Clipping:A resume of the history of the Athletics
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| Date | Sunday, May 6, 1866 |
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| Text | The Athletic was organized April 7th, 1860, and its first President was Wm. Ernst, Esq. At this meeting Thomas Fitzgerald was elected Vice President, Henry W. Karcher, Secretary, N. Berkenstock, Treasurer, and D.W.C. Moore, Field Captain. The Athletic’s grounds at this period were at Thirty-second and Hamilton streets, West Philadelphia. The club, after its organization, had a difficult [illegible] of it. The members who united with the gentlemen above mentioned at the organization, dropped off one by one, until only Fitzgerald, Berkenstock, Moore and Heizlet remained. These gentlemen persevered under many disheartening circumstances, and resolved among themselves never to give up the ship, and they have witness their bantling grow in numbers and influence, until now it is the foremost club of the State, and ranks the strongest in players of any club in the United States. About the depressing period in its existence to which we have alluded, the hopes of its founders were considerably heightened by a flourishing young club, then known to fame as the “United,” merging with the Athletic. This infused new life into the club, and by it the Athletics obtained Mr. Isaac Wilkins, the present short stop of the club, together with some influential and prominent gentlemen who have remained its fast friends ever since. Cricket, as some of our readers will recollect, was exceedingly popular several years ago, and attached to one of the clubs were two young men who exhibited talent in that game. Col. Moore, we think it was, who, on seeing them play at cricket, saw that they would prove valuable to base ball players, and induced them to link their fortunes with the Athletics. These boys–since grown to man’s estate and fame–were none other than Messrs. Thos. Pratt and J.D. McBride, who are considered and acknowledged to be the two swiftest pitchers in the United States, and who are also excellent fielders and batters. |
| Source | Philadelphia Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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