The Paterson Silk Weavers were a

minor league baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

team based in

Paterson, New Jersey Paterson ( ) is the largest City (New Jersey), city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Atlantic League The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are loc ...

, winning the 1896 league championship amidst controversy.

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...

charter member

Honus Wagner Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner ( ; February 24, 1874 – December 6, 1955) was an American baseball shortstop who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1897 to 1917, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nicknamed "the Flying Dutc ...

played for the 1896 and 1897 Paterson Silk Weavers, before making his major league debut in 1897. Fellow Hall of Fame member

Ed Barrow Edward Grant Barrow (May 10, 1868 – December 15, 1953) was an American manager and front office executive in Major League Baseball. He served as the field manager of the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. He served as business manager (de fac ...

was Wagner's manager in 1896, after scouting him and signing him to the team. Barrow managed the Paterson team again in 1899.

History

In 1896, the Paterson "Silk Weavers" became charter members of the eight–team Class A level

Atlantic League The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are loc ...

, the highest level of minor leagues at the time. The

Hartford Bluebirds Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

Lancaster Maroons The Lancaster Red Roses baseball team, originally known as the Maroons, changed its name at the start of the 1906 season during a bitter match with the York, Pennsylvania-based White Roses. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named f ...

New Haven Texas Steers New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 19 ...

Philadelphia Athletics The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, they became the Oakland ...

New York Metropolitans The Metropolitan Club (New York Metropolitans or the Mets) was a 19th-century professional baseball team that played in New York City from 1880 to 1887. (The ''New York Metropolitan Baseball Club'' was the name chosen in 1961 for the New York M ...

, Newark Colts and

Wilmington Peaches Wilmington may refer to: Places Australia *Wilmington, South Australia, a town and locality ** District Council of Wilmington, a former local government area **Wilmington railway line, a former railway line United Kingdom * Wilmington, Devon * ...

joined Newark in beginning league play on April 23, 1896. The "Silk Weavers" nickname corresponds to the silk weaving industry in Paterson in the era. Paterson was known as "Silk City."

member

was the owner and manager of the 1896 Silk Weavers. Barrow first met Baseball Hall of Fame charter member

, in 1895, as Wagner was throwing lumps of coal at a railroad station in Pennsylvania. Barrow signed Wagner to his first professional contract and then signed Wagner again to play for him in Paterson in 1896. In 1897, Wagner's talents were obvious and the

Louisville Colonels The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American Association (AA) throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891. They were known as the Louisville Eclipse from 1882 to 1884, and as th ...

of the

National League National League often refers to: *National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada *National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...

(NL) purchased Wagner from Paterson for $2,100 ($ in current dollar terms). The Paterson Silk Weavers placed third in the 1896 Atlantic League regular season in their first season of play. A controversial playoff ensued. Playing under manager Ed Barrow, the Silk Weavers ended the 1896 season with a final record of 74–60, finishing 3.5 games ahead of the pennant winning Newark Colts in the final standings of the seven–team league. The Wilmington Peaches (58–79),

/Philadelphia Athletics (57–69), Lancaster Maroons (26–30) and New Haven Texas Steers (21–38) followed Paterson in the final standings. Lancaster and New Haven folded before the end of the season, leaving five teams to complete the 1896 season. Ed Barrow 1903

After the 1896 season, Hartford challenged Newark's final record, contesting that their record was unfairly inflated due to a dozen extra games played. It was argued that Newark also used suspended pitcher Joseph Frye, who had left Hartford during the season. As a result, the second place Hartford Bluebirds challenged Newark to a seven–game series to decide the championship. Newark declined the invitation and remained champions as decided by the league. The third place Paterson Silk Weavers then accepted the Hartford invitation to play a series. Paterson prevailed over Hartford five games to two in what was called the "Soby Cup." The Soby Cup, is an actual cup, made of silver, that was given to the Atlantic League by tobacco businessman Charles Soby of

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

, in September 1896. In its first season, the cup was to be awarded to the winner of a postseason series between the league's top two teams; in subsequent years, the holder of the cup would play a series against the league's top finishing team. Today, the physical cup resides in the

charter member

played for Paterson in 1896, at age 22, hitting.313 in 109 games with 6 home runs and 48 RBI. Wagner was in his second season of professional baseball. Manager Ed Barrow had seen Wagner play in 1895 and signed him to play for Paterson in 1896. Paterson Pitcher

Sam McMackin Samuel McMackin (November 24, 1872 – February 11, 1903) was an American professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball. He appeared in two games in the majors in 1902, one for the Chicago White Sox on September 4, and the other for the ...

had a strong season in 1896, ending with a record of 25–16 and a 2.83

ERA An era is a span of time. Era or ERA may also refer to: * Era (geology), a subdivision of geologic time * Calendar era Education * Academy of European Law (German: '), an international law school * ERA School, in Melbourne, Australia * E ...

in 384.1

innings pitched In baseball, the statistic innings pitched (IP) is the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of Batter (baseball), batters and baserunners that have been put out while the pitcher is on the Baseball field#Pitcher's mou ...

. This despite being suspended for several games for pitching while

drunk Alcohol intoxication, commonly described in higher doses as drunkenness or inebriation, and known in overdose as alcohol poisoning, is the behavior and physical effects caused by recent consumption of alcohol. The technical term ''intoxication ...

. McMackin lead the team in wins and innings pitched. After the season, the '' Sporting Life'' wrote that: "No two men (McMackin and teammate Jack Kellackey) worked harder for the success of the local team during the past season than did these two, and the people here appreciate it. McMackin has been made night timekeeper in one of the large iron factories here, and has already started in." The 1897 Paterson Silk Weavers continued play as members of the eight–team Class B level Atlantic League. Managed by Jim Gilman and Heinie Smith, Paterson ended the 1897 season with a record of 68–79, placing sixth and finishing 28.0 games behind the first place Lancaster Maroons. Honus Wagner began the 1897 season playing for Paterson, before making his major league debut at the end of the season. On May 5, 1897, Wagner led Paterson to victory over Lancaster with an RBI triple, driving in two runs early in the game, before winning the game with a three-run home run. Wagner was hitting .379 when he joined the

of the

, making his major league debut on July 19, 1897. Ed Barrow had contacted Louisville president

Barney Dreyfuss Bernhard "Barney" Dreyfuss (February 23, 1865 – February 5, 1932) was an executive in Major League Baseball who owned the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise from 1900 to his death in 1932. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2 ...

, secretary

Harry Pulliam Harry Clay Pulliam (February 9, 1869 – July 29, 1909) was an American baseball executive who served as the sixth President of the National League (baseball), National League. He served from 1903 until his death in 1909. He was president during ...

, and player-manager

Fred Clarke Fred Clifford Clarke (October 3, 1872 – August 14, 1960) was an American Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a le ...

to travel to Paterson to see Wagner play. 1897 Honus Wagner

Following the 1897 season, the Soby Cup series should have been contested between Lancaster, that year's top team, and Paterson, who had won the cup in 1896. However, league officials decided to have the top two teams of 1897—Lancaster and Newark—play for the cup. After Lancaster and Newark could not agree to terms for a series, the Soby Cup was awarded to Lancaster, the pennant winner. Prior to the 1898 season, the Atlantic League discontinued the postseason Soby Cup format, and returned the physical cup to Charles Soby. By 1951, the cup was at the

, where it remains . The Paterson Silk Weavers or "Weavers" placed fourth in the 1898 Atlantic League. Paterson ended the 1898 season with a record of 58–71, as

Sam LaRocque Simeon Henry Jean LaRocque (February 26, 1863 – May 31, 1933) was a professional baseball player. He was a second baseman over parts of three seasons (1888, 1890–91) with the Detroit Wolverines, Pittsburgh Alleghenys/Pirates and Louisville ...

served as manager. Newark finished 19.0 games behind the first place Richmond Bluebirds in final standings of the eight–team league. In their final season of play, the 1899 Paterson team continued play as the Atlantic League was elevated to a Class A level league. The team switched nicknames to become the Paterson "Giants." The Giants folded before the end of the season. On July 9, 1899, Paterson folded and ended the 1899 season with a record of 21–51. Rasty Wright, John Thornton,

and

Abner Powell Abner Charles Powell (December 15, 1860 – August 7, 1953) was an American Major League Baseball player who was a member of the Washington Nationals of the Union Association in 1884. He later played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati ...

managed the Giants during the season, as Paterson finished 25.0 games behind the champion place Richmond Blue Birds in the final Atlantic League standings. After the Paterson Giants folded, the city was without a minor league team until the 1904

Paterson Intruders Paterson may refer to: People *Paterson (surname) *Paterson (given name) Places Australia *Paterson, New South Wales *Paterson River, New South Wales *Division of Paterson, an electoral district in New South Wales * Paterson, Queensland, a loca ...

began play as members of the

Hudson River League The Hudson River League was formed in 1903 as a class D minor baseball league after playing one season in 1886. Upgraded to Class C the next season, it continued through 1907 before collapsing. There were twelve cities that represented the league ...

. The

resumed play for the 1914 season, with the Paterson "Silk Citys" as a member as the league folded following the season.

The ballpark

The name of the Paterson home ballpark in Atlantic League play is not directly referenced. East Side Park was in use in the era, hosting baseball, after first becoming a public park in the 1880s. Still in use today as a public park, and hosting baseball at Larry Doby Field within the park, East Side Park is located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (Broadway) to the north, McLean Boulevard (State Route 20) to the east, Park Avenue to the south, and Derrom Avenue to the west.

Timeline

Year-by–year records

Notable alumni

(1896, 1899, MGR) Inducted

, 1953 *

(1896-1897) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame, 1936 * Bill Armour (1896) *

Charlie Bastian Charles A. Bastian (March 2, 1858 – November 10, 1943) was an American professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Wilmington Quicksteps, Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Quakers, Chicago White Stocking ...

(1896) * Larry Battam (1896) *

Harry Bemis Harry Parker Bemis (February 1, 1874 – May 23, 1947) was a catcher in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "Handsome Harry,"George Briston (1896) * Bill Byers (1899) *

Lew Camp Robert Plantagenet Llewellan Camp (February 23, 1868 – October 1, 1948) was a 19th-century Major League Baseball infielder. He played in 1892 for the St. Louis Browns and in 1893 and 1894 for the Chicago Colts. His brother, Kid Camp Winfiel ...

(1899) *

Wid Conroy William Edward "Wid" Conroy (April 5, 1877 – December 6, 1959) was an American Major League Baseball player active during the first decade of the 20th century. Career Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1877, Conroy made his major ...

(1897) * Dick Cogan (1896) *

Joe Delahanty Joseph Nicholas Delahanty (October 18, 1875 in Cleveland, Ohio – January 29, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio), was a professional baseball player who played outfielder and second baseman in the major leagues from 1907 to 1909. He was one of five Dela ...

(1898) * Jim Duncan (1899) *

Patsy Flaherty Patrick Joseph Flaherty (June 29, 1876 – January 23, 1968), born in Mansfield (now Carnegie), Pennsylvania, was a pitcher for the Louisville Colonels (1899), Pittsburgh Pirates (1900 and 1904–05), Chicago White Sox (1903–1904), Boston Dov ...

(1897-1898) * Shorty Gallagher (1897) * Jim Gilman (1897, MGR) * John Gochnaur (1899) * Irv Hach (1897) * Charlie Hamburg (1897) * Scott Hardesty (1896-1898) *

Emmet Heidrick R. Emmet "Snags" Heidrick (July 29, 1876 – January 20, 1916) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns between 1898 and 1908, pri ...

(1896, 1898) *

Mike Jacobs Mike Jacobs may refer to: * Mike Jacobs (first baseman) (born 1980), American baseball player; first North American in professional sports to be tested positive for HGH * Mike Jacobs (shortstop) (1877–1949), played for the Chicago Cubs * Mike Jac ...

(1898) *

Abbie Johnson Ebenezer Tremayne Johnson (January 19, 1871 – November 24, 1960), was a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Louisville Colonels The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the Americ ...

(1897-1898) *

Alex Jones Alexander Emerick Jones (born February 11, 1974) is an American Far-right politics, far-right radio host, radio show host and prominent conspiracy theorist. He hosts ''The Alex Jones Show'' from Austin, Texas. ''The Alex Jones Show'' is the lo ...

(1897-1898) *

Bill Keister William Hoffman Keister (August 17, 1871 – August 19, 1924) was a professional baseball player who played infielder and outfielder in the Major Leagues from 1896 to 1903. He would play for the Baltimore Orioles (NL), Boston Beaneaters, St. Lou ...

(1897) *

Hi Ladd Arthur Clifford "Hi" Ladd (February 9, 1870 – May 7, 1948) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Beaneaters in 1898. Arthur is the great great grandfather of current NHL player Andrew Ladd ...

(1899) *

(1898, MGR) *

Jim Long Jim Long (born Timothy John Moynihan; February 7, 1943 – May 30, 2022) was an American entrepreneur, who worked in the broadcast music industry. Experienced in the development of intellectual properties, his business holdings focused on music ...

(1899) * Dick Marsh (1899) * Gus McGinnis (1898) *

(1896) * Dan Minnehan (1898) * Kid Nance (1898) * John Newell (1897) *

Ed Pabst Edward D. A. Pabst (July 8, 1868 – June 19, 1940) was a Major League Baseball player. He played outfield in four games for the St. Louis Brows and eight games for the Philadelphia Athletics The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League B ...

(1899) * Bill Pounds (1899) *

(1899, 1899) * Heinie Smith (1897, MGR) * John Stafford (1896) * Tom Stouch (1896) *

Billy Taylor Billy Taylor (July 24, 1921 – December 28, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and from 1994 was the a ...

(1896) * John Thornton (1899, MGR) * George Ulrich (1896) * Lee Viau (1896, 1898) * Sam Woodruff (1899) * Rasty Wright (1899, MGR) *

Henry Wilson Henry Wilson (born Jeremiah Jones Colbath; February 16, 1812 – November 22, 1875) was the 18th vice president of the United States, serving from 1873 until his death in 1875, and a United States Senate, senator from Massachusetts from 1855 to ...

(1897) *

Paterson Giants players Paterson may refer to: People *Paterson (surname) *Paterson (given name) Places Australia *Paterson, New South Wales *Paterson River, New South Wales *Division of Paterson, an electoral district in New South Wales * Paterson, Queensland, a loca ...

Paterson Weavers players Paterson may refer to: People *Paterson (surname) *Paterson (given name) Places Australia *Paterson, New South Wales * Paterson River, New South Wales *Division of Paterson, an electoral district in New South Wales * Paterson, Queensland, a loc ...

Paterson Silk Weavers players Paterson may refer to: People *Paterson (surname) *Paterson (given name) Places Australia *Paterson, New South Wales * Paterson River, New South Wales *Division of Paterson, an electoral district in New South Wales * Paterson, Queensland, a loc ...

References

{{reflist

External links

Paterson - Baseball Reference
Defunct baseball teams in New Jersey Baseball teams established in 1896 Baseball teams disestablished in 1898 Defunct Atlantic League teams Sports in Paterson, New Jersey