PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL - TROY, N.Y.

UNIONS OF LANSINGBURGH, a/k/a TROY HAYMAKERS
One of the first professional teams in the nation. The nationally famous "Haymakers" Baseball Club is believed
to have been formed in 1861. They reached their zenith between 1866 and 1869 when they won over 80% of their
games against the top teams in the nation. After an 1867 victory over the N.Y. Mutuals, the downstate papers
were shocked that their New York City ballplayers could be beaten by a bunch of "haymakers". The name stuck.

TROY HAYMAKERS
Members of the first organized professional baseball league, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, from 1871 - 1872.

TROY CITIES
Members of the NATIONAL LEAGUE, 1879 - 1882.

Troy and Worcester, MA, were voted out of the National League following the 1882 season to make from for two
new entries from New York and Philadelphia. Mant of Troy's players went on to play for the N.Y. Gothams,
renamed the Giants in 1883 (because of the very tall Troy ballplayers). Upon expulsion from the league, both
Troy and Worcester were granted status as HONARY MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.

Five members of the Troy Cities Baseball Club are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame: Dan Brouthers,
Tim Keefe, Roger Conner, Buck Ewing, and Mickey Welch.

Troy's Roger Conner hit the first National League grand slam home run.

The first baseball catchers mitt was made by Alec Smith of Troy, N.Y. in the early 1880's.

James N. Kern, of Troy, N.Y., was the first president of the National Association.

KNICKERBACKER PARK and land adjacent to the park were used by the famous Troy Haymakers. Specific
ballparks included: "Rensselaer Park", 8th Ave. between 108th and 110th Sts.; "Bulls Head Grounds", between
Glen Ave. and Douw St. from 6th Ave. to the RR tracksl "Vails Lot", between 104th and 105th Sts. at 2nd Ave.

Haymakers' Grounds, on Center Island in the Hudson River...used by bothe Haymakers and Troy Cities.

Putnam Grounds, intersection of Peoples Avenue and 15th Street...used by Troy Cities, 1879.

Troy Ball Club Grounds, Watervliet (referred to as "West Troy"), bordered by 19th Street and the D&H RR...used
by the Troy Cities, 1882.