Sports History On This Day: May 1

May 1, 1883 – Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the New York Athletic Club. The NYAC opened up in 1868 after founders William Buckingham Curtis, John C. Babcock, and Harry Buermeyer had a conversation about the rise of athletics in England.

They decided to open a gymnasium on the corner of 6th Avenue and 14th Street modeled after the London Athletic Club. The price to join was $10 for a six-month membership. The club soon was yielding competitive athletes that would compete in Greco-Roman wrestling, fencing, and track. With a blossoming membership, the club found the means to hire Rogers as a trainer changing the way athletic clubs and teams would look at training forever.

May 1, 1884 – The Toledo Blue Stockings made history by signing catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker. It doesn’t sound that big of a deal until one knows that Walker was African-American and is hailed to be the first black man to play major league baseball. The predecessor of the American League, the American Association, in an effort to compete with the well-established National League, added the Blue Stockings which was a minor league team that hired Walker in 1883 to play in their conference of baseball teams.

Declaring themselves a Major League, the Blue Stockings with Moses Walker behind the plate took the field against the Louisville Eclipse. Moses had graduated from the University of Michigan after transferring from Oberlin College. Walker did not wear gloves and protection as was common practice in that era of baseball. Unfortunately, this was a contributing factor to the injuries that would prematurely end his career. 

To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.

1883 Toledo Blue Stockings baseball team, Northwestern League champions. The team joined the American Association the following year. Back row, left to right: Joe Miller, Jumping Jack Jones, Moses Fleetwood Walker, Chappy Lane, John Tilley Middle row, left to right: Sam Moffet, Sam Barkley, Charlie Morton, Curt Welch, Hank O'Day Front row, left to right: Tom Poorman, Milo Lockwood
The photo is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of the 1883 Toledo Blue Stockings baseball team, Northwestern League champions. The team joined the American Association the following year. Back row, left to right: Joe Miller, Jumping Jack Jones, Moses Fleetwood Walker, Chappy Lane, John Tilley Middle row, left to right: Sam Moffet, Sam Barkley, Charlie Morton, Curt Welch, Hank O'Day Front row, left to right: Tom Poorman, Milo Lockwood Special thanks to the resources of Newspapers.com and OnThisDay.com for the information obtained.

Stay Up To Date With Content From The Sports History Network

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
    SHN Contact

    Leave a Comment

    Digital $50 gift card to Homefield Apparel