.
Michael “Mike” E. Burke - short stop
(November 30, 1853-June 9, 1889)
Born in New York, grew up in Cincinnati. Played for Cumminsville (Cincinnati) Blue Stockings from 1873-1875. Played for the Reds in 1879. Died at age 35 in Albany NY on June 9 1889. Played for the Bucks in 1877. Played right field on August 22. Did not play on August 23, Quest of the Alleghenys taking his place.
Joe Quest - short stop
Born November 16, 1852 in New Castle, PA. Played in Burke’s place in the August 23 game vs. Louisville while signed to Allegheny. They were in town for games the previous and following day. When he signed to play for the “Allegheny Club of Pittsburg for $90 a month” before the 1876 season, he was described as a member of the “Mutual Club of Meadville.” Known for coining the term “charley horse.”
Eddie S. West - center field, change catcher
Last to arrive, first to leave. Caught for the Picked Ten on April 28 while Sullivan played center field for the Bucks. Caught for the Bucks on May 25. Played 12 games for the Bucks between April 25 and June 2. Left for Indianapolis on June 2.
D. A. Sullivan, Jr. - center field, change catcher, umpire
Played with the Syracuse Stars and Massachusetts Live Oaks. Played center field on April 28 vs Picked Ten.
Michael R. Mansell - left field
(January 15, 1858-December 4, 1902)
Youngest player, 18. Leaves team after the August 5 game in his Auburn, NY hometown after pressure from friends and family. Died of pneumonia at age 44. His obituary indicates that he began in baseball by playing for an amateur club in his hometown of Auburn, NY as early as 1875. He then played for teams in Columbus, Syracuse, and Albany, and appeared on the Syracuse team in 1879 when it joined the National League. He led the American Association in triples in 1882 and tied for the lead in doubles with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
Commenced his ball playing career with the Franklin club, an amateur organization of (Auburn, NY). He first came prominently before the public in the latter part of the season of 1875 when his excellent fielding in a game against the New Haven club attracted attention and led to his engagement by the Buckeyes of Columbus for the following season. He remained with the Buckeyes until August 1876 when a severe illness caused him to return to Auburn (other accounts indicate it was due to family pressure). He opened the season in 1877 with the Stars of Syracuse and took part in the memorable contest of 15 innings between that team and the St Louis Browns, he accepting all of six different chances offered to him and making one of the two safe hits credited to his side.
George W. “Orator” Shaffer [sometimes spelled Shafer, Schaefer or Schaffer] - left field
(October 4, 1851 – January 21, 1922) Arrives from Philadelphia on August 12. Played first game in left field against the Reds on August 14. He was considered by some to be the greatest right fielder of his era. Shafer joined the National League's Louisville Grays in 1877. 13 year big league career. Played short stop on August 22. Left in the 4th inning of the September 22 game, replaced by Martin.
Samuel Dodds - right field, center field, utility
Played for the Buckeyes in 1875. Played with Urbana Unions prior to that. Played center field on May 25. Played first base on May 27. Moved to center field on June 7 after West left the team. Indianapolis tried to poach him in July. Did not play August 2, 3, the early game on the 4th, 5th, September 18, 21 and 28. Martin took center. Played left field on August 8, 19 and 22.
Joseph Dunn - right field
Member of the 1875 Buckeye team. Played on May 25 because of Barnie’s absence. Center fielder West caught and Dodds covered center field in that game. Played on July 6 because of Foran’s absence. Simmons played first in that game.
Fant - right field
Played on June 7 and June 9 after West left the team.
Joseph S. Simmons - right field, first base, utility
(né Chabriel; June 13, 1845 – July 24, 1901)
Joined on June 11. From St Louis Stocks, replacing West (and fill-in Fant). Player-manager with the Keokuk Westerns in 1875. He later became the manager for the Wilmington Quicksteps of the Eastern League in 1884 and the Richmond Virginias in 1885. Born Joseph S. Chabriel in New York City, he played under the name of Joe Simmons professionally. An outfielder/first baseman by trade, his professional (major league) career was spent in the National Association, where he played for the Chicago White Stockings, Cleveland Forest Citys and Keokuk Westerns. He also managed in the Majors with Keokuk and the Wilmington Quicksteps of the Union Association in 1884. He is said to be a heavy batter. Played first on July 6 when Foran left the team. Did not play on August 1, Martin taking right. Caught the late game on August 4 and on October 9. Moved to first base on August 14.
