James A. (Jim) Hart

[Brian McKenna]

anyone know much about jim hart before he became louisville's manager in 1885? - he was 30 at the time - what position did he play, where and when did he play? - did he manage before 1885? - thanks

please tell me your source because i've found little on his early career

[Buzzaldrin]

Just saw this question. Well, the first game he managed was April 19, 1885, so I've written to the Louisville Public Library asking if they either 1) have any Louisville papers from 1885 archived on line, or 2) can they let me know if there are any articles from mid April about Jim, since he was the "new guy." We'll see what they send back- I can't really do any research other than on line since I'm here in Sweden, but maybe something will turn up- you got me interested too; where did this guy come from?

[Brian McKenna]

hart was born 7/10/1855 in fairview, pa -- eventually took over presidency of chicago from spalding in early 1890s and bought club from him in early 1900s

[SABR Steve]

anyone know much about jim hart before he became louisville's manager in 1885? - he was 30 at the time - what position did he play, where and when did he play? - did he manage before 1885? - thanks

please tell me your source because i've found little on his early career


"Hart was a close friend of Spalding, having accompanied him to England on the baseball junket of 1874." (The Boston Braves by Harold Kaese, pg 51)

Hart was a native of Girard, Pa. He's described as being of medium height, slim, etc. He had a reputation of being a successful financier and a strict disciplinarian. His baseball career began in 1871, while he was at school at the Grand River Institute in Ohio. In 1874 he managed The Nameless Club of his native town. His pro career began in 1881 when he was vice president and resident manager of the Louisville club of the Amer. Asso. He was Vice Pres. of Louisville and its sole manager in 1885-86. In 1887 he bought the Milwaukee franchise. (TSN April 9, 1889 article under "Three Bad Breaks")
The TSN article goes on with his later career.

[Brian McKenna]

great stuff steve - i knew he was business mgr of spalding's world tour 1888-89 but i didn't know about the earlier trip

[Buzzaldrin]

fabulous! Can you get the TSN article on line?

[SABR Steve]

fabulous! Can you get the TSN article on line?

As a SABR member, I was able to check out film reels of the TSN, 35 mil.

SABR's web site has a TSN ad which offers 365 days on line for $99.

[Brian McKenna]

As a SABR member, I was able to check out film reels of the TSN, 35 mil.

SABR's web site has a TSN ad which offers 365 days on line for $99.

actually to sabr members it's $75 for two years

[SABR Steve]

actually to sabr members it's $75 for two years


You're right! I stand corrected for the millionth time.