Thank you, Mr. Cartwright: Another visit with the inventor of baseball

by WholeCamels on Mar 17, 2009 7:30 AM EDT

Long-time Phighters may remember this piece from three years ago, wherein I sacrificed my then-beloved (but now appallingly ugly to me) Phillies cap to the tomb of Alexander Cartwright in Honolulu.

For those who don't know, Alexander Cartwright is the person most often credited with inventing "modern baseball" -- setting the bases 90 feet apart, etc... see plaque below. Before Hoboken, New Jersey became the playground for drunk twentysomethings of all stripes, Cartwright organized the first modern baseball game at Hoboken's Elysian Fields. His life took him to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he died and was buried in 1892.

So what's happened to my Phillies since January 2006? Two NL East titles, and a World Championship. Pretty good, I'd say.

Last week, I returned to the site to pay my respects and give thanks to Mr. Cartwright, and to leave a token of my appreciation -- I planted a 2008 World Champions flag at his grave.

World Champions

(more after jump...)

Fans from all over the world left baseballs at the base of the tombstone, including a Cincinnati Reds fan...

Thank you, Mr. Cartwright (and thanks to my wife for holding the flag while I took the photos).

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: Philadelphia Phillies, A Humble Offering...(The Good Phight)

Comments

history

I’ve been reading more on Cartwright, he’s a really interesting figure. Kind of Manifest Destiny’s “fixer” — distills/synthesizes the quintessential American game, runs fire departments, works for Hawaiian royalty, etc.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Mar 17, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Neat

I noticed how eroded the lettering on the stone looks in 2009 compared to how it looked in 2006. Was there dirt in the lettering or was it really that worn?

I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!

by HappyHuman on Mar 17, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

dirt

I pretty sure it was just dirt and/or mineral deposits. It didn’t look like it had been clean in awhile.

The Cartwright family had a whole plot, including the graves of their children who died young, their grandchildren, and other relatives.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Mar 17, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you from Alexander Joy Cartwright IV

It warms my heart to read this . Thank you from the Cartwright Family for caring . Alec was a great man and don’t forget that. Naysayers will tell you he wasn’t . I am proud of my Great Great Grand Daddy for all he did in Baseball and in Hawaii.

Hosaa to you and your family. Aloha

Alexander Joy Cartwright IV

I am a huge Jamie Moyer fan!

by knowhitter on Apr 7, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions