Altoona Mountain Citys
Encyclopedia
The Altoona Mountain Citys were a professional baseball franchise that played in Altoona, Pennsylvania
in 1884. The Mountain Citys were a charter member of the Union Association
, but folded after 25 games with a 6-19 record. Some sources call the team the Altoona Pride.
and played in Altoona's Columbia Park
. Among its roster, catcher
Jerrie Moore
and shortstop
Germany Smith
were two of its best players. John Murphy and Jim Brown were the team's ace pitchers.
When Henry Lucas
, president of the newest major league, the Union Association
, could only find seven teams for his league, he convinced the team, then part of the Inter-State Association, to join the league, with the promise that the Pennsylvania Railroad would provide some backing.
The Mountain Citys began the season by playing the top teams in the league, the St. Louis Maroons and the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds
, and losing 11 straight. After finally winning their first game on May 10, the Mountain Citys went 6-8 before folding. The team's final game was on May 31. The team was a disaster – attendance was as low as 200 on some games, and averaged slightly more than 1,000 per home game, low figures even for those times.
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
in 1884. The Mountain Citys were a charter member of the Union Association
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
, but folded after 25 games with a 6-19 record. Some sources call the team the Altoona Pride.
History
For its one year of existence, the Altoona Mountain Citys were managed by Ed CurtisEd Curtis (baseball)
Edwin Russell Curtis was an American manager in Major League Baseball who led the Altoona Mountain Citys of the Union Association during that league's only season in 1884. The team played only 25 games before folding in May, with his record standing at 6 and 19, coming in 10th place out of 12 teams...
and played in Altoona's Columbia Park
Columbia Park (Altoona)
Columbia Park was a baseball field in Altoona, Pennsylvania, which was used at the home field for the Altoona Mountain Citys of the Union Association during the league's only season in . The longest game by innings played in the UA was played on May 27, 1884 in Columbia Park, with the Mountain...
. Among its roster, catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Jerrie Moore
Jerrie Moore
Jeremiah S. Moore was a Major League Baseball catcher/outfielder in the 19th century. He was a native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. In 1884 he played for the Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association and the Cleveland Blues of the National League...
and shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Germany Smith
Germany Smith
George J. "Germany" Smith was an American Major League Baseball player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played primarily shortstop for five different teams spanning 15 seasons. He made his major league debut for Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association in...
were two of its best players. John Murphy and Jim Brown were the team's ace pitchers.
When Henry Lucas
Henry Lucas (baseball)
Henry Victor Lucas was a baseball executive in the late 19th century.He was one of seven children of James H. Lucas who each of whom inherited a million dollars at his death in 1873. In 1884, the 26-year-old Henry Lucas became president of the Union Association, though he clearly stacked the...
, president of the newest major league, the Union Association
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
, could only find seven teams for his league, he convinced the team, then part of the Inter-State Association, to join the league, with the promise that the Pennsylvania Railroad would provide some backing.
The Mountain Citys began the season by playing the top teams in the league, the St. Louis Maroons and the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds
Cincinnati Outlaw Reds
The Cincinnati Outlaw Reds of 1884, also called the Cincinnati Unions, were a member of the short-lived Union Association. One of the league's best teams, they finished third with a record of 69-36. The team was owned by former Cincinnati Red Stockings owner Justus Thorner and John McLean, and...
, and losing 11 straight. After finally winning their first game on May 10, the Mountain Citys went 6-8 before folding. The team's final game was on May 31. The team was a disaster – attendance was as low as 200 on some games, and averaged slightly more than 1,000 per home game, low figures even for those times.