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| A box score out of Thomas Wilson's Professional Record Newspaper between the Haymakers of Troy & the Boston Red Stockings [who are now known as the Boston Red Sox] |
Monday, September 14, 2015
History Lesson: The President & the Origins of Fantasy Baseball
In 1871, a 14 year old named Thomas Woodrow Wilson created a newspaper entitled "Professional Record". It consisted of box scores, game stats and play-by-play recaps. But there was just one problem: These games NEVER HAPPENED!!!! For example, one box score said that a no-hitter occurred on June 30th, 1871*. One problem: Major League Baseball wouldn't have it's first no-hitter until 1876! By the way, if you think I'm crazy about baseball wait until you read this: Young Woodrow Wilson's newspaper had SEVENTEEN more stat-filled pages about every team that existed at that point in history. This newspaper is now on display at the Library of Congress.
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Wow.... I never knew this. I though fantasy sports were a thing of the 21st century. I had only recently discovered them when I came across Daily Fantasy Sports. I would love to see this newspaper. Did they bet on the games?
ReplyDeleteI now have uploaded a page of the "Professional Record" newspaper and I don't think they had come up with an efficient system for betting at that point in history.
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