Louisiana Anthology Podcast: 605. Derby Gisclair, part 2. Baseball.

605. Part 2. Derby Gisclair returns to discuss the history of baseball in New Orleans. Derby is an expert on the topic, having written the following books:

In July of 1859, seventy-five young New Orleanians came together to form the seven teams that comprised the Louisiana Base Ball Club. They played their games in the fields of the de la Chaise estate on the outskirts of New Orleans near present-day Louisiana Avenue. As America's population grew through immigration, so did the popularity of what the largest newspaper in New Orleans, the Daily Picayune, called in November of 1860 "the National Game." Baseball quickly replaced cricket as the city's most popular participant sport.In 1887, local businessmen and promoters secured a minor league franchise for the city of New Orleans in the newly formed Southern League, beginning the city's 73-year love affair with the New Orleans Pelicans. From Shoeless Joe Jackson, to Hall of Famers Dazzy Vance, Joe Sewell, Bob Lemon, and Earl Weaver, to today's stars such as Jeff Cirillo and Lance Berkman, the road to the majors brought many notable players through New Orleans. From these early beginnings to the present-day New Orleans Zephyrs of the AAA Pacific Coast League, local fans have continued the tradition of baseball in New Orleans.

A lifelong resident of New Orleans, S. Derby Gisclair is a member of the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) and its 19th Century, Minor Leagues, Deadball Era, Oral History, and Pictorial History Committees. He heads the Schott-Pelican Chapter of SABR in Louisiana and is on the Nominating and Selection Committees for the Greater New Orleans Professional Baseball Hall of Fame.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 220 years. Order your copy today!
This week in Louisiana history. December 23, 1813. Legislative Act #5 provides for offical state seal.
This week in New Orleans history. December 21, 1890. Governor James Albert Noe, born on December 21, 1890, served in World War I as a first lieutenant of the 369th Infantry in France. He became the Governor of Louisiana, serving from January through May 1936, following the death of Gov. O. K. Allen. He later returned to the senate until 1940. In 1936 Noe founded WNOE-AM and FM radio stations in New Orleans, established Monroes KNOE-AM and FM radio stations in 1944, and KNOE-TV in 1953.
This week in Louisiana.
Kenner's Heritage Park Christmas Village
2015 Fourth Street
Kenner, LA
December 1 - December 31, 2024
Website
Light display is open nightly / Vendors and entertainment will be present every Friday and Saturday from Dec. 1 - 23
Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Admission: FREE
     Each year in December, the streets and buildings in Rivertown from the railroad tracks to the river, are adorned with dazzling lights and displays. The festivities culminate in Kenner's Heritage Park, located at the center of the district and open every day and evening.
     There, visitors can wander through and view the festival displays, shop local food and craft vendors, find a unique gift, take a photo with Santa, or watch a song or dance performance by community churches and school groups.
     Children revel in the sudsy "snow" that blankets the park throughout the evening, and a special holiday-themed musical laser light show plays in the Kenner Planetarium theater right across the street. You're sure to catch some holiday cheer in Rivertown.
Postcards from Louisiana. David Middleton. "The Shepherd: A Christmas Play."