Nashville Americans

Baseball was first played in Nashville, Tennessee, by amateur teams in the late 1860s.{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Traughber|url=https://www.milb.com/nashville/news/gcs-18235116|title=Looking Back: The 1885 Nashville Americans|website=Nashville Sounds|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=April 25, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143127/https://www.milb.com/nashville/news/looking-back-the-1885-nashville-americans/c-18235116|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=March 5, 2020}} By summer 1884, the city was home to countless teams, with an estimated 20 clubs being formed that year alone. The various teams played at fields around town, including East Nashville's Spring Park,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47807690/spending-sunday/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Spending Sunday |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 2, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}} the Nashville Fairgrounds,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47809451/the-diamond-field/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Diamond Field |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 6, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=5}} Fort Negley,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47809987/baseball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Baseball |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=July 28, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}} Vanderbilt University,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47807943/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 17, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=5}} and Sulphur Spring Bottom.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47807866/baseball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Baseball |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=June 12, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}}

File:Will Bryan 1885 Nashville.png and center fielder of the Americans]]

On October 6, 1884, the American Baseball Association,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47848196/baseball-association/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Baseball Association |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=October 29, 1884 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=4}} a local stock company with US$1,000 in capital,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48456664/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 14, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=6}} met to establish the city's first professional baseball team.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47847627/the-americans/ |via=Newspapers.com |title='The Americans' |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 9, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=5}} The club was to be known as the Americans in honor of The Nashville Daily American newspaper, which, in addition to the Nashville Banner, provided scores and accounts of the city's many baseball games. Will Bryan, a well-known local player, was selected to manage the team. He promptly left for Cincinnati with instructions to hire first-class players with no regard to their cost.

The Union Association, one of three major leagues in operation in 1884,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?year=1884|title=1884 Register League Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 2, 2020}} considered the Americans for membership in the 1885 season. On October 10, President Henry Lucas came to Nashville to meet with the team's directors and to survey the prospect of major league baseball in the city. That afternoon at the fairgrounds, the Americans played their first exhibition game against one of the association's top teams, the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47847739/the-americans/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Americans |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 10, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=5}} Approximately 1,200 to 1,500 people were in attendance as the Outlaw Reds won, 6–3.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47787114/a-fine-game/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=A Fine Game |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 11, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}} The Americans were defeated again in the next afternoon's game, 11–2.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47854406/beaten-by-the-battery/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Beaten by the Battery |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 12, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=8}} On October 12, Nashville lost to an amateur team from Georgetown, Kentucky, 4–1.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47847896/the-ball-and-bat/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Ball and Bat |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 13, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}} The home team won its only games of the autumn exhibition season on October 19 and 20, defeating the Georgetowns, 6–2 and 9–3.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47854406/beaten-by-the-battery/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Victorious 'Americans' |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 20, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47855858/hard-hitters/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Hard Hitters |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 21, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=4}} The Louisville Eclipse of the major American Association came to Nashville for two games on November 1 and 2, winning both, 7–6 and 9–7.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47882389/yesterdays-game/|via=Newspapers.com |title=Yesterday's Game |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=November 2, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=3}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47882712/best-of-the-season/|via=Newspapers.com |title=Best of the Season |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=November 3, 1884 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |page=5}}

On November 7, club directors signed a five-year contract to lease the baseball grounds at Sulphur Spring Bottom on which they would build a ballpark to be called Sulphur Spring Park.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47787439/new-base-ball-park/|via=Newspapers.com |title=New Base-Ball Park |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=November 8, 1884 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |page=8}} Located just north of the Tennessee State Capitol, the site was owned by the Sulphur Spring Company, which used the property for providing hot and cold baths with water from its natural sulphur springs.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47913526/parties-wishing-sulphur-water/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Parties Wishing Sulphur Water |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=May 7, 1883 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |page=7}} The land had hitherto been little more than solely a baseball field and required improvements to make it suitable for a professional team.{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Traughber|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-33899398|title=Looking Back: Nashville's Sulphur Springs Ballpark|work=Nashville Sounds|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=June 25, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322165402/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120625&content_id=33899398&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t556&sid=t556|archive-date=March 22, 2016|access-date=March 8, 2020}} The old bath houses were demolished and replaced with new ones, and the grounds were graded, leveled, sowed with grass, and enclosed by a {{convert|15|ft|adj=on}} fence.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47806676/the-new-base-ball-park/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The New Base-Ball Park |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=December 22, 1884 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47787661/base-ball/|via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=November 22, 1884 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |page=4}} A grandstand was erected in the northeastern corner of the block near the intersection of Cherry Street (Fourth Avenue North) and Jackson Street.

With the possibility of membership in Union Association looking dim, Bryan attended a meeting of Southern baseball men on November 25 in Montgomery to organize the Southern League for 1885.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47787721/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=November 26, 1884 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |page=1}} Though a tentative membership was arranged, the final league makeup was not determined until another meeting on February 11 at the Kimball House in Atlanta, where franchises were granted to Atlanta, Augusta, Chattanooga, Columbus, Macon, Memphis, and Nashville, with Birmingham later admitted from a pool of applicants.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47926933/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=February 12, 1885 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=2c3f47fa|title=1885 Southern League |website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 3, 2020}}

Bryan's players reported to Nashville to prepare for the coming season, with their first practice being held on March 6.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47978720/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 7, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}} Two of the 10 men who began the season with the Americans had played on major league teams the previous year.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=700cb852|title=1885 Nashville Americans Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 4, 2020}} Alex Voss, the more experienced of the two, pitched in 34 games for the Kansas City Cowboys and Washington Nationals of the Union Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=voss--001ale|title=Alex Voss Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 25, 2020}} Joe Werrick played a few games for the Union St. Paul White Caps.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=werric001joe|title=Joe Werrick Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 25, 2020}} Their spring training regimen consisted of several series of exhibition games against amateur, minor, and major league teams, many of which traveled south to prepare for their seasons in a warmer climate.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47978860/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 9, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}}

In their first two games, held at the not-yet-completed Sulphur Spring Park on March 30 and 31, the Americans lost to the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the minor Western League, 8–4 and 12–4.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47982882/the-opening-game/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Opening Game |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 31, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48009638/they-need-practice/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=They Need Practice |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 1, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}} Nashville defeated the Cleveland Forest Cities of the same league, 15–7 and 3–2, on April 1 and 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48009878/getting-their-hands-in/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Getting Their Hands In |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 2, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48010267/nearly-shut-out/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nearly Shut Out |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 3, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}} They then traveled to Chattanooga for a game against the Southern League's Chattanooga Lookouts on April 6, losing 6–5.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48011013/foul-play/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Foul Play |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 7, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}} Rain prevented playing a second day's game, but the teams returned to Nashville for two more games on April 8 and 9.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48011210/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 8, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}} Nashville won both, 12–3 and 4–3.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48011508/baseball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Baseball |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=April 9, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=3}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48011751/again-victorious/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Again Victorious |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 10, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}} Nearly 4,000 people were in attendance at Sulphur Spring Park as the National League's Chicago White Stockings defeated the Americans, 4–2, on April 10.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48012083/held-down-pretty-well/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Held Down Pretty Well |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 11, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}} They then played two final warm-up games against an amateur club from Montgomery on April 13 and 14, winning 10–7 and 18–5.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48012898/the-national-game/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The National Game |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 14, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48013405/it-begins-to-day// |via=Newspapers.com |title=It Begins To-Day |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 15, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=1}}

The Nashville Americans were scheduled to begin the Southern League championship season of 1885 with a road trip beginning on April 15 at Columbus.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48013977/the-southern-league/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Southern League |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 16, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}} Though several players were not placed at their regular positions, the Opening Day roster consisted of pitcher Billy Crowell; catcher James Hillery; first baseman Len Sowders; second baseman Ed McKean; third baseman Joseph Deistel; shortstop Joe Werrick; left fielder George Rhue; center fielders Will Bryan and Tony Hellman; and right fielder Alex Voss.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48031094/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 17, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=5}}

File:Alex Voss 1885 Nashville.png Alex Voss had the most major league experience on the Opening Day roster.]]

Sowders led off the season opener against the Columbus Stars with a double and came home to score on Hillery's base hit and a wild throw to first. Hillery scored later in the first inning, putting Nashville up 2–0. The Americans proceeded to hold the lead for the entire game, with the decisive run being scored by Deistel in the seventh. Nashville won its inaugural regular season game, 11–9. They continued their opening road trip with two more games against Columbus before going on to Birmingham, Macon, and Augusta. In an early move to strengthen the roster, they added outfielder John Cullen to the roster on April 21.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48032259/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 22, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=1}} The Americans returned home in third place with a record of 7–4 (.636).{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48048732/turning-the-tables/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Turning the Tables |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 5, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=5}}

The Sulphur Spring Park home opener took place on May 4 against Columbus. In the top of the first, Werrick hit a two-RBI triple scoring Hillery and Cullen, but these were to be Nashville's only runs of the game. Tied 2–2 in the fifth, a bad throw allowed Columbus to score the winning run. Voss pitched well in the 3–2 Nashville loss, allowing only three runs on five hits and striking out four, but opposing pitcher Doc Landis held the Americans to just two runs on five hits. Errors, five by Nashville and four by Columbus, hampered both teams as none of the game's five runs were earned. Down by a significant score in the next day's game, Nate Kellogg, a newly acquired second baseman, moved over to pitch in relief in the 10–2 loss.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48063079/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 6, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=5}} After a third defeat by Columbus,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48063867/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 8, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=4}} the Americans got their first home win against the Birmingham Coal Barons, 12–5, on May 9.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48064042/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 10, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=1}} Hillery led Nashville's offence that day with a single, a double, two triples, and three runs scored. Outfielders Ollie Beard and Lefty Marr, formerly on Chicago's spring training roster, were acquired and made their Americans debut on May 11.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48064517/now-for-victory/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Now for Victory |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 12, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=4}} Crowell pitched a near no-hitter against Birmingham on May 12, with Al McCauley recording the only hit against him in the 10–0 shutout.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48064953/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 13, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=4}}

The stockholders of the club made several changes beginning on May 19 in response dissension among the team in the form of negligent play and possible thrown games.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48103461/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 21, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=5}} Manager Bryan was released before that afternoon's game. Kellogg was selected as manager and team captain on May 20. Beard and Deistel were named first and second assistant captains. McKean and Rhue were also released. The club, at the request of other Southern League teams, which were all named for their respective cities, changed the name of the club to the Nashville Base Ball Association. From that point onward, the local press dropped all references to the "Americans", and the team was usually referred to as simply Nashville or the Nashvilles.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48104628/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 22, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=1}} On May 30, Toad Ramsey of the visiting Chattanooga Lookouts pitched a no-hitter against Nashville in a game where only three locals reached base, two via walks and one on an error.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48122441/the-little-giant/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Little Giant |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 31, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} At the end of the first full month of play, Nashville stood in second place with a 14–11 (.560) record behind Atlanta.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48123075/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 1, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=4}}

Beginning with the June 3 game at Memphis, telegraph operators began to report in detail the team's road games at the Masonic Theater. They utilized a blackboard bearing the image of a diamond with holes around the edges through which flags would be inserted to indicate each player's performance play-by-play. The presentations were attended by enthusiastic, cheering audiences.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48124122/nashville-wins-again/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville Wins Again |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 5, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}}

File:Nashville Americans 1885.jpg

At the end of the short cross-state trip, Kellogg resigned as manager, feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility in addition to playing and being team captain. John R. Mayberry, a stockholder and businessman in the field of insurance, took control on June 7.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48124508/new-manager-of-the-nashvilles/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=New Manager of the Nashvilles |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 7, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} Though briefly falling to third place,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48128527/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 3, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} the Nashvilles played well after the managerial change and retained second by July 3 due in part to a nine-game winning streak from June 17 to 27.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48126149/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 18, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=4}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48127544/the-longest-on-record/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Longest on Record |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 28, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} Going into Independence Day, nearly the half-way point of the season, they held a 31–19 (.620) record, six games out of first.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48128721/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 4, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}}

Looking to bolster the roster for their run at the pennant, several players were added and subtracted in July. Right fielder John Sneed was added on July 6.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48137102/they-have-a-mascot/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=They Have a Mascot |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 7, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} Pitcher Gus Shallix made a favorable debut in a July 14 win in which he allowed only two runs on five hits.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48138394/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 15, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=1}} Some 3,000 people attended an exhibition game against the American Association's Louisville Colonels at Sulphur Spring Park on July 17, which was won by the major leaguers, 9–6.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48139364/an-outside-victory/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=An Outside Victory |work=The Courier-Journal |location=Louisville |date=July 18, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=2}} Shallix was released with a sore arm on July 25,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48140259/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 26, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=8}} and Kellogg was released on July 27.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48140848/two-out-of-three/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Two Out of Three |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 28, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=4}} As the Nashvilles continued to chase first-place Atlanta, three more pitchers were acquired. Amateur hurler William Walton was added on a trial basis on July 29,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48141268/nearing-the-leaders/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nearing the Leaders |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 30, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} but, doubting his own ability and unwilling to harm the team, he received his requested release on August 1.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48167012/here-we-go/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Here We Go! |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 2, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} Billy Taylor debuted on July 31 when a lone base hit and a fielding error kept his first outing from being a perfect game against Chattanooga.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48141865/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 1, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}} Norm Baker, acquired from Louisville,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48141558/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 31, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=4}} gave up only two runs on three hits in his first appearance on August 6.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48168019/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 7, 1885 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |page=5}}

Nashville began what should have been a crucial series on the road against the first-place Atlanta Atlantas on August 13. The Nashvilles were five games out of first and had the potential to make up significant ground on the leaders.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48168584/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 13, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=8}} The first game was postponed by rain,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48182030/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 14, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} but Atlanta won the August 14 contest, 6–3.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48182116/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 15, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} A tragic event occurred in the sixth inning of that game when Atlanta's Lewis Henke collided with Marr as he ran to first base. Marr was reaching for a fumbled ball when Henke's side collided with his head and both fell to the ground. Marr got up and recovered the ball as Henke writhed in pain. He was removed from the game and appeared to be doing better that evening. As the night wore on, however, he grew worse and was attended to by doctors who diagnosed him with a ruptured liver from which he died on the evening of August 15.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48182600/poor-henke/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Poor Henke |work=The Atlanta Constitution |location=Atlanta |date=August 16, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=9}}

File:James Hillery 1885 Nashville.png James Hillery played the entire 1885 season.]]

Mayberry refused to play the August 15 game against Atlanta on account of actions by the Atlantas and questionable rulings by the umpire in the previous game. Atlanta's pitcher was allowed to play outside the pitcher's box, but Nashville's was not. Additionally, Nashville was disallowed the use of pinch runners for injured players as Atlanta had been in the case of Henke. Displeased with these rulings and questioning the umpire's impartiality, Mayberry planned to return with the team to Nashville. He was later persuaded to play the scheduled game with the promise of fair treatment and the use of a different umpire—dissatisfaction with umpires was rampant across the league.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48185116/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 16, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=8}} Ultimately, the game was postponed when the severity of Henke's injury was realized. Mayberry and Atlanta manager Gus Schmelz arranged to play an exhibition benefit game for Henke's widow and child at a later date.

Since returning home after the fateful events in Atlanta, the Nashvilles had been handicapped by injuries to Beard, Cullen, and Werrick, yet still won 11 of 13 games through September 1.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48188556/at-it-again/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=At It Again |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 2, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} Crowell had been released on August 20 to reduce the size of the roster.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48186206/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 21, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} Nashville was encouraged in its chances at the pennant by an 11–3 win in the exhibition benefit game at Atlanta on September 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48188812/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 3, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} With over six weeks of games left to be played, the Southern League was soon to come to an abrupt end.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47926989/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base-Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=February 21, 1885 |access-date=April 8, 2020 |page=4}}

The collapse began when Birmingham withdrew from the league on September 5 having suffered from poor on-field play and, subsequently, low patronage.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48189106/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 5, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} Other financially struggling teams were soon to follow. Columbus dropped out on September 7, and it was expected that Chattanooga and Macon would be the next to go.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48189968/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 8, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} League directors decided to deduct results of some surviving teams' games against Birmingham and Columbus so as to have an even number of series between each club. Macon planned to play until September 15 before disbanding to keep an even record. The modified standings gave Nashville a 57–31 (.648) record, {{frac|2|1|2}} games behind Atlanta with a month left to play.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48190637/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 9, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}}

File:Len Sowders 1885 Nashville.png Len Sowders won the league's first batting title with a .309 batting average.]]

However, league directors met on September 12 and voted to end the season one month early on September 17. Only Nashville and Memphis voted to continue the season long enough to play out the remaining scheduled games among active teams. The standings and games remaining made it a mathematical impossibility that any team other than Atlanta would win the pennant.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48191835/nashville-may-win-yet/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville May Win Yet |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 13, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=1}} The Daily American alleged a scheme on the part of Atlanta and league president Henry W. Grady to ensure the pennant for Atlanta at any cost.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48192476/so-near-and-yet-so-far/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=So Near, and Yet So Far |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 14, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=4}} Had no games been removed from the record, Nashville and Atlanta would have tie records as of September 13. The newspaper pointed out Atlanta's duplicity in considering to drop out of the league to avoid losing money for each day scheduled against a disbanded club, but simultaneous interest in keeping the team intact for a month's worth of exhibition games. They also cast doubt towards the umpiring as to Atlanta losing only five games on their home grounds.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48193366/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=So Near, and Yet So Far |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 16, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} Furthermore, they recalled President Grady predicting that "the Atlantas should win the pennant or he would break up the Southern League."

In the final weeks of competition, Nashville gained second baseman Bill Geiss and left fielder John Murphy of the recently disbanded Birmingham team on September 3.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48189288/nashville-wins-atlanta-loses/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville Wins, Atlanta Loses |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 6, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=4}} They played their final game of the season, a 3–1 loss at Augusta, on September 17.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48195513/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Morning Mercury |location=Huntsville |date=September 18, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=1}} The pennant was awarded to Atlanta at the league meeting on October 13 in Atlanta.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48208264/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 14, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=5}} The Nashvilles' final record was 62–39 (.614), placing them in third, {{frac|5|1|2}} games behind Atlanta.{{cite web |url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-SOUA/y-1885 |title=1885 Southern League |work=Stats Crew |access-date=April 7, 2020}} Sowders led all hitters in the league with a .309 batting average, giving him the circuit's first batting title.{{cite web|url=http://southernassociationbaseball.com/timeline.pdf|title=Timeline|website=Southern Association Baseball|access-date=April 8, 2020}} The Daily American presented Sowders a medal in recognition of his accomplishment.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48208824/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 16, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=8}}

The majority of the team remained together after the season to get in more practice and play a few exhibition games before the offseason.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48207654/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 26, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=4}} A few additional players were acquired to make out a full nine. On October 11, they traveled to Louisville where they were shutout by the Colonels, 19–0.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48208086/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 12, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=8}} Nashville defeated Louisville, 6–2, on October 15, but lost, 10–5, the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48208951/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 17, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=5}} Their final game was played as a benefit, where all the proceeds went to the remaining members of the team, on October 24.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48209553/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 24, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=4}} The Nashvilles defeated the Donohues, an amateur club, 5–3.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48209655/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 25, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=5}} Afterward, players returned to their homes for the winter.

File:Lefty Marr 1886 Nashville.png Lefty Marr is one of seven Nashvilles to play both seasons.]]

In preparation for the 1886 season, Southern League team representatives voted to reduce the schedule from six months to five months and require each club to pay a US$500 deposit to guarantee they would play the entire campaign. Membership was to include Atlanta, Augusta, Chattanooga, Macon, Memphis, and Nashville, with Charleston and Savannah later admitted in place of Birmingham and Columbus.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=5966744d|title=1886 Southern Association|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 9, 2020}} Salaries were capped at $1,000 per player with strict penalties of a $1,000 fine for the first offence and expulsion from the league for the second.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48210006/the-southern-league/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Southern League |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=November 11, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=4}}

Locally, the Nashville Base Ball Association raised its capital to $6,000 to afford the best possible players.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48210542/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 27, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=4}} Milan Woods was elected president of the board of directors. Walt Goldsby, who played for a trio of American Association teams in 1884 and was acquired to play in Nashville's 1885 postseason games,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=goldsb001wal|title=Walt Goldsby Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 25, 2020}} was selected as the team's manager for 1886.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48210404/the-diamond/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Diamond |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=November 23, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=3}} By mid-December, Goldsby had already secured several players for the next campaign. Among these signings were Baker, Beard, Hillery, Marr, and Sowders, who were to return for a second season with Nashville.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48309675/the-national-game/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The National Game |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=December 13, 1885 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |page=3}} Goldsby also acquired ex-major leaguers Ed Dundon,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dundon001ed-|title=Ed Dundon Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 25, 2020}} Billy O'Brien,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=obrien001bil|title=Billy O'Brien Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 25, 2020}} and George McVey.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mcvey-001geo|title=George McVey Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

The team began to assemble in Nashville on March 1 to being practice.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48456045/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 3, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=5}} In their first exhibition game at Sulphur Spring Park, the Nashvilles defeated the Memphis Grays, 8–0, on March 18.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48457169/8-to-0/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=8 to 0 |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 19, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=5}} They lost the next afternoon's game, 17–6.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48457502/nashvilles-experimental-boxman/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville's Experimental Boxman |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 20, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=4}} In their first competition against a major league team, Nashville defeated the American Association's Pittsburgh Alleghenys, 13–6, on March 22.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48459469/slugging-with-a-vengeance/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Slugging with a Vengeance |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 23, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=5}} They then traveled to Memphis for three games from March 23 to 25. Nashville won the first and third games, 10–3 and 20–5,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48460553/brynan-and-earle/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Brynan and Earle |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 24, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=8}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48459894/nashville-has-a-picnic/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville Has a Picnic |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 26, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=5}} but lost the middle game, 5–4.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48459780/was-it-the-umpire/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Was it the Umpire? |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=March 25, 1886 |access-date=April 11, 2020 |page=5}}

Sulphur Spring Park was located in a low-lying area in close proximity to the Cumberland River and prone to regular flooding in the spring.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/baseball/2015/04/14/nashville-baseball-history/25792305/ |title=History of Baseball at Sulphur Dell |work=The Tennessean |location=Nashville |date=April 14, 2015 |access-date=March 9, 2020}} The rising Cumberland prevented the play of further exhibitions against the Louisville Colonels,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48602893/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 1, 1886 |access-date=April 13, 2020 |page=5}} Pittsburgh,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48603140/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 4, 1886 |access-date=April 13, 2020 |page=8}} and the Detroit Wolverines. They were able to play the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt University, defeating them, 17–8, on April 8.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48603789/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 9, 1886 |access-date=April 13, 2020 |page=5}} The Nashvilles traveled to Columbia where they won against the city's amateur team on April 10; the score was 14–1 after seven innings when the score was no longer kept.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48604073/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 11, 1886 |access-date=April 13, 2020 |page=4}} In their final two tuneup games on the road, Nashville defeated the Atlanta Atlantas, 7–6 and 9–4, on April 12 and 13.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48605070/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 13, 1886 |access-date=April 13, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48686967/nashville-wins-again/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville Wins Again |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 14, 1886 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |page=5}} The Atlanta games were the first of the year to be presented via telegraphed descriptions at the Olympic Theater.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48604232/off-on-their-tour/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Off On Their Tour |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 12, 1886 |page=5}}

File:Ed Dundon 1886 Nashville.png Ed Dundon played over 30 major league games prior to joining Nashville.]]

Nashville's Southern League championship season of 1886 was to begin on April 15 at Augusta.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48687275/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 15, 1886 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |page=5}} The Opening Day roster consisted of pitchers Norm Baker, Tod Brynan, Ed Dundon, and Mike Smith; catchers Billy Earle, George McVey, and Al Schellhase; first baseman Billy O'Brien; second baseman Henry Bittman; third baseman James Hillery; shortstop Ollie Beard; left fielder/manager Walt Goldsby; center fielder Lefty Marr; and right fielder Len Sowders.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48688214/georgia-takes-the-lead/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Georgia Takes the Lead |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 16, 1886 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48688711/georgia-still-leads/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Georgia Still Leads |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 17, 1886 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48688930/a-comedy-of-errors/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=A Comedy of Errors |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 18, 1886 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |page=1}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48689805/downed-again/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Downed Again |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=April 20, 1886 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |page=4}}

Nashville lost the season opener, 6–3. Following another loss the next day, the team won its first game of 1886 on April 17 against Augusta. They opened the scoring in the second inning and held the lead for the duration of the game. The winning run in the 13–6 victory was scored in the fifth inning when O'Brien drove in Sowders from second base. They completed the first road trip with a 7–8 (.467) record and returned home in fifth place.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48756160/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |location=Chattanooga |date=May 8, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=5}}

Prior to the Sulphur Spring Park home opener on May 8, the Nashvilles and Augustas were paraded from the Maxwell House Hotel through the streets of Nashville to the ballpark.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48755935/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 8, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=1}} In the 8–0 shutout win, Baker limited the first-place Browns to a single hit while walking one and striking out 12 batters.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48756426/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 9, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=1}} Catcher Tony Hellman of the 1885 team was reacquired and joined the club on May 15.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48757419/four-to-two/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Four To Two |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 16, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=8}} Brynan was released on May 21,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48758110/17-to-3/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=17 To 3 |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 22, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=5}} and McVey was released on May 23.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48758504/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 24, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=8}} By the end of May, Nashville was fluttering between second and third place at 17–15 (.531).{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48759559/won-and-lost/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Won and Lost |work=Public Ledger |location=Memphis |date=June 1, 1886 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=2}}

The Nashvilles continued to improve, playing far better than in their opening Southern trip, and moved into a first-place tie with Atlanta on June 7.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48827933/tied-with-atlanta/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Tied with Atlanta |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 8, 1886 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=8}} They took sole possession of the lead on June 9 with a 3–2 win over Memphis and an Atlanta loss to Chattanooga.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48828098/we-downed-memphis/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=We Downed Memphis |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 10, 1886 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=5}} Following several rain-outs and games prevented by poor field conditions at home, Nashville dropped to second place on June 18 with a loss to Chattanooga and an Atlanta win over Memphis.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48828827/chattanooga-plays-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Chattanooga Plays Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 19, 1886 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=5}} Earle was released to Memphis on June 11 in exchange for catcher Charlie Krehmeyer who made his Nashville debut on June 18.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48828240/umpire-and-all/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Umpire and All |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=June 12, 1886 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |page=8}} By July 3, despite several losses and more rain outs,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48973605/the-diamond/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Diamond |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=July 2, 1886 |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=3}} the team remained in second place at 28–21 (.571).{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48973667/great-sport/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Great Sport |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=July 3, 1886 |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=2}} Pitcher Billy Taylor of the 1885 team joined on July 5 in a 13–3 defeat of Memphis.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48973886/the-diamond/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Diamond |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=July 5, 1886 |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=4}}

Much like the last campaign, the Southern League would not complete this season intact. On July 7, Augusta forfeited its franchise to the league.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48974099/augusta-is-gone/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Augusta Is Gone |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 8, 1886 |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=5}} Chattanooga, last in the standings, voluntarily dropped out on July 10 to provide the circuit with an even number of teams.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48974201/two-of-them-gone/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Two of Them Gone |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 9, 1886 |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=8}} On July 11, an off day before the resumption of the league's adjusted schedule, Nashville stood in fourth place at 30–24 (.556); their degrading play and earlier misfortunes with the weather was taking its toll.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48974420/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 12, 1886 |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=4}} Poor hitting and injuries incurred by pitchers Baker and Smith were contributing factors to lackluster performance throughout the month.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49140464/nashville-at-home/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville at Home |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 30, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=4}} On July 30, Goldsby released Krehmeyer and Smith.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49140838/4-to-1/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=4 To 1 |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 31, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=4}}

File:Nashville Base Ball Club 1880s.jpg

On August 8, with about one month left in the season, Nashville's pennant hopes were all but faded as they stood in an ever-distant third place, 11 games back, at 36–33 (.522).{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49141661/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 9, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=8}} Amateur pitcher Arthur Saunders joined the team on August 12 to makeup for the dismissal of Taylor on August 7.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49141479/done-us-up/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Done Us Up |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 6, 1886 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |page=4}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49142277/nashville-wins/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Nashville Wins |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 13, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=8}} The Nashvilles defeated the Louisville Colonels, 6–3, in an exhibition game at Sulphur Spring Park on August 17.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49142777/louisville-defeated/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Louisville Defeated |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 18, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=4}} As the season drew to a close, Baker was given his release so he could sign on with another league on September 1.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49144155/it-was-very-bum/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=It Was Very Bum |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 2, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=5}} Nashville played its final game on September 4, losing 10–9 at home against Savannah.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49144558/the-last-licking/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Last Licking |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 5, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=4}} After the game, players were paid and the team disbanded. Their final record for the 1886 season was 46–38 (.547), a third-place finish 14 games behind the pennant-winning Atlantas.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47821242/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |location=Chattanooga |date=September 6, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=5}} Marr, mirroring Sowders' feat from the previous season, was the league's batting champion with a .327 average. The Daily American presented him with a medal in recognition of his feat.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47447640/opening-game/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Opening Game |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 24, 1887 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=8}}

Nashville had an average daily attendance of 1,200 people in their second season.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47408765/baseball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Baseball |work=Nashville Banner|location=Nashville |date=January 14, 1887 |page=3}} Low patronage at the Olympic Theater resulted in a discontinuance of game reporting on July 13.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48974790/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=July 14, 1886 |access-date=April 20, 2020 |page=5}} While games and descriptions were liberally patronized in the early goings, attendance lagged as the season wore on and the team fell further in the standings.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49144110/savannah-to-day/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Savannah To-Day |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=September 1, 1886 |page=5}}

Southern League representatives met at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville on October 7 to discuss the affairs of the preceding season and lay the groundwork for a more principled league in the next. Nashville was represented by local baseball magnates John Morrow, who was elected president, and William Cherry.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47404669/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=October 8, 1886 |access-date=March 26, 2020 |page=5}} The local team fielded in 1887 has come to be known as the Nashville Blues.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=060687fe|title=1887 Southern League |work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=March 26, 2020}}

Birmingham dropped out of the Southern League on September 5. They were followed in disbandment by Columbus on September 7. Records for these two disbanded clubs are given as they stood on their last days of competition.

Augusta forfeited its franchise on July 7, and Chattanooga dropped out on July 10 to keep the league with an even number of teams. Their records are given as they stood on their last days of competition.

{{Main|Nashville Fairgrounds|Sulphur Dell|l2=Sulphur Spring Park}}

File:Sulphur Dell 1908.jpg in 1908]]

The Americans played their 1884 exhibition games at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Construction began that November on Sulphur Spring Park, their home for the next two seasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48454910/baseball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Baseball |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=July 14, 1885 |page=3}} The grandstand was built at the northeastern corner of the block bounded by modern-day Jackson Street, Fourth Avenue North, Harrison Street, and Fifth Avenue North. The main Jackson Street entrance led past the ticket booth and into the grandstand's reserved seats behind home plate and a screen backstop. Rooms for players, directors, scorers, and reporters were built under the grandstand. Restrooms and water fountains, which pumped up sulphur water from the springs below, were also built. The distance to the outfield fence was {{Convert|362|ft}} to left and right fields and {{Convert|485|ft}} to center.

Several improvements were made prior to the 1886 season. The first scoreboard was a blackboard on which scores were displayed by writing figures in chalk. It was replaced with a larger board using painted tin squares which hung on hooks.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48457754/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 22, 1886 |page=3}} In September 1885, Summer Street (Fifth Avenue) was raised, which necessitated raising the adjacent fence to prevent onlookers.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48283384/the-summer-street-fill/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Summer-Street Fill |work=Nashville Banner |location=Nashville |date=September 21, 1885 |page=1}} An additional row of boards was placed atop the Jackson Street fence,{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48460026/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 27, 1886 |page=4}} and a second fence was erected around the entire park inside the existing fence to further prevent unpaid viewing of games over or through the fence.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48757843/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 20, 1886 |page=5}} The first base side of the grandstand was covered with a roof.

The facility, known as Sulphur Dell from 1908, was demolished in 1969 after serving as the home of the Nashville Vols from 1901 to 1963.{{cite web|last=Williams|first=F. M.|title=Sad Day at the Dell, as 35 Say Farewell|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31882250/sad_day_at_the_dell_as_35_say_farewell/|via=Newspapers.com|newspaper=The Tennseeean|location=Nashville|date=April 17, 1969|access-date=May 23, 2019|page=54}} Since 2015, the site has been the location of First Horizon Park, the home stadium of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds baseball team.

File:NashvilleAmericansUniforms.png

The Americans wore two sets of uniforms in 1885. Their initial set, per the March 5 edition of The Daily American, consisted of "gray shirts and pants, trimmed with bright red, and having the word "American" across the breast plate. Red stockings and red caps complete the outfit."{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47978608/the-base-ball-season/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Base-Ball Season |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 5, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}} The lettering was in black.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47982496/opening-of-the-season/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Opening of the Season |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 30, 1885 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |page=4}} On May 26, just over a month into the season and after dropping the Americans name, they added a second set of shirts and pants made of old gold fabric.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48105328/the-seasons-sports/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=The Season's Sports |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=May 26, 1885 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |page=1}} The only known photograph of the team shows players wearing light colored short-sleeved jerseys with no markings or insignia, being either the gold uniforms or the grays with the name removed. Light pants terminating below the knees were tucked into dark socks and paired with dark belts and caps.{{cite news|first=David|last=Ammenheuser|date=April 10, 2015|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/baseball/2015/04/10/nashville-sounds-sulphur-dell-baseball-stadium/25482503/|title=Coming Home to Sulphur Dell|work=The Tennessean|access-date=April 4, 2020}} By late August, the team was down to only seven sets of old gold uniforms and often had to mix-and-match articles to assemble a full uniform.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48186751/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 23, 1885 |page=4}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48186751/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=August 24, 1885 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=4}}

The team's new 1886 uniforms were similar to those worn at the beginning of the previous season. The shirts and pants were made of pearl gray cloth and paired with red caps, belts, and stockings.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48343605/base-ball/ |via=Newspapers.com |title=Base Ball |work=The Daily American |location=Nashville |date=March 15, 1886|access-date=April 7, 2020 |page=4}} In the team photograph, players are shown in light shirts, some short-sleeved some long, with "Nashville" on the chest in dark letters, paired with light pants and dark caps, belts, and stockings.{{cite web |url=http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/baseball/early.htm |title=Johnny Beazley and Baseball in Tennessee |website=Tennessee State Library and Archives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723215408/http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/baseball/early.htm |archive-date= July 23, 2015 |access-date=April 9, 2020}}

A total of 32 men played in at least one game for Nashville across the 1885 and 1886 seasons. Of these, 24 also played for major league teams during their careers. The 1885 roster consisted of 21 different players, including 15 who also played in the majors at some point. The 1886 roster consisted of 18 different players, including 15 past or future major leaguers.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=50883232|title=1886 Nashville Americans Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 20, 2020}} Only seven men played for both iterations of the club, including six major leaguers.

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{{Professional baseball in Nashville, Tennessee}}

Category:1884 establishments in Tennessee

Category:1886 disestablishments in Tennessee

Category:Baseball in Nashville, Tennessee

Category:Baseball teams established in 1884

Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1886

Category:Defunct baseball teams in Tennessee

Category:Professional baseball teams in Tennessee

Category:Southern League (1885–1899) teams