The Troy Trojans

Between the 1879-1882 seasons, the Troy Trojans were a basement-dwelling National League team in upstate Troy, New York.   During their four seasons in existence, they managed to play in three ballparks: Putnam Grounds, Haymaker Grounds and the Troy Ball Clubs Grounds.  

Perennially in the bottom half of the standings, the Troy Trojans disbanded in 1882, to be replaced in the National League by the New York Gothams, later to become the New York Giants.   Many players from the Trojans made the switch to the Gothams.

Five plaques in Cooperstown have Troy (N.L.) on them: those belonging to the Nineteenth Century players Mickey Welch, Tim Keefe, Buck Ewing, Roger Connor and Dan Brouthers.

The team was managed for three seasons, and part of a fourth, by Bob Ferguson, compiling a 122-157 record.  (As a player, Ferguson developed the nickname "Death to Flying Things," oh, that name is dying to be resurrected).  The final part of the team's last season was led to a 12-34 record by Horace Phillips.

Hall-of-Famer Dan Brouthers made a brief appearance with the Trojans in 1879, but was subsequently let go after a few failed pitching outings (he was originally a first baseman).  It was a few years before he made it to the majors again.

Roger Connor started his career in Troy, and made the move to New York with the Gothams, eventually lending the team its new nickname "The Giants."   Buck Ewing also made the move to New York.   Tim Keefe, from the getgo a dominating pitcher, moved to New York after the Trojans folded, but to the New York Metropolitans of the American Association.  

300 game winner Mickey Welch won 69 of his games in three seasons in Troy, including a most-impressive (even for that time) 34 games in 1880.