Bancroft on Radbourn
In 1900, in The Chicago Record, Frank Bancroft said of one of his former players:
“Charlie Radbourn did more scheming than any man that ever played baseball. When I had him in Providence, he always was springing something new and some of his ideas were exceedingly far-fetched.
“I remember on one occasion and at a critical period in a game Rad drew back his arm as if to pitch, then instead of delivering the ball to the batsman he threw it around his back to Joe Start, who was playing first base for us. It was only by the greatest effort that Start managed to get the ball. Had it gone wild the game would have gone against us as there were several men on the bases. When I questioned him regarding the throw, he claimed that it was a new idea, and that if Start had been watching himself he would have retired the runner on first.”
Radbourn
National League Facts, 1880
The Chicago Tribune reported before the 1880 season that every National League charged $15 for a season ticket, except for the Providence Grays who charged $20.
The paper also calculated the miles each team would travel during the season (listed in order of finish):
Chicago White Stockings 6,444
Providence Grays 6,200
Cleveland Blues 5,592
Troy Trojans 4,990
Worcester Ruby Legs 6,470
Boston Red Stockings 6,240
Buffalo Bisons 5,356
Cincinnati Reds 6,294
Dan Brouthers and “Dude Contrivances”
In 1893, The Buffalo Courier reported that Brooklyn Grooms manager Dave Foutz told his players “there was nothing better than good bicycle practice to keep in condition.”
Dan Brouthers said back home in Wappinger’s Falls, New York, people “never would recognize him again if they heard he had been riding one of those dud contrivances.”
Brouthers
The paper corrected the first baseman: “Dan evidently needs a little education in cycling. The day has passed when a rider was regarded in the light of a dude.”
Baseball History Daily 
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