Philadelphia Giants
The Philadelphia Giants were organized in 1902 by Harry A. Smith and H. Walter Schlichter. Smith, a former baseball player and writer for the Philadelphia Tribune, had conceived the idea of organizing a team and approached Schlichter, the sports editor of the Philadelphia Evening Item, for financial backing. “Schlichter,” everyone called him Slick, was 36-years-old in 1902 when the team first began play. Veteran player/manager Solomon “Sol” White, age 33, was hired as captain of the newly organized Philadelphia Giants and immediately placed in charge of player recruitment.By continually fazing out the old ballplayers and introducing new ones, Smith, Schlichter and White built the Philadelphia Giants into one of the strongest baseball teams in the country. Functioning without the foundation of a league, and without the support of a home-town fan base, they barnstormed almost exclusively. Ultimately, their record of games played, and games won, was unparalleled. In 1904 the Philadelphia Giants defeated the Cuban X Giants to claim their first ever World Championship - a beloved identity they claimed for many years.
“Slick” continually advertised the Philadelphia Giants and never abridged the season, which increased annually in games scheduled and new teams challenged. Their reputation for games captured eventually elevated them to into a prominent feature in the 1905 Reach Baseball Guide.
Three major player raids, two by Frank Leland in 1907 and 1908, and a third by Andrew “Rube” Foster in 1910, effectively sealed the short-term reign of the once famous Philadelphia Giants.
With rosters that once included such well-known men as Frank Grant, Andrew “Rube” Foster, Charlie Grant, William Horn, “Pat” Patterson, Harry E. Buckner, Andrew “Jap” Payne, Bill Monroe, “Home Run” Johnson, Jess Binga and many others, the Philadelphia Giants defeated all of the obtainable eastern competition. Their greatest feats, though restricted in exposure by Caucasian sports purists, semi-professional managers, major league scouts and sports writers, were reached in spite of the discriminating prejudices of that period.
The Philadelphia Giants operated with the utmost integrity and sportsmanship from 1902-1911. As it was with all great teams, the dynasty ended when key changes occurred in the roster and management of the organization. White had managed the club from it’s inception to the end of 1908, after which time Ray Wilson replaced White and guided them from 1909-1910. Traveling Secretary Harry A. Smith relinquished his duties in 1908, relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1909, where he created a new team, the Pittsburgh Giants. Schlichter, although he failed miserably in his 1908 bid to start the Union League, a rival major league, remained with the Philadelphia Giants until 1911, after which time the original Philadelphia Giants disbanded. A second semi-professional version of the Philadelphia Giants operated well into the 1920’s.
