Broooklyn Tip-Tops

1914:The Brooklyn Tip-Tops were New York’s entry in the Federal League. The team was owned by Robert Ward, who was the owner of the Tip-Top Bakery in Brooklyn, thus giving the team their name, though most fans referred to them informally as the Brooklyn Feds. The Tip-Tops played their home games at Washington Park, home to the Dodgers prior to the opening of Ebbets Field in 1913. The Tip-Tops managed by Bill Bradley had their ups and downs through the entire season, and played well at home but struggled on the road as they finished .500 with a record of 77-77. The highlight of the season came on September 19th, when Ed Lafitte threw the only no-hitter in Federal League history, beating the Kansas City Packers 6-2 at Washington Park.

1915:For their second season, the Brooklyn Tip-Tops were able to acquire the Federal League’s best hitter Benny Kauff. The deal was made after the Indianapolis Hooisers relocated to Newark, and was in exchange for allowing the Peppers into the New York market. Despite Kauff leading the Federal League in hitting and stolen bases, the Tip-Tops struggled in their second season, posting a record of 70-82 and finishing seventh out of eight teams. As the American and National League brought out their Federal League rivals, the Tip-Tops were making plans to add lights to Washington Park. Had they played one more season the Brooklyn Tip-Tops would have begun playing night games in 1916.