NOVEMBER 16, 1912
In failing health, Giants president John T. Brush dies in his private car aboard a train en route to California. Harry Hempstead, his son in-law, will take over the club. (Nationalpastime.com)

NOVEMBER 15, 1951
NY Giants outfielder Willie Mays is named as the Rookie of the Year in the National League. Mays was not even on the Giants spring training roster. (Nationalpastime.com)

Before a packed “Keg Room” at Finnerty’s, author Lincoln Mitchell discussed his new book “Baseball Goes West” last night before an enthusiastic crowd of baseball fans. Lincoln spoke for about an hour, signed many books, and held a Q&A. Lincoln spoke about the Dodgers and Giants but predominantly the Giants as that’s what the crowd came for. We can’t thank him enough for a terrific evening.

This was the NYGPS first meeting at hopefully our new “home”, Finnerty’s. Owners Dieter and Brian were so delightful to deal with as was their party planner, Annie. This downtown bar oozed Giants baseball and we hope to attract some younger SF Giants fans in the future as they should know that their team had a glorious past, 3,000 miles away, and more than 60 years ago. Dieter and Brian surprised the crowd by pulling out the original NY Giants Pennant from 1951 that flew at the Polo Grounds! Un believable and in great shape for a piece of material that is almost 70 years old.

Thanks to all those who attended and we hope to see many more at our next event.

OCTOBER 29, 1889
The National League’s Giants defeat the Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the American Association, 3-2, to win the World’s Championship Series, a precursor to the modern-day World Series. The nine-game postseason match-up is the Big Apple’s first ‘Subway Series’, although that type of transportation will not available until 1904. (Nationalpastime.com)

The New York Giants Preservation Society’s first meeting at Finnerty’s will take place on Tuesday, November 13, at 6PM. Our guest speaker will be author Lincoln Mitchell whose new book entitled Baseball Goes West will be available for purchase. This from Google Books:

-Following the 1957 season, two of baseball’s most famous teams, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants, left the city they had called home since the 19th century and headed west. The Dodgers went to Los Angeles and the Giants to San Francisco. Those events have entered baseball lore, and indeed the larger culture, as acts of betrayal committed by greedy owners Walter O’Malley of the Dodgers and Horace Stoneham of the Giants. The departure of these two teams, but especially the Dodgers, has not been forgotten by those communities. Even six decades later, it is not hard to find older Brooklynites who are still angry about losing the Dodgers.

This is one side of the story. Baseball Goes West seeks to tell another side. Lincoln A. Mitchell argues that the moves to California, second only to Jackie Robinson’s debut in 1947, forged Major League Baseball (MLB) as we know it today. By moving two famous teams with national reputations and many well-known players, MLB benefited tremendously, increasing its national profile and broadening its fan base. This was particularly important following a decade that, despite often being described as baseball’s golden age, was plagued with moribund franchises, low wages for many players, and a difficult dismantling of the apartheid system that had been part of big-league baseball since its inception.

In the years immediately following the moves, the two most iconic players of the 1960s, Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays, had their best years, bringing even greater status and fame to their respective ball clubs. The Giants played an instrumental role in the first phase of baseball’s globalization by leading the effort to bring players from Latin America to the big leagues, while the Dodgers set attendance records and pioneered new ways to market the game.

Sports historians, baseball fans, and historians of American culture on a broader scale will appreciate Mitchell’s reframing of baseball’s move west and his insights into the impacts felt throughout baseball and beyond.

Mitchell’s book will be available for $27. Lincoln will gladly sign his book as well. We look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with Finnerty’s, similar to one we forged with Jay Goldberg and the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse. Finnerty’s is located at 221 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. We will have use of their backroom. For your enjoyment, libations will be available at the Happy Hour rate until 8PM. Drinks specials are:
$5 draft beers
$6 mixed well cocktails
$7 glasses of wine
Please RSVP ASAP to me. If you have intentions of purchasing the book, let me know as well so I can give Lincoln a rough estimate of books he needs to bring. All the best, Gary

OCTOBER 15, 1905
In Game 5, Christy Matthewson blanks the A’s for the third time as the Giants beat the A’s 2-0 to win the World Series. It will be the only Fall Classic in which every games ends in a shutout. (Nationalpastime.com)

OCTOBER 13, 1921
In the first all New York World Series, the Giants beat the Yankees at the Polo Grounds (home for both NY teams), 1-0, to win the Fall Classic in eight games. Art Nerf, the loser in Games 2 and 5, throws a complete-game four-hitter to get the victory with the lone run of the game being scored in the top of the first inning on an error. (Nationalpastime.com)

OCTOBER 10, 1923
In the first postseason game ever played at Yankee Stadium, veteran Giants’ outfielder Casey Stengel breaks a 4-4 deadlock in the top of the ninth inning with an inside-the-park home run off Joe Bush. The contest is the first World Series game to be broadcast nationally. (Nationalpastime.com)

OCTOBER 8, 1922
Behind Art Nehf’s complete game five-hitter, the Giants repeat as World Champions sweeping the Yankees in five games, including one tie. The comeback 5-3 victory is fueled by George Kelly’s RBI single during the three-run eighth inning at the Polo Grounds. (Nationalpastime.com)

OCTOBER 4, 1951
In the opening game of the World Series‚ the first all-black outfield in major league history makes its appearance when Monte Irvin, Willie Mays and Hank Thompson take the field for the Giants at Yankee Stadium. Leo Durocher, in a curious move, replaces the previously injured outfielder Don Mueller in right field with Hank Thompson, a third baseman by trade, and uses veteran outfielder Bobby Thomson at the hot corner. (Nationalpastime.com)