City Series (Philadelphia)
City Series (Philadelphia)
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City Series (Philadelphia)

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City Series (Philadelphia)

The City Series was the name of a series of intracity baseball games played between Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Athletics of the American League and its predecessors, and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League that ran from 1883 through 1954. While the games were officially exhibitions, they were a matter of prestige in Philadelphia and a long rivalry existed between the players, management, and fans.

The Athletics moved to Kansas City in 1955 which ended the Philadelphia City Series rivalry. Contemporary fans, along with the Phillies and Athletics franchises, have recognized and celebrated their shared history in different commemorations.

As early as 1887, the preseason series between the "Athletic and Philadelphia Clubs" had been recognized as an annual institution dating to 1875.

The first City Series featuring the Phillies was held in 1883 between the new League club and the American Association Philadelphia Athletics.

The Phillies and Eastern League Philadelphia Athletics met for the local championship in 1892 at Philadelphia Ball Park where both teams played their home games.

The American League was established in 1901 and the Philadelphia Athletics were founding member and immediately rivaled the Phillies for city fans. The two teams did not play each other in 1901 and 1902 due to legal warring between the National League and American League. In September 1902, a post season series between the Phillies and Athletics was floated which was endorsed by Phillies manager Bill Shetsline who recalled the Phillies' 1883 series against the American Association Athletics. The series however, would not come to be and the Phillies played other local clubs.

The rivalry between the Phillies and American League Athletics started with the establishment of the American League in 1901. Superstar Nap Lajoie had played for several years on the Phillies, but was displeased with the salary cap of $2,400 placed by the National League. When the Athletics were established, Lajoie quit the Phillies and signed with the A's. In response, the Phillies filed an injunction lawsuit preventing Lajoie from playing on any other team. The case was ruled that Lajoie was barred from playing in Pennsylvania and Lajoie was sent to the Cleveland Bluebirds due to the financial assistance Cleveland had provided for the A's early on. In 1903, the injunction was dropped when the NL and AL made peace. Lajoie went on to have an outstanding Hall of Fame career. Eventually, he did return to the A's at the twilight of his career.

The Philadelphia Inquirer noted, "For the first time in thirteen years two local teams, representing rival base ball organizations, will come together in a friendly struggle for supremacy of the Quaker City." The Athletics had won the 1902 American League pennant, the Phillies had been newly acquired by John Rogers in February 1903, and interest was high.

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