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Phillies say loss-count off by one on some sources

Shenk: Research shows team started the season with 9,955 losses

    by Aaron Knox, Philly.com Staff
    Published 
Larry Shenk, the veteran public relations vice president for the Philadelphia Phillies, says that several sources have the team's official number of losses wrong, including the current Phillies media guide.
In an e-mail regarding the 10,000 loss countdown on Philly.com, Shenk said he was able to track the discrepancy down to a single game that was played -- then officially not played -- in 1890.
Philly.com had been using the loss total cited by the Phillies and BaseballReference.com, among other resources, as we count down the Phillies' march toward becoming the first team in U.S. pro sports history to record 10,000 defeats.
In his e-mail, Shenk wrote the following:
"In doing some research just prior to spring training, I came across two different totals as the 2007 season approached.
"**9,956: sources--Phillies Media Guide, NL Green Book, BaseballReference.com and Baseball Almanac.com.
"**9,955: sources--Wikipedia.com, The Sporting News Record Book, Retrosheet.org.
"The difference was traced to May 23, 1890, the Phillies and the Chicago Cubs (No, I wasn’t around then!).
"Through e-mails with several SABR members, the following information was uncovered: 'Ed Hartig of Chicago (SABR member) pointed out a reference in the 1891 Spaulding Guide  which said the May 23, 1890 win of Chicago over Philadelphia was thrown out because umpire McQuaid refused to let Philadelphia substitute Grey.'  This would mean the Phillies in 1890 lost 53 games, instead of 54 as several sources listed.
"I then checked with Peter Palmer and Gary Gillette, co-Editors of the ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia (Fourth Edition).  That publication also listed 54 losses in 1890.  Palmer responded: 'I believe the 9,555 figure is correct as Hartig pointed out.  I had noted that back in 2001, but somehow forget to delete the loss.  Steve G. updated The Sporting News files properly.'

"From there, I recently checked with Steve Hirdt, Executive Vice President of Elias Sports Bureau, the Official Statistician of Major League Baseball.  He agreed that the proper number going into 2007 should be 9,555.

"So, in the interest in accuracy, please set your calendars to 9,955 (prior to 2007)."

Since the Elias Sports Bureau is the official keeper of records for Major League baseball, Philly.com has adjusted its countdown graphic to reflect that number.

    AK
    Aaron Knox, Philly.com Staff
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