The History of Pro Baseball in Indiana, photo credits: National Baseball Library, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana State Museum, Ownie Bush, Norm Beplay, Kerry Smith, Tom Aikens, Avis Followell, Dick Mittman, Ted Beard, Walter Biskupski
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Hoosier History: Indianapolis Basketball
Video (30:26)
(Notes by Bryce Gray, J470 Broadcast Media Analysis )
The History of Pro Baseball in Indiana, photo credits: National Baseball Library, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana State Museum, Ownie Bush, Norm Beplay, Kerry Smith, Tom Aikens, Avis Followell, Dick Mittman, Ted Beard, Walter Biskupski
0.00: Rolling CSpan 2 Intro
0.19: Title card flashes with imagery of Indianapolis Baseball
0.50: Rick Maultra discusses the background information of baseball in Indiana dating back to the civil war.
2.40: Interview with Dale Ogden of the Indiana State Museum. Dale discusses the origins of professional baseball in Fort Wayne, IN.
3.15: Maultra discusses how the Indianapolis Blues played as an independent professional team and played teams from various different leagues until the Indianapolis Blues joined the National League (and were subsequently voted out).
5.59: Maultra discusses the impact of John T. Brush, a businessman who was an investor who helped propel the now Indianapolis Hoosiers team back into the National League. And he further discusses how the team ended up moving to New York under the new name of “The Giants”.
7.20: Maultra discusses the other teams which frequently played against this New York Giants team, many of which are historied franchises in professional baseball even today. He also discusses the name change to the Indians for the new Indianapolis team.
9.10: Maultra stands in front of the Indianapolis decorated teepee, and discusses the formation of the minor league and its implications for the Indianapolis baseball team.
10.25: Interview with Indiana Baseball Historian, Kerry Smith. Smith discusses the upstart American League and Indianapolis’s short-lived existence in the league before being moved once again, ultimately becoming the Oakland A’s.
12.30: Maultra discusses how teams had to maneuver around city law. 17 seconds
12.35: Incue: “It was in 1903…”
12.52: Outcue: “... national dilemma”
Maultra reports on the issues that the church and some private citizens had with baseball games being played on the Sabbath, therefore, city laws were enacted and baseball teams were forced to play outside of the city limits until these laws were later modified.
12.55: Maultra reports on the Indianapolis name change in 1907 to the Browns and their subsequent name change again back to the Indians in 1911.
13.58: Interview with Max Schumacher, former Indian President and General Manager, who discusses the impact of Ownie Bush and his overall career after the Indianapolis Indians.
14.19: Interview with Dale Ogden who discusses his previous playing career and the importance of Ownie Bush in his managerial career leading up to coming back to the Indianapolis Indians and “saving the franchise” from financial collapse.
15.15: Maultra discusses the two black baseball teams in Indianapolis: the ABCs and the Clowns. He discusses Henry Aaron in his early career playing for the Clowns, as well as Oscar Charleston for the ABCs.
16.59: Interview with Anna Bradley (Niece of Oscar Charleston) who discusses her experience at an ABC’s game.
17.30: Interview with Billy Owens (former member of the ABC’s in 1925) who discusses his time watching Oscar Charleston play.
18.04: Maultra talks about historic players like “Goose” Tatum and Henry Aaron in their early days with the Clowns, who were later bought out by the Milwaukee Braves in 1952. He also discusses the last attempt at creating another major league, which Indianapolis participated in before moving to New Jersey.
19.19: Interview with Ted Koch, Indiana Baseball Historian, who discusses the Federal League’s formation and Eddie Roush?
20.22: Maultra discusses the Indianapolis HooFeds’ close shot at a World Championship in 1914.
22.15: Maultra discusses the pennant years for Indianapolis in 1917 and 1928 and the important players between that span.
23.09: Maultra on the field discusses notable Indianapolis Indians players who went on to make memorable careers and a lasting impact on the sport.
23.28: Interview with Al Lopez, Indians Manager from 1948-1950. 27 seconds
23.29 Incue: “... in Indianapolis…”
23.56 Outcue: “...Claypool Hotel”
Al discusses his experience in winning a Minor League world championship with the Indians and the celebration that they had following the big win at their home field.
23.56: Interview with Ted Beard who played for the Indians between ‘48-’51 and ‘58-’63. Ted discusses his initial days making the team and praising Al Lopez’s success as a manager.
24.55: Interview with Norm Beplay, former Indians’ announcer, who discusses Ted Beard’s time with the Indians and how memorable of a player that he was for the franchise.
25.55: Interview with Herb Score, former Indians’ Pitcher, who discusses his experience in winning the pennant and the players who he shared the field with.
26.34: Interview with not sure who, who discusses his time living with Roger Marrist prior to his breakout year with the Giants.
27.55: Maultra discusses the Indians' pennant years in 1961, ‘62, and ‘63, as well as notable players that the franchise has churned out, showing replay footage of Indians’ games.
28.57: Credits roll