James R. Tootle

Baseball in Columbus (Oh) (Images of Baseball) James R. Tootle

In the spring of 1865, the first spring after the end of the Civil War, three baseball clubs were founded in downtown Columbus. This local enthusiasm for the game reflected the national trend during the post-war era, when baseball, or ìbase ballî as it was called, was spreading rapidly throughout the United States. Baseball in Columbus begins with these earliest baseball pioneers and tells the story of the national pastime in the capital city right up to the present-day Columbus Clippers of the International League. Columbus first made the ìbig leaguesî in 1883 with the Columbus Buckeyes of the American Association, and local fans have embraced the cityís teams and players ever since. Several of baseballís greats once wore a Columbus uniform during their minor league careers, including Enos Slaughter, Joe Garagiola, Harvey Haddix, Willie Stargell, Derek Jeter, and Bernie Williams. ÃÃ