From the ‘Gem Citys’ of 1884 to the surging Dragons of today

According to the Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball compiled by Baseball America, Dayton’s first association with a professional league was in 1884 when the city participated in the Ohio State Association. Thereafter, Dayton again had teams in the Tri-State League, Interstate, Western Association, Central, Middle Atlantic, Ohio State, and Central League during the 1951 season.

Also playing the Dayton Marcos, who competed in the Negro Leagues, when “organized” baseball did not welcome blacks. The Marcos played primarily at Westwood Field.

Dayton teams were named Gem Citys, Reds, Old Soldiers, Veterans, Aviators, Ducks, Wings, and Indians. They finished first (1884, ’98, ’00, ’11, ’14, ’28, ’49 and ’51), last (1909, ’15 and ’30) and did not finish the 1890 season. You’ve heard of Cincinnati’s Johnny Vander Meer fielding back-to-back no-hitters in 1938; but how about if Clarence Wright beat him at that feat, leading Columbus (9-0) and Grand Rapids (2-0) in back-to-back starts for the Western Association Dayton Old Soldiers on September 1 and 4, 1901 without hit struck?

Dayton teams from this era played at old Fairview Park on the corner of North Main and Fairview Avenue.

The Pittsburgh Pirates came to town for an exhibition game on April 14, 1901, and beat the Old Soldiers 3-2 in 11 innings, with a young right fielder—later shortstop—tapping in two runs. His name was Honus Wagner and 2,000 fans watched him on that cold day.

Two days later, the Reds came to town and beat Dayton’s team 7-3. Bid McPhee, who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, was Cincinnati’s manager.

Dayton Duck’s Hudson Field late 1930s

Credit: Marvin Christian

Credit: Marvin Christian

Dayton Duck’s Hudson Field late 1930s

Credit: Marvin Christian

Credit: Marvin Christian

On April 26, almost 99 years to the day the Dragons open at home, Robert Wicker hit a 3-hitter in front of 900 fans as Dayton defeated Columbus 15-1.

From a year of professional baseball, Dayton returned with a team to a reorganized Central League in 1903. By 1905, Elmer Redelle, manager of the Victory Theater, became secretary of the Dayton team and later president.

In 1910, shortstop Dolly Stark—who later became a major league umpire—was bought from Brooklyn for $3,000 by the team now calling themselves the Dayton Veterans.

Dayton Indians roster.

Source: copy of DDN

Source: copy of DDN

Dayton Indians roster.

Source: copy of DDN

Source: copy of DDN

Dayton played at Fairview Park until 1913, then moved to Highland Park in East Dayton near Santa Cruz Avenue. This move created a transportation problem as no tram lines reached this destination. Despite this, 4,661 fans showed up on opening day in 1913.

Dayton remained in the Central League through the 1917 season when the league collapsed.

After a decade without professional baseball in Dayton, the sport returned once again to the Central League in 1928. This time, the Dayton franchise had a working arrangement with the Louisville Colonels of the American Association.

Editor’s note: This story was first published on April 6, 2000, in the days leading up to the Dayton Dragons’ inaugural season

Here’s a look at Dayton’s complete minor league baseball history