Toledo White Stockings

The Toledo White Stockings became a member of the eight-team Class A level Western League in 1894. After not playing in 1893, the Western League was reformed in 1894 under new league president Ban Johnson and under Johnson it evolved to become today's American League in 1901. Toledo had played as the Toledo Black Pirates in the 1892 Western League. In 1894, Toledo was joined by the Detroit Creams, Grand Rapids Rippers, Indianapolis Hoosiers Kansas City Cowboys, Milwaukee Brewers, Minneapolis Millers and Sioux City Cornhuskers in league play. The Toledo franchise was owned and managed by Denny Long.[1][2]

The 1894 Toledo White Stockings placed 2nd in the 1894 Western League, which had no playoffs in the era. Playing under owner/manager Denny Long, Toledo finished with a 67–55 record and were 5.5 games behind the 1st place Sioux City Cornhuskers in the final Western League standings.[3][4][2][5]

In 1895, the Toledo Swamp Angels relocated during the season. The 1895 team is also referred to as the "White Stockings" by some references. On June 30, 1895, Toledo had a 23–28 record when the team relocated to become the Terre Haute Hottentots. Toledo had blue laws in the era, which prohibited work on Sundays, so ownership was forced to seek alternatives for games scheduled on Sundays after the blue laws were supported by court action prohibiting Toledo from playing Sunday games. As a result, the team moved to Terre Haute. The Toledo/Terre Haute team finished 7th in the standings under managers Denny Long and William Schneider. The team finished 52–72 and were 27.0 games behind the 1st place Indianapolis Hoosiers in the final standings.[1][6] [7][8][9]

During the 1895 season, Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Pratt issued a temporary restraining order before the first scheduled Sunday game prohibiting the White Stockings from playing baseball on Sunday. The injunction was later made permanent. No Sunday gamed had been scheduled by Toledo in 1894, but there were Sunday games scheduled in 1895. The issue was moot when the Toledo team relocated during the 1895 season.[9]

Notably, Toledo played Bob Gilks had six hits in a game in both the 1894 and 1895 seasons.[10]

In 1896, Toledo regained a minor league franchise. The White Stockings were followed by the 1896 Toledo Mud Hens, who began play as members of the Interstate League.[11]

The Toledo White Stockings reportedly played minor league home games at Whitestocking Park. The ballpark was located on LaGrange Street between Hudson Street & Pearl Street, Toledo, Ohio.[12][13][14][15]

Toledo also played were noted to have played select home games at Ewing Street Park. Ewing Street Park was located near the abandoned Olympic Park, which had hosted the Toledo Black Sox in 1892. Ewing street Park was noted to have twice the capacity of Whitestocking Park. Ewing Park was located on Ewing Street between Dorr Street & Pinewood Avenue, Toldeo, Ohio.[16][14][9]

Early postcard. Toledo, Ohio

Toledo White Stockings players
Toledo Swamp Angels players
List of baseball parks in Toledo, Ohio

Baseball Reference Bullpen