September 2, 1889 Brooklyn Bridgegrooms (vs. Cincinnati Red Stockings) Yearbook-Style Program with Nicol, McPhee, Caruthers, and Foutz

Brooklyn BBC yearbook-style program issued for an American Association game against the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1889. Perhaps it was the optimism felt by the team's strong second-place showing in the 1888 season. Or maybe it was simply a matter of aesthetic sensibilities. Whatever the reason, in 1889 the Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the American Association ceased producing simple two-page fold-over scorecards for their games (the norm for nearly all other teams of that era) and instead issued magnificent 32-page "yearbook" style programs. These official scorebooks are very substantial, with interior pages featuring full-page individual portraits and brief player biographies, along with local advertising. The programs were obviously a hit with fans, as the team repeated the practice in 1890. The offered 32-page program features fifteen individual portrait photos including McGunnigle (manager), Foutz, Terry, Pinkney, Smith, O'Brien, Caruthers, Burns, Collins, Corkhill, and Clark. The interior preprinted scorecard includes O'Brien, Corkhill, Collins, Foutz, Pinkney, and Burns for Brooklyn, and Nicol, McPhee, Keenan, and Baldwin for Cincinnati. The date and time, "10:30am Labor Day Monday Sept 2/89" is written in pencil at the top of the Cincinnati scoring page. The program (5 x 6.5 inches), neatly scored in pencil to record a 7-4 Brooklyn victory in the first game of a doubleheader, displays light toning on both covers and oxidation to the single binding staple. Though it presents and reads as fully intact, it should be noted that the covers have separated from the interior pages. The program is in otherwise Good condition overall. In 1889, the Bridegrooms were champions of the American Association but were defeated by their crosstown rivals, the New York Giants, in the World Series. This a very desirable Brooklyn program dating from the club's only American Association championship season.