Clipping:George Wright's history
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| Date | Sunday, November 24, 1878 |
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| Text | I was born in Harlem, N.Y., January, 1847. When quite young—10 or 12 years of age—I moved to Hoboken, N.J., where father was placed in charge of the St. George's Cricket Grounds. There I first commenced playing cricket under a large grape-arbor, father and his cricket friends frequently bowling to me. Father used to cut old bats down so that they would be the proper length for me. After living in Hoboken two years, we moved out to the then suburbs of the place, to a brick house that now stands with its back to the present cricket grounds. There is where I learned most of my cricket, and also base-ball. There used top be open lots on the side of the house, where Harry, Dan, Sam, and my self would get up mornings early and play,--Dan and Harry before going to New York City to business, and Sam and I before going to school. Oftentimes in the winter we have swept away the snow to play, while our hands, with gloves on, would stick to the bat from the frost. Most of the time we played with a rubber ball. This is where our early knowledge of cricket and base-ball came from. The first cricket match I ever played in was with the Third Eleven of New York Club against the Second Eleven of Manhattan, I being about 14 years of age, and not much taller than the wickets. I first commenced my base-ball career in the Gotham Juniors, from which I was taken into the Gotham Seniors, playing my first match with them at the age of 15 against the Star Club of Brooklyn, I playing the position of left field. While playing with the Gothams I was made assistant professional of the St. George Club, getting off now and then to play in match games of base-ball. In 1865 I was professional to the Philadelphia Cricket Club for that season, when I used to get off every Wednesday to play base-ball with the old Olympic Club of that city. When in Philadelphia I visited Toronto, Canada, as one of the Selected Eleven of the United States against Canada, the United States Eleven winning by one wicket. During 1866 I played with the Unions or Morrisania. In 1867 I was in Washington playing with the Nationals. In 1868 I returned to the Unions. IN 1869 I joined the noted Cincinnatis, where I played for two seasons. During this time I filled the positions of catcher, pitcher, second and third baseman, left-field, and short-stop. In 1871 I was the first player contracted with to come to Boston, which Club I have played with up to date, October, 1878. During this time I have been in the Champion Clubs nine years altogether,--Unions one, Cincinnati two, and Boston six. Chicago Tribune November 24, 1878, quoting an unidentified “boys' paper in New York” |
| Source | Chicago Tribune |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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