Temple Cup
Encyclopedia
The Temple Cup was a trophy
awarded to the winner of a best-of-seven, post-season championship series in the National League
, from 1894–1897. The 30-inch-high silver cup was donated by coal, citrus, and lumber baron William Chase Temple
, the owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates
at the time. There was only one major league at the time, so the Series was played between the first- and second-place teams. The Temple Cup was also known as the World's Championship Series. If one team won three titles, that team would have permanent possession of the Cup.
, but in 1892 the National League absorbed the Association, becoming a 12-team league, and played a split season. In 1893 the Pittsburgh Pirates
had finished second to the Boston Beaneaters (today's Atlanta Braves
). Pirates' president, William Chase Temple, felt that his team should have the option of having a playoff series to claim the title. As a result, Temple had his $800 trophy minted and donated it to the league. The revenue was to be split 65% to 35%; however, the players of the first series (1894) decided to evenly split the money. However, after the series the New York Giants
cheated some Baltimore Oriole
players out of their money, tainting the Cup and prompting Temple to sell the Pirates in disgust.
Lack of enthusiasm on the part of the players doomed the series; their apathy spread to the fans, who stayed away in droves in later years. Interest in the Series faded quickly, as it seemed artificial, with the second-place team winning three of the four series. However, the concept would be revived in 1900 with the Chronicle-Telegraph Cup
. The Baltimore Orioles appeared in every Cup, winning the last two series. The team won two Cup series and came the closest to having permanent possession of the trophy.
After the Cup was ended, the trophy was returned to Temple, whose Pirates team never finished higher than sixth place in the standings during the Cup's existence. In 1939, the Cup itself was tracked down by The Sporting News
. It was in the possession of a Temple family member in Florida
. The Cup was displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair
. The Temple family later sold the Cup for $750 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
, where it remains today.
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
awarded to the winner of a best-of-seven, post-season championship series in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, from 1894–1897. The 30-inch-high silver cup was donated by coal, citrus, and lumber baron William Chase Temple
William Chase Temple
William Chase Temple was a coal, citrus, and lumber baron during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was also a part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates from baseball's National League...
, the owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
at the time. There was only one major league at the time, so the Series was played between the first- and second-place teams. The Temple Cup was also known as the World's Championship Series. If one team won three titles, that team would have permanent possession of the Cup.
History
In the 1880s, there had been postseason play between the winners of the National League and the American AssociationAmerican Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
, but in 1892 the National League absorbed the Association, becoming a 12-team league, and played a split season. In 1893 the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
had finished second to the Boston Beaneaters (today's Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
). Pirates' president, William Chase Temple, felt that his team should have the option of having a playoff series to claim the title. As a result, Temple had his $800 trophy minted and donated it to the league. The revenue was to be split 65% to 35%; however, the players of the first series (1894) decided to evenly split the money. However, after the series the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
cheated some Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Orioles (19th century)
The Baltimore Orioles were a 19th-century American Association and National League team from 1882 to 1899. The club, which featured numerous future Hall of Famers, finished in first place three consecutive years and won the Temple Cup championship in 1896 and 1897...
players out of their money, tainting the Cup and prompting Temple to sell the Pirates in disgust.
Lack of enthusiasm on the part of the players doomed the series; their apathy spread to the fans, who stayed away in droves in later years. Interest in the Series faded quickly, as it seemed artificial, with the second-place team winning three of the four series. However, the concept would be revived in 1900 with the Chronicle-Telegraph Cup
Chronicle-Telegraph Cup
The Chronicle-Telegraph Cup was the trophy awarded to the winner of a postseason competition in American professional baseball in 1900. The series, played only once, was a precursor to the current World Series....
. The Baltimore Orioles appeared in every Cup, winning the last two series. The team won two Cup series and came the closest to having permanent possession of the trophy.
After the Cup was ended, the trophy was returned to Temple, whose Pirates team never finished higher than sixth place in the standings during the Cup's existence. In 1939, the Cup itself was tracked down by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. It was in the possession of a Temple family member in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The Cup was displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair
1939 New York World's Fair
The 1939–40 New York World's Fair, which covered the of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park , was the second largest American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. Many countries around the world participated in it, and over 44 million people...
. The Temple family later sold the Cup for $750 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
, where it remains today.
Summary of Temple Cup Series
- 18941894 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: New York Giants defeated Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 0*National League: Baltimore Orioles-National League final standings:-Events:...
: Baltimore1894 Baltimore Orioles seasonThe Baltimore Orioles won their first National League pennant in . They won 24 of their last 25 games. After the regular season's conclusion, the Orioles participated in the first Temple Cup competition against the second-place New York Giants...
1st, New York1894 New York Giants seasonThe New York Giants finished second in the National League pennant race in . After the regular season's conclusion, they participated in the first Temple Cup competition against the first-place Baltimore Orioles...
2nd - New York won Series, 4 games to 0 - 18951895 in baseball-Champions:* Temple Cup: Cleveland Spiders defeated Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 1* National League: Baltimore Orioles-Statistical leaders:*Batting: Jesse Burkett .409*Home Runs: Sam Thompson 18*Wins: Cy Young 35*ERA: Al Maul 2.45...
: Baltimore1895 Baltimore Orioles seasonThe Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. The Orioles finished first in the National League, winning their second straight pennant...
1st, Cleveland1895 Cleveland Spiders seasonThe 1895 Cleveland Spiders finished with a 84-46 record and a second place finish in the National League. After the season they played the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the Temple Cup series, defeating them 4 games to 1.- Roster :...
2nd - Cleveland won Series, 4 games to 1 - 18961896 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: Baltimore Orioles defeated Cleveland Spiders, 4 games to 0*National League: Baltimore Orioles-Statistical leaders:*Batting: Jesse Burkett .410*Home Runs: Ed Delahanty & Bill Joyce 13*Wins: Kid Nichols 30*ERA: Billy Rhines 2.46...
: Baltimore1896 Baltimore Orioles seasonThe Baltimore Orioles won their third straight National League pennant in . After the season, they faced Cleveland Spiders in the Temple Cup for the second year in a row. After losing 4 games to 1 in , the Orioles swept the Spiders in four straight...
1st, Cleveland1896 Cleveland Spiders seasonThe 1896 Cleveland Spiders season was a season in American baseball. The team finished with a 80-48 record and a second place finish in the National League. After the season they played the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the Temple Cup series...
2nd - Baltimore won Series, 4 games to 0 - 18971897 in baseball-Champions:*Temple Cup: Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Beaneaters, 4 games to 1*National League: Boston Beaneaters-Statistical leaders:*Batting: Willie Keeler .424*Home Runs: Hugh Duffy 11*Wins: Kid Nichols 31*ERA: Amos Rusie 2.54...
: Boston1897 Boston Beaneaters seasonThe Boston Beaneaters won the National League pennant. It was their fourth of the decade and their seventh overall. After the season, the Beaneaters played in the Temple Cup for the first time. They lost the series to the second-place Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 1.- Regular season...
1st, Baltimore1897 Baltimore Orioles seasonThe Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. After three straight first-place finishes, the Orioles slipped to second place with a record of 90-40, 2 games behind the National League-leading Boston Beaneaters. After the season, the two teams met in what would be the final Temple...
2nd - Baltimore won Series, 4 games to 1