The History of Sporting News: The Early Years

During the time of the Civil War, Alfred and William Spink became sportswriters in St. Louis after moving from Canada. After establishing himself, Alfred published the first issue of Sporting News on March 17, 1886. He then hired his brother Charles to be a business manager for his company. A single copy of the sports magazine could be purchased for five cents while a year's subscription costed $2.50.

The very first issue of Sporting News focused heavily on spring training for the New York baseball teams as well as the Chicago White Stockings, who later became known as the Cubs. Also in that first issue was the detailed visits from wrestling champions of England and Japan to the Sporting News offices. The activites of the Gentleman's Driving Club in St. Louis were also talked about in that first issue as well.

One feature that has been consistent throughout the history of Sporting News has been the "Caught on the Fly" articles. That feature appeared in the inaugural issue and it still exists to this day for the publication.

The original office was located on N. 8th Street in St. Louis. Spinks and his staff covered baseball, cycling, football, horse racing, hunting, track, wrestling, and even theater in the early years of existence.

In 1899, Sporting News introduced everyone to illustrations of athletes with each weekly issue. However, at the turn of the century, the publication focused entirely on baseball and did no cover any other sports.

Even before he became a famous short story writer, Ring Lardner wrote a series of amusing columns entitled "Pullman's Pastimes". The first column appeared in Sporting News on December 15, 1910. Eventually, there was friction that built up between Lardner and Charles Spink, and that is when Lardner left to take another job in Boston.

In 1910, the company had moved their offices for the sixth time. This time, they moved their offices to the third floor on the corner of Tenth and Olive Street in St. Louis. They would not move again for another 36 years, and that building still stands today.

Also starting in 1910, Taylor Spink became an official scorer for the World Series. The highlight for Taylor Spink as a scorer came in 1920 during Game 5 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Dodgers. In the fifth inning of that game, Spink witnessed Cleveland's Bill Wambsganss record an unassisted triple play. The official scorecard for that game did make it in the magazine. Later on, Taylor established Sporting News as a must-read weekly publication because of being a big part of establishing the game of baseball. Because of this, Sporting News became known as "The Bible for Baseball". Taylor Spink would be in charge of the company until his death in 1962.

The publication had become very popular for baseball fans even during times of The Great Depression. In 1936, then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote a letter to Sporting News by congratulating them on their 50th Anniversary.

The year 1942 turned out to be a year of change for Sporting News. The company took over American Sports Publishing Company's Baseball Guide publication. They have published it every year since then, and have also done the same for other sports as well. They also now publish registers, yearbooks, and other detailed publications every year as well.

Also in 1942, Sporting News began to cover basketball, football, and hockey along with baseball. Because of the popularity after the second World War ended, sports had become a permanent fixture for the company. When baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth died in 1948, an eight-page obituary in the magazine was dedicated to him.

The company moved their main offices again in 1946, this time to the Garrison-Wagner building at 2018 Washington Avenue in St. Louis. Before the move, they also raised the price of the magazine to 20 cents and the yearly subscription to $8.

Sporting News also started a seperate publication called "The Quarterback" during the football season in 1946. This publication was only available during the football season.

Before his death in 1962, Taylor Spink developed an index card system that listed the contract history of every baseball player who signed to play professionally.

On December 7, 1962, Taylor Spink died, and an obituary had been published in the magazine. Taylor Spinks played not only a huge role for the company as well as becoming a legendary journalist, but he helped to promote the career of Ring Lardner.

Sporting News has seen many changes since the death of Taylor Spink, but few can argue that he was the most influential figure in the company's history. The Spink family made their mark in journalism, and helped to establish the weekly publication known as Sporting News towhat it has became today.

Source: Sporting News